"But what happened?"

"Nothing really! Just have to go..."

"Ummm... but where are you headed?"

"Just somewhere"

"OK... who will cover the rest of the chapters? Exams are just a month away and there are still 3 chapters to go"

Hah! As if I cared about the portion! The love of my life was packing off all the important things around his house and he wasn't disclosing details of where he's going...

"Anagh will cover them"

"But Anagh Sir only teaches Chemistry! I doubt he even knows there are two parts of the brains... and he..."

"He's a good professor! Don't judge him by his language! Don't worry, you be good!"

With that he started bubble wrapping all the crappy, pathetically mushy ceramics in his showcase that came as gifts to him... three of them were from me... Why is he being rough with that ceramic dog that *I* gave him? Or was just my perception?

"And when are you gonna be back?"

" I don't know"

I just kept looking at him... trying to make him conscious enough that he replies... he couldn't have missed the glare... he simply avoided looking at me... and then he did...

"Are you able to fit all the books in that bag? I have some space in here if there are any left"

I continued that painful look for a couple of seconds...

"They all fit"

"OK, you start with the clothes next... I'll start with the utensils"

"I don't want to..."

"OK, you can leave if you have to go somewhere... I'll manage"

"No, I don't want to go anywhere... and I don't want you also to go anywhere..."

"Babes, let's focus on packing"

I go 'mmmmmmm' when he calls me babes... but it kills me that it's not exclusive... he calls everyone that...

He had called up in the afternoon asking whether I can come over in the evening to cover up some doubts that I had with "Carbon and Carbon Compounds". It was sudden and he usually doesn't call students home unless exam's the next day. So it was kinda fishy. But I thought I'd figure out what it is in the morning.

I tucked his last underwear inside one of the suitcases.

"I'm done"

"Lunch's almost ready... fix the plates..."

I didn't have to fish much. There were only two plates lying in the drawer. Everything else was packed. I placed them on the table. A little too close to each other... hoping the plates aren't moved and we sit as close. Then I moved the place to opposite ends.

"Sorry, no bowls, everything else is packed"

"That's OK... Let me help you..."

I walked to the stove... Acqua Di Gio... had read the name off the bottle when he was packing his toiletries... the fragrance just made him so much more irresistible... as if there was any need...

"What's being cooked?"

"Spaghetti in red sauce... but sorry i'm out of cheese"

"Hmmm... you cook often?"

"I cook daily... how else do I survive!"

"I thought you'd have a maid or someone to cook... the smell is yumm!!"

I had leaned over to smell the dish... and then I realized I was too close to him... for a split second I was about to back off... but then I didn't...

"Hope it tastes as yummy... I was out of basil... So I don't know how it's gonna taste..."

"Hmmmm..."

Did I give out seduction through that moan? I just wanted to do a agree-hmmm.

He turned off the gas, picked the pan by it's handle and walked towards the table...

"Here we go... Now let's watch some TV?"

And he just walked off without waiting for my answer... I picked up the plate and followed him out... There was this one bean bag and he crashed on it... I threw a look around to see where I can put my bum...

"Come sit here!"

And he moved 5 inches gesturing me towards the emptier side of the bean bag... After seeing the doubtful look on my face, he moved an inch more...

"I'm not gonna throw science questions on you... Come!"

He switched on the teevee as I hesitantly walked towards him... I think I sat down too fast... Stupid clumsy me... Had a good portion of my hips and right arm placed on him... He hardly budged...

MTV... Splitsvilla... Next...
Zee... Some melodrama... Next
FTV... some fashion show... awkward... Next
IBN7... 'kya dehshat ka ye roop...' Next
Sun TV... alien language... Next
Set Max... China Gate... Next
HBO... Notting Hill...

"Let this beeeeeee"

"Isn't this the best movie ever?"

"Yess!! You like it too??"

"Not much! But I figured you'd do"

"Why?"

"Just!!"

For a ninth grader, Notting Hill was like the plethora of romance... the perfect mush... and how much ever I potray myself as a tom boy, I'm a die-hard romantic at heart!

"What's your favorite movie?"

"There's not one... there are so many... Casa Blanca... then there's Life is Beautiful..."

And the loud thudding of my heart made the rest of the list inaudible... He had placed the remote on the floor and put his arm around my shoulder...