Suvarna's POV

I glared at the gift packet as it sat nearby on my bedside table.

I will not not not open it. I should have let it rot in the bathroom counter. In fact I should have given it back to - that Pinky's friend.

But what did he get? My subconscious voice questioned me.

I don't care!

Really? Mocked my subconscious.

My very own mind is against me!

I slumped down on my bed and hit my head on my pillow and closed my eyes. So what if it is bright daylight? I am going to sleep and not think of that silly gift.

I had just chased Paresh away after he had filmed that silly video. Silly Mehrotra brothers. All of them!

I tossed and turned in my bed, pumped my pillow till it was close to bursting even sang out loud a silly song. That always helped me ease out any issue in my mind. But not today!

Oh chuck it Suvi! You know you will not be at peace till you open that gift. I am not really interested, but just a bit curious I tell myself firmly.

I reached for it then pulled back. Proping myself up on my elbows I frowned at the packet. Did Pinky pack it as well? Did she chose the wrapping paper?

SUVI! You don't care. Remember that. I told my sub conscious mind irritably.

What if it broke when I had flung it in the bathroom?

Good! I hope it did break.

If you don't care then why do you bother who bought it or wrapped it?

I groaned loudly. Can I exchange my sub conscious mind? This one is my biggest enemy.

Distraction Suvi! Think of something else. Yes, my new dress. I have not got matching earrings for it yet.

Suppose the gift is a new set of earring?

Oh God! Not again. I got up and ripped open the packet that was anyways half ripped before.

I stared at what I held in my hand. This cannot be chosen by Pinky! How can she know the significance?

I felt my heart pound erratically. I closed my fingers around it. A small guitar, A brass and wood piece. Not a typical gift from London. But a perfect gift that Sharvan could give Sumo. Something linked with our childhood.

I closed my eyes as image of a younger Shishir playing the guitar sitting near my window floated in my mind. I opened my eyes and gazed at this perfect piece in my hand

I bit my lips as I felt something engraved on the metal part. Tiny words "From the Algebra King to Empress Geometry"

I held the gift close to my bosom as I chocked back a sudden sob that threatened to break out of me.

He remembers! He holds those memories in his heart just like I do. No way could anyone other than us know the meaning of these words. If Pinky chose this then she could not have known about how algebra and geometry connected Suvi with Shishir.

I smiled as yet another memory hit me. Our school principal had arranged for me to learn algebra from a senior since I was horribly weak in it.

Years back in school, Principals office.

"Suvarna Sharma, If you do not know the answer to a question what do you do?"

"Sir I try to learn it." I say apprehensively. What kind of question is this?

"Till you find the answer you will either answer incorrectly or not answer at all. Right?"

I nodded "Yes Sir." What exactly is this old man's problem?

"So what did you do in your maths examination, for algebra part of the exam that is?"

I frowned slightly, trying to understand what was being asked. " Sir -I" What did I do to the horrid algebra questions? I tried to jog my memory.

"Suvarna Sharma you wrote the details of the Mughal emperors! You drew out their Family tree in maths answer sheet." Hollered our Principal, going red in the face.

Oops! Now I remember." Um- Sir, history exam was next and I needed to revise-"

"So you will revise history in Maths answer sheet? Where did you revise Algebra? In your Geography sheets?"

"No I-" I stopped short deciding that keeping quite was best. The old croon looked close enough to getting a heart attack and if I tell him I hate algebra and never practise it, he will surely burst in anger.

I heard a soft snort from behind me. I turn around. Shishir Mehrotra! He is laughing at me?!? I will show him once we leave the principal's office.

"Shishir here will help you understand Algebra better." My head snapped back to the Principal's face. No way!

"No! I mean Sir, no need really. I will practise it on my own. I promise Sir. Every day. At least three hours. Um - two. Er.. at least one hour Sir. Really I will." I say desperately.

"No! Shishir will help you."

Stubborn old man!

"Sir, he cannot!"

"Why not?"

"Er- um- Ah- Sir- He is sooo tall and my handwriting is very small he may not be able to read from that distance-"

"Enough! You will learn from him. Now get out of my office. Next week I will take a test of your progress." I was cut short as my Principal spluttered angrily, his face getting redder.

Defeated I nodded and left the room. Soon a very smug looking Shishir came out.

Arrogant show off. As it is, being family friend he used to frequent my house and I had to endure all the time 'Oh how good Shishir is!' examples. Now if he teaches me he will only get prouder.

"Listen Mr. show off don't look so happy. You are not going to teach me.

"Tell that to your Nanu. Principal Sir already told him over the phone about me teaching you!" Shishir said with a triumphant look.

Aarghhh! I felt like screaming my lungs out. My maternal Grandfather was already full of praises for this walking talking Coconut tree, now he will surely praise him even more.

Angrily I stomped my foot on his ankle and smirked happily as he yelped in pain hobbling on one foot. Serves him right!

Back to present.

It was the beginning of our bond of close friendship. I smiled tenderly at the gift as I carefully placed it next to my bed. This was so special.

But what about Pinky? I don't know what to think. Maybe he just remembers some childhhod things but does not really see me as a close friend any more?

But then why did he bother to get something so closely enterwined with us?

It made no sense.

Never mind all that Suvi! The main thing is he brought you this so special gift. This gift is specially for you from him.

Yes, this time my sub conscious mind was right. I got up hurriedly and looked for my phone. I should thank him. I dialled his number that Paresh had saved in my phone with a knowing look even though I told him I don't want it.

I smiled at this thought. Paresh is really sweet at times.

As the phone began to ring I disconnected. What would I say? I had actually ruined his shirt. He may be still furious with me. Maybe I should meet him in person? Yes that is a better idea. I will go and meet him.

I pulled out a gift from my table drawer that I had made for him few weeks back. I had kept it aside thinking I would give him whenever we meet. Today morning all thoughts had changed when-

No Suvi! Don't think about that Pinky now. Go meet Shishir I told myself firmly as I went out of my room.

Shishir's POV

I sat brooding in my room waiting for Paresh to return. It was almost two hours since I had come back and he was still not back from Suvi's house.

Suddenly my phone buzzed. A local unknown number. I kept the phone back as it stopped ringing after a couple of rings.

Suddenly a thought occurred to me. Who could be calling me on this number? I had taken it just this morning outside Airport.

Heart thundering in anticipation, I checked with the software to find out the callers identity.

Suvarna Sharma! She is calling me! My heart leaped happily. But then why did she disconnect? Paresh must have given her this number but why did she not talk if she called me?

She may have dialled it accidently. My mood dropped at this thought.

She must be busy with that friend of hers I thought sourly.

"Shishir bhaiya." Paresh burst into my room. So at last he has come!

"How are you feeling now? Still tired? Why did you not wait for some more time? We could have come back together"

"Uh huh." I said evasively.

"You should have waited. We had so much fun."

Yeah brother. Go on, rub it in!

"Never mind. I have got it on video. You have to see this."

"See what?"

"That video I told I will shoot when Suvi brings her friend ­-"

"No! I mean Why?" Hell I need to get away from my own house as well! "Actually you see I promised your bike I will take it for a ride-"

"Huh?"

That's right Shishir show him what a big fool you are.

"No, I promised myself actually-"

Shit. Shit. Shit!

I took a deep breath "Paresh can I please ride your bike for sometime? I want to take a spin, been so many years."

"Yes of course."

I nodded "thank you." and rushed out of my own room.

I stood gazing at the bike wondering aimlessly, having already forgotten what I was doing in front of it.

"Bhaiya you need keys to ride it! You came out without them!" Paresh's voice, dripping with amusement reached my ears from behind me.

I smiled sheepishly as I turned to him. Oh yes! I was supposed to go for a bike ride.

"Suvi! What are you doing here?" Paresh's query startled me. She is here?!?

I heard the metal gate creak open confirming somebody was entering. Hastily I grabbed the keys from Paresh without looking up and sat on the bike.

"Bhaiya, that is my phone you have taken, not the keys." Paresh said laughing at me openly. "Or were you wanting to watch that video before going?"

Yech! I want to fling this wretched mobile away! It has that video. I glared at Paresh as he grabs it and hands me the keys.

"No Paresh delete it now! I told you to!" Suvi's voice reached my ears. She is really here! And what is her problem? Let her keep that friend of hers to herself! As though I am eager to watch that silly video!

I start the bike in a rush but before I can drive off "Shishir-"

I freeze as Suvi calls out to me. I half turn towards her. "I wanted to talk to you."

"Well, as you can see I am busy I am going out now." I said gruffly.

"You are just going for a spin. Suvi can go with you. It will be good trip down the memory lane when you two rode cycle as kids." Paresh interjected.

I want to hang that brother of mine upside down from the tallest tree!

"No!"

"That is a good idea!" Suvi said excitedly ignoring my protest and sat behind me.

As her hand came on my shoulder I closed my eyes. Hell! This felt so good! So perfect. But No! This is not how things are. Shishir take a hold of your feelings I told myself. I put on my helmet quietly and waited as she put on hers that Paresh had produced from somewhere.

I took a deep breath in, at least she is really sitting behind me. Let me not think of other details for now.

I started the bike and we are off for that spin. A long one I decided.

&&&&

And SuShi are off on a bike ride! Paresh is kinda nice, Yeah?

Did you think Algebra can be so life changing? LOL.

More details on their maths practise and how their names Algebra King and Empress Geometry came about in later chapters. And also Shishir with guitar!

Next chapter their bike ride.

Please vote and comment peeps if you liked the chapter.

Love, from me to you.:)