chapter 19

Part 19: Silence in the hidden wordsAfter that day, everything was the same – but not everything was the same.After what Riya said, something stirred in Dhirav’s heart. He had never thought that Riya would also feel something… or maybe even more than that.Both of them did not say much after that day, but their eyes seemed to say everything.Whenever Riya came to the classroom, Dhirav’s eyes were only on her.  But now there was a different depth in his eyes – as if he wanted to know something, but did not have the courage to ask.Riya too used to look towards Dhirav every now and then, but would quickly look away – as if she did not get caught.Pihu and Sneha were understanding everything. One day Sneha jokingly said, “You both have changed your vibe…”Riya added jokingly, “Nothing like that…”But in his eyes he could see that denial which was just trying to hide a truth.Dhirav's friends - Abhi and Kunal - also noticed. Kunal once teased him, "You have become too soft on Riya..."Dhirav just smiled, "Bas bestie yaar."But he was confused.Did Riya demand too much from him? Or did she just say it emotionally? Was there really something between them?In that confusion, Dhirav started maintaining a little distance. Neither too many texts, nor too many words. Riya was noticing, but she herself was unsure.One day, when Riya was searching for her notes, an old small letter fell out of her bag – a piece from that day’s diary:“I don’t want you to be just my best friend…”Sneha saw that letter and read it. “Riya! Did you write this?”Riya hid her eyes, “That’s it… whatever was in my mind that day… I wrote it down.”Sneha said gently, “But I did say it, right? Then why this distance?”Riya said in a soft voice, “Maybe he understood the meaning of what I said in a different way…”That day Riya decided – now she will not hide.During the break she went near Dhirav, who was sitting in a corner of the ground under a tree. Alone.“Monkey?” she said softly.Dhirav raised his head. His face was a little sad. “Hmm?”“Why have you gone away from me?”“I am right here,” Dhirav gave a light smile, “Just… I was thinking… what you said meant…”Riya sat near him.  “I want you to be my best friend, my monkey… and that feeling was different… but I myself was not clear. That is why I was confused.”Dhirav looked into her eyes, “So are you clear now?”Riya said slowly, “It is so clear that… you are special for me. And I don’t want to lose this friendship.”Dhirav held her hand – for the first time. “I also don’t want to lose it. You are my White Crow… and will always be.”There was a slight silence. There was peace on both their faces.  The friendship was still there - but inside it there was a soft layer of emotions, which was a feeling beyond friendship...Without name, without label... but true, deep and our own.The sole connection was becoming deeper somewhere.