On days like this, Parth wished more than ever to go back home, back to his mom, even if it meant dealing with his stepfather. He hadn't slept well last night, the chemistry homework they had, had kept him up all night, along with Utkarsh. The organic compound chapter they were currently on, meant they had to draw complex compounds and draw their isoforms as well. Parth didn't really like chemistry; he was more into physics and math. Biology gave him grief. Hindi was okay. Boxing was the best part of the day, and literature...no scratch that out. Literature was the best part of the day. No, to be even more specific, She was the best part of the day. Often, when his classes were boring him to tears, his thoughts often drifted towards Her. What was she doing? Who was she talking to? Did she eat? What was she thinking? Parth couldn't understand his need to know. It was like he needed to know every single thought in Her head. There was this insatiable hunger to know her, to learn her inside out. She was like an endless universe, whose secrets he had to unearth. Surprisingly, thinking about her made the hands of the clock move faster, the teacher faded into the background and so did the writings on the board. Parth didn't take notice of Utkarsh snoring lightly beside him. The annoying boys in the back, mainly Siddharth Rajput, didn't bother him no more. Thinking about her made everything alright somehow. Parth couldn't wait to get out of class so that he could see her, be around her, savor her presence. Her voice made his heart instantly at ease. She was the calm in the storm. Parth was an introvert, it was no secret. He was a man of few words. He'd bottle up thoughts inside his head for days, somehow, being with her released the pent up stress. Just talking to her, sharing the events of the day with her brought the world at balance.
The bell rang,mercifully, startling Utkarsh, who woke up in a daze. It was recess. Utkarsh looked at him and then around him, registering the fact that he was in classroom and it was not bedtime yet. Siyali and Neeti had already left for lunch. Utkarsh rubbed his eyes, and gave a loud yawn.
"Yaar mujhe to bohot bhuk lagi hain. Subhe sain kuch khaya hi nahin. Raat var wo khadus chemistry teacher ka homework kain wajeshe aazh breakfast k liye uthna hi na saka. Chal Parth, khane k liye chalthe hain. Aazh to mein dus roti khawunga."
The boys walked out together and into the hallway. Parth looked around him searching for Her. She must have already gone to the dining hall, but he couldn't take any chances.
"Utkarsh, tuh dining hall chalaja.. mera chota sa kaam hain. mein wo khatam kar k aajaunga."
Utkarsh frowned at him, clearly disliking his suggestion.
"Yaar tera aajkal bohot saari esi choti choti kaam hotein hain yaar. Hameh bhi toh bata, kya kaam hein esa, ki tuh khane ko bhi na bole."
Parth glared at Utkarsh.
"Sun tuh dimag mat chala. Kahana mera chota sa kaam hein aur me jaldi aajaunga."
Utkarsh gave a half hearted shrug and headed towards the cafeteria. Parth looked around him, the hallway was empty. The entire school was in the dining hall except him and maybe Her. Parth made his way towards Her office, his heart racing. He had butterflies in his stomach as he walked. The anticipation alone made him feel nervous. Please let her be in her office. Her office door was open so she must be still in. Parth knocked on the door, his heart beating out of his chest.
"Parth?"
The voice inside called out to him, instantly, putting him at ease. Why had he been nervous before? Being with her was the most natural thing in the world.
"Ma'am, can I come in?" Parth asked for permission.
She came towards him, smiling, her dopatta fluttering in the breeze as she walked. She was in a yellow kurta shalwar, looking like sunshine.
"Ye bhi puchne ki baat hain. You're always welcome in my office."
Hearing her say that made his heart surge with happiness. He felt like a little kid in a candy store, high on sugar rush. Parth stepped into her office, an instant comfort enveloped his heart. He couldn't describe this feeling which he felt whenever he was with her.
"Ma'am apne lunch nai kiya? Sab log chalegaye hai siwaye ap."
Vibha leafed through her folders,carefully reviewing each paper.
"Tum bhi to ap tak yehi pe ho Parth. Tum ne bhi lunch nai kiya?"
"Ma'am woh mein-" he fumbled for words, trying to come up with an excuse, however lame it sounded. Seriously, why was he here?
"Achha toh tum aagaye ho toh chalo hum dono dining hall tak sath chalthe hain."
Parth blushed, feeling suddenly vulnerable. Her words echoed in his head. Walking with her to dining hall, stepping outside like a man and wife-
Parth stopped his thoughts. Did he just say that in his head?
"Parth! Parth!"
Vibha was calling him, breaking his reverie.
"Tumhe lunch karna hain ki nai? Din var esa hi khada rehna hain kya?"
"Nai ma'am. Sorry. Chaliye. Chalte hain."
They left her office together, their steps as silent as their lips. The silence was comforting, welcoming. Outside, the first snow of December had already started falling, hitting the ground softly. The sight of light flakes of snow made Parth think of marshmallow and hot chocolate and keeping warm by the fireplace with a book in his hand. He would be reading to Veebha and she'd smile as she listened to him read. Strangely, the thought made him warm inside.
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