ONE SHOTS

kanaa kaanum kaalungal 4

The year passed, with them having their subtle moments in every passing day. Neither did he take a firm step to turn this into a labelled relationship nor did she initiate it. The only advancement they had was a few lighthearted conversations about their likes and dislikes during the time they worked together for sports day and cultural programmes. It increased the interest they had in each other multifold. A year passed in a blink, and it was their time for a mock examination. Viplav was in his 12th and Aradhya was in her 10th grade. It was less than a week for their last working day and the last working day's evening would mark their farewell. It was their last examination as school students and though it was hitting hard for Viplav another thing that was haunting him and his soul was Aradhya .... 

What is he going to do without looking at her every day? without having a conversation with her in the cycle parking? without teasing her, her frowns ... but is he ready for a commitment? is he mature enough to endure this decision .... No. he was sure that he could never do this to her or him as he was self-aware that he could never proceed to the next step. He could not afford to break his as well as her heart by turning this out seriously... it was casual ... soothing .... and something which would bring a smile to his lips even after years. This was a sweet torment that he would embrace along with the pain it would bring into him every time he remembers. 

This was the only thing that was carrying him forward with a smile and as though Aradhya's and Viplav's mind worked with a uni-access control Aradhya also arrived at this decision. She had two options left either ... to choose to proceed and receive a major heartbreak or to embrace the sweet memories they shared in this couple of years and remember it with a smile in future. She chose the latter option which seemed practical and less traumatic. 

The notice boards were stuck and the school was functioning in full swing to equip their students to face the board exams which is one of the most important milestones of their academic life as 10th and 12th are about to appear in board exams management felt it would be better to pair up a 10th and 12th student as desk mates for the exams.Viplav was looking into the desk arrangement and his lips curved into a smirk as he noticed that his bench mate was none other than Aradhya. 

He turned and found Aradhya behind his back trying to peep into the list while he asked "Enna thedra ?" 

Aradhya " sethu pona en aayavoda kallaraya thedren "

Viplav " adha schoolla en thedra sudugaatlela thedanu " 

Aradhya glared at him and said " sathyama ippo unta argue panna mood illa . saamita venditu vandhuruke  rakshan anna maari deskmate vandhavaachu solli kudupaanga unna maari vandha sethen " to which

 he smirked and said " saami kaadha moodikitaar . enna maadhiri illa naane dhaa un deskmate vaa polaam hallku " to which she slapped her forehead and took her stationery set frm her bag which was wrapped in a rubber band while Viplav walked in just with a blue pen. 

As the students settled in their desks Aradhya looked at the single pen which was placed in front of Viplav and a dozen of stationeries in front of her and mumbled " pencil venu scale venunu keta kondruve " 

Viplav murmured " seri keka maate eduthukure " to which she glared and by that time they were provided with question papers which made her go silent. Viplav did use everything that's Aradhya's except for her answer sheet. Though Aradhya was struggling in a few places for answers and looked at Viplav's face his face neither turned towards her nor did he help her. She sighed expecting this from him as he was very much strict in not helping in exams which she was very much aware. 

The week went on with his subtle teases during the exams and her glares but deep down they were masking up their emotions by these silly fights as they knew it's about to end.... forever ..and there is no looking back which was painful yet wholesome.