She waited for him like a peacock waits for the first rain.
He was desperate to meet her like waves of the sea running to the shore.

The following day Nimrit and Nivedya exchanged just a formal "hello" at school. Nivedya was unable to understand why Nimrit could not understand his point of view that he just wanted her to refrain from saying such things in public. Nimrit on the other hand found Nivedya's opinion anti-feminist.

It was break time and the only seat Nimrit found empty was next to Nivedya. She was hesitant but sat next to him anyways. Nivedya stiffened a little because Nimrit affected him as steroids do in the human body.

To avoid the reaction, Nivedya stood up and came to the centre. He told everyone about his very interesting new tuition teacher who owned a cycle that could be converted to a light none geared vehicle in a few minutes. Everyone was intrigued by the information and wanted him to tell more. The enthusiasm Nivedya had in his voice didn't settle well with Nimrit.
Her romance books had episodes where the tuition teachers played villains or the lead got carried away by their advances and Nimrit feared the diverted attention of Nivedya. She did not know the girl Nivedya's parents chose as a teacher but she developed a dislike for her instantly.

Nimrit could not refrain from asking, "Why do you need tuition? The teachers teach so well, the concept is on tips by the end the topic finishes."

"Unlike you, some of us need extra help," Nivedya replied sharply.

"Yeah! We don't read extra books to understand "concepts"." Collin quoted the word concept raising yesterday's topic.

"Well, then you should. Maybe then you understand the "concepts" and their relevance in life." Nimrit retorted losing her calm.

Nivedya was rude and Collin's comment was unnecessary, she felt. The bell rang indicating everyone to head back to their classes.

"Can we talk, please?" Nimrit never forgot to use the magical words and Nivedya could never ignore her request. Collin gave a "I know what's going on" look to Nivedya and bow dramatically in front of Nimrit which she ignored.

Their class was the corner most class of the long corridor and Nimrit was standing with Nivedya at the extreme opposite corner. "Are you still angry about yesterday? Then I think you do not have the right to. It was your fault. You cannot just dictate terms to me. I am free to speak what I think is right and..."

"Hold on. I don't have the right to be angry? You were clearly at fault yesterday. Understand the depth of the matter. I am more experienced than you in such matters and therefore, I know what should be spoken publically and what not. The 's' word..."

"It is sex. Why cannot you just say it? You can say "shit" from your mouth but saying sex twists your tongue, or what? I think we can normalise it. But with orthodox people like you, it is not possible." Nimrit's nose went red in anger and Nivedya ignored how cute that made her look.

Nivedya scoffed and asked her, "I am orthodox? Says, the girl who refrained from talking to boys until a few days back. If you want to normalise talking about sex, go ahead. I won't stop you and from now on, I will not even suggest on anything. You will have to face the consequences of this foolish stubbornness, I am warning you." Nivedya stomped his foot in frustration and headed back to the class.

"You are just a dictator who wants to control everyone. I am sorry but I am not a puppet." Nimrit said more than required but she was adamant to prove her point.

Nivedya looked at her one last time and gave an 'I am disappointed in you' look.

Nimrit was still standing on the spot. She was about to go to the class too when two boys from class eighth said, "Nimrit, sorry we overheard a part of your conversation. But now that we have will you please help us learn about sex? Of course only in theoretical terms."

Nimrit gritted her teeth in anger not liking their interference and told them, "There is still time for you to learn about it. So, wait until next year." She moved a little forward but the boy caught her hand making her startled.

"What's the harm in learning beforehand? So, when should we start?" The boy scratched his chin eyeing Nimrit from top to bottom making her feel disgusted.

"Leave my hand else I will complain to the principal about your filthy talks," Nimrit warned them and twisted her hand to free herself from the boy's grip.

The boy left her hand and raised his hands in surrender. "Were you not telling Nivi a few minutes back to normalise talking about sex? We are just on your side. Nivi is such an Orthodox."

"Munshi, Ayush, stop lurking in the corridor and come in the class, now." A teacher shouted at the boys misbehaving with Nimrit. They gave Nimrit a sly smile and went to their class giving a high-five to each other.

The ground beneath Nimrit's feet slipped. If the matter spreads, she knew she will be in trouble. Was Nivedya right when he asked her not to say such words so casually? Was the community still not prepared to use words of physical intimacy in a normal context? She was watching the empty school ground and didn't realise she bunked an entire period until the bell rang, ringing her varied and layered thoughts.

"He was right. I... I... need to tell him. Apologise to him." Nimrit realised what consequences Nivedya was talking about and came inside her class. Her friends asked her where she was so she just told them she had work in the library. Knowing what a bookworm she was no one was suspicious.

It was a free period and the class was having fun. Nivedya went out of the class and Nimrit followed him.

"Can we please talk?" Nimrit said from behind but Nivedya continued walking, ignoring her. "Please..." Nimrit stood in front of him and requested again, "please, talk to me."

"I don't have time." Nivedya took a left and walked ahead.

"Just two minutes." Nimrit sounded defeated but she had to tell him he was right. She caught his hand from behind making him stop.

Nivedya loved the way Nimrit held his hand but he removed it and said, "I need to pee urgently. Can't wait for two minutes also."

Nimrit realised he was standing near the boys' bathroom. "I will wait for you outside."

"No need. Just go to the football ground I will meet you there." Nivedya rushed inside and Nimrit ran to the football ground. She was preparing her dialogue and thinking about how the mess she created could be cleared. She realised what the boys might be thinking of her and she couldn't change their mindset. Why was she even trying to, she questioned herself.

She sat on one of the empty benches when Munshi, Ayush and two other boys came to her. She realised her image might get tarnished.

"So, Nimrit, should we start with the class? Oh! By the way, I am Ayush, and that's Munshi, Vikram and Mayank. They also want to learn." The boys had dirty expressions on their faces but Nimrit ignored them. She was just waiting for Nivedya to come soon.

"Come on, Nimrit. We saw the notes you gave to Priti of our class on Newton's laws. They were so good. We also want to benefit from you." Munshi came closer and sat next to Nimrit.

She got up to leave without answering them, but they were still following her. "Stop harassing me. It is because of people like you that changing things is so difficult. I just wanted to normalise talking about a topic which is an expression of love. But I guess people like you do not understand that. You want to learn about it then first learn how to behave and respect. Because trust me, you will never be able to experience love and its versions with that disgusting mentality of yours."

"You are talking about morals? The girl who got our classmate Ashwin's nose broken because he apparently misbehaved with you? What you were doing in the corridor talking about sex with Nivi? That was appropriate? All we want is to gain some knowledge, that's all." Ayush stood very close to Nimrit so she took a step back.

"What's going on?" Raghav appeared from nowhere and questioned the boys. Ayush took two steps back and Nimrit breathed in relief.

Enjoying Nimrit's discomfort, Munshi replied, "Nothing Raghav, we were just asking her to teach us a concept she seems to know so well,"

"Raghav, they are troubling me for quite some time now. I wish to complain to the Principal ma'am." Bringing it to a teacher's notice was the last resort according to Nimrit. Raghav stood face-to-face with Munshi and gave him a death glare.

"Raghav, don't listen to her. She is behaving like a slut, talking about sex in school." Ayush was a boy with high grades and didn't want to mess up with the head boy and the Principal's son, so he blamed Nimrit.

"You Rascal. How dare you?" Raghav clutched Ayush's collar in his fist and was about to punch him.

Munshi separated Raghav and Ayush and advised Raghav, "Before, charging on us, why don't you ask your favourite girl, Raghav."

Nimrit narrated the entire episode between Nivedya and her to Raghav.

Raghav shook his head negatively and said, "Nimrit, you cannot change everything in a day. Nivedya was right when he told you to not talk about sex so casually. Our society still wants to keep it hushed. But that does not give these boys a reason to misbehave with you."

Raghav rolled his sleeves and motioned the boys to come closer. "All four of you, want to learn about sex right? Fine. She will teach you after Munshi tells Ayush he kissed his sister to teach her how to "kiss". After Ayush and Vikram, tell Munshi they were the ones who drew his girlfriend's filthy pictures behind his notebook resulting in the breakup." Raghav revealed shocking secrets of the boys creating a rift between them.
Munshi was punched by Ayush for kissing his sister but Munshi returned a punch to Ayush and Vikram. The teenagers were quarrelling among themselves forgetting their agenda. Mayank was trying to control them but the boys were determined to kill each other.

Raghav was the perfect head of the student body council and knew how to tackle sensitive matters. He explained to the boys, "Now, these were just a few secrets that stirred you. I know more. If you want to know, apologise to Nimrit and promise me you will never bother her or any other girl. Just think with a broad mind what you were doing with her was so incorrect. And, if a boy and girl are close does not mean they are in a romantic relationship. Yes, she is my girl but in the purest form of friendship. So, stop behaving like loafers otherwise no one will like to speak to you. Pack your bags and go now."

The boys apologised to Nimrit and left, but separately.

"Nimrit, it's over now. Just relax. But be cautious. Boys will be boys. I am not using it as an excuse but you can't help it. There are all types of people in the world and you don't know what atmosphere they grow in. Every the family has their perspectives and agendas. Talking about sex should be normal but it still needs filters. We live in a country where people get aroused just by its mention. Examples are those thirteen-year-old boys. They just heard you saying "Nivi, sex is normal" and assumed you are more than ready for it. It's not true but that is how it will be interpreted. When you decide something be firm on it. Also, you can use people as research data, like Nivi, who is more than ready to be of help to you." Raghav teased Nimrit a little towards the end to make her smile and she did give him a small smile.

Raghav left patting her head while Nimrit was still waiting for Nivedya. Sadly, he was busy sharing the details about the cycle being converted to non geared vehicle forgetting about his girl on wheels. It was the last class of the day and everyone was ready to leave.

"Nivi," Raghav called Nivedya who was walking with Collin towards his bus. He jogged to him and Raghav asked him, "So, have you spoken to Nimrit? I hope she is fine now. Don't worry about class eighth boys, I have handled them for now."

"What are talking about Raghav?" Nivedya asked in bewilderment.

Raghav raised his brows and asked him, "You know Nimrit was waiting for you on the football ground? Did you..." Raghav's sentence was left incomplete because Nivedya ran at top speed to the football ground halting only when he could see a girl sitting alone on a bench facing the vast ground in the blazing heat of the afternoon sun.
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Dear Readers
Nimrit waited for Nivedya with so much desperation but Nivedya forgot his promise to meet her. Is Nivedya actually so smitten by his new tuition teacher?
To find answers soon, read Twists Twirls Perils and Pearls.

Also, do you also feel talking about sex openly is difficult in India?
Have you had any such encounters?
Care to share.

Stay hooked!
Lots of love

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