After that day, when I helped her with her Maths doubts…
we slowly started talking.
Well… "talking" might be a big word.
Most of the time, I was the one starting the conversation.
I would ask things like,
"So… what are your future goals?"
"How is your study going?"
And she would reply…
in the shortest way possible.
"Good."
"Okay."
"Hmm."
…Great conversation skills. Truly inspiring.
Still, I was happy.
At least… we were talking.
A few days passed like this.
Then one afternoon, she suddenly came to me and said,
"I need your help with a science project. I have to submit a working model tomorrow… please help me."
While saying this…
she held my hand.
My brain stopped.
My heart started racing like I was in a
marathon.
I forgot what she even asked.
All I could think was:
She is holding my hand.
She is holding my hand.
She is holding my hand.
I somehow managed to say,
"D-Don't worry… I'll think of something by evening."
She smiled and said,
"Thank you… you always help me."
That sentence alone made me feel like I had achieved something big in life.
In the evening, she came again.
This time, I gave her an idea:
"We can make a periscope."
She liked the idea immediately.
She quickly brought all the materials…
and I started making it.
And her?
She just sat beside me…
watching.
I could literally feel her eyes on me the whole time.
At one point, I got so nervous that I almost glued my fingers together.
Very professional work.
Still, I somehow completed the periscope.
It took us until night…
but finally, it was done.
She took it, looked at it happily, and said,
"Thank you."
And then… she left.
I stood there for a few seconds…
smiling like an idiot.
And then suddenly—
"Wait…"
Tomorrow is my Physics exam.
My smile disappeared instantly.
I had studied everything…
but I hadn't done any revision.
Because during my revision time…
I was busy making a periscope.
Panic mode: ON.
I tried to revise as much as I could and went for the exam the next day.
But something like this had never happened before.
For the first time…
I left questions in the paper.
Almost 20 marks worth of questions.
(Yes , Chi-Ho Is A Topper)
After the exam, I tried to comfort myself:
It's okay… I did it for Somi.
It's fine… right?
When I reached home…
Somi was already there.
She looked like she was waiting for me.
As soon as she saw me, she said,
"You're the best! Because of you, I got 1st rank for the first time!"
For a moment…
I forgot about my lost 20 marks.
Then she said,
"I want to give you a treat. Will you come with me this evening?"
At that moment, I felt like the universe was finally on my side.
Without thinking, I immediately said,
"Y-Yes! Of course!"
We made a plan for 7 PM.
But right after saying yes…
something hit me.
"Wait…"
Tomorrow is my Chemistry exam.
I froze.
Now the question was…
Should I go with her… or not?