Quatervois

Part 12

(Dhruv's POV continued)

Waking up with a jolt to the sound of a loud thud on my door, I realized I had dozed off while listening to "Saari Ki Saari" on loop.

I quickly put my headphones aside, rubbed my eyes, and shook my head to clear my drowsiness before heading to open the door.

Unsurprisingly, it was Noah on the other side. The thudding had given his presence away. Taking a sip of water from my bottle, I opened the door, my expression unamused but not surprised.

Noah made himself at home on my bed, his casual demeanor suggesting that he felt right at home here. He quickly reached for my headphones, curiosity evident on his face as he tried to decipher the song I was listening to. The puzzled expression on his face told me he couldn't quite comprehend it.

"So, how was detention?" I inquired, my tone amused.

"Oh, it was amazing. You know, I got the golden opportunity to clean toilets with my girlfriend. Romantic, right?" Noah replied, sarcasm dripping from his voice as he shot me a wry smile.

Suppressing a chuckle, I responded, "Damn, dude! I'm so jealous. That was practically a scene out of Jane Austen's playbook."

We both shared a laugh at his expense, and then his tone turned more serious. "I'm not in the mood for jokes. Tell me, how's Tara doing?"

I leaned back against the wall, taking a moment to collect my thoughts. "Tara is doing better. I told her about her scholarship being safe and the school's decision regarding extra classes. And, well, I offered to tutor her."

Noah's eyebrows shot up in genuine surprise. "And she agreed to let you tutor her?"

"Yeah," I replied with a shrug, nonchalantly brushing off my unexpected success.

Noah clapped me on the shoulder, his voice full of approval. "Wow, man! That's some good progress you've made there."

With that, he gave me a nod and headed back to his room, leaving me alone with my thoughts. As I watched him go, I couldn't help but smile at how my impromptu decision to help Tara was being received by my friends.

It seemed like things were falling into place, and I was glad that I could contribute to making things a bit easier for Tara during this challenging time.

Noah's departure left me alone with a mixture of emotions. As I returned to my room, I couldn't help but reflect on the recent turn of events.

Who would have thought that I, Dhruv, the newcomer in South Korea, would find myself tutoring a girl like Tara? Life had a way of surprising me, and I was determined to make the most of these unexpected opportunities.

Sitting down at my desk, I pulled out my notebook and textbooks. Focusing my attention, I started preparing notes for Tara. I meticulously wrote down explanations and examples, making sure the concepts were easy to understand. My own studies had never been exceptional, but I was determined to help Tara succeed.

Hours passed as I immersed myself in my task. The room was now bathed in the soft glow of a desk lamp, and I was surrounded by a sea of notes. It felt satisfying to see my efforts materialize into something tangible.

Just as I was putting the finishing touches on the notes, I heard a knock on the door. It was Noah's mother, who had grown fond of me since my arrival. She treated me like a son, a feeling I hadn't experienced in a long time.

"Dhruv, dear, I brought you some snacks," she said with a warm smile, placing a plate of homemade cookies on my desk.

"Thank you, Auntie," I replied gratefully. "You really didn't have to do this."

"Nonsense, you're practically family," she said, ruffling my hair affectionately. "Noah talks about you all the time, you know. I'm glad he has you here."

Her words warmed my heart. I couldn't help but smile as I looked at her. "I'm glad to be here too, Auntie."

With a gentle pat on my shoulder, she left the room, leaving behind a sense of comfort and belonging.

As I continued my work, I couldn't help but think about the bond I was forming with Noah's family. It was a stark contrast from the strained relationship I had with my own parents.

After finishing the notes, I decided to take a break and stretched my arms. Glancing at the clock, I realized it was getting late.

Tomorrow was going to be a busy day—school, followed by tutoring Tara. I hoped my efforts would make a difference in her studies and bring a smile to her face.

The next morning, I woke up with determination. Carrying the notes I had prepared, I made my way to the hospital after school, to meet Tara. I found her lying in bed, her expression a mix of fatigue and determination.

"Hey," I greeted her with a smile. "Ready for some quality studying time?"

She smirked and replied, "Oh, I've been waiting for this moment, Professor Dhruv."

We both chuckled, and I took a seat beside her. As we delved into the world of academics, I couldn't help but feel a growing sense of camaraderie with Tara. It was a new chapter in both our lives, and I was determined to make it a memorable one—for both of us.