Invisible String

the string is brave

Chapter 15

(Aabha)

EVERY. THIRTY. SECONDS. HE'D. ASK. ME. IF. I. WAS. TIRED.
Boy, chill.
I mean, I wasn't complaining. He seemed protective. Very protective. But I wasn't THAT delicate. Or maybe I was. Was I? No I wasn't. Or I really was. What do you think? Anyways...
"It's been an hour since we started. I think we should take a stop and rest for a while. What do you think?" Aahan turned and asked us.
Maanav looked over at me and raised his eyebrows.
"Sure, if everyone else is fine with it." I shrugged.
"You all want to rest for a while?" Aahan shouted, asking the other boys ahead.
"Sure, there's a small boulder here. We can rest on it." Dhruv shouted back.
Aahan showed him a thumbs up and we all walked up to the boulder.
There was place only for two to three people to rest on it, and as Aahan, Dhruv and Shreyas were already resting on it, I stayed between Maanav and Megha. We all stood there in a circle, panting heavily and drinking water.
Suddenly, Maanav slapped Aahan's shoulder.
"Ouch! What was that?" Aahan exclaimed.
"Make some place for Aabha. She's standing, idiot." Maanav scolded him.
Aahan quickly stepped aside and said, "Sorry." and slapped his forehead.
"No, no, that's quite alright. I'm fine here." I said, rather embarrassed.
"No, please. Rest for a while." Maanav said.
I decided not to argue more and gave in, keeping in mind to make some place for Megha too. I signalled her asking if she wanted to rest beside me. She shook her head and smiled at me after eyeing Maanav. I tried my best to stifle my grin.
After a few ten minutes of talking and laughing we resumed our journey.
Maanav held my hand all throughout the remnant two hour climb, even when on plain paths, let alone steep climbs.
At one point, I even heard Dhruv whispering to Navin, "She's not asking for help, and he's still giving her his hand." They had a good laugh and continued the climb.
I hated being the one who needed help. I was more of a help-giver, if that made any sense. Elder daughter things. I was a self-provider and wasn't used to asking for or receiving help. But today, I didn't mind it. Not at all.

(Megha)

"You seem to be having a little bit of trouble climbing. Do you need help?" I asked Aahan who had slipped and landed on his ass five times in the past one hour.
"No, thanks." He replied.
I shrugged and kept climbing.
He wasn't THAT big of an arse as I made him out to be.
I mean, he was pretty tolerable. But no. I didn't trust boys. Never. It takes them a split second to turn around and leave.
I couldn't risk it.
I wouldn't risk it.

"Maanav is being such a gentleman today. She doesn't even need his help, but our boy, he just can't help but be a kind human." I heard Dhruv laughing with Navin.
That made me laugh too.
I turned back to see both of them struggling, yet helping each other throughout the climb.
I was impressed by Maanav. No kidding. I'd give him like, a 1000/10 if I had to. He really was up to that standard. At least he seemed to be. I'd never seen a guy being so overprotective over a girl. Good for them, I guess. I just needed to get rid of Aahan.

We soon reached the top.
The view was...sketchable. How I wished I had my sketch book with me.
"Isn't it beautiful?" I walked to Aabha who had just reached with Maanav following her.
"It's serene." She whispered while slowly taking in the vista.
"Let's sit down and rest here for a while." Dhruv said while walking with Navin and Shreyas to the edge.
We all sat down with Megha beside me and Aahan and Maanav sitting behind us at an arm's distance.
"So, what do you think of Maanav?" Aabha looked at me with a lit-up face.
"You seem happy. That makes me happy." I said smiling at her.
"I am very, very happy." She beamed and turned her eyes to the scenery.
"He's amazing. I am glad you have him." I said.
"Accepting his help today was basically me trusting him with my life. He didn't let me fall, or slip, or even accidentally hurt myself. I don't think I have trusted any guy this much."
"I know. I like him. I like the way he makes you get your guards down and be vulnerable and open to accepting help." I told her.
She nodded and we sat in silence for a while.
"Hey, I wanted apologize for that day, now that you're in a better mood." Aahan sat by my side and whispered to me.
"It's okay. I was having a bad day. I projected all my anger at you. I'm sorry too." I replied.
"Friends?" He stretched out his hand.
Dork.
"We already are!" I shook his hand and laughed.
"I know. I just wanted to know if we were on the same page!" He shrieked followed by a laughter.
"We are." I said and shook my head.
I turned left to see Aabha talking to Maanav.
Did they both plan it to go this way? The boys? No. Why would Aahan do that?
The silence was getting more awkward.
"Apples?" Maanav offered.
"No, thanks." I hated apples.
"Aahan?" He asked. Aahan picked up a piece of the fruit and gobbled it.
"So, shall we leave? If you all are done?" Dhruv walked up to us and questioned.
"Yeah, sure." Aabha said and got up.
"Aahan!" Shreyas called his name.
"Yes?"
"How's Tanisha doing?" He asked Aahan and laughed loudly. The others started laughing too. Except Maanav. He stood there and smiled awkwardly.
Who is Tanisha? WHY DO I CARE? I DON'T. NOPE. I DON'T.
"Shut up, Shrey." Aahan scoffed.
They kept laughing as we walked down.
STOP LAUGHING!
ALL OF YOU!