02-05-2025, 06:36 AM
Episode 37: Aware, But Still Herself
The morning air was softer than usual.
Meera stood at the mirror, brushing her hair with slow, unhurried strokes. She had chosen a light lavender saree for the day — soft cotton, simple blouse, nothing loud.
But as she pinned the pallu at her shoulder, something held in her fingertips for a moment longer than usual.
She remembered Priya’s hand brushing her waist.
The softness of that voice: “This silk doesn’t just suit you — it worships you.”
A flush rose again, though faint, and she shook her head at herself with a quiet smile.
> It was just Priya. She always says too much.
Still, Meera checked her pleats twice.
Still, she walked into college with a slightly taller spine.
Not because she was performing —
But because something about being seen had reminded her what it felt like to be more than just careful and composed.
---
In Class – Arjun’s Quiet Observations
Arjun sat where he always did.
But his mind wasn’t on his book.
From the moment Meera entered the classroom, his attention had shifted—entirely and helplessly—to her.
She moved between desks, explaining a concept to a student. Her lavender saree swayed gently, and her pallu shifted slightly as she leaned forward.
Arjun’s eyes were fixed on that one spot—her waist.
The way the fabric dipped and settled.
The soft, smooth curve where her blouse met skin.
The line just above the pleats that drew his gaze again and again, no matter how hard he tried to look away.
As she walked past him, the soft scent of her—subtle, floral, completely her—washed over him.
He closed his eyes briefly.
> It’s just her. But why does it feel like everything?
Every day was becoming harder to get through.
Every second she was near, more impossible.
---
The Announcement
By afternoon, a new buzz filled the college.
A printed circular passed from hand to hand, from class to staff room and back. Students started whispering, teachers began exchanging half-smiles.
A college outing was officially scheduled.
> “Saturday, two weeks from now.”
“Location: Ranga Falls.”
“Day trip. Packed lunch. Buses arranged.”
Excitement bloomed everywhere.
And inside Arjun, something else bloomed too.
His heart raced.
His mind spun ahead — wildly, uncontrollably.
> Will she come?
What will she wear?
Will she laugh differently in the open air?
Will there be moments where she’ll sit close? Speak softly? Be less formal?
He wasn’t thinking like a student anymore.
He was thinking like someone who had been waiting for something he didn’t know how to ask for.
Just the idea of seeing Meera outside the classroom — away from whiteboards and schedules, in the open, near water, near sunlight —
it made his pulse jump.
He imagined her hair down.
The fabric of her saree—maybe lighter. Maybe wet. Maybe clinging.
The possibilities came too fast.
Too vivid.
Too much.
---
Inside Arjun’s Head
He folded the circular and tucked it into his notebook, but it felt like he was carrying a secret.
> She doesn’t even know.
And I can’t stop imagining.
And now, there were two weeks ahead of him.
Two weeks of anticipation.
Two weeks of wondering.
And he already wasn’t sure how he’d survive them.
---
Here’s the updated Episode 37, now with a new closing section that includes a playful, suggestive conversation between Priya and Meera about the upcoming college trip.
This stays true to their dynamic—light teasing, casual intimacy, and Meera still not quite aware of the effect she has, while Priya keeps things fun but layered.
---
Later – In the Staff Room
The buzz hadn’t stopped all day. Every classroom had hummed with talk of buses, snacks, waterfalls, and what to wear.
Priya leaned against the corner table in the staff room, sipping from a paper cup.
Meera walked in, files in hand, and before she could sit—
“You’re coming to the waterfall trip, right?” Priya asked, voice already playful.
Meera paused, setting her things down. “I’m not sure yet. I might have something that weekend.”
Priya gave her a long look. “You ‘might’? Please. That sounds suspiciously like hesitation.”
Meera smiled faintly. “I’ll let them know in a few days. I just need to check with family.”
Priya raised an eyebrow. “Well, let me know soon. I need moral support if I end up stuck next to the P.E. teacher on the bus again.”
Then, casually, she added, “Also... you do realize you’re going to look insanely hot near a waterfall, right?”
Meera laughed in surprise, brushing her hair over her shoulder. “What are you even saying?”
“I’m just stating facts,” Priya replied, eyes dancing.
“I’ve seen you in silk. I’ve seen you in classroom cottons. But a light saree, loose hair, wind, water? Please. Half the college might forget to breathe.”
Meera shook her head, but her smile didn’t fade. “You’re ridiculous.”
“I’m accurate,” Priya said, walking past her and lightly tapping her waist with the back of her hand.
“Don’t blame me if nature enhances the effect.”
Meera rolled her eyes, cheeks pink. “You need to stop.”
“Never,” Priya grinned.
And just like that, the topic drifted on.
But Meera was still thinking about it minutes later—
what she might wear,
whether she would go,
and what it might feel like...
to be seen a little differently.
---
To be continued…
The morning air was softer than usual.
Meera stood at the mirror, brushing her hair with slow, unhurried strokes. She had chosen a light lavender saree for the day — soft cotton, simple blouse, nothing loud.
But as she pinned the pallu at her shoulder, something held in her fingertips for a moment longer than usual.
She remembered Priya’s hand brushing her waist.
The softness of that voice: “This silk doesn’t just suit you — it worships you.”
A flush rose again, though faint, and she shook her head at herself with a quiet smile.
> It was just Priya. She always says too much.
Still, Meera checked her pleats twice.
Still, she walked into college with a slightly taller spine.
Not because she was performing —
But because something about being seen had reminded her what it felt like to be more than just careful and composed.
---
In Class – Arjun’s Quiet Observations
Arjun sat where he always did.
But his mind wasn’t on his book.
From the moment Meera entered the classroom, his attention had shifted—entirely and helplessly—to her.
She moved between desks, explaining a concept to a student. Her lavender saree swayed gently, and her pallu shifted slightly as she leaned forward.
Arjun’s eyes were fixed on that one spot—her waist.
The way the fabric dipped and settled.
The soft, smooth curve where her blouse met skin.
The line just above the pleats that drew his gaze again and again, no matter how hard he tried to look away.
As she walked past him, the soft scent of her—subtle, floral, completely her—washed over him.
He closed his eyes briefly.
> It’s just her. But why does it feel like everything?
Every day was becoming harder to get through.
Every second she was near, more impossible.
---
The Announcement
By afternoon, a new buzz filled the college.
A printed circular passed from hand to hand, from class to staff room and back. Students started whispering, teachers began exchanging half-smiles.
A college outing was officially scheduled.
> “Saturday, two weeks from now.”
“Location: Ranga Falls.”
“Day trip. Packed lunch. Buses arranged.”
Excitement bloomed everywhere.
And inside Arjun, something else bloomed too.
His heart raced.
His mind spun ahead — wildly, uncontrollably.
> Will she come?
What will she wear?
Will she laugh differently in the open air?
Will there be moments where she’ll sit close? Speak softly? Be less formal?
He wasn’t thinking like a student anymore.
He was thinking like someone who had been waiting for something he didn’t know how to ask for.
Just the idea of seeing Meera outside the classroom — away from whiteboards and schedules, in the open, near water, near sunlight —
it made his pulse jump.
He imagined her hair down.
The fabric of her saree—maybe lighter. Maybe wet. Maybe clinging.
The possibilities came too fast.
Too vivid.
Too much.
---
Inside Arjun’s Head
He folded the circular and tucked it into his notebook, but it felt like he was carrying a secret.
> She doesn’t even know.
And I can’t stop imagining.
And now, there were two weeks ahead of him.
Two weeks of anticipation.
Two weeks of wondering.
And he already wasn’t sure how he’d survive them.
---
Here’s the updated Episode 37, now with a new closing section that includes a playful, suggestive conversation between Priya and Meera about the upcoming college trip.
This stays true to their dynamic—light teasing, casual intimacy, and Meera still not quite aware of the effect she has, while Priya keeps things fun but layered.
---
Later – In the Staff Room
The buzz hadn’t stopped all day. Every classroom had hummed with talk of buses, snacks, waterfalls, and what to wear.
Priya leaned against the corner table in the staff room, sipping from a paper cup.
Meera walked in, files in hand, and before she could sit—
“You’re coming to the waterfall trip, right?” Priya asked, voice already playful.
Meera paused, setting her things down. “I’m not sure yet. I might have something that weekend.”
Priya gave her a long look. “You ‘might’? Please. That sounds suspiciously like hesitation.”
Meera smiled faintly. “I’ll let them know in a few days. I just need to check with family.”
Priya raised an eyebrow. “Well, let me know soon. I need moral support if I end up stuck next to the P.E. teacher on the bus again.”
Then, casually, she added, “Also... you do realize you’re going to look insanely hot near a waterfall, right?”
Meera laughed in surprise, brushing her hair over her shoulder. “What are you even saying?”
“I’m just stating facts,” Priya replied, eyes dancing.
“I’ve seen you in silk. I’ve seen you in classroom cottons. But a light saree, loose hair, wind, water? Please. Half the college might forget to breathe.”
Meera shook her head, but her smile didn’t fade. “You’re ridiculous.”
“I’m accurate,” Priya said, walking past her and lightly tapping her waist with the back of her hand.
“Don’t blame me if nature enhances the effect.”
Meera rolled her eyes, cheeks pink. “You need to stop.”
“Never,” Priya grinned.
And just like that, the topic drifted on.
But Meera was still thinking about it minutes later—
what she might wear,
whether she would go,
and what it might feel like...
to be seen a little differently.
---
To be continued…
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