Destined Cousins

6| Past, Present and Hopeless Future

When the past interlocks with the present, the door to the future unlocks.

His eyes are a pair of marbles which entice me. His eyelashes are intricately patterned peacock feathers which attracts me. But, none of his is mine. He, himself is not mine. 

A small smile sprouted on her lips as she read the former part of the writing. But it didn't last long. For all, the blanket of truth had covered her entirely from the illusive fantasy. Trying to cope up with her pain, she picked her phone and dialled to Indra.

"Situ! Still alive, huh?"

"I'll live as long as you live," she replied, her voice gloomy.

"Still sulking over the past?" Indra questioned, dubiously.

Sita went stiff, unable to answer. 

"Sita?"

"I can't bring myself to accept it, Indu... It's like... I can't term it as past. I see it as my present and future. No one can take his place." Her voice turned hoarse as she gulped back the tears.

"You're coming over... This weekend," Indra ordered.

Sita froze. She didn't want to meet him again. Not when he's someone else's. Not when she's exhausted. Mentally. 

"Situ, please. Heed me for once. I bet you won't regret. It helps. I really wanna talk to my friend. Can't I?" Indra's voice sounded oddly comforting.

And Sita wanted more of that comfort. She really needed some peace. Indra was the one who knew every hardship she had faced and she stood by her side, against her own brother. Who else could make her comfortable, if not her?

"Okay," Sita mumbled. 

"Focus on academics and rest is assured. Will meet this Sunday. Okay?" 

Sita hummed and hung up the call. She felt better. Better than before. That was their monthly routine ever since Shyam acknowledged his relationship status. Albeit she tried her best to move on, she couldn't help but mourn over her fate. Was it her fault that she fell for him that harder? Her love knew no depths. It was infinite. Sita's eyes shut close, trying to procure a brief escape from the reality...

"Primary valency is ionisable whereas Secondary valency isn't. Likewise, compare the remaining points. You'll get it."

Sita nodded, still in a daze; Shyam's proximity intoxicated her mind. She immediately shook her head as realisation hit her. She ought to study. The following day, it was her biggest fear. Chemistry exam. But with Shyam by her side, she felt relaxed. Trying to grasp what he said, she jot down the points in a neat tabular column, distinguishing them. 

"Is this right?" she asked, nervously.

Her eyes looked at him with such eagerness that he himself couldn't help but smile. His smile set open thousands of butterflies in her tummy as he checked her notebook. As he perused her writing, his lips curved up, appreciatively. 

"Great, Sita. You'll definitely get a three mark question from this," he said. 

Sita flashed a smile, proud of herself. Shyam asked her to learn the theories and proceeded to work on his own assignment. The way he helped her to prepare for the exam despite his own college works made Sita's heart flutter. In her mind, she was in another world which consist of only her and her Shyam. However, they were studying in the living room, prone to multiple disturbances. Combating her inner turmoil, she dived into the world of physical chemistry.