Page 60 of Storm
God knows why I was feeling shy around him all of a sudden. Definitely, the weather might have gone hot...Yeah.
Aariz started searching if he had that song. Not finding it in his collection, he started changing the radio frequencies repeatedly in search of it.
Feeling awkward by his efforts, I mumbled,
“It’s okay, let it be. The song currently playing on radio is fine too.”
He gave me a relieved smile and focused on driving.
But not a minute passed, when he glanced sideways and said in all seriousness,
“I say we are friends. But are we, really friends?”
Taken aback by his question, I just stared at him.
“I thought when we met at the party we had enjoyed each other’s company. But, I feel like since the party you are cross with me for some reason. If somehow I have hurt you, I really am sorry Sani.” He turned to face me and his cloudy eyes blew me with so many hidden emotions in them.
“Can we start afresh?” He murmured with a small smile.
Uh...oh! I was supposed to apologize to him, after the restaurant fight, for being a bitch and all the cockiness I threw his way by not acknowledging him from his first day in college. Then he ignored me in classes, making me crave for his attention, and today he showered me with his attention by appreciating my work. So yeah, it rather slipped my mind that I had to say sorry.
All right to be honest, I conveniently forgot about it. Thinking he might have just forgiven me on his own without me apologizing aloud.
Looked like he had not...Instead, he was giving me the guilt trip by being the nice one, while; I was the shitty twofaced rat. Damn!
Trying to be warm and genuine, I spoke up,
“Of course we are friends. That night in the party I really had enjoyed your company a lot. Trust me; you have not offended me in anyway. Please don't say sorry.”
Yeah, I know I did not really admit about being the bitch and did not apologize. But I got him off the hook. Can’t we just put it all behind us and forget I ever was an asshole to him? Yeah we can do that.
Aariz stopped the car.
“So, friends?” He grinned bringing his hand forward.
I clasped it with heated cheeks,
“Yes, friends.”
And there came a loud thunder with lightening, as if God was reacting to this friendship between us.
Startled by the storm, I held Aariz’s hand tightly. A few seconds passed and he still held on, almost prolonging it, and then dropped my hand, as if reluctantly.
Soon we reached my house and bade each other goodbye.
I was still trying to come to terms with this new friendship when next day after classes, I got a call from Aariz.
If that wasn’t shocking enough, his greeting definitely was.
‘Hey, new friend!'
‘Uh...Hi?’
I was not sure what the protocol here was. I talk to him as, my Professor. Zee's friend? My friend...?
Aariz chuckled,
‘I know Prof Philip took your extra lecture today. So just now you all got free, and it’s almost lunch time.’
