"Er.. this is the detention room?" asked Saka. He hadn't been to this room. This was near the middle school classes.

"I think it was one of the storage rooms, but the principal had it cleaned out last week. From now on, this is going to be our book club!" ,replied Vira sounding super excited as he walked upto the window sill and perched himself on it. Saka followed him dragging a chair next to where Saka sat, turning it to face Saka as he sat on it.

"We need to make this room a bit more presentable. I have ten shells at my disposal. Help me with the decor and books that we need to buy, that will interest the kids. I was thinking we could go with some colourful floor seaters instead of traditional chairs and tables, so a lot more people can sit! And for the decor.."

( Note: Shell is the local currency, with one shell equalling a thousand sands , sands being the smallest denomination of the currency)

Saka looked lost. "Sen Vira, pause! pause! I don't read."

"And that is your punishment," replied Vira with a laugh. "From now on, for the next one month, you will read three books a week and write me the summary report. We'll stack the place with books you recommend. What do you think?"

"How heartless!" He sat down opposite Vira. "Who are the target audience?"

"The book club us aimed for high schoolers, so you can consider 9th graders to 12th."

Saka nodded. "I'm a bit sad, the middle schoolers don't get to be part of this club."

Vira looked surprised. Saka made sense. Reading habit should be introduced when young.

"You are that considerate towards middle schoolers?"

Saka shook his head. "It's easier to read comics and recommend books for them, than to sit through obnoxiously fat novels and write reports."

Vira burst out laughing. "I mistook you for a second, my bad!"

Saka smiled, his eyes twinkling. He really liked to hear Vira laugh.

"Sen, when you laugh, you light up the whole room."

Vira looked surprised. He stared at Saka, not knowing how to react to that compliment.

"I was told I wheezed like a walrus with asthma." Vira tried to laugh it off.

"Walruses are super cute." Saka replied.

Vira didn't know how to respond to that. Hearing Saka compliment him made him feel a bit shy? Awkward? He didn't know the right word to describe his feelings.

Vira quietly stared at Saka for a few seconds, making Saka a bit uncomfortable. Had he said something bad? Was he being overly familiar, did that irritate Vira?

"Sen? Did I say something inappropriate?"

Vira shook his head and said, "I am sorry." 

Saka gave him a puzzled look. The tone had changed quickly. But before he could open his mouth, Vira continued.

"On behalf of Maw Mina, I truly am sorry. What she said must have hurt you. I hope you don't let her words get to you. You are an amazing kid. I want you to continue being exactly how you are." Vira was sincere.

Saka looked at him. Vira had been worrying about Saka all along. His heart was beating painfully fast. How could this guy be so kind? How could he make Saka fall for him so hard? How did this guy not have a partner for so long? Left to him, he'd make him his immediately. Wait. What? What was he thinking?

"Saka? Saka? Are you okay?"

Saka stared at him. "You were worrying about this all along?"

Vira nodded his head. "An adult should be someone a kid relies on, a teacher should be someone who a student can blindly trust. When we don't prove we are trustworthy, then do we not take away a child's illusion? Who will they rely on?"

"Sen! Are you not thinking too much about something so insignificant?"

Vira shook his head. "The fact she hurt you will not change. I just hope you don't judge everyone based on one poor experience. Anytime you are in trouble, you can come to me."

Saka got up from his seat and stood next to Vira. He gently touched Vira' cheek, a gesture intended to remove his doubts, to convince him that he was okay. But that gesture made Vira's eyes widen in surprise. He looked unguarded, and that made Saka weak. He looked into Vira's eyes and asked,"Can I make you fall for me?" It was an impulsive blurt of his thoughts.

Vira's eyes widened. Did he hear Saka right?

Saka felt like hitting himself in the mouth. He hadn't meant to confess. Infact, he was never planning on confessing. He had accidentally spoken what was running in his mind. 

This was bad. If Vira got offended or decided to never talk to him, his entire year would be hell.

"Why the heck did you speak your thoughts out loud you idiot? Now you are completely done!" Saka cursed himself mentally, as he moved back.

He cleared his throat and said, "Er.. Sen.. "

Vira wasn't sure he heard right. "Sorry, what did you say?"

He felt the blood rush into his face. He could change his statement, but he didn't want to lose this chance. He was sure he'd never have the guts to say it out again.

Saka looked straight into Vira's eyes and spoke firmly, his eyes clear. "I will make you fall in love with me."

It took Vira a couple of minutes to process what was happening.

"Wait! What are you saying?" He wasn't hearing things, was he? 

"Sen Vira, do you have anyone you love?" 

Sen Vira, he loved the way Saka said it. Wait. Not now. Now was not the time for admiring.

"No." That slipped out too fast. Vira wanted to whack himself for that. Sometimes he felt that honest streak of his would be his undoing.

But that was true. He hadn't dated any one. Okay, he did go out with a girl once, but that was an epic failure. He had a couple of good friends, but he avoided group dates and hangouts. He gave the cold vibes which made people hesitant to approach him, he had been told.

Though it wasn't intentional.

"Crush?"

"No!" He did it again. 

"Do you have anything against guys going out?"

"Ofcourse not!"

"Then, I have a chance."

Vira was stumped by the turn of events. He couldn't help but admire the punk.

But he couldn't afford to be admiring. He was a teacher, and decade older than that kid. And as much as he hated to admit it, they were two good reasons this wouldn't work between them.

"See, let's be rational. You are a kid."

"I'm only 9 years younger."

"You are a student."

"I will graduate by next year."

How persistent! Fine.

"You know nothing about me!"

"I have a lifetime to learn!"

That was smooth. Was this kid such a smooth talker? But his eyes showed sincerity. His face was extremely serious. 

"This is not a joke." 

"No, it's my life time commitment to you."

Again, Vira lost. He did not have a single counter. He tried one last time.

"I'm your teacher."

"I'll confess again on my graduation day. I'll no longer be your student."

"What makes you think you love me?"

"I'm not thinking, I know it. My heart is sure."

"It could be a crush."

"No, it's certainty. My life will have you, my heart will belong to you. It's not a fleeting thought, high-schooler's hormones or some dare game. I mean every word I say. I love you. I want to marry you." With every word he said, he felt lighter. He got what was in his mind out clearly. He stared intently at Saka, waiting for him to respond.