Confused

This time, I was 16, When we decided to visit our hometown. All that came to my mind were my grandparents and Hannah. I was so excited about meeting her. For the past four years, I had been thinking about her all the time. Many questions were tickling my mind. Would she remember us? How would her appearance change within these years? and the most dangerous one was: "Would she still live there?"

Throughout the flight, my excitement, as well as nervousness aroused.

At last, we reached home. Everyone went to their rooms to take a rest after the long tiring flight. But I was restless even in bed.

The next morning, when I woke up, I started hearing some giggles. Ashley and some other girl. "Hannah! you are just the same." Ashley was praising her. My heart skipped a beat. I was so nervous. Somehow, I gather some courage and went out. And there she was, sitting on the couch, wearing the modest smile, simple and elegant, grown prettier.

"Hi!" I hardly tried to greet.

"Hi!" she barely looked at me.

It felt like she was not interested in talking to me.

Although it hit me hard I tried to act normal.

"What's your plan for tomorrow, Ashley?" I asked after Hannah left.

"I will be going to Hannah's. She has invited me."

"Just you?" I became angry.

"We are girls. What will you do at a tea party?" Yes! she was right. They were girls. And I was a boy. How could I forget that basic rule! Alas!

Days were passing with the speed of light and I was dying to talk to her. Although I made some tries she never responded.

"Look! Honey! we are taking Ash to the Doctor. She is sick. We will be back soon. You do not have to worry. Grandma is at home." my mom informed me while leaving. I was playing a video game. But soon I got bored. For the first time, I felt homesick. I went out on the lawn and started wandering around. After a while, I heard a knock.

I opened the door to see who is outside and to my fortune, it was Hannah.

"Oh! hi! please come inside." I completely forgot that I was getting bored.

"Hi! Is Ash inside?" she asked sweetly.

"No, she just went to the doctor," I told her carelessly as I had no concern with that.

"Oh my God! is she ok? is everything alright?" she became so worried at once.

"Just a bit sick. Why are you taking it so seriously?" I guess I laughed unintentionally.

She gave me a weird look and I got that.

"uh! so sorry I mean, it's just the change in weather." I tried to compose myself.

"Ok! I think I should go then. I will be back..."

"No no, you should not" I interceded.

"I mean, she is just coming back. She will be glad to see you here already."

"Is it the only reason why you want me to stay?"

I gave her a surprised look. I did not expect this question.

"Yeah! that is the only reason. What else can be." I barely covered my nervousness. My forehead was sweating.

"Then I must go now." she gave a sigh and went away. I remained standing there like a pole for a while. What did she want me to say? Ever since I had always been thinking that she is not interested in me. Then what was that?

"Honey! who is at the door."

"No one Grandma!" I shut the door blankly.

The next day, she came to visit Ashley. This time, I made a firm decision to have a word with her. I went to the lawn and tried to wait. These were the longest few minutes of my life.

As soon as she stepped out of the door, I blocked her way.

"I think we need to talk." I gathered all the courage inside me.

"I mean If you don't mind," I thought back to the ethics at once.

Surely she was not expecting this daring act. She became so nervous. Her cheeks got red.

"What are you talking about?" She asked with almost no sound.

"Look, Hannah! I can't take it any longer. I have just a few days here before leaving. So coming straight to the point." My rehearsals were worth it.

"I have got to tell you Hannah that," I paused as I would make suspense but in actuality, I was sweating with suspicion.

"That," she had been impatient to listen.

"That I like you so much. And I just want to know do you feel the same?"

It was unexpected. She got succeeded in dashing. But just a moment before this, I saw her eyes getting teary. I thought I saw. Even if it was like that, why was she crying? Had I done something wrong? Oh Boy! what had you done? What had she been thinking of you? I was anxious. I was confused.

After that incident, she had not come to meet us till the day of our departure. Instead, Ashley went to see her a few times. And I was so worried about my repute.

The day had come when we had to leave. Hannah came to meet us. I can't forget that teary eyes. But this time. She was looking at me, instead of Ashley.