Page 56 of Storm
“But by tomorrow I would have made the presentation on second project and got it checked by you. Now this one tomorrow, meaning a few more days for the second one.” I sighed in disappointment and moved to leave.
I had just about turned halfway, when I felt a tug and stopped.
Aariz had caught the other end of the pen drive that I held between my fingers.
“Mr Philip, can you give me back my laptop for some time? I wanna check the student’s presentation?” Aariz asked Prof Philip nicely, while still holding on to me. Well, not to me, but to the other end of the pen drive that was in my hand.
Prof Philip gladly agreed, leaving the office. Aariz turned towards me with a smile and a twinkle in his grey eyes. They once again wrapped me like a soothing blanket in their cosy cloud- like depths.
“Now could you leave the pen drive so I can connect it?” Aariz said softly, winking at me.
I felt goose bumps all over my body.
He checked it and pointed out a few mistakes.
“Now you can make your second presentation without repeating the same mistakes. When you are done, show it to me.” He gave me a crooked smile, which lingered as if
in adoration.
“And Sani...stop getting all sad on small stuff. It makes me do things.” Aariz whispered with a meaningful look in his darkening orbs, that I tried not to dissect.
I like his whispers, unlike that of my classmates.
Why do I feel as if he can make me do anything with just a whisper in the dark?
I exhaled a ragged breath unable to form words.
Aariz straightened up,
“Now go, tell those classmates of yours to come back with their presentations. I will check theirs too.”
“Huh?” I stood mesmerised.
Aariz smiled humourlessly,
“So we can avoid the possible attention on the fact, that how I can't see a sad look on your face?”
I nodded obediently. At least I think I did, before whooshing out of the office, a complete tingling mess.
It felt like; he pays me more attention than others...Oh God! This would have caused more than whispers, had any of my classmates witnessed it. Thank-freaking-Not!
15- A New Loving Friendship
Aariz
Next day I heard a knock on my office door and Sani came in. Thankfully, Prof Philip was not there to disturb us.
“I...I have prepared the second presentation. You said we can choose any country, so I chose Indian Politics.” Sani pushed her pen drive towards me on the desk.
I grinned trying to curb her nervousness and asked her to grab a chair for herself.
This time she had made no mistakes.
“I really have no words. This is perfect! What fascinates me the most is; you have included both emotions as well as the political viewpoint. You have pulled the topic of farmers’ suicide away from Indian economy and have given it a new voice. I specially love the way you have concluded it. Really, this is excellent.”
She beamed, going pink in happiness.
“If you don't mind, can I return you this pen drive tomorrow?” I asked unable to wipe off the proud smile from my face.
