உன்னாலே எனக்குள்
உருவான உலகம்
பூகம்பம் இன்றி சிதறுதடி.
(A world was created in me
Because of you.
It has scattered into pieces
without an earthquake)
It had been one week since the school was reopened. Krishna made several attempts to communicate with Paayal. However, she appeared to be an introvert. Whenever he spoke to her, she would just reply to his questions. She never made the first move to chat. Krishna did not take it seriously. He thought that it was her nature and he liked her as she was.
After the school bell rang for the lunch, Krishna, Saanvi, Paayal and Ajay sat under a tree to have their lunch and opened their tiffin boxes.
Ajay unwillingly opened his tiffin box. Seeing his expression, Saanvi giggled, "Ajay, why are you keeping your face like a ginger-eating monkey? Did your mom make khichdi for lunch today?"
"It would be good, if my mom made Khichdi, San. But my mom didn't cook today. It was my sister who cooked today. I don't know how I am going to eat this Sambar and potato fry." Ajay pouted.
"Why?? Is your sister bad at cooking?" Saanvi inquired with a giggle.
"Yes, she is absolutely terrible at cooking. Can you believe it? She had no idea where the kitchen was in our house till her engagement. But now, as she got engaged to marriage, she is learning to cook and experimenting her recipes with us. Our family became like a rat in the lab." Ajay sighed playfully.
Saanvi and Krishna laughed. Paayal was just eating quietly in her own depressed world, without listening to them.
Krishna's laugh disappeared at the sight of Paayal's silence. His heart ached to see her gloomy look always, as if she lost something precious. But What is there to lose at this young age? This is the age of dreams, hopes and cheerfulness. She may be feeling uncomfortable in the new atmosphere, he thought and assured gently, "Paayal, don't be silent. We are not strangers. We are your friends. You can be open with us,"
Paayal nodded her head, forcing a smile.
He added on pouting, "We are mostly chatting in English because of your presence only. But you are not at all listening to us, it seems."
"No No, I am listening to you all." Paayal lied defensively. Krishna wished it to be true. But, her gloomy face was disheartening to him.
"Then, why are you not even smiling? You are always keeping quiet. That's not a problem. But you can smile, right?" Krishna pouted, as if his whole life depends on her smile.
Saanvi interrupted, "Krishna, why are you investigating her like a lawyer? She is just taking her time to adapt in this new place."
"Is it?! Are you still taking your time to adapt?" Krishna asked softly.
"Hmm.... " Paayal hummed in response.
Krishna nodded sadly.
"Okay, Let's have our lunch. It's getting late," Ajay insisted and added dramatically, looking up at the sky, "I am going to eat this food. Please, save me God. Please, Save my friends too."
"Hey mad Ajay..., It tastes good. Eat first." Krishna said who tasted the shared food of Ajay.
Ajay nodded, taking a deep breathe dramatically and started to eat. They chatted while having lunch and then went to their classroom.
When the evening bell chimed, the students exited the school premises in bunches, an indistinct noise, pervading in the school.
Saanvi accompanied Paayal as usual till the gate and bid bye to her as she had to walk opposite of Paayal to reach her home. Paayal too bid bye to her and headed towards her home.
YOU ARE READING
Paayal - His Scarred Butterfly ✅
RomantizmShe is lost in darkness, He is determined to become her light. She is drowned in tears. He is determined to become the reason for her smile. She is scarred, He is determined to heal her. Will his determined love mend her broken wings or will it end...
