When Love is Pain

The Blooming

Nisha kept thinking about Maya the entire night after she got back home and the next morning arrived in the blink of an eye. However this morning was different; something inside Nisha had changed, suddenly she wanted to go college and needless to say, Maya was the reason. Maya had reacted love to one of Nisha's pictures. It meant the world for Nisha. Nisha was waiting for Maya to come after 5:30 pm and when Maya came she didn't ask her why Nisha had been waiting for her. In fact, Maya noticed Nisha even when she didn't utter a single word to call Maya. In this digital era, Nisha behaved like an old school lover, never texted Maya or called her but still showed up for her. Maya had asked her if she was attending her classes and studying properly. Nisha was a good student she attended classes regularly but still she asked," What do you think about me ma'am from my appearance what kind of student can I be?"

"Appearance doesn't say anything," Maya had replied. "What's your attendance percentage till date?"

"92.8%, ma'am."

"That's pretty good."

In the bus, Nisha again sat with Maya while Maya's colleagues sat behind them. One of her colleagues, Tarun sir told that today a snake had entered into one of the classrooms. Her other colleague, the one who actually revealed Maya's name to Nisha that day, Deepti ma'am was a little scared but Maya just said," Everything has been ruined" but her expression was completely unfazed as if someone just gave her a blunt information. Nisha was totally smitten by her fearless spirit, she had never seen a woman being so relaxed under such situation. Nisha looked at Maya for a long time not caring if her colleagues were following Nisha's behaviour although Maya didn't quite look at Nisha. Nisha memorized how Maya spoke her speech was somewhat calm and relaxed but when she spoke slowly it sounded sultry and Nisha fell for Maya even harder. She was wondering if she had fallen in love in just two days.

The next few days went on like that. Every day, Nisha used to wait for 5:45 pm but the day seemed too long. She had now been attending her lectures seriously though she didn't need to because when Maya asks her if she had been good in the class today, she could tell her something that's true, not just fabricate a statement to impress Maya. Nisha and Maya used to walk together to the bus stand under the night sky when the lights of the campus went on, although still maintaining some distance. One day, a car had been honking but Maya wasn't moving, Nisha had lightly touched her arm saying," Ma'am, please move, a car is coming." Nisha had also told Maya how she was juggling her B.Com and CS. Maya didn't know about CS. Nisha had explained it was a degree equivalent to Ph. D, Maya had asked her with surprise," Oh, can we really do like that?"

Another day, Maya and told Nisha," You're very talkative!"

"No ma'am, it's just that I like talking to you."

"Just do something else!"

"Like what?"

"Sleep!"

"I don't feel sleepy!"

"Then listen to songs!"

This same Maya used to talk with Nisha like when her phone rang she was irritated," Look at these people! Couldn't call me when I was free! Now as my stand is coming near, they are calling! Wow! What a great timing!"

Nisha had not said anything just looked at Maya and smiled and maybe said in her mind," God, I love this woman!"

That day, they got down from the bus almost together because their destination was same. Maya's parents lived there. Nisha found that they were living in two lanes that were on the opposite sides of the road. They were always so close yet they never met before. Maya used to occupy the window seat without ever offering or asking if Nisha wants that because Nisha's destination arrived earlier.

Some days Maya avoided Nisha because the former wasn't in a good mood. Nisha had cried that day but again the next day she asked Maya if her mood is fine. Maya had laughed and said," Come, let's go!"

The other day Nisha poked Maya's arm because the latter was listening to music with earphones and asked her if she had been hurt by Nisha's words, Maya assured her she's not hurt.

Nisha noticed Maya's digital beha

Another day, Maya said she can't quite find out the bus, Nisha had replied," Don't worry ma'am, I'll always be there for you!" Maya had smiled and that same day, their hands touched accidentally. Nisha couldn't see Maya's expression then but Nisha herself felt closer to Maya.

The most important day was when Maya told Nisha," I'm feeling quite upset." Nisha's heart blossomed because it was just two weeks Maya had known Nisha and she had started trusting her so easily. Nisha couldn't ask what happened because she felt that might be perceived as intrusion in privacy for Maya instead she told," I knew ma'am, I saw you in the morning, you seemed upset."

Nisha had thought about several ways to help Maya when she got home that day. The next morning Nisha told," Ma'am, maybe you can just go and hug someone who's very near and dear to you."

"That's very cinematic, doesn't happen like that in real life."

Nisha wanted to say," No, my dear lady, hug me once I'll take all your pain away. This strategy does work when you are with the right person."

Nisha felt bad because Maya didn't have any such person in her life.

One day Nisha saw Maya crossing the street inside the campus with her earphones and immediately Nisha's protective instincts kicked in.

Later that evening Nisha had told Maya, "Ma'am if I make a request will you please keep it and please don't get angry on me."

"Depends on the nature of the request."

" Please don't cross the street with your earphones. That day, the car was honking and you didn't even hear."

"Go and mind your job, you don't have to think about me!"

Those words felt like shards of glass attacking Nisha's heart still she didn't cry she didn't give up on Maya but the worst was yet to come.