The Gospel Truth

XII.LOVE IS IN THE AIR

First week of October is the time when cool breezes of air hug the shining hot days and it feels like the nature itself has become bored of its heat. But this October was still hot waiting for the cool breezes of air.

As per routine, Om dropped Amy school at 8 a.m. She attended the classes and enjoyed with her friends. In the recess, Animesh asked Amy to accompany him to buy some stationary; Amy accompanied. Animesh was quite different today. He shot glances at Amy many times slyly and Amy caught his eye every time.

En route to the stationary shop Amy asked Animesh, "Hey! What has happened to you today?"

"Nothing, Amy." Animesh realized he was pulled more towards her every time he looked at her.

"See, we are the best friends, I think, and so, I have every right to know what is wandering in your mind."

It was a matter of hardly five minutes when the clouds began to hover around such as they are eager to land on the thirsty ground. Suddenly, the nature started feeling the cool breezes of air and within a minute the drizzling rain made the environment romantic. Animesh and Amy had to found a shelter before it started raining. Although the shed protected them from rain but the naughty rain drops drenched them by striking obliquely being the shed open from all sides. Amy was very happy to see the nature's play. Animesh too was happy but for a different reason.

He felt a small frisson of pleasure "What a perfect timing it is!" he thought, "I should propose Amy now only. She will be glad if she has some feelings for me..... But....but what if not ? No..no..no...It would be just a suicidal attempt if she doesn't have any feelings for me. I may lose her friendship forever and this won't be bearable at all."

Now, Animesh was in total dilemma. On one side, he wanted to pour out his heart, his feelings to Amy but on the other hand, he was afraid of losing his best friend. He was interested to propose Amy but not at the cost of their friendship.

Amy watched Animesh quietly, trying to read his mindset. Finally, she broke his reverie, "Animesh! I think you are puzzled. You can share with me and trust me, I will suggest the best if I have the solution."

"Should I propose Amy this very moment? What would she think about me? I am the closest of her at the moment but will I remain the same after that?" then the second thought, "I know she doesn't believe in love, at least, till date. But someday, she will. Why shouldn't that day be today?" Sunk in these thoughts, he started to choose the right words in his mind.

"I am talking to you Ani. Where the damn are you sunk?" irritated Amy hardened her tone.

Animesh made a failed attempt to make himself normal and then tried to say, "Actually...Amy, actually I want to say that...ummm." and found himself unable to utter a single word afterwards.

"Leave it. Let's purchase the stationary and get back to our class." Amy got a reflection of Ani's feelings.

And the boy studied the Amy's blushing face and said, "No Amy! Wait, I have to say something but trying hard to choose the right words."

She put a smile on her lips and asked making her eyes big, "You moron! You aren't going to propose me, OK?"

"Yes, I am."

Amy was taken aback. Albeit she had a soft corner for Animesh but didn't expect that he would be that fast. It took all her will power to control her reaction. Amy shot a short glance at Ani and got blushed again. She then tried to leave the place immediately but her legs were stone tied.

Understanding the importance of time, Ani came forward without a delay, "Don't you have a word to say Amy?"

"It would be better if left unsaid for now." Amy was trembling.

"No, it would be better only if said. Please don't hesitate. My ears are impatient to hear from you whatever it is." And Animesh held her right hand moving one step ahead.

Amy felt tingles running up her arm. She looked up in his eyes to see the burning with intensity. She noticed that he too, was breathing hard and struggling like a minor asthmatic.

"So..." Animesh tightened his grip "You still haven't said something" he took another step closer.

Amy was flabbergasted; she couldn't comprehend what was really going to happen. The romantic setting and the erratic beating of her heart would have been funny if she didn't feel so unsteady. Blood was singing "Chhama-Chhama" in her ears. She had no eyes for the surroundings but Animesh.

She traded carefully but firmly; strengthening her resolve, she chose her words, "I don't think it mandatory to answer you right now. Of course, I admire you, I like you from the bottom of my heart but it would be my immaturity to declare it as love at once. I want some time to get upon the things going on. It might be quite easy for you to propose me but please don't treat me your way." And just like that she took a difficult step back cursing herself.

"Take your time, Amy. I want to say that be my love potion or not but be my friend always." And he released her hand smoothly and stepped back trying to recover from what had just happened.

"I am." She paused and again said, "In fact, you are my best friend, you fool."

Animesh smiled and scratched his head. He was on cloud nine. He had understood that Amy feels the same way he felt but it would be a hurry to declare it as love and this would definitely have side effects. They both needed time for all these.

Both teenagers stood under the shed as rain poured down all around them, grinning at each other like fools. All in all, the scene did look like something out of a Bollywood movie. Just then, the bell rang indicating that the lunch time was over and so was their moment they realized.

The romantic rain of half an hour sunk all the heat of environment and the cool breeze of air gave the feeling of tiptoed entry of winter season. Half wet Ani and Amy looked at their watch and found that the Maths class was going to be missed. She yelled at Animesh, "We are missing the Maths class today due to your romance class, you idiot. Now you are going to teach me probability; I will kill you, otherwise." And then, she passed a cute smile.

Animesh laughed and said, "Come on! Let's purchase the pen and go to the class. First, we see what happened in the class today."

They hurried and returned. They were victim of good fortune that actually the mathematics teacher was absent that day.

As a matter of fact, Animesh was now free because he had poured out his feelings to Amy but Amy wasn't. She already had a soft corner for him. Maybe it was just hormones playing with her but as she looked over at Animesh she couldn't help but notice how perfect his features were; his wavy hair and the cute little mole on the right side of his nose or how his skin color complimented his personality. She shook her head visibly as if to shake the notorious thoughts out of her brain. One thing was she was certain of, her perspective of looking at Animesh had changed; she felt it in the tingly sensation she experienced whenever she looked at him after his so called "love-class".