CHAPTER 6: SUGARCOATING

Lavanya

Its been a week since I am laying on my not-so-amusing-bed all day. The fever is too much too handle. It always went by 2 or 3 days, but this time it maintained a long distance from limits. Finally, tomorrow I would be going to school and meeting Utkarsh. Thinking about him always makes me smile. He has this weird personality. He called me a few days before and made me smile thou the conversation at the last was kinda sadistic.

I can feel his pain, its like he didn't had anyone since he was a kiddo. Everyone needs someone to take care of them and he has managed it all alone but now, he don't have to worry. I am there, Aradhyaa is there too. We can make him lively, just like we are. Opening my gallery, I swiped for his picture which directly made its way to my heart. He had that charming, contagious smile and almost hypothetically I was again falling for it.

His hair were messy beautifully and his eyebrows twitched like he was thinking about something. It was a random click by me. I clicked it secretly while he was at the park. I was going for the market to buy some groceries, when I saw him with a little puppy. He was stroking his fluffy coat. And then, the perfect click came to existence. I am glad that I did. Its the only picture of him and by luck, it came clear too.

I kept gazing at it as if thinking that the picture would come to life or something or he would talk to me.

My cell beeped at an instantaneous speed and I forced myself to look through. It was difficult to divert my eyes from the pair I was staring at.

Utkarsh :🙋

My lips curved at the emoji and I replied.

Lavanya:🙆🙆

He must be smiling.

Utkarsh: What you doin' ?

Lavanya: 💡👪

Utkarsh: 😂😂, thinking about family planning ??

Lavanya: What ? No, no😤😤

Utkarsh: So that emoji ?????😏😏

Lavanya: It was I was thinking about the students at school. You are mad😡😡

Utkarsh: Eating something ? Stuffed chapatti ?😎

Lavanya: Uh, no. What's with your logic ? Stupid.

Utkarsh:🙈🙈

Lavanya: Now, what's this ?😫😫

Utkarsh: Offo, Gandhi ji has said no, don't see bad. You are using foul language😝😝

Lavanya: God, leave it🙏🙏🙏🙏Tell me what are you doing ?

Utkarsh: Me... ? Standing at your window.

Oh, my god !! He is at my window. Is he mad or jerk or moron. Stupid. I couldn't decipher what would be appropriate to name him. My parents, they will surely make a rice out of him. How the - he even knew where I live ? Help me, please.

Lavanya: You are kidding right ? 😇😇

I crossed my fingers.

Utkarsh:😳😳, no...now do open. Or my legs will give up.

Shit.

I walked all the way to my window and saw Utkarsh and to my utter surprise Sohail, Adarsh and Aradhyaa were also there. Of course she had to be there, I am damn sure its all her master of the mind.

She gave me a sheepish grin and I continued glaring at her. She knew how my parents were overprotective, still she did that. How could she do that ? Okay, maybe I am again on my melodramatic mode. Maybe.

"Hey !" Adarsh sneered and I couldn't help but notice as he engulfed me in a warm embrace. "We missed you Lavanya." He said and I couldn't resist smiling and smacking him sweetly on his head. He was cute. "Hey, there Lavanya." Sohail said and I glanced at him. He looked cheerful and I waved at him. "How are you ?" Utkarsh asked. And Oh, am I touched ?

"Fine enough." I replied and his eyes zeroed at me. "Can I ask you something ?" He said looking serious. "Yeah," I whispered and he continued, "you were thinking about me, ain't you ?" He said as everybody suppressed a chuckle. "Hello, Mr Ahuja, I have better works to do, then thinking about you." I remarked and he gave me a knowing look. God.

"So......" I was interrupted by a knock on the door. Oh shit. I knew it, not even a minute has passed swiftly, they are here. "Lavanya..." My mother knocked. "Coming mamma." I said as I began fidgeting.

"Sohail, you go inside the cupboard."
"Adarsh, march in the washroom, now."
"Aradhyaa, shove under the bed."
"Utkarsh, well, hide behind the curtains."

I ordered them. What will happen now ? I wish she won't kill me for this. They all signed me a thumbs up and I nodded, hoping for the best. I went and opened the door. "Lavanya, what took you so long. I am standing feeling it was forever." She complained and strode towards my room. "Do you need anything, mamma ?" I asked and she nodded. "Just came to fetch for the medicine box. Your father is having a mild headache." She said. I was continuously fidgeting. Oh god. This is not good.

I spotted Utkarsh waving at me and I whispered-yelled at him. "Shut up and stay inside." He gave me a wink. What ???? Is he seriously gone nuts ? He is winking at me and that too in such a situation. My eyes, couldn't help but zoom over him. He smirked. "Lavanya....child, what are you looking at ?" She asked and followed by gaze. Shit.

I stood in front as she moved towards the curtain. What will I do now ?

"Mamma have I ever told you, how beautiful you look !" I said and she blushed. Oh, she loved being called charming. "Umm, no." She said and fluttered her eyelashes. This is not what I planned to do, it was something entirely different. It was too lost in someone's eyes but definitely not her. "You look so pretty that I can't even tell. You beat everyone mom. Even that Sheikh aunty." I said and she beamed. "Oh, do you want a raise in the pocket money ?" She asked skeptically. "No, can't I even praise my mom for everything she has ever done for me." I said kicking myself from within. I hope the sugar coating diverts her mind. I turned over and saw him peeping with an amused expression. And suddenly.....

Suddenly he flying kissed me. Freaking flying kissed me. I stared at him while he said something like telling me my mom was gonna turn. Oh, I moved from my reverie and freaked a little. She was going to see him but I layed on the floor, my head on her feet. "You are great mamma. Thank you for everything." I said and she ruffled my hair. "Is your fever okay now ?" She asked and I laughed awkwardly.

Guess what. Its not. "Yes, completely" I heaved as she turned to go and then stopped. Her medicines dropped. Cliché.

She bended over and stood up. "Won't you say hello to me Aradhyaa." She said and I groaned. Oh, what the hell.

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