Vinaya

The sun's setting down as me and my friends laugh and enjoy alongside the river.. I've always wanted to go to the beach. But Nahee is suddenly nauseous and we're heading back to our hotel.. And...

"Vinaya.. Vinaya"..! Someone calls me waking me up from my dream.

Wait. That was a dream?? I open my eyes.

"You're finally awake.. I'm sorry I had to wake you up from such a deep sleep". Aarav says.

I take a small moment to process everything. He was the one who was taking a nap and I was working on his assignment and suddenly I fell asleep.
Oh. No. God. I feel so embarrassed.

"Oh no. I am sorry".. I say.

"What do you mean I am the one who should be sorry Vinaya.. I made you stay this late for me.. I'm so sorry". He apologizes.

My eyes trail to the window, and there's no sunlight. The sun has set already!!!?? And then I look around, there's no body in the library except for us. No one.
"Wait.. Aarav what time is it"??? I panick.

I know if it's over 6.. Mom would kill me. He looks at his phone.

"It's 6:47 P.M".. Aarav says.

I gasp. He probably has no idea how I'm going to get a huge scolding today. The day after tomorrow's my exam and mom warned me to get back earlier today. But I'm even more late.. But I shouldn't tell Aarav about this.. He's already feeling guilty for me doing this assignment and now if I tell him about this.. He'll feel even more guilty even though there's nothing wrong he did.

"It's kinda late. We should head out now. You know since I'm usually back by 6. Mom would start worrying for no reason".

He nods and we head out. I rush.

"I'll go this way then and yeah.. About the assignment it was almost complete till.. I will explain everything to you over phone later tonight okay"?

"No there's no need to. You already did so much Vinaya. Thanks again".

I give him a smile. "I just did that cz I was bored okay.. Let's talk later, bye"!! I turn around taking long steps without looking back.

When I reach home, Before ringing the door bell, I take deep breathes.. Think positively Vinaya.. Mom wouldn't take this as a big deal and slide it off just like that.. The door opens before I even ring the door bell. It's dad who opens the door. I sigh in relief.

"Vinaya" Dad whispers to me. "Your mother is"...

As I enter inside my house, I see mom sitting at the dinning table looking at me with a serious and stern expression. I know this is going to be a hell of a ride for me today.

"Ah.. I'm sorry mom, dad. Actually I was reading this book today, and I forgot to see the time".. Ofc I can't tell them I was with Aarav the whole time, doing his assignment.

"You think we'll take that"? Mom's words goes straight to my heart like a dagger.

"You think I'm lying..? What else would I be doing then"? I say feeling hurt.

"Vinaya. We allowed you to go out just to go to the library to read as it's your big hobby. We're sure you were probably hanging out with someone lying to us about the library thing"! Mom says rudely.

"Heyy dear calm down now you're saying too much.. Let our Vinaya explain first".

As an emotional person,unwanted tears start dwelling in my eyes. But as always dad has always supported me. He's never been against me even if I was wrong somehow. And today too, He's taking my side.

"Dad I'm not lying. I was at the library and no where else. And to tell the truth.. I noded off eventually".

"You fell asleep"? Dad asks.

"Yeah.. You both know how much academic pressure I'm going through right now. Early morning lectures, school and then self study. I just go to the library to relax in between".

Mom's stern expression softens slightly as my words sink in. She folds her arms and leans back in her chair.

"You're really under a lot of pressure lately huh".. She starts realising.

I nod wiping away a tear that came off. Dad places a hand at mom's shoulder.

"See? She's been working so hard and her marks in the last exam proves that too. Falling asleep at the library only proves how exhausted she must be".

Mom sighs. "Vinaya.. I'm sorry dear you know I just worry about you. You're so young and I don't want you to be worrying about any other things in life without us knowing".

"Yeah mom It's my fault I shouldn't kept an eye on the time. I sincerely apologize. It won't happen again".

Mom pulls me into a hug all of a sudden catching me off guard.

"You should take constant rest from now on. Don't burn yourself out no matter what. Your health is the topmost priority than any other". Mom starts worrying now. I love it when mom shows me her concern and affection towards me. It happens rare.

I smile and hug her back. "Yes mom don't worry I will".

Dad smiles too. " That's our Vinaya. Now.... Who wants to have a taste of the tasty dinner I have prepared myself"?

Dad often cooks at times as a hobby.

I laugh softly. "Hehe ofc I want tooo I am starvingg"

"And I don't need to tell I want to too right"?

"Ofc not dear. Sit down both of you. I'll order the servants to serve". Dad says.

And just like that the storm in the house settles, leaving a sense of calm along with a nice dinner behind.

Aarav

The moment I stepped out of the library, my thoughts keep drifting back to none other than Vinaya. She didn't seem much bothered from the fact that it got late but I can still tell she was freaking out from inside. I hope things are okay at her place.

It's strange. Really Strange.. How much I've started caring about someone I didn't even knew about just a few months ago.
With Vinaya, everything seems like it matters- every little thing she says keeps repeating in this head of mine, every laugh, every smile. And I have to accept the fact that to my heart, she's not just a girl who I made friends with at the library. She's someone who I've started to think about way more than I probably should.

I want to check up on her. Maybe a small text would be fine? But I don't want to overwhelm her. I'll just call it a day and see her tomorrow-

Buzz Buzz

My screen blows up. And.. It's a message from Vinaya. She did say she'd discuss about the assignment she did, over the phone later but I didn't really took it.

"Hey.. I'm free now. Wanna discuss a bit about the things I left"? Vinaya texts.

I quickly type back in. " Yeah definitely. Is calling you okay"?

She doesn't respond. Maybe she just wanted to chat about it? I wait. After a few minutes my phone rings.

Incoming call-
Vinaya.

Ahem. I quickly clear my throat before answering it.

"Hello". She says in her sweet voice.

This is the first time we're talking over the phone...

"Hey Vinaya.. I hope you didn't get a hard time at your home because of today. I'm so sorry I still feel so guilty". I say.

"No Aarav everything's fine. Just heard a bit of scolding from mom haha". She brushes it off.

"So about the assignment.... The part where I wrote about the importance and blah blah"... She starts explaining all of it to me.

I keep nodding like a fool as if she can see me through this phone.

"Um are you there"? She asks.

"Huh oh yes ofc I am listening to everything you're explaining". I was so lost in her voice and kept nodding and forgot to say anything.

"Oh haha you weren't responding so I thought maybe you felt asleep or something". She says.

"No way haha. How could I be like that when you're taking your time explaining things". I say.

"Yeah. Anyways, that's it then. You got it right"?

"Yes I got it. I'll go over it tonight and can finally submit this damn long assignment tomorrow. It's all thanks to you Vinaya. If it weren't for you today, I'd have probably lost my practical marks". I tell her feeling grateful.

"Hehe I'm glad I could help. After all I told you I'm good at these, didn't I? Now you go rest and sleep soundly. You need it Aarav".

"Mhm. I know I know... I'll rest well tonight all thanks to you".

There's a moment of silence between both of us on the call. That until Vinaya speaks up again.

"So I guess we'll call it a day then"? She says.

"Agreed. Let's see each other tomorrow then, Vinaya".

"Yeah okay then. Goodnight Aarav".

"You too Vinaya".

As the call ends, I can't help but smile. I never expected a simple assignment to lead to a light night conversation with her. But somehow I'm glad I did.

Vinaya
(The next day)

(Morning) ~~
(5:00 A.M.)

I hear some noise of the birds. It wasn't noise particularly But a pleasent tone. But who'll find a tone which disrupts their beauty morning sleep pleasent?

It's the alarm. I turn it off. It rings again. Now I'm a little frustrated along with the state of an REM  sleep, so I quickly grab it roughly it my hand and turn off all the alarms I set for this important morning.

Yes. An important school morning I have no idea of. I toss the alarm clock near my pillow and continue to sleep.

(6:45 A.M.)

This time I get disrupted again. I lift off my blanket and look at my alarm clock frustrated, but it wasn't the alarm clock this time. It was my phone. Someone calling me. It's Nahee.

"Hello,morning Nahee".

"Morning Vinaya. Are you ready"?

Wait. I quickly gather myself and come to my senses. What time on earth is it??? It's 6:45 A.M. already??

"Oh my god. Naheeee.... Shit. I overslept".
I say panicking.

"What?? Did you just wake up..?? I knew it the moment you picked up. You sounded all sleepy"..

"I don't have the time to talk Nahee.. You guys goo... I'll get ready soon and be on my way"..

I can't believe I got late on the most important day of school. The annual function...!!

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TO BE CONTINUED...