"Stop it, Ira" Ehan warned again as Ira kept blowing bubbles in her milkshake through the straw. His warning fell into deaf ears as she carry on with her antics.

Their exams were nearing but Ira was in no mood to prepare for it. All she wanted to do was pass the time by annoying Ehan.

"Finish the milkshake right away" he commanded, trying to sound serious.

She shook her head as no, holding the straw inbetween her teeth. He pulled away the straw and handed her the glass, asking her to finish the content in it. She curled her lips, trying to convince him. Not wanting to melt, he took the glass to her mouth and made her drink it in a go. She pushed the glass away once she was done and threw him a dagger.

"That's like a good girl" he laughed at her angry face and said, "It's revision time. Choose any subject you'd like to revise first and..."

"No" she shook her head.

"Yes" he sounded stern.

"No" she repeated herself.

"Exams are nearing, Ira"

"There's a week to go for that. I'll revise a night before. Not a problem at all" she kept her point, trying to convince him.

"Doing it now won't cost you anything. Come on, read" he went back to resuming his work.

When he glanced at her after a couple of minutes, he found her staring at the wall, as if it is the most interesting in the world.

"Ira, study I said"

Huffing, she did looked down at the open book infront of her but it lasted only for five to six minutes. She started feeling bored and unknowingly started tapping the pencil on the glass coffee table.

He sighed loudly, keeping aside the pen he was writing with and threw her a serious look. She looked at him with wide eyes, as if mocking him. He rolled his eyes as she neared him, trying to widen her eyes more than they could.

"Ira please" he pleaded with a groan.

She gave him her sweetest smile, tilting her head.

"You won't listen to me, would you?" He seriously asked.

"No" came her cheerful reply along with the faint sound of her shutting the book.

Sighing, he pulled her with her arm and pecked the corner of her lips, making her eyes go wide in a moment. She was clearly shocked by his sudden act. Her face flushed and eyes shivered.

"Revise now. You have 2 hours. I'll test you after that" he said, stopping himself from laughing at her crimson face.

With shaking hands, she opened the book and digged herself in, not meeting his eyes. Smiling, he went back doing his work.

From the past few months, they relationship grew stronger with time. Now the whole campus including staffs know about them being together, all thanks to Ira's way of declaring her love for Ehan.

A few days ago Ira had an interschool basketball competition. Inspite of giving her best, her team lost the trophy. She would have burst out crying, if Ehan wouldn't have handled her by making her believe that there's always a second chance. She took it well and forgot about it in a few minutes.

"Are you okay?" Ehan asked, finding her still not looking up from the book. She was using her open hair to shield her face from his sight.

She nodded as yes, without looking up.

"Lemme have a look at you" he said, stretching his hand to move her hair. She hit him with a cushion before his index finger could come in contact with her hair, making him burst out laughing.

"You'll pay for this" she mumbled, angrily flipping the pages.

"I would love to" he replied, winking.

"You'll regret" she challenged, nearing him.

"Let's see" he whispered.

"We'll see" she whispered back. They both sharing challenging yet loving looks.

---

"I'm done. All the subjects are revised. Still a day to go for exams to begin" sighed Ira, stretching her legs to get rid of the numbness and leaned back on the sofa.

Ehan did the same, breaking his knuckles tiredly.

"How about a movie now?" Ira suggested, clicking her fingers.

"No. We've gotta sort your cupboard. You've messed it again" he stood up and pulled her along.

"Not again. We did that just a week ago" groaned Ira, refusing to get up.

"Exactly! It's just been a week and you've skillfully managed to mess it again. Come, let's go" he dragged her out, laughing at the way she was whining.

Their exams begun a day later. Ehan made a similar timetable for himself and Ira, and they followed it like previous time. Since they both were very well prepared, they had no issues in clearing their exams.

As soon as exams came to an end, Ehan started his job hunt. He made a list of the jobs he thought he could do and applied for all of them wherever he found vacancy.

"A piggyback ride as the treat for getting the job" Ira demanded, straightening Ehan's collar as he got ready for an interview.

"Definitely" he kissed her head as they moved towards the door.

"Good luck" she smiled to ease his nervousness, which actually worked.

"I hope I'll get it" he said, wrapping his arms around her shoulders as they both looked into eachother's eyes.

"Don't worry. You will get it" she assured, hugging him. He hugged her back, calming himself.

Hunting a job was the first step he was taking towards the preparation of their future together and he wished to leave no stone unturned.

He know it wasn't going to be easy. But he was ready to go through it. Much to his knowledge, he failed to get the job. He know it was coming but he still felt bad for Ira. She was so hopeful. He thought she was going to be sad when he'll tell her about not finding a job but she reacted different.

She understood the result from his not so excited face and gave him a small smile.

"It's ok. There's always a second chance. Remember?" She asked cheerfully. He nodded with a smile.

"Now...." She stood on the sofa, wiggling her eyebrows at him.

"What?" He asked, removing his jacket and hanging it.

"What do you mean by 'what?' ? A promise is a promise" she said, pulling him towards her and jumped on his back. She wrapped her hands around his neck from behind.

"Where am I suppose to take you?" He laughed, holding her securely.

"To the kitchen, to room and back to the hall" she instructed, pointing at the kitchen first, then room and then the hall.

He carried her as per her instructions, both laughing like crazy.

Her smile, the twinkle in her eyes and excitement in her tone always makes him forget all the worries. He completely forgot that he just faced a rejection. One thing was clear, he was gonna try until he succeed. If not this job, may be some other. If not today, may be tomorrow. He was gonna get what he was aiming for.

He faced a few more rejections after that. Nobody was willing to appoint a guy who has just completed the school, no matter how amazing he has scored. Whenever he would feel disheartened, Ira had different and number of ways to cheer him up.

Atlast, a coaching centre was impressed by his grades and gave him the job. They were looking for a physics and maths teacher, and Ehan was amazing in both. The pay was pretty much decent and he couldn't ask for anything better.

He mentally ticked the box of finding a job and not relying on his parents money to survive. There were many more things to achieve and IrHan couldn't wait for it.

Soon, they got their results. Ehan topped the class as always and Ira scored 90% which she herself couldn't belive. Thanks to amazing scores, a university offered him scholarship and he chose to study business there, after clearing the entrance.

It was the day when their school honoured the toppers. Ira couldn't contain her excitement as Ehan held the trophy. His eyes were on her all the time, who was winking and blowing him kisses from afar, making him conscious of their surroundings, who turned all red. He, for a second forgot what he was supposed to speak after getting the trophy.

When you're happy, content and have everything you wish for, you never realise how days passes. It's the same case for Ira and Ehan. His college started and her final year in school. They both studied and worked at the same time and had the rest of the day to spend together. Just like before, Ehan would pick Ira from school in the evening and they would go to her place, she'll freshen up and go to his place to study, play and relax for a bit.

Days passed too quickly. They didn't even realised when Ira's school ended and here they are, enrolling Ira in the college where Ehan studies.

They were again back to studying at the same place. Things turned better and better with each passing day. They would leave together in the morning and after lunch, Ehan would be gone to tutor his students, dropping Ira at their school campus on the way. Ms Bella was kind enough to permit Ira to still work for her and as strange as it sounds, she was used to Ira's constant talks and silly behaviour. She felt like she'll be bored if she'll replace her with someone else.

---

"....and after that, the whole class burst out laughing" Ehan completed his narration, him and Ira laughing at the end as they walked to her apartment hand in hand.

"Mrs Jones deserves it though. She's always angry" Ira commented, getting into the lift with Ehan closely behind her.

"Hmm. She is" he agreed. They reach the floor and went to her apartment. Ira changed into simper clothes and hit the bed. Ehan sat beside her, listening her talks until she fell asleep. Caressing her cheek with his thumb, he kissed her temple. Smiling at her sleeping form, he went out leaving the lights on, just the way she sleeps.

He headed back to his cottage, thinking of the simpler notes he had to make for his students and hand over to them tomorrow. He locked his house door behind him and removed his jacket. Hanging it on the wall, he made his way to his room to complete the incomplete work. He noticed his mobile glowing at the night stand.

Frowning, he picked it up. He thought Ira was calling him but the name flashing on the screen made his heart stop beating for a second.

He kept staring at once the most beautiful name on his mobile screen...

Mom.

---

Assalamualaikum everyone,

I won't ask how the chapter was b'coz I know things were going quiet fast. But this is how I want it to be.

We're heading towards the most awaiting part.

Why do you guys think Ehan's Mom is calling him now?

Do you think he should attend the call and talk to her?

Do lemme know your views and don't forget to hit the 🌟