Ahana: What? Govrav?
Hardhikk: Treat!
Govrav’s eyes drop
from her and onto her brother, and his face breaks out into the broadest, most
genuine smile she have ever seen him wear.
Govrav: Wow, nice outfit, dude!
Hardhikk: Thanks.
Govrav: Do you like chocolates?
Hardhikk: Yes! Yes!
Govrav: Well, good news,
I have plenty of it.
He then tips the
entire bowl of chocolates into Hardhikk’s bag. It wasn’t full to begin with,
but it’s a hefty amount of candy.
Hardhikk: Wow! You’re the coolest!
Ahana: This is so weird to watch. I’ve never seen
Govrav be so nice to someone, let alone give anyone a genuine smile. He actually
looks.. kind of cute when he smiles like that. Why can’t he be like this all
the time? Hey, so… You’re awfully nice. Neighbor.
Govrav: What are you talking about? I’m always nice.
Ahana: She rolls her
eyes, but he put Hardhikk in such good spirits that she don’t fight him on it.
Govrav: What’s your
name, kid?
Hardhikk: It’s Hardhikk!
And this my sister, Ahana!
Ahana: Oh, we’ve met. Hardhikk, this is Govrav. He
goes to my school.
Hardhikk: Is he your friend?
Govrav: Yeah! We’re friends. And that means you and I are
friends too.
Ahana: We’re friends? I
wish.
Govrav: You “wish?”
Ahana: Yeah. Maybe then I wouldn’t feel so alone at school. She meant to deliver it as a kind
self-deprecating joke, but Govrav just looks a little sad once she says it.
Hardhikk: You’re not friends?
Govrav: She’s just annoyed at me because she thinks I’m not
very nice. But sometimes it’s hard to show someone the whole “you”.
Ahana: Why would he speak
through Hardhikk? Is he… shy?
Hardhikk: Well, I think you’re nice.
Govrav: Thanks, kid. Hey, are you guys just about done?
She checks her phone. It’s
a quarter about 6PM.
Ahana: Yeah, we have to head back. I promised to have him home
by 6: 30 PM.
Govrav: Well, I have to buy chocolates. How about I drop you
off at home?
Hardhikk: Yes, please!
Govrav: What do you think, Ahana?
He’s wearing that
smirk on his face that makes her want to slug him. This is revenge for the
other day, and she knows it.
Ahana: Um… I’m not so sure.
Govrav: You gonna make the kid walk in the cold and rain?
Hardhikk: Please, Ahana?
I don’t want to ruin my outfit.
Ahana: I can’t risk
bringing Hardhikk home late, or Mom will never forgive me. I just wish he wouldn’t
wear that shit- eating grin. All right. Thanks Govrav.
Govrav: No problem. Let me grab some money and my keys.
Govrav leaves the door
open as he goes back into the house. She hear an unfamiliar voice through the
open door.
???: Where are you going?
Govrav: To get more chocolates.
???: What? We had a huge bag of it, how did we go through it
all already?
Govrav: Don’t worry about it.
???: I’m worried about you leaving the door open. I thought you
hated bugs.
Suddenly, someone
returns to the door, but it’s not Govrav. Instead, it’s a boy she have never
seen before. He has the same, intense eyes as Govrav, but where his default
look is surly, this guy’s face is friendly and approachable.
???: Well, hello there! Now I can see why he wants to leave.
Ahana: Have we met?
Shri: Not before now. I’m Shri Govrav’s brother. You must be Ahana.
He holds out his hand,
and she reluctantly shake it.
Ahana: Yes… but how did you know that?
Shri: Oh, Govrav won’t
shut up about you.
Ahana: What?
Shri: Yes. Ahana this,
Ahana that. We have a minute before
he comes back if you want to know any of the details.
Ahana: Never mind. I don’t want to know.
Shri: Why not?
Ahana: Because it’s
probably rude.
Shri: everything he says
is rude.
Ahana: That’s exactly my point.
He laughs heartily at
that, and she’s struck by how dissimilar he is to Govrav, at least as far as
personalities go. Just then Govrav is finally in sight, putting his shoes on
before coming to the door.
Shri: And what’s your name, kid?
Hardhikk: I’m Hardhikk.
Shri: I like your outfit!
Govrav: What lies are you spreading now, Shri?
Shri: Oh, I was just telling Ahana about how she’s your favourite topic of conversation.
Govrav: Dude, that’s not true!
Shri: Oh? Then why are you giving her a ride home?
Govrav: Because I’m a nice person who doesn’t want to see her
kid brother walking in the rain. Ahana,
Hardhikk, let’s go.
Ahana: Shri… It was nice meeting you.
Shri: Nice meeting you too, Ahana.
It’s good to finally meet the person my brother can’t stop talking about.
Govrav: You need to shut up now, Shri.
Shri: It was nice meeting you guys! Please excuse my rude
brother!
Govrav: Whatever, Shri!
Hardhikk: Bye, Shri!
Ahana: Bye, Shri.
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