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Radhika's Pov
No way!!!
Why does he have to be my partner? Kanha ji, main hi milti hoon kya aapko musibat mein daalne ke liye?
"Hey!" I heard him say in a meek voice, but there's no way I'm going to engage in a conversation with him, which will be as stupid as him. I turned my face and saw Kanan approaching us. I smiled and waved at him.
"Radhika, ek baar baat toh suno," Aditya again muttered, trying to bridge the gap between us and also making sure no one heard him.
Jab chilla chilla ke bakwas kar raha tha mere baare mein, tab yaad nahi aaya ki koi sun lega!?
"Hey Radhika! Siya ne naam nahi diya tha?" Kanan greeted , but what surprised me was that his first question was about whether Siya had given her name or not. She always rants about him liking me, but here he is asking about her. And this isn't the first time. Whenever we see each other, he ends up asking about her. I don't know whether what I'm thinking is true or not, I cannot just assume things and jump to conclusions.
"Huh!" I said, amusement written all over my face. For a fleeting second, he lost his composure, as if realizing he had again made the same mistake. So, I may be right.
"I mean... ah... you know how she is... nvm," he said, flustered.
All I could do was smirk at his state as I subtly told him, "Break mein milna, kuch baat karni hai."
"Okay," he said, trying to mask his emotions.
"Hi Kanan," I rolled my eyes hearing his voice now beside me and a little closer than my liking (not that I'm complaining).
"Hey," said Kanan, and I took that as my cue to move out, hoping that they would start talking and I wouldn't have to face Aditya.
Aditya's POV
I've been trying so hard to start a conversation with her and apologize for saying all that, but she won't even look at me. The cherry on top? Kanan had to be the one escorting us to the principal's office. Why does he have to be so close to her? She never talks to me like that, and what did she mean by "Break mein milna"? What was so important?
"Hi, Kanan," I said, trying to end the never-ending conversation between the two of them. I know I'm not her friend or anything, but at least she could listen to what I wanted to say.
And just like that, she walked away again! But it's fine—at least Kanan makkhi ki tarah uske aage peeche nahi ghumega.
"What were you guys talking about?" I asked him, trying to sound as casual as possible.
"Nothing important. Okay, I should take you guys now, since everyone is here," he said.
I let it go for now, as Radhika and I were the pair for the interview, and I really wanted to be a part of the student council.
We were standing in line with Radhika beside me, waiting for our turn. She kept fidgeting with her fingers, biting her nails, or tapping her foot every now and then. She was nervous.
"It's fine. It's just an interview, and you'll do just fine," I tried to calm her down.
"I hope so," she replied, sounding normal. But I was sure that as soon as she realized who she was talking to, she'd pull back.
And just like I thought, she snapped back, "And stop talking to me."
"Well, we're going in as a pair, and I wouldn't want to lose my chance at being Vice-Head Boy, you know. And besides, what are you so nervous about?" I think I messed up by saying the first part, because the look on her face made me want to run away as soon as possible.
"I... you... ugh, just shut up, okay? Not everyone is like you," she snapped.
I really needed to say something to calm her down because she was overthinking a school interview.
"Radhika, listen to me. It's just an interview. Don't overthink it," I tried again.
"Okay, stop," I said, her movements still frantic.
"What?"
"Stop biting your nails and tapping your foot. It's just an interview, and you'll do great, trust me," I said.
"And how do you know that? What if I mess up?" she asked, her voice laced with doubt.
"Because I know you won't. Radhika, you're one of the smartest people I've known, so believe in yourself and stop doubting your capabilities. I know speaking in front of others or doing something publicly makes you nervous, but trust me—there's nothing to worry about. And if you think you might mess up, don't worry. I'll be there, and I'll handle whatever comes our way. We're going in as a pair, and we'll do our best. Besides, every other teacher likes you. I'm sure even Principal Ma'am knows you," I reassured her.
It seemed to be working because she appeared calmer now.
"Aditya and Radhika, you're next," Kanan said.
"Take a deep breath, and don't worry. We'll do just fine," I said, and she nodded at my words as we proceeded for the interview.
We were done with our interview, and in my opinion, we both did great. How do I know that? Because my angry bird now has a calm smile on her face. I'm glad—no, scratch that—I'm so proud of her for speaking confidently during the interview. A part of me hopes that maybe it was because of what I said to her before it started.
We were now heading back to our class, and she was still quiet, lost in her own thoughts. I wonder what she always thinks about. But there was a slight change this time; she looked like she wanted to say something but wasn't sure how to say it.
"Do you want to say something?" I asked her.
"Huh? Uh... yeah," she replied, her nervousness evident in her voice. I nodded, encouraging her to continue.
"Thank you."
All I could do was smile at her. She's cute.
"No worries. So, am I forgiven now?" I asked, hope shining in my eyes.
"You didn't even say sorry," she said, chuckling.
"Right. Okay, from the top: Radhika, I'm sorry for saying that about you. I really didn't mean it. I don't know why I said it, but trust me, I didn't mean anything like that. I'm really sorry. Please forgive me?"
"It's okay. It wasn't even that serious that you're apologizing so much. It's just that we're not friends, and all, so... it's just... leave it. You're forgiven," she said. I was so happy she forgave me, but wait—she said we weren't friends. I mean, are we? my conscience replied. But we could change that, right?
"Umm... can I ask you something?"
"Yes."
"Why do you think we're not friends? We've been in the same class forever."
"But we never talked, right?"
"We could change that now."
"Huh?"
"Will you let me be your friend?"
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is when I found out what my favorite sound is: her laughter. How could she just stand there, laugh, and look so beautiful? For a moment, I lost myself in the way she looked right then. This was the first time I'd seen her so free, not caring about anything.
Her smile, so wide and beautiful, made me want to be the reason for it every time. Her eyes, brown as honey, sparkled, and all I could think of was looking into them until I drowned.
Then I saw her snapping her fingers at me, bringing me back to reality.
"What are you looking at like that?" she asked, amusement written all over her face.
"Uh... um... nothing. So, tell me, can we be friends? And why were you laughing?" I asked her, with a small smile on my face. I didn't know what was happening to me. Get a grip, Aditya Kashyap.
"No reason. You sounded poetic when you asked me to be your friend. It looked like a proposal more than just asking about being friends. It was funny. And to answer your question—yes, we can be friends."
I just rubbed the back of my neck with my hand, not knowing what to say. But what I was really happy about was that we were friends now. Now, she would talk to me, and I could get to know her.
Radhika has always intrigued me. I don't know why.
I don't know what it is about her. I mean, she's just... there, right? It's not like we've ever really talked much. But there's something about the way she carries herself, like she's got this calm in the chaos of everything around her. Everyone else just blends into the noise, but she—she stands out without even trying. I don't know why I keep noticing her. It's not like I'm obsessed or anything, right? It's just... whenever she's in the room, I can't help but look. I don't get it. I mean, she's not doing anything special. She's just... herself. Maybe it's the way she smiles when she's lost in thought, or the way she doesn't care if anyone notices. She doesn't need anyone's approval. It's kind of... well, kind of cool, I guess. But seriously, why does it feel like my brain hits pause every time she looks my way? I'm not one of those guys who gets distracted by anyone... So why her?
We were now back in our class, and just like before, I was sitting on the last bench with Kartik, while she was sitting on the first bench near the window with Siya.
"Bhai, ghur-na band kar! Abhi-abhi vice-head boy ke post ki interview de kar aaya hai, kuch toh lihaaz rakh le," Kartik said.
I rolled my eyes at him. "Chup kar, bakwas mat kar! Main koi ghur-wur nahi raha."
"Haan, woh toh dikh hi raha hai," he smirked at me.
I chose to ignore him because he thinks I like Radhika. I know I want to get to know her, and I'm intrigued by her, but that doesn't mean I like her, right? Nothing of that sort has ever happened between us, so how can I like her?
It was lunch break now and Aditya was sitting with Kartik sulking and the reason was right in front of him .
Kanan was talking to Radhika and this time even Siya wasn't around them .
"Yaar yeh sabse baat karti hai mere alawa" he said
"Tu chahta hai woh tujhe baat kare ? kyun?" Kartik asked munching his samosa.
"I mean , ham itne saal se jante hai aur ab jaake meri friend bani hai , mai kuch janta hi nahi uske baare mein , her likes dislikes i don't know anything" Aditya said somewhere avoiding the real reason . He isn't ready to admit that there might be a chance that he might actually like her and not give the reason of her being his a mere friend.
"But why do you want to know that?" Kartik said , his attention now fully towards him .
"I don't know , maybe because she is my friend now" Aditya said sulking beside Kartik .
"I don't really think that's the only reason , but if you want to talk to her just go and talk there's nothing else you can actually do" kartik replied stating the obvious thing.
"I guess tu sahi bol raha hai, woh khud toh nahi aayegi mujhe hi karni padegi usse baat."
"But how ? aur mai kya bolunga?"
"Adi tu kya bol raha hai , jis insaan se hesitation darti hai woh kisi se baat karne mein dar raha hai" kartik said dramatically and all Aditya did was roll his eyes at him.
"Accha tujhe yaad hai jab tujhe class 1 mein ek ladki ke saath bithaya tha tune itna chapad chapad kiya tha aur usne gusse mein tere upar bottle ka saara paani gira diya tha" kartik reminded aditya an incident of their past when aditya couldn't stop from talking to that girl and it wasn't the last time that it happened. He was often called out for talking too much in class or causing some mischief.
"Haan, pata nahi kaun thi saara din mai geele kapdo mein ghuma tha , upar se ghar jaa kar mummy ne bhi mujhe hi daanta , kehne lagi 'tu itna baat hi kyun karta hai'." said aditya mimicking his mother's voice.
"Toh ab isse zyada koi aur kya hi kar dega, jaake karle baat usse" Kartik reminded him but for some reason Aditya couldn't gather up the courage to go and talk to her.
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