Chapter 8 Ignoring and Attraction
Aarav was asleep. It was eight in the morning but he was still submerged in a deep troubled slumber. His brows were slightly furrowed as if some conflict was playing out even in his dreams. Arushi peeked through the door saw him sleeping and silently walked away wanting him to rest.
A while later Aarav's sleep was broken by his mobile vibrating and ringing. He rubbed his eyes and picked it up. On the screen was Nayan's message Aarav bhai will you come to college today.
Aarav quickly replied Yes I will come. And put the mobile near his pillow. He sat up leaned back against the bed and stared at the ceiling for a while. Then he spoke to himself infusing his voice with a new determination Aarav get up. A new journey in your life has begun today. Get up.
He got up went to the bathroom bathed and got ready. After putting on his clothes he stood before the mirror. His reflection a little tired but filled with resolve stared back at him. He tried to smile. This smile was not as natural as before but it held a resolve. Then he came out.
Outside Arushi saw him. Hey Aarav. You are up. I thought since you slept late last night I did not wake you.
Aarav avoiding his eyes said That Didi whatever happened last night
Arushi cut him off placing a hand on his cheek and said Whatever happened last night forget it. Forget everything. Do not hold anything in your heart. And come sit down. I have made breakfast for you. Go sit at the dining table and have breakfast. I will bring it right now.
Aarav began eating breakfast. While eating he asked Arushi Didi has not Papa come back yet.
Arushi said Yes he has not come yet. Maybe he got caught up in some work. You know him it is always like this.
Aarav said Yes Didi maybe he got caught up in some work. And he started remembering that someone had escaped from Aagya Sangathan (the Aagya organization) and that is why Papa had gone there. Hope there is no danger. Nothing wrong will happen right. Then he thought Nothing like that will happen Aarav. Nothing like that will happen. Everything will be fine.
After breakfast he went outside and started walking in the front garden of his house. After walking in the sun for a while he checked the time on his mobile it was ten o'clock. He came inside picked up his bag from his room and started to leave telling Arushi Didi I am going to college.
Arushi said Go carefully take care of yourself.
Aarav took out his bike and headed for college. Reaching college he sat down in class. After a while Nayan and Karishma also arrived together.
Nayan asked Aarav Aarav how are you today. Here so early.
Aarav smiled and said I am great. Just arrived. Come sit down. Nayan and Karishma came and sat behind Aarav.
After a while all the children started arriving and everyone was there. Some time later Kiyan also came. Karishma seeing him happily started looking toward Aarav but Aarav's gaze was fixed on his book.
Kiyan came and sat at a table on the side away from Aarav. Aarav still kept looking at his book. Just then the professor arrived and started teaching a history chapter.
Karishma looked at Nayan and said Nayan look today Aarav is staring at his book like a studious kid. What has happened to him today.
Nayan said I do not know.
Karishma said Kiyan is not talking to him and neither is Aarav talking to Kiyan. What has happened between these two.
Nayan said They need some time. We should give them some time.
Karishma started thinking and placed her hand on Aarav's shoulder. When Aarav turned back to look Karishma said Aarav could you pick up my pen and give it to me. It accidentally fell down.
Aarav looked to his side and saw Kiyan sitting at a distance. Without looking toward him Aarav picked up the pen and handed it to Karishma. Karishma said Thank you. Aarav smiled and started looking forward again.
Nayan looked at Karishma and said Karishma you did that on purpose did not you. So that Aarav would talk to Kiyan.
Karishma looked at Nayan and said Yes I did it on purpose. Because you are not seeing the state of both of them. I know my friends well. Both of them may be pretending not to talk to each other but inside they are dying to talk to each other. You just cannot see it or maybe you are ignoring it even after seeing.
Nayan said to Karishma Do you think I wish ill for them. But you do not understand. We boys if we decide to ignore someone once then we keep ignoring them even if we are dying to talk to them.
Karishma said Okay so then how long will these two not talk to each other like strangers.
Nayan said I do not know. Only they know that.
With his sharp hearing ability Kiyan overheard everything Karishma and Nayan said. And he turned back to look at Karishma. Karishma smiled. Then Kiyan looked at Aarav for a moment. Aarav's gaze was on the board but there was an emptiness in his eyes that Kiyan could see. Kiyan turned his head forward and clenched his fist tightly.
Aarav also saw all this. He realized that Kiyan had been looking at him but he kept ignoring and staring straight at the board.
The period ended. All the children went out. Aarav remained sitting in the class. Nayan and Karishma said What happened Aarav are not you coming out.
Aarav said No I have a headache. I will sleep here for a while.
Nayan patted Aarav's back and said Okay brother you rest here. We will be waiting for you outside.
Aarav said Okay. Nayan took Karishma's hand and led her out.
Aarav put his head on the table and pretended to sleep. Kiyan standing at a distance heard everything. He rushed with his incredible speed to Aarav placed a hand on his head whispered a Naad Sutra (a sacred vibrational chant or mantra) and then quickly ran outside.
Aarav suddenly woke up and started looking around then rushed outside. Seeing him Nayan and Karishma said What happened Aarav. Why did you come running like that.
Aarav said Kiyan
Nayan and Karishma looked at each other and said Kiyan. What.
Aarav's breaths were rapid. He placed his hand on his head where a faint golden warmth could still be felt the residue of Kiyan's touch and Naad Sutra. His eyes searched the empty corridor for that speed blurred shadow that had now vanished.
Nothing Aarav finally said steadying his voice. Just felt like someone was there. Maybe it was a misunderstanding.
But his heartbeat and that supernatural warmth lingering on his head told a different story. Kiyan had touched him. He had cared about him. And this knowledge this small touch was more real to Aarav than all the fake smiles and resolve of that entire morning.
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