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"But Mumma you know I hate Maths," groaned the little version of Suman, pouting away the classic style her Papa used as an ultimate weapon to make her Mumma agree on almost anything. Shravan's six years old princess had inherited her mother's looks but her father's ways except for her hatred for Maths which was her mother's forte, giving both the parents their own different reasons for loving the little bundle of joy even more than already.
"Who informed you that bunking classes is an unofficial norm!", scolded Mumma, furious with the act her heart's beat had pulled up today.
"Look young lady whatever you have done today I expect that won't be ever repeated in future and the only reason you weren't given your share of punishment is your Mum didn't want to hear you cry after she had thought that she nearly lost you. Do realize how important you are for us!", Suman was trying hard to lower her voice and not scare her baby who was already on the verge of tears but the fear she had gone through in the former half of the day had to emerge out in some form. Shravan was already served with an earful for spoiling her daughter so much. Earlier in the afternoon the parents were summoned to the school as the kid was marked present in the morning but whereabouts couldn't be found in the last period. Suman could hardly form words due to her unstoppable crying and Shravan had literally lifted up the office complaining about the management and threatening them for being careless regrading a lawyer's daughter. The standard one kid was then brought to the office from the school park by a staff. As relief washed her face, Suman cried ever harder now Shravan also had brimful eyes. The fear of losing the one on whom their pivoted, the sign of pure love had nearly killed the twosome.
"It's okay baby, now just tell me from where did you get this idea of bunking," Sumo inquired wiping her tears and making her sit in her laps but the kid had eyes still on Shravan had entered just then.
"Shravan... "
"Lunch ke baad third block wale gate pe sare guards gayab hote hai, meet me at the block's water-tank," ordered the sixteen years old Suman Tiwari.
"But Sumo iski kya zaroorat hai, maths test hin toh hai. Isme itna darna kya?", Shravan said settling his specs.
"Oye Chashmish Maths tere liye easy hoga, normal human beings ke liye nhi. Aur waise bhi I heard Mrs Smith saying that this surprise test is going to be tougher than the usual. Ab if-but mat kar lunch ke baad wahan rehna warna dekhna tu main tujhse kabhi baat nhi karongi."
"Sumo maine kabhi class bunk... "
"Achha bye."
To Shravan it was a situation of alert. He kept looking to and fro even they were several steps away from the school's premises. He walked behind her in the dread of being caught but he was taller even then.
"Yeh kya kar rha hai tu? Chillax Chashmish. Itna chalta hai. Tujhe hamesha good boy banane ki koi zaroorat nhi hai aur waise bhi yahan koi teachers bhi nhi hai."
"Maine kabhi classes bunk nhi kiye hai.. Where are we going? To our houses? Maa will kill me. Oh no before her Papa will surely kill me."
"Uff tere saath aane se better hota main akele hin aajaati, but hadn't you yourself had said that you didn't want me roam around alone in the city, as I am too dangerous for Delhi. Woh dekh Fair!"
"Sumo cola-gola ya strawberry?"
"Strawberry", she said though her attention was entirely somewhere else.
"Ye lo".
"Don't you know Chashmish I hate strawberry golas. I want the cola one."
Now Shravan was entirely somewhere else. So it's actually true that girls usually say the opposite of what they mean to. His chat with a classmate and friend had provided him with the data. However, he wished to check it himself.
He went to the bench and sat quietly sat beside Sumo who was busy relishing her Cola-gola.
"Sumo tumhe blue zayada pasand hai ya black?"
"Ye kya ajeeb ajeeb sawal puchh rha hai tu? Mrs Smith ka bhoot ghus gaya hai kya?"
"Bas time pass. Bolo na," he urged.
"Okay fine blue. No no I think I like orange better. No wait Black is also nice."
So this peculiar theory indeed was a fact. Encouraged he asked more.
"Flowers?"
"Tulips. Why abhi pechhle birthday pe hin toh bataya tha, itni jaldi bhool gaya? But orchids bhi achhe hai. Lekin tulips ke baad. Sorry lilies are my second favorite."
"Aur tumhe kaise ladke achhe lagte hain?"
"Tujh jaise toh bilkul bhi nhi, Rohan jaise."
Even Shravan didn't know why the guy's name could boil his blood so much.
"But tu bhi bura nhi hai. You are my best friend after all. Chal abhi."
The best friends had a time of lives and had no clue when the day came to an end. However, today was more special to him. Today he received his first positive cue! He might have a future with her.
The day after that found him in his class teacher's office.
"This is highly irresponsible. I could never imagine you doing such an immature thing like bunking classes. You mustn't have been alone. Tell me who else was with you." His teacher did think that he could ever disclose!
After a large dose of scoldings he finally came out with a head bend deep and shoulders carrying an extra load of homework. Sumo was able to explain her absence on the last day by an excuse called 'office work' whereas Shravan was Shravan, he couldn't come up false excuses.
"Koi nhi Chashmish, kabhi kabhi chalta hai. Lunch treat on Sunday, at my place?"
She had patted her sleep. Shravan caressed his daughter's hair. "Shravan you'll have to make her understand that what she did was very wrong. She only listens to you," she said resting her head on his shoulder. It had been a long day for both of them, she didn't want to see it again.
He tenderly placed her in her room.
They stood at the door, "I can't believe she's being with us for six years. Earlier how I used to think I couldn't want anyone more than you in my life! But this naughty girl is more adorable when asleep."
He sighed, "so another quality she's acquired from you."
"What! You still haven't given up your habit of watching people asleep!"
"Darling, good habits shouldn't be gotten rid of. Now are you coming with me or should I carry you to our room?"
"Still. I'm walking."
He simply scooped her up in his arms at carried her.
First of all I beg for pardon from all you amazing writers whose stories I haven't been able to read in the past days.
Sunain, Lubna, Delta, Cas, Sanjh, Anu, Aprita, Dolly I'm trying tough not to read them for two reasons - first if I read them now, I'll surely be stuck to ShraMan with the world's strongest adhesive called Love. And because I wish to spare a big heap for the days of uselessness I'll spend after my exams. Please I request all the writers to get their writings added to the story index of the forum.
This OS was for Nik. It's her birthday today. Happy Birthday dea.
I must go now. I, in fact, have a maths test tomorrow!
Thank you for reading.
Hope you liked it.
Love,
Swarnima.
Music Corner
Cricket
