03-05-2025, 08:15 PM
(This post was last modified: 03-05-2025, 08:23 PM by shamson9571. Edited 1 time in total. Edited 1 time in total.)
Episode 40: A Week of Waiting
The week before the trip passed in a strange mix of routine and restlessness. The regular college schedule moved along as always, but Arjun found himself counting the days. Each lecture, each break, each moment in the corridor felt like a ticking clock.
He watched Meera as he always did, though now there was an added layer to his gaze. He wasn’t just observing her elegance or admiring the way she carried herself. He was imagining her outside the classroom, in the sunlight, surrounded by nature—less composed, perhaps more relaxed.
He wondered what she would wear. A light cotton saree? A pastel salwar? Would her hair be open, swaying with the breeze as they walked by the waterfalls?
Every night he played out different versions of the day trip in his mind. Conversations they might have. A glance that lingered too long. A moment stolen in the quiet.
In the Staff Room
"So, have you decided yet?" Priya asked Meera, lowering her voice playfully as she slid a cup of tea toward her.
Meera nodded, setting down her pen. "Yeah, I spoke to my family. I can come."
"Finally!" Priya grinned. "You know the staff WhatsApp group lit up the moment you said yes."
Meera laughed softly, shaking her head. "You're making that up."
"Only slightly," Priya teased. "You really don’t know the effect you have on people, do you?"
Meera gave her a look, half amused, half exasperated. "Please don’t start again."
"Just promise me one thing," Priya said, leaning closer. "Whatever you wear that day—don’t hold back. You were practically glowing in that silk saree last week. Give nature a challenge."
Meera blushed lightly but didn’t argue. "Let’s see."
Back in Class
The next day, Arjun noticed the subtle shift in Meera’s energy. There was a calm in her, something light behind the eyes. And when Priya passed her a note just before class and Meera smiled reading it, he couldn’t help but wonder if it was about the trip.
His heart beat a little faster.
She was coming. The countdown had truly begun.
The week leading up to the college outing buzzed with anticipation. Students were energized, the staff was half-reluctant, half-excited, and the air around the campus felt lighter, touched with the promise of a break from routine.
For Arjun, though, time moved strangely. Every passing day was both a step closer to the trip and a test of patience. His thoughts were consumed by what might unfold outside the confines of the classroom. He tried to stay focused, but each time he saw Meera walking down the corridor or speaking with another teacher, his heart would pick up pace.
In class, Meera remained as graceful and composed as ever. That week, she wore her usual elegant sarees, but Arjun noticed every detail more acutely than before—the subtle shimmer of her blouse, the calm way she adjusted her pallu, even how she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. He no longer pretended it was just admiration. He knew it was more.
Meanwhile, in the staffroom, Priya and Meera shared one of their tea breaks in the corner near the window.
"So," Priya said, leaning in with a grin, "finally made up your mind?"
Meera sipped her tea before replying, "Yes, I'm coming. Thought it might be a good break."
"A good break?" Priya teased. "You're going to look like a goddess near those waterfalls. I can already hear the jaws dropping."
Meera rolled her eyes and chuckled. "Oh please. I’m planning to wear something very simple."
"Even your 'simple' turns heads. Just be ready for attention," Priya said, nudging her playfully with her elbow.
Meera blushed but didn’t argue. Somewhere deep inside, the compliment warmed her.
As the week wore on, the lists were finalized, buses were arranged, and permissions collected. Arjun found himself checking the notice board more often than usual, confirming Meera's name on the faculty list. It was there. Bold, clear.
She was going.
And he couldn’t wait.
To be continued...
The week before the trip passed in a strange mix of routine and restlessness. The regular college schedule moved along as always, but Arjun found himself counting the days. Each lecture, each break, each moment in the corridor felt like a ticking clock.
He watched Meera as he always did, though now there was an added layer to his gaze. He wasn’t just observing her elegance or admiring the way she carried herself. He was imagining her outside the classroom, in the sunlight, surrounded by nature—less composed, perhaps more relaxed.
He wondered what she would wear. A light cotton saree? A pastel salwar? Would her hair be open, swaying with the breeze as they walked by the waterfalls?
Every night he played out different versions of the day trip in his mind. Conversations they might have. A glance that lingered too long. A moment stolen in the quiet.
In the Staff Room
"So, have you decided yet?" Priya asked Meera, lowering her voice playfully as she slid a cup of tea toward her.
Meera nodded, setting down her pen. "Yeah, I spoke to my family. I can come."
"Finally!" Priya grinned. "You know the staff WhatsApp group lit up the moment you said yes."
Meera laughed softly, shaking her head. "You're making that up."
"Only slightly," Priya teased. "You really don’t know the effect you have on people, do you?"
Meera gave her a look, half amused, half exasperated. "Please don’t start again."
"Just promise me one thing," Priya said, leaning closer. "Whatever you wear that day—don’t hold back. You were practically glowing in that silk saree last week. Give nature a challenge."
Meera blushed lightly but didn’t argue. "Let’s see."
Back in Class
The next day, Arjun noticed the subtle shift in Meera’s energy. There was a calm in her, something light behind the eyes. And when Priya passed her a note just before class and Meera smiled reading it, he couldn’t help but wonder if it was about the trip.
His heart beat a little faster.
She was coming. The countdown had truly begun.
The week leading up to the college outing buzzed with anticipation. Students were energized, the staff was half-reluctant, half-excited, and the air around the campus felt lighter, touched with the promise of a break from routine.
For Arjun, though, time moved strangely. Every passing day was both a step closer to the trip and a test of patience. His thoughts were consumed by what might unfold outside the confines of the classroom. He tried to stay focused, but each time he saw Meera walking down the corridor or speaking with another teacher, his heart would pick up pace.
In class, Meera remained as graceful and composed as ever. That week, she wore her usual elegant sarees, but Arjun noticed every detail more acutely than before—the subtle shimmer of her blouse, the calm way she adjusted her pallu, even how she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. He no longer pretended it was just admiration. He knew it was more.
Meanwhile, in the staffroom, Priya and Meera shared one of their tea breaks in the corner near the window.
"So," Priya said, leaning in with a grin, "finally made up your mind?"
Meera sipped her tea before replying, "Yes, I'm coming. Thought it might be a good break."
"A good break?" Priya teased. "You're going to look like a goddess near those waterfalls. I can already hear the jaws dropping."
Meera rolled her eyes and chuckled. "Oh please. I’m planning to wear something very simple."
"Even your 'simple' turns heads. Just be ready for attention," Priya said, nudging her playfully with her elbow.
Meera blushed but didn’t argue. Somewhere deep inside, the compliment warmed her.
As the week wore on, the lists were finalized, buses were arranged, and permissions collected. Arjun found himself checking the notice board more often than usual, confirming Meera's name on the faculty list. It was there. Bold, clear.
She was going.
And he couldn’t wait.
To be continued...
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