Beyond Friendship

Science class had just ended, and I was completing my work. Before I begin, let me set the scene. We were no longer bench partners, but we managed to talk every day during breaks and free time between classes. As I was finishing my work, he came and sat on the empty bench to my left. He said in a simple tone, "I have to tell you something." I replied, "Carry on, I’m listening." I continued working, but my ears were attentive to his words. Suddenly, he said, "I LOVE YOU." 

Wait, what?! No, he can't have said that. Even though my mind and heart were racing, I didn’t show it. Instead, I said, "Can you repeat that? I didn’t hear what you just said." Sometimes we hear something unexpected, and the same thing was happening to me. Before any misunderstanding, I wanted to confirm if my ears were wrong or if my heart just wanted to hear it again. With an annoyed face, he said, "What? You didn’t hear me?" I said apologetically, "Sorry, yaar, repeat it quickly or else ma'am will come." 

Now I was looking straight into his eyes when he said it again, "I LOVE YOU." I was numb. What was I supposed to say—a yes or a no? My mind was trying to make a quick decision, but before I could, ma'am entered the class. Gathering my senses, I asked him to go back to his bench. Fortunately, ma'am was checking a few notebooks and asked us to revise, so I had plenty of time to think about my response. Time passed like the wind, and the class ended.

By this time, I was prepared with my answer and had rehearsed it 10 times in my mind. I went straight to his bench, but before I could speak, he said, "Listen, I was just kidding." Like, what?! Kidding? I got really mad and shouted, "What nonsense, yaar! You can't just say something like that as a joke." Anyway, the matter settled down.

But another chapter began. He would now ask me if I liked someone, if there was anyone in the class I would say yes to... This went on, and we finally reached class 8th without any progress in our love life, but our bond grew stronger.

It was science class that day, and ma'am was checking the notebooks, so we were basically free. We had just returned from summer holidays. I sat on the last bench alone, and he sat on the left side bench. Most of the time, he would come to my bench during lectures. This was just a usual day until science class. As always, he came and sat beside me. We began to chit-chat when he said it again, "I love you." This time, I didn’t take much time and said in a low tone, "Yes." It wasn’t the first time he had said it; he had said it a few times before, but I didn’t have an answer, and after a brief silence, he would just say he was joking. I didn’t want that to happen again, so I gave a quick response. Disappointed, he said, "At least repeat my statement. What do you mean by just yes?" Disagreeing, I didn’t do as he said. He began to blackmail me, saying, "Either you say it or I’ll tell others." I knew he would never do that—it was his usual habit. Finally, I said, "I love you." Rather than celebrating, he commented, "Add 2, 3, something." Quickly, I said, "2," and he had a bright smile. That’s when our secret relationship began. Our journey was not smooth, but it’s something I’ll cherish my entire life.

He understands me so well that sometimes even I’m surprised. I don’t know what made him fall for me. Neither am I good-looking nor a sports person. We are completely different people, but one thing we both agree upon is food. We are non-veg lovers. Neither of us likes chocolate. I never imagined I could find a person whose taste buds would match mine. I have seriously unpredictable choices. I hate chocolates but only eat chocolate cake. Sometimes even I’m surprised by myself.

I know very well what made me fall for him. The level of understanding he has is just amazing. He’s always keen to know everything about me—his kindness towards everyone and his jolly nature. How can anyone hate such a person?

I’m not someone who would romance openly. We never have love talks. We love each other in our own unique way. Sometimes his care for me just melts my heart. We rarely meet after school, but we never wanted more. We were satisfied with each other. Most of the time, I’m busy with my duties as a house captain, but he finds new ways to spend time with me. He never complains about me not giving him time; rather, he makes his own way to gather my time and attention.

I never imagined in my life that I would have someone who admires me so much. If I were to go back and tell my 6th-grade self about the future, she would never believe me. But that’s life. It’s full of surprises, and many more are waiting to arrive...