Chapter 11: Chapter 11

*Mihira Pov*

“What happened to you? Why are you looking so lost?” Dad asked sitting beside me as I was just sitting idly on the couch without doing anything.

“She is feeling bored.” Mom replied passing coffee to him and sat down to drink hers.

“Where are your friends?” he asked frowning and I turned towards him to reply.

“They all have their plans. Some went to their hometowns and some are staying at their places.” She replied and I had to pause the words from coming out even though I already opened my mouth.

“Then what about Abhi? I just saw him entering his house when I returned from work.” He continued to ask and this time I glanced at Mom.

She stared back at me without saying anything as if waiting for me to answer. I didn’t say anything and this made Dad repeat his question.

“I thought Mom will answer for me. It seems I hired her as my spokesperson.” I replied shrugging and my Dad immediately twisted my ear while she chuckled.

“Started talking too much after making a few friends.” His dialogue caused me to glare at him and he smiled seeing that.

“Now, what happened between Abhi and you?” Mom asked leaning forward as that’s the question I didn’t reply to even though she is asking for the past two days.

What happened? I will reply to that when I know the answer to that question. He scolded me by himself and left by himself and ignoring me by himself.

I want to go and ask him but then I am not the one to take a bet in a laughing manner. I don’t want to give up playing and will wait for him to come and talk to me.

Isn’t he bored though? Even he must be alone right now as we both have mutual friends. Maybe he is going to Kalyan’s house to meet him which I can’t do.

No matter what I am still their new friend and I wish Kavitha stayed at her place instead of leaving for her hometown.

“I don’t know!” I gave the best reply anyone can use and mainly near their parents before sighing.

I just realized that I will be sitting like this for the next few days and I may go mad for sure. I hate it! Why did I get used to spending time with others? I was fine before, right?

“Dad! I am bored.” I whined holding his hand but that made him slip his cup a bit and a stain appeared on his uniform.

“I am sorry!” I whispered leaving his hand before shifting away while staring at the stain while he chuckled.

“It’s okay! You have to apologize to your Mom rather than me.” He responded and I glanced at Mom who is looking at me with her eyebrow raised.

“Mom!” I whined but she shook her head.

“This is the only way. Either take this to their place or wash this by yourself.” She shrugged and I stared at her before glancing at my basketball.

“I will wash it.” I said standing up before glancing at my Dad.

“It seems the issue is not that simple. Let her be and uniform is really important for me. So, it’s better if you deal with it.” Dad said smiling at me and I smiled back.

“She is going to mop at home like this until college starts. Do you want that?” Mom asked sighing.

“I will take her with me to my workplace.” He suddenly offered and I stared at him with wide eyes.

“Really? Really?” I asked not believing and he nodded in assurance.

“Yes! You wanted to know the basics of the technology we use, right? There is someone free right now and taking classes for recruits. You can join them but shouldn’t disturb them.” He explained and my smile slipped.

“Isn’t this against the rules?” I asked frowning and he shook his head.

“If there is any problem we will handle. I am still their senior and it’s not like they will be sharing any secrets. There will be only basics for the next few days and after that, you will not be able to join them.” I relaxed hearing that before feeling excited regarding this matter.

“Don’t make her do this. I still don’t think she should be this strict about this profession.” Mom mumbled and I turned to look at her.

“Mom! It’s not like I can be a doctor even if I try right now. I really want to do this.” I said pleadingly and she nodded smiling.

Of course! One word is enough to make them accept but it’s not like she will not be against this some other time. Right now I returned to my room to pick out proper outfits before glancing at the closed curtains of the window.

I stepped closer and peeked to see whether he opened them but turned out he is either taking this bet seriously or is angry about invisible matter. I shook my head to clear the thoughts as I need to concentrate on tomorrow’s schedule.

****

“Mihira?” I turned around hearing my name being called out and found the person whom I didn’t expect to be here at all.

“What are you doing here?” we both asked at the same time before chuckling.

“I stay in this area. You?” Kalyan asked glancing at the grocery bag I am holding as I just bought some snacks for the people with whom I am taking the coaching.

“My Dad works at this station and I am taking some classes here.” I replied to which he frowned and I calmly explained what I am learning.

“Oh! It seems you are really serious about your dream. You need to return to your classes?" he asked glancing at the building to which I have to go right now.

“No! I need to drop these snacks and will be going home. You need to do grocery shopping?” I asked glancing at the empty bag and he nodded sighing.

“Wait for me! I will drop this and accompany you.” I said rushing away and returned back to him after informing Dad.

“Thank god I met you today. Do you know how it was all these days? At least until the afternoon, I can spend my time here.” I mumbled following him while he is shopping for the items with a serious expression.

“I can understand. Even I was feeling bored but then the house cleaning is still not done.” He explained glancing at me.

“Abhi is there, right? Or is it that you both are still at bad terms?” he asked frowning.

“Don’t include both of us. I need to have an idea to be on bad terms, right. I am not even thinking about the fact that he scolded me but with the question that why is he angry in the first place.” I explained and he chuckled shaking his head.

We continued to chat while he finished his shopping and I didn’t get involved myself to help him but stayed as a chatterbox. It feels as if I am talking everything that I stopped myself these few days.

“Lunch?” he asked when we stepped out of the shop.

“At home! Or am I finally going to taste the food you make?” I asked teasing him but he nodded smiling.

“I am just kidding.” I backed off but he shook his head.

“I am inviting you. My Mom likes it when my friends visit my home. Everyone visited except for Kavitha and you. You can inform your parents.” He smiled and I hesitated a bit before accepting his invitation.

Anyway, I need to go now and prepare some lunch. I was actually thinking to eat some snacks I bought for me along with others today. And I really want to taste the food to see how good he is.

“So, Rekha contacted you?” I asked while walking to his house beside him.

“Rekha? None of us generally contact each other normally unless there is something important.” He replied even though he gave a surprised look.

“Hmm… I realized that when no one contacted me.” I nodded and he shook his head.

“I will contact you from tomorrow onwards. I can’t believe you are the one who sat with us without saying a single word in the beginning.” He smiled ruffling my hair.

“You guys spoiled me.” I shrugged making him laugh.

Aunty kind of placed a barrier the moment I met her but talked normally without giving away except for her stiff expressions.

“You are his classmate?” she asked when we sat down for lunch.

“I am his junior, Aunty.” I replied smiling before taking a bite and immediately glanced at him in surprise.

“Wow! You are really good at cooking.” I nearly screamed before closing my eyes.

“Sorry!” I whispered and calmly finished the lunch while answering to the questions Aunty is asking.

“I will drop you.” He offered but I shook my head.

“It will be tiring for you to return back home. Thank you for that lunch. I hope I will eat it again though.” I mumbled shamelessly and he laughed nodding.

“Text me after reaching home.” I nodded waving to him and nodded at Aunty before leaving their place.

I guess I can disturb him whenever I come here. I thought with a smile before taking an Auto to reach home feeling tired.

*Abhilash Pov*

“Is something troubling you, Abhi?” Mom suddenly asked when we three sat down for dinner making me frown.

“Why are you asking that, Mom?” I asked clearing my throat.

“You are going to the library everyday tagging your Dad. And you are not even meeting Mihi. She is also not coming here.” She explained.

“It’s nothing, Mom! I am just going through some material.” I replied smiling and she sighed.

“I know you both must have fought again. You are elder than her and must bend down a little.” She advised and I nodded but at the same time ignoring it.

After returning home, I opened the SNS of Kalyan to stare at the picture he posted yesterday of Mihi having lunch at his place.

Why? What actually happened here? I can’t even ask someone because it is just a simple matter. They both are friends after all and calling him to ask about it will make it awkward.

I sighed lying down while counting the days before college reopens and there is still nearly one week for that. I glanced at the closed curtains which I did after she had done that.

I thought of going and talking to her but I don’t know what to actually say to her. What can I say the explanation behind that incident?

Why am I even thinking about all this? After college starts, the whole bet will finish and everything will be back to normal.

****

Or that’s what I thought will happen. Right now the first day after the holidays and we are sitting together as usual during lunchtime but she is talking to everyone while expressing how much she missed them.

That’s not a bad thing at all but she is completely ignoring me. Why? The bet is done, right?

“So, you both won the bet. Congratulations on achieving such a huge thing. I mean your life experience must have doubled by winning this.” Vikesh clapped while scoffing at us.

“Of course! Do you know how important playing basketball is for me?” Mihi asked looking at him.

“Why?” I asked finally talking to her and she frowned looking at me.

“You forgot? We both learned it together all those years back and continuously practiced. So many memories are attached to it. It is not for you?” she asked with a confused and also disappointed look.

I stared at her in shock before burst out laughing at my helplessness. They all stared at me in confusion but I stood up feeling more than anger after hearing those words.

“If that was so important, why did you bet on it? Do you know how wrong it is to disrespect those memories?” I asked closing my box before walking away from the table not having any more appetite to eat anything.

They all returned after lunch break while I sat at my place calmly. None of them talked to me and I didn’t say anything too.

“So, that’s the reason you shouted at her that day? You thought she was disrespecting the memories you both shared and felt anger?” Vikesh asked opening his mouth when we finished the evening classes even though we were not taught anything as it is the first day of the semester.

I closed my eyes finally realizing the reason myself. I nodded opening my eyes while he smirked.

“How did I manage to be a friend of this stupid person?” he whispered standing up.

“I kind of get him. He is particular about those memories and felt anger. But he should have explained to her properly.” Rakesh commented.

“I guess! But it was really funny when she thought he is the one who forgot those memories.” Vikesh laughed and Kalyan joined him.

“Exactly! She thinks really in a funny way and you will definitely enjoy spending time with her.” Kalyan mumbled.

“Oooh! Does someone have a crush? Just because we didn’t discuss the picture you posted doesn’t mean we forgot that matter.” Vikesh mumbled.

“When will you stop being this curious?” I asked him frowning.

“Why? Even I want to know. Don’t you?” Rekha asked folding her hands and stared at me with a frown.

“They just met and had lunch. What’s there in that?” I asked shaking my head.

“We met every day after that day actually.” Kalyan commented before turning to walk away.

“Why?” I asked him frowning.

“I thought only Vikesh was curious.” He mumbled but didn’t reply to my question and they all walked out leaving me behind.

I sat down groaning after realizing how I am behaving these days. I can’t believe I am this immature. I need to talk this out with her right now before wasting any more time.

With that thought, I rushed out of the class and found everyone waiting for me except for her. I dropped Vikesh before reaching him without wasting time.

I went towards her home instead of mine after parking my vehicle and rang the bell. I smiled at Aunty who opened the door who smiled back.

“She is in her room. Are you here to stop the fight between you two?” she asked and I nodded before climbing the stairs to reach her room.

I knocked two times before she opened her door and she stared at me in surprise before stepping back so that I can enter the room.

“Is something wrong?” she asked walking towards the mirror to finish plaiting her hair and I walked closer clearing my throat.

“I am sorry for not thinking seriously before making that bet. I even forgot who started it and let’s beat that person tomorrow.” She said before I can form words in my mind to utter.

So, when she turned around smiling, I pulled her into my arms before hugging her. I whispered ‘sorry’ but continued to hug her.

After stiffening for a few seconds she hugged back and patted my back. I frowned at her pat but released her from my hug.

“It’s okay! Do you know what I have done during holidays?” she asked walking towards her bed and sat down before patting beside her for me to sit.

After I sat down she started talking about everything she did while I calmly listened to her smiling when she showed her excitement regarding the classes she took and even about Kalyan’s cooking. I don’t even know how much time passed but her words didn’t stop and even asked about me.

I had to give simple answers as my holidays were not as exciting as hers because of my stupidity but that will be the last of it I guess. I can’t believe I stayed away from her for three years and now again these two weeks. There will not be another time for sure.