Let's Meet After School

CHAPTER 19: I'M HERE

Life offers you a choice... everyone says that you don't have a choice but the reality is... that you're afraid to take that path. We must make those hard decisions, we have to face our fears, and we have to look up and do the thing which we feel is right for us at that moment. Timing is a thing that can either make someone or break someone... with time ticking off, we understand that it has a lot of potential. So, what is the context you ask? What I'm trying to say here is that – We face these situations in life where we have to make a choice, the time won't stop for anyone... so you have some time maybe or no time to make that choice. What's important to see here is that you do make a choice... because sometimes if you're just happened to be a bit late... some things are already gone and you end up with regret.

Now I said all that up there... I was just trying to get my point out there... soon the context will fit into the perspective that I'm looking over. You will know what I'm talking about when the time comes... for now... it seems that our current situation with Ankita and Aarav should be discussed.

26th November 2015

We see Aarav lying down on his bed lost in his thoughts... those fights that he witnessed between his father and mother when he was growing up. It seems that he's lost in his own bubble of thoughts. The atmosphere is dead silent, locked windows, closed curtains, deep thoughts... and suddenly he hears someone ringing the doorbell. He decides not to answer it but the person seems persistent ringing the bell and knocking on the door constantly. Aarav gets up in rage and heads towards the door. He opens the door and is shocked to see Ankita standing in front of him.

"Aarav? Yaar... Why are you not coming to school... do you know how much worried I was?" she says.

"I'm... I... (tears start falling from his eye) ..."

"Why are you crying now... I'm here—"

He pulls her inside the home and hugs her tightly. As they share this moment together, we see him crying out loud in front of her. Ankita pats his back as a way of saying that she's here now and everything will be just fine.

After that we see both of them sitting together in his room.

"Uhm... you feel better now?" she asks.

"Hmm... better," he replies with a straight face.

"Yaar... do you know how you made me worried every day. It's been weeks now... that day, I wasn't there with you... I'm sorry yaar."

"It's okay... anyway I was the one who ran away, I couldn't handle those comments, those insults, everyone was getting on my nerves... everyone."

"I know... the person who spread those rumors was suspended for a week as a punishment. After that, I thought that you would return soon... I told Shreya that you will be back soon... but you didn't come... so I came here."

"Did you ask our teacher for my address?" he asks.

"Nope... Shreya helped me with that... she has a friend who lives nearby as well. So, she got the info and I came to know that you stay alone all day as your parents are both working... I made the decision to come here... to see if you're okay or not."

"... I was just trying to take a break... from everything."

"You should take a break... I came here today... not weeks prior... ask me the reason, it's because I wanted you to have your own space, and some time to think over this situation. We are a couple but I respect and understand your boundaries as well. For me, I believe in you... I trust you and I understand individuality."

"You sound like a mature aunty to me... (giggles)"

"... This mature aunty is just trying to look after you. Aarav... you need to return to school now... or our grades would suffer."

"Our grades?"

"Yeah! You being like this, bad things happening... do you think it's easier for me to concentrate on my studies?"

"So, my life defines your studies?" he says in a weird tone.

"I understand that you're going through something now... but understand this... your words can hurt me so choose wisely. And yes... it matters to me if you're doing good or not. It's a basic emotion... if someone whom I consider my family is going through something rough, do you think it would be easy for me to focus on anything. Sorry if I'm being too emotional... I just want the best for both of us." she replies trying to be calm but appearing to be angry.

"You know what would be best for both of us... (smiles cockily) ... that we keep some distance between us."

"Aarav! You know what you're saying, right? I don't think that you're in the right state of mind today... I just came here today to see if you're okay or not... you don't need to be this defensive. Bro, we are besties... more than that—"

"Now that's what's making me scared... you sound so serious about everything now all of a sudden... you sound like we are a married couple... you just sound like my mom and dad... they were just like you initially. Later, a storm came by... and they were dragged down back to the reality... the reality that they weren't meant to be—"

"Aarav... I think it's enough for now... I came here to see if you're doing okay or not. I guess I have got my answer... I should take my leave, I lied to my mom that I'm attending extra classes after school." Ankita says as she's about to tear up.

"Fine... you may leave."

"Also, I have kept a bag outside in the main room... there are some snacks for you. I will wait for you... I won't come back here... I want you to come back to the school. Whenever you think you have made your decision... come see me and we will have a talk... oh haa... I will not take your words to my heart this time... you said some mean things but I should be the one understanding you when everyone around you is not."

"You're done?"

"Yes... bye, Aarav... take care."