Tulip Hearts

[10]

"But I have a doubt." Raising an intrigued eyebrow, I awaited her next question.

"A living person drowns, but a dead body floats. Why? Where does the density concept come into play?" It's the tenth question in our two-hour study session.

We were in my house, studying in the living room. It's been four months, and every day I learn something new about her. She has become my best friend, and spending time with her is the best part of my day. We do exchange actions and words that leave her cheeks blushing, but I've never tried to express my feelings for her. I feel we are better this way. She treats me well, and our friendship is balanced.

We are preparing for our upcoming board exams, and to get ready, we are immersing ourselves in science. She is indeed an interesting person with a sharp mind. In these four months, I've learned a lot about her. She loves reading books and watching movies. Her favorite actor is Shahrukh Khan, and her favorite movie is his recently released "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai." I haven't had the chance to watch that movie yet, but I plan to someday, maybe with her.

She says I am a saner version of Rahul in the movie; I wonder what aspect she compares me with.

She has a sweet tooth; jalebies are her favorite, and chaat and golgappe bring a smile to her face. She doesn't have a high spice tolerance but likes to test herself occasionally. She claims not to enjoy going out much, but she always accompanies me to the river when I ask.

She attempts to cook sometimes, often experimenting with different dishes, and I have to taste them all-some are good, while some are horrible. She has great comprehension skills, and her reasoning keeps me on my toes. Her doubts never fail to surprise me.

"Good question indeed." I shook my head, focusing on formulating an answer.

"Hainaa, but I think you don't have an answer." She bit her lower lip, looking at me with her doe eyes.

"I'll give you the answer tomorrow. Let's finish this chapter; we can shift to math after science." She nodded enthusiastically.

She loves to question, and I enjoy answering each of them.

"Lovy," I shot my eyes at her pleading face.

"Can we take a break? We've been studying since the morning." She whined like a baby, and I couldn't help but chuckle. Although she's gotten comfortable with me, I love her shyness more, and I get enough moments to adore it.

"And it's only noon." She gasped at my answer, making me arch a brow at her.

"I thought you would understand me and take me out, maybe eat Choudhary Chacha ki jalebi. Par aapko toh fikar hi nahi hai meri."

"You want me to take you out?" Amusement glistened in my voice, taking her aback. Her cheeks flushed in a shade of pink while she tried to hide her smile.

"No, I didn't mean it like that." I arched a brow.

"Like what?" I moved a little closer to her, wiggling my brows.

"No, I mean you don't need to take me out like that." Her fingers were again becoming prey to her nerves.

"So you don't want me to take you out like that?" Her eyes widened as I forced the words out of my mouth.

"No, aisa nahi hai." She spoke slowly, avoiding eye contact with me.

"Toh kaisa hai, Miss. Kaushik." I couldn't help but chuckle at the end, seeing her flushed state.

She stood up, closing our books. She sighed, keeping her hands on both sides of her waist.

"Dekhiye Mr. Dhimaan, baatein gol mol na kara karo aise. Aapke toh bas ka hai nahi kuch, so come, I am taking you out." She pulled my hand, clutching it in hers, and walked me out. Her hands were a bit cold but soft, as if she was nervous.

"Where are we going?" She let go of my hand as soon as a passerby uncle gave us a look.

"Choudhary Chacha also serves gulab jamun." She swayed her hands, giving me a cheeky smile.

"Mere favorite vaale?" Turning my head toward her, I asked in amusement.

"Haan, beech mai kishmish vaale." She nodded her head while blinking her eyes.

"Favourite sweets with my favourite person, a special day I see." My hand slid into hers, entwining our fingers. She stopped for a moment, but I pulled her gently. Her cheeks were now red like Kashmiri apples. I slid our hands into the pocket of my jacket, pulling her closer to me.

"Choudhary Chacha, kya gulab jamun garam hai?" She withdrew her hand from my grasp, leaving me with a chilly feeling, and hurried to the sweet shop owner.

While waiting for the gulab jamun, I noticed her gaze fixed on something, her eyes admiring it. I turned to see the stalls of Indian metal jewelry.

"Kuch pasand aaya?" I approached her and whispered in her ear.

"Haan, aap." My cheeks burned upon hearing this, my breath catching in my throat, and all I could manage was a, "huh?"

"Cute." She burst into laughter, pulling my cheek. Leaving me bewildered, she took the gulab jamun from the shopkeeper, handing me one.

"Have it. It will cool down otherwise." She showed the gulab jamun towards my mouth, barely giving me time to speak. The sweetness melted in my mouth as I savored the brown sweet.

"It's actually yummy." I managed to voice out, while she was busy enjoying hers.

"I told you, na." Her cheeky smile is one of the many things I love about her.

After eating the gulab jamun, she paid the owner. It was our mutual understanding to take turns paying. If I paid last time, the next time she would, no matter how much I tried to force otherwise. She would shut me up with her famous line.

"The day you start earning yourself, Lovy boy, I will give you all the owners to spend on me. You need not spend uncle's money."

There was no room for arguments; her statement was both valid and genuine. I wondered if she made a promise with this, to be with me. I didn't want to spoil anything by overthinking and let it pass, however it goes.

"Wait here, I'll be back in a minute." I rushed inside the shop and fetched something for her while she waited outside.

"Jalebi!" She squealed with happiness as I brought the sweets on a leaf.

"My favorite jalebis with my favorite person, indeed a special day." Her words made me grin like a fool.

We were savoring the jalebis on our way back home when she asked me something out of nowhere.

"Lovy, what do you want to become when you grow up?"

I was taken aback by this question, and her demanding eyes were not helping.

"Huh?"

"I meant bade hokar kya banna hai?" She translated the question, taking a bite of the jalebi.

"I was never asked this question, so I don't know." I shrugged my shoulders, trying to dodge the question.

"Don't you want to get into the army?" The question I feared to answer rolled off her tongue.

"Can we not talk about it?" It's not that I didn't trust her enough to answer, but I'm not brave enough to actually have one.

"As long as you're comfortable." She gave me an understanding smile, making me thankful for her.

There was this unbearable silence between us throughout the walk, which neither of us tried to break. Her assuring smile soothed my nervous eyes.

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