Chapter 17: chapter 17

Chapter 17The next day, Sourabh found himself eagerly anticipating his next meeting with Nikita. Their conversation at the café had been refreshing, a whirlwind of laughter and banter that pulled him out of his melancholy. He had messaged her earlier, suggesting they meet again, and she responded almost immediately with enthusiasm.“Let’s meet at the park after school! Ice cream is calling our names!” she texted, complete with a winking emoji.As he arrived at the park after a long day of classes, he spotted Nikita sitting on a bench, her pink hair catching the sunlight like a beacon. She was scrolling through her phone, but as soon as she saw him, her face lit up with a mischievous grin.“There you are, my favorite nerd!” she exclaimed, jumping up and waving him over.“Hey! You’re in a good mood,” he replied, smiling despite himself.“Of course! I’m always in a good mood when ice cream is involved,” she declared, leading him toward the ice cream vendor. The air was filled with the sweet scent of waffle cones and fresh fruit.“What’s your go-to flavor?” she asked, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.“I usually stick with chocolate. Classic, I guess,” he said, glancing at the colorful display of flavors.“Boring!” she teased, nudging him playfully. “Live a little! Get something adventurous, like bubblegum or mint chocolate chip.”“Alright, I’ll try mint chocolate chip, then,” he replied, trying to match her energy.As they waited for their cones, Nikita continued to chat animatedly about her day, her infectious laughter drawing Sourabh in. There was something about her carefree spirit that made him forget the heaviness of the past few weeks.When they finally had their ice cream, they found a shaded spot beneath a large tree. Nikita plopped down onto the grass, pulling him down beside her.“Okay, tell me about your favorite subject—besides physics, of course,” she said, licking her cone.Sourabh chuckled. “I guess I’d say history. It’s fascinating how the past shapes our present.”“Wow, a nerd and a history buff? You’re full of surprises,” she laughed, rolling her eyes. “What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned recently?”“Well, I learned about the fall of empires and how small decisions can lead to huge changes,” he explained, feeling more animated as he spoke.Nikita nodded, genuinely interested. “That’s actually cool! It’s like a game of dominoes—one little nudge and everything falls apart.”“Exactly! And it’s fascinating to see how those patterns repeat in different contexts, even in our own lives,” he added, his excitement spilling over.As they finished their ice cream, Sourabh felt a sense of camaraderie forming between them. Nikita’s humor and straightforwardness were refreshing, and he found himself wanting to know more about her life.“So, what’s the story behind the wild side?” he asked, leaning in with curiosity. “You seem like you’ve had some interesting experiences.”Nikita smirked, her eyes glinting mischievously. “Oh, I’ve had my fair share of adventures. Let’s just say I’m not afraid to break a few rules here and there. I’m all about living life to the fullest.”“Like what? Tell me one!” he urged, intrigued.“Alright, but you have to promise not to judge me,” she said, mock-seriously.“Deal!” he replied, grinning.“Okay, once, I snuck into a concert without a ticket. My friends and I found a way to climb the fence and get in. It was epic!” she recounted, her voice animated. “We ended up on the front row, and the band even noticed us. It was the best night of my life!”Sourabh laughed, picturing the scene. “That sounds wild! I’ve never done anything like that.”“Maybe you should! Life’s too short to be safe all the time,” she said, nudging him playfully. “I could help you break out of your shell.”“I think I’ll leave the climbing to you,” he joked, feeling a warmth in his chest at the idea of her encouraging him to step outside his comfort zone. “But I’m definitely up for more adventures.”Nikita’s expression softened slightly. “Good. You deserve to have fun, Sourabh. You spend so much time studying, it’s important to find a balance.”“Thanks, I appreciate that,” he said, feeling a connection deepen between them.Just then, as they continued to chat, Sourabh’s phone buzzed with a message. He glanced at it and saw a notification from Rohan: “Saw Kartik again today. He’s a total loser, man. Don’t let him get to you.”Sourabh smiled at the support from his friend but couldn’t shake the lingering feelings about Nitya ma'am. He turned to Nikita, who was now in the middle of telling another hilarious story.“I’ll be right back,” he said, standing up to take a call from Rohan, needing to talk it out.“Sure! I’ll be here, telling stories about my daring escapades!” she called after him, laughter in her voice.As he walked a few steps away, he answered Rohan. “Hey, what’s up?”“Just checking in. You good?” Rohan asked, his tone concerned.“Yeah, I’m hanging out with Nikita. She’s… interesting,” Sourabh replied, a smile creeping onto his face as he thought about their banter.“Interesting? As in, good interesting or crazy interesting?” Rohan teased.“Both, I think,” he laughed. “But she’s helping me take my mind off things.”“Good! Just remember to have fun but don’t rush into anything too fast, okay?” Rohan advised.“Yeah, I’ll be careful,” Sourabh assured him. “Thanks for looking out for me.”As he hung up, he returned to Nikita, who was now lying back on the grass, her hands behind her head, looking carefree. “So, what did Rohan have to say?” she asked, curiosity gleaming in her eyes.“Oh, just checking in on me. You know, the usual friend stuff,” Sourabh replied, feeling lighter after the call.“Good. Friends are important,” she said, her tone more serious for a moment. “But you know what else is important?”“What’s that?” he asked, intrigued.“Taking risks! Life is about having fun and making memories. You should come with me to a party this weekend!” she suggested, sitting up excitedly.“Really? A party?” Sourabh felt a flutter of nerves but also excitement. “I’ve never really been to one.”“Perfect! You’ll be the guest of honor—Sourabh the Nerd, dancing like no one’s watching!” she laughed, and he felt a blush creeping up his cheeks.“Okay, I’m in. But don’t expect me to be a dancing superstar,” he replied, laughing along.“Trust me, it’ll be a blast! Just let loose and enjoy yourself,” she encouraged, her enthusiasm infectious.As they made plans, Sourabh felt a sense of anticipation bubbling within him. Maybe this was the change he needed. With Nikita’s wild spirit by his side, he could begin to navigate this new chapter of his life, stepping away from the shadows of unrequited love and into the light of new possibilities.He realized that while his feelings for Nitya ma'am would always hold a place in his heart, there was a world waiting for him—full of laughter, friendships, and maybe even new love. And with that thought, he felt more ready than ever to embrace whatever came next.