Never Too Late

Chapter 1

Aarohi
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"Once upon a time, I loved a man. I still do but only my heart knew."

"Why the heck you can't move on, Aarohi?", Anaya asked me after she got to know that I denied the proposal of Akshat.
"And when I said I haven't?", I replied finally looking into her eyes.
"Babe...Akshat is good looking plus he's also good in studies just as you so why you just can't date him? Don't tell me you've moved on from him, because you haven't. I know you still aren't over him". She flipped her hair looking herself in the mirror.
"I HAVE moved on. And I didn't accepted him because we've exams, I can't just stuck in relationships, dating n all. I've to study and important things to do", I said opening my books.

"Oh please! Whole school knows you'll be the topper again. So, stop making excuses", she said rolling her eyes.
I laughed.
Do you want me to date someone?".
"Dammit".
"Listen, Aaru I just want you to be happy". She held my hand and squeezed it tightly. I squeezed back.
"I AM happy, Anaya but this doesn't means that I have to date", I said shooking my head. "I'm suggesting you to share your feelings with him", she again tried to convince me.

"Anaya?"
"Hmm?"
"Can you please let me study for a while?".

Translation: Can you please stop asking about him?

"Fine!".
"By the way, I'm leaving. I've to go out with my family", she said, gave me a hug and left
I let out a sigh and dip my head between my arms. I was afraid of closing my eyes because if I did, I'd only be able to see his face which I didn't wanted. Perhaps.
"Aarohi!", my mom called for me.
I was afraid if she listened to our conversation but I reached out for her.
"Yeah mom, what's the matter?", I asked leaning against the wall.

"Are you sleepy? You should sleep, you've studied whole night my dear", my mom said
I should sleep. I was indeed studying whole night, not just for the examination but also to distract my stupid mind and heart.
"I'm not sleepy, mom. I've to study more", I replied with a sigh. My mom kissed my forehead and handed me a mug of coffee which I was craving for rn. "Thanks mom", I said and came back to my room.

"Don't tell me you've moved on from him, because you haven't."

Anaya's words echoed in my head. I'd assured my heart and mind not to remember about him but I knew I never moved on from him. He's still in my heart, so deep that noone could find him there, except me myself.
Even after drinking a mug of coffee, my eyes needed rest. I needed rest. It wasn't easy to ignore a person who comes in front of you everyday. It wasn't easy for me but I needed to give rest to myself so I laid on the bed and hid my face in my quilt. Even after being so close, we're far away from each other. It's been five years, and Rudransh Malhotra is still stuck on my mind & heart.

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"Hey!", Rudransh said coming towards me, stroking his hair. As always.
"Hey, Rudra! What's up? Ready for the exam?", I asked, ignoring his stupid actions.
"Is that even a question, Ms. Rajput?", he says flexing his abilities. He called me Ms. Rajput as he's my...best friend? I only take him as my best friend and after all this time, I learned that for him I was only an acquaintance. I accepted the fact that I fell for him and I was the only one who fell.

"I'll be the topper again, Rudra. Be calm", I said trying to hide my laugh. I enjoyed his company but on the other hand I hated being with him just as his friend or can say a time pass.

"Huh! don't dream in day, Ms. Rajput. Everyone knows that I'll be the topper of session 2023". Again. I hated listening to him complementing himself. "Will see, who'll be the topper", I said and left, rolling my eyes. I saw him from my shoulder stroking his hair and flirting with Rhea, his childhood friend and his crush. I got so hurt when I got to know that Rhea is Rudransh's crush since five years plus she's one of my friend with whom I'd spend so many good moments. We just finished our last exam of class 9th which I did very well as usual and then everyone left for home. As soon as I enter my home, Rhea called me.

"What's the matter?", I asked while lying on the bed. "Umm...I got myself a boyfriend!!!!", she shouted on phone so that I had to move my phone away from my ear. "Okay, who now?", I said while something pops on my mind. Is she in relationship with Rudra? Seriously? It can't be.

"He's Avinash, a boy from my colony. You know what, he's so hot and sexy", she sayid and starts complementing his boyfriend. I assured myself that she isn't dating Rudransh but still I'd gave up on him long ago. I never wanted but I did gave up on him. I tried a lot to seek his affection, not just attention but I couldn't.
His eyes always searched for Rhea and I became alone as always.
"Congrats on your new relationship!", I congratulated her.

I closed my eyes after disconnecting the call and saw the moment I first saw him.

"He's coming today!", I heard Rhea talking to some of her friends about a boy. She already told me that a new boy is coming to our class, she's his neighbor. Rhea was so excited. I guess they were friends already. And then he entered our class.
I was quite surprised to see him because he was so decent. I guessed already that he was good in studies. Almost all the boys of my class were average in studies, sports n all. They weren't even as decent as him so I was quite impressed by him.

Now, I don't know why I was remembering that moments. I just wanted to forget him. Forget him. Forget him. Forget him.
Can I?

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