Vinaya
(At School)

I can't believe my own self who was literally in bed some minutes ago, and now here- At school, in between these idiot students who are so excited for this annual function for God knows why.

I know most of all the people love these events taking place at school, but I lowkey hate any of these events.

Why? There are a few reasons I can state. It's crowded. There are students of all classes chatting and making noise all over the place, and especially cz we're always being forced to participate in any of activities which are held.

Me, Nahee, Yuvika and Nia have all participated- or to be honest being forced to participated in a singing performance together. Yuvika's got a good voice, so she was already up for it. Meanwhile, Me and Nahee literally suck at it.. I'm so damn nervous about how am I going to sound down there to other people.. Hope I sound just like how I do to my own ears, cz I sound pretty fine enough to myself.

"You ready guys? It's our turn next". Says Yuvika confidently.

"Um.. Kinda"? Says Nahee.

"Alright I think we've prepared enough". Says Nia.

We go to the stage and try to give our best, and a few minutes later, we hear a loud sound of clappings. I think I did just fine, and everybody is complementing Yuvika, cz she definitely did sing even better than before when we practiced.

The most important thing is, it's done. This event is over and now I can catch a break from this bewildered morning. This was what I had thought ad waited for until I remembered about our plan.

"Finally..!! We're going to my place"! Says Nahee.

"You all really have the energy left to hang out"....? I ask.

"Ofc. And you can't back out anymore Vinaya, remember we all agreed to go to her place and hang out. It'll be so much fun". Says Nia.

"Yeah yeah and I kinda regret agreeing now lol"... I say.

"Besides, we might end up running into my crush on the way aahh"!! Nahee says excitedly.

"Seriously Nahee doesn't your crush have school or anything? Whenever I hear of him, he's always out on streets". Yuvika asks.

"How can you say he might be there rn tho"? I ask curiously.

"I've seen him outside mostly at this time yk. I think he works a part time or something given he goes wearing formals right after school".

Part time after right after school? There's only this one person who comes to my mind at her words, Aarav.

"Omg for real? Turns out she likes a hardworking guy". Yuvika says.

"Seriously. I can't even think about doing my homework right after school". Says Nia.

I smile at there words cz I am definitely familiar to someone who's going through the same things.

"Apparently, some kids do work hard to make their parents proud without even them knowing". I just say without thinking before speaking.

"Ooh do you know someone like that or what"? Yuvika asks.

"Ah yes my dad told me about someone similar like him". I say.

"Omg now I feel guilty for not even studying a week before exams". Nia says.

We all laugh.

We head out of the cab walking to Nahee's place.. My hair are literally a mess rn cz these guys won't close the window saying they need fresh air or whatever. I don't even care about my weird look at this point.

I notice Nahee fixing her hair a bit.

"Omg you look nervous". I say.

"Yeah well what if I end up making eye contact with him..? And please guys don't act all weird calling my name Or anything pleasee". Nahee requests.

"Don't worry I'll handle these two haha". I say.

"I love you Vinaya"!!

On the way to her house there's a cute stationary shop with a glass gate. As we are about to pass through there, Nahee stops midway.

"Why'd you stop Nahee"? Asks Yuvika.

"Guys guys!!! Look over there inside the shop... That guy.. He's the one..!! My crush"!!

Being all curious I quickly turn my head towards the glass door to see the guy Nahee couldn't stop talking about.

I freeze. It's as if I got an unexpected shock cz this was the least expected thing for me..

That guy.. Nahee's crush, He is none other than Aarav...
Now that I think about it, that day we discussed about her crush I felt him being similar to Aarav, and the part time thing too.

"Omg.. She wasn't lying when she said he's good looking" Yuvika says.

"You do have a good taste in boys Nahee". Says Nia.

Meanwhile I stand there still not knowing what to say to them. Obviously I won't tell them he's the one I was talking about that day too... Or that I already know him.

"Nahee, You know what, This is your chance!! Go inside the shop with the excuse of buying something and that way you can say hi and start a conversation with him"!! Yuvika suggests.

"Huh... No wayyy I can't do that alone guys can't you all just tag along with me please.. Vinaya you said you need some items for your project file come guys please".

"Okay let's all go together. Come Vinaya". Says Nia.

They all agree and start moving towards the shop.

"Ah you guys go ahead..! I actually have to make a phone call besides it'll get too awkward for all four of us to go together".
I say.

I can't let him see me..!!

The three of them goes inside and I quickly stand with my back turned pretending to use my phone. After some seconds I tilt my head back to see what they're up to.. And I see Nahee and Aarav talking. Aarav's smiling at her and Nahee is blushing. Yuvika and Nia are being busy in buying stuff. I turn back again.

I couldn't keep watching those two together.. Why?

And.. Why am I even hiding myself?

I don't know...

Aarav

Before getting to office I had some spare time left today. So I thought maybe I should buy some stationary I need. I check on the things I'll need, while scrolling through my drawer I notice that paper I bought from the shop near to the library which says "XXXXXXXXXX ~Vinaya".

I am quickly taken back to that day we exchanged numbers. She found these papers to be cute so I thought I'd buy some more of these and give them to her.

"I need these type of sheets please". I tell the shopkeeper who goes to get them for me.

Meanwhile I notice some girls making their way inside. I take a step back to provide more space in this small congested shop.

"Oh.. Hello"..! Says one of the girls.

"Um hey"? I have no idea if she knows me or what.

"Ah do you not recognise me..? I live in this neighborhood too and we came across a few days ago".. She says feeling awkward.

Oh no I think I forgot. This is so rude.

"Oh yes I remember now haha". I smile and lie so she could stop feeling awkward.

The other two girls who were busy in buying stuff speaks something into her ear... I'm confused. What's going on...?

"Ah... well May I ask your name"? She says while fidgeting her fingers.

"Oh sure. I'm Aarav. And you"?

"I'm Nahee".

I nod and she goes to her friends to buy stuff. I glance outside the gate.. And suddenly I notice a girl- standing with her back turned and her hair length exactly like Vinaya.. She reminds me of Vinaya it's as if she's the one standing there..

Great. I think I'm even seeing her in other people too. They say you start seeing the person you think so much about in different people.. The girls move outside. I also turn back and grab my stuff to head outside.

As I walk out, that girl turns her face back. We make straight eye contact..

VINAYA..??

What's she doing here? My heart literally stops at the sight of her. And she- looks surprised and quickly breaks the eye contact as if she's pretending not to know me.

Those girls start chatting with Vinaya. That means she was with them.. And I'm certain she doesn't want them to know that I know her.

I glance at her one more time before going away but this time she doesn't look at me....

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TO BE CONTINUED...