chapter 4

Anshika sat on her bench uneasy, wanting to blabber all she could to Siya and was sweating her own hands. She also felt butterflies in her tummy and exchanged glances with Ruhan during the whole while till recess which Aditya didn't fail to observe. A few times he winked and smiled at Anshika as well, which became friendly enough to comfort her. The recess bell rang startling her and Ruhan's face had a broad smile when she turned around to look at him. He gestured her to get out of class after him which made her feel at ease, knowing that he knew that she was uncomfortable to start a conversation in public. Aditya and Ruhan quickly walked out of class and Anshika got out without anyone noticing her after them. As she was about to talk to Ruhan, looking at each other from opposite walls of the corridor, to her utter dismay, their PT teacher, Mr.Aggarwal stopped him. Slipping through their conversation Aditya went to stand near Anshika and whispered to her to wait near the backgarden.As been told, Anshika left for the garden and Ruhan followed her after talking to the teacher. "Hi Anshika!"She had never heard such politeness in someone's tone as that."Hi Ruhan!"She said trying to be at ease. "Thanks for taking time out for me." Ruhan said in a most unbelievable manner."Don't you think you're being too formal?"He scratched his head,"I have talked to so many girls before, but you seem to be a lot different from them."Anshika narrowed her eyes in disapproval saying,"What do you mean?""I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say something like that, but I think you're very nice."Anshika returned a smile and went to sit below the mango tree in the cemented platform.Stamping his feet silently for his stupidity, without Anshika knowing, he took the seat beside her.Anshika looked into his eyes for a while and he could sense a throb in his heart which made him blush. She smiled again."How is your girlfriend doing?"She asked out of nowhere which startled Ruhan, however he replied that they broke up and for that girl it was just a fling.Listening to him Anshika said,"So what do you want to do now? Date me?"She was surprised at her own confidence.Ruhan was again startled, he never thought Anshika to be so frank."Umm.... that was so soon to ask.""So why are we meeting in private?""Because I thought you would not be comfortable in public," Anshika's eyebrows went up on hearing this while he continued,"and it is the same for me as well."She again smiled at him."You know Ruhan, I always thought of you as a different kind of person, till today.""Don't you like me?"Anshika laughed a bit."No, it's not that. I used to think you to be partyholic like your girlfriend, the kind of 'stud' or someone who would be very much arrogant, which is why I never spoke to you before.""It seems you've quite judged me, huh?""Yes, I have, but you never seem to have even noticed me until now. And am I thinking correct that why you have started noticing me now?"Ruhan blushed a bit."No, that's not it. I've always looked at you since we have been in the same class, but never talked to you.""What's making you talk to me now?"She got up dusting her skirt, however, Ruhan kept seated."That's a valid question. But that's because never before this term had I ever seen you talking so freely with other people, instead of sticking to your seat. Previously I used to think you to be much more reserved and never thought that I could ever ask you out."Anshika smiled and turned towards Ruhan, hiding her actual self within her."You wanna ask me out?""Will you?""Sure, but for that we need to bunk school."Ruhan's eyes widened. He was never expecting Anshika to be so bold."It's time for us to go to class."She started walking when he called him from behind."Anshika!"She turned back."Do you like me?"She stood quiet,"You're really cute, and not even a bit similar to what I thought of you.""It's the same for me, and to know you more we indeed need to go on a date."Anshika let out a little laugh, so did Ruhan. Walking to the corridor together, they got separated and walked till class in a way they are used to. They exchanged glances once in a while till the last bell for the day rang and smiled at each other. Ruhan kept quiet and chose not to answer to Aditya's questions for the day, while Anshika bubbled to speak to her best friend Siya.