Crestfallen [COMPLETED]

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ - 3

Then

They see each other for weeks.
Sitting across each other.

Stealing glances and hidden smiles.

Until he decides to approach her.
He recognizes the book she's reading. He couldn't get into it just, through the first pages.

"Hey," he says feigning nonchalance as he nears her.

Meanwhile a sweat trickles down his back. Apparently he's this anxious around most people. And he had retreated every other time.

He doesn't know why he, didn't though, this time.

"Hey," the girl meets his gaze, as her voice hits him. The confidence, the deep throatiness in that one word she utters.

He can feel something shift in him.
As their eyes lock.

"The book you're reading. How's it?," he asks hoping he doesn't gives nervous energy.

"Great," she says with the most enthusiastic voice.

He nods looking a little away to catch his breath.

"looked to me like you were struggling to finish it."

"What gave you the impression?"

" Three days in a week. Took you long enough."

She smiles at that, her lips curling upward. Not implying his statement that he had been noticing her.

"It's so good I am taking all the time in the world. I don't want it to finish," she says looking over at him.

He barely nods, biting on his lip nervously.

"What's that face?"

"I tried . . . . . . . couldn't get in."

She gives him a pointed, calculating look. As she rises from her seat.

"I get it. You didn't get the context."

She extends her hand that holds the jaded hardcover.

"Take my copy."

He turns a little shocked at her offer.

"No. Thanks."

The girl insists still holding it out for him.

"Really. I just finished it.I think you need to give it a chance"

He meets her gaze sharply, his tone more smooth.

"And why's that? It's a tragedy. It's sad."

"Despite that, I believe it's worth it. It's a beautiful piece of literature.
It's a lesson learnt like none, ever."

She checks her watch, and he notes the train slowing a notch lower.

"I need to go now. But we will meet again. Since we are running into each other all this time."

"And I need my book unharmed," she stresses on the last words.

He takes the heavy hardcover jacket form her hand.
And looks at her, a tease in his eyes.

"I can guarantee that. Since I am not planning to read it."

"We will see."

"And..." she turns at that, her hand on the door.

"Go beyond chapter five, it gets interesting."

"How do you know, I got stuck right there?"

"Believe me I did too."

She smiles at him as she exits out.

And he stares mindlessly as the door closes.

Damn, she has him so convinced

That he spends the entire night reading her book.