Chapter 4

7 years ago,

The final school year ended, and he still couldn't believe that he was going to the USA this weekend. It was a tremendous step that he had to take for his education.

It was something like the family tradition of going to Stanford University to get our degrees. He should feel happy but somewhere in his heart knew he wasn't because he was going so far away from Samaira.

He took a deep sigh and looked at my phone which was ringing for the past five minutes but he was in no mood to pick it up. For sure, it would be Manik or Dhruv.

"Aarush, pick up your phone," Mrs. Dani tried to convince him as she entered his room. "Ma, I have no interest in going there," he closed his eyes, losing the hope of ever confessing to her he likes her.

He never found a perfect opportunity to tell her he wants her to be his girlfriend, that he wants her to be with him forever. He has met many girls, and crushes were common for him, but he wanted her to be his once he met her. Whenever she was with her guy friends, it took him not to punch those guys in their guts. It pained him seeing her so happy with her friends.

She was a confident girl and good at getting what she wanted so he knew if she had feelings for him, she would not hesitate in confessing unaware that she was just like him. But like a coward he was, he stayed quiet. "What is the matter Aarush, the boy who loves to party turned down the offer of going to his farewell party?".

Before he could say something Mukti walked inside his room, saving him from answering. "Ma, give me some time and I will convince him to go, he is stupid letting go of this outstanding day," Mukti said to Ma, knowing how sensitive Ma is for Aarush and his sudden behavior change was something she feared.

After sending Ma out, Mukti came and sat beside him and wrapped a protective hand around his shoulder, "Okay, spill the beans, brother." "Nothing," he said and turned his head to the other side, hoping that she would leave him alone but it was of no use, she knew him better.

"Is it about Sam? what happened now?" And that did the work. He then started his rants. "Damn, Mukti even after getting so many opportunities, I failed to speak up. Tell her about my feelings. Why am I so sick of this stuff."?

"Hmm, well that's something to be worried about," she smirked and he jerked her hand away. She was annoying him.

"But wait, you can tell her today. You know in English there is a proverb 'Better late than never' and this would be such an amazing day, on your farewell you will make her yours." She encouraged him and he nodded trying to make sense.

Hearing this, something clicked in his brain. It was like a bulb lighting up. How come he couldn't think about this? He had not lost her yet. Getting up from the bed with a smile.

"Oh yeah, that's a good idea," he said and turned towards the wardrobe looking for something good. She once told him blue suits on him during their debate practice, and he knew what to wear.

Mukti said, "And you know she will look amazing in a saree, without that stupid school uniform," she snickered "Oh please, she looks beautiful even in the school uniform. She is an angel. She looks good even in an oversized sweatshirt with messy hair." He ran towards the bathroom after finding a blue suit.

"Gosh! you are turning into a lovesick boy, even though I am not like this when I am about to see Manik." He halted mid-way hearing Mukti say Manik's name.

"What did you say? Manik??" panic was clear in his voice. "Yeah, so what, don't behave like a typical big brother, you know I hate that." she shrugged her shoulders. "Sissy, you can't, he is my best friend, and brother's BFF should be like your brother," he said.

"Oh! Who developed this theory brother? Anyways he is too hot to resist, even you know that." She said in her defense. "I don't want to hear anything. We are not discussing this." Mukti shrugged her shoulders ready to leave his room but he stopped her in between.

"I want to know the details, and complete details, no shortcuts. How come you did it behind my back. Wait, have you guys made out?" He asked with full rage.

She was blushing. "What the hell? Wait till I tell Mom." She pouted and cried, "No not Mom."

"Then you will tell me everything" he smiled at his win. Of course, he was her elder brother and he should know about her love life.

"Fine but first get ready for the day or you will be late." He realized the time and ran to the bathroom to change. He wore a perfect navy-blue suit and left his room.

He went to the kitchen to say goodbye to Maa and Mukti when Mukti teased him once again, "Say hello to Manik from me." He frowned and left.

At the right time, he reached the auditorium. the party was yet to start, and his eyes were searching for one and only Samaira when someone patted his shoulder. "She isn't here yet, but do you know where Mukti is?"

He clenched his jaw glaring at Manik, "She is at home, waiting for me to kill her tonight after I have buried you alive." "Woah, Woah, why?" Manik asked, masking a feared expression on his face "Why? you ask me why? dude, she is my sister, and you are my best friend, there is no match." Aarush almost yelled.

"Oh man, your sister is beautiful, witty, and charming, I would be dumb not to give what she deserves."

He winked and with that wicked smile it was clear what he was thinking however before he clenched his collar into his fist, He heard a voice, "Manik, if you like Mukti and feelings are mutual you should give it a try don't listen to his lost puppy, who himself can't confess to Samaira, is giving you advice for Mukti, go for it brother."

They looked to the other side to see, Dhruv standing with a plate of snacks in his hand smiling at both. He has a bunch of monkeys as his best friends, Aarush whispered to himself before killing Dhruv with his glares.

"Guys, you both are such a pain in my ass, and Manik, if you ever thought of breaking my sister's heart, I will dig your grave before that." saying this he left the auditorium.

Wandering here and there just to have a glance of her. As if God answered his prayers and he saw her coming towards the entrance of the auditorium.

He headed back inside the auditorium and took his seat which was near Samaira's. "Aarush, your girl is coming here," Dhruv teased him while he kept a poker face not wanting to give out obvious reactions, but his heart was beating.

Samaira took her seat along with her friends. The mint-colored saree she wore enhanced her curves even more. She kept her hair loose and untouched, the way her eyes were shining, and those luscious lips playing a smile completed her look.

Her face was bright and she didn't have any makeup on. Now he realized why he couldn't gather enough courage to even stand in front of her. She was, she is, and she will always be out of his radar. He closed his eyes and remembered one of the most intimate moments of theirs,

It was then when she spilled coffee on him in the school canteen, a few months ago. He was walking with his train of thoughts when he felt something on his chest. Liquid. Hot indeed. Coming back to reality he saw Sam gaping and an empty mug in her hand. He looked over to his shirt and found coffee spilled on it.

"I am so sorry, Aarush, I didn't mean to but you came out of nowhere." She turned to the table to get some tissues. "It's fine, Sam...." but she stopped him by her mere act. She removed the stain with the tissues. "Sam, it is fine. Stop panicking." No reply, she didn't even bother to look up.

"Sam, are you even listening?" He changed the tone of his voice. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards him, her eyes made instant eye contact, and electric charges spread around them, those green eyes looking at him in confusion. "It is fine, okay? It's not your fault. Relax."

She frowned and he started laughing, annoying her even more. "It's not funny, Mr. Bakshi." "Indeed, you are right, the situation is not but your face is." He pointed at her eyebrows, and she loosened her stressed forehead. She stormed out of the canteen.

Dhruv nudged him to bring back to reality, "You are looking like an idiot who is smiling when the dean gives such an emotional speech." "Who was even listening to her," he said in his defense. Everybody headed towards the dance floor outside in the garden.

The party started with many typical Bollywood party songs.

Every single person was on the stage but he stood at the drinks section keeping his eyes only on his girl. His girl. He wishes to call her his.

It had been almost 3 years since he bumped into this beautiful, carefree, and confident girl on his first day at school. He couldn't help but notice she was staring at him when he handed her the rest of the papers.

She was his classmate but had spoken to her over years. He spied her during school lunch giggling and talking with her friends. Seeing her dance rehearsals and perfect curves on her body.

She was an angel when she swayed her body with the beats of the music. His friends knew about his feelings and always kept threatening him that someone would take her away, but he still didn't make the move.

They gave him weird looks if Samaira was found near him. It was difficult getting through their teasing, but it was good to have friends who support you not forgetting the teasing at all.

Stopping his train of thought, he noticed the music had turned slow and everyone had paired up, he went to the dance floor and put his hand forward, "Would you like to dance with me?"

He asked Samaira. She took his hand and he directed her to the middle of the dance floor. "I thought you had a job to finish all drinks at the counter." she laughed.

"Trust me I wouldn't be able to finish it. It is unlimited." He kept one hand on her bare waist and laced up the other one with hers. "Why didn't you join me during the free dance?" she asked with curiosity in her eyes.

"You know, it was not my style. I like this better than stupid party songs." she gave him an I-don't-believe-you look. They were gliding on the dance floor. He loved this moment.

In these two years, he had never been this close to her, it felt so special and magical. They both were moving with the song and with each other. He had never felt so nervous. "Are you alright? you are dripping." Samaira asked him "Yeah, I am fine," he replied.

The urge was rising inside him, eager to ask her a question, He pulled her out of the dance floor when the song finished and got drinks for themselves.

"We spent time together except for preparing for the debate. Even after the debate, we spoke to each other." Samaira said. "I know right, it's so long, I was busy in my basketball matches, and well you in your dance classes." She shrugged her shoulders and smiled a little,

"Wait, how did you know I was in dance classes?" He went silent for a minute, stunned. How can he tell her he knew about every class she took, "I... uh asked Anjali, about your whereabouts so she told me about your classes?"

By now he was feeling confident enough to tell her. "I wanted to ask you something Samaira." "Go ahead." She smiled, assuring him to continue. "It is complicated and maybe weird too but, will you---"

Before he could continue his question her friends gathered around them taking her away from him. Anjali was eyeing him as if he was about to kill Samaira.

"I can never make her mine. This was my last chance. Damn it, her friends were pathetic." he whispered to himself.

Crushing all the hopes of ever making her him, he left the party. He went home and cried in Ma's lap. Her soothing hand in his hair was calming him down and drifted to sleep.

Soon on that weekend, he left the country, going far away from Samaira. Hoping he will move on and find love again.