"Just Another Love Story" (Scene11)

Scene 11: The Love Letter

I spent the next two hours waiting for the afternoon session when we have our computer science practical classes.   Three hours, where everybody will be busy with their computers and no one will bother about anything else. That will be the perfect time for me to go to Meghana and produce my heart in the form of the letter in front of her.  Even if she turns it down, I would be spared from major embarrassment.

I had the letter in my pocket, but, my confidence was missing. There was something about her that made me fall short of confidence every time I approached her. And every time I tried to speak to her I ended up struggling for words. I was someone who could talk in front of a large crowd without even a single fumble and here I was in a complete contrast, in front of this girl.

From the day I saw her, my life had changed. I was not the same guy I used to be. My friends complained that I spoke less and my mom suspected something wrong with the alignment of my stars, and the astrologer whom she consulted told her that it was because Shani was too interested in me and my guru was not in my favor. He even smelled some black magic performed by some relatives, and that a daylong Pooja costing some thousands of rupees would wipe it off. But, all I needed was Meghana. I don’t know what the text book definition of love is, but, all I knew was that, my day starts and ends with her thoughts. Everything else felt boring and all the sounds in the world except that of her seemed harsh. I would go restless when I don’t see her for a day, and would walk every evening behind her, (without she noticing of course) till the place she stayed, when actually my house is in the exact opposite direction. If this was not what they call love then maybe I was not yet in Love.

It was time for lunch and my friends wanted to go out to some good restaurant instead of the college canteen. I had no choice but to go with them. For the first time, we had been to a good place to eat and I didn’t decide what to eat. They ordered whatever they wanted and Vinay knowing my likes, ordered the best he could find in the menu. I couldn’t eat much that day. Others in the group were praising the food all the way till college But, I didn’t have any opinion. For, it didn’t matter if the food was good or not, the only things that mattered to me now were Meghana, the Computer Practical session and that letter.

As we had gone a bit far from the college, we were late for the session. By the time we reached the lab, others had already taken their seats and had begun with their coding. In the huge lab spanning up to two rooms, it was difficult for me to locate Meghana. We were not allowed to move around in the lab unless we had some questions to be asked to the Lecturers. I had to find a place for myself and sit. I didn’t get time to look for Meghana. If I had been there on time, I could even get a seat next to her. But, damn these guys planning for food outside, I have to pay the price. And the food wasn’t great either.

I started with my practical session, typed some random codes from the notes. I had typed almost for ten minutes when I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was my lecturer standing behind me. I stood up and asked

“Sir…”

Lecturer: “Akash, how are you?.”

Me: “I am fine sir thank you. What happened sir?”

Lecturer: “Are you sure? You don’t seem to be fine today. You need some help?”

Me: “No sir. I am alright.”

Lecturer: “Then why are you typing the wrong code? This was from the previous session”

Me (Realizing he was right):  “Oh! I am sorry sir. I did not know. I missed to note the ones for this session”

Lecturer: “It’s alright.” 

With another tap on my shoulder

Lecturer:  “Concentrate a bit more my friend.” And he looked around, and said,

Lecturer: “Meghana, come here.” 

I was shocked for a moment. All this time I was sitting there and didn’t realize that the she was sitting next to me. Meghana was now standing next to me. My heart was sprinting.

Meghana: “Yes Sir?”

Lecturer: “Meghana, it seems that Akash here needs you to help him with the code for today’s session. Can you help him? Can you give him the correct code so that he can carry on with the practical? “

Meghana: “Yes Sir. Sure.”

I was staring at her face.

Lecturer: “good then. You guys carry on.”  

He walked away from there.

I was still standing without moving a muscle, staring at her face.

Meghana: “Akash…” (pause) ” Akash...Hey...Akash.”

The next minute she placed a book in my hand I came back to reality.

Meghana: “The codes for today are in here. If you need some help let me know.”

Both of us took our seats and continued our work.

I didn’t look up for the next one hour and typed all the codes and compiled them. They didn’t have many errors.  Even though she was sitting just next to me, I got up from my seat and went to her seat in order to return her book.

On reaching there,

Me: “Meghana, Thank you. You are So beautiful”

Meghana: “Excuse me? I didn’t get you.”

Me: “What? What didn’t you get?”

Meghana: “You said something like beautiful or something?”

Me: “oh…umm….your handwriting, I mean it’s so beautiful.”

I was about to give the book back to her and I realized, I could use that book to accomplish what I wanted to accomplish. Without thinking much, I said,

“Oh! Wait. Let me have another look at the code. I may have done some mistake. Don’t want to bother you again for this. I have the habit of missing some things every time”

I walked back to my seat.

Meghana didn’t understand what was happening. She turned back to her computer to continue what she was doing. She was typing it slow, as there was more time left.

On reaching my seat I carefully took the letter and placed it inside her book. Acting as if I am going through the code on the monitor and the book I sat there for five more minutes. Then, I got up from my seat and went to her and returned her book. 

Meghana: “Is everything alright? I mean was there something wrong in my code?”

Me: “Oh...no no...Everything was perfect. After all it’s your code. I had done some mistakes while typing. All sorted out now. Thanks.”

Returning back to my seat I felt I had spoken too much. But, was happy that I had finally handed the letter, I mean at least handed the book with the letter back to her. I felt sitting there for more time may not be a good idea for my health. So, I went to the lecturer and told him that I had finished my tasks for the day and asked if I could leave. He was probably in good mood and granted me permission to leave.

I didn’t waste much time and walked out of the room the next moment. I was excited, happy and scared… all this at same time. I decided to leave for the day as I didn’t feel it safe and imagined a furious Meghana walking out of the lab with the letter in one hand and a sword in another.  It was too scary. I walked out of the college campus.