MILES AWAY

VIII- Sukoon

VIII- Sukoon

 Sukoon

/sʊ.kuːn/

Peace

Time does stop.

Time stops when you feel something out of this world, it stops when your eyes find its home, when you truly feel you're living life.

It stops when you feel alive.

It was as if Manan had stopped breathing. Time had stopped for himself. Staring right into his phone, into her eyes. If it wasn't for his lungs, he would have held his breath forever. Is this the girl he has been talking to? She?

You look beautiful. He typed out the message.

But by then, Manya had already left. Their time was finally over. Maybe she wouldn't receive this message before her tuition was over. He set the phone aside.

Breathing heavily, Manan felt as if he had run a marathon. The furious beating of his heart, 'that' unknown feeling, everything made him more puzzled than ever.

Seas full of questions were coming in his mind, one after the other.

Why would she send me a photo suddenly?

She looked nothing like the previous photo. Is that even her?

He couldn't control himself. He unlocked his phone and opened her photo once again, this time analyzing every detail.

The way her lips curved up into a smile, making that dimple appear, lovely. The way her hoodie was placed so disorderly and her eyes, Gosh. They were just so sweetly intense, expressive just like her smile.

Her eyes were the ones which hooked him to her. Those simple delicate features completely contrasted her deep penetrating gaze, just like a black flower in a pool of peace. Only, there was something innocent about her, Manan pondered, but he couldn't figure it out.

Why was he behaving like a creep?

He himself didn't know. The only thing he knew that his heart was trying to tell him something, but he wasn't ready to accept it. He couldn't and he wouldn't. never ever.

He tried to act like he didn't care. Like nothing was out of the blue, there's was nothing unlikely about his behaviour. He pushed himself in a big wall of toughness and pretended to be fine.

Well, until she comes. It was not a lie that he missed her. A little too much than he should have.

Maybe it's just attachment, but he didn't know.

He was a ball of confusion and so was Manya.

Manya by then was walking through the busy streets of Kolkata. People pushing each other through the tsunamis of people, vendors shouting at the top of their voice, cars moving like ants, total opposite of what she liked and wanted. But, nevertheless, the world runs like that.

Finding peacefulness is, in itself a chaos.

Two long torturous hours. That's how long her tuition lasted. Both of them were aching for each other, asking the time to tick faster.

Walking back home, Manya hoped she would be in time for the train. She couldn't run, for it would look awkward in the middle of all these people. She wasn't someone who wanted attention on herself.

Manya had only and only thought about Manan during her class. Surely, she did pay attention, but somewhere in the back of her mind Manan was there, it was as if he was telling her to complete her work first, he won't go anywhere, he's here with her, forever.

She had been blushing since she saw the last message he sent. He complimented her. Her crush. That did earn her some awkward looks from her classmates. But who cares?

At the station, she took out her phone from her bag. Sent a "Hi" and waited for reply.

Hey, class over?

.

.

They talked randomly for a few minutes before the train arrived.

Upon reaching home, Manya plopped down on her bed, hands holding her phone tightly, too excited for Manan.

They had talked all the way to her home.

Manya had normalized with the fact that she had fallen for Manan. Pretty damn hard. But for Manan, he was sure he felt something but he was just too lost. Just like Manya, denying everything he was feeling.

First love always confuses.

You have heard about prank calls, right? Manya asked.

Huh.

Where have you heard it from? Don't do it ever. It's pretty dangerous.

Manan was confused as hell. Why would she ask about foolish stuffs like that? Such a kid she was, he concluded.

Well, I'm doing it lol.

Thought so. Manan was right, she wouldn't listen.

It's better to call me than call strangers like that, you know.

Though they met like few days back, Manan felt like they were not strangers. They had shared enough to call themselves friends. After all, every person on the internet is not a creep. And Manan himself was a gentleman, not only him but every person he had come in contact with was of the same opinion. Real and polite.

So, you want me to call you huh?

To be honest, Manya was laughing her butt off at what must have been Manan's reaction to this message of her. Pretty cocky, but she thought Manan must have freaked out. And this was pure fun.

And this was exactly what happened. Manan was nervous to his core. Almost started sweating. He never thought this girl could have made him this worked up just for a call.

He hurriedly typed back.

Don't don't. Sorryyy.

But Manya was determined to make Manan act like a cat on hot bricks.

Nope. How can I reject your request? I'm calling you. Do answer okay?

Shit

The ringing of phone filled Manan's ears. She was not joking. Panic mode – ON.

After about 6-7 seconds, he finally picked up the call, still not daring to say anything or make any sound. Just like a statue, not even moving a muscle.

Manya's condition wasn't any different. She planned to act all cool and chill. But the moment she heard him breathing, all rationalized thoughts flew out of the window.

Silence reigned over the call. Only breathing could be heard accompanied by racing pulse.

Is this how it feels to be in a call with your crush? Manya wondered.

1 minute.

2 minutes.

And they cracked up. Lol.

Both were laughing at literally nothing. Silly people.

After a solid 5 minutes they finally stopped their madness and again let silence rule them over. But someone had to say something.

Manya was the first to say—

"Hello?"

"Hey"

And as usual, they knew nothing after that. What to say? How to act? How to react? How to frame sentences? Everything.

Manya was seconds away from googling 'Topics to talk about with your crush' when Manan spoke up—

"Who told you about these prank calls?"

"Google" Manya laughed.

.

.

.

And eventually, they unlocked their hearts to each other, everything was open now. Every wall had fallen down and now, the wait until realization.

Their shyness was still visible but mostly, they were comfortable.

They talked and talked until their cheeks pained due to smiling so much.

They would have talked the whole night had Manya's mother not stopped her from being on phone for so long.

But before they hung up, Manan did not forget that particular thing—

"Your eyes are beautiful." Manan whispered.

They had formed a connection, something so greatly pure, and that's a beautiful thing, so real from the world.

She tried to hide her head inside her blanket even though there was no one inside her room.

12 o' clock.

The time showed. They have been talking for two long hours. But for them it seemed like two minutes. They wanted more.

But at last they had to bid goodbye.

A ping from her phone startled Manya.

Don't you think we meeting wasn't just a coincidence?

Manya stared at the message for long. Long enough to make Manan feel as if the text was awkward for her.

Forget what I said lol.

It's not.