Chapter Nine - Neighbour

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.