The Strangers - Across the Silent Heartbeat-Chapter 17: Classroom Chronicles (Part 1)

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Days that followed the arrival of Ayesha were a jolly muddle of sorts for Arjun. Life together at the university felt like living a dream. Laughter, stolen glances, and uncanny silences bound them closer per diem.

Everyone could see from that class what to what sort of connection existed between them. They would sit together, their hands brushing against each other when they passed each other notes or whispered during lectures. Ayesha brought such a lightness to life, he thought, and at that moment, one he had never experienced. He found himself smiling more than ever, with his heart constantly fluttering with joy.

It was one morning, while the lecturer droned on about the intricacies of data structures, that his mind strayed to Ayesha. He was distinctly obsessed with thoughts concerning her; how through her, warm happiness had somehow come into his life. Her presence in his class would only remind him of the treacherous road time plays on the mortal world.

Bored with the lecture, Arjun decided to spurt some romance into such routine. He folded a piece of notepaper torn from his book in two, scribbled a number of words over it, and folded it into a small square. Grinning mischievously, he pushed the note across the desk toward Ayesha.

Curiosity was right within her, so Ayesha opened the note. The only message was this: "Somehow I cannot help but drown in your eyes with every lecture."

Pink touched her cheeks at the words. Fast was her answer, laced with playfulness in tone, a sweet smile on the face: "With you here, every lecture feels like it's a pretty day."

For a moment, quite literally, not a beat skipped in Arjun's heart. The two of them carried on the whole class, sending notes to each other back and forth, each one sweeter than the last. The tiny flirtations in those sweet notes had created a bubble of intimacy in the huge monotony of the droning lecture, almost as though the whole class was one treasured memory.

The class got over and Arjun along with Ayesha walked out of the classroom hand in hand. The velodrome was chock-full of students; to them, the world seemed to be just the two.

They moved into the cafeteria where their friends Vikram, Mira, Neha, and Priya were already waiting.

As they made their way to the table, the grins on Arjun's face were hard to ignore for their friends. Raising an eyebrow, Vikram started to smirk. "Someone's had fun."

Ayesha could feel the sparkle within her eyes as she took her seat beside Arjun. "We were just passing notes during class.".

Mira smiled warmly, her smile drawing closer. "It is good to see you both so happy; you bring out the best in each other."

With one look, probably, at Ayesha, Arjun's heart swelled with all the gush of emotions. "Well, we've been through a lot, but I wouldn't exchange these moments for anything."

Ayesha's eyes softened; she looked at Arjun lingeringly. "Me neither. You make everything better.".

The friends shared knowing glances in each other's faces at the pure love that shone in Arjun and Ayesha's faces. The lunch was hearty, full of laughs and real conversation.

Later in the afternoon, Arjun and Ayesha sat below a large tree in the garden of their campus; its vast leaves sprawled, fanned out in a discharge of shade, the setting sun setting all kinked with light. Ayesha rummaged in her bag and pulled out her violin.

"I haven't played for you as yet," she said, twinkle in the eyes.

Arjun's face widened with his eyes. "You actually brought your violin here?"

She just nodded and put the instrument to the hollow of her chin. Out spilled these hauntingly beautiful notes that seemed so in the air they would curl around Arjun like an embrace. He was not just the music but the living passion and graceful performance of Ayesha.

"That was AMAZING, Ayesha. You really have a gift."

"Thanks, Arjun. I just had to show this to you.

Moments were tender and happy together. It put them in a cocoon of happiness they wove around themselves. They became strength and support for studies to each other.

That same evening, in the library, Arjun turned to Ayesha working intently over her book. The seriousness on her face, from having been poring over her studies, caused him to smile. Reaching out, he touched her hand lightly.

"Need any help?" he whispered.

Ayesha had glanced up at that very moment, and their eyes met. "I'm good, but thanks."

They still huddled over books, their heads virtually touching as they ploughed through assignments, and Ayesha's ideas and her pep talks were like a shot in the arm. He still bridled at how brilliant and dedicated she was, though.

"You rock," he said, grinning. "I don't know where I'd be without you."

She laughed and her eyes softened with her regard. "And I have a great teacher."

Their teamwork flowed, and they did the assignment really well. They high-fived, and Arjun stared at Ayesha with love.

"You make everything right, Ayesha," he murmured.

Ayesha glowed with a smile. "I feel the same about you."

Their days passed in study sessions, pulling each other's legs, and introspection. Their bond was growing thicker by the day, and by pure instinct, they both knew each had chanced upon something very special in the other.

As they were strolling together with their hands locked into each other's, Arjun turned to Ayesha one fine day and said, "I can't seem to think of my life without you.

"You don't have to; we are in it together," she said with a tender smile.

The journey was far yet to go for them, and they were ready for everything. Love set fire within them and made them get through the ups and downs in life.

The more they continued writing their story, the more full it was of love, laughter, and possibility.