Chapter 2 - Awkward Encounter

It's still early. I know I have to move my hands and turn it off. I just can't find any strength. It's so cold that I want to be wrapped in this blanket forever. I need to lift my arm now. It's going to happen anytime soon. I don't want to hear that wretched sound again.

*Beep* *Beep* *Beep*

It started. Ahh! What a hateful sound.

*Beep* *Beep* *Be-

Finally managed to stop it. I should get up. I don't want it to ruin my morning. Just two seconds and I'll get up. I still have ten minutes.

*Beep* *Beep* *Beep* *Beep* *Bee-

Again!! It's been ten minutes already? I don't want to get up. But I should. Huh! I sat up and got ready. I went to school. No class today? I came back. I can sleep again.

*Beep* *Beep* *Beep* *Beep*

'What a dream!' I whimpered. I finally got up. For real this time. My back felt cold. My hands were cold. I removed the blanket and put my feet down. So cold! So cold!

I freshened up but still felt sleepy. Bed looked nice. I should stop thinking. If I don't say goodbye to bed now then I'll have to say goodbye to school.

I started getting ready because I didn't have much time. I ate absentmindedly. I finally got out of the house. I was still hoping for the cancellation of classes.

It was so boring to walk alone early in the morning. I hoped anyone I know would walk the same way. It would be so much better if it was my crush. I sighed. Or bump into a celebrity may be.

There were so many other people rushing to school or work like me, so it was better.

As I was going, I felt someone walking to my right. It had been some time. It was annoying me a little bit, so I started walking a little bit slower so that they could pass me. But no. Nothing of that sort happened.

Then I started walking fast. Even they started walking fast. I took a right turn. They took a right turn. I took a left turn. They took a left turn. Whatever I did, they were at a constant distance from me. It was irritating and scary. Maybe they were also walking in the same direction as me. But it looked like they were following me. I wanted to turn back and see. But I couldn't find the courage to.

I stopped. And guess what that person would do. They would definitely walk past me. But no. They also stopped and kept that same distance. That constant distance was annoying the heck out of me.

Ten awkward seconds passed. Nothing happened. I stopped thinking weird things and turned back.

I was surprised because I was expecting what you expect when you think someone is following you. Some scary looking man? Instead I found a boy.

He was wearing the same uniform as I was. Same pants and shirt. So he was also going to school. It was embarrassing. But why did he stop when I stopped?

I wanted to ask but nothing came out of my mouth. I was confused. He looked confused.

We kept looking at each other without saying anything. I couldn't take it anymore. I turned and started walking.

I immediately regretted not saying anything as he kept walking exactly as before. I wanted to cry. I should have asked. The moment was gone. But still, I turned and asked, "Hey do you want to go together?" I gestured with my hand so that he would come front because I couldn't take it anymore.

Thank God! He started walking beside me. The silence was awkward but I chose to ignore it. This was better than that.

I looked at him. His face told me that he didn't find anything weird or awkward with this whole situation. It was normal. He seemed to be deep in thought because he didn't even notice me looking at him.

Now that I thought, I had seen him somewhere. I kept thinking and thinking. Even though he was walking with me, it still felt like he was following me. Weird.

I remembered! He was from the next class. I didn't know his name.

We reached school. It still felt like he was going where I went. Well, his class was after mine. When we reached my class, I looked behind. 'Should I smile? Or say something?'

In the end I didn't do anything. I started going in, but he was also coming inside.

So I stopped and asked, "Why are you coming here?" He didn't answer immediately. He looked like someone had caught him red handed. He kept looking here and there and finally answered, "Because it's a classroom?"

"But it's not your classroom"

"You know me?" he asked with big eyes like he found an oasis in the middle of the desert.

I didn't know how to refuse.

"I don't know you", he dropped his eyes so fast that I felt like I crushed his expectations. I evaporated that oasis he found. "But I've seen you", I added.

"Is that so?"

It ended there. The awkward silence returned. But I wouldn't let it win.

"So you won't go to your class?"

He seemed to contemplate something. Silence was coming back. But this time he didn't let it win.

"I don't remember", he said as if there was nothing wrong with it. I almost thought that not remembering your classroom is normal. Oh! Wait!

"So you can't remember directions?", I asked. Now it made sense why he was following me. But classroom? Can't he see the plate to know that this is not his class?

He looked confused but nodded as if any reason was fine.

I sighed and pointed towards his class. "Isn't that your class?"

"Is it? Thank you"

I stood there for a moment looking at him reaching his class. Then I turned to go inside.

*bump*

I hit something. Didn't I turn to the door? Was it a wall? But I think a head hit my chest. Did I accidentally bump into a girl? Woahh.

She was rubbing her head. Was it painful? I didn't feel a thing. I was about to say something but stopped, seeing who it was. It was her. This was so much better. It was a reward for helping that person. Haha. This'll be the start of our love sto-

"Ahh" I said as she hit my hand. "Why did you suddenly come inside?", she cried. She was still rubbing. Did she hit too hard? Without thinking, I put my hand on her forehead. "Is it really painful?, I asked.

She was startled. What was that look on her face? Oh!! I quickly took my hand back. I tried so hard to mask my flustered expression. The awkward silence was making it's grand entry for the third time today. What an eventful morning!

She changed the topic suddenly, "Where is he? The one talking to you"

"He went to class."

"I had to talk to him. It's fine. Let's go in", she said while going inside. I followed her.

When I went to my seat, I heard some boys talking.

"Was that him?"

"Who?"

"He just passed outside"

"Who?"

I think, they were talking about him.

"Wasn't he the one Inaya was talking about?"

"I think so?"

Was that him? So that was why Inaya wanted to talk to him?

Apparently everyone knew about this thing between Inaya and him. I didn't know and didn't even want to know. I always avoided it. Like now, I didn't want to hear anything so I went outside. I didn't have any courage to do something about it. Even though I evaded it, my heart felt heavy.