His love roared
louder than her demons

Laksh's POV

*Flashback*

"Get aside get aside don't get nasty if I step on you!" A voice yelled. I whirled around to see, on hearing her voice she rushed past by me leaving behind the light fragrance of sunflowers and something strong lingering its presence like of wild roses, she then collided with someone coming from the opposite, her belongings that she had in her arms, they flew out falling and scattering on the ground she scrambled down cussing loudly, scoped them up hastily, without even a second glance if she got them all. She ran ahead and bumping into the same guy this time she shoved him aside with her leg, the guy stumbled almost fell flat on his face.

And Just like that she was gone,
her voice turning faint, "Get aside!..."

Until I couldn't hear.

Similar to a storm, chaotic demanded the attention of the on-looker and at the end, they are left with a curiosity and big stain of her presence.

I resumed the walk down the hallway towards my classroom I took big steps when I saw she left a notebook behind. Someone was going to pick it before I could reach it but I beat them getting first, not to mention snatched it out of their hands.

I gazed down at the name written in Cursive

Avi Shukla
Class - 8 -A

How just a simple name could bring such unexplainable reactions to my body?

Turned my mind blank with no answers

I continued moving towards my class ignoring it but the book felt heavy in my hands. Like its owner demanded my attention

I would be lying if he said I didn't think about her. The memory of it had lasted more than it should have in my mind. But I don't want to invest myself in curiosity and meaningless things that had no point and are just a waste of time.

During the class, I checked her notebook just to pass time no other reasons at all

She had a fine writing. But there were so many errors. Spelling errors simple counting errors. It was her science notebook. I understand that subject majority of the students don't like. But she loathed it, every word and page told she wanted to personally kill science, if it was a person.

How can anyone write the formula of water wrong? How can anyone write it purposely wrong?
I tsked correcting it, I didn't realize I was literally grading her

My ears perked when I heard the guys at the back talking-

"You like Avi from section A!" Exclaimed the first voice

"Yes she's hot," said another voice.

"Oh give up already girls like her don't like us they can only hate us not like or love"

"It's possible I see her every week with different guys maybe I can be on her list too"

"Do you have big cars? is your father a celebrity!? If not then keep on dreaming"

And they laughed

It actually looked like they were laughing at me. I snapped the notebook close and dumped it in my bag.

I never returned it to her or never looked at it. Maybe because of anger or discouragement or simply wanted her going crazy searching for it.

I stole something from her just like she did.

~•~•

"I don't need friends!"

"Everybody needs a friend"

"But my name is Ryan"

"That's so funny I can't breathe," Avi said with a straight face, "anyway Laksh will explain to you the importance of friendship in a person's life"

That was answered by silence and wind blowing in the distance and the sound of rusted swings

They both looked at me expectedly.
Or only Avi whereas Ryan was laughing holding his sides

I scratched the back of my neck, "they are important , but one can also survive without them"

Ryan threw his arm around my shoulder, "that's what I am looking for! survival of the fittest, oh bro you know me so well" he said proudly with a puffed-up chest.

Avi shot me a look, "very diplomatic answer, Anyway Ryan I have analyzed the people present here in the park and I found a perfect candidate who can be your mate"

"Mating?" Ryan asked hopefully.

I made a face,

Avi nonetheless continued uninterrupted,

"And there's that boy your mate your future best friend! The Titu to your Sono. He's there right there in front of you- oh wait are you guys even listening?"

Ryan said, "I don't think so he'll make it"

"He will" I assured as we watched a kid climbing up the monkey bars tower.

"30 rupees he won't" Ryan argued.

"50 after two falls he definitely would" I observed the kid he was determined just needed a little push.

"Hey! You both I am saying something!"

"Oh here it's his second fall" Ryan laughed extending his hand out for the money.

I walked towards the swings and lifted the kid from behind, the boy's head whipped in surprise I helped and positioned him on the top bar. He grinned triumphantly.

"Here he did," I said once I saw he was safely stood.

"That's cheating," Ryan told with narrowed eyes.

I smirked, "I remember there weren't any rules" I held out my hand out.

He dropped a 50 note grumbling.

"You guys betted on a kid!! An innocent kid how can you-

"50 she won't be able to find a friend for me," Ryan said.

I observed Avi as she shouted, "You guys are betting on me and Ryan you have no faith in me!"

"Oh I have faith in you but I have no faith in me," Ryan said grinning.

"100 she'll do it by the end of the day," I said.

Ryan's turned to me, "no she won't"

"She will" I pressed on

"Hey in case you have forgotten 'she' is still here!" Avi yelled coming in between us.
"You guys wasted my time and my candidate he's gone now, this is the third one he's a perfect pair for Ryan"

Ryan gagged peeping, "I won't even do him in my nightmare"

"Oh shush not the old man, He's the one who is listening to music go to him and ask him to be your friend" Avi whispered to us as we watched the boy from behind the tree to where he sat on a red bench.

"I don't know much about friendship but I don't think so stalking someone and then disturbing them is the right way to be their friends," Ryan commented loudly then whispered when Avi eyed him.

"You say no more you know nothing! What do you think Laksh?"

"It's a way but not that the best way," I said trying not to snicker.

Ryan grinned, "talked like a real brother"

She poked my stomach irritatedly "you're sure you're not into politics Laksh?"

Ryan chuckled,

I struggled to not look amused.

Avi blew out exasperatedly, "okay!!! Don't Distract me! Ryan go ask him to be your friend! Go-

"Okay I am going don't push me now"

Slowly Ryan stepped out adjusting his hood in a way to cover his half of the face.He looked a bit nervous

"You go with him!" Avi said observing him through her hands made binoculars.

"Why me?" I asked staring at her she never ceased to amaze me.

"He will run away I know him just go!"

I sighed indeed Ryan took left way rather right. I slapped his back, "I think you're turning to the wrong way"

"Oh, really I didn't seem to notice that," he said sarcastically while I dragged him to the guy who was unaware of what was coming to him, enjoying his music tapping his foot and shaking his head with quite many emotions that from where they came on a 15-year-old boy's face was beyond my scope.

"What about 1000? I will push you and you can pretend to fall then I can run away?" Ryan tried to bribe me.

I shook my head

"Seriously? 5000? Then"

I shook my head

"10,000?"

"iPhone 12?"

"My kidney?"

"PS5??"

"We are here, "I told him

He stared at me in utmost shock, "not even PS5!? you're so whipped, dude! You have my deepest condolences with you"

He faced front when he got he won't get anything out of me he sighed, defeated.

I felt sympathetic. Almost

Ryan tapped on the boy's shoulder who didn't notice we were standing right there in front of him.

The guy lifted his headphone with an annoyed look, "go away I don't have a change"

And he was back to listening to his music dismissing us by showing us his back.

Ryan shrugged and was going to leave.

When Avi whispered yelled from behind the tree, "once more!"

Ryan was going to run I caught him by his collar. He sighed then tapped on the guy's shoulder once again reluctantly. The guy this time-tossed a two rupee coin at Ryan's hand and went back to his music.

Ryan shrugged keeping it inside his pocket and then made it over the top sad face as if saying I tried.

"Once more" Avi whispered yelled from the back of the tree.

I caught Ryan by his hood when he was about to sprint off

He yelled frustratedly and slapped on the guy's shoulder. The guy's head snapped back he glared, "fuck off ugly boy" he said

Ryan's face fell he stepped back consciously pulling his hood up.

I yanked the headphones off the guy's head then threw them on the ground and stomped on it.

The guy's jaw dropped staring at his sony headphones in pieces one moment he was using them like just one moment making weird faces and vibing to it and then they were gone, on the ground in pieces that's what he was thinking maybe...

"Oh my goodness! Step away step away" Avi scrambled towards us holding her gown.

She gasped seeing the headphones gave a sympathetic look to the boy.
"I am sorry you know just repeat it and that would be your condition next time"
She stomped on it too and then pulled the guy who was still in shock or he processed real slow and she landed her fist on him. Both Ryan and I reached for her..to help.

~•~•~

"I told you it's pointless I don't need friends no one wants to be my friend come on Laksh you lost," Ryan said trying to appear pleased by it. It was a clear out pretend.

I leaned back against the sofa, "the day has not ended yet"

Avi didn't give up she beckoned us standing near the mirror we were back in her house.
"Say no more just come here, Ryan!"

Ryan looked exhausted he dragged himself and stood beside her

"Look in the mirror what do you see?"Avi asked.

Ryan lifting his head he focused. He raised his brow staring at his reflection.

"That's your friend Ryan," Avi told pointing at it in the mirror.

"Oh wow you mean I am my only friend that.. that's so deep and lonely" Ryan said sadly.

Avi flicked his forehead off then pulled back realizing what she was doing. "I mean look carefully... you see me also.. am I visible to you? Or you lost your eyes on the way"

Ryan's head snapped to her, surprise taking over his face. He stared at her now very moved, "you think of me as your friend, post-Avi?"

"And of course Laksh too? Isn't it Laksh?" Avi asked looking back at me hopefully.

I nodded walking over and joined behind her.

We all stared at our reflections in the mirror with meaningful silence filling in the background.

Ryan gazed back at me, "he's my brother" he said this time with real sentiment

Understanding passed between us sharing the episode where I rescued him when he was bullied by seniors outside his school. He was seriously injured but not more than them when I made sure they pay for their deeds.

"And you Avi you were my first and maybe the last friend too" he laughed glancing at her but this time he seemed relaxed and glad

Avi shook her head with a grave expression, "you think I would let that happen" slowly and hesitantly she held Ryan's hand by pinky finger. Ryan was shocked for a moment then got better control over himself and returned the hold with a huge grin.

I frowned seeing the two grinning but nodded my head when Avi glanced at me asking if she did right?

"Looks like I won the bet" I purposely intervened the moment.

Ryan pouted, "you cheated again!"

~•~

"I think I'll call it a day my head is also aching," Avi said outside the door that's where we started our day off.

She looked tired but exuberant with the things she was able to do today.

I shifted my weight on another foot, pushing my hands in my jeans pocket. I didn't want to go I wanted to meet the real Avi I missed her it was evening time where was she? In between the day they flipped taking each other's positions for some time, during which Avi took a nap feeling disoriented and hazy. I wanted to talk to her somehow I felt more-

"I got it you love her. I know original is original and no one can take that place, I will do the sessions and someday I will be gone too you don't have to appear so troubled." She said dishearteningly.

"It's not like that....you both are the same to me .." I argued meekly.

She laughed, "nope we are not" her lips turned down in a sad smile.

It squeezed my heart

I took a step towards her, "you are just I knew her more I-

"You love her more?"

"You both are the same" I repeated.

I myself didn't know in all these confusions I just wanted her to get well soon and stand beside me fighting and just being the Avi Shukla who had been in my mind since I don't even remember when

"No, we aren't we are not the same but someday we'll be when she'll embrace and when I'll accept her we will be the same. I am a mental problem once treated I will be gone"

"And that's why you want us to not forget you? " I asked taking another step cautious enough to not scare her, she was still jittery after yesterday's episode

"Yes," she said softly looking down

"I won't forget you," I said looking at her. She lifted her head at my voice came face to face with me, her eyes instantly shied away in hesitancy not meeting mine but gradually she returned them back to mine when assured there was no harm in them.

"Oh well the other things I'll leave for her to do," she said taking a nervous towards me.

"They are the difficult ones?" I guessed

"And the awkward ones" she added wincing remembering something

I smiled.

On tiptoes, she quickly pecked on my lips and immediately drew away before I could even react to it. My lips buzzed from the minute contact.

They both might be different but they induced the same effect. The fusing desire, an ultimate protection, and fierce possessiveness to hide and keep her to myself because I was afraid if someone sees what I see they might steal her away from me. I can't help but fall deeper and deeper for a mess that won't stop getting beautiful and immaculate.

Lovely as ever.

"What's your darkest secret?" she asked breathlessly.

After some seconds pondering on it and holding my mind in clear form, I told honestly,
"My life has never been interesting enough to have dark secrets"

"Secret?" She asked hopefully.

"You," I said without missing a beat

"Me? Your secret" She asked in disbelief

"Always had been since I met you"

She ambled towards me just by a few steps, asked when she was a mere inches away from my face, "can I kiss you like a real kiss? I am just happy that...I found more than one real connection Kavya, Ryan, Riya and you.. I feel so happy right now...I mean you don't have to kiss me if you don't want to-

I closed the gap brushing my lips with hers restraining every fiber of myself to make it as tender as possible , she was frozen on spot. I gently cupped her cheeks she responded slowly at every move hesitancy was oozing out. She held my shoulders for support as she felt the uncoiling and inexplicable lightness. She relaxed against my hold. Kissed me so sweetly and.. it was fragile and delicate and pain so much pain that's how I could describe that moment; painfully sweet.

Just one wrong move, a slight push and it will shatter falling. My cheeks felt dewy with the cold light graze of something flowing. It was her tears or mine cause I felt the mist in the back of my eyes, they were dropping down rolling between our pressed cheeks. Couldn't tell couldn't explain. The feeling was drowning us and I seemed to be the one holding and keep it intact to one place to the closest to my heart.

She pulled back briskly and suddenly.

My eyes snapped open, "wait for a moment" she said rushing inside.

I waited in a daze trying to comprehend unspoken words, the message or whatever that was felt through that moment

I waited for 15 mins then I got inside.

Glanced at Ryan who was sleeping on the couch carelessly.

I tentatively reached to her room finding the open door

I stood in dilemma at the threshold eyeing her room hesitantly. When the sound of another door was heard from inside, my head jerked up in that direction.

Avi stepped out.

In different clothes. All black and just one look at her, I knew it was her.

I rushed in with no thoughts made my way towards her with swift steps she was going to say something her mouth opened but I pulled her instantly to me in a tight hug

"Oh someone missed me" she mumbled kissing my head, I could hear the smugness and smile in her voice.

It resonated in my body, humming my blood and ached for a longing that stole my breath.

I nodded with a shudder she rubbed my back as if feeling it too, I held her close whispered and ordered, "don't go out for that long you made me ...wor-rried,"

I lifted her when I felt she seemed restless too tired to even reply anything, and made us sit on a couch. She had her arms looped around my neck with a clasp that could leave prints afterwards. We didn't let go of each other. The hold might be suffocating but it provided breather and comfort that nothing could

She mumbled incoherently "you won't get to tell me what to do... you....." and she dozed off in my arms peacefully.

I kissed on her forehead with a big grin. I would...

••