AMY'S POV

The moment I agreed to William's mom's proposal; a smiled flashed across her face instantly. She got off her chair and gave me a tight hug. After hesitating, for a second I hugged her back. 

"Thank you, dear. You don't know, how much of help you are being. Your one yes, will now save, one whole year of William's. She said letting out a sigh.

 These words, of gratitude from her, made a part of me, feel guilty. After all, in some way, I was deceiving her, by planning to take my revenge on William. This very thought, of breaking someone's trust made me shiver.

....

Suddenly, I  heard a loud car horn outside. 

"Must be William and his dad". She said while releasing me.

All my plans, of using this incident, as an opportunity, to take my revenge vanished in a second. Instead, a strong urge of running away, from that place aroused in my mind. Though, I had agreed to come to his house, every day, to help him. But, the very thought of being, face to face, with him dreaded me. Even before, I could sit down; I heard two male voices entering the room. I turned around and saw, William who was looking impeccable in his navy blue shirt and black jeans, entering the room with his dad.

"Here you are. Big boy. Where have you all been? Amy has been here for more than an hour." His mom said while smiling at me. But, instead of replying to her, he walked to my mom and greeted her.

"How are you, auntie?"

Mom shifted her gaze from me and nodded.

"I am fine dear. How are you?"

He gave a slight nod and took a few steps towards me. I moved back in reflex. He noticed my movement and heaved a sigh.

"Amy, sorry to keep you waiting for so long. Let's go to my room."

His dad, who was quiet until now, came up to me and patted my shoulder.

"So Miss Topper; I am glad, that you have agreed to help my son. He is a little stubborn and rude.B ut if he worries you too much, just let me know." He said smilingly.

I just wanted to ask him, "Where were you uncle, when your boy tortured me so much, that I started thinking, it to be normal?" but instead I smiled and followed William, upstairs to his room.

...

When we reached his room, on the second floor. He opened the door and asked me to come in. Though I knew, that he was the one, who was now in trouble and needs my help. So he needs to be polite. But still, something seemed amiss.

"Maybe, it's because you are, so used to his rudeness, that his politeness, now seems eccentric to you ". I mumbled to myself.

As soon as I entered his room. I noticed a wall adorned with numerous certificates and trophies. I took a few steps and began browsing through them. He came and stood close behind me. So close, that could feel his warm breath on my shoulders.

"They are my basketball and judo......."

Before he could complete, I hurriedly tried to move away, and while doing so banged with his chair and felled on the floor.

He swiftly knelt down in front of me and hold my arms, with his muscular hands

"Are you alright?" he said, with a voice dripping with concern. Though, his concern seemed to be genuine; but I brushed off his hands and stood up.

"I am okay William," I said while brushing my pants. "I think, that like you, your belongings also don't like me ...that is why they are trying to hurt me too. " I smirked.

Saying this, I looked straight at him. But instead of anger, I saw disappointment, in his dark blue eyes.

"So, which are your weak subjects? Let's, work on them first. Tomorrow, I will bring my notes, so that you can copy them." I said while looking at the pile of the books, on his study table.

" Before we go there, I have something to tell you, Amelia."

My eyes widened, hearing the name "Amelia" from his mouth. I felt my body, becoming numb. He came, towards me and held my arms and made me sit on his chair.

"Amelia; didn't you find it strange that, instead of asking you directly, I told my mom, to convince you?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Because; you know, that if, you would have approached me, then I would have denied you. But my ethics, won't allow me, to deny any elder's request. That is why you told your mom. Right?

He shook his head sidewise. "No Amelia it's not that. Actually...."

Before he could complete, I stood up and walked towards his bed.

"See, I really don't know, why you asked, your mom to request me, neither am I interested in knowing. All I want to know, is from which subject, you want to start?"

"I want to start, with a little bit of history, Amelia."

"History?" I raised an eyebrow. "Are you dreaming? We are science students. We don't have history."

Instead of answering my question, he sat on the chair.

"The day, I decided to ask you, for help; the first thing that came to my mind, was how I will even face you? Trust me, Amelia, I am really ashamed, of what I did. "

His words, made my eyes burn. I tried hard, to control the tear that desperately wanted to flow.

"William I really don't know, why the hell are you telling these when you don't mean a word of it."

For a few moments, the room was filled with silence.

"Amelia, do you remember the first day when we meet? From that very day, I thought you, to be a self-obsessed and cold girl, who thinks nothing else than herself. I mistook your introvert nature, for your arrogance. Maybe that is why....."

"That is why, you thought, why not break the vanity of this arrogant girl? Why not shatter her into pieces? Why not make her life hell? Right, William?"

My whole body was trembling with anger. I somehow suppressed the urge to slap him.

But, instead of reacting to my words, he accepted all my accusations calmly.

"Yeah; Amelia you are right. These were, really my motives. But, now I have realized my mistake. I have understood, how much wrong my understanding was. I know, that I have been impulsive, irrational and all those."

"And from where, did this sudden realization dawned on you?" I said sarcastically.

He looked down on the floor.

"Amelia; I think, that my realization, is more important, than the way, that made me realize. Do you remember that interschool debate; where you spoke about forgiveness? You said if somebody realizes his fault and wants to repent. Then, we should forgive him. Amelia, I have realized my mistake, won't you forgive me?"

Though I wasn't looking at him, still I could feel, that his voice was being choked by tears.

A part of me screamed from inside." He has his ways with words, Amy; don't fall prey to it; don't let his crocodile tears soften you up. Don't let his pleading forget you, those days when you begged to god, to give you death".

Then, he did something which I would, have never imagined, in my wildest dreams. He knelt down, before me and hold my palms.

"Amelia; trust me, I am no more, the same guy that I was. This whole month, that I have spent alone in this room, has taught me, how it feels to be lonely. I have realized, that how much, painful it is, to be alone.I have realized, how wrong my assumptions, were regarding you. It has made me understand that life isn't living a fairy tale; rather it is about, finding something that you want. Something, for which, you are willing to go to any limit. ..... Do you know, what's that thing in my life?" He asked looking straight into my eyes.

"It's, your friendship, with Lucy that once, I have shattered into pieces." He said taking a deep breath.

"I was the one, who took away your best friend, from your life. Now I promise that I will be that one, who will return her to you."

I felt, my vision getting blurred. I could hardly breathe. The mention of Lucy, made series of events flash, in front of my eyes. Suddenly everything started to fade away from them...

.....

I  don't know, what happened next.B ut, when I regained my senses, I found myself lying on William's bed; which was surrounded, by his parents and my mom. As soon I as opened my eyes; my mom hugged me tightly.

"Amy dear what happened to you? How come you fainted? Are you all right?

I rubbed her back, with my hand and mumbled a yes in her ears.

"Mom, uncle, aunt, you need not worry, I am fine."

His mom came and sat beside me. She patted my forehead.

"No dear you are not, I have called the doctor. He will be here in anytime. Let me, get some milk for you. It will make you feel better." She smiled.

"No auntie. It's okay. I can manage. But where is William?"

"He was here just now".His dad said looking around. "Maybe he went out to the garden. Should I call him for you?" 

"No uncle, I want to go and talk to him," I said while raising my body, with the help of my elbow.

"No!" My mom shouted. "You are not going, to leave this bed, until doc arrives and checks you."

"But mom, I need to talk to him."

His mom got up from my side. "It's okay. If you want to talk alone, then we are leaving this room and I am sending him to you."

"Do you, really want to talk with him alone?" My mom asked. I could sense the anxiety in her voice. I gave her a nod and said. "Yes, mom; I want to clarify some things with him; alone."

"If, that is, what you want." His dad shrugged his shoulders. "I am, sending him." 

My mom got up from the bed and accompanied both of them. I closed my eyes. Thousands of thoughts were flooding my head, at that time. Suddenly, I felt somebody's presence. I opened my eyes and saw William, standing next to the bed. Though he had washed his face, still I could figure out the tear stains on his cheeks.

I looked straight, into his dark blue eyes. "Do you, really want to build Lucy and my friendship again?"

Instead of replying, he slightly nodded his head.

"Then, William Mathew, you have to do, something that you have never done before...."

                     AUTHOR'S NOTE      

   Hello, you all thanks for reading my work :)

Thanks, to all my readers, for all their support and most importantly, their feedbacks. It really means a lot.

This is the longest chapter so far. But trust me, I have tried to keep it as interesting as I could:)

Hope that you will enjoy it:)

Do let me know what you feel about it :)