I Fall In Love With My Senior
4
Water break. Aryan drinks silently. Rudra throws his towel over Aryan’s head.
Rudra
“You’ll catch a cold, genius. You sweat like it’s your final exam.”
Aryan
That’s my anxiety leaking.
They sit side by side, legs stretched out. Quiet moment.
Aryan
(softly)Thanks... for helping. And for yesterday. With Jackie.
Rudra
(without looking at him)Don’t thank me for that. I just... don’t like bullies. And I don’t like seeing you scared.
Aryan looks at him. Rudra’s watching the sky.
Aryan
“You’re nicer than you act.”
Rudra
“Only with certain people.”
Pause. Then Rudra turns, suddenly serious.
Rudra
“Hey, Aryan... you really didn’t mind me sitting next to you that first day?”
Aryan
“I was scared you’d throw me out.”
Rudra
“I almost did. Then you looked up with those ‘help me, I’m a lost puppy’ eyes. Game over.”
Aryan stares at him, unsure whether to laugh or hide.
Rudra
“And yet, here you are.”
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