👆👆👆This is OP ❤️❤️❤️🤧

The heart knows when the search is over

Laksh's POV

*Flashback*

"You there!"

The voice startled me. I lifted my head.

She was talking to me?

I looked back to check and found no one behind me just the secret way through which I had sneaked out and ditched the work I was unwillingly handed.

I feared that someone had noticed my absence and came here searching for me

Today was the dress rehearsal of the annual concert, also known as the holiday season for shy and reserved students like me. Unfortunately, today I wasn't that lucky enough to remain in the background and not be involved in the on-stage performance.

My eyes followed to the source again while my heart thumped loudly over the dread of being spotted and dragged to the stage out of my all wants.

There was a girl in a green floor-length gown, she shuffled holding her gown with one hand as she made her way towards where I sat on the steps, behind the backstage. She looked no more old as me her eyes glittered behind the golden masquerade mask shielding her half of the face, leaving her bright violet lips and shining brown eyes to display in an intriguing mystery.

I felt like I saw those eyes before, which was surprising because forget about eyes I don't even remember my classmate's names.

"Oh thank God I found someone here, can you help me with- " she tripped.

I kinda saw that coming the girl could barely manage to move with that heavy thing on, she was bound to fell and I was bound to reach over and catch her being the only closest and near thing at the moment.

I got up immediately and caught her arm on time before she went rolling down the stairs.

"stupid stupid fudging stupid dress! fudging stupid people made this fudging stupid dress!" she muttered glaring at her dress.

Then her long opened hair fell curtaining her face, she pushed them back but due to her gloved hands, it slipped off making its way back on the face. My hand shot up reaching to her face feeling like an itch to assist it but I realized the instant what I was doing, geez I dropped it abruptly.

She was too busy cursing to notice, anyway.

Then suddenly she burst into tears I jolted up, it was the first time a girl was crying on me

Hysterically. Loudly. And suddenly.

Being stood near her I feared again but this time due to totally different reason, what if someone saw us they will definitely take me as a culprit because the girl looked too out of the moment to even say anything for or against. The hiccups were like bricks thrown at me making me more freak out and all puzzled up what to do?

Should I leave? run away?

How did I land myself in this situation?

I don't know what to say to a crying person if the person was a boy, the possibility is low though, I honestly couldn't care less about them, here it was a girl I never pay much attention to girls, so in a normal case, I'll pretend to not see or hear them.

But here she was right in front of me, clutching my arm as if she read my thought of slipping away.

Slowly and awkwardly, I patted her shoulder, and said, "it's fine. It's okay..umm can- can you leave my arm?"

Her head snapped to me she seemed to had heard me amidst her loud crying, "how did I do? Did you feel sympathetic towards me?" She asked flipping her hair back haughtily, then her violets vibrant lips turned up in a brief smug smile.

I pulled my eyes off them replayed her words, seemed to have been lost for a second and then it dawned on me what she said and meant. I was stunned "you were acting?"

She bumped my shoulders with hers as if we were old pals, "of course I was acting you couldn't guess it right? That's my role you see I was looking for someone to hear my part but couldn't find anyone around and then I saw you! So did I do it nicely?"

Nicely!?

She had me freaked out and made me so  clueless for nothing, I had never been this befuddled in my life. Except for the time when I couldn't find my maths register.

And here she was joking

I stared at her masking my anger with an uncaring look, "I saw it right through it, I wonder what's your role? A kid who's isn't allowed to eat candies at night?" I asked in genuine pretend curiosity.

Her eyes flared she ruffled to come at me but again tripped I grabbed her arm even though I didn't want to. "You're also playing a role? Cuz you have got a real talent for a jerk character!"

"A jerk who has saved you twice from falling down the stairs," I said as she tugged her arm out of my hold roughly and then... tripped, "thrice" I added catching her this time by her waist

Her hands dropped on my chest. She looked at me properly for the first time since we met.

I was in my black coat and silver masquerade mask on. The work that I was unwillingly handed was of a proxy for the role of a character, a side dancer of the play, who was absent. I kinda disliked that unknown person now.

I had to substitute him and I escaped off after the second practice.

Her eyes landed on my lips then she looked back at me in my eyes, the only parts visible of my face, she asked, "what's your name ?"

I pulled back once I saw she was back on her feet. I left her waist my eyes caught the glimpse of her shoes with the untied laces, the reason behind her consecutive tripping.

"You should tie them if you want to reach  the stage without any broken bones"

She blinked pulling her eyes off me down to her white shoes, "oops ah" she bent with a step back and her feet got lost in the heaps of her dress and she stumbled ..

Great.

It became my unconditional reaction now, my arms shot out wrapped them around her waist while she held my shoulders this time we both were going to fall but I managed to keep the balance.

"We should probably get down or up" she suggested with an awkward laugh.

I stepped down and got down on one knee.

"Oh my gosh you not gonna propose me we too young to get married!" she asked nervously.

I rolled my eyes, my ears burned suddenly.
"Let's tie these and save us from further falling,"  I told and after that, I could leave maybe.

This was turning very awkward. But my mother always told me to help the needy no matter how feisty and annoying that needy is.

The girl pulled her dress a little by one hand and the other she placed on my shoulder for support.

I gazed down at her white converse then tied them with shaking fingers it must be because of nerves I told myself trying to calm down.

She tipped the other shoe out. I tied it also  quickly, then got up at once

"Thanks.." she mumbled looking down, her cheeks seemed to be redder now than before it was due to make-up stuff

I nodded taking a step backward down the stairs. She took a step up this time without falling.

Oh well, that's good thing... I guess. I thought with a frown.

I drew my eyes away and shoved my hands in the pants pockets and was going to turn around and get down the rest of the stairs and while she must have had climbed up.

"Hey" she called my headshot up finding she had stepped down again to where I was stood.

Her lips had a much evident smile now, that skipped my heartbeat.
"You're not a jerk" she spoke.

One of my eyebrows perked

"In fact your quite a gentleman" with that she kissed on my cheek. My face burned and this moment was off the charts of the ones I was clueless and freaked out. I never felt that ever in my 13 years old life. I never knew one could freak out in a good way too
I gulped. She held the stare and asked again, "what's your na-

which broke when someone yelled for her from behind.

"Avi!"

Her eyes widened she at once rushed up and followed after the voice without a backward glance

Not even hearing my name when I replied.

~•~•

"so, deary, you say you want me to leave my graduation and open a bakery? " Kavya asked taking a sip from her coffee.

Avi shook her head vigorously, "what I mean is you're so good at baking!"

It was Post Avi

Avi the actual Avi told me that her other personality wanted certain things to do when she's conscious and takes over her body. She didn't elaborate further on what they were?  just told me she wanted me beside her when she carries out those things. And stop her from doing something very embarrassing

I don't think so walking to a mall casually in a gown qualifies as very embarrassing?

She looked radiant anyway even with two pigtails.

Kavya grinned, "I know right" in reply to Avi's comment on her baking skills

I kicked her leg under the chair Kavya added quickly, "but thanks to you child I was able to refine my skills because of you! You've had always been there to test them and give honest reviews"

Avi flustered, she drew back a piece of hair behind her ear uncomfortably, "oh about that... actually I lied a few times some recipes were really bad"

Kavya's smile broke.

"No I mean they were bad but not that bad you know 'not that bad' you getting it?" Avi asked nervously.

I wanted to reach and reassure her.

Kavya nodded while her eyes looked distant and face flashed with despair causing Avi to ramble off giving further explanation,

"I mean they were that bad also at times but mostly they were bad I mean they were good too but yeah that was only five times in counting out of your 100+ attempts but that's good! It is good-

Kavya waved her hand dismissing it carelessly or actually requested to have mercy on her, "oh don't fret I do it as a hobby it's not like I am gonna open a bakery or something hahaha" she laughed it off, it was so fake that even it hurt to her own ears.

She and I both cringed.

Avi's shoulders sagged catching the change in Kavya's demeanor she glanced at me mouthing, "I am doing it wrong?"

I nodded in reply.

Kavya stood up showing signs of she wanted to run away from there but how to say it so politely?" okay kids I have my shift ya'll enjoy Alright see you around and Avi... post or pre, honey you mean a lot to me, do come again to the apartment we would bake- I mean have fun"

she gave a brief hug to Avi. Avi glanced with a clueless expression at me. I conveyed to go for it again.

She gathered and prepared herself and, said, "Kavya what I meant to say was that when you bake your eyes sparkle there's a bright smile on your face you look free, you seem to enjoy what you do, every part of it, regardless of it being wrong. Like you don't care about the results, you aren't doing for others' appreciations you are ....you just doing and enjoying it for yourself. And, It's such a beautiful sight, seeing someone doing what they love and finds joy in it. And ....and you shouldn't give up on it...That's what I have to say"

Kavya was stunned she took a moment to collect her wits she pursed her lips"You are not lying again? to make me happy-

"Nope not at all" Avi promised solemnly showing her open hands, "you're really good just not perfect. You're imperfectly perfect!"

Perfectly imperfect, I corrected mentally

"Oh my gosh you're gonna make me cry..now" Kavya dabbed her eyes with the handkerchief and then tossed it my way I dodged it by inclining away.

Kavya's face crumbled, "oh my gosh I am getting emotional like a pregnant woman! Oh dear me ...can I keep her?"she asked me gesturing to Avi.

I shook my head at once.

"How mean Laksh boy ...anyway kid You are good at the motivational speech you'll get highest in English essays!" Kavya said like a proud mother beaming at Avi.

Avi frowned

~•~•~

"She was right isn't she?" Avi said sulking.

"No" I answered sitting beside her on a park bench.

Her head turned to me with a small smile, "I didn't even say completely what I meant"

"I understood," I told looking ahead at the kids playing in the sandpit.

"Avi was right Kavya won't take a kid's that is mine advice" she explained or told to herself.

"Nope that's not what she meant. She said she won't take your advice" I denied it again.

"That's what I said!" Avi narrowed her eyes at me.

"But did she say that Kavya won't consider your advice?" I reasoned

Avi processed it slightly with widened eyes.

"You did your part now it's Kavya's decision what she wants" I continued.

Avi's lips curled in a big smile, "you're really amazing Laksh" she stared at me without fear and hesitation this time.

I shrugged matching her smile, "I guess you can say that" with her, I feel like I got a friend I never had.

"Ohkay so we here for a picnic?" Said another voice from beside me. I was startled by the suddenness.

Ryan

He was good at creeping and scaring around. The guy literally glided on the ground soundlessly.

"Oh, he came!" Post Avi jumped off from the bench. Her body appeared tensed on Ryan's presence but she managed to keep a smile on.

Ryan observed her getting up, "we having a themed picnic?" He asked me like really confused, "oh man I could have worn my matching Pista tuxedo it looks so sick on me. Wait for me I'll be back with it"

"That's not required," I said behind when he was almost half the way to the exit of the park.

He turned around frowning

Thankfully, Avi filled in because I can't even explain.

"I am a princess who's gonna change people's lives," she told him then twirled around she stumbled losing her balance found support leaning against me, gathered herself.

Ryan grinned looking excited, "oh wow that's cool...a perfect twirl... anyway who' life are we gonna ruin I mean change?"

"Yours!" Avi grinned back.

••