A String Called Life

CHAPTER 3

I pull harder but it doesn't budge. The trolley doesn't budge even when I push it back towards the others. "Shit!"

Again, I get ready and pull the handle of the trolley with all my force. No luck.

I try pulling and pushing it a hundred more times, but it doesn't work. "Come on!" But nope! God is probably having fun toying with me today. I try to make it budge in a thousand different ways and when it doesn't even move an inch, the next thing I know is that I'm kicking the trolley, again and again, tears falling freely from my eyes.

I don't know how long I stay like that but after what seems like ages, a pair of arms pull me back. I have to hold onto the railing to steady myself as I wipe my tears away, all of the energy drained out of me as my body seems too light.

But before I can make an excuse to my mother, I hear someone speaking. And it's definitely not my ma.

"Are you okay?" His voice is laced in sympathy as he looks at me, his brown eyes staring into mine.

I look at him as he combs his hand through his black hair, making it stick out from every which way. A pair of giant square glasses rest on the bridge of his nose. Definitely a nerd.

Please Ruj, whatever you do. Never ever date a nerd. I don't like feeling inferior.

Raj had joked the day I blushed over the fact that the topper of our class complimented on my looks. That boy and I never talked for long but Raj's comment started a new game between him and Rohit. Naming different types of boys they don't want me and V to date.

The thought of my friends and brother threatened to bring more tears so I do what seems to be the safest move at the moment. I snap at him.

"Do I look okay?" Guilt rises in my chest when he flinches but I tamper it down and take another of the trolleys with me to my ma, trying to salvage as much dignity as possible. I'm not going to see him again anyway.

*   *   *

Too fast.

That's the thought that runs in my mind when the nerd boy brings a trolley to a woman my ma's age just behind us in the line. His mother. Damnit.

When nerd boy's eyes meet mine, his eyebrows shoot up in surprise.

Yeah, not happy to see you too.

Ma checks out of the counter and I pray to god with everything I have to reach home without any incidents taking place. If ma comes to know of everything that happened, then I'm sure that I'll get more than just a lecture.

But I guess not praying to god every day is paying off because before we could get out of this hell, nerd's mother called out to ma. "Is that you, Asha?"

"Oh, I didn't know you were here." Ma chuckles. My eyes widen. They are talking as if they are old friends. Are they?

"How come you know her?" I ask ma while smiling at aunty. And also ignoring nerd boy who is looking at me weirdly.

Ma too is getting a weird face but I just ignore it because I'm too busy trying to give nerd boy the I'll-kill-you-if-you-say-anything look. "Sweetie, while you were locked away in your room, dad and I were getting to know our neighbors." She smiles sweetly. Yeah, leave it ma to make friends even in a forest.

And by the looks of nerd boy, I know that he is as surprised as I am with this new revelation. I paste a smile onto my face and ignore the raised eyebrow of nerd boy. Neighbors? Seriously? My day can't get any better.

But it did.

"And Asha, yesterday I and Akshay's dad were just talking about how we should get to know each other. So, do you think you can join us for dinner tomorrow?"

"Yes, Sure! Why not? We would love to." Ma gave a warm smile before turning to me. "This is Sona aunty and this is her son Akshay." Ma introduces me as I join my palms in Namaste, a forced smile attached to my face all the while. So, nerd boy has a name. Akshay. "Sona, this is my daughter Rutuja."

Sona aunty smiles. "It's nice to meet you, beta. Are you also in grade eleventh?" She continues with more enthusiasm when I nod. "Akshay is also in your class! Now you can get to know each other even before school starts."

I smile. Not so grateful to hear that.

My eyes wander back to nerd boy – Akshay – and what I see is not what I expected. His brow is furrowed as he looks at me sympathetically. What happened? Now that I look back, his mother too has the same look on her face.

They are pitying you because they know that you just lost your brother.

The realization hits me in the face and I hate him more now. I turn around quickly. "Here, I'll load these into your car." And before ma can reply, I'm out of the sliding doors.

The blood rushing in my ears makes it hard for me to hear the footsteps behind me.

"Hey, I never said sorry." Nerd boy is behind me as I open the boot of the car.

"Don't."

"Why?"

I don't reply as my hands quickly lift one item after another, loading them inside the car.

"I'll say it even if you don't wanna hear. I'm sorry. I should have left you alone when you clearly didn't want to be disturbed." I can see him combing his hair again. When I don't answer, he sighs. "I just wanted to ask you something. Have we met before? 'Cause I think I know you from somewhere."

I snort. "I never even knew that there was a place called Duliajan until I came here two days ago."

Someone laughs from the trolley stand and I look up to see ma smiling beside Sona aunty. Smiling. Can you believe it? It has not even been a month since her son died and she is already moving on? I duck my head, trying to hide the wetness in my eyes.

Nerd boy sees both of them coming too. "Just forget whatever happened today. Maybe we can start from scratch again?" He looks at me for a long while for an answer but I don't have anything. When he finally realizes that, he quickly mumbles a quite sorry before rushing away to his ma.

My heart sinks as his figure disappears. I feel like I did something horrible.

Whatever I did was justified, right? But I can't answer it as ma gets into the car and I quickly follow suit.

-  -  -

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Hello!

So, how did you like Akshay? 

And more than that, can you imagine Simon as Akshay?

I know he is the typical nerd but there are some things that may not be so typical...

Wanna find out? Then you have to stick with me for the next few chapters. (I update every day).