Love So Far

A Dream

Days passed quickly and I was happy to find that Krish had some friends. Moreover, Neil's attitude towards Krish has begun to change. It was the month of November; we hardly had 3 months for board exams. We were in a full rush for the preparation of exams. Meanwhile, we were eagerly waiting for our farewell party, which our juniors would throw for us; suddenly one day our principal called Neil and me to his office, as we are School Pupil Leaders. 

"May we come in sir?" we asked as we pushed his office door.

"Come in.," he said as he looked up from his PC.

"Have you called us, sir?" Neil asked.

"Hmm... your juniors had asked me to permit them to arrange a farewell party for you."

"Really sir?" we asked in unison, as we were fully excited.

"Yeah, and it will be arranged by the end of this month. Therefore, there would be no disturbance in your studies. And I want all of you to concentrate on your studies."

"Of course, sir," I said in a firm voice.

"Okay, you may go, now." He turned back to his PC.

"Thank you, sir." We said as we left his office.

"Wow, Loo. We are getting a farewell party at last." Neil said.

"Yeah but Neil, do you remember principal said that we'll be having farewell by end of this month. So, there's plenty of time." I corrected him.

"Ok, now come let's go and inform everyone about farewell party."

We went to all the section of 12th class to inform about farewell. As we informed, all the students started shouting in joy. Then we came back to our class and as usual classes, we going on. 

After some days, Neil had gone to his cousin’s marriage in Manipur (a state in northeastern India), so he was not coming to school for a week. One day, after school I went to the library for getting some books. Meanwhile, Krish was sitting there with books scattered over the table.

"Hey." He waved.

"Hey. What are you doing here? " I waved back.

"Referring books on Physics" He shrugged.

"Why? Do you feel difficulty in that?" I sat facing towards him.

"Yeah, actually I feel difficulty in chapter 10."

"You mean Wave theory of Light?"

"Yeah"

"It's very easy; you should remember what is waves and it’s different types. And also, it would be very easy if you understand with a diagram."

"Hmm... if you don't mind, can you help me in this chapter, please?" he pleaded.

"Yeah, I'll help you." I sat near him.

I had cleared all his doubts regarding the chapter and it was almost 5 pm, almost an hour over after school. We packed our things and left the library and even the librarian was getting ready to leave. We both walked together to the school gate.

"Thank you, Loo." He smiled cutely.

"You are welcome." I smiled back.

"How will you go home?"

"I'll go by bus, you?"

"I have got my bike if you don't mind; I can drop you at home."

"No, it's OK, Krish. I have to go to a book shop for buying some books for Neil."

"Even I have to buy some books, so why can't we go together, please?" he pleaded again.

"It's clear that you won't move from here without taking me with you. So, there is no option than coming with you." I agreed to go with him.

"Oh, thanks a lot." He said and went to the parking lot to take his bike and returned within a few minutes.

 "Safety first," he said and gave me a helmet. We went to crossword and I had brought some books for Neil and novels for me. Krish bought some comic books and we went to the nearby roadside stall and ate some street foods. It was almost eight p.m. and I had already informed Grandma from Krish's mobile that I'm with him to buy some books for Neil and I'll be home a little late. Therefore, it was a relief for me that Grandma would not worry. At last, we reached my home by nine p.m. 

"Thank you," I said as I unlocked the helmet belt.

"You are welcome." He smiled.

"Come in, Grandma will be happy to see you." I gave him the helmet.

"No, it's OK. I'll come next time."

"Oh, come on." I folded my hand across my chest. 

"No, other choices, I have to come." He nodded.

"Good boy, now park your bike and come with me."

"Ok, madam." 

We took the elevator; Grandma opened the door as I rang the bell. 

"Grandma this is Krish, the new boy in our school and Krish this is my Grandma."

"Greetings Grandma" he greeted her.

"Greetings Dear." Grandma greeted back. "Come in, dear."

"It's Ok Grandma, I have to go, but next time I'll surely come."

"It's almost night time, join us for dinner," Grandma asked.

"No thanks, Grandma. It's OK."  

"Krish, don't be too formal, Come in." I pulled him in.

"You won't let me go, right?"

"Of course, not" I winked.

Grandma went to the kitchen to prepare for dinner. Krish and I sat on the sofa. He was looking around the drawing-room and suddenly he was stuck on something. Meanwhile, Grandma called me to help her. When I came to the drawing-room, he was standing near a big family photo frame. I stood beside him.

"Is that your family?"

"Yeah" I nodded.

"Who are those girls on both sides of you?" 

"They are my sisters, the one who is on the right side of me is my elder sister, Ragini and the one on the left side is my younger sister, Aliya."

"You and your younger sister are looking like your mother."

"Yeah, I know."

"Where are they?"

"They are in London."

"Then why are you staying here alone?" he looked at me.

"I don't want to leave my grandparents, as they were with me from my childhood. So, I chose to live with my grandparents in India, while they moved to London." I was still staring at the picture.

"Do you miss them?" He was still looking at the frame.

"A lot"

He was staring at me, as he was seeing me for the first time.

"What?" I raised my eyebrow.

"Nothing" He turned away.

"Loo, the dinner is ready," Grandma shouted from the kitchen.

"Coming Grandma" I shouted back. "Now come, let's have dinner." I pulled his hand.

We had dinner and Krish had left after dinner. Grandma liked him; she said, "He is a good guy."

"Didn’t I say it, Grandma." I winked.

The next day was Sunday morning; I used to wake up late. That morning I saw a note pinned on my study board.

 'We are going to market and I have kept your coffee and some chocolate cookies on the dining table, and we had our breakfast; so don't wait for us as we'll be late.'

                                                            By Grandma.

I read the note and refreshed myself, then I took my coffee, turned on the T.V., started to change the channels, and finally kept MTV channel, which was playing my favourite youth television series.

Someone had ringed the doorbell as I opened the door; Neil was standing in front of my door. He was wearing blue jean with a pink T-shirt. His face was looking tired.

"Hey, when did you come?" I went in and he followed me.

"Yesterday evening"

"Then, how was the marriage?"

"Boring." He made faces.

"Hmm... I thought you might have met some girls."

"Oh... come on Loo, don't tease me." He looked tensed.

"What happened to you, Neil? Why are you looking tensed?"

"Nothing just got a headache."

I went into the kitchen and came with a cup of coffee for him. 

"Have it." I gave it to him.

He took the cup and took a sip of coffee. We were watching T.V. "Where are Grandma and Grandpa?" he asked looking to T.V.

"They went to market."

"Can I ask you something, Loo?" he asked.

"Yeah."

"Do you like him?"

"Who?" I frowned and turned towards him.

"Krish" he was still looking at T.V.

"What?" I frowned and I don't know what to say. How could he ask me like this?

Now he turned towards me, so he could face me and kept his coffee mug on the table. 

"What made you think like this?" I fumed.

"See, Loo. I know what you are thinking but the way you are behaving with Krish is making me think like this." He took the coffee mug from my hand placed it on the table and took my hand. "The way you care for him, the way you talk with him and everything you do for him."

"I used to do that with everyone, and let me make you clear that I don't have any feelings for him." I tried to take my hand from his but he held it tight.

"Then what about yesterday?"

"What?"

"You were with him all the evening, weren't you?"

"Yeah, when I went to the library to return the book, he was there and he asked me to help him in Physics and I did. As we were leaving, he said that he also wants to buy some books and helped me to buy some books for you too. As it had been late when we finished buying the books, he dropped me at home. Therefore, I called him home and Grandma asked him to stay for dinner. That's what happened yesterday."

He stayed quiet, after some time, "I'm sorry." he said.

I haven't said anything as I looked down and I could feel my eyes were filled with tears, but I wiped it out before it would roll down to my cheeks. He wrapped his hand around my shoulders.

"I'm sorry, Loo. I don't know what happened to me. Whenever I see you talking to that Krish, I feel irritated." 

"But why?" I looked up.

"I don't know." He shook.

"Okay, you don't want me to talk with him, right? I won't." 

"Loo, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I don't know what happened to me?"

"No, it's Okay Neil. I want you to leave the topic right here." I got up as I took the coffee mugs from the table and went into the kitchen to wash them. As I turned back, I saw him leaning over the fridge. His face was dull and tired. I could see the sadness in his face. I went near him and he looked down, I gave him a tight hug and he too hugged and patted my shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Loo. I'll never do anything that hurts you." He said and held his ears.

"It's Okay, Dumbo." I consoled him.

"I'm feeling hungry, I want something to eat." 

"What do you want?" I smiled.

"Anything" he shrugged.

"Wait; let me make some pasta for you."

That whole day we were together and we didn't talk about Krish anymore. The next day, I saw Krish waiting for me in the school but I ignored him, as I don't want to start arguing with Neil again; but I could say that he might have been disappointed by the sudden change in my behaviour. While classes were going on, he saw me frequently and this time; I felt something strange on his Looks that made me feel awkward.

In the following days, there were many changes in the behaviour of Krish and Neil. Whenever Krish sees me, Neil stares at me. It was a hard nut to c***k. One day, Mr Lawrence was dividing the whole class into eight small groups and as usual, Neil and I were together, each group contained five members but Krish was left all alone and Mr Lawrence was thinking for a movement. I was praying below my heart that Krish shouldn't come on our group if he comes then it will definitely add fuel to the fire, but it always happens against what we think. Mr Lawrence saw me, "Krish, you can join with Looshin, she will guide you. Won't you Looshin?"

"Huh... Yes sir." I was confused and don't know what to do.

"Good." He said and began to give the question papers of previous years and told us to solve it, and gave some question papers as assignments.

After the school, my friends and I were walking towards the bus and Krish was there before us, it seemed like he was waiting for someone when he saw me; once again, his Looks disturbed me that I never felt before. 

"Looshin" he called me as I was about to climb into the bus.

"Yeah, Krish." I got down, Neil was standing behind me, and Krish was staring at him. Then he looked at me.

"Can I come to your home for doing a group study?" he asked as he looked at Neil.

I don't know what to do; I can't say no to Krish and at the same time I don't want any argument with Neil.

I was thinking what to say; when I saw Neil to my surprise, he was looking completely cool. 

"Hmm... Krish, Neil and I have planned to do a group study." I lied but to my surprise.

"It's Okay Dude, you can also join us," Neil said, and my ears couldn't believe; Neil, who hated Krish to the core, had said to join us to do a group study. 

"Neil? Is this you?" I asked him when we got down from the bus and started walking towards our apartment.

"Why?" he looked at me; he had his mischievous smile on his face.

"I mean I can't believe that you allowed to Krish for doing a group study that too in my house."

"Oh! Come on, Loo. I'm not that rude and selfish." He raised an eyebrow.

The next day evening, Grandpa and Grandma had gone for a wedding; and I had already informed them that I, Neil and Krish were going to do group study, as they will be coming late, there would be no disturbance. At seven in the evening, I heard someone knocking at my door when I opened the door it was Krish.

"Hey Krish, come in." I left the door opened and went in.

"Where's Neil?" he asked as he came in.

"He'll be coming, have a seat. Would you like to have something to eat?"

"Nah, if you want you can have."

"Nah, I'll have it later."

"Where's Grandma?" he looked around.

"She has gone out with Grandpa for a wedding."

"Hmmm..." he nodded his head.

Moreover, I went to my room to bring my books to the drawing-room. As I entered the drawing-room, I heard another knock at the door, and I knew it would be Neil, and when I opened the door, he was in his white T-shirt and purple boxers and carrying a plastic bag with him. 

"Hey! Went out with mom, and Grandma said that they are out at a wedding. So I bought some burgers for us." 

"Thanks, buddy." I hugged him and showed eye sign to Neil that Krish was there.

"Hey, dude. When did you come?" he gave him formal handshakes. 

"A while ago"

Then, they remained silent for a moment. I went into the kitchen and bought three tins of coke from the fridge.

"Come let's start doing the assignment."I broke the ice between them and sat on work, we had finished 3 to 4 set of topics within an hour.

"Loo, I'm feeling hungry," Neil said.

"Wait, a sec let's finish this one."

"Please, Loo." He begged.

"Yeah, even I need a break," Krish said.

"Okay, then. Let's have a break." I closed my note.

Neil got up and went into the kitchen to find some snacks. Krish and I were in the living room, suddenly, my phone rang and it displayed the caller as "MOM". When I was talking to her, Krish was looking at me as once he looked at me; when he saw me on his first day in the school, I raised an eyebrow.

"Nothing," he said and looked away.

After I kept the cell phone, I asked him, "Why were you staring at me like that?"

"You were looking like a small child when you were talking with your mom."

I smiled and looked down.

"Loo"

"Yeah", I looked at him.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Yeah, ask."

Suddenly, there was some crashing noise in the kitchen. When I was about to get up, suddenly someone held my hand and pulled me towards him. I felt his breath on my skin. I could remember it so clearly, even though it was just a second I felt the soft flesh of his lips on mine. Just for a second, I felt pushing him away. However, I like the way he did it to me, or it was a feeling of love that stopped me from backing off. I wanted this minute; his heart to my heart, that moment should freeze on forever. He was the first one to break the kiss. He hugged me, and whispered in my ears, "You are the most beautiful girl on earth."

After the kiss, I pushed him away from me and ran into the kitchen; I could feel my eyes filled with tears. Neil was standing in the kitchen facing the wall. I washed my face and turned to see what Neil was doing? He arranged some snacks in the tray. He saw me standing beside him.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" he looked at me.

"I have come here to see what are you doing?"

"I finished and was about to come there." 

"Okay you go; I'll clean up the mess." I picked up the spoons, which were fallen on the floor.

"Come, I'll help you."  

"Neil, just do what I said, "I yelled at him.

"Okay chill." He took the tray and went to the living room.

After he went, I could feel my tears running down on my cheeks. There was a continuous fall of tears from my eyes, I wiped the tears, washed my face, cleaned the mess in the kitchen, and went to the living room, but by then he was gone.

"Where is Krish?" I asked Neil.

"He is gone. He said that he has got some works to do."

We started to continue our work but I can't concentrate on anything. I was thinking about the kiss.

"Hello, where are you Loo?" he waved his hand.

"Huh... nothing." 

"Are you alright?"

"I just got a headache, need a rest."

"Okay, let's stop here, you go and sleep."

"Yeah, sure."

After he left, I locked the door from in and went to my room. After some time, I heard a knock at the door. When I opened the door, it was my grandparents. We had dinner and I wished them good night and went to my room.

 I was sleeping in my room and I could sense someone opens and closes the door of my room. And that person comes near me caress my hair. 

"Princess, wake up." I hear a familiar voice.

"5 mins. Please." I whispered.

"You'll be late." that person stroked my cheeks. "Come on, be a good girl."

I just opened my eyes and saw Krish; who was sitting near me and smiling widely.

I smiled back.

"Now get up." he made to get up.

"Please Krish." I groaned, "Let me sleep for a while."

"I think my princess, won't listen like this." He shook his head and came near me.

"What are you do....?" He cut me off by placing his lips of mine.

"I would prefer to wake up like this every morning," he said between the kiss and bit my lips to ask for the entrance, and I allowed him in to explore my mouth. Slowly our slow kiss turned into a passionate one.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. "Looshin opened the door. You'are getting late." I heard my Grandma's voice.

"Coming, Grandma," I said with panic in my voice and turned to look at Krish but only to see him disappear.

"Opened the door, honey." Once again I could hear grandma calling and I got up from the bed and suddenly I fell from the bed; then I realized it's a dream.