Page 202 - The World's Best Boyfriend

was an insensitive, cruel joke. ‘I just told you the reason, Aranya. I might just
think you’re an interesting person right now, but I’m afraid it will grow
stronger.’

‘What are you saying exactly?’
‘That there might come a day I might want to be with you a lot more often.
Because I like you, Aranya,’ he said it like he had solved an equation, a

predetermined sequence of symbols and numbers which would yield the same
results without any deviation.
‘You’re joking. What is there to like in me?’

‘You’re smart, you’re driven, and you’re intelligent. There’s not one thing I
would change about you. Not a single thing. If I were to stay in the college, it
would be for you. And so I can’t,’ said Raghuvir.

‘. . .’
‘Don’t act so shocked.’
‘This is ridiculous, Sir. Please don’t joke around like this.’

How was all this not a joke? Or a dream she would wake up soon from? This
was a fucking nightmare. He was making fun of her. Raghuvir? Liking her? The
man who only dated goddamn goddesses? That was what it exactly was. She was

a joke for everyone.
‘This isn’t a joke, Aranya.’
‘I think it is and it’s not funny. If what you’re saying is true, why didn’t I see

this tone in your voice in college? You have always been just a professor to me,’
growled Aranya. She felt her ears burn and she was moments away from crying.
‘Why this sudden change? What is it if not making fun of me? And of what I

feel for you? You know that, right? Sir? You are saying all this because you
have seen how I look at you? Is this what this is all about?’
‘You didn’t see it because I was trying to be a professor in college. I’m no

longer one. If I think you’re an intelligent and interesting girl and I like you, I
don’t think that’s hard to believe at all.’
‘If all that you’re saying is true, which it’s not, then why would you run? If

you feel what you do, why not stay?’ Her voice barely audible, like someone had
jammed a pen in her larynx.
Raghuvir took her hands in his. Aranya’s body shuddered. No man had held

her hand with such warmth and acceptance; she even felt beautiful. ‘Let’s face it,
Aranya. We both have things to do and places to go to. We can’t be stopping