This is about me and a guy, let's call him X. We were in the same college, different sections. But we were not friends until third year. Before that I have only heard about him, never talked. He was one of the popular ones of our college. He was smart, intelligent; he sings and is active in so many clubs/associations. I was the "invisible" kind. I always preferred low profile and I was happy that way. Also, I secretly had a crush on him. In our third year, however, there was a symposium and we both were on the organizing team. Me and him in particular were in charge of invitations and some of the speeches. So that was when we were introduced to each other for the first time.
I remember the first day he spoke to me. On the first day of our work it was hard for me to not notice that he was even better than what I've already heard of him. Naturally, he was doing all the work and I was standing along the sidelines watching. He tried to involve me too but I was too nervous. My close-to-panic state did not go unnoticed. He smiled lightly and started talking as if we were old friends, joking and laughing all the time. I eventually got comfortable and got back to work, this time with my involvement. That day I went back home feeling proud of myself. That night I got an sms from him 'No one can intimidate you unless you let them. Goodnight!' Such a gentleman! 'Goodnight' was all I could reply.
We have worked together for two months and the symposium was a success. How can it not be when you have someone so talented as a partner? But it had also meant that we wont get to work together as team now on. Everyone else was celebrating. I was the only one who was not participating. He came to me after a while and started introducing to some of classmates. Some of them were girls who were all fluttery around him. This bothered me a little but I have put on a convincing smile and survived it and the rest of the day.
After that I only saw him in canteen or at the parking lot. We smiled at each other courteously. But each time, I felt terrible after that. I missed him!
One day, he came to my class during lunch break. He came and sat on a bench in front of mine, facing me. I was busy at that time, there was a practical that afternoon and I was hurrying through the last minute revision.
"Hi" I said with a smile in my voice and a bit of impatience too.
He smiled back at me. "What are you doing here?" I asked him.
"Nothing. Had to borrow something from Ajay. Did you see him?" Ajay was in my class and my friend too.
"Think he went home. His exam was in the morning." I told him.
"Oh OK! No problem! Good luck by the way!" he called after me as I was running into the lab. I was already late. It was not bad as I feared. Went home smiling remembering the unexpected visit. When I got home, my mobile was blinking. One unread message it said. It was from him.
'I knew Ajay left. Wanted to wish you for your exam. Miss you.' It felt like someone has tickled me in my stomach.
'Did my exam well. Thanks for coming. Maybe you're a good omen ;-)' I wanted to tell him that I missed him too but somehow did not want to admit it. Definitely not to him.
His visits became regular after that. Always during lunch. Everything was going on the usual - classes, practicals, canteen and hanging out at friends' places on weekends, with a small exception - he's included in almost all of those. Given my actual feelings towards him at the beginning, I always thought I was more 'serious' one about our friendship.
One day he was sitting in my class as usual. He turned to me suddenly and said "Did you know? You are my first friend here, in this college." This is hard to believe and I was starting to get defiant thinking 'He's either lying or flirting. Either way it isn't good!'. I tried searching his face but it had never looked that sincere.
"How come?" I asked trying to keep my face straight.
"What do you mean how come?" he asked promptly.
"I'm not your first friend here!" I blurted out. "I mean you are quite popular and we became friends only now! You had three years in this college before that! Are you telling me you did not talk to anyone before?"
"There were people around me all the time, yes. I always had someone to hang around with. I did talk to people before. I never shared."
I tried hard but I could not suppress the smugness in my smile. He smiled back. The familiar fluttering in my stomach came, with double the intensity. "I'm honoured!" I tried to sound casual. Why the hell was I blushing?
"Are you always convinced this easily?" he asked, looking a little amused.
**to be contd.**
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