Chapter 12

Shrithik slowly dragged his feet out of his room at the the sound of the front door opening and closing.

Sameera was back. He wanted to ask something to her but decided to make it wait.

She smiled looking at him and he returned it warmly. Without saying anything they both made their way into their respective rooms.

After about half n'hour later Sameera was sitting on the sofa watching TV while Shrithik was still in shower. One thing Sameera got to know was tha Shrithik liked bathing. He showered for a long time.

Shrithik came out of his room rolling up his sleeves .His hairs were still damp and he was wearing a black shirt.

Looking at Sameera he smiled. She was not looking at him though.

"Sweetheart?"

She turned around. She couldn't help but give him a once over. After clearing her throat she replied

"Yes?"

"I'm.....I am not a burden on you, right?"

He asked with a blank expression. Today he, unfortunately came across an old age home. A couple was there talking to their mother. And telling her she was a burden on them.

Shrithik was an insecure person in cases of people. Kind of like, trust issues. He was very different from many people, speaking his mind, rude and what not. During his visible years also he didn't let anyone in.  And not many people liked him.

Here, only two people know of his existence. He cannot help but feel that he is like a burden to Sameera. Shrey already cleared this for Shrithik. But Sameera is new. So today, he wants to clear it.

He doesn't want to trouble anyone.

Sameera's grip on the TV remote tightened. Shrithik is iriking her with his insecurity.

A day after that rent day, Shrithik gave her house a total makeover when she was out. Saying that he needs to do something. It was very hard to get the broom out of his hand.

A day after that he had made many dishes, in the name of doing something. For the past week he's been asking these kind of questions. Sameera could understand that what he was feeling was totally normal because she feels it too.

But she has told him many times that he is not a burden on her. Then why can't he understand?

She strolled towards him with an angry face.

"You want to go? Then go. I don't care. I'm tired of telling you that you are my friend. I like your presence. You are not a burden on me. What is so hard to understand in that, huh? What's so hard?"

She went inside his room and threw his bag at him. He was able to dodge it on time. Otherwise his nose would have definitely been broken.

Sameera was already a little angry because some freshmen of her college were trying to be oversmart by asking dumb questions.

And now Shrithik has finally pushed her last button.

"Sweetheart-"

He started to refuse but was cut off by her.

"No. Don't talk to me. Go. You wanted to go right? Then why are you standing here. Asking dumb questions daily."

She took in a deep breath. Shrithik looked down feeling a little guilty. She was trying to not let her anger take control of her. Because everybody has a very bad mouth when angry and then they say things that are not meant to be said.

And as Shrithik's thinking was way too similar to Sameera, he knew that she didn't like saying things which were not meant and could hurt somebody.

Few moments of silence passed by. Neither of them speaking. Sameera slowly went towards him and gripped the collar of his shirt.

He looked at her. She dragged his tall self down a little so he was at her eye level. His eyes were wide, not knowing what was going on.

"Do you really want to leave? Do you think I am not a good friend?"

She asked in the smallest voice she has ever heard from her.

Shrithik's gaze softened and he shook his head.

"No, Sweetheart. It's all me. It was all my fault. You are a great friend."

He gently held her wrist and freed his collar. Standing up straight he looked down at her. Then engulfed her into a hug.

His big hands were covering her whole. Suddenly Shrithik was too big compared to her. His frame was large. Sameera was not a great fan of hugging anybody. But she didn't even stiffen when he hugged her.

Though she knew him just for a month, she felt that best friend kind of connection with him.

Not as strong as Maaya though but close.

She nuzeled her face in his chest and he laughed at her getting comfortable.

"Aww sweetheart. You like me so much, you don't want me to leave?"

He teased and she pushed her face more into his chest. Regretting stopping this cocky asshole.

"Don't make me rethink stopping you."

"Aww, sweetheart. You really think I will be afraid of your empty threats. You really think anybody can throw me out?"

Why do boys have such big egos? Why?

"You are a really big asshole. You know that?"

Sameera questioned back and he just laughed at her.

"Old man?"

"Yes, sweetheart?"

She looked up at him. And then smiled innocently.

"You are cooking."

Saying this she took a sprint off to her room. She closed her door not before sticking her tongue out to him.

He chuckled. She was such a child.

____________________________________

It was the day after that, both were standing in an electronic shop. Since Shrithik was having money, he decided to buy a laptop and he also needed to complete some assignments.

Where Shrithik was inspecting it, Sameera was doing magic tricks and scaring the shopkeeper.

Though it was all Shrithik.

Like he would say something and Sameera just mouthed, so anyone would think it was her, but she changed her voice.

She will pick up a laptop and balance it on one finger. Not really.

Shrithik would be holding it and Sameera would be just touching it and the shopkeeper would have his heart in his mouth.

And making her phone Invisible in mid air. They were lucky nobody was making her video, otherwise she would have been viral by the next day.

"Mam, please mam. I'll give you 20% discount on it. Please, just leave."

Shopkeeper begged to her.

"You are sending a customer away. It's not very good."

Shrithik sighed. Sameera was really acting like a child.

"Come on. Let's pay for it and leave, sweetheart."

He whispered in her ear and she glared at him, but agreed. She was having a good time.

After they left, the shopkeeper sighed. He really wished that he never come across Sameera. Really really.

"You really scared the shit out of him. And ate his mind off."

Shrithik teased. And Sameera bumped her shoulder with him. He stumbled a little but composed himself. Then he narrowed her eyes at him playfully.

"Challenge accepted, sweetheart."

Saying this he bumped into her. She couldn't help but laugh. She picked herself up and bumped herself a little more forcefully. But he didn't even budge. Instead she only stumbled. She laughed loudly.

People walking on the road thought she was drunk. Afterall she was stumbling in mid air. But she was too busy laughing to notice it.

It was in the evening, Shrithik was sitting in his room completing some of the assignments when Sameera came in dancing.

She was looking extremely sweet today. He looked at her suspiciously.

"Hey, sweetheart."

Sameera said sitting on the corner if his bed and smiling at him.

Sweetheart? Something is definitely fishy.

"What do you want?"

He said making her smile falter. She made a fake hurt expression.

"Can I only come when I want something."

Now it was his turn to smile sickeningly sweet at her.

"No sweetheart. You only come when you need something."

She grinned.

"Well, you are right old man."

He fake laughed and bumped his fist in air.

"Hi ha ha ha ha ha ha. I knew it. Now what do you want?"

"Can you help me with English?"

He furrowed his brows.

"English? But you are a chemistry student right?"

She nodded.

"But still. Can you help me?"

He scoffed.

"Of course, I can. But I will not."

"Please, please, please."

He smirked evilly at her.

"What will I get in return, huh? If I help you?"

"Um, I don't know. What do you want?"

"We are ordering pizza. And you'll do belly dance for me."

Her mouth touched the floor. Belly dance? Only thing she sucked at was dancing. And she is really a bad dancer. And he wants her to do belly dance? That's not fair.

"That's not fair."

She whined.

"That's not fair." He mimicked her.

"Everything is fair when you want this genius person to help you study."

He said arrogantly. Well, it wasn't entirely a lie. He was extremely intelligent.

"So, you doin' it?"

"No."

She was a very shy, to dance when someone has told her to.

"Okay. Then go find someone else to teach you. Because I am hurt 'cause you didn't dance for me."

He said dramatically looking towards the ceiling and keeping a hand on his head.

"Oh, shut up."

He jerked her head towards fast. And narrowed his eyes at her. Then once again dramatically started

"What sort of time has arrived? A person can't even tell his pain."

Wiping his fake tear at the end, he looked at Sameera. She just threw a pillow at her and he ducked it. Once again fist bumping air for his great achievement.

Sameera stood up and went out of his room. She'd rather die than dance. Sometimes she really wished she could dance.

Sensing a sudden mood shift Shrithik went after her. Playing the song 'Naagin dance' he grabbed a handkerchief and rolled it. Placing one end in his mouth and other in his hand.

Sameera watched him amused. Suddenly, the song started and he started dancing in  the famous Indian 'Baarati naagin dance' way. (Procession Snake dance)

He was playing the role of snake charmer and the handkerchief was acting like snake bean. Sameera was supposed to be the snake.

Seeing Shrithik dance was funny and encouraging. Keeping her shyness at side, she started dancing with him. Both doing weird dance. Sameera sat on her knees and held both her hands up, one above another. And moving in the direction where Shrithik's bean moved.

Both of them were having fun dancing. Laughing and giggling and doing the most weird moves anybody could ever on this earth.

They were having a really good time along with one more person, Maaya.

She was standing at the door watching Sameera dance like a weirdo she is.

Sameera was the first one to notice Maaya, who was leaning against the door, laughing.

She stood up straight.

"Oh hey, Maaya."

Shrithik stopped dancing immediately. He paused the song.

"Your dance was really great. I've got a video. Be ready to become a celebrity."

Shrithik surpresed his laugh and quickly went in his room, giggling after he was out of their hearing range.

Maaya just thought to give her a visit and have a heart to heart with her.

She was having a little problems with Shrey. And nobody can give better relationship advice than Sameera.

After they were done, Maay started to leave. But unfortunately her eyes found Shrithik's room. She went near it and opened the door fully. The room was well furnished like someone was living in it.

"Sam?" Maaya asked gazing at the room.

"Yeah."

"Last time I came, this room was empty. You've got a roommate?"

Shrithik was looking at Sameera with a slightly worried gaze. What if she can't come up with a good excuse.

Sameera shook her head in no.

"Oh no. Two weeks ago one of my friend just needed a place to stay. He stayed for two days and then went abroad. Not taking his belongings with him.

"And who was that friend Sameera? And he? You never told me?"

Maaya asked pinning Sameera with her gaze.

Shrithik was enjoying all this. She was looking like a child who was being scolded for breaking her mother's favourite vase.

"It was just two days. And you don't know him."

She argued and Maaya made a bored expression.

"It was two days or two years, you should have told me. And he didn't even take his clothes with him? Can't he-"

Maaya was cut off by her phone ringing. She silenced it and looked up at Sameera.

"I've to go now. But remember, you'll get a good one hour lecture tomorrow."

After giving a small side hug to Sameera, she left.

Both Shrithik and Sameera looked at each other with a very intense gaze. And next moment, burst out laughing hard.

It was really funny for them.