TPQ (Aru Shah) One Shots

Wishes

During the past few months after their trip to Lanka, Kara found joy.

She finally got someone to argue with, steal clothes from and tease.

That person was Aru, her sister.

Aru was bright and clever. She could make anyone laugh if she wished it, and every room she entered became energised.

She knew Aru was a lot different than herself, who preferred to read instead of watching the Lord of The Rings.

Kara knew she had her good sides, but she couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy when she saw Aru communicate with the rest of the Potatoes.

Aru and Brynne could argue and play fight because they shared the same sense of humour. She and Mini always found a way to make the best ideas from the lowest of situations. Sheela considered Aru a person she could look up to, and Aru was the only person who could put a smile on Nikita's face.

The only person who may just get along better with Kara compared to Aru seemed to be Aiden.

Kara realised that the two had stopped talking to each other, ever since the halls of Chayya. Aiden didn't even dare look at Aru, and even though her sister didn't show it, Kara could tell she was hurt.

As unfortunate as it was, Kara found herself getting drawn closer to Aiden. Recently, they'd talked about a school project together and they shared many stories that day at the coffee shop.

"But then Clara told me she liked someone," said Kara, giggling.

"Really?" asked Aiden, a smile grazing his lips.

"Have you ever liked anyone?" she asked.

Aiden's eyes widened in shock, "Sorry?"

"Have you ever liked anyone?" Kara slowly repeated.

Aiden casted his eyes down, a faint blush painting his cheeks. "Once," he said after a while of silence.

"What?"

"I have once," said Aiden, a strange sadness in his eyes.

"Still?" unknowingly asked Kara.

"Still." confirmed Aiden, smiling before changing topics.

From then on, Kara hoped it was her.

She looked at her teacher who was rambling about substituting in algebra, to her empty page and created a list.

Aru                       Mini                       Brynne                         Hira                Kara

She looked at the list of possible candidates Aiden likes. From first glance, she crossed out Mini and Hira because Aiden showed no interest in them romantically.

Aru                    Mini X                    Brynne                          Hira X                 Kara

What if it's Brynne? Thought Kara.

Aiden's known her for years and they're best friends. And they do everything together. But Brynne likes Hira and Aiden always teases her for it, officialising that their relationship was completely platonic.

Aru              Mini X                   Brynne  X                          Hira X                       Kara

And now there were only two people it could possibly be.

Aru and Kara.

Kara had her own doubts about Aru liking Aiden in a more than friends way, but she never spoke of it. When she first came, Aru and Aiden were quite close, considering they were neighbours and they went to the same school. Now, Aiden put a large gap between them by not talking to her sister.

When they discussed something in a group and Aru suggested something, Aiden would act like he didn't hear it. When they were in the same room, Aiden left it.

Kara knew it unsettled Aru, but her sister acted like it didn't bother her. Even so, she could tell Aiden cared deeply for Aru and knew he would be concerned if something happened to her.

But he avoided her. And that gave Kara all the reason for her to cross out her sister's name.

Aru X                     Mini X                     Brynne X                     Hira X                Kara

Now, only one name occurred.

Kara.

Perhaps, Aiden liked her back?

Kara felt her cheeks heat up as she dotted around her name, wondering. Just what if he reciprocated her feelings? What if he liked her back?

She thought about how close she and Aiden had become, a smile blooming on her lips as she circled the last name on the paper.

Aru X                    Mini X                Brynne X                        HiraX                    Kara 

The bell rang abruptly as the teacher finished her lesson and people started rising from their seats. Kara clutched the piece of paper to her chest.

How she wished for him to like her back.