Anyone Else But You... by Ananya Ritwik; Verma Mallik Page A

brown sofa in the living room. Sahana sat on the opposite side, on the single sofa, thinking. "Can I tell you in an hour about it?" Sahana said, biding for time.
"Okay. An hour,” he said with a stern voice.
 
    Sahana got up and straight away walked into the washroom. She sat on t he cold tiled bathroom floor.
She thought about why he was doing it. Why? What possible help can going to tuitions be in this situation? I guess, they don't want me in the house , she thought.

She thought about the downside about going to tuitions. She to her own wonder could think of none.
She could only think of the pros. The reasons I should go to tuitions , she thought.
 
    a) I get to get out of this hell.
b) I don't have to get involved in the drama.
c) New people.
d) Social life increasing.
e) No need to study in class.
f) Possibility of meeting h ot guys.
 
    Ah, hell. I am so going to tuitions !

She opened the latch of the bathroom door. She walked towards the living room. Her uncle was still sitting in the same spot, sipping his evening tea.
“I'll take English t u itions,” Sahana said.
“English?” He asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes,” Sahana replied. She wanted to keep the conversation to the bare minimum.
"Why not M aths?" he aske d again.
"My father taught me Math already. I know Mathematics of Class 12 th since C lass 9 th itself. I don't need it,” she replie d in a monotone.
"Fine. Where?” he asked.
"I'll find out and tell you,” she said and walked out of the room.

*
     
    “This isn’t a very safe idea, you know?” Sahana frowned.
    “What’s wrong with meeting a guy?” Rishav shrugged his shoulders. He looked around trying to assure Sahana that there was no-one present who could actually pose a threat to either of them.
    “It’s not about people Sen! It’s about my aunt. She comes this way, every Thursday to the temple. Calling me here to meet wasn’t the best idea you know.” Rishav and Sahana stood close to each other on one side of the main road in Sector 33. As Sahana spoke, she slowly drifted more towards the interiors of the Sector, towards the cold-drinks stalls and chaat waalas.
    Dressed casually in a brown, wide necked tee and dark jeans, Sahana was perspiring profusely. As the two started walking aimlessly, Rishav tried to engage Sahana in a conversation , before she could raise the much pertinent question regarding the reason for their sudden meet.
    “Why on earth are you perspiring so much?” Rishav popped in a question.
    “I ran dude. I was already late by fifteen minutes, I was sure you’d be hell annoyed if I delayed you more. So I gobbled up the burger Aunty got for me and ran.”
    “What excuse did you give?” he asked.
    “Umm…I told her that I was going for stationery. Why do you ask?”
    “No, just like that. Wanted to know how long you can hang around.” The road took a left-turn towards the gigantic main park of that sector. It was evening time and the park was crowded like hell. The dying Sun was like the perfect setting for each and every person present there.
    “You waited for fifteen minutes right?” Sahana inquired.
    “Not really,” he smiled. “You can make that thirty.”
    “Thirty?! Why? How?” she was surprised.
    “Actually, I decided to come fifteen minutes in advance for two reasons…”
    “And the reasons being?”
    “Um, one I presumed that you’d be on time or maybe before time. So I didn’t want to have a situation where I had to keep you waiting and secondly…” he dug his hand into his left pocket. “…and secondly, I thought about arranging for some evening snack you know!” He pulled out two mini-chocolate bars that were a little soggy.
    Sahana broke into a short laughter, “You bothered to do that? Stupid you are.” She smiled. “Who told you, I liked chocolates?”
    “Well, you see … all I saw you doing on your birthday was eating and eating and eating more. And every time, only chocolates! I presumed, it must