In my age Diwali was meant for new dress, sweets and fire crackers.. Unfortunately , that Diwali was not as auspicious as it used to be..

The entire day went monotonously as I was simply sitting in my room..

The scene I saw at the swing was disheartening and I felt like crying as the lump in my throat was getting harder by time to time..

Amma was not bothered much at the beginning as she herself was worn-out in Diwali preparations.. When the evening grew into night , she came to me ...

" .. what happened to my chella kutty?"

This is how she used to pamper me.. !!!

The way she patted my back made me to cry...

" Amma .. I do not like that boy shravan.. Akka loves him a lot .."

She corrected my slightly smudged kajal and laughed..

" That's so simple .. You are spoiling your festival happiness only because you felt jealous ..?"

I blinked unable to reply..

She embraced me kissing my cheeks ..." suman.. Do you know how pretty you are today? Did you show your mehendi to akka.. Look at your hand? How beautifully it has turned to red?"

I was diverted in a better way by my mother.. I merrily traced my eyes through the reddened dots in my hand..

I was comfortable comparatively..

Again , I was ready to meet Divya akka. This time.. " Suman!!!"

She stopped me and knelt in front of me.." Beta .. Love is the purest form of soul.. It does not mean that if akka loves shravan , she is not loving you.. In fact , her love for you and shravan will grow abundantly.. That 's the power of love. You will get twice what you give.. "

It seemed that she was trying to convince me and she was succeeded to some extent...

I nodded ...

" Beta.. Shravan is Divya akka's relative.. His parents are going through tough time .. They have sent him here for his studies.. He does not know Tamil.. Be kind to him beta.. poor child..!"

I was wondering to her talk and to my surprise , the hatred I had for him extended to the deep of my heart ..

Amma can convince me by her sweet talk.. But How she will manage anna?

Because , I know my brother.. He is adamant and self centred..a logger head..! complaint box...!

For the first and last time , I was happy with my brother's character which I hate the most...

But , things were not happy enough as I thought.. My brother stuck with shravan so easily .. He played with him , sharing his most precious toys...

Honestly , I was confused! More than that I was disappointed a lot .

It was a Monday , after the Diwali holidays ..When I enter in to the class, first thing that I noticed was , him...

You have come here too!!!

I rolled my eyes in fury..

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" Hey..! You are here too!!!"

I look down at the voice from the first floor.. He stands at the billing counter , holding a pile of books close to him..

I wave my hands and gesture that I come there..

It is a Super market actually.. You are allowed to use a section of books like -read and return .. I like to spend most of my time here whenever I come to buy anything. You need not to spend money to read your favourite books.. It is a revised version of a lending library.. You can spend time to read if your mother is shopping there and you are really not interested in shopping..

I reach the billing counter , grabbing my shopping bag..

" I told you that I am the child of good fortune.. see , we have met again"

He states , appreciating himself.. I nod in approval..

" fine.. already we are friends if I am right.. what else you wanted to prove again..?"

He scoffs ..." perhaps, We are best friends ?"

Surprise hits me all of a sudden.. I stand still for a second before answering..

No... ! No one can be a best friend for me!

" Never.. You can' t be my best friend"

I say in a stern voice..

" Never mind.. Let me be your boy friend , t...h...en..?" He immediately comes up with his usual , quirky reply where he elongates the last word, witnessing my shock.

I am really annoyed with this guy now...

" Actually , you are more than quirky.. Is this the first time you are behaving like this? Or, is it a birth defect?"

I smirk , gauging his eyes...

He doesn't answer me , pretending to check his phone..." Now , What ?" I shrink my brows inquisitive..

" After hearing you , I wanted to know even.. As far as I know I was not quirky until I meet you?! perhaps , its a birth defect then ? I must call my mother now"

" What !? "

I grab his phone , throwing an alarming look...

Clucking , I move forward to the counter .. checking the goods in the bill I take my purse to pay...

" Ma'am... If your bill adds up few more cents , you can avail a couple dinner offer for free.. "

The girl behind the counter announces me. I blink in baffle..

Why should I avail a couple dinner offer...!?

I am about to deny her .

" ma'am you can add my bill too ..."

He surpasses me to her .. He swipes his card without letting me to pay

...

Happily ,he secures the coupon...

I walk out , mentioning him that I am going to return his money ..

" Not really necessary... " He denies... " If you really wanted to pay , offer me a cup of coffee one day..."

Immediately he added...

I am not in a position to argue with him..hence , I just nod...

" By the way... Who's that poor girl ...?"

I smug , focusing his face.. He garners my bag and walks parallel to me...

" Madam Sam... Think twice about the word - poor girl .."

I chuckle... " Oh... Then , who's that lucky girl?" I adds up little drama with my voice that resonates wonder..

He shifts the bags to his other hands and extends his hand to me...

" Seems better ! " Appreciating , He adds staring right into my face.." Good or bad.!.. Poor girl or lucky girl..!. I have only you madam Sam... Will you help me to make use of the

Offer which I availed with much effort ?"

I am stunned with his open request ...

Now , I don't know why I am not getting angry with him . Rather , It seemed that my shameless mind rejoices his request..

" Huhh.." I mumble and the very next instant I speak, " I am not available Mr. Quirky.. Better luck next time"

He smirks..

"I know.. " Immediately , his face turns down..Again, I feel upset..

Why do I notice his sullen face? Why his disappointment disturbs me a lot? Why the hell I am worried about him too much? Why is it ?

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" How dare you .. ! You already had grabbed away my Divya akka .. Now, my place too"

His smile faded away in a second..

I rolled my eyes in fury. I took his books and pencil box .. Throwing them to the next bench , I threw a death glare at him..

He stood still , unaware of my hatred .. He tried to explain that, he did not know anyone there .. I stopped him and spoke furious..

" I know , you are new to this place.. you don't know the language..But, Who cares..? We are neighbours.. But , that does not mean that we have to be friends..?"

I did not mind him, who was crying almost..

Merciless, I dragged him to the last bench.. " Never , ever come near me!" I warned him , showing the better gestures that I could show to make him scared. Satisfied , I sat in my place ..

" Suman!"

Our fight took a break , and there was a pin drop silence to that commanding voice.

Teacher..!!

teacher..!

teacher has come!!

Amidst the invariable voices,My class teacher got inside..

" I didn't expect this from you" She looked at me surprised..

She made Shravan to sit in the first bench near me..

" friends" She gestured both of us to shake our hands.. Her voice was high in alarming tone..

This had happened so many times in our class room for many students and I never thought that this would happen to me once..

I had no other go but to give my hands to him.. But, I crushed his hand stealthily where he moaned with pain ..

And, it was my misfortune , the teacher had noticed everything..