How To Not Fall In Love?

9: Deotima

hi guys, i'm back

-

I was in my room, staring at the mirror and wondering whether Wriddhi Da had noticed my efforts of dressing up. At the party, I had heard him telling people that they looked gorgeous. But me?

Perhaps, not gorgeous. Pretty?

My mindless rant was eating me up. However, not any longer. The reason being- Dev is barking. Literally. He is barking outside my room. Is this a new way of calling me out?

"What's wrong?" I say.

"I was just trying out my old skills," he said, proud enough.

"You are such a dog."

"Can I come in?" he says.

"Would you not? If I say no."

"Haha, you're funny."

He then pulled my cheeks, strongly pushed me aside, then again pulled me inside and locked the door.

"You want to rob my jewels?" I say.

"What is going on between you and Wriddhi Da?"

"What... what-?" I stammer.

"I had seen Wriddhi Da, looking at you. With the softest and the most gentle eyes."

Not gonna lie, I felt happy, Perhaps, I giggled a little.

Realizing that concealing my feelings from Dev would be futile, I said, "You did?"

"Yes," he said. "He looked like he was in love with you?"

"Love?"

"Yes..." he said. "Wait. Why are you so happy?"

I could not help but blush profusely.

"Do you like him?"

"Kinda."

"What on earth, does 'kinda' mean?"

"I think I like him."

I realized that I was not sitting straight. I had managed to bring my whole body together, perhaps, trying to manage the butterflies in my tummy. In fact, Dev was too invested.

"You do? Seriously?"

"Yes," I hide my face with my palms.

Dev pulls my palms away from my face. And I hug him.

"WRIDDHI DA IS A GREAT MAN," he almost screams.

"Hush, hush. Do not publicize this," I say. "First, let's be sure. And in this, you are going to help me."

"Your birthday is in three days. Let's go out for lunch to celebrate your pre-birthday. I will talk with Jethima."

"You seem more excited than me," I say, relieved.

"I love Wriddhi Da," he whispers.

We both laugh.

"Okay. Sleep tight," saying this, he was leaving.

"Naah, I have some definite integration to do."

He turned back, to pass me a smile that felt like a tease and a taunt.

"Yes, Wriddhi Da's homework," I admit.

Dev walks back to me.

He kisses my forehead and says, "Good luck, my baby."

He was a couple of months older than me. And I could melt in the affection of my dear brother.

"I think you are not a dog."

"You are wrong," he says.