chapter 5

CONQUERED BY MY FIRST CRUSH.Chapter 4 :I was amazed to see them being so jovial and friendly which was very opposite for their age which I usually don’t come across the people in my town.“What happened? Why do you look so puzzled?”, queried Anandvardhan.“I never saw such friendly and jovial people despite your age in my town”, explained my confusion.“Hahaha! Being a bank manager I go around different places and meet different people. It makes us meet different kinds of people which can even change our demeanor. Usually we both are jovial types right from the college and continuing the same”, crossing his hands across Mrudulatha’s shoulder, Anandvardhan explained.I widened my eyes and gaped at them in astonishment. Unable to hide my curiosity, I eyed them suspiciously and queried.“Are you both from the same college? It means yours is a love marriage”, I questioned.“Hahaha! Yes, ours is a love marriage but arranged by our families who were the family friends”, answered Anandvardhan.I smiled at them and took the box from aunt Mrudulatha’s hand, put it in front of uncle Anandvardhan to take the cake.He took a piece from it, took a small bite from it and kept  it in my mouth. I happily accepted it and gave the other piece to Mrudulatha and Roshini.Mrudulatha, after taking the cake, looked towards upstairs and yelled,“Harsha  darling! Come and wish your new friend the birthday wishes”.My heart skipped a beat by hearing her calling someone whom I assumed as the earlier young teenager and learned that his name is Harsha. I heard footsteps nearing me but couldn’t raise my head feeling anxious while my heart beats rapidly.“Brother! She is my new friend Alekhya from our neighborhood. We are going to be in the same class and school’” crossing her hand across my shoulder, Roshini introduced her brother to me,“Alekhya! This is my brother, Sriharsha”.I looked at him beneath my eyelashes without raising my head and wished him,“Hai! Nice to see you”.He stretched his hand and replied,“Hello! It's my pleasure to meet you. Many happy returns of the day”.His voice was so husky and   deep which sent shivers all over  my body raising my heartbeat. I hesitated for a while to take the hand, looked at him who was looking eagerly at me to take his hand and without any delay I shook his hand saying,“Thank you”.He squeezed my hand for a fraction of a second electrifying my body, which made me see directly into his eyes and find him giving me a mischievous smirk. His eyes were twinkling as if he was seeing some precious thing which made me feel self conscious suddenly. I lowered my eyes and stretched my hand holding the cake box to offer him the cake.He took the cake thanking me and spoke to his father.“Dad! I think you were fascinated by her as it was your dream to see Roshini like a doll”.I gaped at him in astonishment as he was complimenting me indirectly about my attire and blushed feeling something in the  pit of my stomach, whereas my cheeks turned to pink due to the blush.“Hahaha! Yes, she looks very pretty. Roshini never gave me the satisfaction of  seeing her like a doll but I hope she will now change herself after being friends with Alekhya”, complained Anandvardhan.“Dad! You know I love jeans and trousers”, whined Roshini.“Okay! Okay! No more arguments. We have a guest and we need to offer something to her”,  rebuked Mrudulatha and turned towards me asking,“What would you like to have?Pastry or ice cream”.“No aunty! Thank you. I will take a leave”, feeling awkward with their special treatment, I answered.“Don’t feel awkward Alekhya. Uncle always likes girls wearing frocks, skirts, salwar kameez and even half sarees. But my devil doesn’t like to wear them. Seeing you in a beautiful frock, he felt content acknowledging that some were there according to his taste”, explained Mrudulatha.