Vinaya

Waking up for school has to be the toughest job in this world, for me. And now that I've my exams right around the corner, I am attending morning extra classes before school.

I made the fact clear to mom that I don't need extra classes, but she is persistent about it. There's no choice then to work hard like this until I finish my exams. Extra classes, school, self study... The cycle will repeat itself until then.

I reluctantly get up from my comfortable bed and fluffy blankets and head to the balcony to get some fresh air, this gives me strength to start the long day ahead and then I drink some warm water, as mom suggested to and after this, I perform all the morning rituals.

I take a bath and put on my school uniform, tying up my hair done in a ponytail and spraying some perfume on my neck and wrist. I inhale it's scent.. Feels fresh..

"Vinaya! How much longer are you gonna take more? Your Dad has started the car. You're just going to school, not a party okay so just come down now"!!

*Sigh* " I know mom. I'm ready just on time. I'll be going then".

"Wait you didn't eat anything. Mom hands me a vegetable sandwich wrapped in a napkin. Take this. Eat this on your way to school".

"I will. Thanks".. I get in the car on passenger seat and as usual dad drives me to school.

"You could just hire a driver to drop me to school dad. You're so busy and still you always take me".

"Haha it's just my own choice. I want to give a ride to my daughter and see for myself that she safely gets inside the school".

I chew a bite of my sandwich. "I am not a kid. I could be fine just on my own".

"It's not that of a big deal Vinaya. Besides you're lucky your father drops you. In my school days I---------------- blah blah.

"We're here.. I'll get going then, bye dad".

"Okay best of luck dear". Dad wishes me.

(School After Extra Classes)

"Vinaya..! How was the test"?? Asks Nahee, My close friend. A group of my friends gather and we start discussing.

"Ofc she's going to become the topper this time as well". Says Nia.

" I saw you asking for b sheet Vinaya" Says Yuvika.

"Me? Are you guys expecting me to top in fine arts?? Please.. No way.

"Haha let's see if you're just saying that or not on results day". Nahee says.

" I don't know about you guys but I'm doomed for sure". Yuvika says in a sad tone.

"I'm with you, Aadya.. I decided to cover everything later last night but ended up falling asleep ahh". Says Nia.

"Anyways it's over now, that matters the most" I say.

"You're right hehe".

We keep chittering and gossiping and Nahee speaks up.

"So you all remember how I told you about this guy in my neighborhood? It turns out he has similar interests as me". She says while blushing.

"Yeah your crush, right"? I ask.

"The nameless crush lol". Says Yuvika.

"Heyy I'll manage to know his name okay"! Nahee says being frustrated at Yuvika's words.

"Well as you keep passing by him at the park, why don't just directly ask his name.. ? You said you had a conversation once". Says Nia.

"That wasn't a conversation, Nia She just pretended to bump into him accidentally and apologized". I correct her.

"Yeah.. Our first conversation!! He's a gentleman, guys.. When I apologized on bumping into him, he said it's alright and said he's sorry as well"!! Nahee says.

That reminds me.. Of yesterday. When I bumped into Aarav at the library entrance yesterday.. He said he was sorry when I was the one who wasn't looking..

"Look. She's lovesick now. And instead of talking to him, she's gonna blurt about him to us argh". Says Yuvika.

"I want to know about you guyss!! Has there ever been a moment like you felt a connection to someone..? Like you had similar tastes or anything. And you developed a huge crush on him?? Or maybe is there someone who pops up in your mind now"?

I hate to admit it to myself but someone does pop up in my mind when Nahee says all this..

"Yeah" Says Nia.

"Mee too. Aahan First came to my mind but I changed my mind and then I thought of Sahil"... Says Yuvika.

Now the three of them turns their heads towards me, letting me know it's my turn to speak up..

"Okay I thought about someone too". I say.

"Omg The Miss Perfect Vinaya likes someone toooo"?? Nia says excited all over the place.

"Who's the lucky guy Vin spill the beans". Yuvika says.

"Yeah you never told us". Says Nahee who brought this whole thing up..

"Ahaha.. *I laugh awkwardly* I didn't say I like him.. He just popped in my mind at the time that's all".

"Tell us about him cmon". Says Nahee.

"I'm telling you, he must be rich given Vinaya's standard". Says Nia.

"You must know his name unlike Nahee, right"? Says Yuvika and Nia nods in agreement.

"We met.. At a library.. He-

As I was telling them about Aarav, the teacher comes in, and the topic holds still as we go back to our seats.

Aarav

(At school)

They say if they start to appear in your dream, you're doomed.

And it means I am doomed. Cause I dreamt of Vinaya last night. And no matter how hard I try, I couldn't seem to forget about it.. To be speaking the truth, I'm glad to not have forgotten about the dream as I usually just dream and sense it's deja vu's but not exactly the dream.

What did I dream of with her..? I'm trying to best memorise about it as far as possible I could, and the best I could remember is Us walking together on a winter day, listening to music with one end of the earplug in her right ear, and the other end in my left ear, holding hands and the sun-

I was lost in my head daydreaming about that wonderful dream when someone smacks on my shoulder.

"What's in that wall that's making you smile like an idiot, Bro lol"?

*ahem* I try to hide the smile that came on my face.

"Nothing haha. I was just thinking about something". I say.

"Anyways did you complete the notes yet"? I try to change the subject.

"Something... Or Someone broo. I'm sure you were thinking about your secret girlfriend you never told us about or somethingg" He giggles.

Here he goes again..This guy. He's Yuvansh.We generally call him Yuvi, my mate who's always upto annoying and irritating the hell out of me.

"Yuvansh. Why are you always so interested in my love life"? I say sarcastically.

"Because you never reveal the truth about your girlfriend". He says.

"Haha. Like I know myself Yuvansh. How could I tell you about my non existing girlfriend hm"?

"Stop pretending. You sure are hiding something".

Seriously..

(4:00 P. M.) (At home)

The first half of my day, School and part time job is over now. A cherry on top, I have to catch the deadline of the one week pending english assignment by today. Today's been tiring as usual and I just want to relax. This is the time I get ready to go to the library to clear off my worries and relax a bit. But today, I don't feel like reading at all. I feel really sleepy. But this is the only excuse of seeing Vinaya as well,when I see her I don't regret going not even once.

Maybe I can just complete my assignment at the library! Since I don't feel like reading if I just work on it there That way I'd complete it without falling asleep and I will also get to see Vinaya. That's a good idea.

I get ready and place all the necessary stuff for the assignment in my bag then I head out to take the local bus. I keep yawning but I know I can't be resting especially when my parents work all day for me. I'll get everything done on time.

Vinaya
(Library)

Today mom has strictly told me to go back home early. I can't even enjoy some leisure time in a day..

I can't stick to the same book for a long time. So I take out a new book from the shelve. This one is written by an Indian Author "You Only Live Once" By Stuti Changle. The start makes me intrigued and I am completely into it!

Until the bell of the library gate jingles and Aarav arrives. Of course I couldn't focus on anything else when he is near.
I thought he wouldn't come today too.

We lock eyes.

I give a smile. "Hello Aarav".

He sits next to me. "Hii".

When I get a closer look at his face, he looks really tired. Usually his eyes are clear but today he has dark circles below them. I can't help but ask him.

"You look tired. Did you not get enough sleep"?

"Ah. You noticed that? Well you're right actually I didn't had enough sleep".

He shows me the assignment he brought to work on today.

"I won't be reading today. Need to get this done anyhow by tonight".

"You should've atleast taken a nap. How would you work on it without dozing off".

"I don't have time to sleep haha. I came to the library so that I could work on it without dozing off. But what are you reading"?

I show him the book cover.

" This seems like a good read. I will start reading this too to match your pace".

"Match my pace? Why"?

"Well. So that maybe once we're on the same page, we would read it together".

"Haha that won't happen even if we're reading the same page, the same paragraph or the same line cause I prefer reading alone".

"Okay we'll see that".

He starts working on his assignment and I am reading another page of my book. I peek a glance from my book to see him. I was kind of expecting to see him focused but he looks tired. It seems like he could doze off any minute.

Wait. Can't I help him out with anything. .
Maybe I could do some help in his assignment? But I am sure he'd deny.

"What's this project about"? I ask.

"It's an English project. A debate issue on "Are technology and globalization destined to drive up inequality. Who is even good at these"?

"Debate assignment.. Oh! There's someone who's really good at those". I say showing pride.

"Haha Vinaya no Sorry to disappoint but I am not.. I can't think of anything when it comes to debate writing".

"Nu-uh I'm not assuming you are. But I am".

"Huh really? You're good at writing debates? That's good for you then"..

"Can I give it a try"?

"What"?

"Yeah. I can write it for you.. But no pressure if you don't find it compelling you can write something else".

"No no Vinaya Why will you write my assignment you already have enough academic burden as it is".

"How about this? I'll write just a page and you can take a nap while I do, you can write the rest yourself" ?

"uh"..

"You don't trust me with it huh"? I try to provoke him.

"No way it's not that as far as far as I know you're so intelligent and-"

"Then let me do it".

After some attempts he finally agrees for me to do it while he puts his head down on the table. I focus well and after thinking hard about some good ideas I start writing it.

Looks like he fell asleep. I could see the calmness spreaded on his face, His heavy black hair falling on his eyelids and the soft sound of his breathing fills the room.

Before I knew it, I was staring hard at him. And I could feel my heart beating faster than usual and the heat on my cheeks.

I quickly come to my senses. I have to get this done before he wakes up.

Aarav (6.30 P.M)

I open my eyes. Even before seeing the time I am sure I nodded off too long. When I turn my head to the seat next to mine, I see Vinaya's head down with her arms crossed. She nodded off too.

My heart suddenly starts acting strange, when I saw the girl who stayed here because of me until now, she probably was tired just like I was but still she was persistent on helping me with the thing which is none of her concern so that I can take a nap. And in the midst of coming up with ideas and being already tired she fell asleep too.

My heart misses a beat when I see her calm face with the sound of her soft breathing echoing through the little space between us.

I was already aware of the fact that I am falling for her but doing this, she made my feelings grow much more than before.

I am falling hard for you, Vinaya.

--------------------------------------------------------------
TO BE CONTINUED...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2235 words.
This is the longest chapter until now..!❤