The rituals were all done and I was finally left alone. Relatives are bustling about and my parents are seeing each and every one of them out. Everything is done. The drama is over. I have finally returned to a temporary sense of peace.

Just when I sighed and closed my eyes, leaning against the cold smooth wall, a voice jolted me forward, throwing me forward and right into-- oh my gods... why, just why?!

"Now I'm sure that you can't help yourself from falling for me," Ajay joked as he stood in front of me with his signature grin.

"W- what?" I stuttered, heat creeping up my neck, my cheeks flushing red. He slowly shook his head with a light chuckle, and my eyes followed the way his wide grin puffed his cheeks and crinkled the edge of his eyes, the way his hair swayed perfectly to the rhythm and fell just right over his forehead, the way his eyes seemed to sparkle with mischief but at the same time, admiration... 

Gods! This guy! 

"Are you done staring?"

I gasped as I lowered my head, my eyes shutting close involuntarily. I could hear my heartbeat throughout my body and feel myself struggling for air though I know I'm breathing properly. 

Why does this guy affect me so much?

"I wasn't staring," I finally lied, mustering as much as confidence I could, standing tall and voice unwavering, trying to ignore the fact that the brown almond eyes were on me and only me.

"OK," he said with a diplomatic nod though his smile was clearly mocking. I wanted to argue- protest more that I wasn't staring, but I know it would be a losing battle. 

Seconds passed, then minutes, and we were just there, standing, my eyes darting everywhere but him while his eyes stayed insistently on me.

"Did you get to eat the sweets?" He asked, his voice slow and gentle, and it felt like butter over scorching heat, and I felt myself melting, though I stood my ground. 

"No," I said in a small voice, my head down and my fingers on a mission to wear out the edge of my shawl. "It got over."

"Figured," he said and his voice was evident of a smile. "Considering how you gave out seconds to the kids who swarmed around you. The way they clutched your skirt and went Akka akka or whatever relationship you have with them, and you going fold your arms! Fingers to your lips! like you were some kind of a teacher and then finally the way you gave out the sweets going, very good. It was... cute."

My mouth fell agape and I was frozen in place. When did he see all this?!

"The kids... were cute, I mean," he corrected himself, clearing his throat and raising his hands up to rub the back of his neck, finally looking away for the first time since our conversation started. If I wasn't wrong, I could see a hint of red along his ears.

I cleared my throat, telling myself that this has gone too far. I've encouraged this long enough to find myself trouble. Now I just wish I don't find myself trouble.

"The kids weren't the only reason I didn't get to eat, you know?" I confessed, raising my eyebrow in challenge, a teasing smile making its way onto my face despite my self-control. "You, mister, had a one man feast."

"Ouch!" He exclaimed as he clutched his chest, his tight coat not helping with the movement, and staggered back for effects. "That hurt!"

"Doesn't change the truth, though," I said, shrugging my shoulders. 

"Well, I thought I would be doing something thoughtful," he sighed dramatically and slowly brought out the hand he had neatly tucked behind his back the entire conversation. How did I not notice that before? "But I guess am just making up to you."

And then I saw it. Crispy maroon balls glistening with the sugar syrup inside the plastic bowl. He had saved one for me. When did he do it and why did he do it?

"Now... I saved it for me," he said with a raised finger, his tone serious and a bit accusatory. "I'm giving it you because I'm a good guy."

I plucked the bowl from him and rolled my eyes. "Of course you are."

But a smile found me despite everything. It was thoughtful of him to save one for me, whether he accepts it or not.

"Anna! Amma is calling you!" I heard a girl scream nearby, jolting us both back to present, where we were still at the wedding hall and our relatives were milling about everywhere. 

"Be right there!" Ajay yelled back to the figure I now saw moving through the crowd. 

"Guess I should leave now," he stated, his hands finding its way into the pockets. 

"Guess you should," I repeated, though neither of us made efforts to move an inch.

"Hypothetically speaking," he started, his eyebrows pinching in concentration and I tilted my head, wondering where he was going with this. "If a guy had to ask you your number, how should. he. do it?"

"Simple," I said, watching him as he arched forward with hope. "He should just not ask because I won't give it to him."

He chuckled and shrugged his shoulders. "Fair enough."

I nodded, proud of myself for not caving in.

"See you later?" He asked, the ever so lovely tradition of not saying goodbye. 

"See you later," I repeated, though I wasn't sure when I would. 

He turned and started walking, his steps calm and confident, a powerful combination that just screamed power. I sighed as I looked at the retreating figure, suddenly feeling too lonely for my liking. And then he turned, knocking the breath out of me, and waved goodbye with a pleasant smile. I found myself waving back in a daze, my eyes now pinned on his retreating figure.

I clutched my ear when I felt someone flick it. I glared at my sister who was now standing beside me, her arms draped over my shoulders. 

"Five minutes," she said through a chuckle. 

"What?" I asked, my face scrunched due to her stupid nonsensical words.

"You've been talking with him for five minutes straight!" She exclaimed, laughing at my face. My eyes widened. 

Oh no! Please don't let anyone else witness what this idiot sister of mine did! Or else I would be the talk of every house of a complete five generations!

"I like seeing you scared," she said as she squeezed me a little. "I'm going to miss you."

That brought me back to the reality. My sister... she was leaving to start a new life at a new home. "I'm going to miss you too."

"I know," she said, bringing herself in front of me. "And don't worry, no one saw it. I made sure to keep people distracted."

I smiled. "Thank you."

"You have to thank me too, you know," Rohan said as he came to stand beside Priya. "I had to listen to a lot of lectures."

"Good," I said in a teasing tone. "At least then you would have some idea on how to take care of my sister."

"Hey!" He said, raising his arms in surrender. "I will take very good care of your sister, mind you!"

I laughed with them. I like Rohan. He is fun to hang out with. 

"LAVANYA!" I heard my mother scream from the opposite side of the hall.

"COMING!" I yelled back and immediately turned to my sister. "Should I be expecting something?"

Priya pouted her lips and shook her head. 

I let out a shaky breath and took off running while holding up my skirt. My very own Cinderella moment. 

When I approached my parents halfway through, I saw them talking with an middle-aged couple. But only when I stood beside them did I notice the mischievous grin of the one and only, Ajay. Beside him was his little sister.

I joined my palms in salutation, smiling cautiously, trying to evaluate the situation. 

"This is lavanya," my mother said, placing her hands on my shoulder. "My second born. Lavanya, this is Mr and Mrs Kumar, a distant relative of Rohan's but a very close friend to his parent's. Mrs. Kumar had gone to the same school as his mother."

"Hi," I said with a nervous laugh. 

"Lavanya?" Ajay asked with his head tilted.

"Yeah, Chandra is my family nickname," I explained. 

"You two know each other?" His mother asked surprised, looking at him then me and him again.

"Yeah," he smiled. "She was the girl on the stage," he explained and my cheeks flushed red in embarrassment. 

"It's a good thing that you two met, then," my mother chimed in. "Did you know he goes to the same college as you?!"

My head whisked at his direction. "What?" I asked, my attitude all over, disbelief evident across my face.

"Same department too," my father added. That only made me more hyper-aware of the way Ajay teasingly laughed at me.

"Yep," his father said, clapping his back. "4th year of computer engineering."

Fourth year? He is my super senior?!

"Lavanya is in 2nd year," my mom clarified politely. 

"That is lovely!" His mother said. "Maybe he could help her if need be."

"Definitely! Always open for help," he said with a smile, though only I know how his mind is scheming to make my life miserable. 

"That is so thoughtful of you," my mother swooned, then turned to me. "You know those subjects where you keep complaining about the professor? Maybe you could ask him!"

"I'll keep that in mind," I said with a nervous laugh, looking at him once more to find his amused face. Oh, he is enjoying this alright. 

"Maybe you should take down my number," he added enthusiastically. "You know, incase you have any doubt."

"That's a wonderful idea!" My dad proclaimed. "Chandra, get his number later," he instructed me. I just nodded politely and turned just in time to see Ajay smirking. 

The conversation flowed in different directions after that, their words muffled to my ears, replaying the revelation over and over. Guess, I will be seeing him again after all. 

"We should get going," Mrs Kumar finally said, bringing me back to the present. "Hope to see you soon."

"Of course," my mother said. "We'll meet again."

"You guys go ahead," Ajay told his parent silently. "I'll give my number to Cha- Lavanya and be right out."

His parents accepted and started walking out, his sister being the only one who stayed behind. My mother gave me a smile and my father patted my back as they left me with them. I saw his sister giving him the look as her tongue swirled within her cheeks, smirking ever so clearly.

"What?" He muttered to her, his look incredulous, his shoulder shrugging. 

"Nothing," she cooed, eyeing me then him, making me smile politely. She turned back to her brother and beamed,  "Good luck!" and ran off.

"Ignore her," Ajay said as he pointed at his retreating sister. "D is an idiot."

"D?" I asked, chuckling nervously.

"Divya," he explained. "Currently at her boars exam era, 12th grade."

I just nodded, going on a little flashback to my own board exam days.

"So," Ajay said, bringing me back to the present. "Note down my number?"

He smiled cheekily, his back arched and his hands inside his pockets. "Sure," I said as I pulled out my phone, trying my best to keep myself from laughing. He looked so desperate. 

I typed in the number as he recited one by one, and saved it. When I was about to put away my phone, he interrupted, going, "Maybe just... give me a call? So that I could... save... it?"

"No," I said with a wide smile. "The deal was for me to note down your number, and I did. I won't call you."

His head turned to the side as he scoffed out a laugh, closing his eyes for a second. "Worth a shot," he looked at me and murmured. "See you at college, junior."

He waved goodbye one last time and walked out, leaving me to the silent buzz of the after wedding bustle. His presence was unlike anyone I had ever been with and I am bottom line scared on what this will bring me.

Guess I can't do anything but wait and see it unfold.