Healing in his arms

1.

Kashish POV

The air in the exam hall was thick with nervous energy. The nervous tapping of feet, the sharp clicking of pens, and the rustling of pages filled the silence. My pen glided across the last lines of my answer sheet, the scratching sound of the pen matched my quickened heartbeat.

Phew, I thought, leaning back in my chair. My eyes scanned the neatly written answers one more time. The questions had been tough, much tougher than I had expected, but I managed to complete the paper and even recheck it. I felt a sense of relief on completing the test on time. I looked around only to see some students sleeping, some quickly turning their pages and writing the answers and some even rechecking their papers. The final bell rang, snapping everyone out of their work. Teachers began to collect the answer sheets row by row. I handed mine and then grabbed my essentials from under the desk. As I walked out of the hall, a wave of relief washed over me. Exams were finally over.

As I got out of the examination hall, I saw the corridor filled with chatter as students discussed their answers. Walking towards the exit with my bag over my shoulder. I was lost in thought when I felt a gentle pat on my shoulder.

Turning around, I saw him. Namit Thakur.

He stood there, with his usual playful smirk on his lips. My heart skipped a beat, just as it always did when he was near. Namit was my classmate but to me, he was much more than that. He was charming in every possible way, the kind of guy who could make even the most boring conversation feel alive.

"How was your exam?" he asked.

I shrugged and said, "It went well, but honestly, it was really tough. I'm so tensed about my marks this time."

Namit chuckled, "Says the one who's always in the top three, don't fool me, Kashish." He leaned slightly closer,  making my cheeks warm. "I bet you'll ace this one too". I smiled.

"So," he continued, "what are your plans for the vacation? Let me guess—books as usual?"

I nodded, laughing. "Pretty much. I'm planning to get started on the twelfth-grade syllabus. Boards are next year, and it's time to get serious. Can't take any kind of risk for this one."

Namit groaned dramatically, making a face, "Ah, this nerd and her study talk. Don't you ever think of taking a break?". I rolled my eyes, "What about you? Any plans?"

"Of course,I'll be going on a family trip, adventure—you know, living my life." He winked, and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Well, have fun on your trip," I said, shifting my bag on my shoulder. "And happy journey."

"Thanks, nerd." He flashed one last smile before turning to leave. "Catch you later!"

As he walked away, I stood there watching his retreating figure. There was something magnetic about him, something that pulled me closer to him no matter how much I tried to resist and stay away.

I sighed, shaking my head at my thoughts. Namit had been my crush for the past two years, and despite my efforts, my feelings for him had only grown. Everything about him—his actions, his attitude, his slightly mischievous smile was so attractive to me.And, there was always a question in the back of my mind, What could he like about me?

I wasn't particularly pretty or popular. I was short, skinny, and, well, a bit of a nerd. I preferred the company of books over parties, and I found fun in solving practice papers rather than going out with friends in the evening. Namit, on the other hand, was the kind of guy who lit up a room just by walking into it.

Sighing again, I pushed my thoughts aside and started walking home.Exams were over, and there was a month long vacation .I also want to do something fun, I thought that I could also start preparing for the competitive exams as well. Wow Kasish off all the things you had to come back to study, I guess my idea of fun is equivalent to study only.

As I reached home , an amusing question arose in my mind, 

Do nerds also fall in love, will I ever get to experience the kind of love they show in the movies and write about in the novels?

Wow, the romance book which I read last night really made my mind wander off to these thoughts but for now I have to fall in love with books and study because only 1 year is left and after that college will be starting and my career would be decided.