chapter 61

Zara announced her need to follow a rigorous study schedule that made Veronica groan.  The three formed a habit of sitting in the library, but Veronica always got hungry after poking her head in a book for ten minutes, so they shifted to the cafeteria.

Zara began answering more questions, solving more doubts, and even began preparing mock questions that made Veronica's head go dizzy. One such day as the trio sat together, Veronica fell asleep on her book that made Zara giggle. Veronica announced she couldn't take it anymore and decided to leave for home. Zara bid her goodbye and sat with Jake as they continued to study. In the three months that she had known him, they had never been alone; Veronica had always accompanied them, she had ensured her presence. But today, even Zara was yawning.

Jake checked his watch, "Could we go out for a walk? We have been at literature for 3 hours, and I would fall asleep right here if I study one more minute."

Zara smiled, "Sure, we deserve a break."

The two walked out of the cafeteria in the open premises and smiled at each other occasionally. Jake tried to fill in the awkward silence, "So Z, what are your plans after graduating from high school?"

Zara had a faraway look in her eyes, "Promise me you won't laugh if I tell you."

Jake assured, "I won't."

Zara said, "I wish to study at Harvard. I know I have to work on my grades and be eligible for the elite school by earning scholarships as I can't afford the tuition fees."

Jake was impressed, "That's some serious ambition; why would I laugh, Z?"

Zara was happy to have spoken out loud of her ambition to someone who understood her dreams. She walked forward while Jake bent down to tie his shoelaces. He saw a sharp wire that had been left on the ground and tried to warn her. "Z, watch out."

But she hadn't seen it and tripped on it, falling on the ground. Jake rushed to her and helped her get up. He dusted her clothes and removed dried leaves and twigs from her hair. As Zara looked up, she saw his soft brown eyes smiling at her, and she tried to step back, but her legs faltered.

Jake put a hand on her shoulder, "Easy there. Looks like you have a sprain. Come sit and let me see."

He helped her sit on a bench and sat on the ground, placing her feet on his knee. The wire had cut through her socks and scratched at her ankle. "You've got a nasty cut too. Wait here, I'll get the school's first aid kit."

Zara tried protesting, but Jake had run and arrived back in a minute. Surprised, she asked, "How did you come so fast?"

Jake shrugged, "I play football," and gently removed her shoe and sock. He then cleaned the wound with an antiseptic and carefully put on a Band-Aid.

Jake looked up to see her staring at him, "Can you walk?"

Zara tried getting up, but she buckled under her weight. "That's a no," he muttered and then began massaging her feet. Zara hadn't been touched by any guy like this, and she shivered. "Am I doing it too fast? I'll slow down" He smiled and began moving his fingers in slow circles around her ankle and heel.

Zara couldn't stop herself, "Why are you doing this, Jake?"

Jake looked up in her eyes, "Well, if I don't, how will you reach home. Besides, that wound may turn septic."

Zara continued to look at him, "You know what I mean, Jake."

Jake thought for a moment, "Can you think of nothing as the answer?"

Zara struggled to say it out loud, "Don't."

"Why? What's wrong? Am I a bad guy?"

Zara didn't know how to answer him, "You are a gem of a person, Jake. But as I told you, I wish to focus on studies."

Jake argued, "Study all you want. No one's stopping you from doing that. In the last three months or so, I have begun to like you."

"Stop it, Jake. I…I spend time with you because you love studying as much as I do. There's nothing more to the friendship. I'm sure any other girl would reciprocate your feelings."

Jake said sadly, "But not the one I want to… I'm ready to wait, Z."

Zara felt like a villain stabbing at the poor guy's heart, "Don't make this difficult for me, Jake. I trust you and want to be your friend. Nothing more"

Jake stood up, "Very well, let's get you home, given the fact that you are not fit to walk. Also, I will pick and drop you for a few days."

Zara opened her mouth in protest, "But-"

Jake offered her his hand, "I wasn't asking. Now get up, and I'll drive you home." He helped her sit in his pick-up and drove her home without another word. He offered her his hand, but she began limping on her own.

Her mother walked out of the front door and asked out loud, "Why is it that when a young man drives my daughter home, she is drunk or hurt?"

Jake didn't understand the question, and Zara didn't help him either. Jake introduced himself, "Hi Mrs. Gray, I am Jake, grandson of Mr. Turner-the cafeteria administrator. I recently enrolled in Missouri High School, and Zara has been a huge help to me in catching up on the syllabus. I'm sure she is going to make it to the Dean's list."

Rose's demeanor changed at the mention of studies, and she replied to him with a smile, "That's good to hear, Jake. You can come in join us for dinner."

Jake smiled and politely declined. He also informed of how he had taken up the duty of driving Zara from home to school and vice versa for a few days. He asked her, "Hope you don't mind."

Zara, who had thought her mother would object, was surprised to hear her mother say, "Not at all, young boy."

Jake waved both of them goodbye and left while Zara turned to her mother, "Wow, mom. What happened to you? You were so cold to Ryan the other day when he dropped me, yet you were so warm to Jake right now."

Rose pursed her lips, "Don't talk about someone who isn't around. Focus on the present instead of the past."

Zara exclaimed, "You know he isn't in town?"

Rose remarked, "Veronica had mentioned it to me sometime back. Now, come inside."