4. First Time

As I was on my way to enter the room, I saw mom coming towards me. I was confused but still kept my calmness with me. "Meera go and give this hand towel to Aryan, he might need it" She said. "Oh ! Ah ! Yes..Yes.. Why not mom, okay okay I will give him" I said and took the hand towel from her.

Now, I was in the room, Aryan was in the restroom and suddenly there was a complete silence in the surrounding. I thought standing in front of the restroom door would be a nice idea. And started brainstorming on how to greet him, how am I going to start a conversation.

Meera's Overthinking

Hello Aryan..

Mom gave this for you…

You might need this

Take it and give it back to me after use.

Is this Okay ? Or does it need to be more professional or more dramatic or some more emotions?

Suddenly, the door opened when I was in my delusions and hit my nose and my specs flew in the air.

Ahh.. my nose,

Ouch.. it hurts,

You Idiot !!! Why did you open it so fast and that too all of a sudden ? I said

Oh !!! I am so Sorry, Sorry again,

I did not saw you,

Oh !! Your nose is bleeding.

You need First Aid.

Please tell, how I can help you. He said

"Why not you first sit", he said

"Yeah, there's a chair behind, take me there as I cannot see clearly" , I said

"Yes, Come hold my hand I will help you" , he said and took me to the chair that was present near my study table.

"May I know where is the First Aid, your nose is continuously bleeding" , he asked

"Second drawer of this desk" , I said

I was not able to see much therefore I was a bit afraid as in the first drawer I have kept the copies of my writing work which I have written with the name Melody. I don't want my secret writer thing to get disclosed now. It's not the right time.

After a minute of waiting, I felt a cotton dipped in antiseptic on my nose and finally felt relieved. Thank God, I am safe.

"Are you okay Meera ? " , he asked

"Hm.. pain is less now, Umm.. but can you please look for my specs actually I have poor eyesight, It must be somewhere here only" . I said

"Yes, sure" , he said and started looking for the specs.

After a while, I felt a touch on my face and found that Aryan was putting the specs on my eyes. While he was making me wear it, I could see his face clearly for the first time and that too this close to me, our eyes met each other for the first time. While we both were looking at each other an awkward silence was there in the room for a few microseconds. I briefly saw his face and tried my best to read his phoenix eyes. I could see how hard he tries to look perfect but is insecure about the same.

"Are you able to see Meera now" ? , He asked

And I came out of my deep, driven thoughts and said, "Ah… Yes now it's better, but what, you know my name, do you know me" ? I asked, amazed by his words.

"O yes, Why not, like I know the names of all my classmates. And also it's your Birthday, don't you think that would be pretty offensive if I just do not know the name of the birthday girl". He said and had a small laugh

"O yeah hmmm.. I see" , I wanted to say something more but just laughed so that things don't become awkward. I wish he dont think of me as a dumb, regretting what I said.

"So, Meera, Why were you standing in front of the door" ? , he asked questionably

Freak man !!! How do I tell him that in the excitement of seeing him I just forgot that this door opens on the outer side.And then I saw the hand towel still in my hand and got an excuse.

"Aaa.. Umm… Nothing, Mom sent this hand towel, she thought you might need it, but in the chaos happened right now I just forgot to give you, I am Sorry if any how I caused trouble for you" I said

"O.. no.. no…Why are you saying Sorry, it's okay. By the way I am also Sorry I opened the door with so much force. Shouldn't have done that" , he said feeling guilty.

"No, No problem. I am okay now" , I said thinking of how to change the topic.

He glanced at the wall and saw the paper cuttings of Melodies articles.

"You also read the 'Melody's Maze' column?" He asked with a little bit of excitement.

"Yes, I find her words very comforting and whatever she writes resonates a lot with me" I said, thanking God for not letting my secret be revealed.

"Hmm… I also read all her articles. All her stories are about finding happiness in odd stuff, unknown things and difficult times. I think her writings are trying to spread happiness and moreover that we cannot find happiness in the world as it lies inside us" , He said with a delightful smile on his face.

"Well, do you know who Melody is ? Is she from our class or our standard or she's our junior" . He asked hopefully.

What do I say to him now, should I tell him that I am Melody or just say that I don't know.

"No..no.. I don't know, how can I know she is a secret writer? I don't think that she wants to reveal herself" , I said without looking into his eyes.

"Yes, you are right, I think so I am kinda a fan of her works" , He said smiling.

"By the way, you look gorgeous today Meera and also your name is so cute" , he said

This made me shy and nervous but still kept my calm and said to myself, I cannot, I cannot scream, I cannot scream in front of him.

"O… Thank you Aryan, you are also looking great" I said and now I just want him to leave before I faint in front of him.

A voice came in the background, "Aryan, Are you there ? We need to go now" , It was Shyna.

"Meera, I think Shyna is calling me, I have to go now" , He said and left.

"Yeah bye" I said and saw him leaving.