Chapter - IV - You Love Me

April 13th, 2017

[Dhruv's class, there is a new admission – Aalochna (an alluring girl, who's diligent about love). She sits on the first seat (window side). She saw Dhruv coming in class she liked him and believed he fell in love with her. And her happiness broke the roof when he sat beside her. Ishita knows her from a competition she participated in, a year ago. They fought for the first position and the whole time Aalochna kept saying that Ishita loves her, while they were doing the dance off Aalochna fell of the stage and even after that she kept on insisting that Ishita loves her. In class IX-A].

Ishita (to Aalochna): Do you still think I am in love with you?

Aalochna: Darling, get over me, I think this boy is in love with me now (pointing at Dhruv).

Ishita (sarcastically): Oh! Yeah - definitely.

Aalochna: Hey Ishita, who's this boy?

Ishita: You like him?

Aalochna: Yep, I like him but he's in love with me, can you introduce me to him.

Ishita: Sure, I can. (Dhruv sits on his seat).

Dhruv: Hey guys, what's up? (to Aalochna) So are you the new admission, you look good.

Aalochna (whispers in Ishita's ear): He's totally in love with me.

Ishita (whispers in Aalochna's ear; jokes): Girl, he's going to take your heart away.

Aalochna (whispers in Ishita' s ear): He already has.

Ishita (to Dhruv): This is my lost love, Aalochna (both girls laugh).

Dhruv: What do you mean by lost love.

Ishita: Nothing, Dhruv where are your manners, introduce yourself.

Dhruv: I'm Dhruv, and you?

Aalochna (timidly): Aa-lo-ch-na – Aalochna.

[Sahil comes in]

Sahil (to Ishita): There's a boy calling you outside.

Ishita (to Sahil): Who?

Sahil (siting down): I don't know.

Dhruv: So, you going?

Ishita: No, it's a hassle.

Dhruv: For you everything is a hassle.

Ishita: And the biggest one, you.

[Khushboo enters the class, after introducing Aalochna to the class, she starts teaching. In IX- B

Outside the class Vinay is stopped from entering the class by a gang of boys of class X].

Male Student A: Where do you think you're going?

Vinay: In the class where else.

Male Student B (annoyed): Don't try to be over smart (pulling Vinay's collar) you get that.

Vinay (steps back): What's your problem?

You know this girl.

Vinay: Yes, she's my classmate.

Male Student C: She proposed to you about a week ago.

Vinay (confused): How do you know about it?

Male Student C (angry): And you turned her down!

Male Student A: She is our boss's little sister, you made her sad, now it's payback time.

Female Student (passing by): Vinay, I am waiting for the answer.

Vinay: I told you no.

Female Student (passing by): No, I won't accept 'no' for an answer.

[Teacher comes, so the gang leaves. Rizwan also comes].

Rizwan (to Vinay): You sure are popular with the ladies, it must be fun.

Vinay: It's more trouble than fun.

[The period before Recess]

Rizwan (turned around; to Rozee): In recess let's go to the canteen.

Rozee: Hmm, I don't know.

Rizwan: Come on, be a sport.

Rozee: Ok, who else will come with us?

Rizwan: I don't know, I'll invite others. But do you mind going with me (hesitates) alone.

Rozee: No-no, it's not like that.

Rizwan: Okay, I'll go in the next class to ask them.

Rozee: Ok.

Rizwan: By the way, you're not ignoring me today, I thought you were a shy girl.

Rozee: What made you think that?

Rizwan: Well for starters, I tried to talk to you for a whole year but you didn't reply at all.

Rozee: I don't talk to strangers.

Rizwan: Then why'd you talk to me in the sick room.

Rozee: Dhruv told me to, just that.

Rizwan: Did Dhruv told you talk to me right now also, aren't I practically a stranger.

Rozee: Rizwan are you getting jealous of Dhruv, and if you don't remember, let me jog your memory I was about to leave after saying what Dhruv had told me, but I stayed because I thought you were-were (stops) never mind.

Rizwan (with anticipation): Just say it.

Rozee (speaks fast): I thought you were an interesting guy (Rizwan blushes).

Rizwan (shy): Thanks!

Rozee (blushing): And you are not a stranger, I think of you as a friend (Rizwan again blushes).

Rizwan (blushing): Thanks again.

[The whole class - IX is on the ground with class – X, for their P.T. class. Rizwan is playing Football with other students. Rozee is enjoying the sport as a spectator. Rizwan asked Dhruv to play but he refused. Vinay is playing cricket, enjoying cricket are the spectators- Dhruv, Sahil, Ishita and Aalochna].

Ishita: So, how's Kanika these days?

Sahil: She's fine.

Ishita: I was hoping you'd​ invite her to our party.

Sahil: I might but still it's up to her to come.

Aalochna: Who's Kanika?

Dhruv: Sahil and Kanika are seeing each other.

Aalochna: And Dhruv you, are you seeing someone.

Dhruv (sarcastically): Yeah, I am, I am seeing stars, cars and what not. (Aalochna laughs) I am not.

Aalochna: So, is there someone you like?

Dhruv: No, there's no one.

Aalochna: Why are you saying that when you love me?

Dhruv: What, why are you saying that? I mean you seem nice but I don't think of you like that.

Aalochna: Don't lie, you can tell me the truth that you love me.

Dhruv (annoyed): Please, cut it out already. (Ishita goes to the washroom).

Aalochna: You love me!

Dhruv (annoyed): No, I don't (Dhruv starts to leave, Aalochna comes after him). Don't follow me!

Aalochna: I will, because you love me.

Dhruv (sarcastically): Ok, I do, how'd you know?

Aalochna: It's my sixth sense.

Dhruv: More like an illness.

Ishita (coming from the washroom; to Aalochna): You still at it?

Aalochna: What can I do he loves me! (Dhruv sighs).

[Arnav (a tall bold boy with a baby face) comes and stands in front of Ishita]

Arnav (to Ishita): I need to talk to you.

Dhruv (to himself): It feels like he's going to confess to Ishita.

Ishita: What is it?

Aalochna: Dhruv loves me. (Dhruv sighs).

Arnav: I asked to come out through Sahil but you didn't come.

Ishita: So, what?

Aalochna: Dhruv you love me.

Dhruv: No, I don't.

Arnav (blushing; excited, speaks fast): Ever since I saw you I was mesmerised by your persona, would you go out with me!

Dhruv (to himself): I was correct. I think Ishita will say no. So, let's try this, he will say yes. (to Arnav) Are you sure about it, Aalochna would be the perfect match for you why don't you ask her?

Arnav (to Dhruv): No, and you love her I don't.

Dhruv (to himself; shocked): How would I be wrong!

Ishita (to herself): It takes guts to confess, he seems nice also. (to Arnav) Ok, now go I'm busy.

Dhruv (to himself; shocked): I was wrong about this also!

Arnav (while going): Ishita said yes! Ishita loves me now, she said yes!

Dhruv (to himself): He's like a male version of Aalochna, could they be related? (to Ishita) why'd you said yes?

Ishita (to Dhruv): He seemed to be a nice guy, and he would have bothered me if I said no.

Dhruv (to himself; laughing): If living becomes a bother to her she might suicide.

[After the P.T. period its their W.E. period, in this sections A and B merge. In W.E. room there are two long tables, students sit on them facing each other. Rizwan is sitting on the first seat from the door in front of him is Rozee and beside him is Shagun. In front of Shagun is Vinay. Beside Shagun is Ishita, in front of her is Aalochna, beside Aalochna is Dhruv and in front of Dhruv is Sahil. They are talking while waiting for Khushboo to come in class].

Aalochna: Dhruv, how it feels to love me?

Dhruv: I don't love you.

Aalochna: Don't lie I know you do.

[Khushboo enters the class].

Khushboo: Class before we begin, I have an announcement to make, so stop talking and pay attention, (shouts) stop talking. Your class tests are beginning from 17th April. Maintain this silence I am coming in a bit.

[Khushboo leaves the whole class starts talking].

Sahil: Please would you all come to Kanika's birthday party on 14th?

Dhruv: Yeah, we would.

Vinay: What time?

Sahil: I'll tell you the time and place on the phone.

Ishita: Hey now listen-listen to me, we have a new friend, this is Aalochna, this is her first day and she believes Dhruv is in love with her.

Rozee: Really!

Aalochna: What do you mean believe, I know he loves me.

Vinay: First day, first love!

Dhruv (annoyed): Stop with that!

Ishita: Dhruv's so irritated that he can be declared a psycho.

Rizwan: Dhruv so, you're a psycho now.

Shagun: And the reason you are in this mess is love, love really makes a person mad.

Vinay: I don't think, it's like that.

Shagun: Did anyone asked you?

Vinay: No but - (Shagun interrupts).

Shagun: Then shut up!

Ishita: Shagun that's rude.

Shagun: These people should be dealt in this way only.

Rozee: Why are you so annoyed at Vinay, what did he do? (Vinay is surprised as Rozee is taking his side). I know he can be a bit too much sometimes but he's a nice guy.

Vinay: Thanks, Rozee.

Rozee: Shut up I' m not talking to you.

Vinay (to himself): She hasn't completely forgiven me yet.

Dhruv: Hey, listen since we have our exams coming up, I was hoping - (Aalochna interrupts).

Aalochna: Wait we have exams coming up!

Sahil: Didn't you hear, Ma'am announced it just minutes ago.

Ishita: But how could she hear Ma'am when she was so busy telling Dhruv that he loves her (expect Dhruv everyone laughs).

Dhruv: Not funny Ishita. As I was saying, "now we all" know that tests are coming up so I think we should cancel our party and concrete on our studies.

Rozee: You're just saying that because you don't want to cook.

Dhruv (to himself): Dam, she guessed it. (To all) It's not like that.

Aalochna: Dhruv you can cook!

Shagun: We can postpone​ the party.

Vinay: Yeah, why didn't I think of that.

Shagun: Because you don't have a brain to think.

Sahil (in sync with Rizwan and Dhruv): Savage!

Rozee: What date should it now be held?

Ishita: How about after the exams in May.

Dhruv: No postpone, let's just cancel it altogether.

Rozee: What did we talk about in the sick room.

Dhruv: Ok, how about on May 32nd?

Rozee: Real funny Dhruv!

Aalochna (shouts): Dhruv's in love with me (Dhruv sighs).

Sahil: I think Ishita is right, in May summer break it would be fine, what do you say?

Shagun: Its ok with me.

Vinay: With me too (Shagun twitched but didn't say anything).

Rizwan: Since our holidays are beginning from 20th  then 20th would be fine.

Rozee: No, 21st is a Sunday then it would be the perfect day.

[All agree with Rozee. And now on May 21st the party will be held. Khushboo enters the class].

Khushboo: I asked you all to be quite and you are shouting like goons. Now pay attention here today we are going to make this - (Aalochna interrupts).

Aalochna (shouts): Dhruv loves me.

Khushboo (shouts): Get out, now!

Aalochna: Yes Ma'am.

[Khushboo resumes her class. After W.E period it's the recess and the canteen is closed, so Rizwan and Rozee don't go to the canteen].