A week passes. Nandika has become Maan’s teacher. Though Maan studies in a higher class it doesn’t appear as a challenge for Nandika. That is the advantage of being a scholar and perhaps Maan didn’t make any mistake in choosing his teacher. They study after their classes. Sometimes in the library and sometimes under the trees in the college field. Nandika can feel the eager eyes and gossip-monger mouths around us but now she doesn’t bother. Perhaps Maan has taught her to be confident in her skin. It is truly said that we learn something every day from everyone. On the other hand, Maan chats with Nutty M every night. Every night he comes to know a secret about Nutty M. But of course, in return for his secrets. It’s like a confession game. However, Maan is enjoying this game. Similarly, Nutty M aka Nandika is now addicted to these midnight talks. It is said that nights make people truthful. During this counselling or confession chat, she never tries to lie. She never feels the urge to hide anything. The Lost Boy knows magic. In the past 7 days, both have shared many secrets with each other. For example, Lost Boy aka Maan confessed that he trusts simple girls over attractive ones. In return, Nutty M aka Nandika revealed that she likes dominating love. However, both haven’t told each other that a new person has entered their life. Nutty M hasn’t revealed about her new student yet. Similarly, the Lost Boy hasn’t talked about his new teacher. And I am… the writer is smiling while writing this. One day Maan and Nandika are sitting in the college field under a litchi three. The sun is scorching but the shade is cool. Nandika is marking the lines to make it easy for Maan to memorise while Maan suddenly asks,

“Nandika, have you ever fallen for anyone? I mean any boyfriend or any special friend?”

The question was too abrupt for Nandika. Although in these past 7 days, she has overcome her hesitation to talk to Maan their talks always remain restricted to studies. They never discuss personal matters. Nandika meets his eyes for a second and bends down her head.

“No…I don’t have any special friend. At least not any boy.”

She answers bluntly. Maan sits squarely resting his palms on his knees. It seems that he is not satisfied with this brief answer. His further question proves it.

“Why? Didn’t you find anyone or you are too picky in this matter?”

Nandika’s pen halts for a second. With a stern tone, she replies,

“I don’t need. I have other important things to do in my life.”

“So, you think making a special friend or being in love is unimportant. It’s a waste of time?”

Maan’s tone is amused. Nandika shuts the book and meets his nonchalant eyes. Her jaws become hard.

“Love is not unimportant but loving an unimportant person is indeed a waste of time. And I think now we are wasting our time on an unimportant topic.”

She utters sedately. Maan keeps on staring at her specs barriered eyes. Seems he is trying to solve the mystery of those doe eyes. Unmindfully he murmurs,

“You have beautiful eyes, Nandika. Have you ever noticed? Or this is also unimportant to you?”

Nandika didn’t expect that. A tremor runs through her spine. For a moment, she remains steel and in the next moment leaps up breaking her reverie.

“I think I should go….I marked the important pages. Go through it.”

She doesn’t give Maan any chance to Maan to say further and leaves the place in a hurry. Maan keeps on looking at her dissipated frame. After a couple of minutes, his trance gets broken. He whispers,

“What was that?”

..................................

“Why do we feel attracted to someone?”

Lost Boy’s question flashes on Nutty M’s mobile screen. Nandika curves her lips. She likes today’s topic but before answering she wants to know more about this mysterious boy’s mind. At least she needs to know in which context he asked this. Nandika types,

“Before answering that I want to know if you can distinguish among attraction, like and love. Do you?”

After 15 seconds the message flashes.

“I don’t know much but still know that attraction happens so many times in our life. After that, we start liking a person. But for loving someone we need much deeper conviction. In simple words, attraction and like are the petty stepping stones to reach love….ha….ha..”

His words bring an admonishing smile to Nandika’s lips. This boy explained a deep philosophy so casually. God, he is something. She taps the keyboard,

“Absolutely right. Now, let’s come to your question. We feel attracted towards someone when we start liking anything about that person. It can be an inner quality or an outer appearance. Now, let me know which matters more to you?”

Nandika throws a question. After a short pause, Lost Boy answers,

“For me, inner quality matters more. But that’s not the point. I just need to know can we feel attraction at any moment? I mean suppose a person meets another person every day. He considers her a good friend. Only a friend. He never felt any other emotion towards her. But all of a sudden, this equation changed. One moment and he discovered that she is attractive. Very attractive. She is attractive in a different way. Now he is in confusion that is it a temporary feeling or if he has actually started getting attracted towards her?”

A sign of V is formed between Nandika’s brows. As per the mystery boy’s confession, he has a secret Cinderella in his life whom he loves. Then who is this new attraction? She immediately types,

“Is she beautiful?”

He takes some time to type.

“She is. At least in my eyes.”

“Then what is the problem? Probably you have fallen for her.”

Nandika asks. The reply comes immediately.

“But I love my secret Cinderella, Nutty M. How can I fall for another person when she is my ultimate destination? I am very confused and guilt-ridden right now. I shouldn’t feel this attraction towards her. It is deceit towards my muse.”

A brief silence. Nandika is about to reply when Lost Boy’s message flashes again.

“Nutty M, have you ever lost your heart to someone?”