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.