Healing in his arms

2.

Kashish POV

The summer heat was intense, making everything feel slower and heavier. I sat at my study table, trying to focus on the chemistry textbook in front of me. The fan spun above,filling the silence of my quiet room. I had planned to start preparing for the next year, but my mind wasn't cooperating.

I had written the name of the 1st chapter on the first page of my notebook, but the pages after that were still blank. My mind shifted to my phone lying beside me, and I wondered what Namit might be doing right now.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed, snapping me out of my thoughts. I picked it up and saw his name on the screen. My heart did a little flip.

Namit: Hey nerd, finished the whole 12th already?

I smiled at the message, quickly typing a reply.

Me:  LOL, Of course not, I haven't started yet. I don't know how I'll be able to complete all this in such a short period.

His response came almost immediately.

Namit: You've got a whole year for that. Chill a little.

I stared at his message for a moment before replying.

Me: I can't chill. I have to be prepared. You know me.

Namit: Exactly! And because I know you, I also know you'll do great even if you take a break.

I smiled to myself but didn't reply. What could I say? He always seemed so carefree, while I worried about every little thing.

Just then, I heard the sound of the gate being open. A moment later, my mom called out from the kitchen, "Kashish, Ishita is here!"

I smiled. Ishita was my best friend. She was the complete opposite of me-bubbly, bold, and always full of energy. I sometimes wondered how an extrovert like her became my best friend.

I quickly got up and went to the living room. Ishita was already sitting on the couch, her hair tied up in a messy bun and a big grin on her face. She was holding a soft drink she had grabbed from the fridge and turned to me.

"Kashish! You look like you've been buried in your books forever," she teased.

I rolled my eyes, sitting next to her. "You know me. Exams are over, and it's time to prepare for the next year."

She groaned dramatically. "You're unbelievable. Everyone's relaxing, and you're back to studying! You need to live a little."

I laughed. "And by 'live a little,' you mean waste time doing nothing?"

"Yes! Exactly! That's what vacations are for!" She leaned back, sipping her drink. "Tell me something exciting. Any updates on Namit?"

I froze for a moment, then looked away, pretending to be uninterested. "What about him?"

Ishita smirked. "Don't play dumb. Did he text you?"

I sighed, knowing there was no point in hiding it. "Yes, he did. We were just talking about exams and stuff."

"Just exams?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

I nodded, trying to keep my face neutral so that I don't get caught blushing just about the thoughts of him.

"Kashish, you've been crushing on him for two years. When are you going to tell him?"

"Never," I said quickly. "It's not like he would ever feel the same way."

"Why not? You're smart, kind, and—"

"And boring," I interrupted. "He's so outgoing and confident. Why would he like someone like me?"

Ishita frowned. "You're not boring, Kashish. You just don't see yourself the way others do. Namit talks to you, doesn't he? He doesn't talk to most girls of our class u know and he talks to u so much. What would that mean?"

I shrugged, not convinced. "He's just being friendly. It doesn't mean anything."

Before Ishita could argue further, my phone buzzed again. Namit's name lit up the screen.

Namit: Kashish, are you there?

I showed Ishita the message, and her eyes widened. "See? He's texting you again! Answer him!"

I hesitated, then typed back.

Me: Yes, I'm here. What happened?

Namit: Nothing, just got bored and thought of you. What are you doing?

Ishita squealed when she read the message. "Aww, He thought of you! Kashish!"

I rolled my eyes at her reaction but couldn't stop the warmth on my cheeks.

Me: Just studying, as usual. You?

Namit: Studying? Seriously? It's vacation time! I'm just lying around, thinking of all the fun I'll have on my trip. You should take a break too.

I sighed. Ishita snatched the phone from my hand and typed a reply before I could stop her.

Me (Ishita): Maybe I will. What kind of fun are you planning?

"Namit doesn't need to know that you're a study freak," Ishita said, handing the phone back to me.

I glared at her but couldn't help laughing. 

The rest of the evening passed quickly, with Ishita telling me all about her plans for the vacation and teasing me about Namit every chance she got. As she left, I realized how much I appreciated her presence in my life.

That night, as I lay in bed, I replayed Namit's messages in my head. Maybe Ishita was right. Maybe it was time to stop doubting myself so much. But for now, I had a stack of books waiting for me and a lot of thoughts about Namit to push aside.