Dedicated to KajalVanshiwal

"Would you teach me how to ride this?" Ira questioned the mower of her school, pointing at his lawn mower.

She being her talkative and friendly self, befriended the old man who works as a mower in her school. She would usually meet him in the morning, asking and telling him about the previous day.

"Sure, dear. It's really easy" that old man laughed, letting Ira observe the mower. She started asking him questions about it, walking slowly beside him as he rode the mower to trim the grass, unknown to Ehan's eyes gazing at her from afar.

Ehan felt a little better that morning. His fever was already gone and fortunately, his rashes fade away. He was scared that his allergy would turn worse like a few times earlier but thankfully, he recovered.

He silently stood looking at Ira talking to the old man with keen interest. He has been studying at the same school since many years, but he never would have noticed his own classmates and here she was, befriending every single person she meets, though it had been just a few months of her joining the school.

He took a step forward towards Ira but stopped when someone approached her. It was Honey. Ehan's expressions changed as he wrapped his hand around her shoulder, laughing at something she asked the mower. She gently removed Honey's hand, bidding bye to the old man. Ehan expected her to notice his presence as she walked towards him but Honey being by her side, dragged her not letting her have a single glance around.

Ehan could understand he did that on purpose as he looked back at him, smirking. Ehan couldn't make out what his problem was but he could say, he wasn't getting good vibes from Honey.

---

Grabbing a burger from the cafeteria for lunch, Ehan looked around. His eyes searching for Ira.

"When did you arrive?" Lily questioned, passing a tray of fries and sauce to one of the students.

Ehan uncomfortably looked at her. He know she wasn't convinced with his lie. She probably had the idea that he was home all the time.

"Last night?" She asked when he didn't reply and kept looking elsewhere.

"Have you seen Ira?" He asked instead, in a low whisper. Lily shook her head as no. She had the idea that he wouldn't be able to lie right on her face. She has known him for long enough to say if he's lying or trying to hide something.

She really wanted to know what's wrong with him but at the same time, she know he wouldn't let her know nor be happy if she forced him to spill the truth.

"Ok" he nodded and took his usual seat to eat. His eyes wandering around every minute to spot Ira. He finsihed the burger and headed to the study hall, thinking of calling her if she didn't arrive by the time they usually start studying.

---

Since it was the end of month, Ira didn't had much money left in her pocket. So instead of buying a proper meal for lunch, she took out a packet of potato chips she bought earlier and started shoving it into her mouth. Honey kept her busy even after the bell rang. He kept talking and blocking her way to distract her from going downstairs. He was determined to not let her meet Ehan. But Ira being Ira, slipped from there when he was talking to some of their classmates.

She walked to the study hall, munching on the chips. She thought of calling Ehan after eating. Her steps halted as her eyes landed on Ehan, occupying their usual table. His eyes wandering around the three doors of the study hall. Their eyes met when he looked at the door she was standing. He quickly averted his gaze and pretended to be busy with the book he kept open infront.

No doubt he was waiting for her but it didn't mean he was going to let her know it. And here comes Ira, complete opposite of him. A huge, excited grin appeared on her lips and she didn't stop herself from running to him.

"Hi. Finally! You are back. When did you arrive?" She screamed, like actually SCREAMED.

Every pair of eye looked at them as her voice echoed throughout the hall, and Ehan was slightly taken aback. He don't remember anyone getting excited to see him, not even his family. Even in childhood, when he used to visit his parents after final exams, his Dad used to let out a sigh of disappointment, brother groans and Mom forces a smile.

"I missed you soooo much" she declared in the same tone, making people around whisper things about them. Or it was just how Ehan thought.

Embarrassed from the looks they were getting, he stood up shoving the book in his bag. He held his bag in a hand and Ira's hand in another, dragging her out. She was happily walking behind him, smiling widely.

"Why were you screaming?" He asked stopping once they were out of the hall.

"I was sooo happy to see you that I just couldn't hold back my excitement" she giggled, holding the chips packet closer. Ehan averted his gaze from her face. The way she was speaking; bluntly, was making something tingle in his chest.

"How are you feeling now?" She questioned, this time in a normal tone.

"I'm fine" he replied, making sure not to let her earlier words affect his tone.

"I'm sure you didn't visit the doctor. Your face says it all" she commented, pointing her index finger all around his face.

"You look reddish" she added, making his eyes go red and he touched his face like a jolt of electricity passed through his body. His throat tightened as he ran his hand all over his face, breathing unsteadily.

His face was slightly pinkish due to two reasons, one was the after effect of the fading rashes and the other reason was the heat which crept his face due to Ira's behaviour.

"Is it because of a mosquito bite?" She questioned, shoving her hand in the chips packet to take out some chips.

He nodded instantly, gulping the lump which formed in his throat.

"I see" she offered him the chips and he shook his head no, his face still flushed. For a moment he thought the allergy was back.

"Let's go back and study. I hope you practiced your handwriting and the chemical formulas. We couldn't be studying a single thing throughout the year. We need to cover other subjects as well" he spoke in hurry, taking hasty steps back to study hall. Ira nodded as okay and silently followed him.

They took their usual seats and completed practising the pending formulas. Ehan checked the work sheet she practiced her handwriting in. He kept his eyes lowered, touching his face and hands now and then to make sure nothing is wrong. Ira kept talking whenever she got the chance, about how the previous days passed and whatever happened in her class. The only time Ehan unintentionally paid attention was when she mentioned about Honey.

Once they were done and it was time to leave, they walked out.

"I forgot to tell you one thing. I don't know why, but I felt really good when you kept the conversation on the other night. You listened to me talking and even asked about a few things apart from studies. It made me reaaaally happy" she extended her hand to let him know how happy she was.

Ehan uncomfortably looked elsewhere, not knowing how to react on that.

"I even told this to Hunny bunny" it made him choke on his saliva, dropping her smile.

"And... What did he say?" He hesitantly asked, hoping it wouldn't had led them to an argument or fight.

"Nothing. How could he say anything?" She shrugged, her hands rising in question.

"Why? Is he dumb?" He wanted to ask but kept his mouth shut.

None of my business. He told himself.

"Anyway, it's really very nice having you back. I'll see you tomorrow. Bye" she waved at him, walking like she owned the world.

He stood looking at her jumping on the street and shook his head.

She is weird!

---

"Here. These are the formulas and easy methods I have simplified from your math syllabus. We'll be going through it briefly now and I'll test you tomorrow" Ehan handed Ira another file containing neatly handwritten sheets.

"You didn't say, from do you buy these kind of files. I love it" she said, taking the file from his hand.

"I'm sure you'll love the content inside more. Let's go through it so it would become easier for your test tomorrow" he grabbed it back and opened.

"Should I be prepared with this whole thing?" She gasped, glancing at the number of papers inside the file.

"Yes"

"No"

"I said, yes" Ehan flipped the pages, speaking firmly.

"Please" she whined.

"No"

"Please.... Pleasssseeee.... Please, please, please, please.... Pleasssseeee.... Please, pleasssseeee...." She covered her face with both her hands and started whining like a kid. She was bringing the one thing Ehan hates the most; attention.

"Ira, Shhhhhh..." Ehan tried to stop her; key word being 'tried', which made her whine even more.

"That's out of my capabilities. Pleasssseeee.... Pleasssseeee, please...." She wildly shook her head with her face still covered.

"Okay" he huffed, giving up.

A wide smile occupied her lips as she took her hand from her face and shut her mouth.

He gave her an unbelievable look and started explaining the problems and formulas. He explained almost everything before it was the time for them to leave.

"I hope you don't have any doubt" Ehan said, closing the file.

"Everything looks simple when you explain. But it becomes complicated when I try to understand them" Ira rolled her eyes, taking the file from him.

"No problem. Mark whatever seems difficult. I'll explain ag...."

"Hey Ira" Honey's voice interrupted Ehan and they both looked at him. Ira giving him a blank look whilst Ehan, a pointed one.

"All done?" Honey asked, nearing her.

"Yeah. Why?" She questioned.

"You promised me a walk and an ice cream. How about we go now? It's a pleasant weather today" He smiled, leaning on the table to screen Ira's face from Ehan, who mentally rolled his eyes.

"Not today, Honey. Some other time" Ira apologetically looked at him, gathering her things from the table.

"Tomorrow?" Honey hoped she would say yes.

Something was happening within Ehan, which made him stood up before Ira could reply and said, "We'll complete math tomorrow. I hope you won't fail"

Honey and Ehan's eyes bore at eachother, challenging without a word.

Ehan was not even sure what's going on.

"Okay" Ira nodded at Ehan and apologetically looked at Honey, who clenched his jaw.

Without wasting a single second, Ehan walked out. He don't know why it was bothering him or why he is indulging into something of neither his interest nor nature, but whenever honey tried to get close Ira, he was beginning to feel something he couldn't decipher in words.

It wasn't like Ehan started to have feelings for Ira. It was more like Honey behaving like they're rivals, who's fighting over a girl.

No way. Ehan rolled his eyes are the thought.

---

Dear new readers,

I know it's taking longer than usual for me to update. It's probably because I forget that I've to update.

Kindly leave some comments when you read the story. It always works as a remind for the author to early on time or even earlier.

Hope you enjoy reading this.

*

Assalamualaikum everyone,

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