Page 66 of Storm
Tina chuckled at the look on my face and nudged me saying,
“She is right Sani. Since college resumed this year, you and I haven’t had the chance to catch up. Otherwise I would have told you.”
I felt heady with this knowledge. To be frank, rather than feeling flattered, I was thoroughly confused and said so in an exasperated tone,
“But who said all this about me to your batch? College has started barely a few months ago!”
Do I have a stalker? Oh God!
Again, the encyclopaedic stranger was eager to throw in,
“Yes it’s just been a few months. And in these few months Prof Deewan has discussed you a lot in our class. We got all this info from him. Many times, he has given us your example in class, saying that although you are our junior, unlike us, you have done so many unofficial debates in the classroom with him and Prof Philip during discussions in class on politi
cal and religious issues. He said you are always an active participant in class, and you put forward valid points. Apparently, during one such discussion he had asked you which books you refer and you told him about the political, spiritual books as well as contemporary romance novels you love. Therefore, he told us that your knowledge is versatile. You are always prepared in class and that you are good in Political Science. In fact, your last semester’s result was excellent. Hence, there is a chance that you might top the class this year. Prof Deewan speaks highly about you.” She gave me an admiring look.
It made my head spin with realization that how much Aariz noticed me. Things I read, my performance, how much he appreciates my hard work to the point of speaking his accolades about me in front of other students. I felt honoured and cherished. To be frank, I was literally blushing.
“So you will be doing Masters with major as Political Sci next year?” this came from the stranger girl who exchanged looks of glee with Tina
Are they planning to write a biography on me?
“I haven’t decided yet. How is it? Tough, easy?” I asked timidly biting on my lip.
Before Tina, who had a horrified look on with shaking her head could answer me; the stranger girl said with a dangerous expression,
“It’s too damn difficult. We are saying this from experience. It’s a completely different ball game from what you are studying this year. It’s on you, but I would advise, you choose any other major or give-up studying next year, rather than tackling Political Science!”
Is she trying to scare me, or what?!
All of my lectures went by as usual. Aariz had announced in one of the lectures that whoever wants to return any reference book we took from his office can come by today. I found this as a good opportunity and headed straight to him instead of going home. Completely forgetting how he had turned me down like a rejected piece of pizza he did not fancy to eat anymore, in that brush-off text he sent me last night.
“Hey new friend! You busy?” I grinned knocking on his open door.
“Not at all.” Aariz looked utterly surprised, but recovered quickly, and gave me a genuine smile that lit his whole face, “Was sup?”
“Nothing much...It’s just that, you had suggested the other day a reference book for International Politics. All my batch mates took it from this dept library.” I gestured towards his office wall stacked with books. “But I didn’t come and now they are not in the college library as well. Sorry I got late.” I kept my eyes on the floor, ashamed and scared that Aariz would scold me for not taking it earlier.
This was an excuse to warm my way and ask him the real question, but also this was a genuine excuse. I had been lazy and now I really needed his help with the book.
Aariz remained silent making me feel a snap coming from him any second. I was about to turn around and leave, when Aariz laughed hard,
“Relax Sani! My friends are never this scared of me. And you look as if you have committed a crime, waiting for me to chop your head off!”
I glanced up to see him grinning at me,
“About International Politics, there are a lots of books in here. I will suggest you one. Wait.”
With that, he turned towards a shelf looking through the books.
“By the way your Masters in Political Science students are really wierd.” I said casually without taking my eyes off him.
“Wierd? How come?” Aariz muttered with his back to me.
“I mean they all know me while I barely know any of them. They have even predicted that surely I will do my Masters in Political Science. They know my name, my scores, grades, everything about me. While I, hardly know their names and had not even seen their faces until this morning.” I scoffed and went on innocently, giving nothing away, “how do you think they know me? I can't think of any possible reason though I tried hard.”
I tried to read his expressions from the side of his face, as he stood busy searching the book for me.
He remained quiet for a beat longer, and then chuckled, “You are a celebrity, my friend...Sania Mirza. That’s why they all know you.” He turned to me with a mischievous smirk as he stepped closer making my breath stuck in my throat.
