Page 76 of Storm
Your words feel like melting chocolate to me Aariz...
‘Shut the hell up Sani! Focus on this storming revelation of a text!’ My subconscious snapped at me.
Meaning Aariz had put his hand in the space between his seat and the window and thus thrown the chocolate behind at me. He took so many efforts!
I felt pleasantly cherished reading his text. The butterflies of the grand romantic gesture were winning the fight against the elephants of hunger in my stomach.
The butterflies and every other blooming thing were rocking the win inside of me!
Just then Mirelle who had been busy on her phone, spoke to me,
“Today was so much fun! While having lunch we had a great time pulling each other’s leg.” Laughing she went on with a pout, “But you did not eat. Had you stayed with us, you would have enjoyed too. We all gobbled on the lunch together as if it was a feast. Only Prof Aariz remained empty stomach.”
“What do you mean?” My heart started beating at a ferocious speed.
Please don't say what I think you are about to say Mirelle.
“Yeah, Prof Aariz did not eat lunch. He just sat with us talking, while we ate. Unlike you, who went for a walk instead of spending time with us!”
This shocked me beyond words.
19-HIDDEN FEELINGS.
Sani
Why Aariz did not eat? Was it just because I didn’t, since I was in pain? But why would he do that?!
I had already established that Aariz's behaviour was getting stranger day by day. He had a problem with me talking to Sahil during the group project. He always scolded me for everything, but cared just as much. Like today, he applied ointment, treated my palms, though he could have just walked away. It showed how much he really cared about me.
Aariz got furious on Sahil for my sake. He did not do lunch because I was starving and hurt. He forgot about his needs and gave me a chocolate thinking I might be hungry.
Wait a minute Sani! Nobody does so much for someone, unless he is family or a close friend. Is it because he lik...No! No! Like?! And that also Aariz, for me?!
Hah! Stop humouring yourself Sani. He remains angry on you all the freaking time. In addition, he is your Professor, seven-eight yrs elder than you. And, not to forget, his brush off text!
Nah, he does not like you in that way Sani. Stop kidding yourself!
There could be just one reason then- Maybe he was trying to be my real friend!
It made sense. Yes. After troubling me, teasing me from day one, maybe now he wanted us to be friends.
He might be lonely in this new city. Might have lost contact with his old mates and did not have any friends now. That’s why he was doing all this for me, to warm his way for becoming friends with me! Yep, that must be the reason.
Wow! I'm so freaking smart!
This discovery broke me into a shiver of realization, ‘How can I become Aariz’s friend?! He is my Professor! All my friends and batch mates would laugh at me. It would be so wierd!’
Oh God...What do I do now? How to tell him I cannot be his friend?!
While I sorted out all these Aariz-made-mysteries so smartly and maturely, in the background Mirelle was still jabbering about something, I did not bother to hear. I felt too busy and important, as I tried connecting loose ends of all the confusions created in my brain, courtesy of Aariz. I was in deep thought and munching his chocolate without even realizing it.
Would I ever be able to think about Aariz as a friend?
My heart sighed, ‘Maybe never...’
With this question, a whirlpool of my hidden secrets that no one knew flashed in front of my eyes-
Me going to the classroom every morning taking a long turn by passing through the corridor from where I could have a glimpse of Aariz teaching his undergrad classes...
