EPISODE 8 : THE DAY I SAID “ME TOO” (CRUSH STORY CONTD)

It’s been good 5 months now and 2 semesters down, time just flies by I must say. It’s the end of November and Diwali the festival of lights and crackers is just around the corner. We have a good 1 week vacation. This is going to be a big break and I will surely miss Nandini. It was our last day in class today and vacation starts tomorrow. My relationship with Nandini, well, I would rather call it “Friendship” with Nandini has blossomed everyday.

The clock struck 8pm and the professor wished us “Happy Diwali”. We wished him back in chorus. All were busy greeting and wishing one another. Ganesh was hugging everyone as If he is off to some new world and will be never to be seen. My eyes as usual were searching for Nandini. As I was scanning the class I caught Nandini looking at me, the moment I saw her she got her gaze shifted otherwise. God knows what girls think or what is running in their mind. However, I waved at her to catch her attention and she waved me back with an expression as if she saw me just that moment. What else could I have done, just smiled and walked out of the class.

While walking downstairs, I heard Nandini call me out “Hey Eathen”. “Hey, wassupp!! Happy Diwali”, I greeted. “Thanks!! Wish you the same!!”, she replied with a smile. “So, what plans? Shopping and stuff huh?”, I asked.” Ya, sort of”, she blushed. God!!! she looks pretty when she replies blushing. “What are your plans”?, she asked. “Not much, home, friends that’s it and ya little bit of studies”, I replied with a smile.

I noticed the pick up coming and I told her pointing at the vehicle, “there you go your pick up has arrived”. “You know what Eathen, this week long break, I guess it’s going to be too long and boring”, she said. “I know, its festival season, so time will fly by, you take care of yourself and be safe with those crackers and stuff”, I replied. “Yes, I will, you take care too”, she blushed again. As she took couple of steps towards the vehicle, she turned back at me and paused for a while. I asked her “what happened?”. “You know what, I will miss you Eathen”, she said looking right into my eyes. I was awe struck and didn’t know how to react. I just replied back saying “ME TOO”. Now that was the first time I said those two words to a girl. Listening to my reply she smiled and waved me good bye and disappeared as I was still standing stun.

AS I SAID “THE CRUSH HAS JUST STARTED” - HAPPY DIWALI FOLKS!!!!

Episode 7: CROSSROADS (CRUSH STORY CONTD)

It’s not advisable to neither judge nor understand our opposite sex, as it gives you sleepless nights. Just like the one I spent last night. I am still coming to terms to understand what went wrong? I had discussed this with Ganesh yesterday, on our way back home. His view was out of the world or stupid, he says “She likes you buddy, she was blushing that’s it!!!”. Oh!!!! I so wanted to kill him.

It was good 30 minutes past 3pm and Nandini was nowhere to be seen in the class. Now, this was crazy and really made me think “what the hell did I say wrong?”. This was definitely not something that I expected. I couldn’t concentrate on class the whole day. It is not a good feeling when your guilty of something and you don’t know what that something is. The whole day went on thinking what went wrong and it was a complete waste. However, I had decided to myself that I will not be talking to her until she feels like talking to me.

It was breezy and dull Thursday afternoon and as I stepped in class, I saw Nandini already seated in her usual seat . “Hi Nandini”, greeted Ganesh, “Hi” she replied looking dull and sick. I could make out she was not well, “Your not well kya? Asked Ganesh, “Yes”, she replied. “How are you now?”, I enquired. “Good!!”, she replied not looking at me. I could easily make out, how uncomfortable she was. This didn’t go down well with me.

Just while the first lecture completed, I decided to change place. “Ganesh, I am moving towards the back with Arjun, I feel a little drowsy”, I said. “What!!!”, exclaimed Ganesh. “I am little uncomfortable here”, I replied. Ganesh was puzzled and there was no reaction from Nandini. The moment I shifted, I could notice Nandini’s secret watch over me. The moment the class ended, I called out for Ganesh and told him to leave early. Ganesh was busy chit chatting. Signaling him downstairs, I sprinted down. I could see Nandini walking down the stairs; I gently said “excuse me” and went past her, without getting into any conversation.

I went straight to the parking and picked up my bike. Ganesh soon followed me saying “why so much hurry?. “Just want to get the hell out of here”, I replied turning towards Ganesh and to my surprise Nandini was standing along with him. I was pretty sure, she heard my answer. “Ganesh, can we have sometime alone”, requested Nandini. “Who we?” questioned Ganesh, “Me and Eathen”, came a prompt answer. “Okk!!!!”, said Ganesh looking at me sarcastically while leaving.

“Why did you move with Arjun?”, asked Nandini. “I was drowsy”, I replied. “No!! Don’t lie” she countered. “I am not lying”, I retaliated. “It was because of me, wasn’t it?”, she replied looking straight at my eyes. “You were not talking to me, you were not even looking at me, So!!!”, I paused. “So??”, she questioned. “So I thought, I will leave you alone, as you were uncomfortable”.

“Beep, Beep!!!” horned the Scorpio, calling out Nandini. “Hold!!” gestured Nandini, showing her palm. Now that was new, the Scorpio never waited for me. “Listen Eathen, I am not like other girls, I am an introvert” she said looking at me. “Let me tell you straight, I was never uncomfortable because of you. “So, why did you start behaving strange, is it wrong to answer what is true?”, I asked, my tone being a little stronger. “Probably I was not expecting the answer”, she answered, her tone soft. So what made you talk now? I questioned.”I had this feeling that you are not like usual guys and you wont behave like the usual guys, I should not judge you and your character just because you gave me a answer!!” she answered, her tone still soft. This answer of Nandini was a slap on my face. At this point of time I had decided that I may not be the guy whom she thinks I am. But, I can surely be like the guy she sees me as. “I am sorry for all these misunderstanding”, she said. “Oh no!!! Its fine!! Shit happens!!, I answered. I guess your cab is waiting for a long time”, I reminded. “Oh!!! Ya, got to go, catch you tomorrow, hopefully in the same place”, she said walking towards the black monster smiling. “Yes sure”, I answered as we waved each other good bye.

All these days I was attracted to Nandini just by her looks and physical appearance, but today I actually liked her as a person and individual. This liking was difference and for a change I liked this as well, but I had a clause with myself that I will try and be like the guy she sees me as.

You guys might have been thinking that the Crush has ended here……

     FOLKS!!! CRUSH HAS JUST BEGUN!!!        

EPISODE 6: I WISH I HAD LIED (A CRUSH STORY contd...)

After an eventful stunt on the rainy day, I have been rewarded with 3 things: “Cold, Cough and Fever”. It’s been 2 days my school and classes have been missed. Ganesh is helping with the notes; he comes home every day after school and class to help me out. The only thing that I miss is Nandini. It’s like I am used to seeing her everyday and kind of addicted. These 2 days have definitely helped me focus back on my studies and other things apart from Nandini.

I have been told to take 1 more day of bed rest. It was a nice Thursday afternoon; I was spending time with my birthday gift (guitar) and trying to create some pleasant music. The weather was chill and Mom was like always involved in those stupid serials that come on TV. Dad didn’t go to work today, thanks to the heavy rain since morning. “Tringgg Tringgg” rang the phone bell. “Hello” answered Dad, “who is this” he questioned on phone. “Eathen, call for you”, he called out. I went out to answer the phone and there he was holding the receiver and wearing a little surprise and sarcastic look. I asked him, “Who is it dad?”, “we can talk that out later son”, he replied and handed over the phone.

“Hello”, I said, “Hi Eathen” was the reply and to my shock, it was Nandini. “Hi, Nandini???”, I replied. “Ya, you recognized my voice? How are you? How are you feeling now? I am sorry”, she said. “No, No don’t be, I am fine just a little cold and cough, will be fine, I guess should be in class tomorrow”, I replied. “You had high fever? That’s what Ganesh told me?”, she answered. “Yes, now I am fine and thanks for calling”, I replied. “Get well soon Eathen, I ll meet you tomorrow, got to go now”, she said. “Cool, no problem, bye!!!” I replied and landed the receiver back on the phone.

“So!! Nandini huh???”, said Dad. “Yes!!! Classmate, called to check, how I am now”, I replied. “Oh well, nice of her”, he smiled and went. I was eagerly waiting for the next day and time was passing like decade yet again.

At last it was Friday morning and I missed my school, just to make sure I am completely fine. However, I was fully prepared to go for my classes. It was 2:30 and I was ready to go. Mom didn’t like me leaving out today; however, I just happened to convince her. Ganesh came in with his bike and said “So buddy, what’s up!!! How are you feeling now? He said. “Fit and fine” I replied and off went our bikes.

It was 3 pm and as I entered the class, I saw Nandini sitting and reading a book. I entered and said “hi”. “Hey hi!!!”, You look so dull!! Are you feeling better now?” she replied. “Yes, I am great!! Didn’t go to school though, just thought of coming to class”, I replied.” I am really very sorry of what happened the other day” she said. “Hey please don’t be, it’s ok, I am fine”, I replied as I took my seat. In walked the professor and started our class.

It was 8:30pm and time to leave. I don’t know, I could sense that Nandini was disturbed by something. “Hey!!“ I called up to her. “What happened? Is everything fine?” I asked. “Ya, no problem”, she replied. “You look a little disturbed”, I asked. “Nothing, there was something that was going on my mind”, she answered. “Oh ok, if you are comfortable, you can share with me”, I told her with smile. She looked even more puzzled and concerned. “Yesterday, when I called you, my younger sister overheard me”, she said. “Oh!! You have a younger sister too, so what, what is the problem? Is your sister a problem?” I asked. “No, no she is sweet, in fact she is my best friend” she said. “So, what is the problem?” I asked her. We reached the parking by then. “Well, she asked me, whom I was talking to? So I told her whatever happened and with a smile and a wink she asked me back something that disturbed me”. “What did she ask you?” I asked. “She asked me if you would have done the same if it was for anyone else other than me?”. Oh boy!!! That was a tough question to answer, for which the answer was obviously no, I thought to myself. “I didn’t know what to answer”, she continued. “You tell me Eathen, what should be the answer?” she asked me looking right into my eyes yet again. I didn’t know how to react. “Well, I don’t know, Nandini” I replied to her. “I don’t think so, I could have done that to anyone else” I stammered back, this time I looked at her eye to eye. Her stare dropped down quickly and suddenly there was silence all over and a kind of awkwardness.

We didn’t talk after that, just stood there and waited for the “Scorpio” to come in. The moment, the vehicle came in, she got in and off she went, this time no bye and the window were still on. This definitely proved that my answer didn’t go down well with her. I didn’t know how to react, just stood there to see the Scorpio disappear.