comfort in clumsiness

Chapter 1- Dhwani's Library

In the heart of the bustling city, nestled between towering skyscrapers and bustling streets, stood the long forgotten "Dhwani's library", famously now called "The antique archive". With its majestic columns and ornate architecture, it was a sanctuary for book lovers and seekers of knowledge alike.

Amidst the hushed whispers of pages turning and the soft rustle of parchment, Shantanu found himself lost in the labyrinthine aisles of the library. The scent of aged paper and polished wood filled his senses as he trailed his fingers along the spines of leather-bound volumes, each one a treasure trove of stories waiting to be discovered.

With a sigh, he settled into a plush armchair by the towering stained glass windows, the afternoon sunlight casting a kaleidoscope of colours across the polished wooden floor. Lost in the world of words, Shantanu felt a sense of peace wash over him, as if the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders. After a while when he went to place back the book, the environment of the library had become more tranquil as many people had left. Amidst the quiet hum of the library, Shantanu's attention was suddenly drawn to a figure a few feet away from him. He stood amidst the shelves, his dark hair tousled, caramel skin and his eyes alight with curiosity as he perused the rows of books. The sun was in the final stages of setting, spilling the deep golden glow in through the window. This figure just stood there with his eyes on the shelved volumes, looking like an ethereal beauty, "you're staring" he said, Shantanu's cheeks flushed from embarrassment. The man was holding a tote bag and a leather journal in his hand with the name Shashank scribbled onto it. Shantanu jolted, stumbling over a pile of books, towards the calm figure behind me, in a haste he reached out to block his fall. To his surprise, he wasn't lying on the floor covered in books, he was enveloped in warmth and the scent of sandalwood, in actuality he was holding on to something which kept him from falling on his face, when Shantanu opened his eyes to face reality once again, his hands had ended up on Shashank's shoulder, his body directly over Shashank's, His eyes fluttered open with his greeting Shantanu with that piercing Hazel gaze, "aren't you a clumsy one" Shashank said in a soft yet commanding voice, deeper than the abys. Shocked, Shantanu's elbows went weak and he came crashing down onto Shashank's muscled frame, ears against his chest that was now vibrating with laughter. Shantanu blushed and scrambled up to his feet, feeling embarrassed. Chuckling yet a bit worried Shashank asked "are you okay?". "I..I'm o..okay" flushed said Shantanu. Shashank chuckled softly, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "No harm done," he reassured Shashank, his hands still resting lightly wrapped around Shantanu.

And as they stood there amidst the towering shelves of books, Shantanu couldn't help but wonder if perhaps his clumsiness had led him to exactly where he was meant to be.

Shashank pulled himself back from Shantanu making sure that he had stabilized Shantanu's stance. Grateful Shantanu replied "Th..thanks...hehe, im sorry my clumsiness has been at its peak for some days now, how can I repay you for this". "it's fine really, well you can wait till I fall over some books and come rescue me hehe.." Shashank said in a teasing tone, both of then stuck in an unspoken moment of tension each other. "I'm Shashank Rathore, and you are...", "Shantanu....Shantanu Srivastava."
"pleasure to meet you Shantanu, I've gotta say...you're taste in literature is impeccable"

Shantanu and Shashank had exchanged glances before quite a few times but had never talked to eachother upto this point. Whenever their eyes met Shashank would smile softly which would give Shantanu butterflies in his stomach.

"hehe thanks", said Shantanu. Wanting to prolongthis conversation Shantanu asked "so what've you been reading lately?",Shashank glanced down at the book in his tote bag, a smile tugging at thecorners of his lips. "Oh, just something I picked up on a whim," hesaid. "It's a collection of short stories by a new author I've beenmeaning to check out".
Shantanu's eyes lit up with interest "ooo...I love stories", he exclaimed "do youmind if I take a look?".
"of course not!", Shantanu replied handing him the book with a gentle smile, "I'dlove to hear what you think about it".
And so, as they settled into an easy conversation about their favourite booksand shared literary interests, Shantanu and Shashank discovered a connectionthat went beyond their initial awkward encounter. With each passing moment,they found themselves drawn deeper into each other's worlds, their conversationflowing effortlessly as if they had known each other for years. And as theylost themselves in the magic of storytelling, Shantanu couldn't help but feelthat perhaps their meeting in the library was more than just a chanceencounter.


a few weeks later

Shashank and Shantanu hadn't met since that day at the library. Coincidentally itturned out that they went to the same college and were in the same years justdifferent programmes, as the new semester began they were assigned new rooms,and as fate would have it Shashank and Shantanu were assigned as each other'sroommates. Shantanu was a biology major and Shashank was a physics major.Besides from this, both of them were old souls who preferred classical music,old literature and didn't really mind if they had their phones with them everysecond of the day.

Both Shashank and Shantanu had topped their respective programmes with a CGPAof 9.5 and 9.7 respectively. The college had clubbed together all the rankholders as each other's roommates to provide a "good study environment".

As Shantanu walked into his new room with luggage in his hands he saw afamiliar tall figure with a muscled frame and luscious locs of beautiful darkhair, across the room putting his things into place with his back towards thedoor. "hey!! I'm Shantanu" said Shantanu, as the person in front of him turnedaround and saw Shantanu, both of them exclaimed in joy and confusion at thesame time.
"Shashank?", "hehe yeah, I thought we'd never see each other ever again" saidShashank smiling ear to ear as he walked towards the door to help Shantanu withhis luggage. Both of them fell back into conversation and in a few hours bothof them were done moving into the room. "sigh...I'm hungrayyy" said Shashank "doyou want anything to eat,eh whatever ill bring you something anyways. Wannacome?". Shantanu still had some books to organise so he told him that it'll bea sec before he gets done too. Shashank then went down to get some food.Shantanu stood by the door for a while, watching his frame until it disappearedin the stairwell.