Unrequited Love

Vaccination Day

On 29th March 2022, a vaccination camp was held for children above the age of 12 in a part of a community hall for the 1st dose of COVID-19 vaccine. It was a big, vast 3-storey building.

I went there to take the vaccine with my dad and we met him and his dad there.

The camp was divided into four parts - girls's vaccination room, boys' vaccination room, recovery room and waiting area.

After registering our names for the vaccine, we both came to the waiting area where our fathers were seated in two chairs talking to each other. We sat beside them, and he was the one to start the conversation.

"So, how are you?

"I'm fine."

"Aren't you scared as you're getting a vaccine today?"

"Nope, not at all. I'm not scared of vaccines. What about you? Are you scared?"

"Nah."

"You sure?"

"Yep."

There ended the conversation and silence filled in between us again. I was being honest, I'm not scared of vaccines. But I really wonder if he is scared of vaccines or not. Well, I'll find out.

A nurse came and called, "Aaron Harris".

And he got up to go to take the vaccine. Just then, another nurse called, "Madison Allen". I went in to take the vaccine.

After it was done, I came back to where my dad was and I could clearly tell from Aaron's face that he wasn't lying. He's not scared of vaccines.

"So, how do you feel?" His father asked us.

"So good to have got a vaccine." He replied.

"Yeah, we finally got the COVID vaccine." I added.

I don't exactly remember any of the conversations but I'm guessing it went something like that.

We went back home with our fathers. I was not interested in him back then. It begun sometime after. On 30th April 2022, when we got our second dose for the vaccine.

That day, my dad was busy. So he asked Aaron's father to take me with them to get the vaccine.

So, I went with him. It was really a big day for me. You know why? Because, dad was away for some important work and I had to go to their home after we got the vaccine. It really wasn't my first time with him like this but this time it was different. It was after a long while, a different atmosphere in the air and the unraveling special feelings.

Dad said he'd pick me up later after he's done.

We went to take the vaccine and had to wait again for our turn. The three of us were sitting without speaking even a word.

"Guys, do any of you need anything?" His father asked.

"No dad."

"No. But thanks for asking."

This time he was surprisingly quite. He did not even utter a word. Moreover, he was behaving like a gentleman unlike his usual behaviour. And somewhere deep inside, it impressed me.

My turn came before than him this time. When I came back after getting the vaccine, I saw him whispering something in his father's ear. At that time, I did not care about it. But now, I would wonder if he was saying something about me. Now I think if his different behaviour was because of me. Now I care about everything he does. Every word he says. Every move he makes. I always try to relate anything he does or says to me.

After he had got his vaccine, we went to his home. His father dropped us and said that he needed to go to work now.

After some time he asked me if I needed anything. I asked for a little water. He went in and brought me a glass of water. I found that behaviour nice. 'He actually is a nice guy' I thought. Back then, I did not know that such a small liking would transform into such a major crush today.

After he handed me a manga and started to read a manga himself. It was just the two of us in that big room. Just him and I.

Just then, there was a sudden knock on the door.