Page 63 of Storm
“After you left, we all decided the next meeting time for assignment discussion and I went home, like I had told you I would. I did not linger there for killing time. Why can't you just trust me?!”
Aariz pressed a hand over his face, then exhaling a deep breath; he gave me a vulnerable look,
“I'm so sorry. Honestly, I wasn’t mad at you in that text. Nor did I think you had lied...”
Coming close to me, Aariz wiped my tears with his fingers and continued in a gentle tone,
“We are friends now and misunderstanding happen between friends. Yesterday, I had a misunderstanding. Therefore, I sent you that text.” His fingers had wiped off my tears, but he still caressed my cheeks making them flame hot, “I'm sorry. Please forget it...Nothing to stress yourself over. It’s okay, right? We are good.” He gave me a fond smile.
He said it was all right, as if on my behalf as well. I did not like to point that out. Because he still had not revealed why he misunderstood. What was he mad about? He was confusing as hell!
I nodded smiling, as he waited for my assent, that all's well between us.
Tenderly, as if talking to a kid, Aariz murmured,
“And you don't need to stay quiet in the class without giving answers or asking your doubts. Classes are for discussions only. Hence, you should participate when you’re prepared. Don't let your hard work go to waste. Saanu, I really am sorry...”
My breath hitched, and so did my heartbeats.
Aariz abruptly stopped himself. His eyes widened, as if realizing what he called me and what he was doing still touching my face.
“Sani, actually...” Aariz started.
But I jerked back to the door saying hurriedly, “It’s okay Sir. I'm sorry for everything. I just wanted to make it clear, that it’s not like I don't give anyone a chance to answer in class. I have to go now.”
With that, I rushed out, fleeing.
I ran all the way to the college gate...Stopping only when I came out of the campus.
‘Saanu...’
Was it just a slip of tongue or...?
I felt simply at lost to understand, what does that mean if not just a mistake?
I could not help but wonder, ‘Hasn’t Aariz’s behaviour changed a lot these days? In addition, whatever happened today, was it just a simple mistake in uttering my name or...? I couldn’t even say it to myself. My heart raced with this incomplete thought.
Immediately going home, I refused to have lunch when Mom asked. I just stayed in my room all day distracted by my thoughts.
“Sani at least have some dinner. You have starved yourself since you came back from college.” Mom kept on insisting.
Having no other choice, I dragged myself to the dinner table.
“What has happened to you today? Are you feeling alright?” Mom again started fussing over me, checking my temperature.
“I'm fine. I just had to study for my class tests.” I lied, munching on dinner as if I had not seen food since days.
“So now you are prepared for the class test?” Grandpa smiled sweetly.
“Nope. But I'm hungry n
ow. Food trumps test!” My honesty made them chuckle.
Laugh it up guys...Even I don't wish to carry this tension around. Therefore, I will have to think of something. Fast.
After dinner, I went to my bedroom. Making up my mind, I decided to make a very important phone call.
The second he received it, I went off in urgency,
