Things and Places

Things and Places - I

Hello everyone,
This month I've decided to do a series kind of thing. This is the first part of the story. And I'll be completing the story in the months to come. I might post something else in between but I'll definitely finish this one. Hope you like it :)

Sameer

She was browsing through the fiction section at a book store. She looked thoroughly engrossed yet was consciously glancing sideways. I suddenly looked away, embarrassed. As I glanced back at her general direction after a while, she was nervously taking out 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' from the shelf. I smiled. After that she disappeared once more into the stacks and stacks of books. I picked up the book I was looking for and lazily made my way to the counter. Just when I handed over the money, she came along carrying 'The Great Gatsby', a Sidney Sheldon book along with Harry Potter which was on the bottom of the bunch. Taking a cue from the universe about her meticulous timing, I decided to make conversation.

"Nice Choices", I said.

She smiled guiltily, handing over the books at the counter, she said,"Err....thanks. I've been meaning to read The Great Gatsby for a long time"

My smiled broadened. "What if I tell you I wasn't taking about Gatsby at all"

She blushed and laughed nervously. "Harry Potter is for my little cousin, actually. I've never read it. I'm too old for it"

Knowing that it was clearly a lie, I said, "Well, no one is ever too old for it......"

"Ugh... who am I kidding? I started HP series 7 days ago and I'm hooked. I'm on half-blood prince right now. I'll be over with it tonight and after that I'm waking up early morning tomorrow to start the last book",she said.

I laughed."I kinda knew it was for you. Anyways,Don't rush it. And brace yourself for an existential crisis after you finish it. The world will never be the same again"

"Ugh... Isn't that always the case? You want to finish the book but you don't want to finish the book. I'm constantly torn between the two. "

She paid for the books and we slowly walked our way towards the door. After we got out, we hovered outside the bookstore for a while.
"So, what's your favorite HP book yet?", I said.

"My favorite is Sorcerer's stone. And hatest is Order of Phoenix.yet. You?"
"Mine is Half blood prince...it has so much dra......"

"Nuh uhuh... No spoilers please!!!!!"

"Sorry...." I laughed.

"And tell me something. Do you hate Snape as much as I hate him ? I mean, he is ridiculous. Why is he so ridiculous ? I'm sorry if I blaberring, you know how it is. I'm Sneha,btw"

I laughed. "I'm Sameer. And let me tell you, after that last book you are totally going to change your......."

"Shut up Sameer. No spoilers, remember? And to be honest, I like Voldemort more than Snape. The way Snape treats Griffindor gets on my nerves"

" Tell you what, I'm sure you'll feel differently about this situation after the last book. And I want to know all about it, So I'll give you my E-mail and you promise me that you'll write back. Deal?", I smiled .

She bit her lips and looked me in the eye for the first time, smilling she said, "I'll write back only if I actually feel different about it. Okay?"

I looked over at my watch. I was getting late .
"Okay. Listen, I'm getting a little late here. I gotta go now. And nice meeting you . Can't wait to hear more from you Sneha!", I waved back as I moved away.

"You too...Bye !", she said, waving her hand.

Sneha

I had replayed the conversation with Sameer atleast 20 times since the day I met him.He was smart and adorable. And after finishing Deathly Hallows, according to the deal, I had promised to write to him. I just didn't know if I should.He seemed like a nice guy but what if he was a total creep beneath those innocent layers.

"Well, you are not agreeing to marry him. It's just an email, It's nothing", other part of me argued.

Ah, screw it. Who was I kidding? I wanted to talk to him again. I searched for the email address he gave me and fired up my laptop.

Dear Sameer,
I finished Deathly hallows . AND IT BLEW ME AWAY. I feel so bad for Snape! :(
He might or might not have gained the top spot as my favorite character. You were kinda right :P And it still hasn't sunk in that I finished the whole damn thing yet.
Omg, where are my manners. How are you ?
-Sneha

I re-read it a few times and sent it hoping that ':P' emoji didn't come out too flirty.

After a few minutes, my laptop pinged. Reply already?

Dear Sneha,
Haha, I completely understand the lack of manners. And I'm fine. It'll sink in soon and I promise you atleast one whole day of misery. lol.
And aren't you sleepy yet? It's 3 in the morning. You should sleep. Goodnight...or goodmorning for that matter.
-Sameer

I smiled like an idiot.

Dear Sameer,
You know....just nerdy things. lol. I was engrossed but what are YOU doing not sleeping at 3 ? Please tell me you're not a Vampire. That would change things completely.
-Sneha

I qucikly sent it. And waited for the reply which came after a few minutes.

Dear Sneha,
haha, Ofcourse I'm a Vampire. Couldn't you tell by the way I combusted to ashes in the sunlight that day? ;)
What if I tell you, I was thinking of you? And I've waited for your email since the day I met you?
-Sameer

After a minute my laptop pinged again.

Dear Sneha,
I WAS KIDDING. I realized the last line made me sound like a total creep. I was reading...just nerdy things, as you put it, lol. I'm off to sleep now.
Sleep nice. bye
P.s. Looking forward to talking to you.
-Sameer

I read the email for the 10th time and grinned from ear to ear.
What was it about boys who could put up a decent conversation about books? I thought to myself as I waited for sleep to envelope me.

This was going to be interesting.

To be continued.....

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