When It Rains- When a heart weeps|√

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

The wind howls as the students arrived through the gates, hustling and bustling down the corridors. I felt as I'd been born again. Instead of feeling grumpy and dull due to lack of sleep, I was feeling incredibly happy and full of jovial spirit that morning. My heart was happy, I was happy so was my subconscious mind.

I was standing by Ayaan in the overly crowded corridor of our school as Friends greeted each other with a hug or a playful punch while newcomers stood looking scared. They were yet to befriend anyone from their own classes. It was a thing of Sapphire Heights, students there didn't accept anyone as warmly as other people do from different schools. One needs to be strong enough to cross first few months of school journey to understand the ambience. The seniors stood, tall and proud, confidence born of experience. Soon the bells rung and everybody ran except an occasional slowcoach or chatterbox. Everybody went in except one and all is quiet.

Like an observer I was, I stood there beside my best friend as I observed the surroundings. My heart was filled with enthusiasm when I spotted her,
The girl smiles to herself As she crossed front porch of school premises and begins walking in direction of our class room. Her smile brightened up my mood immediately as I found my lips stretching on their own accord and soon I was having a full grown up smile plastered on my lips.

Her hair was as waves of pure earth, tied up in a ponytail, softly reflecting the light of the sun; each strand moving freely in an ocean born breeze, a compliment to her stillness. They were brown, like chocolate and were complimenting her big brown eyes, decorated with single stroke of Khol. With eyes of river waters, in glossy serenity, her aura seeped into the monsoon air between us. And in that moment, in that fraction of time, her smile was in every God given feature, and I knew I was home. She was my home. My life, my reason to be on earth in the first place.

Aah! I love you so much Sonia my heart ran a marathon at a simple sight of her and I found myself walking in her direction. I could hear Ayaan calling my name in background, but everything in the background blurred except her! I could not see anything, could not hear anything but only her, as if she was the only thing left on this planet with me.

Almost instantly her steps halted when she caught my frame standing in midway, blocking her journey till class room. I Could sense the change in her body language, her timid gestures, as if she wants to say something, but her hesitation was stopping her.

Cute! My stubborn subconscious mind mumbled and I couldn't agree less.

Sweat beads glittered her forehead and she played with her fingers, a clear sign of nervousness. Finally the day I'd been dreading for was there and I couldn't halt the dawn ebbing it's gradual way into daylight. Everything hinges on what I do at that moment, and once done it can never be undone. I couldn't think straight the whole night and morning, I remember putting my phone in the wrong pocket and then panicking when I couldn't find it, my mother's words were echoing in the back of my mind the whole way till I reach the school premises.

Enough! I'd had it enough. It was now or never. I had realized and in that moment I knew that day, it could be the difference between walking away or staying by her side, my love's side.

"What the hell Surya! What do you want? Move! I'm getting late!" My girl had a voice that was like music under a summer breeze, almost lost against the noise of the morning traffic of school. Yet somehow it took hold of me, making me want to listen all the more.

My cheeks were hurting from smiling constantly, yet I could not help but smile more.

"Good morning to you too Love! How have you been? Did you catch cold? I was worried about you the whole night! Aah! Thank God you are alright! BTW did you get the news of an educational trip to Australia? Are you coming? I've taken an extra form for you. Fill it up! We will submit it together." I smiled down at her, intentionally avoiding her request. Her hesitation was replaced by a frown when she didn't get the reply she was expecting.

Serves you right!

"Didn't you hear what I said? Move aside! I'm getting late for the class. Mrs. Malpani will be very angry. She hates late comers! And no I'm not going to any trip which involves you! Now move!" Sonia said and she tired to walk past me, but I caught a hold of her wrist, stopping her in middle.

"what's the hurry? At least wait till I hand you over the form. I'm also getting late for the same class. Wouldn't you accompany your friend till there?"

"Friend?"

"Yes friend! Let's become friends again. I promise you, I won't bother you anymore with my love talks. Can't we be friends again? I'm missing us Sonia" I asked looking straight in her eyes. I was being honest.

"No we can't be friends again Surya. I know your intentions and it isn't good for me. My family would never approve of it." Sonia countered back and I hung my head down, faging a guilty sign.

"Oh come-on! I'm regretting disturbing you like that. Won't you forgive your old friend? Every one make mistakes, I'm a human being too! I promise I would never make you feel uncomfortable." I wasn't the one to take a no that time, I'd planned the whole conversation in mid. It was what I'd envisioned the previous night after all!

You are doing great my boy! I'm proud of you. For once you haven't embarrassed me! My subconscious mind showed up and I rolled my eyes mentally.

What don't roll you eyes on me you idiot! You would never know how embarrassing it is to be a subconscious mind of a loser. He mocked at me, but I was least affected by it. I slapped him back in his place and focused on the present situation.

"Nope! No. You are a very bad friend Surya! As long as I follow your conversational leads we are friends. You chat in your animated way about your life and petty grievances while I show concern, empathy and drop in helpful suggestions. But no sooner have I changed track you're fidgeting and your eyes keep flicking to your phone. Already your attention span has gone and I might as well be talking to the wall. My flow dies in my throat as I watch your face sag into boredom, then in the second that the air is empty you start talking about your life again. By the end of our conversation, my thoughts and feelings are so compacted I feel like my chest will go super nova." Sonia complained, making me chuckle that earned me glare from her, making me shut my mouth instantly.

"Okay! Okay! I promise I won't use my cellphone when you are with me. I will focus on your talks no matter how much studious conversation we will lead. I will even discuss formulas with you. Can we bring friends again? I'm sorry!" I promised her and I raised my hands up in surrender.

Sonia bit her lips as if contemplating whether to accept my proposal or not. 
She looked at the ground and back at me. As for me; I was enjoying her confusion, but deep down I wanted her to accept my proposal as soon as she gets it. But I almost had a heart attack when she mumbled a hurried okay and ran towards our class leaving an aghast me behind her.

———————

I'm back!

I'm sorry for keeping you guys hanging for so long.

All I can do is apologize for being so mean.

So an educational trip! Being friends again? What do you think about it?
Do share your opinion about it!

Dedicated to—shubh1998 here my love. It's only because of you I've started to type a chapter again.😀😀😀

Take care
Anne