Almost Love (ON HOLD)

CHAPTER 7

When Meera got off the school bus and walked the little distance home, she felt really down. She just couldn't decide whether she should be happy or upset.

Like yes, she got selected for the semi finals at Dehradun by beating the entire school. She should be feeling at the top of the world right now. But she wasn't.

Why, you ask?

Because someone she liked was too busy being rude to her and ignoring her for god knows what reason.

Ughh.

She opened the door to her house without ringing the bell and got in. "I'm home!" she yelled.

"Meera," her dad called her, "come to the lobby please."

She walked into the living room and tossed the bag on the floor. Her mother followed the movement and looked at her reprovingly. Meera sighed and picked up the bag only to keep it on the chair. "Yes?" she asked.

"Aman got selected for the semi finals," her mother said proudly.

"Yes, i know," Meera smiled. "Even i have good news!"

"What is it?"

"Even i got selected for the semi finals!" Meera broke out into a huge grin.

"Really?" Her father asked.

"Yes, but you both have to sign the consent form," Meera said and took out the form and handed it over to her mother.

"So?" she looked expectantly at her parents, "when will you sign it."

"We have to discuss it first," her mother said.

"Why maa?"

"Because it isn't safe."

"What do you mean? You've already signed Aman's form, haven't you?" she questioned.

"He's a boy, he can take care of himself. How will you travel alone?"

"I'm not going alone. The teachers will be there, Alia will be there. Even Aman is going to be there."

"He's not going to be with you all the time. He will have to be with his own friends and prepare for his own presentation." Her mother said a little annoyed. "Stop arguing now, go to your room." she ordered.

Meera's shoulders drooped as she walked back up to her room. She took a shower and as she was walking down the hall, she noticed that her brother's room was open. She walked towards the door and knocked.

"Bhaiya?"

Aman looked up from the book in his hand, "come in." and he kept the book down and sat straighter.

"I wanted to talk to you about something," she mumbled nervously.

He pulled her and made her sit on the bed. He looked at her, confused "what happened?"

"You know i got selected for the semi finals just like you, right?"

He nodded, so she continued.

"I asked mummy and papa to sign the form but they didn't," Meera said sadly.

"But they did mine.." Aman was so naive. He just never realised how unfairly Meera was always treated and how Aman always got permissions for everything he ever wanted.

"That's because you're a boy. And an adult now. They think you can take care of yourself but I can't just because I'm a girl."

Aman's eyes widened slightly, as her words set in.