I was in class 11th. It was the month of October. A few changes were made in our time table. Now, our library period was same as that of class 10th B. My cousin sister studied in class 10th B, and we were more like friends, than brother and sister.
It was one of the library periods. Our librarian was weird. The library was arranged in a way, that there were 15 different square shaped tables, and each table had the capacity of two chairs on each edge of the table.
It means that 8 students can sit in one place, but the librarian allowed only 4 students of a particular class to sit around one table.
He made us sit in an arrangement, such that, on each edge of the table, one student of 11th and one of 10th.
It was weird.
Library was meant to be the fun period. We didn't study. We just sat there, with our books open in front of us, chatting, playing 'truth or dare' or some games.
When we'd get bored, we'd ask the librarian to allow us to go to any random teacher, and then, we'd just roam around in the school corridor.
It was our school life.
It was the last week of October, and our second library turn of that month, because the other two were consumed by holidays.
I asked the librarian to allow me to go to the washroom. He did. As I walked out of the library, a girl walked past me.
She wasn't wearing school uniform. She was wearing a blue denim and a black top. It was her birthday, probably.
But damn!!! She was beautiful.
As she walked past me, she brushed her hair to the back of her ear.
As we all know, Bollywood movies teach us that, guys fall for a girl when she brushes her hair to the back of her ear, the same thing had happened.
I felt as if it was a slowmo shot.
She, walking past me, talking to her friend, and everything.
I didn't go to roam around in the corridor. I immediately came back to the library.
"Shraddha, who's that girl in black?" I asked my cousin.
"Her name is Tanushree." She said.
"Is it her birthday?" I asked.
"Yes it is." she replied.
I didn't know how to ask it, so I put it bluntly, and asked my sister, "Does she have a boyfriend?"
My sister looked at me and laughed.
She stared teasing and mocking me.
"Tell!" I insisted.
"No! She's is single." She replied.
I smiled, and got back to my seat. Luckily, Tanushree was sitting in a place, from where, she was visible to me.
I couldn't help but look at her. She looked beautiful.
She was reading a book, and didn't even notice me.
But I noticed her, for the rest of the 35 minutes in the library. I noticed every bit of her movement. From her smiling while reading to her talking to her friends, I noticed Every. Single. Thing.
The bell rang, and all of us started moving back to our classes. While making a queue, her hand touched mine, just for a split second. I felt electric current run through my spine.
On the next library period, something happened, that made me worship that librarian. He made Tanushree sit right beside me.
Goddamn! I was so nervous. She was, as usual, reading some book, and I was shaking nervously.
Should I start a conversation?
From the side of my eyes, I stole a glance of her. She looked perfect. Actually, beyond perfect.
She moved her hand to turn a page, and her elbow touched mine.
"Oops! Sorry." She said.
GODDAMN! WHAT A VOICE
I couldn't speak. I couldn't say, "it's okay!" I was awestruck.
"What book are you reading?" I finally mustered up the courage to ask her.
She showed me the cover, 'Dracula', by Bram Stoker.
Incidentally, Dracula was the only book that I had read, and I had a really good opportunity to start a conversation.
"Um.... Excuse me?" I said.
She turned her head and looked at me.
And words failed to leave my mouth. Our eyes met for about 7 seconds, and I couldn't speak.
"Yeah...?" She asked.
"Um... Mm mm... Um... B.." I had started mumbling something, while the words didn't come to me.
"Are you okay?" She asked, followed by a confused laughter.
My friends watched me, as I struggled.
The bell rang, and we all went back to our classes.
I thanked God for that.
The rest of the days went by, we'd see each other in the library, sometimes wave at each other, smile, but we never spoke.
The final exams were approaching.
Shraddha told me to tell her everything I've been wanting to tell her for the past few months. I knew everything about Tanushree.
We met in the library once again, and Shraddha set us up.
Tanushree took her seat, right in front of mine.
"Hii." she said.
"Hey!" I said, nervously. My legs were shaking. I put my hands on my knees to calm myself down.
"Shraddha said you wanted to say something." Tanushree spoke again.
"Yeah. I wanted too....." I said.
"Say."
I couldn't muster up the courage to say. I guess she didn't even know my name.
"Ashmit? Are you alright?" And right then, she took my name.
"Tanushree...." I said and took a deep breath. ".... I just want to tell you, that you're so gorgeous, so talented, your voice is the sweetest melody I've ever heard, and....." I swallowed, "I've had a crush on you for a long time now....."
I had said it. I HAD FINALLY SAID IT!!!!
I couldn't believe.
She blushed. I saw her blush. She brushed her hair behind her ear, and I fell for her, once again.
She stood up, and walked over to the bookshelf, then turned to look at me. She smiled again.
That Wonderfully Gorgeous Smile.
:-)
