Imperfectly Perfect

"Aah there she comes.... Ms. Prefect", the gang of the class said.

Short height, perfectly plaited hair with coconut oil in them, neat uniform, perfectly tucked in shirt, knee length skirt and the most important element a frame over her nose. Yes you got that right she was the queen of nerds. Ms. Prefect this was what she was called by the "cool group" of the class. And her friends called her Avanti.

It was the first day of their class 12. As they settled down in the class, ma'am said that the new prefect was.... Avanti everyone shouted. And yes the prefect was Avanti. There was no doubt at it. She was teacher's favourite or what students called as teacher's pet..

After that Ms. Priya, their class teacher introduced Mahatva, tall dark handsome boy belonging to the cool group.

Life at school was not easy for her. Every time all teachers called her out for every work and she was ought to do them because she was obedient. She had to face taunts and bullying from the cool group of her class. All these things were killing her from inside. But she couldn't do anything. This was what she was and she could not change herself for fitting in the category of cool.

The following week Ms. Priya made Mahatva sit near Avanti. There were continuous complaints about him and he was weak in studies too. Avanti was given the responsibility to handle him and make him perform better in the next test.

Avanti had issues with teaching him but she couldn't refuse. She started teaching Mahatva with full dedication. Even Mahatva started to perform better in exams. In the beginning they had huge differences with each other, they used to argue on the smallest things we can't even think of, but at time passed by they became the best of friends ever. Now the used to share secrets, hang out after school, and studied together at home.

Avanti's hard work paid her well when Mahatva scored 80% in his mid term exams. All his complaints were also settled as teachers were happy with his performance. And the best thing was that they ended up being the best of friends they ever had. Avanti understood Mahatva like no other and Mahatva was her second friend since childhood. Their bond grew stronger with each passing day.

It was after the mid term exams, they were sitting in Mahatva's room. Avanti was explaining him economics. She was so engrossed that she didn't realise she was too close to him. And as she finished explaining, she looked up directly at him. Their faces were just a inch away. She suddenly pulled herself back. After almost 30 seconds Mahatva pulled her and kissed her. His tongue gingerly on her lips to warm them and then gently blew air on them, the hot and cold kiss causing an explosion in her body. It was just for an odd 10 seconds but Avanti could feel blood rushing down her spine. She was ecstatic. Feeling embarrassed she packed her bag and headed towards home.

Avanti was very happy. It was the best feeling she had felt. She realised that somewhere between teaching him and being friends with him, she had started to fall for him. It was her first kiss and she was glad that it was with him.

Mahatva had the same feeling but the only difference was that it was not his first kiss and that he was really confused that does he really love her or is it just an infatuation?

The boards were near. They used to study together whole day, but not at anyone's home. They used to hang out sometimes but they never ever discussed "the kiss"

"I am going to screw this paper up" said Mahatva

"It's just the cash flow statement you don't know. We'll study it again."

"And what about shares, debentures and dissolution. I don't know anything. I am going to screw everything your teaching, my dedication. Avanti you should not have wasted time on me. I am just a rotten piece who destroys everything."

"Will you just shut up Mahatva? You know everything. We have completed the whole syllabus thrice. You know everything as much as I do. And I trust you, you'll score very good marks. So now my drama queen if you are done with your melodrama can we come back to the question paper?"

"Why do you trust me so much Avanti?". Avanti wanted to say that she loved him but instead she blurted out that "I don't trust you idiot. I trust me and my teaching. Who will trust an ass like you?" They looked and each other and started to laugh uncontrollably and then after some time Mahatva said, "I'll do it Avanti. I'll not let down the trust you have in me. I'll do it for you." Avanti was smiling inside but she was all cold outside.

Boards ended and Mahatva did quite well in his papers. So to celebrate his dedication and Avanti's hard work he asked her out the following evening. Black trousers, perfectly tucked white shirt and a black tie. Formals suited him. He was looking like a gentleman. He waited outside her house for almost 5-7 minutes in his Porsche and then called her. "Coming in 5", said Avanti and hung up.

Mahatva was busy in his phone when someone knocked. He looked up to see who that was, and he was dumbstruck. His jaws fell. He just stared outside. Blue dress which ended mid thigh, perfectly curled hairs some of which fell on her face, Minimal makeup, lenses, 6-inch heels and a Gucci back. She was Avanti. He came out of the car and like a gentleman greeted her and opened the door for her.

They went to her favorite restaurant. As they entered, Avanti was visibly happy as everything starting from ambience, flowers, music, and the food was according to her choices and preference. Mahatva pulled a chair for her. Avanti was liking all the attention he was giving to her. She was flattered.

As they sat to have the food, Mahatva started the conversation. "Avanti, I want to say something."

"Really. Even I want to." "So you say first and then I will"

"Mahatva rather than you first, you first let's do a thing. Let's say it together and whose part will be interesting, the other will stop. Sounds good?"

"Okay then. Let's start." "I love you" "I love you.....err......too". Both of them were shell shocked. They had seen this coming, but saying it together was unexpected.

After this they talked about various things but now their status was different. They were two lovers sitting beside each other and sharing their life. In the whole conversation that they were having, Avanti was quiet most of the time.

"We've just been in a relationship you ought to be dancing but look at you all silent. What happened? What's bothering you? Aren't you happy?" Mahatva said with concern in his voice

"It's nothing like that Mahatva. I love you a lot. I was just thinking that what if our relationship turns to be one-sided with passage of time? What if you actually don't love me and it's just one of your flings? What if you leave my every second girl? What if your friends say you to breakup with me because I cannot fit into the definition of cool? I don't want to think all this but is it not justified to think about all this?"

About what seemed like an eternity, Mahatva finally said something. "I was thinking that why all these thoughts find a way to your mind? It is justified for you to think like that because I was a big jerk before. But.." "So even you believe that this situation can occur in our life."

"Dear God, why haven't you fixed a mute button for girls? They speak so much. Avanti have you ever listened to yourself? I bet you've not. Can you just listen to what I have to say. Then decide everything." "Speak"

"Avanti I have never felt this before. Whenever I am with you, it's a soothing feeling. I just don't love the thought of being with you but I actually love being with you. Yeah I have dated a lot of girls before, but that was just an infatuation and this I fell for you can not be my infatuation or my flings. With those girls I used to think about how to pass time but with you I wish that time should stop. I feel complete with you my nerdy girl. There is no chance that I'll leave you on insistence by my friends. People say they that you are not cool because they have not seen you dressed up this way. But I love my simple nerdy Avanti, without makeup more. And the question that till when I'll love you so here's the answer - I'll love you until water and salt get separated from seas and oceans. I'll love you until someone touches the sun and comes back alive. I'll love you till my last breath. I've loved you since the first time our eyes met and I'll love you until the last blink of it. Trust me when I say this, you are the best feeling I ever had.

So Miss Avanti Malhotra are you ready to teach me lessons for the rest of our lives?"

Avanti was over whelmed. She had tears in her eyes. With a big smile on her face, she said. "Yes, I am ready to teach you but I won't teach our children. I don't want to be called an unpaid house teacher for the rest of my life."

"Who said you'll be unpaid? Here's your fees"Mahatva bent down on his knees and slightly placed a ring in her finger. Then he got up and kissed her forehead.

Finally, the two imperfect beings found their perfect love.