FF: Unloved (Complete) - Page 8

During the following History class, Rudra and Parvati had planned to meet after class in the library. It was the only thing they had said to each other during the entire class period. The rest of the time, Parvati was trying to avoid speaking to him, as the questioning looks from the other students came in their direction. As lecture progressed, Rudra found himself stealing glances at her. After yesterday, he couldn't seem to get her out of his head. It wasn't that he was infatuated with her. It was the fact that there was a certain mystery around her, one the was hidden within the hollow sadness in her eyes. He tried to see if there was any change in them, but there was none.

While Professor Sengupta was lecturing, Rudra's glances turned into direct stares of careful observations. He noticed Parvati clothes, since she was wearing a pale blue salwar kameez with the matching dupatta loosely around her neck, one end falling down her chest. She was resting her cheek in the palm of her left hand, and her other hand was used to take notes. Her hair was plaited in a loose braid, which lay on one side of her face; a few strands failed to be held back and were cupping her face. Parvati looked up from her notebook every once in awhile towards the professor. It was then that Rudra saw her eyes. There was a part of him that felt like he was becoming obsessed with them, but that sadness in them was gnawing at him. It was a mystery he felt like he needed to solve.

Rudra was so lost in thought that he hadn't realized Parvati caught him staring. She had glanced in his direction, and upon finding him looking at her, narrowed her brows in confusion. She glanced at the professor, who was writing something on the board and had his back to the class, and then waved her hand in front of Rudra, pulling him out of his thoughts. Parvati lifted her head slightly, questioning silently what he was staring at. Feeling embarrassed at being caught, Rudra shook his head and turned his attention back to the front of the room, to the professor. Parvati paused for a moment before turning her head back too.

~

As soon as class ended, Rudra headed towards the library. He had originally thought of going with Parvati, but as soon as the professor dismissed them, she had dashed out of the lecture hall like she was running a marathon. He didn't understand why, but didn't question anything further because he figured that he would see her soon. He entered the library and was surprised to find people softly chatting and studying with each other. Rudra didn't come to the library often, so he assumed that there would be a pin-drop silence when he entered. He walked to the back of the massive room, where there was a table available. He set his things down and took a seat. Now, the waiting began. Rudra knew Parvati would see him. He had a clear view of the entrance, and if he could see her, then she could see him.

He glanced at his History textbook on the table in front of him. Rudra wondered if he should open it and start reading, but he wasn't sure what he should really be focusing on when it came to content. He began thinking that it would be best if he at least started with the first chapter, at least that way he wouldn't look like a complete imbecile in front of Parvati. However, as he opened the book to the first page, Rudra was instantly distracted. His eyes kept darting between the book and the library door. He looked at the time on his mobile. It's only been ten minutes, and he's acting as anxious as a person who had been waiting several hours!

Rudra shook his head and looked back at his book. Already, he felt overwhelmed. There was a chart filled with dates and events, which all looked like a jumbled mess to him. Some of the names rang no bells in his mind, worrying him all the more. He had taken History classes before, but some of this material was so detailed that only a true historian would recollect any of this. Maybe that was why Professor Sengupta's class was so difficult. Rudra hoped that Parvati would be able to help him memorize the material or else he was going to fail miserably. He continued to stare at the timeline chart aimlessly, not really taking anything in. He leaned forward and put his elbows on the table.

Suddenly, he felt a warm breeze gently touch his cheek. At first, Rudra found it odd because he was so far back in the library. He thought his mind was playing tricks on him. Then, he felt it again, and was compelled by the mysterious wind that gave him goosebumps to look up. That was when his eyes locked on Parvati. She had just stepped into the library and was walking towards him. Her notebook was held tightly against her chest, as if the breeze would knock it out of her grasp. No one, except him, was paying any attention to her and she did the same. Rudra was about to stand up politely and gesture her to sit, but Parvati already placed her things down on the table and sat down. She quickly pulled out her textbook from her bag and her pen.

"Hi," Rudra had managed to say.

"Hi," Parvati replied as she continued to look through her bag.

"You know, for a minute I thought you wouldn't show up."

She paused her search and looked at him, "Why would you think that? I told you I would help you."

"Yeah, but sometimes people just don't show up when they say they will. It happens."

"I told you I would come. When I told you, I was giving you my word."

Rudra stared at her silently as she resumed her search in her bag. Her directness always seemed to baffle him. There was no emotion in her responses, and he couldn't gage whether or not she was upset about his casual comment. She answered with such composure that he felt like he wasn't talking to a fellow classmate. Parvati finally managed to get everything she needed for this tutoring session. She looked over at Rudra and was surprised to find him staring at her again. This time, however, something was different. He was looking at her differently. It was almost with a remorseful look in his eyes. She couldn't help but wonder what was wrong.

"Are you okay?" she asked him.

"Are you upset about what I said just now?" he countered.

"Upset? No."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. We should get started. You have a lot of material that you have to learn before the exam."

"Okay. Just so you know, I really appreciate you helping me."

"You shouldn't thank me. At least, not until after the exam."

Rudra smiled and nodded. Parvati did neither. Almost instantly, the two began to work. Parvati began explaining to him the key points the professor focuses on, and things he can afford to forget. Rudra made careful notes in his notebook, making sure he had everything she said down, in case he forgets later. Parvati began explaining the British rule in India first, since it was the topic Professor Sengupta had seriously covered. Rudra continued to make notes, and even asked questions as he began to understand more and more. However, when he was silent, he found himself not focusing on Parvati's words, but on her eyes instead.

When she looked at him, Rudra found that same emptiness as before present in her eyes. The spark never made an appearance, not even for a split second. The hazel eyes remained shine less, and it made him wonder why there was so much sadness in her eyes. He could tell Parvati was masking much of it, but some was still visible in those eyes. Rudra never had a chance to question her about it because he knew he had to focus on what she was saying. Thankfully, she hadn't noticed that he was thinking about other things than listening to her.

~

What began as just one tutoring session quickly turned into two, then three, and so on. Before either of them knew it, Rudra and Parvati had been studying together everyday after class for one whole week. They had only intended to do another session of two together, but Rudra really seemed insistent on getting all the material memorized perfectly. Parvati was given no other option but to help him, and she didn't refuse. Never had she turned her back on someone who needed her help, and she wasn't going to start now. At first, she wasn't fond of the idea of seeing him more often than necessary, but a sort of comfort level had been established between them. It was the first time in a long time that Parvati had felt that way, which both frightened and comforted her.

Rudra, on the other hand, couldn't feel more grateful to Parvati. It had already been a week and he felt very confident that he was going to do well on the exam. Granted, he still had some material he needed to cover, but he felt that with Parvati's help he would manage to succeed. He would continuously thank her, even though she had told him not to. He felt that thanking her wasn't enough and that he should do or give her something to show his appreciation. And as he pondered the question of what he should do, the answer came to him in the most unexpected way.

One evening, as Rudra exited his class and began heading towards the library, he came across a group of students running around and passing out flyers through the hall. They weren't sure what was on the flyer, but it seemed to be getting everyone excited. He continued to walk down the hall towards the library, his gaze focusing on the students running around and handing out flyers of various colors. Some sheets escaped as the breeze was a bit stronger than usual. Rudra felt thankful that he wore his tight, black sweater. He barely felt the wind. He had just rounded the corner of the hall and was almost to the library when a younger male student, probably around twenty years of age, stopped him and handed him a flyer.

"Don't forget to come to the Mela to support our university!" the man said.

Rudra took the flyer and read it. It was for the Mela this weekend. Apparently, some students were sponsoring the school and setting up stalls at the festival. So that's what all the commotion was about. The Mela was something everyone in Delhi looked forward to, as it was one of the most popular events of the year. Even he had gone with his buddies some years. This year the participation of the students was a reason for the extra hype.

"What's with handing out the flyers?" Rudra asked. "Everyone knows when the Mela is."

"But this is the first year we've had stalls there," the man replied. "We want to spread the word so students will come and support their fellow classmates. Plus, who doesn't love going to the Mela?"

It was then an idea struck him. Everyone loved the Mela, so maybe Parvati did too. He could take her as a way to thank her for everything she has done! A smile broke on his lips as he found the idea to be brilliant. Rudra put the flyer in his notebook as a reminder to ask her after their tutoring session. He dashed towards the library, eager as he found a way to show his appreciation to Parvati.

When he entered the library, Rudra found her already sitting in their usual spot. Her head was bowed as she read her book, oblivious of his approaching presence. She acknowledged him only with a nod as he took his seat. They began immediately. As Parvati continued to explain the chapter to him, Rudra felt a little uneasy. His smile slowly began fading as hesitation began rearing its head. He stared at the woman in the soft yellow, long sleeve salwar kameez in front of him.

For the first time ever, he had realized that he didn't know anything about Parvati. It was a completely random thought at a random time, but it was very important. Apart from her name, he didn't really know anything about her. They had only known each other in school, and only talked in school about school. They never once talked about their personal lives outside of the university. And now, here he was, eager to ask her to go to the Mela. Usually, he knew a girl pretty well before asking her to go somewhere, but Parvati was a complete stranger. Heck, he didn't even know her last name! His initial confidence began depleting at an alarming rate.

Parvati glanced in Rudra's direction and found him lost in his own thoughts. The look on his face revealed that he was seriously disturbed about something. She stopped talking and let the silence brew between them. He hadn't seemed to realize that she had stopped talking, which made her wonder what was going on. Parvati wondered if the words of the other students had gotten to him. She knew that they had been saying things about the two of them meeting in the library, and rumors tended to spread and go wild. She wondered if they had said something, as they usually did, about her to him, like about her class and status. Rudra didn't appear to be the type to worry about such things, as she recalled from the Laila incident, but then again...looks could be deceiving. She knew that all too well.

"Rudra," she finally said softly.

He snapped out of his thoughts, "Yeah?"

"Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, of course. Why wouldn't it be?"

"I stopped talking five minutes ago, and you haven't said a word."

"Oh..."

"You don't have to tell me. If something is bothering you, we can stop for today and continue-."

"No no. It's fine. I was just lost somewhere. Go ahead and continue. I'm listening."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

Parvati looked at him for a good minute before she continued from where she left off. After that, Rudra seemed to be fully focused on what she was saying. It seemed that what was bothering him before was now on the back burner. Sensing this, Parvati continued with their session. After studying, Rudra and Parvati walked out of the library together. As usual, there was silence between them as they did so. The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky with streaks of reds, yellows, and oranges. The leaves were now covering the green grass, and the once full tree were now almost barren of any color. Rudra hadn't forgotten about the Mela, in fact, he had been thinking about it the entire studying session. He had asked girls out before, but this was the first time he was ever nervous about doing it. He couldn't understand what it was about Parvati that changed his behavior. She was unlike any other woman Rudra had seen before. Even though he was nervous, he knew that he should ask her, and he knew that it was now or never.

The two of them stood in front of the library. Parvati said a quick goodbye and turned on her heels to leave, but stopped when she heard Rudra call out to her.

"Parvati, wait," he said.

She stopped and turned back to face him. Her open hair fanned from one side of her face to the other as she did so. He was rubbing the back of his neck with one hand and the other hand was by his side, holding his notebook and textbook. Rudra was looking down at the ground for a moment before looking up innocently at Parvati. She didn't say anything, but from her gaze, Rudra knew her attention was on him, so he continued. He dropped his hand from his neck and put it in his jean pocket.

"You know the Mela is this weekend," he said.

She nodded, "I know."

"Do you want to go to the Mela?"

Parvati's eyes grew wide, "W-what?"

"Would you like to go...to the Mela...with me?"

She immediately shakes her head in denial, "No."

Rudra's expression looked as though he had hit a mental wall. Usually girls were begging to go out with him on a date. This wasn't even date, it was a way to say thank you, and Parvati had rejected the idea flatly, without any hesitation. She truly was different. But Rudra wasn't ready to give up so easily. It had taken a severe amount of effort to even ask her, and now that she had so easily said no', Rudra felt he deserved to know why.

"Why not?" he asked.

She shook her head again, "Because I just can't."

"Is it because you are seeing someone?"

"No, I'm not seeing anyone."

"Do you have plans to go with your friends?"

Parvati dropped her gaze, "No. I don't have any friends."

Rudra couldn't help but chuckle at this remark, "Come on. You're joking. Be serious."

His laughter died when her gaze reconnected with his. She wasn't lying, the honesty in her eyes was a clear indicator of that. Rudra felt he should have been punched in the face for laughing. Although, this was something he now learned about her. But he didn't understand how someone couldn't have friends. But recalling back to the earlier days of the week, Rudra realized that Parvati had always been alone. No one had spoken to her, apart from him, and she never spoke to anyone. He wondered if this was why that Laila girl tried to get him to sit away from Parvati, because she was the social outcast. Regardless, Parvati had been nothing but nice and helpful to him, and he wasn't going to take that for granted.

Rudra gave her a soft smile and said, "I'm your friend."

Parvati looked at him, surprised by his statement.

He nods, "I am your friend, Parvati. And I would like to take you to the Mela."

Even though she could see the honesty in his eyes, Parvati felt like she was tricking him. She shook her head once more and answered, "No."

Knowing that he wasn't going to get her to change her mind right now, he decided to back off for the moment. Rudra sighed before opening his notebook. He scribbled something on a sheet of paper and tore it out. He lifted Parvati's hand and placed the paper in it. As he let go of her hand, she looked at the sheet of white paper and found Rudra had written his name and number. She looked back and forth between him and the paper, utterly confused.

He smiled, "Call me if you change your mind."

And with that, Rudra turned and headed to his car, leaving Parvati standing alone in front of the library, staring at the paper in her hand.

**********

Boy, I bet none of you saw that coming! Hahaha. Anyways, let me know what you think by leaving your comments and feedback below!

Next update: Will Parvati change her mind? Or will Rudra be forced to go to the Mela alone?

Thanks for reading!