The class we had to attend now was of Mrs. Nair's. She is a wonderful lady. Her acts of charity and kindness always attracted me. She is the hope for the hopeless and needful for the needy. Caring for everyone is her nature. Her motherly love is mesmerizing. Mrs. Nair is**************HAAACHHHIIIII (SNEEZEZ)

Ok fine! I'll tell you the actual reason why I am buttering so much. She is Rahul's cousin aunt.

Earlier, she used to talk to me about him and asked me to remain by his side no matter what. "Avika! You are the best person he has in his life .Please remain by his side no matter what. After his parent's death, love and happiness was missing from his life but now I can clearly see he's getting everything that he deserves." I recalled the words Mrs. Nair used to say to me.

But today it was all different. She was avoiding me. No matter how hard I tried to have an eye contact with her, she was ignoring me.

Did she know everything? Who might have told her? He?? I tried to have an eye contact with her so that she can see what I'm going through. Moreover I wanted her to know about me so that she can tell about it to him. The things I screwed up last night was revolving around my mind. I cannot forget him no matter how hard I try. And it's a fact. How can someone forget her childhood love? I was with him since kindergarten and we both cared for each other. But I didn't realize when my care and affection towards him changed into love. My feelings for him grew more on that day...that day was very special...the things which happened made certain things very clear. That day was 14th Feb.

We were in class 10th but both were in different classes. I kept a chocolate inside my bag for him and waited...waited for the whole day but he didn't turn up. I very well knew that most of the juniors and my fellow mates had a crush on him. Also I knew one thing that they were like passing clouds for him and his heart was only for me.

When the classes were over, I took the chocolate and searched for him everywhere...in his class, in the corridor, bathrooms. As time passed I became worried that he might ditch me but I didn't lose hope and finally I found him in the Principal's office. I was relieved that he didn't ditch me. I waited for him outside the office.

As soon as he came out he smiled at me. He patted on my head saying "So you are here...waiting for me Avu?" I smiled and nodded.

Suddenly he took the chocolate from my hand and before unwrapping it he asked "I am very hungry. Can I?" I blushed and nodded.

He bite a tiny bit of the chocolate, with his hand he broke another piece and in no time slipped it under my mouth. I tingling, I felt when his fingers brushed my lips, made me skip a heartbeat.

The juniors passing by gave bawling eyes. I was shy and confused. He was good at showing his feelings.

"So, I have something to tell you."

I nodded.

"But before that I want to know if our promises still count."

"Promises?" I asked confusingly.

"Promises that we made when we were kids."

At an instant I remembered what he was talking about. I slightly curled up my lips but my heart was giggling.

When we were kids, probably between 8 to 10 years old, we promised each other to stay together and when time comes we'll make it official.

As the end of school life approached, he finally wanted to do it. There was no option for me except a 'yes'.

"Yes , I remember." Meanwhile butterflies rumbled up my stomach as I tried to maintain a calm posture in front of him.

"I liked you since ages. Didn't realize when it turned out to be love. Now it's your turn. Help me believe in my love."

Within a fraction of a second, he got down on one knee with a red rose on his hand.

I tried to open my mouth, let flow the words that was stuck within my tongue, but I was speechless. It was so sudden. Although I was prepared for it, but it was too much to handle.

My heart was already pounding like hell and I didn't realize when I stopped breathing.

"Avu, how long will you keep me waiting?" he chuckled.

Recollecting my senses, I exhaled the air out from my mouth. I brushed my tongue onto my dry lips to pat it wet. What should I say? How should I start? By now, more audiences approached near us.

The door of Principal's room was luckily closed. The students seemed to be waiting for me to say something. I scanned my surrounding to find it was almost more than 20-25 students gazing at us.

"Avu, no one cares about our story. They'll vanish in no time. I only want to embrace you tightly to let you hear my heartbeat , if that is the only way to make you realize how sincere I am right now."

"Stop" I struggled to say those words.

After a few seconds pause I continued, "You're making me nervous." I smiled at him.

"So, would you accept my proposal?"

I breathe and said , "I could have made you mine ages ago, but I was waiting for you to make the first move.." I chuckled and took the rose from his hand.

He instantly stood up and hugged me in front of those glaring eyes. Suddenly I could hear thunders of applauds near me.

"Previously, I needed thousands of reasons to see you. Now I want to be greedy one more time. I want to make you mine permanently." He whispered onto my ear.

The days passed by with our blooming love. As we entered the college life, I could feel certain changes in him. I understand the fact that it's an entirely new life with new friends and new environment. But somewhere between all these he never forgot about me. He was with me whenever I needed. But today?? Where is he when I need him the most?? But do I need him? Will it be the same when he comes back??

"Avu?? Are you day dreaming dear?"

I heard the voice of Rid and I came back to the present day where he is no more around me and left me miserably. I came back to the bitter reality. The class was empty and Mrs. Nair was seen nowhere.

"The class..." I was interrupted.

"It is cancelled as the teacher is absent" Rid completed my sentence.

"What? Isn't it Mrs. Nair's class?" I asked.

Rid nodded her head.

"She was here teaching us. She was avoiding of having an eye contact with me..."

She cut my words, "Are you mad?" She continued, "Avu dear! How is this even possible? She is absent today. Let's bunk college today and move out somewhere else. You really need a break."

"No I have no mood" I made a pout face.

"But why? Take a break from all these. Trust me you will be refreshed and also you have to tell me about yesterday. You were so excited about the birthday party but what happened there?"

"Not today Rid! I seriously need..."I was interrupted ones again.

"Avu I know you have a lot of burden hidden inside you and I also know that until and unless you vomit out your burden it will only hurt you."

She was right. "I think you are right. I need someone who can hear me."

"Fine! If you don't want to go out, let's move to the canteen and open up your heart there" she advised and I nodded.

"I'll never think anything bad about you Avu, you know it right, isn't it?"she asked.

"Of course" I chuckled.

The canteen was filled with very few people. We looked for a corner seat so that no one disturbs us.

After we were seated, Ridhi asked out of curiosity "Ok now! Tell me from the beginning."

Before I could speak anything, suddenly everything about yesterday flashed in front of my eyes. Tears rolled down my cheeks unknowingly. Rid wiped my tears and gave a gesture to start.

I finally decided to speak up and trash out everything. I was about to start when I was interrupted by the vibration of my cellphone. Both of our eyes looked at the screen of my cell. 'Monster calling....'.

Now Ridhi stared at my shocked and confused face. Usually I called him 'monster' and he called me 'angel'.

"Avu! Let me handle this."

And before I could protest, she received the call and put 'on' the loudspeaker.

"Hey you asshole! Why did you call? What do you want from her now? Did you even realize what is she going through? Come and see her. See what you have done to her. Do you have any shame? What did you do to her? Speak up you idiot!"

After finishing, she took a deep breath and waited for him to say. All I could do was to look at her frowning face breathing heavily and back at my cell which showed its 2 minutes up.

"Can I come now?" my monster spoke. We both looked at each other totally confused.

"What?" she asked. Meanwhile I started nodding my head left and right.

"Ridhi! You just said it. Ask her if she is comfortable with this idea of yours?" my monster spoke again.

By now I was biting my lower lip and nodding my head in the hope that Rid will refuse him.

She looked blankly at me for a few seconds and replied "Ok come! We are here in the college canteen."

Hearing her words my eyes expanded with my mouth wide open.

I disconnected the call and burst out, "Are you mad Rid? Why did you do this to me? You very well know that I can't talk to him right now." This time I was screaming at her.

"But Avu it's now or never." She consoled me.

"Rid I just need time...I can't face him now." I was worried what to do. While I was angry, sad and exhausted also I was happy that I'll see and talk to him. But talk about what??

"But Rid today itself I vowed myself that I'll not see him ever and that I'll forgive him and forget our past relation."(I was lying)

"Avu I just want you to sort up things with him. It's not for your relation but for you to lead a normal life. Look at yourself. You have changed suddenly." She felt concerned.

"But still Rid! I'm not ready. I'm not prepared. You talk to him if you want.

But I won't. " I was about to leave.

"Ok fine! Don't go. Let's not talk to him. But for now, tell me what happened yesterday?" she asked.

"Like seriously? He might arrive here at any time. I need to think something to..."

"Ok relax! He's at home and will not arrive before half an hour." Ridhi proudly announced.

With confused voice, I asked "And how did you know?"