Twists Twirls Perils & Pearls

57. Day 3: black is colourful

Swarnima was still sitting on the floor admiring her hand. The lucky hand which was touched by the lips of the most precious man alive on the planet earth.
She could not kiss him so, she also kissed the inside of her palm, brought it close to her heart and did a happy dance. Jumping around her room like a little girl who got her favourite toy.
'How do I control this happiness? DEHRADUNnnnn I LOVE You!!' Swarnima whisper shouted in her room in glee.

'I was happy until you came' Abhedya's words from the night of their results, flashed in her memory and her smile vanished. What Abhedya wanted, what he felt and how he reacted was very confusing for Swarnima.

Let time decide. Live each day as a new day. Queen had taught Swarnima and she followed it religiously.

At breakfast, Daivik continued passing glances at Swarnima whenever he got a chance. But, what he didn't know was that Swarnima was 'pro' in ignoring. She ignored her feelings too.

The teacher in charge congratulated the students who were selected. Out of 200 students, only 100 qualified for the second round in which they had to develop a programme which was alotted based on a lucky draw.

Mayur, Vayu, Swarnima and Abhedya divided the task into four parts based on their forte. Three hours were given to each team but the genius brains from Swarnbhoomi finished it in two hours. They submitted their copy, test run the programme and showed it to the examiners after which they were allowed to leave the competition hall.

Swarnima got a call on her phone and she excused herself. "Listen I have some work, I'll be back in ten." Swarnima went towards the main gate.

Survang gave her a box and they started to talk. Abhedya was at a distance so he could not hear what they were talking about but he did not like what he saw. Swarnima was holding his bike handle and laughing at some joke. Abhedya went towards them but Survang left before he could reach.
"Why does he avoid me? Is he scared of me? Or are you hiding something?" Abhedya fired another set of questions.

"Two more questions are left," Swarnima told him and he gave a confused look. So, Swarnima explained to him, "Three questions you have asked, there is still space for two more... go ahead"

"I am in no mood to joke." Abhedya was serious and sounded angry.

"He is THE EKLAVYA'S grandson. He cannot be scared of anyone. Though he just confessed he was scared of street dogs which chased him. Hehe..." Swarnima giggled at the information.

"Wow!! You know so much about him. You enjoy his company, don't you? Why don't you go and enjoy the rest of the day with him." Abhedya was ranting nonstop. But, when he saw Swarnima's face the smile she had, had vanished.

"I do enjoy his company but I am not planning to spend the rest of the day with him. Rather, I am planning to go and visit famous places. I am informing you beforehand... happy?" Swarnima replied to him curtly.

"Nim, sorry. Nim, listen to me. I said, I am sorry. I just got a little... jea... I mean. I am protective about you that's it." Abhedya caught her hand. Was he about to say 'jealous?'

"Protective? You know I can protect myself." Swarnima stopped saying anything further because Mayur and Vayu reached there.

"Umm... up for some home-cooked food?" Swarnima offered and the boys agreed.
They sat in the luscious green garden and opened the tiffin box.

"Chola poori!!!" Mayur and Vayu shouted in glee.
Abhedya saw the food and sat down to eat.
"I have never had such delicious Chola poori," Mayur said licking his fingers.

"Who has made it? You have any relatives here Nim?" Vayu asked.
Abhedya left the bite he was eating. When did this nick name addressing between the two start?