I can't Forget her

New friends

New friends

A very familiar voice awakens me from my sleep. I had a bad dream and suddenly the sound of alarm scared me to the core. I woke up and gained consciousness only to realize that I was safe and at my place. I was feeling drowsy and I didn’t want to get out of bed but I had to because I was running late. I jumped into hot shower and let the water drench my drowsiness. I wore my uniform, tied my hair and got ready for school. I went down and greeted mom, had breakfast and while I was about to leave I received a call from Riya who informed me that she was going on a trip to Alleppey with her family for a week. I wasn’t happy with the fact that I have to be without her for a week at school.

“It’s really a boring day without your best friend at school” I realized that school isn’t fun without your best friend.

“Where is Riya?” Ishaan patted me on my head from behind.

Irritated, I turned to him and replied “I told you not to do that”.

“Okay! Where is Riya?” He asked again.

“Why do you want to know about her?” I asked.

“She is my friend and she hasn’t come to school today.” He replied.

“She went on a trip to Alleppey with her family for a week” I answered.

“Oh! So, I won’t be able to see my friend for a week” He sighed.

“Yeah” I replied.

It seemed to be a very long day without Riya but I somehow managed to survive at school without her.

I had to go to Renuka Aunty’s house, whose house was located 15 minutes away from my school. She fell off the stairs and broke her knee ligament. She underwent a surgery and doctors suggested her bed rest for at least 15 days and so my mom decided to stay at her place for 15 days and take care of her as daddy was also out of town for a month. Auntie had a single daughter who has been married to a guy in US last year. She lives alone with uncle and so there is nobody to take care of her. Renuka aunty is my mom’s elder sister, she has taken care of my mom since my grandma passed away. So, my mom treats Renuka aunty like her mother and so we decided to stay at auntie’s place till she recovers.  I missed my school bus because her house was at a walk able distance from school.

I was walking alone and as I walked down a lane, it was a desolate alley and I heard some foot steps behind me, the sound was getting louder and louder. I trembled in fear when I heard the words “Where are you going my dear?” in a drunken voice.

I bristled. I didn’t know what to do. I turned around and saw a man looking drunk. I tried to run away but he held my hand and started to drag me with full force. I saw another man coming toward me from the other side of the alley. Both of them seemed to be friends as this man smiled at the other one. I tried really hard and pulled myself towards the opposite direction the man was going to.

“Ahh!” The man cried and fell unconscious.

I ran as fast as I could. I didn’t turn back to see whether he was still following me. I was extremely scared and decided to run back to school. The school remains open till 7pm as 10th standard students were having extra classes. I ran to my class room and looked at my watch. It was 6 pm. I realized I was late. I was so damn scared and started crying. I was still terrified and was shaking in fear. I wept harder and harder. 

“Aisha” I trembled when I heard a voice calling me.

I wiped my tears swiftly and turned around. It was Ishaan. He looked at me and realized that there was something wrong with me.

“Are you okay?” He asked.

“Yes” I tried to act normal but I started weeping. He was shocked to see me in this state. He rushed towards me.

“What’s wrong Aisha? Why are you crying?” he enquired with a worried expression. I kept crying.

“Aisha! Aisha! Please tell me what happened?” He was really worried.

I somehow managed to stop crying and said him about the man and I was still trembling in fear. Tears were flowing from my eyes. Ishaan wiped my tears and started comforting me. He tried to divert my mind but it seemed of no use. I gave a fake smile and got up from my seat.

“I have to go now” I said slowly and tried to walk off.

“But I won’t allow you to go alone” He said blinking his eyes.

I tried to walk out of the class room but he blocked my way. I moved to the right and left and he was again blocking my way.

“Ishaan please” I cried.

“Aisha please” He replied in a girly tone teasing me.

“Please............” I Insisted.

“Please.............” He said in a girly voice.

“Ishaaaaaaaaaan” I said in an irritated tone.

“I thought you were a brave girl” He said.

“I am a brave girl” I replied annoyingly.

“Ok. Ok. I am sorry. Don’t get annoyed. I was kidding.” He said softly.

“It’s okay! I am not annoyed” I shouted angrily.

He laughed and said “Oh yes! You are not annoyed, you are not angry, you are not shouting at me” making an innocent face.

I realized that he was just trying to cheer me up and so I apologized.

“It’s okay Aisha! I am used to your anger and annoyance and you can anytime remove your anger on me but don’t ever cry” He replied.

I really like this side of Ishaan. I don’t know why I hate him so much but I realized that he wasn’t such a bad guy. I have always focused on his worst side and never tried to look at his goodness but he is a nice guy.

“I know I am handsome but stop staring at me” He said moving his fingers on his hair.

“Shut up” I punched him in the arm.

He laughed and then I said “I will leave now. It’s already late.” and left.

I starting walking, the sky was dark and the streets were eerie. I had to cross the same lane again and I was scared. Several thoughts were coming in mind.

“What if the drunken man was still there?”

“What if someone kidnaps me?”

“What if he is there along with friends waiting for me?”

I didn’t know what I would do if I encounter the man again.

I started walking down the lane when I heard some footsteps and realized that I was being followed. I trembled in fear but I had to save myself from the problem and so I took out compass from my bag and before I could turn I heard a very familiar voice calling me.

“Aisha!” I turned around and it was Ishaan.

“Ishaan! What are you doing here?” I asked in astonishment.

“I am here just to walk with you and make sure that you reach home safely” He smiled.

I was shocked to hear his words. Was it the same Ishaan that irritates me and fights with me every day? I was zoned out because this was something really shocking for me.

“Hello!” he said snapping his fingers.

I was out of my thoughts and said “Thank you so much”

“It’s okay! I keep doing such good things in my life” He said running his fingers through his hair.

I smiled and we both started walking.

“You are indeed a very brave girl Aisha. I saw you taking out compass from bag. Thank god I called your name otherwise you would have pricked me with it.” He said laughing.

“I was scared. I didn’t know it was you.” I said hesitantly.

“I know! What you did was good. I really like how bravely you handled things today.” He was praising me.

“Are you Ishaan or his duplicate?” I said looking at him in surprise.

“I am Ishaan” He said with a smile.

“You are here to make sure that I reach home safe and now you are praising me” I said.

“Yes! You are a girl and I knew you were in trouble so it was my duty to make sure you reach home safely.” He replied.

I have only seen an irritating, arrogant and mischievous side of Ishaan but this side of him seemed to be extremely sweet.

“Bye” I said with a smile.

“Why? Did I say something wrong?” He asked.

“No! This is my Aunt’s house.” I said pointing at Renuka Auntie’s house.

“Oh okay! Bye. Take care” He said and walked away..

I lay on my bed and kept thinking about everything that happened today. I was happy that I saved myself from that drunken guy. I realized how the city is turning unsafe for girls. But in a world full of such people we have guys like Ishaan who make sure that every girl is safe. I wasn’t his friend but he still came to drop me home safely. I was surprised how an incident has changed my thinking for Ishaan. He is a nice guy, I have always turned my eyes to the good things he does but today I was ready to accept that I was wrong. I kept thinking about Ishaan and realized that I didn’t thank him today. I decided to thank him tomorrow for such a sweet gesture and slept.

               ****

My alarm woke me up from sleep and I got ready for school. I had breakfast and enquired mom about Renuka Auntie’s health. Mom said she didn’t sleep whole night due to pain and has fallen asleep just an hour ago. I silently prayed for her faster recovery and left for school.

I started walking and I saw Ishaan standing at the corner of the lane.

“Hi!” He said looking at me.

“Hi! What are you doing here?” I don’t think that your house is somewhere near.

“Yes! But I am here to walk with you?” He said.

“Really......” I said with my eyes wide open.

“Don’t look at me like that. I may get jinxed” He said running his hands through his hair.

“Shut up” I laughed.

“Let’s go! I don’t want to get late. I am not like you who are always running late” He smirked.

“Oh! I am always on time. It was only that single day when I was late” I said annoyingly.

“hahaha! Why do you get annoyed so easily” He asked.

“I am not annoyed” I replied.

“You are” He said.

“Aren’t we running late now?” I asked.

“Oh yes!” He said and we started walking.

“By the way thank you so much” I was moved by whatever he was doing for me.

“I thought you don’t know how to say thank you but I am glad that you know” He laughed.

“Ishaaan” I said.

“Aisha! I am kidding. It’s okay! Look I know that you landed in trouble yesterday and that incident can happen even today because I know this area isn’t safe for girls. I can’t save every girl out there but I know you and I know what happened yesterday so I can at least be there to protect you or not protect maybe but to walk you to school and home safely.” He replied.

I could see a very mature and kind hearted Ishaan. I was moved by his words and gestures. This guy has completely changed my thinking for him in just a few hours.

“Why do you hide this side of yours from everyone?” I asked.

“I don’t hide anything from anyone. People see what they want to see like you always saw a monstrous, mischievous and arrogant guy in me” He said with a smile.

“I am sorry! You aren’t bad. I was wrong about you. You are such an amazing human. Thank you so much.” I was guilty of everything that I ever said to him.

“My pleasure Aisha, I know I am an amazing guy. I am handsome, I am cute and I am cool” He said running his fingers through his hair.

I laughed and moved my hand forward “I have always been judging you and fighting with you but you are still here with me. So can we be friends?” I asked with a smile.

“Yes! Friends” He said giving a handshake.