chapter 43

   " I already did that, now what do I do next? " He sighed and shook his head. " Should I say it was indeed a prank- but it wasn't -". " First, learn patience. You don't have to rush things on your own everytime. Love is a beautiful journey to be experienced, in every bit of its each phase. You don't just jump off to the destination. "  I pouted and slipped back down on the sofa . " What do I do then now!?"      " Okay so now as you have already laid out your feelings, prove them. Don't call it a prank and back off. You may strengthen her doubt of insincerity. Rather stick by it but don't flirt. Prove her you can be a good partner. " " What am I theorem?" " If she doesn't throw her sandal at you , I will ." I frowned at his statement but held back from saying anything. I don't want to get roasted further.       " See loving someone isn't about just about being in some relation or having that person as yours. Love comes with responsibility, duty , compromise, understanding, affection, patience and-" " And and tell me what am I supposed to do ?", I could hear my own impatience and that surely didn't please him. " First. Respect her desicions. If it's a no, it's no. Don't push her, don't make her feel bad or guilty of her desicions. Rather, go ahead and improve yourself."  " What's to improve in me?" He frowned. " I just mean I am not really sure. Help me out?"     " Okay first, what do you think she likes and doesn't about you?" . Now this is a question I have no answer to. " I get on her nerves in any and every way possible ." " But she still likes you around?" , he asked with a slight smile and I nodded. " She might not really realise it now but she might too be falling for you?" I sat up straight at that suppressing my smile. " How would you -" " Because you don't really understand your feelings just right at the moment. It takes time. But if she likes your company, gets flustered and acts up hyped at small flirty gestures. You can fantasize all you want . " " Oh- wait what-" " Not like I didn't catch you builiding love castles in air. ", he smirked and I looked away. " Dad!"     " Okay okay. Remember two things, first, if she loves to be around you give her time to miss you as well, that keeps the spark lit. But don't be gone for so long that they forget you. "  " In the sense?" " Be there for her whenever she needs you but never be available 24×7. " Huh?"" If you make time for her from your schedule, it's seen as priority. But if you just stay available it would be portrayed as you are just free always. It can be taken for granted. "" I see."     " And make sure she gets enough proofs of that you love her but let their be a slight fear of loosing you . Jealousy in little amount often does the trick. But don't push it to a point that hurts their feelings."       " So I am supposed to love her but make her jealous so she gets to know her feelings for me and then I am supposed to be with her so that she knows I am there for her , always and then give her time so she misses me?"  He nodded.     If I didn't think whatever I was doing till now was enough stupid this - for sure is.____________________________________[Aru' s p.o.v]            This girl doesn't leave a chance to embarass me. I ran back home as fast as I could. I could feel my heart pump blood to my cheeks. They burned hot, my breathing was totally out of rythm and my steps kept faltering. " Woah- Are you planning to win first in marathon this year?", dad teased me as we entered the gate almost together. " Were you chased by dogs?" , he asked , still teasing. I rolled my eyes. " Then? Had a race till-" " I need to use washroom!", I blurted out the most suitable excuse I could come up with.    He immediately shifted aside holding open the gate for me. I rushed in and dashed to the washroom locking myself in. " Why do you throw your bag around like this? Atleast have some manners!" , mom yelled from outside the door. I had to wash my face five to six times and I might have just rubbed it red trying to get hold of myself.      Why does she keep on flirting like that ? And why do I feel so weird about it? Not the weird you'd hate , the kind of weird you look forward to but just can't stand. Nervous? Flustered? Excited? I don't even know what all she makes me feel. I don't know if I like it or if it's annoying but all I understand that it overwhelms me to a point that I just want to escape.      " Did you get loose motions?" , dad shouted from outside and I had to force myself out. I stepped out and I can clearly tell he was waiting for an answer. I nodded. He had a stern look on and folded his arms over his chest. For the very moment my stomach did a reverse flip . I tried to meet his eyes though the fear dried up my throat. I won't be able to answer if he asks anything about this.      " See! This is why I tell you mom you don't have to make bhajis and pakoras every day. Not only me even Aarushi has got loose motions." , he complained to the granny who just shook it away with her hand. " It has nothing to do with my bhajis. Stop bothering the poor kid. " She took me away from there. I am sure she caught on the situation and is going to interrogate me herself but that's less concerning than explaining dad. What would I even explain when I have no idea about it myself. I might just sound a total idiot blabbering nonsense.      Once we were in her room , granny shut , even locked the door behind her. She knows. She walked over to the closet pulled aside the stool and reached out to the saree basket underneath. She opened it revealing her treasure, a saree basket full of all kinds of snacks dad would term unhealthy. She dug up her favourite banana waffers and came sat back on the bed patting the space besides her for me to sit. " Now , tell me in detail. What exactly happened."      " Nothing did. " " I am not taking nothing for saving you right now ."I laid besides her placing my head on her lap. " Granny, have you ever had someone randomly ask you out?" She laughed at my question, " Atleast see whom you are asking it to, it would have been fine if it were your mom but me? Do you really think that existed in our household at my time? I was simply married off at young age and then I had your father and aunt and -" " We are not going to that story , I got my answer. We good. " She laughed again. " So who is it?" " Huh?"    " Who confessed to you?" She was anticipating some answer, positive one I assume. " Nobody did ." " C'mon! Don't keep secrets from your old bestie. You know I would take them to the supreme with me but won't spill a word anywhere. "      I sat up facing her , my fingers fiddled with the bedsheet. I don't know how to put this. " There was no confession. I mean they randomly asked me to be their girlfriend."  My voice faltered at the last word and so did her expression. " I was expecting a straightforward romantic confession but this was like a direct offer slapped on face." ,her old skin wrinkled further , " Are they even serious?"     Was she serious? No right? The way she casually flirts , I dont- Those eyes flashed before mine and as if relieving the moment I could feel the sincerity in them. What if she was?       " Do you believe them?