-5-

When Sana and her friends saw Maayi San coming out of the classroom and walking to the canteen alone they decided to catch her and bring back her to the abandoned classroom. So they could make her regret her decision on choosing not to give up her seat to Sana. But when they recognized Maayi San sensed that she was being followed and started to walk faster to the stairs, they changed their plan from catching her and torturing her to regret the decision to pushing her down the stairs and also make her life hard in the coming days.

They thought everyone was in the canteen, so no-one will notice what they are doing until the lunch break is over. But luckily, Yaami and Suthomi were restless and went back to look for Maayi. They saw her falling down the stairs, but before they could identify that someone pushed her, Sana and her friends saw them and ran away from there. They immediately sent her straight away to the Tokyo Medical School which is literally the next building to their art school.

She was lucky enough to suffer only minor injuries and also a sprained ankle. The doctor asked her to get some rest for the day in the wing entirely reserved for the students, teachers, and the staff in the Tokyo University and asked her friends to go back to their class since the lunch break is over. But both of them were not ready to leave Maayi alone.

What if something happens to her when they are not with her again? They thought and stayed there. At last, Maayi asked them to leave and attend the class so that she can learn from them, the portion she is unable to attend. Finally, they both went back without arguing anymore with Maayi.

Finally, she is alone in the entire big room meant for the students at Tokyo University. She closed her eyes slowly, the fatigue from falling down the stairs, the stress, and the thoughts of the things that happened on that day made a big role in making her fall asleep for a while.

She woke up; when she felt someone was sitting beside her on the bed where she is lying. Her eyes opened widely when she saw the person sitting on the bed. It was none other than Rayam. She sat up right away.

"You should have been more careful when you go down the stairs."

Rayam said to her with slight concern in his voice. She couldn't believe what she saw and what she heard, so she rubbed her eyes because it was difficult to believe and looked at him again to confirm if it is real or not. He was still there, sitting on the bed waiting for her response with a concerned look on his face. She smiled at him.

Rayam brought some food with him. He offered it to Maayi since she didn't have her lunch. She refused to accept the food at first, but when he said that it was bought for her, she accepted it. Maayi thought to herself that Rayam is very considerate. She finished the lunch while Rayam was looking at her tenderly. She felt uncomfortable at his intense gaze, but she tried to ignore it.

"Rayam, why are you not in the class?" She asked so that she could escape from his gaze.

"You were not there and I got bored." He said still looking at her.

"Go back to class." She said while blushing.

"It's OK. I will rather accompany you than attending those boring lectures."

He replied averting his eyes from her after seeing the light pink shade that appeared on her cheek.

"But you will be cutting the class if you do so?" She asked in uncertainty while trying hard to hide her face from him.

"If you are worried about my studies, then don't be. Because you can teach me the portions after your friends teach you. We are desk mates, so I don't think it will be a problem for you." He stated as if it is not at all a problem for him.

She was bewildered by his answer, and she didn't know what to say to that response? She should allow him to stay or not? She thought for a second. Anyway, it is already very late for him to attend the class and it is better if he stays and accompanies her than her being alone in a big room. So, she decided to not make him leave.

They stayed in that big room. They didn't talk much. But still, they both were happy and contented, that was a new feeling for both of them. It was a feeling which was so mysterious, but at the same time, so overwhelming too.

Maayi San mustered up her courage and said.

"Thank you, Rayam, for bringing back my stud and for today as well."

Rayam was surprised when he heard her speaking to him first.

"It's alright. Just promise me that you won't change your seat with Sana. That is all I want to hear."

"Alright, I won't change my seat to show that I am thankful."

Rayam smiled at her she responded back, and she went back to sleep.

Time flew by, the last hour has also come to an end and Maayi San has woken up a few minutes ago, and she checked the time and saw it is time for them to leave. Rayam noticed her looking at the wall clock, and he stood from where he was sitting. Maayi got out of the bed, but as soon as her leg touched the floor she felt an immense pain from her ankle. Her vision got blurred, she lost her balance, and she fell to the cold ground. But before her body touched the ground Rayam held her.

"Maayi!!!"

She heard her name is called out, and she figured that her body is lifted in the air in the next instant and then it came in contact with the bed. She assumed it was the same bed in which she was lying till now. She opened her eyes after a few moments. Rayam was worried to the point where anyone can sense it from the expression on his face. Maayi looked in his eyes for a split-second and then sat on the bed.

"What happened? Why did you faint out of blue?" Rayam asked.

"My leg... It's hurting so much. The pain was unbearable for a second. I guess that is why I fainted." She said and looked down at her hurting leg.

Rayam went out right away without saying anything. Maayi San became confused at his behavior. Why did he go out without saying anything? Did I do something or is it something I said? Maayi thought.