Shweta Pov

Flashback continues...

"I won't let you go sweetheart" he said, making butterflies flatter in my stomach.

His arms are still holding me by my waist. I'm trying to remain cool but my heart is betraying me. It's responding so much to his touch that I could hear it's sound very clearly.

God! This is embarrassing!

"Harish, please. What if anyone sees us?" I asked, but still hoping he would hold me close.

"Yea, right. Sorry, I... I... Just" he removed his hands and I felt so bad. Did he just regret it? The very thought was enough for my heart to ache.

I turned around to see him rubbing his nape in annoyance, looking everywhere but me. Did he really regret it?

I tried to speak but nothing came out of my mouth. He slowly looked into my eyes. I could see so much adoration, so much care and so much love!

What?

Love?

Does he love me?

If yes then why would he regret hugging me?

Wait! Harish loves me?

The butterflies in my stomach, this weird yet comfortable silence, this knot in my stomach, this unknown beautiful sensations...are they signs of love?

But I'm still not sure about my feelings towards Harish. Of course, I like him. He's my saviour, my guide, my well wisher, my best friend, but my love?

Am I ready for it?

Will this love last long?
Will this be a fairytale love or
Is it just a mere attraction?

I'm so confused!..

Keeping aside my thoughts, I mentally slapped myself to remind me that I have to focus on my anger in Harish. He laughed at me! At my weakness!

He is my best friend and I expected him to support me but he...he just made fun of me!

I hate him so much!

"Shweta" Harish's voice broke my chain of thoughts.

Suddenly, he calling me sweetheart came to my mind.

Did he really call me that?

Anyways, I have to be angry at him, even though I know that my anger will melt just seeing his puppy dog eyes. Actually, he made my anger melt in his arms, but no! I'm not going to show him that I'm affected by him, by his touch.

"Shweta, I'm...I'm sorry" he said, without looking into my eyes.

I'm right! He regrets it!

But why do I feel so sad? It's not like I want him, or his touch, or him not regretting it. But still, my heart always betrayes me in case of Harish!

"Hmm... it's ok. I know it's just the heat of the moment. I understand" I said and turned to walk out of the building when Harish held my wrist again tightly, making me turn, to look at him again.

"Oh god Shweta! I'm saying sorry for laughing at you, for making fun of you when you told me about your fear and not for the ....umm.." he stammered.

Hearing his words, I felt very light at heart, just like a feather. The sadness which occupied my heart a few seconds ago, completely vanished and I felt so refresh.

"No, I'm not going to forgive you. I thought you would understand me and help me but you laughed at me! How dare you!" I yelled at him,not focusing on the special moment we shared a few seconds ago.

I know we both are not comfortable speaking about it. Though it's the heat of moment, I wonder why he acted so. He may not be able to answer, but time will surely answer my question.

"I'm sorry Shweta. I was just kidding. I laughed just to annoy you, willingly. I sorry, I really am" he said showing his puppy eyes, holding his ear between his forefinger and thumb. How cute!

I told you, my anger just melts looking at his cute eyes. I smiled lightly and he sighed relief.

"I'm sorry Shweta?" he said, more like asking whether his apology is accepted or not. He was still holding his ears, smiling widely at me.

The arrogant, cold hearted Head Boy of this school is apologizing to his junior, that too by holding his ears.

But I decided to tease him more.

"No, you are not forgiven" I said sternly.

"What? You just smiled" he complained like a kid.

I would have laughed at his antics but now I have to pretend to be angry.

"Yea, so? That doesn't mean I forgave you" I raised my eyebrows. His smile was replaced with a cute frown.

How I want to pull his cheeks!

What he did next just took me so shocked!

He went down on his knees, holding his ears till now, with his famous puppy eyes.

Omg!

"Shweta, I know I shouldn't have done that. It's just that, I wasn't in my right mind and wanted to tease you. That's why I laughed wantedly just to irritate you. I know it must have hurt you, but I'm sorry. I'll never behave like this, ever. I promise you that I'll help you out and will never laugh at you or your flaws" he said and I felt honesty in his words. His eyes said that he meant whatever he spoke.

My heart just asked me not to drag it more and I thought to listen to it.

He shrunk his eyes, pleading me.
I smiled widely at his gesture. He too smiled lightly.

"I forgive you Harish, it's ok. But don't repeat it" I said and his smile widened.

"I promise Shweta, I'll never do that. And thank you so much for forgiving me" he said and he immediately bit his tongue, realising what he said.

The next moment I stepped near him and caught his ear with my one hand. I twisted his ear and he winced in pain a little.

"How dare you say thank you?" I whisper yelled at him.

"Hmm.. actually sorry again. I just wanted your forgiveness at that time...hmm.. please forgive me again" he asked and I laughed, twisting his ear more.

There's a rule, or more like promise between us that we won't say thank you and sorry to anyone unless and until we hurt anyone else's feelings. So only sorry is allowed on certain circumstances, but thank you had no place between us.

Now he's getting his punishment for thanking me.

"Shweta, sorry yaar. Please, it's paining. I'll never say that thank..." Before he completes his sentence, I twisted his ear more, making him wince in pain, a bit more.

"Oops, ok. I won't say that dash word ever again, please" I finally released him, hearing him muttering devil.

"Yes Harish, I'm a devil and will not leave any chance to break your teeth if you do anything stupid" I said. He stood up as he ran his hands through his hair.

Darn! He's so sexy!

He caught me staring at him and a smirk appeared on his face quickly.

I immediately averted my gaze and heard him chuckling.

"Shweta" he called me but I didn't turn.

"Shweta yaar" he called again but no, I'm not giving in.

He finally caught my hand and made me look at him forcefully.

When I looked down, not wanting to look at his face, he held my chin smoothly and made me look at his brown eyes. Damn! I can drown in them forever!

"Listen, I promise I'll protect you and will help you. Do you trust me?" He asked still holding my chin, ever so delicately.

I didn't respond cause I can't comprehend what he is saying.

He quickly wrapped his other hand around my waist and again I experienced my heart skipping it's usual rhythm.

His left hand rested on my waist securing me protectively while his right hand was still caressing my chin softly.

"Do you trust me Shweta?" He asked not daring to look anywhere but my eyes. His gaze was so deep that I felt him looking at my soul, so deeply.

I nodded at him, involuntarily.

He smiled and my heart flattered again. I realised they I have never had such sensations or such feelings towards anyone else.

He is the first person ever to make my heart race.

He released me from his arms and a content smile broke in lips.

"I promise you Shweta, please participate in this program. I'll help you overcome your obstacle, your fear. I'm always here for you. Please rely on me a bit cause I'll never hurt you" he said and my eyes widened.

"Harish, I trust you b..bu...but..." I stammered.

"I can't participate in this program. I don't want to humiliate myself. Please just don't force me. I have tried a lot to overcome my panic attacks, but every time I tried, it became worse. I don't want that again" I said. Suddenly his eyes looked dead, emotionless.

"You told me that you trust me" he said. Hurt was clearly visible in his eyes. I didn't mean to hurt him.

"Of course I trust you but in this matter, I can't trust myself" I said and he stromed out of the passage.

"Harish! Harish, wait" I called for him but he didn't stop.

I ran after him and he entered the cafeteria and sat on the table where my friends were sitting.

I calmly walked to them, not wanting to make them worried about our misunderstanding.

After a few light talks, we all decided to leave. I saw Harish not having his food, just lost in his own world.

God! Is he that much hurt!
Stupid me!

I know that if I step on the stage again, it'll surely go wrong. But why can't I take a risk? At least for Harish?

He's always been there for me and never broke my trust. He was always my saviour and protected me whenever I invited problems. I'm sure if he says he'll help me, I may cope up with my fear, at least a bit. Even if I don't, I can assure myself that Harish will save me from humiliation. So I can give a try, right?

I saw my friends leaving the cafeteria one by one as time passed in a wink. Now there's only me and Harish left in the canteen along with some first year students. I guess their recess just started.

Harish didn't even look at me after that and I can feel how much hurt he was. I tried to talk to him but he completely ignored me.

After taking his food, I pulled him to the corner of the canteen and tried to feed him. He turned to the other side, jerking my hand.

"Ok fine, I'll participate in the cultural program. Now please don't be angry at me and eat this please" I pleaded to convince him to eat.

He turned to me with a wide smile and peace spread in my heart. I fed him smiling.

_____________________________________________

Hey lovelies!

Double update as a compensation!
Did you all like it?

As you all wanted some past of theirs in high school, I'll be mostly writing another chapter of their past...so happy?

Now, will Harish help Shweta to overcome her fear?
Or will she face humiliation again?

Stay tuned for more!

Do vote, comment and share my story!

Love,
Menaka ❤️