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“Eyes are the informers of heart. They darken when we are angry, while softens when we are filled with love.” [Jacqueline]

….

Jacqueline’s POV:

I gripped the straps of my backpack tightly. My whole form trembling in anticipation of what would happen to me today. I shifted in discomfort from one foot to another as a kid of age 6 years glared at me. If you are wondering where I am? I am at my bus stop waiting for my school bus to arrive for the last ten minutes.

I could sense my cortisol level increasing with each minute. Cortisol; a stress hormone, our nature’s inbuilt alarm system. And it was alarming to me that I needed to calm down. But when does that happen what we want? Almost every time what happens is opposite to what we want.

I place my hand on my heart. Realizing that My heartbeat was abnormally high.

“Di are you okay?”

The same 6-year-old kid asked me confusion clear in her eyes. I think her name was Riya or something. She was my bus companion. Though we never chatted, there were times when she had flashed a bright smile at me.

“I. Ye. Yeah. I am fine.” I stuttered the first time I spoke to a kid. It was embarra**ing.

“But you look pale.” She clutched the hem of my kurta and inquires again.

I exhaled, trying to downplay the words I said.

“Ah. Do I?”

I could feel her, sus***ious gaze on me. But I didn’t say anything. Waiting for her to either say something or just left me alone.

“You are so cute Di. When you pout.” She giggled, as she said those words of admiration.

‘Cute? Can a child lie? I didn’t know. But normally I never heard of a kid lying.’

Smiling, I bent down and caress her forehead,

“Thank you, Riya. But I think you are cuter than me.”

Her black eyes widened, as her cheeks turned a little pink. Her pink lips edging into a pout.

With a shy look.

She mumbles.

“You think so?”

I answered back “Yeah. I do. By the way, I have chocolate. Would you like some?”

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then as if remembering something. It turned a little

Mommy said, to not take

am no stranger to you, I have been your bus companion since last year. But just for you, I can tell you my name. And then we will no longer be strangers.

smile formed on her lips, as she

right. Let’s

hand for her to take

My name is

took it with a smile on her

Riya. But you

“I would love to.”

her hands while

chocolates and laughing at each other. As chocolate stained our lips, into

way, I held her hand. And took out a small napkin from my backpack. Cleaning her lips with

here RiRi. Let me just wipe it for

“Okay JJ.”

to stand up, she held my cheeks and placed a small kiss on my

the door of the bus. Her two ponytails swaying with the wind. As her little arms stretched out. The sight of her warmed

students peek out of the window. Looking at us curiously. While I patted my

glanced back and yell

“Come faster JJ.”

walk towards the bus exhaling. And she

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smiling at me. I smile back and settle down on

but now that I

supposed to say to

it wasn’t intentional. Or that

phone. As I glanced at it. Remo had not texted me

not want to admit it, I missed him. I missed him a lot. Probably if last night I could have talked to him,

just text him if I wanted to. Because there are how many times I did

are you

“I am missing you.”

was no response. Exhaling I puffed my already

the most? When we are in desperate

be busy. Too busy to entertain me. Perhaps he might have some very important work

should head inside or just leave. The

are here