You don't have fever,' I said, 'I'm exhausted, l guess.' 'Did I stress you out?' I said. I felt guilty about kissing her. 'No. I should just go rest.' She had a coughing fit again, this time more violent. I helped her stand up and escorted her to the guestroom, 'Will you be okay? You want someone here?' I said, She smiled, 'Nice try, sir. But I will be just fine,' she said, 'I didn't mean that. I could wake up Ma,' 'No, no, please. I need sleep, that's all. We are going to the school tomorrow, right ?' 'If you're feeling better.' 'I'll be okay. Goodnight, Madhav,' she said. 'Goodnight, Riya,' I said, not wanting to leave. 'Thanks for taking care of me,' she said, her voice sleepy. She shut the door. I came back to my room. As I lay in my bed, I touched my lips. I thought about our magnificent lip-lock under the stars. 'I love you, Riya Somani,' I whispered before I drifted off to sleep. So this is the famous Dumraon Royal School,' Riya said, her eyes widening at the sight of hundreds of kids buzzing around like bees. 'Nothing royal about it,' I said. 'Well, I hear a prince runs it,' she said. She smiled at me. I gave her an all-knowing, what-happened-last- night look. Of course, not much had happened. But a kiss is a kiss is a kiss. 'We decided never to talk about it,' she said. 'I didn't say anything.' 'Tell your eyes to be quiet then.They talk too much.' I laughed. 'How's your cough?' 'Better,' she said. We reached school at nine, two hours after Ma. Riya had slept in. Since she did not know the way, I had to wait for her. She, had donned a skirt and top first, but I had asked her to change into a salwar-kameez instead. Not that the kids would care but the principal, or Rani Sahiba, would. She had to approve of the dress code. So Riya switched to a plain white chikan salwar-kameez. We entered the staffroom. 'You finally made it. Welcome,' my mother said. I ignored her sarcasm. Riya and I greeted her, but Ma only nodded, without looking |
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