Manan had never wanted to make friends that much. He saw his classmates make balls out of paper and throw at each other during the recess. A couple of times one or two of them would ask him to play with them, but he never wanted to. They were just too loud and violent for him. So he did what he always did..... Opened his small notebook and doodled his hearts out. But doing the same at home was different. Mom would tell 9 year old Manan to go out and play with the neighbouring kids . He didnt like Cricket or Soccer that much , and that made him a big target for bullies. So he would go to the park instead and play sudoku instead. Everything went on like that. Until someone came and sat next to him on the school table. "Hi Manan. I am Kabir" and extended his hand to shake. Manan shook his hands out of courtesy. Manan's heartbeat picked up pace when he saw him He couldn't take his eyes off of him . It was as if the universe had contrived to make the most beautiful person he had ever seen. He could see every tiny aspect about him that was beautiful. Those little curved moon shaped lips and the Bambi-like eyes.Every strand of hair felt like it was right at its place. Why am I being like this ? "MANAN ?" Kabir shouted louder, as Manan snapped back to reality......" Did you hear what I said ?" "Ummmm No...... I was a bit distracted....... distracted by your...... distracted by the noise. Can you repeat that please?" Kabir smiled and thought - He stared into my face and got distracted "I was saying , why don't you came over today evening to Tara park..... we can introduce ourselves better and hang out" "Yeah sure...... I will see if I can" Manan muttered. The whole day, he remained distracted . His mind would always go back to Kabir's face . Whats wrong with me ? He thought . Kabir is a boy.... How can this happen? Dad is a boy and Mom is a girl..... Grandpa is a boy and grandma is a girl But I am a boy and so is Kabir...... how ? Thoughts continued to trouble him . He didnt know the answers to the questions he posed to himself...... And neither did he have the guts to ask someone. All he could do was look at the person at the other end of class in the corner of his eye and more questions would pop in his mind - Would mom and dad be okay ? What if- ? Why dont -? How do -? It was 5 in the evening and Kabir sat alone in the park bench . Maybe he doesnt like me that much- he thought, and kept nibbling on the packet of Lays in his lap Someone came near and sat next to him . Kabir saw and smiled. Manan dipped his hands in Kabir's packet to take a chip...... and said - "I like you"
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