Happy Teachers Day: An ARSH FF Updt Pg 14 - Page 6

The next few days passed rather quickly and before she knew it Shilpa was sitting in Professor Armaan's class. He walked in and got ready to lecture but like always he started off with attendance. "So I'm trying my best to remember names but please when I say you're name just raise your hands" he said, "Rachel" he looked up to see the girl at the back of the class raise her hand, then did the same for "Adam" then "Ryan" then "Muskaan" and then came the surprise. "Oh Shilpa Malhotra I know you" he said and smiled at Shilpa. Needless to say she was over the moon. I mean why wouldn't she be he remembered her name. He actually remembered her name that had to mean something.

Shilpa's giddiness though came to abrupt end when Armaan started lecturing at the speed of light. He talked for what felt like ages. Finally ten minutes before the end of class he stopped lecturing. "Alright that's it for the notes, but I want to talk to you guys about the play we're studying, Romeo and Juliet. Why do you like this play?" he asked. "No answers?" he said after seeing that not a single person in the class had raised their hand. "No one" he seemed surprised "I guess I'll have to pick someone....hmmmmmm" he looked around the classroom and at some level Shilpa knew he would pick her and she was right, "Shilpa, what do you think?" he asked and the entire class turned to look at her.

"Ummmm.....ummm...." she couldn't find the words. "Come on Shilpa, why do you like Romeo and Juliet?" he asked again. "I...I...." she was blank.

Armaan saw her get red and realized that she was feeling a bit embarrassed so he quickly changed the topic. "It's okay I don't know why I like it either!" he said and the class chuckled. "So...I'm sure you all know about the upcoming 10 page papers?" he said and the class groaned. "Oh stop complaining!"

Shilpa was still embarrassed and extremely upset, Muskaan saw that. She put a hand on Shilpa's hand and gave a reassuring smile. Shilpa responded with a smile. Armaan saw this at the corner of his eye.

The class finally wound up and every one began packing up.

"Oyye, you okay?" asked Msukaan.

"Yeah I guess...." Shilpa replied.

"Chill man! It happens!" Muskaan said.

"Really?" Shilpa asked.

"Of course, we're students we never know the answers! Awww poor Shilpuuu" Muskaan said.

Shilpa couldn't help but smile, with that Muskaan left for her next class and Shilpa started making her way out of the building. As soon as she stepped out there came a voice, "Hey!" She stopped, turned around and saw Armaan trying to catch up to her. Obviously she panicked.

"Hey" he said.

"Hi....." she replied.

"I'm sorry" he said.

She didn't respond.

"For putting you on the spot like that, I mean that was totally wrong and I am so sorry" he finished

"It....It.....it's okay Sir"

He smiled and then said "Come on now Shilpa, we've been over this, its Armaan, only Armaan!"

"Okay, Armaan!"

"Much better"

That was followed by an awkward moment of silence until he said, "So you walk this way?"

"Yeah, my station is just up ahead" she said.

"Oh. I see"

They both nodded and again silence fell.

"So....how's the paper coming along?" he asked.

"It's good, very good" was her response.

"Oh good, good" he added.

The station was now in sight and Shilpa soon realized that she may never get a chance to talk to Armaan alone ever again and so she let it out.

"It's the love of love" she said.

"What?" he asked in confusion.

"Why I like Romeo and Juliet. It's the love for love" she said.

"Elaborate"

"I love how much Romeo loves being in love"

"Okay...I see"

"Yeah, he's just a youngster who loves the butterflies in his stomach, the sleepless nights, the attraction, the whole bit. It's his love for love and not Juliet that I like the most" she finished.

Armaan smiled and after about two minutes of silence he said, "I wish I could give you marks for that".

"I do too!" she added.

Both smiled.

They kept walking and for the last few minutes of the walk neither one spoke.

"This is my station" Shilpa said.

"Alright then, see you in class then"

"Yes, see you in class"

There was another awkward silence.

"Ummm...good night" she said and began to walk off.

"Shilpa!" he called out to her.

"Yes...Armaan".

"What did you think today?"

"About?"

"You know...my shirt!"

She blushed a little and he smiled!

"Good night Shilpa" he said and began walking onwards while she walked into the station.