Athrav pov~
I couldn't shake the feeling of restlessness as her voice kept echoing in my mind. The way she called me a "good boy" was both tormenting and oddly satisfying. I couldn't decide if I wanted to hear it again or just make the sound disappear altogether. It was driving me crazy!
Nevan, my best friend, had come over for our weekly video game session, but I had lost focus and tossed my console away an hour ago. Now he was just lounging and watching a movie.
"Why are you still here?" I grumbled. "Didn't I tell you to scram?"
"Aunty said I should make myself at home," Nevan replied without taking his eyes off the TV.
"Ugh, everyone says that... it doesn't mean you have to stick around like a stinky human snake."
"Human snake?"
"I mean relatives... you know once they arrive, it's so hard for them to leave."
"Ohh."
"Yeah, oh."
We both exchanged a knowing glance. Growing up in a cultured family, we always had to deal with relatives dropping by our home like a bomb every weekend, expecting my elder brother and me to entertain them.
Did I look like a clown, and our house a circus? While my mom easily coerced my brother into performing just with a single glance, I never complied.
Nevan also faced a similar situation. His house was just in front of mine, and he had a grandfather who was best friends with mine, making him and my father best friends as well. He became my best friend a year ago after I returned from Mumbai, as my father decided to live with my grandpa in Indore after my granny's death.
I looked at Nevan again ..when he said without even looking at me
"Man I miss Neil ,wish he was here too.."
"He would be here if he hadn't sped up.."
"You were also with him"-
"Yes on a different bike ..on my bike" Neil I went to the arcade the other day while returning he was speeding up even after I told him not to, some police officer saw him and complained to his father since he was also a police officer he got scolded and grounded for a Sunday, the idiot was also not wearing a helmet.
"You said that you miss him for the tenth time today, you are missing him like he is your girl "
No ..not that - seriously.. he scoffed. I may not have a girl..but you sure are missing your girl
I don't have one -
You know whom I am talking about.
I felt my cheeks burning.
Oh shut up -
Come on, why are you so red ..from the whole day, whenever I look at you, you seem lost in thought and blushing.
I AM NOT BLUSHING!! IAM NOT.
Woah calm down I was kidding
Kidding -?? I am just tired of telling everyone I am NOT BLUSHING AND WHY THE HELL I WOULD BLUSH HUH JUST BECAUSE MAYA CALLED ME A GOOD BOY EVEN THOUGH SHE WAS JUST MESSING AROUND -
You want her to call you good boy without mocking you right-
"Yes- "I realized that I just accepted I wanted her to call me a good boy ..but that's..that's so absurd why would I want her to call me a good boy why would I want her to praise me ..why would I want her to pat my head ... ruffle my hair...as my thoughts wander more and more thinking how will her hands feel when she will play with my hair or her hands on my cheek .. the chain of my thoughts broke when I heard an irritating laugh.
Now, why are you laughing like a hyena??
"You should look at yourself in the mirror. You look like a tomato ", he barked, laughing again making my patience thin as I grabbed the pillow from the bed beside me and threw it at him.
"Shut the fuck up scumbag! " But even after the pillow hit him straight in his face, he continued to laugh . "what's wrong with you? Are you getting a laughter attack or something," I said, getting more irritated by a minute.
"It- 's just you were like oh, I am so focused on myself right now. I have no time for girls right now blah blah blah...and now you are getting red at not getting proper attention from your girl"
"She is not my girl."
"But you do want her to be yours "...*he said with a suggestive wink.
"Oh cut the crap dude ..I do not want her ..she - she is boring ok maybe she is not when she answers back ..or when she explains a topic in class whenever the teacher asks her because no one can explain an answer like her so simple and detailed and-"
"Wow praising your competitor is a different level of~"
"Different level of what? "
"Different level of crush or what.." he gave me a cheeky smile ..but hearing him stating this as crush made my brain numb ..crush?? I have a crush on my classmate who is also my competitor..who provoked, me without doing anything.. makes me question my intelligence as I have a crush on Maya-??no never anyone but her ...that girl trying to take my spot as topper .. and I never lose ..not in a millionth chance I will crush on her.
"Again, in her thoughts, huh?"
" Get the fuck outta my room before I decide to snap your neck .".
"Ok, ok I am going ..chill ..peace out.." he waved and ran away quickly as they closed behind him I slumped down on my bed again running my fingers through my hair to calm myself down
why the heck I am getting so annoyed at him ..he just said that I have a crush but I don't...and it's not like it's a first time they are shipping me with someone.
"You are blushing ~" his words ring in my ear .. teasing my nerves...no why would I ..ugh .. maybe I should take a bath... A cold shower will be perfect...it's nothing, just my hormones playing with me. Of course, why would I crush on her out of anyone?
Next morning ~
I found myself glaring at the alarm clock as it relentlessly ticked a
way until, finally, it let out a shrill ring. It's only six in the morning. Normally, I'd be proud of waking up before the alarm, but not today. I barely got any sleep last night, despite taking two showers. Ugh, why does this have to happen today of all days? I need to pull myself together.
Taking a deep breath and saying a quick prayer, I made my bed and headed to the bathroom to start my morning routine. I have to stay focused. I can't afford to be disoriented at school; my reputation is on the line.
Good morning, mummy ~" Kissing my mother's Cheeks, I wished her.
"Good morning..~ as always, on time,. The food is hot. Come on, start eating.."
Nodding I hugged my grandpa from the side.
"Good morning..how was your sleep, dada?"
He patted my head with a smile
" it was good ..."
I started eating my food, I couldn't help but notice how quiet my grandfather always was in the mornings. He had a strict rule about not talking while eating, especially during breakfast.
People often saw him as stern because of his role as the owner of "Swaraniya Jewellery," a business that had been in our family since the 1960s.
It all started when my great-great-grandfather fell in love with his arranged wife, who had a deep passion for jewellery. Inspired by her love, he taught himself the art of jewellery making.
Over time, his small shop gained fame, and even the royal family of Indore commissioned a pair of earrings for the queen. The success led our shop to transform into a luxurious brand, catering exclusively to the royal and ultra-rich clientele.
Despite facing challenges during British rule, my grandfather's father persevered, and after India gained independence, our jewellery once again gained popularity among royals in India and around the world.
Today, we maintain our elite status, serving only the wealthiest and most privileged customers. Our products remain out of reach for the middle class and anyone who isn't part of the royal or ultra-rich circles.
.....................................................................................
As the teacher droned on about the rules for the upcoming inter-school debate competition for the third time, I couldn't help but wonder where Maya was. She was always late, and her behaviour was starting to get on my nerves. However, as the teacher criticized her, I found myself getting defensive. Sure, Maya could be insufferable, but no one else had the right to say it.
Who cares if she's smart? She's always late, and she talks back, i still don't get it why are you so persistent on being partner up with her there many smart girls than her in school and she nothing but a bookworm ..just wait iam going to catch her doing cheating one day "
"She doesn't cheat !"
"Are you arguing with me athrav?"
"Yes mam, iam you can't just accuse someone hard work as cheating."
the teacher grumbled, shooting me a pointed look. I bit my tongue, not wanting to argue with her. But when she started accusing Maya of cheating, I couldn't stay silent.
"Maybe she is stuck in traffic or some urgent matter come up "
i said I don't know but i just can't help myself from defending her.
But I had my reasons. We were partners in the debate competition, and I believed we should at least try to understand each other. The teacher's scornful remarks about Maya only fueled my frustration. I couldn't believe she was insinuating that Maya could cheat or that there were smarter girls in the school.
When the teacher was busy on her phone, I lied about her name announcement, saying I had heard it.
"No, mam, there was announcement you couldn't hear because of Facebook," I said, smiling.
"Are you trying to disrespect me, athrav "
"What! No, mam, I would never." Of course, I am.
. I just wanted to get away from her constant criticism of Maya. I was tired of hearing it.
As I sat there, feeling a mix of anger and frustration,
I realized that Maya's behaviour was starting to affect me more than it should.
I tried to shake it off, but her absence and the teacher's comments were getting to me. I couldn't help but wonder why I even cared so much. Maybe it was the lack of sleep, or maybe it was just Maya's constant tardiness getting under my skin. But whatever the reason, I knew I had to find a way to shake off this frustration.
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