Chapter 8: chapter 8

Chapter 8Sourabh watched the sun dip lower in the sky, casting long shadows across Nitya ma'am's living room. The tranquility of the moment wrapped around him, but a part of him remained restless, torn between the worry for her health and the newfound feelings bubbling within him. He shifted in his chair, careful not to disturb her as she slept peacefully on the couch.As the minutes ticked by, he found himself glancing at her from time to time, noting the delicate rise and fall of her chest. Her usually vibrant features looked softer in repose, and the faint smile that played on her lips added a layer of warmth to the scene. It was moments like these that made him realize how deeply he admired her—not just as a teacher, but as a person.He couldn’t help but recall the countless times she had encouraged him and his classmates, the way her eyes lit up when discussing physics, making even the most complicated concepts seem approachable. It felt important to him now, in this quiet space, to remember her strength even as she appeared vulnerable.After what felt like an eternity, Nitya ma'am stirred, her eyes fluttering open. The faint light of the evening filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow around her. Sourabh straightened up in his chair, eager to see if she was feeling any better.“Hey, how are you?” he asked softly, not wanting to startle her.“Better,” she murmured, her voice still a little rough but more energetic than before. “Thank you for staying. I think the tea really helped.”“I’m glad,” he replied, feeling a rush of relief. “You were out for a while. I thought I might have to start worrying.”Nitya ma'am smiled, the warmth in her gaze reassuring him. “I appreciate you being here. It’s nice to have some company.”He couldn’t help but grin at her words. “I’m glad I could keep you company. It beats sitting in a boring class.”“Rathod sir really can’t compete with this, can he?” she chuckled lightly, though it turned into a soft cough. Sourabh immediately frowned, his concern resurfacing.“Are you sure you’re okay? Maybe you should take it easy for a bit longer,” he suggested, leaning forward slightly.“I will,” she promised, taking a deep breath. “I think a couple more days of rest should do the trick. But it’s hard to stay away from the classroom.”“Everyone misses you. We talked about you today during lunch,” he said, feeling bold. “Ravi suggested a petition to get you back.”Nitya ma'am laughed, a sound that brightened the room. “A petition? That’s quite the initiative!”“Hey, we’d do anything to get our favorite teacher back,” he said, his heart racing at the implication of what he just said.She looked at him, her eyes twinkling with appreciation. “That means a lot, Sourabh. You have no idea how much I value my students’ support.”An awkward silence settled between them again, the air thick with unspoken sentiments. Sourabh shifted in his seat, grappling with the emotions swirling within him. He wanted to reach out, to tell her how much she meant to him, but the fear of overstepping kept him quiet.“Can I make you something else? Maybe some soup?” he offered, hoping to distract himself from his thoughts.“That would be lovely,” she replied, her smile softening. “You really are quite the caretaker.”He stood up, heading back to the kitchen. As he rummaged through her cabinets, he marveled at how natural it felt to be there. He couldn’t believe he was making soup for his teacher, and yet it felt right—like he was doing something meaningful.Sourabh set to work, chopping vegetables and stirring the pot, trying to focus on the task at hand. As the aroma filled the kitchen, he felt a sense of accomplishment. He wanted to do more for her, to show her how much she was appreciated beyond the classroom.While the soup simmered, he couldn’t help but steal glances at her from the kitchen doorway. Nitya ma'am had pulled a blanket around her shoulders, her expression relaxed, and he couldn’t help but think how beautiful she looked even when she wasn’t feeling well. The way the light caught her hair, the delicate curve of her jaw—it all struck him as mesmerizing.“Do you need help?” she asked, breaking his reverie.“Just making soup. It should be ready soon,” he replied, a grin spreading across his face.“Did you learn this from your mom?” she inquired, her eyes brightening with curiosity.“Yeah, she taught me a bit. I figured I’d give it a shot,” he admitted, feeling proud of himself.“You’re impressing me, Sourabh,” she said, her tone playful yet sincere. “Not many students would take the time to do this for their teacher.”He felt a flush of warmth creep up his cheeks. “I just want to make sure you feel better. You do so much for us. It’s the least I can do.”“Thank you,” she said, her voice softening. “Your kindness doesn’t go unnoticed.”As he stirred the soup, he felt a flicker of courage. “Nitya ma'am, can I ask you something?”“Of course,” she replied, her gaze focused on him, encouraging.“Why do you work so hard? I mean, you put in so much effort for us. It’s inspiring, but don’t you ever feel overwhelmed?”She paused, her expression thoughtful. “It’s a mix of passion and responsibility. I love teaching, and I want to see my students succeed. But yes, there are times it becomes too much. I have to remind myself to take breaks.”Sourabh nodded, understanding the pressure she felt. “Just know that we’re all rooting for you, too. We want you to take care of yourself as much as you take care of us.”“Thank you, that really means a lot,” she replied, her eyes sincere.As he poured the soup into a bowl, he felt a sense of fulfillment, knowing he was doing something good. He returned to the living room and set the bowl in front of her. “Here you go, soup fit for a queen.”She laughed softly, the sound wrapping around him like a warm blanket. “You’re too kind, Sourabh.”As she took her first sip, her expression shifted to one of delight. “This is delicious! You really do have a knack for this.”“Just doing my best,” he said, feeling a swell of pride.They continued to chat as she ate, discussing everything from their favorite movies to the quirks of their classmates. With every shared laugh and moment of connection, Sourabh felt a deeper bond forming between them. He found himself wanting to share more—his dreams, his fears, everything.But then came the moment he had been dreading—the silence that followed a shared laugh, the charged air filled with unspoken feelings. Nitya ma'am looked at him, and for a moment, he saw something in her eyes that made his heart race.“Do you ever think about what you want to do after school?” she asked suddenly, breaking the tension.“Sometimes. I’ve thought about studying engineering, maybe even physics,” he replied, a bit surprised by her question. “What about you? What did you want to be when you were my age?”Nitya ma'am smiled, a hint of nostalgia in her expression. “I always wanted to teach. I loved science, but I also loved helping others understand it. I suppose that’s why I became a teacher.”“Do you ever regret it?” he asked, curious.“Not at all. But it comes with its challenges. It’s not always easy to balance everything,” she admitted, her gaze thoughtful.He nodded, feeling the weight of her words. “You’re doing an amazing job, you know? We’re lucky to have you.”“Thank you, Sourabh. That means a lot coming from you,” she said, her voice warm and genuine.As she finished her soup, he couldn’t help but admire her spirit. Despite her illness, she radiated resilience and strength. There was something about her that drew him in, a magnetic quality that made it hard to look away.Finally, as the evening deepened outside, Nitya ma'am began to show signs of fatigue again. “I think I need to rest some more,” she said softly, her voice trailing off.“Of course. I can clean up here,” Sourabh offered quickly.“Are you sure? You don’t have to,” she insisted.“I want to. Just focus on getting better,” he replied firmly, moving to gather the bowls.As he washed the dishes, he felt a sense of accomplishment, knowing he was doing something meaningful for her. Once the kitchen was tidy, he returned to the living room, where Nitya ma'am had settled back under her blanket, her eyes heavy with sleep.“Goodnight, Nitya ma'am,” he said softly, not wanting to disturb her.“Goodnight, Sourabh. Thank you for everything,” she murmured, her voice barely a whisper.He smiled, his heart full as he slipped out of the flat, the door closing softly behind him. As he rode home, he couldn’t shake the feeling of warmth that enveloped him. He had cared for her, connected with her, and in doing so, discovered a side of himself he hadn’t known existed.The road home felt different, illuminated by the glow of the streetlights and the stars twinkling above. Sourabh knew he would do everything in his power to help Nitya ma'am recover and return to the classroom where she belonged