Paayal - His Scarred Butterfly ✅

5 - A MOTHER IN A FRIEND

என் கருவோடு உன்னை சுமக்கவில்லை.
என் உயிரோடு உன்னை சுமந்திருப்பேன்.
(I have not carried you in the womb.
But I will carry you in my soul)

The next morning when Krishna entered the classroom, Paayal was already there, waiting for him, ready to apologize. She couldn't apologize the previous day. Today, She desperately wished to apologize and put a full stop to the misunderstanding. When he crossed her, " Krishna... " Paayal called, standing up.

It was the first time he heard his own name in her sweet voice. When she uttered his name, he felt as if he had the most beautiful name in the universe. But, he was upset with her. He really didn't want his unknown emotions to grow into love for this misunderstanding girl. He tried to keep his emotions in check and asked in a frustrated tone without meeting her eyes, "What?"

His stern voice showed that he was still upset. She knew words can be the best friends or worst enemies. Krishna's distress for more than a day clearly expressed the severity of her words, surpassing even that of the worst human enemies. It made her more guilty, her colour draining from her face.

"That.. I... I am... " She stammered in a low voice as she really didn't want others in the class to learn their personal misunderstanding.

Krishna interrupted frustratingly in a low voice as he too didn't want others to come between them, "What?! Do you still want to scold me for feeding the sweet to you? If yes, I am sorry. Please, forgive me. Don't say anything, Please. Your mouth may be ready to scold me with the worst words. But, my ears are not ready to hear those worst words. Please, leave me alone."

Paayal's eyes formed tears and she was about to say something. But Krishna left to his place, before she could respond to him.

Paayal sat down, her heart wrenching in guilt, her eyes shedding tears. Her tears had a blend of guilt and pain. Guilt, because of hurting him. Pain, because of his ignorance. She bent down to her desk so that no one would notice her tears and thought, "You told me that you are in the place of my maa, right? Your eyes were truly holding a genuineness when saying it. I didn't think it to be a lie or namesake courtesy. Then why are you not even giving me a chance to apologize? Can any mother ignore her daughter like this? Never! Does it mean, the genuineness I saw in your eyes is a lie or Am I really that bad to earn such an ignorance from even my mom?"

On the other hand, Krishna tried hard not to look at her and diverted himself to chat with Ajay.

The time flew by. The morning bell for the prayer rang, calling the students to the ground.

Everyone stood up to attend the morning prayer and walked out. Paayal too stood up and meandered out without energy, both physically and mentally. As she wanted to come to school earlier to meet Krishna, she didn't have her breakfast either. She felt drained. The ignorance of Krishna intensified her mental pain and drained her energy furthermore. Before long, she found herself unable to direct herself towards anything in front of her as the world around her twirled, causing her to lose her focus. She blinked, shaking her head in an attempt to gain her focus. But, the surroundings blurred in no time and she collapsed near the classroom's entrance. Only three of the students were there who walked behind her for the prayer. Krishna and Ajay were the two out of three.

As soon as she collapsed on the floor, Krishna rushed to her, leaving his decision of ignoring her and sat down near her. He took her to his lap restlessly and called, patting her cheeks gently, "Hey, What happened? Open your eyes. Wake up."

Paayal was not responding to him. There was not even a single movement in her.

"Ajay, bring the water bottle." Krishna hastened, his heart beating restlessly in the fear of losing her.