Under The Clear Summer Sky

24 | execution of the plan

The plan to make Anu his girlfriend had officially begun.

Maya was back in town and lingered in the school grounds, with the excuse of being the principal's niece and assistant. She followed Vineet and Anu secretly (Anu not knowing) and gave Vineet directions the entire day.

The first step of the plan.

Anu browsed through the aisles of library looking for the solution booklet for he prescribed textbook. Not this, not this, not- Oh! There it is! Much to her frustration, it was placed at the topmost rack that she couldn't reach. She tried to stand on her tippy-toes and pull it out but couldn't.

She sighed and looked around for a stool. Suddenly, she heard someone approaching her from behind.

"Which one?"

She knew this voice. Too well.

"That one. The solutions booklet." She whispered. He was close behind her. His arm reached out and pulled the book out with ease. The book hovered in front of her. "Take it."

She took it, obediently.

Now...how was she going to turn around?

He didn't make a movement. 

"Vineet."

"Yes?" Why did his voice sound closer to her ear now?

"I need to, um, move back."

"Right." He moved back two steps. She turned around, her eyes meeting his. His expression wasn't the focused, straight one she was used to. It was...too lazy, cheeky. Oh, her heart. She gulped and stared. He leaned forward towards her face. She moved back from instinct. His arms reached out and took out a book.

He gazed at her, as if he knew what effect he had on her. "What are you looking at?"

"Nothing."

He pressed the book he had pulled out lightly on her nose. "Any other book you want?"

"Nope. I'll get going."

Vineet nodded. Anu scampered away, flustered.

From the farthest aisle, Maya stepped out and gave Vineet a thumbs up. They had deliberately placed all the books related to English on the highest rack, after requesting the librarian for permission.

The second step.

The preparations for the school fest were going on rapidly. They had only one day left, after all. The principal and coordinators tried to lift the spirits of all the tired students and teachers. Anu stood at the back of all the student lines in the assembly. 

She stretched her neck and rubbed her eyes. Who knew preparing a simple stall with the students could be this tiring?

Vineet approached her. Anu eyed him. There was something different about him since this morning. He kept approaching her, asking for this and that. She had even caught him, gazing at her from the corner of her eyes.

What in the world was he up to?

 He offered her a drink. It happened to be a drink she loved a lot.

She glanced at him, accepting it. 

She sipped it. 

"It's good?"

"Mm."

Vineet nodded. He clearly wasn't done with the conversation. She waited for the next question. "What type of men do you like?"

She nearly spat out her drink. Is that why he gave her the drink? Just to spit it out?

"M-My type? In men?"

"Yeah."

She stared at him, her suspicion growing. "Why do you ask?"

"Just curious."

"Well..." She thought about it. "Someone who is...smart and good to me, I think. If he is handsome, that would be nice."

Vineet nodded slowly. "Someone smart, good to you and handsome...Doesn't that describe me?" 

His eyes were firmly on hers. Her breath hitched.

"Assembly concludes. Please get back to your classes, students."

The announcement shook her out of the trance. 

"I've got to go. I'll see you around." Vineet smiled, cheekily.

Anu stood, transfixed to her spot. Just what was he doing?

The unplanned step.

There had, in fact, been a third step that required the help of Maya, directly. But unfortunately, Maya was caught lurking around by the principal and taken to the office to focus on her work.

So, the last step was cancelled. In it's place, something that neither had planned happened. During the last period of the school, Anu entered 10 A class to get a signature.

Vihan groaned. "Sir, come on. We completely tired out ourselves out in these preparations. Give us a free period."

"I know you, Shrest and Sana haven't volunteered to organize anything and have just been roaming around the corridors. Open page number 61."

"I'm speaking on behalf of all the students, sir."

"Open page number 61."

Anu chuckled. "I need your signature here." 

Vineet took the paper from her, going through the details.

The students grew quiet. They sent puppy eyes, pleading glanced and prayer symbols in silence to Anu. She pointed to herself, her eyes growing wide. Me?

"Please, ma'am. You're our only hope." Vihan whispered.

Anu glanced over the classroom. Her eyes came to Vineet's, that had already been watching her. His gaze was somewhat teasing, it made her nervous. A little flustered, she took back the paper that had been signed. 

"Please open page number 61, students."

And she ran out of the classroom.

In the safety of her cubicle, she cupper her cheeks, that were warm. She had forgotten just how lethal Vineet's gaze could be for her poor heart.

✿

word count: 827 words