Chapter 18

Part 19 - So close
     After Tanya had come home safe and sound from the hospital with all injuries taken care of, Eklavya had dropped her off to college. She had almost fallen asleep in World History, but managed to take a few notes at least. She got out of her classroom wondering when the college-day would end when she suddenly spotted Eklavya by her locker.

I: Hi! Tum yaahan? mere liye wait kar rahe the?

     Isha gave him a sly look and Eklavya went a little pink. They both started walking towards the caf.

E: Woh – actually – I –
I: Arre, main mazaak kar rahe thi! Don't take it so seriously! I know you weren't waiting for me, your girlfriend maybe?
E: I have no girlfriend

     Isha had been wondering for the longest time on how to ask him if he had a girlfriend or not without sound obsessive or stupid. After all, a perfect guy like Eklavya had to have a girlfriend. But still, if there was even the slightest chance that he didn't, then she needed to know that. And now she had finally managed to find out! She smiled a little but not too much in case Eklavya noticed.

I: Oh, don't lie to me, a guy like you without a girl?
E: Main tumhse jhoot bolu ga?
     
     Isha had to smile at this. There was no guy out there like Eklavya, besides Eklavya himself. All through high school and college, she had met many, many, guys. But none of them were anything like Eklavya. Eklavya was sweet, charming, cute, nice, caring, friendly, loving – basically just perfect! While any guy that had showed interest in her just wanted to look up her skirt. She had always felt sick by men like that and she was almost on the verge of taking a kasmh that she would never marry if all men were like that. Luckily, she found a guy pole opposite to all the other guys she had known. And that guy was Eklavya.

I: Haan, that's true, magar phir bhi…It's hard to believe you're single.
E: Really? Well, it just so happens that I may no longer be single…
I: Oh, you found someone?
E: Yea, someone very close to me…someone that is clumsy, a little slow but very cute.

     Isha thought at first that she was imagining things. Every detail he said about this girl seemed to match Isha perfectly! Isha was clumsy, a little slow (well a lot but still…) and well most guys would have used the term "cute" to describe her. What an odd coincidence! Or was it? What if Eklavya really –? No, he couldn't… He was probably just joking about the whole thing. She sneaked a glance and him and realized that Eklavya wasn't joking at all. The look on his face told her that he was indeed dead serious.

I: Who is she?
E: Her name is…

     Isha waited to hear her name (hopefully!!). However, she was interrupted by her sister and Manthan.

N: Didi? You're going to be late for math, come on!
I: But-

     Nisha pulled Manthan and Isha into their math class. Isha looked back and saw Eklavya still standing there. He was so close to telling her…

                -Pooja