Tag: storywriting

Past is never dead

Posted on by anshubhojnagarwala

This story is part of a novella – A girl was born

Do check out the first and the subsequent chapters – https://firsttimemommy.net/category/a-z-blogging-challenge-2018/

16th chapter
Image: pexels

Tia was soon a teenager and Tara in her early forties. Before she had known, the midlife had slowly crept up on her. She had quite a few grays in her hair and fine lines around her eyes. She wore reading glasses as she had trouble reading without them. Thankfully, she had not put on weight and had the same slender frame. Nikhil on the other hand had piled on a few kilos, especially on his midriff. His once black hair had completely turned grey, but he refused to colour them.

“With age, you should leave vanity behind, Tara and accept the way you are!” He said. He was also turning more philosophical with age.

Nikhil’s business was growing by leaps and bounds, and that kept Nikhil away from the city and his family more than he liked. Tara, meanwhile having finished her post-graduation, was teaching in a school. She even taught the kids of the building watchmen and domestic helps at her home for free. She didn’t earn much, but that was secondary. She loved kids and was surrounded by adorable little people throughout her day.

After Tia, they had wanted another child, but they couldn’t conceive. They even saw a doctor and tried to get pregnant using more advanced methods, but it didn’t work out. After a while, the disappointment and pain over not getting pregnant was too much for them to bear, and they quit trying.

With time, like all marriages do, Nikhil and Tara’s marriage too had fallen into a comfortable pattern. They liked each other’s company and took care of their responsibilities towards their home, child and each other. If Tara was a good mother, Nikhil was a hands on father too. Between both of them, they made sure Tia got good values and the confidence to do well in life. Tia was a happy and loving child. 

Though Tara was a busy woman and her life was full, there were times when she caught herself thinking of the past, and in particular of Himanshu. She wondered where he was nowadays? What had become of him? How many kids he had? And sometimes she even imagined what her life would have been if he had not left her the way he did.

All these unanswered questions made her stressful and restless. Maybe they were the signs of her impending menopause. Maybe they were the last of hormones playing a trick on her.

Why did Tara think of Himanshu?? Was it an omen of some kind? Find out in Que Sera Sera

Ombré happiness

Posted on by anshubhojnagarwala

This story is part of a novella – A girl was born

Do check out the first and the subsequent chapters – https://firsttimemommy.net/category/a-z-blogging-challenge-2018/

small baby - 15th chapter

Tara got married for three reasons – to make her parents happy, to try to move on in life and to be a mother. Her biological clock was ticking. Nikhil was not too keen on bringing a baby so soon into their married life, but Tara was adamant. She wanted a baby, and sooner the better. Finally, he conceded. And, as luck would have it, the storks visited the newly wedded couple even before they could celebrate their first wedding anniversary.

Little Tia soon entered the world. She weighed 2.2 kgs, the same as her mother when she was born, and just as tiny. She resembled like an overgrown gecko. Fortunately, no one gave her any funny names. Her mother looked at the tiny wrinkled baby and cried. Tia had her dark complexion. Papa Nikhil couldn’t guess the real reason why Tara was upset. He thought they were the tears of a happy new mother.

Tia changed the life of Tara and Nikhil. Tara for the first time in many years came to love another person so completely. Her world revolved around Tia.

She spent less time with Nikhil, refused to go out with him or socialize because her baby needed her more. The chasm between the couple started widening with each passing day. Nikhil realized that but Tara was oblivious to it. Or maybe she didn’t care. She wanted to be a mother, she was one now. The rest was not important enough.

As Tia grew up, Tara realized that though Tia looked like Tara, she was a lot different than Tara was when she was small. While Tara was outdoorsy, Tia preferred reading books or drawing in a quiet corner of her room. She remembered her childhood days when her mother had to send a search party to bring her home at dinner time. Tara had a horde of friends, while Tia preferred the company of a few chosen ones. Her quiet demeanour and liking for solitude exasperated Tara.

Nikhil tried to explain to her, “Tara, Tia is not you. Just because she came out of your womb, she doesn’t have to be like you. She is a person in her own right. So, stop expecting her to do what you did or what you want.” It took a long time for Tara to understand the wisdom behind those words.

Motherhood makes you forget many other important things in your life? What do you think? Read further in the next chapter Past is never dead.

New beginnings

Posted on by anshubhojnagarwala

This story is part of a novella – A girl was born

Do check out the first and the subsequent chapters – https://firsttimemommy.net/category/a-z-blogging-challenge-2018/

indian bride - 14th chapter.jpg
Image: flickr

Tara couldn’t believe that Nikhil, the sweet and simple guy whom she had met two months ago was now her husband. At first, Tara had refused to meet him, in fact she did not want to meet him at all, but under the family pressure she had relented. It was her mother’s tears that finally did her in.

She said, “Honey, you have been refusing good proposals for the last 2 years, but now we want to see you married and happy with your husband. It’s not that we are asking for much.”

Her father then joined in, “Child, just for one mistake do you want to suffer all your life. Haven’t you repented enough?” He wasn’t wrong. She had regretted her one mistake long enough. Her one big mistake of falling in love, with the wrong man. She had cried till there weren’t any tears left.

She had met Nikhil and realized that he was very different from Himanshu. He was a man of few words. He didn’t talk much, just asked Tara if she would be OK living in Mumbai, away from her parents. She nodded. She hadn’t thought of it really.

On her wedding, she was dressed in a beautiful red brocade lehenga with a rich zardosi border and studded with tiny diamonds. Her makeup was simple and she wore a tightly tied ‘veni’ of sweet smelling mogra around her hair which was wrapped in a bun. The wedding is the happiest day in a girl’s life, then why the bride’s eyes looked hollow and why her smile didn’t reach her eyes, if guests at the wedding thought that, they kept this thought to themselves. When Tara made a promise in front of the holy fire that she would strive to make her husband happy, she didn’t lie; she really meant it.

Moving to Mumbai was a blessing in disguise. Managing a household in a different city where she knew no one from her past kept her very busy. She changed the home décor, bought groceries, entertained Nikhil’s friends; her life was full.

Tara and Nikhil were like chalk and cheese. Tara was impetuous, while Nikhil thought things through. Tara was fiery as the sun, while Nikhil was cool as the moon. Together, they made a nice pair. No one looking at them would say there were made for each other, but they looked as if they were in for the long haul.

Do you think she should have married Nikhil? Do you think she would love Nikhil the way she did Himanshu? Read it in “Ombré happiness“.

Memories haunt forever

Posted on by anshubhojnagarwala

This story is part of a novella – A girl was born

Do check out the first and the subsequent chapters – https://firsttimemommy.net/category/a-z-blogging-challenge-2018/

thirteenth chapter

The next morning, Tara woke up late. In between bouts of crying and helpless anger, she managed to sleep only in the early hours of the morning.

She entered the kitchen with eyes huge and swollen. Her mother gave her an ice pack and hugged her.

“Take a shower, you will feel much better. Then we have to go to the temple for puja. Remember it’s Thursday today, we need to offer prayers to the banana leaf.” She said.

“No!” Tara shouted.

“I am not doing any puja henceforth. And no fasts either.” Then with force, as her fingers were swollen too in the morning, she started taking off one ring after another and throwing them on the floor.

“I don’t want any of these either. Fat lot of good they did to me.”

“At least ask Himanshu what happened,” her mother pleaded with her.

“I am doing nothing of that sort. I waited for him for 15 months, he said he didn’t want to marry just yet, and I agreed. I did whatever he asked me to do. And this is what I get at the end of it. Rejection.” Tara was furious with herself. She was furious with her destiny and all the Gods in the world.

“No one will ever talk about that wretched man ever again in this house,” her father entered the kitchen at just that moment and announced. Her mother nodded her head.

It wrenched his heart to see her daughter suffering so much. He felt his chest constricted and his eyes heavy, but he didn’t cry then. He needed to put up a brave front. He wiped his eyes with is kerchief only once he was alone in the bedroom. Curse that man!

It was time he found Tara a good husband. A husband and kids should make her forget about her past.

She took sleeping pills to make her sleep. But, even they refused to work on her. Tara woke up in the nights with wet cheeks and pain in her chest. She wondered how one could feel so much pain and still go on breathing. Sometimes she felt she should cut her heart out from her body. Her life had shattered and scattered into a million pieces and she did not know how to pick them up. She was not even sure if she really wanted to.

Her parents saw her moving like a zombie and hurt inwardly. They did not know what they could do to help her. Their child and they could do nothing to wipe off that permanent doomed expression from her face. But how did you comfort someone who did not need comforting?

Love was such a scary thing. It overwhelmed you till you were just putty in its hands. She felt she was in a bog of memories, however much she tried to get out of it, more the memories would pull her down and haunt her.

Himanshu had once asked her, “What will you do if I leave you?”.

She had replied cockily so sure of this turn of event never happening, “I will haunt you for the rest of your life”. The truth was that it was him and his memories that were hell bent upon haunting her.

Will Tara ever find love and happiness again? Stay tuned for tomorrow’s chapter!

Let me drown

Posted on by anshubhojnagarwala

This story is part of a novella – A girl was born

Do check out the first and the subsequent chapters – https://firsttimemommy.net/category/a-z-blogging-challenge-2018/

twelfth chapter.jpeg
Image: pexels

Himanshu was extremely busy of late. Weeks passed before he called. He was very inconsistent with messaging and replying to them as well. He seemed to have no plans of coming back to India in the near future. And, Tara was scared to ask Himanshu lest he got upset.

Luckily for Tara, she didn’t let her personal life come in the way of her professional one. If at all, her school work and her kids helped her to stay sane.

Kush came one morning and as was his morning ritual, he came to Tara and hugged her. Then very excitedly, he told her, “Himanshumama (Himanshu uncle) is married.”

Her heart skipped a beat. She thought she had not heard him right.

With a sunken feeling she asked him, “Which mama (uncle)?”

“Himanshumama in London. He is married.”

Kush answered as chirpily as before. He didn’t notice that Tara’s face was drained of all colour or that she was on the verge of fainting.

Tara closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them again, she found all the kids in the classroom looking at her, especially Kush who was standing right in front of her. She asked him to take his seat. And then announced in the class, “I am not feeling well. Excuse me.”

She got up and immediately held the chair for support. Her legs were wobbly and suddenly she was feeling very weak. Picking up her bag, she went out of the class and straight into the Principal’s office. She pleaded sickness and got the rest of the day off. As soon as she sat in the cab, she dialled up Kush’s mother’s phone to check with her.

“Hello!” She answered.

“Hello, Kush’s mother, this is Taramiss from school.”

“Yes, hello miss. Is Kush alright?” She sounded worried.

“Yes, absolutely. Nothing’s the problem with Kush. It’s just that Kush told me that Himanshu has got married. So just wanted to confirm with you.”

“Miss, I would appreciate if you wouldn’t drag Kush and I in your personal life. Or I would have to report this to the Principal,” saying this she disconnected the phone.

Tara couldn’t believe her ears. Kush’s mother was always so friendly. Why was she behaving as if she was a stranger? Has Himanshu really got married?

She messaged Himanshu, “Did you get married?”

It was sometime before she got the reply. “Yes!”

She called him immediately. But, he didn’t pick up the phone. Tara was devastated. She hadn’t imagined this even in her worst dreams. He wanted space, she gave him that. Where had she gone wrong? Himanshu was her soul-mate.  How could she have lost him?

She reached home and straight away went to her room. Flopping herself on the bed and hiding her face in the pillow, she let out such a painful cry that her mother who was in the kitchen ran towards Tara’s bedroom with ladle in her hand.

“What happened? Why are you crying?” Her mother demanded. Never had she seen her chirpy Tara like this.

She shook her head. “It’s all over. Himanshu married someone else.” She said in between huge sobs that seemed to rob her off her voice.

Her mother was shocked. “What? When? Why? How?”

Tara couldn’t reply, because she didn’t have any of the answers. She continued crying and shaking with pain. Her mother held her tight. Tears streaming down her face as well.

Do you think what Himanshu did was right? Read the next chapter tomorrow – “Memories haunt forever“.

Knock me down

Posted on by anshubhojnagarwala

This story is part of a novella – A girl was born

Do check out the first and the subsequent chapters – https://firsttimemommy.net/category/a-z-blogging-challenge-2018/

eleventh chapter.jpeg
Image: pexels

When she informed her parents of the latest development, they were very worried. Her mother, the next day, took her to an astrologer that her friend had recommended. After a wait of almost an hour, he was a busy man if the long queue outside his house was any indication, he took them in. He studied her birth chart for quite some time and then shook his head.

“This is a very poor chart. She was born on Amavasya (no moon), also the day of surya grahan (solar eclipse). Donate black lentils on every no moon night to avoid the evil eye. The sun and venus are in the same house. Because her sun is very strong, it is making her relationship planet venus very weak. She needs to wear a diamond on the ring finger which is the stone for relationships to strengthen her relationship house.”

So, the next day, her father talked to her mother’s brother who was a jeweller and within a few days, she got a bright twinkling diamond on her finger. Meanwhile, her neighbour suggested her mother that Tara should observe fasts on Mondays. So, Tara started fasting on Mondays. Some other person told her to fast on Sundays by eating only rice. Tara, in the desperate attempt to set things right in her relationship, fasted on Sundays.

Three months went by, when they decided this was not working. So, they went to another astrologer, who asked her to wear an emerald on her middle finger. They got an emerald ring made. Tara decided that she liked the dull green stone better than her solitaire diamond.

Meanwhile, Himanshu was ever so busy in his work and colleagues. He had made some new friends at work and spent a lot of time with them outside work. Tara took care to avoid any mention of wedding or their future. However, every time she talked to Himanshu, she felt as if she was walking on egg shells, she didn’t know what would make Himanshu upset. This was a side of Himanshu absolutely unknown to Tara and she realized she didn’t like it quite that much.

By the end of another six months, Tara was sporting a pearl and a yellow sapphire on her little and index fingers beside the diamond and the emerald. Also, she was now fasting on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Very soon, her friends stopped calling her, her numerous fasts got in the way. Tara was one very unhappy person. And in turn, she made life miserable for everyone around her.

Do keep on reading to know what happens next in Tara’s life – will all this fasting and wearing different stones work for Tara?? Will Himanshu come back? Read in ‘Let Me Drown‘!

 

Jinxed

Posted on by anshubhojnagarwala

This story is part of a novella – A girl was born

Do check out the first and the subsequent chapters – https://firsttimemommy.net/category/a-z-blogging-challenge-2018/

tenth chapter

Tara and Himanshu called each other every day. She left him a ‘Good morning’ message as soon as she woke up, and he left her a ‘Good night’ one when he hit the bed each night.

After a few weeks, the calls were not that frequent anymore. The project and the client demanded much of Himanshu’s time. So, they agreed to call and chat only on weekends. Himanshu visited a new place in London every weekend and described it in detail to Tara. So even without having visited London, she knew one could buy bright scarves at Camden Lock, that Regent Street was very expensive and the summit of the Primrose Hill offered a spectacular view of central London and there was a hedge maze at Hampton Court Palace. She longed to visit all these places with Himanshu.

As the weeks passed, Himanshu got busier with his project and the chats and phone calls became more infrequent. Only a couple of months more, he said. Tara was counting the days before he would come back.

He was already gone five months, when one day Himanshu called. His project was nearing completion, but the client being impressed by his work, wanted him to work on another one. The company wanted Himanshu to stay back for another 6 months.

Tara was greatly upset. She asked him whether he could come back for a few weeks so that they could formalize their relationship. Himanshu got angry.

“Do you think of anything else besides getting married? There are other things in life you know?” He shouted and disconnected the phone.

Of all the things, this was something she was not expecting.

Maybe I am being unjust. He is knee deep in work and all I care about is the wedding. Maybe I should give him a break. Tara knew she was pushing him only at the behest of her father who wanted to see her married. But, that was no excuse. She trusted Himanshu and would marry him whenever he came back, whether it took him 6 months or 2 years.

What will Tara do now? Find out tomorrow in Knock me down.

 

 

 

It’s Love, Baby!

Posted on by anshubhojnagarwala

This story is part of a novella – A girl was born

Do check out the first and the subsequent chapters – https://firsttimemommy.net/category/a-z-blogging-challenge-2018/

ninth chapter.jpeg
Image: pexels

They decided to meet each other the next day.

The week went by like a tornado. Himanshu and Tara met every day. Though they didn’t admit to each other in words, they knew they were in love. At the end of the week, Himanshu left with the promise to come back the next month.

Himanshu visited Ahmedabad for one weekend every month. Those two days, they were inseparable. After a few months, Tara’s parents came to know about Himanshu. They met him and liked him. Tara’s father was very pleased. Not only Himanshu was doing very well in a multinational bank and had bright future prospects, but he belonged to the same caste. He couldn’t have found a better match for Tara.

He asked Tara after Himanshu left, “So, what are your plans?”

“What plans, papa?” She asked.

“Of marriage. Have you two decided to get married or not?”

“No, we haven’t thought of it, let alone discuss it.”

“So, what do you two talk morning and night?” He was exasperated. Today’s youth was very lazy with no sense of urgency.

“Do you think we talk about marriage?”

“Yes, and if you don’t, then it’s time you did. You are not getting any younger, and he seems to be a good boy. I think you should talk about wedding. We would also like to meet his parents.”

Tara talked to Himanshu about what her father told her.

“Your father is not wrong. Every daughter’s father thinks on similar lines. But, I need some time to think.”

Tara didn’t mind. She knew marriage was a big step, and most men were afraid of taking it. But, she was confident that Himanshu would come back to her with a positive response. She knew him well by now.

After a few days, Himanshu called her up in the middle of the day. Usually, they never called each other during working hours. Tara knew it was something important for him to have broken the unspoken rule.

“Tara,” he spoke as soon as she answered the call. “You know what. This is so exciting. I am being sent to London for an assignment.”

“Wow, that’s great news. When are you leaving?”

“In a months’ time.”

“That’s pretty soon. When will you come back?”

“It’s a big project. So, I would be needed for 6 months. That’s what they are saying. No one’s sure yet.”

“6 months is a long time. I will miss you badly.”

“So will I, baby. So will I”. Himanshu assured her.

When Tara broke the news to her parents, her father was visibly upset.

“I think we should talk to his parents. We can fix your engagement before he leaves for London, and once he comes back, you two can get married.”

Tara talked to Himanshu, who was not in favour of the whole arrangement.

“Tara, I will be very busy the next few weeks. It’s an important assignment, and there is no scoop for a goof up. I won’t be even coming to Ahmedabad before I leave. Tell your father we would surely get married once I come back.”

Tara’s father was not happy about this, but he realized there was nothing he could do. He had a bad feeling about it. But he kept the thought to himself. Himanshu left India after a month.

Do you think Himanshu’s leaving India without getting married to Tara was a bad omen? Find out in Jinxed.

He Said, She Said

Posted on by anshubhojnagarwala

This story is part of a novella – A girl was born

Do check out the first and the subsequent chapters – https://firsttimemommy.net/category/a-z-blogging-challenge-2018/

eight chapter.jpeg
Image: pexels

To do. To do not. To meet him. To meet him not.

Tara was in a constant fight with herself for the last two days.

She didn’t know him. Why did he want to meet her? Was he a decent man? She heard so many stories of girls being pestered by antisocial elements nowadays.

She decided to message Kush’s mother.

“Hello, this is Tara miss. Heard about the incident. Hope Kush’s grandparents are doing well. Met your brother at the Open House.”

After a couple of hours, she got the message.

“They are doing better now, thank you. I had asked Himanshu to get Kush’s reports. Kush is missing you and can’t wait for the new term to begin.” The message ended with a happy emoticon.

Well, at least Himanshu’s credibility was established. Tara thought no further and messaged him in a moment of impulse.

“Let’s meet this Saturday at 11 am, Beverage Point!”

Once the message was sent, doubts started creeping in. It was too late now.

“Good.” He replied immediately.

Saturday arrived, and with it a flight of butterflies in her stomach. She was unsure of her decision. She thought, on many occasions, to cancel the date, but this was the most exciting thing that had ever happened to her, she didn’t want to let it go without trying. She was an independent girl; if things got ugly, which she doubted they would in a public place, she could handle them.

She took ages to get ready. She couldn’t decide on an ideal dress to wear. Some made her look needy, some a Victorian prude and some very cold and distant. It took her sometime to pick an outfit that made her look pretty, slim, fashionable but at the same time not too eager.

In a sunshine yellow dress, she arrived at the café only to find Himanshu waiting for her. He got up and took her one hand in a firm handshake. Motioning her to sit down, he took a seat opposite her.

She was very nervous.

“I had a very strong feeling that you would fall sick at the last moment.” He joked. She laughed, appreciating his witty attempt to break the ice.

“I was almost tempted to do that.” She replied. He smiled.

“Thank you for not giving in.” The man was charming. She had to give him credit for that.

“So, what will you take. Masala tea, ginger tea, iced tea…??”

“Lemon iced tea.”

“One lemon iced tea and one double expresso,” he said to the passing waiter.

“You must be thinking if I was a creep to have invited you without knowing you.”

“Well, I must admit the thought did enter my mind.” I told him truthfully.

“I have never done this before, acted so rashly. But, I had heard so much about you both from Kush and my sister, that I had to meet this paragon of virtue. The lady luck was on my side when I had to take my sister’s place the school meeting, and I got to meet you.”

“I was charmed, you see. I saw the way you talked to the parents before me. You were so cool, calm and collected.”

She lowered her eyes in embarrassment. She was not good at handling compliments.

“And, you are so beautiful!” He said softly. Tara looked up immediately. No one in her life had ever called her that before. Charming, yes, smart and intelligent, yes…but beautiful, never.

She had a doubt. “Are you flirting with me?”

“No, not at all!” He sounded offended.

“You are beautiful, beauty is in the eyes, you know!” His words were sincere. And, so, for the first time in her life, Tara actually felt beautiful. Her dark skin was beautiful.

They talked about each other. Himanshu was a Chartered Accountant, working at a prestigious multinational bank in Mumbai. He had some leaves due and so he was visiting his parents. He had one more week before he left for Mumbai.

Tara had thought she would make some polite excuse after an hour and leave. But, one hour got over, and she didn’t realize. When she next checked her watch, it was just over 2 pm. Himanshu was an interesting person, and they were enjoying knowing each other.

The sun was hanging low on the horizon, turning the sky into a beautiful landscape of orange, red, blue and purple, when they finally stepped out of the café. They decided to meet each other the next day.

Is it the beginning of a love story?? Do you think Tara and Himanshu are made for each other? Read about them further in tomorrow’s post. I won’t give you the chapter name as it is a giveaway. 🙂

Gone Girl (Chapter 7)

Posted on by anshubhojnagarwala

This story is part of a novella – A girl was born

Do check out the first and the subsequent chapters – https://firsttimemommy.net/category/a-z-blogging-challenge-2018/

seventh chapter.jpeg
Image: pexels

A couple of days after the Open House, she received a message on her phone.

“Hello Tara miss!” It was from an unknown number. She didn’t have the number stored in her contact list.

Must be one of the parents. She didn’t have all the parents’ numbers saved in her phone.

“Hello! Whose parent are you please?” She messaged.

“This is Himanshu. I hope you remember me from the Open House.” It asked.

How she could forget him? He was tall, nearly half a foot taller than her, with a muscular physique. He had a head full of thick black hair, dark brown eyes which looked all the more distinguished because of the rimless glasses he wore. He had a beautiful set of teeth that shone when he smiled, and his nails were trimmed and filed. Tara was obsessed with teeth and nails; she subconsciously observed people’s teeth and checked their nails. He was a man you couldn’t forget in a hurry. He was the Fitzwilliam Darcy of her dreams.

But why was he messaging her?

“Yes, I do remember you, Mr. Himanshu Mittal!” (she remembered his signature).

“Is it possible to meet you today?” He asked.

“Is it something regarding Kush?” She was concerned now.

“You could say so.”

“Alright. You can meet me after the class around 12 noon.” Tara was looking after the summer camp classes that had started from previous Monday.

“See you at 12.” Was his last message.

In the classroom and with the kids around, she forgot about Himanshu and Kush. At noon, kids left leaving behind a mountain of chart papers, scissors, glue, crayons. She was sitting on the floor, in the process of putting them in some sort of order when there was a knock at the door. She looked up to find Himanshu standing at the door. Her heart skipped a beat. He looked more handsome and irresistible, if that was possible.

Get a hold on yourself, you silly girl! She scolded herself.

“Please come in and take a seat. I won’t be a minute,” she offered. She cleared away all the stationary, which also gave her sometime to compose herself, before sitting on the chair opposite Himanshu.

“Hope Kush’s grandparents are doing well?” She asked.

“Yes, they are better now. Thank you.” He replied. His words came out in a soft drawl.

“Please tell me, how can I help you?” She couldn’t understand for the life of her why he wanted to see her.

“By coming out with me.” He said in a very matter of fact tone.

She was shocked. Did she hear him right?

“Excuse me?” She asked, confusion evident in her eyes.

“Tara I want to see you outside the school. I like you and want to know you.”

She was taken aback. What was he asking her to do? Was he crazy?

“No, I am not crazy. And no, you won’t be violating any of school rule in coming out with me. I am not your student’s parent.” The thought hadn’t even enter her mind. But Himanshu had thought of everything.

She was afraid. Her eyes gave her in.

“Don’t be scared. We can meet for a coffee in a crowded coffee place.”

When she still didn’t reply, “You don’t have to answer me now. Take your time.”

He got up from the chair and began to leave. “Don’t take a lot of time though.” He joked.

She smiled in spite of herself.

Will Tara meet him? Read the next post He Said She Said on Monday, 9th April.

Have a great weekend! Ciao!