Boarding School, it has been the dream of my life. Well, one of my dreams.

Since childhood, my dad had been telling so many stories about his hostel life. He showed us how much fun it is to be in hostel.

My dad was talking about how hard I should study there, and it was a good school to get good grades and every word he spilled out was only study, while I was thinking about what all fun I can have in there.

I was totally planning for my fun in hostel. I recollected everything my dad told me that he did in his hostel. He was really naughty in his time. So I always had big dreams about hostel life. I was so excited to start my hostel life.

But Prajid... I cannot see him whenever I want. We were allowed to go home once a month for a weekend and no guarantee that I will meet him. Yet, somewhere in a corner, I felt we will be more connected even if I was in hostel.

I had to tell him that I was going to hostel next year for my 9th grade. Soon, we were busy with our exams and we could not contact.

My dad had asked me to get even better grades, so that I do not miss the opportunity. I was giving my best.

Finally it was final exams. Summer holidays starts in a week. I can have a chance to meet.

Sunder uncle was arranging for another trip for us. Actually it was for me, since I'm about to join a boarding school. You now know why he was my favorite.

We went to the same forest, Topslip, was the name. Beautiful isn't it? The place itself is so beautiful.

This time, we got a cottage on the highest peak of the whole forest. It was near a dam. So water, trees, etc... You can be completely into nature in such a spot. We had a big whole house for ourselves. The house was so big and with a beautiful interior. It had a big nice garden outside, out house for the cook, close to the dam, surrounded by forest. It was a bit scary though because; animals often visit there for the smell of the fresh meat. We were asked to stay within the house at specific times, usually when they animals have their turn to eat. We did have a lot of space to play and run inside the house itself.

Now that I knew that Prajid's parents knew about us, I was trying to be in distant from Prajid all the time. I made sure; I was not with him all the time. I tried to be engaged with everybody as much as I could. Prajid was really mad at me for my behavior. We had a big fight, our first fight, in fact.

Ajay came to me asking, "Why do you want to be like this? He is hurt. He is angry. You know him right? Why do you still want to do this to him? You seriously don't know how much he loves you. You are such a B***h not to feel it or even understand it. Blah blah blah..." I stood there quietly as tears rolled down my cheeks. 'I love him too. But I cannot just hang around with him in public and especially when his parents knew about us.' Ajay did not understand. He just kept shouting. I then heard the sound like the cracking of a bullwhip. I looked up and it was Prajid. He had slapped Ajay, his best friend for shouting at me; ill talking me. Prajid said, "Never ever talk her like that." I burst out crying and ran to my mom. I cried for the whole night.

Prajid texted me, "I'm sorry for what Ajay spoke. It was his words. Not mine. Please don't be mad." I did not care to reply. We did not speak with each other. All three were separate all the time; Clinging onto our parents. Nobody talked to nobody. Our parents realized that we were in a big fight. Prajid, tried to speak with me. I avoided him completely. Ajay tried to apologize to me. I did not give him a chance. They both sent me sorry notes; Got me flowers. Hm hmm..!! No way!

After 2 days, Prajid's dad and mom called me that afternoon after lunch to their room. I went in and saw Prajid lying on his mom's lap. His mom was combing his hair with her fingers. Prajid loves that. I have been in his mom's place a million times. He gets all his great ideas at that time. He thinks a lot at that time.

As I entered, his dad said, "Come in Chandu. Your aunt got you something. " I looked at her, she smiled. I also smiled at her. As I neared her, Prajid looked up and we had a quick glance at him. We smiled at each other. Aunt said, "I have something for you. I wanted to give them myself." She got me a beautiful set of glass bangles, blue color. I was so sure Prajid should have picked them for me. He is just using his mom to pass it on to me. He was looking at my face; observing my reaction. They were actually so dazzling and beautiful.

"Thanks aunty. They are lovely." I said.

She said, "Wear them. Let me see how it looks on your hands. " I wore them and showed her. 

"Beautiful", he said.

I blushed and smiled. We looked at each other for a moment.

"Thanks aunty. I love them. Blue is my favorite color." I said.

He said, "I know. Mine too."

Aunty said, "Okay. Enough Prajid, I am going to tell her. He got hem for you. He is just using me. "

I told her, "I know that aunty. Thanks for both the bangles and passing it on to me."

She touched my head and said, "Smart!"

I smiled at her. She smiled back. 

He winked at me. I winked back. 

He realized that I actually thanked her for passing him to me. He said, "Mom..!! You did not understand her fully."

I said, "Don't listen to him aunty." and smiled at her.