15. Blossoming Spring Days

Neethu's POV

I gazed at Rithick's mom, refusing to move from my spot. She didn't give any response. I could hear Rithick's voice who was calling me from downstairs. I was unable to convince Rithick's mom in such a short time. I had no other option. I had to go with Rithick. I stepped forward towards the exit. I couldn't go leaving Rithick's mom in worry.

I knelt down and bowed my head towards her feet. She didn't respond.

"Neethu! Get up, please," Riya said. She made me stand straight. I didn't know why tears flowed down from my eyes like a waterfall after seeing Rithick's mom. I turned right and stepped out.

"One second, Neethu," someone called out my name. I was happy to see Rithick's mom behind me.

I gave her a smile with tears in my eyes.

"Who will take this teddy and rose bouquets? It's for you only, Neethu," she said.

Her words lifted my spirits. Thank God Rithick's mom talked to me. simply, I had no words to say. I moved towards her and hugged her. It was one of the best moments in my life.

I noticed, Rahul and Riya packing the teddy and bouquets.

"Don't pack it. It's not for me," I said.

"Neethu, these are for you. Rithick bought it for you and the flower bouquets were specially crafted for you," Rahul explained.

I was amazed by seeing Rithick's affection towards me. A few minutes later we reached the car.

"Neethu, what were you doing? It's almost time. We have a few minutes more," Rithick said. I didn't respond. I admired his concern for me.

"What is this?" Rithick asked Rahul by seeing the packed items.

"Nothing," Rahul replied with a twisted smile.

Rithick could understand the reason behind his smile. "Okay. Okay!" He chuckled.

"Wait, Neethu madam." He plucked a flower.

"Keep this flower too, it's special."

I took it from him. I was totally bowled out in front of his love. I was longing to be with him.

"Rithick anna, this is too much. You won't allow me to pluck a flower, but now..." Riya grinned.

Rithick smiled and said, "Neethu is..." he didn't fill the gap.

"What, Rithick?" I asked him eagerly.

"Nothing, madam. I can't explain it to you now. Get inside the car. It's almost time."

I said bye to Rahul and Riya. I felt worried because I would miss them a lot. I didn't show my sad face to them. I sat on the passenger's seat. Rithick drove the car slowly. Unknowingly, I started admiring the beauty of his eyes in the front mirror. His voice intermittently disturbed me but I was unaware about what he had said. I didn't know what had happened to me. I think I was lost in his eyes.

"Neeeeethuuu!" he said my name loudly.

"What, Rithick?" I asked casually.

"You have to tell me the truth," he said. I was shocked by the question and at the same time I was eager to hear it.

"About?"

"I know that you like me a lot. Is it true, Neethu?"

"Sorry, Rithick. I don't like you."

"No, don't lie. I know about my Neethu."

"What do you know about me, Rithick?"

"At present, your face shows that you are missing everybody. Am I right?" He smiled.

"Of course, Rithick, but you are a hard-hearted person. No feelings at all. You are cool," I said with a painful heart.

He didn't reply

"Each and every minute made me close to Rithick. God! I couldn't stay away from him. It was a painful yet beautiful feeling. I wished to be together with him. I desired to embrace him, to hold his hands in mine. I wished to look into his eyes life long. I wished to take care of him in all the stages of my life. I didn't know what the feeling meant. His eyes made me feel something. My stomach was filled with butterflies. I got lost in his concern and love. I desired to be with him forever. Rithick... What have you done to me?" I asked myself.

"Rithick, please change the route to long route," I said. I couldn't control my feelings for him.

"Why, Neethu? Is there any alternative route?" he asked with confused eyes.

"Don't know, Rithick..." My voice cracked.

"Then why?" he questioned

"I wish to be with you, Rithick," I spoke my heart out.

He stopped the car at once.

I cupped my face with my palms. Embarrassment and shyness must have reddened my cheeks.

"Neethu, what does it mean? Tell me, I am waiting for your reply..."

"Rithick... I am sorry. Forget it. I am blabbering something. It's getting late, please drop me soon."

"What?" His eyebrows furrowed.

"Nothing, Rithick."

What happened to me? I had to control my feelings for him. His love for me had made me like this.

After few minutes, he spoke, "We reached the hostel, Neethu. Get down carefully. Let me help you to pick up the items."

"We reached the hostel?" I asked with widened eyes and looked outside.

"What happened to you, Neethu? Are you okay?"

"Yes, Rithick." I immediately got down from the car.

"I will take all the items. If anyone sees you, it will become a big problem. So, you please go from here immediately. Bye." My heartbeats quickened.

"No, I won't go," he said innocently.

"Please, Rithick, go away."

"No. No. No," he said without knowing my worries.

"Why has your face paled?" he said and turned back.

Many students were wandering there. I saw Shantra and Shakash. My heart broke into pieces. Rithick should not be in trouble, so I tried to convince him to go home. He didn't give any importance to my words. To avoid getting into a problems, I took my bag and said bye to Rithick.

"Hello, Neethu." I could hear Shantra's voice. I glanced at Rithick immediately.

"You didn't expect me here, right? How was your journey?" she questioned.

I was shocked by her words. Rithick stood casually.

I didn't reply.

"Did you say anything about me to Rithick?"

I shook my head.

"Hi, Rithick. I'm Shantra. Nice to meet you." She stretched her hand. Rithick glanced at her differently. He didn't respond. He glanced at me and asked, "Who is she?"

Before I could reply, Shantra said, "I'm your classmate, Rithick. You haven't see me before. It's fine. Hereafter you will see me a lot."

"Okay, Rithick! Bye," I said.

He looked into my eyes, I looked into his. Shantra glanced at us both. I didn't know how to manage this situation.

I said goodbye to Rithick again and moved away from him. Shantra stood near him.

I turned back to see him. Shantra tried to convince something to him but he didn't listen to her. He gazed at me instead. Then, he got in the car.

I felt a big gap in my heart after leaving Rithick. Am I in love with Rithick? Will Shantra make a problem? Is this my love or fate? I asked millions of questions to myself, with tears in my eyes.

Rithick's POV

Neethu was actually scared of that new girl. Usually, she was friendly to everyone, but she had remained two steps away from Shantra--was that her name?

That new girl had teased my girl in front of me. Neethu was there... that's why I stood simply without shouting at her. If she behaved badly with my Neethu, then she would know who I was.

I was sure that something had happened between Neethu and the new girl. I would find it out soon.

Rithick, don't think unnecessarily about that girl. Snap out of it, my mind voiced.

My heart pained... and that was all because of Neethu. Ten minutes without her... it was nearly killing me. What should I do now? I want to see her immediately. How could I see her now? It was not new to me. I missed Neethu a lot. She had something to say but because of that new girl's interaction, she didn't say it.

I took my mobile and searched for her message. She didn't send me anything. Texting didn't give relief to me. My heart urged to hear her voice for at least a minute. So, I made a call.

She didn't attend the call. I was tensed. So, I dialed her number again. She picked it up this time.

"Neethu? Why didn't you attend the call? Do you know how much I missed you? I was waiting for your call. What are you thinking in your mind? Can't you spare one minute for me?" I asked.

"I am Mithila. Neethu went to the office to complete the procedure in the hostel regarding her absence," her friend said.

I facepalmed myself and said before hanging up, "Sorry."

I had to control myself. When Neethu became free, she would definitely call me.I stood there for about 15 minutes with the mobile in my hand. She didn't call me. Meanwhile, my mom called me to come home soon. I drove the car towards home. I looked at the front side of the mirror. I missed Neethu a lot. A few simple lines comes crossed my mind.

Plants without buds; Sea without waves;

Night without moon; Sun without light............

Rithick without Neethu at present....

After composing my poem, I felt like laughing because I had no idea about writing a poem. Love made me to tell one. I was sure she has made me crazy. I was laughing unnecessarily. I reached home.

"Rithick anna." Riya's voice sounded near.

I turned around and smiled at her.

"Your selection is awesome, Rithick anna. You both deserve each other. I wish that you both stay happy always." She grinned.

Her words made me happy. "Thank you, Riya."

"Anna, there is a good news for you," she said.

Her voice quivered with excitement.

"What?" I asked.

"Kalpana aunt likes Neethu a lot. So, no worries. Please convey your love for Neethu soon. I am waiting for your wedding. Anna. I want pink silk saree for your wedding and ghagra choli for the reception," she continued.

"Okay, okay. As you wish," I said with a smile while running my hand through the hairs.

"Superb. You are so sweet, anna," she said.

"You too, Riya. I am too lucky to have you and Rahul in my life. Where is he?" I asked.

"Look straight." It was Rahul's voice.

I rolled my eyes at him.

"I am so happy for you, Rithick," Rahul said. He moved closer and I engulfed him in a hug. I loved him more than my life.

Neethu's POV

I had completed all the formalities regarding my absence. By God's grace, there was no problem till now from Shantra's side. I was damn sure that she wouldn't let it slip easily. I was ready to face anything but I wanted Rithick to be always on the safe side.

I entered my room. My friends were busy in their conversations. I decided to look my cell phone.

Mithila asked, "Are you searching for your mobile?"

"Yes, Mithila," I said.

"Here is yours," she pointed out.

I took my mobile. My friends grinned mischievously.

"What happened to you all?" I asked them

"Nothing happened to us," they together sing a song.

"Rithick!" said one of my friend.

"What?" I asked.

"Something something," they chorused.

"Nope." I tried to control my blushing.

"Tell me, Neethu," Mithila prodded.

"It's nothing, Mithila."

"Rithick called on your mobile before half an hour," Mithila informed.

"What did he say?" I asked immediately.

"He loves you," said one of my friends.

I widened my eyes.

"Neethu too loves him," said another friend.

I chuckled nervously. I tried to convince them but failed. But I did like it when they teased me about him.

"It's confirmed. Neethu is in love," my friend said.

"Stop acting, Neethu," said another friend.

I was too confused. I didn't know what to reply. I was tired of saying 'nope'.

"Neethu... whatever it is, don't hide it. Convey your feelings to us if you think that we are your close friends," Mithila said.

"Mithila and you all are my close friends."

"Then why this much confusion and hesistation? First you read your heart, Neethu," another friend adviced.

"Yes. You are right, my friends. I don't know what happened to me. Each and every minute I am thinking about him. I long to see his eyes." I confessed.

"Yay! Neethu is in love," my friend yelled.

"Congrats, Neethu. Rithick is a very gentle and decent guy," my friend said.

I hugged my friend with tears in my eyes. "I love Rithick so madly, Mithila. I fell for him. I don't know when I lost myself to him. I want him in my life. I can't live without him. Will he accept me?"

"Definitely, Neethu. Don't worry. We are there for you. We will support in all types of situations. Be happy, girl."

"This is the time for happiness not worries. Tell me, when did you lose yourself to him?" another friend asked.

"Honestly, I don't know... but I like him since the beginning."

I closed my eyes with my palms. My friends laughed at me.

"Neethu looks so cute when she is shy." Mithila giggled.

My phone rang. It was Rithick's number flashing on the screen..

"Who is it? We guess it's Rithick," my friends yelled..

I nodded with a smile.

"Neethu. Propose your love to Rithick. This is the right time," Mithila said.

I shook my head.

"Okay, attend the phone, Neethu."

I picked the phone. "Rithick... how are you?"