Dear readers, 

I had so much fun writing this love story. I just somehow adore the idea of a relationship based on shared messages leading to the attraction of minds instead of it based on looks. 

Hope you'll enjoy it. 

Please vote and comment if you do. 

Happy Reading. 

Love 

Anu

SAM AND AK 

Dear friend,

Happy Sixteenth Birthday! I hope you like the gift. I'm kind of a book fanatic, and The Perks of Being A Wallflower is one of my favorite books. So I couldn't think of a better gift for you.

I don't know if you know me. I'm one of your boyfriend's friends. But if you don't, it's okay. I'm used to not being seen. I'm like Charlie. Just there, listening and understanding. But sometimes, the pressure builds up inside, and I have to speak up.

And this is how I speak. I write notes. This book seemed like a perfect vehicle for my note, but if you're offended, please burn this and forget I exist. I promise it's not tough.

I don't like how your boyfriend treats you, and I don't think you like it either. I noticed your fallen smile when you proudly announced your achievement of being selected as the most graceful dancer in your dance academy, and he laughed it off as nothing because who does ballet in Indore anyway. Every one of his friends laughed with him in the lunchroom, but I didn't.

And this is not the first time I've noticed his misbehavior. I don't know why you put up with him. I hope it's not because, as Bill said, "We accept the love we think we deserve." You deserve so much more.

I know I am invited to your birthday party only because I'm in your boyfriend's friends group. And he just passed on the invitation as a charity, but I'll be there because you deserve to be celebrated. So even if my presence is insignificant, know that you're not.

Best wishes

AK

P.S. In case you think I'm not a stalker, you can write to me at [email protected] 

###

I scan the book from cover to cover. What does AK stand for? Except for the handwritten note, there are no inked words on the pages.

Obviously, this note is for Simmi as she lent me this book. However, she forgot to mention it was one of her birthday gifts last month, and it hides a heartfelt note from a guy who has a crush on her.

I jump out of bed and rush to Simmi's house, which is on the next block on my Activa.

I toss the book on Simmi's table in her room. Simmi is asleep. She opens her eyes and cries out. "Ugh! What do you want? I thought that book would keep you busy for hours."

"Yeah, it sure will because I can't rest until I know why didn't you tell me about this new development."

"What new development?" she squints at me.

"This guy, who has a crush on you."

She opens her eyes wide. "What guy?"

I hurl the book at her. "Did you not open this book after you got it?"

She sits up. "Oh, this book. I've seen the movie, and you know I don't read much. I would be lucky if I could read through our economics textbook. Who has the time to waste on fiction?"

"Open the book."

She opens it and turns a few pages. "What is it?"

A note falls on her lap.

Her eyes bulge out. "It's so long."

"Read it." I coerce her.

"Ugh!" She grimaces.

She starts reading the note, and I lift the book from her side and turn to the first page. Unlike her, reading is not a chore for me. I'm eager to know this Charlie character.

"Asshole!" She crumples the note in her hand and throws it at me.

"You know this guy?" I ask as I catch the paper.

"No. He's a loser and a backstabber. The guy had the nerve to criticize Rohit's behavior when Rohit is the reason that he was at my birthday party in the first place."

"Um... he's right, though. You know I'm not too fond of Rohit. He's vain and mean for no reason at all."

"Well, he should be vain. After all, he's gorgeous and the captain of the state champion football team. Forget this guy. I don't have time for a guy who doesn't have the guts to say what he wants to, to my face."

I want to argue but know there's no point. So I shrug and stuff the note in my jeans pocket, gather the book, and walk out of her room.

"Wait," she says. "Give me the note. I'll show it to Rohit. He'll know who this guy is."

All my instincts cry No. "I don't have it. It must be here somewhere. Bye."

###

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected] 

Subject: Sam here.

Dear AK(???),

I'm sorry that the person for whom the note was meant is in love-induced fog. She doesn't see what you and I see. Rohit is a first-class jerk.

I have two questions:

Why would you risk writing this note? She thinks you're a coward, but I don't think so. Anyone can find out who sent a handwritten note. And why are you friends with Rohit if you don't like him?

Bye

Sam.

P.S: I loved the book. Don't hesitate to gift me a book on my birthday on the twentieth of October.

P.P.S: Would you call it serendipity or coincidence that my name is Sam, short for Samruddhi?

###

To: [email protected] 

From:  [email protected]

Subject: Would AK-47 do?

Hi Sam,

I think I know who you are. You're the cute girl with glasses and a book in your hand during the lunch break.

The thing is, I see people when they don't see me. That's also a gift and a curse, as the girl I like would never notice me. And I can accept that but what I find unacceptable is that she would let others treat her like dirt.

You know what Bill said when Charlie asked him if we can make someone realize their worth. He said we could try. That's what I was doing. I'm nothing to her. My words won't make any difference, but yours would. Please keep trying.

Rohit is not my friend. You know how it is in a group. I don't even like most of the guys. We just share the same table during lunch break. They need me to make their table look full, and I need them so that I don't have to sit alone.

Catch you in the lunch break,

AK

P.S. Serendipity, definitely. Your smile does look like Emma Watson's.

###

To:  [email protected]

From: [email protected] 

Subject: Woah! Are you flirting with me now?

Hi AK,

Cut this bullshit! Give me your name. Or you'll be AK(Aryan Khan-the dude in the jail)

Sam

P.S: What happened to your great crush on Simmi?

###

To:  [email protected] 

From:  [email protected]

Subject: Unrequited love is the best kind

But I'm not so stupid as to love someone who doesn't love herself enough to demand respect.

Whereas you, I can picture myself having long conversations about books and movies, Sam. If not in person, this is good enough.

Love

AK

###

To:  [email protected]

From: [email protected] 

Subject: Aren't you bold?

Mentioning the 'L' word.

Sam

P.S: I'll find you.

###

To:  [email protected] 

From:  [email protected]

Subject: Only in my emails and texts:-(

Hi Sam,

Short hair suits you.

AK (Love optional)

P.S: I see you watched the movie finally(Emma Watson's haircut).

###

To:  [email protected]

From: [email protected] 

Subject: Did you dare to think that I'm trying to attract your attention?

Hi AK(no love from this side),

I'm mad right now. Today's English literature class made me lose faith in humanity. We were discussing The Great Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan's character. The whole class unanimously butchered her character. Have you read the book? What do you think?

Sam

###

To:  [email protected] 

From:  [email protected]

Subject: Yes. I have.

Hi Sam,

I think Daisy Buchanan was selfish, self-absorbed, and a bad mother, but what woman would leave her child and financially secure life for an extravagant, party-throwing, obsessed lover? Who knows how long the wealth would last without any social standing. So she's just human.

P.S: I don't like Jay Gatsby much either.

AK

###

To:  [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject: OMG

(This message doesn't contain any text)

###

To:  [email protected] 

From:  [email protected]

Subject: ????

(This message doesn't contain any text)

###

I know she knows who I am.

I expressed my opinion in English literature class yesterday.

During the lunch break, she watches me tentatively. I've avoided eye contact with her till now, but I don't today. Instead, with sweaty palms, I rub my face and smile at her.