Hand to Hold

Chapter 15

For your sight was the one to behold, how could I glance away when I could be repainting your image in my heart?

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Submitting the answer sheet to invigilator I became the first person to leave the exam hall. On my way I dropped by the locker and then the canteen to buy lunch, next stop was the library.

To my surprise, the island in the coffee emblazoned room was occupied.

Other chairs were empty just the particular chair I sit on wasn’t as the occupant’s eyes were trained on the book before him. He was so engrossed in whatever he was reading that he didn’t even feel the company.

His concentrated blank face only made him more appealing and sitting down in the seat opposite him I blinked scarcely during the endeavour; until he glanced up. Previously hidden orbs became visible making it even harder to turn away.

His Majesty raised a brow, and I finally tore my eyes away from him.

“You are sitting on my chair.” Facing him, I hoped he wouldn’t look through my blatant lie.

The brown-haired teen stood up closing the book, “I am sorry, I didn’t realize-”

I interrupted frantically, “It-it’s fine. You can sit wherever you want. Just no one generally comes here.”

“Mhmm,” he smiled sitting down, “So, is this place your hiding spot?”

“Sort of.” I uttered hesitantly.

Ash slipped to another conversation, “Will said that you will join us.”

I nodded, “Yes, Ruby’s a close friend.”

“That’ great, it will be fairly simple movie marathons and video game tournaments etc.”

Simple... Normal...

“Sounds fun.”

Smiling, I added a question, “Then, how come are you at this part of the library?”

While trying to find a book I stumbled upon this place and I liked it.” His eyes roamed about the dry land.

Glancing around everything was at peace, “Makes sense, I also liked this place at once.”

The tranquillity had a calming effect; at one hand it cleared my head and on the other empty-mind adored excavating buried fossils. It loved picking on the sorry semblance of blood clotting.

“My bus must be here.” Standing up with an intact smile, the excuse floated out of my mouth.

***

“Our country is suffering from various problems and an independent cybersecurity division will put on a huge weigh over our shoulders...” Dad or I should say His Highness trailed off.

Mom or, Her Highness continued, “But we can’t forget that since we are walking along with the world hand in hands cybersecurity isn’t only needed nowadays by our forces but the guarantee is also necessary for our people.”

Dad took over again, “Thus, we request our finance ministry, recourse ministry, and defence ministry to collaborate and set up the independent cybersecurity division for human rights ministry. The collaboration is expected to take place under the supervision of, human rights ministry and environment conservation ministry.”

Mom once again glanced up from the documents placed in front of her and used the microphone, “Last-minute objections?”

“The objections can be placed by anyone till the final collaborating contracts aren’t signed between ministries.” Mom added when no one objected.

Turning back to the proposal of the human rights department the royalty signed it and passed it to His Highness’s secretary for making the proposal’s copies and distributing it.

Mr Irwin received the papers and made his way over to the Xerox machine, whereas Mom’s secretary made her way over to the table of royal spokespersons... They would probably decide the method to make the official announcement.

His Highness’s secretary returned and gave the first copy to the Royalty seated in their place and then distributed the copies among others. The copies would be emailed to the ministers who weren’t present in the Senate including me, never mind, I was digitally present there for the whole last day of debate.

The laptop reflected my face and that meant I was disconnected.

Sigh.

I thought it would run even late, it was already past twelve aka zero.

Sigh.

I sat rooted in the same place since the afternoon except for two short breaks for refreshers. Things were worse for ministers and other Senate workers, the session started in the morning.

Though it was nothing new, Senate always dispersed late on the day which was decided to be last for any proposal, policy, amendment or new laws. As after ‘last day,’ only a limited period was provided to put in final attempts of objection or getting a stay.

If none of the concerns was powerful enough, things got implemented and could only be objected by the overwhelming support of people against the Senate’s decision.

The way to judiciary remained open for the public and although members of Senate could go there but complicated the functioning of both the institutions, thus, was unadvised.

Muffling a yawn, I shut down the laptop and made my way to the bathroom for a warm shower.

Surprisingly, the shower did an excellent job in refreshing me such that walking out I turned to the study table to study for the upcoming exam of Economics. Fifteen minutes into studying, frustrated and unable to understand my writing I took out the book that I re-issued from the library.

Reading it proved to be an even harder cause for my attention turned back to my failure of an attempt to befriend an intriguing person. I didn’t know where in the world my thoughts were going towards.

But she held strong control over wherever my mind wandered such that I wasn’t even able to comprehend the arguments in the Senate till the first break around three pm.

Sighing, I took out my phone and touching on the phonebook scrolled down a bit... The first contact from B was hers, thankful to Rehaan for it. After all, he had a background check on her.

Me- Hey, it’s Ash.

I wanted to ask if you have the notes of third chapter.

Seriously, I cringed at the message but then I didn’t have a better excuse to contact her.

Closing the Economics textbook, I turned the table lamp off and walked over to the bed. Since there could be no way that she would respond this late; generally people prefer to rest at night. Just at that time, I wasn’t aware I found my match in her who didn’t only reply but also sent me the images of the notebook post-mid-night.

Belle- Here.

Belle- Good night.