Chapter 7: chapter 7

Chapter 7Sourabh paced his room, anxiety gnawing at him. It had been a few days since he last saw Nitya ma'am, and the worry etched on her face when they visited lingered in his mind. He felt a growing urge to check on her, to see for himself if she was alright. After deliberating for what felt like hours, he made up his mind.He quickly grabbed his bicycle and set off, pedaling through the familiar streets of his village. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the landscape. As he rode, memories of their moments together flooded his mind—the laughter, the discussions, the way her eyes sparkled with passion for physics. Each thought deepened his concern, fueling his determination to see her.After a short ride, Sourabh reached her flat, a modest building nestled among vibrant green trees. He hesitated for a moment before knocking on the door, his heart racing. Would she be glad to see him, or would he be crossing a line?The door creaked open, revealing Nitya ma'am, her eyes widening in surprise. She looked beautiful even in her current state, though she appeared pale and exhausted. Her hair fell loosely around her shoulders, and her normally radiant smile was replaced with a faint curve of her lips.“Sourabh? What a surprise!” she said, her voice soft but laced with fatigue.“Hi, Nitya ma'am. I wanted to check on you. I was worried,” he replied, stepping inside. The warmth of her home enveloped him, but the air felt heavy with the signs of her illness.“Thank you for coming. You didn’t have to,” she said, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear—a gesture that made her look even more delicate.“I wanted to,” he insisted. “How are you feeling?”“Not great,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’ve got a pretty bad fever and a headache. Just trying to rest.”Sourabh’s heart sank at her words. “Do you have any medicine? Let me help you.”“No, really, you don’t have to. Just sitting here is enough,” she said, though he could see the weariness in her eyes.But Sourabh was resolute. “Please, I can make you some tea. It might help.”Nitya ma'am opened her mouth to protest but then sighed, giving in. “Alright, if you insist. The kitchen is through there,” she said, pointing down the small hallway.He walked into the kitchen, where the scent of home cooked meals still lingered in the air. Sourabh quickly gathered the ingredients for tea, remembering how she had taught him to prepare it with just the right amount of spice. As he boiled water, he felt a strange mix of nerves and comfort in being there for her.Moments later, he returned to the living room, where Nitya ma'am sat on the couch, her face slightly flushed. She had wrapped herself in a soft blanket, looking fragile yet beautiful in a way that made Sourabh’s heart race. The elegance of her features, even when she was unwell, struck him deeply. Her long eyelashes rested gently against her cheeks, and there was a serene beauty about her, even in her illness.“Here’s your tea,” he said, handing her the steaming cup. “It should help with the headache.”“Thank you, Sourabh,” she said, taking the cup with a weak smile. “You’re very sweet for coming here.”As she took a sip, he watched her carefully, noting the way her expression shifted from fatigue to a hint of relief. “How’s school?” she asked, her voice still soft but laced with curiosity.Sourabh shifted in his seat, the thought of Rathod sir’s monotonous class surfacing in his mind. “It’s… going. Rathod sir taught us today, but he’s boring. We all want you back. It’s not the same without you.”Nitya ma'am chuckled lightly, though it turned into a cough. “I appreciate that. It’s nice to know I’m missed, even if it’s just because of how boring the substitute is.”“Seriously,” he replied, a smile creeping onto his face. “You make physics interesting. You have this way of explaining things that actually makes us want to learn.”She looked at him, her expression softening. “You’re sweet, Sourabh. It means a lot to hear that.”An awkward silence hung between them for a moment, the air thick with unspoken emotions. Sourabh felt a warmth spreading in his chest, a connection that was both thrilling and terrifying.“Do you need help taking your medicine?” he asked, breaking the silence. “It’s important to take care of yourself.”Nitya ma'am nodded slowly, her eyes grateful yet vulnerable. “Yes, that would be great. I have some in the kitchen.”Sourabh got up and fetched the medicine from the cabinet. As he handed it to her, their fingers brushed, and he felt a jolt of electricity pass between them. He quickly pulled back, his heart racing at the unexpected intimacy of the moment.“Thank you,” she said softly, taking the pills with another sip of tea.“How are you holding up with everything? I mean, with teaching and the workload,” Sourabh asked, genuinely curious.“It can be overwhelming sometimes,” she admitted, her gaze distant. “I love my job, but I push myself too hard. I need to remember to take breaks.”Sourabh nodded, feeling a rush of empathy. “You really do care about us, don’t you?”“Of course. You all are my priority,” she said, her voice firm but warm. “But I can’t help anyone if I don’t take care of myself first.”As they talked, Sourabh felt a deeper understanding of her struggles. The beauty of her dedication shone through, but it also made him realize that she was just as human as the rest of them, prone to exhaustion and vulnerability.After a while, Sourabh noticed her eyelids growing heavy. “You should rest,” he suggested gently. “I can stay and keep an eye on things.”“I don’t want to impose,” she said, her voice thick with fatigue.“It’s not an imposition. I want to help,” he replied, his resolve firm.With a small smile, she nodded, sinking back into the cushions. As she closed her eyes, Sourabh felt a surge of protectiveness wash over him. He took a seat nearby, ensuring she was comfortable. He glanced around the room, taking in the personal touches that made her space uniquely hers—the framed photographs of her family, the stack of books on the coffee table, the little potted plants thriving by the window.As he sat there, watching her rest, Sourabh reflected on everything they had shared—the laughter, the lessons, the connection that felt so different from anything he had experienced before. He knew he was falling for her in ways that scared him but also thrilled him.The silence enveloped them, a peaceful moment amidst the chaos of life. He found himself lost in thoughts, hoping for her quick recovery so they could return to their routine, their shared moments filled with laughter and learning.Eventually, Sourabh’s thoughts were interrupted by the soft sound of Nitya ma'am’s breathing. She had drifted off, her face relaxed, the feverish flush fading slightly as she found comfort in sleep. He felt a pang of tenderness at the sight of her, wishing he could take away her discomfort.He knew he needed to be there for her, not just as a student but as someone who genuinely cared. Watching her sleep, Sourabh resolved to help her however he could, not just with tea and medicine, but by reminding her of the joy she brought to others. It was a silent promise, a commitment to support her in both her role as a teacher and as a person.As the afternoon light faded outside, Sourabh felt a sense of purpose settling within him. He was determined to make her recovery as smooth as possible, and he knew he’d be there every step of the way, no matter how long it took.