Library of memories

Chapter 4: Just a friend

ISHAAN

The morning light filtered through my window as I woke up, the weight of what I had learned about Diya's parents still fresh in my mind. Alongside this new knowledge was the realization of my feelings for her. Determined to see her, I rolled out of bed with a newfound
purpose.

Checking my schedule, I was pleased to find that luck was on my side—I had no lectures today. With a full hour to get ready before heading to the library at 10 AM, I opened my closet, searching for the perfect outfit. The bright morning sun made me want to choose a blue T-shirt and black tracks, a combination that felt just right for the day ahead.

With anticipation building, I sat in my car, driving towards the library. The journey felt significant, as if every turn of the wheel was bringing me closer to something I had been searching for all along.

As I walked into the library, my eyes immediately landed on a familiar figure. Standing at 5'3", she was dressed in a purple T-shirt and jeans, her hair cascading to her mid-back. She was smiling warmly at a middle-aged woman in a simple saree. Unable to contain my excitement, I walked towards her, grinning like an idiot.

The woman noticed my approach and gently patted Diya, motioning her to turn around. When our eyes met, I was certain I saw a spark of excitement in her gaze.

"Hi," I said, my smile broadening.
"Hey," she replied, her face betraying no emotion. I felt a pang of disappointment at her seemingly indifferent response.

Just as I was about to speak, the woman beside Diya interrupted.

"Is this the guy you were telling me about?" she asked, her tone curious.
I was confused.

Who was this woman, and how did she know about me?

"Maa," Diya said, glancing at her before turning back to me. "Ishaan, this is my mum. Maa, this is Ishaan."

Realization dawned on me. This was Kayal's mother, the woman who had adopted Diya. Respectfully, I bent down and touched her feet. "Maa, I'm Ishaan. I am a lecturer at my dad's institution," I introduced myself.

She smiled sweetly. "I'm Lakshmi. I take care of the library. Well, now let me give you two some privacy." With that, she walked away, leaving me and Diya alone.

"Diya..." I called out, watching her as she busied herself with her books. Sometimes, I felt a pang of jealousy toward those books—they seemed to get more of her attention than I did.

Realizing how childish that sounded, I couldn't help but smile at the effect she had on me. She hummed in acknowledgment, letting me know she was listening.
"Talk to me," I pleaded, but she gave no reply. Feeling frustrated, I gently grabbed her wrists and turned her around to face me.
"Ishaan..." she said, looking up at me. Her eyes held a mix of surprise and something else I couldn't quite place. Worried that I had made her uncomfortable, I quickly released her wrists and stepped back.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfor—" I started to apologize, but she interrupted.
"No, you didn't make me uncomfortable. I was just disappointed. I waited until 9 yesterday, hoping you'd come," she admitted, her gaze dropping to the floor.
Her words hit me hard, and I felt a wave of guilt for not checking up on her. "Diya, I'm so sorry," I said, feeling genuinely guilty.

"It's fine," she whispered, her eyes still fixed on the floor. Her dejected posture made me realize how much my absence had affected her. With our height difference, I couldn't see her face properly, so I did the only thing I could think of—I knelt in front of her.
Her eyes widened in surprise as she saw me kneel. "Ishaan, get up everyone is looking at us" she said, scanning the whole library to find a lot eyes looking at us, touching my shoulders she tried to help me stand. Her touch was gentle but firm, yet my solid worked out body made it difficult for her to move me.

"Not until you look at me," I said softly, capturing her gaze with mine.
"Okay. Now get up," she said, helping me to my feet. Diya then walked through the aisles to her favorite spot in the library, on the first floor upstairs near the window where sunlight streamed through. It was a quiet corner where hardly anyone went, but Diya had told me it was her sanctuary. I followed her and sat next to her on the desk.
"Diya, what am I to you?" I asked, the words tumbling out before I could fully process them.

"Huh? You? You're the only male friend I know” she replied, her tone casual.

I smirked at her response feeling proud.

Trust me darling I know, I thought, feeling a sense of relief and amusement at the same time.

She asked me a question that left me stunned. "What am I to you, Ishaan?" she said, her eyes softening. I didn't want to rush things, especially since I felt she only saw me as a friend. "You're a very good friend of mine," I replied, staring into her deep eyes.

"Am I your only female friend?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. She looked so adorable that I couldn't help but chuckle. "You're the only one," I assured her.

A smile crept up her lips which made me feel warm. She looked so beautiful. Her hair was continously being moved due to the wind from the window. The morning sunlight hitting her face.

As I kept looking at her my eyes drifted to her soft, pink lips that perfectly fitted her face.
Ishaan stop, I reminded myself.

Her mom suddenly appeared from downstairs and walked towards us. "Diya, aren't you hungry?" she asked. I was confused. It's only 11—why would she be hungry so soon? I looked at Diya, who gave a sheepish smile.

"Mumma, why is she smiling like that?" I asked, turning to her mother.

"She didn't eat her breakfast, kanna. She was too moody this morning. She's only smiling now because you're here," she said, making me smile too. But I found it strange.

She skipped breakfast just because of me? Am I that special?

Why are you doing this to me, Diya?

I gathered some courage and asked her mom, "Mumma, if you allow me, can I take her out for breakfast?" Her eyes showed a mix of admiration and affection.

"Sure," she said with a smile.
I turned to Diya and asked, "Are you okay with coming with me?" She nodded, smiling. "Maa, I'll be back soon," she said, grinning at her mother.

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