My Type Of Girl

Ma'am, may I come in?" Manish asked his class teacher, Mrs. Rashmi. She replied, "Why are you late to class? Where were you? Your games period ended 20 minutes ago." Manish explained, "Ma'am, I went to drink water and then I went to the washroom." Mrs. Rashmi responded, "So it took you 20 minutes to drink water and use the washroom? And a slight giggling sound came from the back, and Mrs. Rashmi asked, 'Who else is with you?' Manish replied, 'Ma'am, it's Vishal and Safal.' Mrs. Rashmi exclaimed, 'You three were together in the washroom?' Manish confirmed, 'Yes, ma'am.' Just as Mrs.

Rashmi was about to say something, the math teacher appeared from behind and said, 'These three idiots were in the math lab playing with the instruments. I saw it on the CCTV footage

Manish said, 'Sir, we were not playing. We were actually working on an experiment.' The Maths teacher asked, 'What kind of experiment? Does it involve going to Mars on the spaceship made by your father?' The whole class started to laugh. Mrs. Rashmi intervened, saying, 'Sir, you can go. I will take care of the rest.' The Maths teacher left, and Mrs. Rashmi called out, 'You three idiots, come in!' One by one, write down what I taught yesterday. If all three of you write it exactly, I will allow you to sit in the class. Otherwise, go to the maths lab and experiment on your journey to Mars.

Vishal said, 'But ma'am, I was absent yesterday. I do not know anything.' Mrs. Rashmi said, 'Son, if you were present, you would still not be able to write what I taught the class yesterday.' Safal said, 'Ma'am, I know. I will write what I remember from the class.' Mrs. Rashmi gave him a chalk and said, 'Write it on the board.' Safal wrote, and then Mrs. Rashmi said, 'Vishal, do you remember anything that I have ever taught you?' Vishal said, 'Yes, ma'am,' and he also wrote. Then the turn came for Manish, and Mrs. Rashmi said, 'Manish, now it's your turn.' Manish took the chalk and said, 'Ma'am, I will write what you taught us yesterday.' Mrs. Rashmi said, 'No, you will not do that. What I want you to do is find the mistake in what Safal and Vishal have written.' Manish said, 'Ma'am, this is not fair. You changed the rules.' Mrs. Rashmi said, 'I have been your teacher for 5 years, and I know what you are capable of. Now, do as I say.

Manish took the chalk and erased what Safal and Vishal had written. Mrs. Rashmi asked, "Why did you erase what they wrote?" Manish replied, "Ma'am, it's because yesterday was a Sunday and you didn't teach us anything. Also, what Safal and Vishal wrote is not even in our syllabus because they wrote it in Hindi, while you teach Sanskrit." The bell rang for recess and Manish ran away, while Mrs. Rashmi commented, "This idiot is bright but he is not working up to his potential. Anyway, I should leave." Manish and Safal went to the canteen, while Vishal went to the medical room and waited for both of them there.

Safal and Manish went to the medical room, and Vishal asked, "Did you bring the cold drink?" Manish replied, "Yes, I have. Where is the bottle?" Vishal responded, "It's in my bag." Vishal took out a bottle of whiskey and suggested, "Let's have some." Just as they filled their glasses, a girl walked in. The three of them tried to hide their glasses, but the girl had already seen them. She asked, "What's in your hands?" Safal and Vishal quickly ran away, leaving Manish behind. The girl then questioned Manish, "What's in your hand?" Manish replied, "Nothing, it's just a cold drink from the canteen." The girl insisted, "Let me see it." She approached him and tried to smell it. She exclaimed, "What? It's whiskey! How could you have that in school? You're not even of legal age to drink whiskey." Manish defended himself, "This is not whiskey; it's a different type of cold drink." The girl threatened, "I'm going to Rashmi ma'am." Manish interrupted, "Before you go to ma'am, I want to tell you something." The girl asked, "What is it?" Manish invited her, "Adrita, come have a seat here, and I will tell you an incident." Adrita sat next to him, and Manish revealed, "You know, I have cancer, and nobody knows, not even Safal and Vishal. I am not a naughty boy, but I want to live my life. My doctor said I have four years to live before I might die." Adrita was shocked and questioned, "How is that possible? You're in eighth grade." Manish explained, "I found out last week, and I am still in shock. That's why I want to do everything I can. Safal and Vishal don't even know, and I..." Adrita interrupted, "Don't say anything. After school is over, come to me, and we'll talk. Stop doing this, and I will help you.

Adrita left the medical room, and Manish had his drink. When Adrita left, Safal and Vishal came and said, "Bro, we are in trouble now. She will tell the class teacher, and Rashmi ma'am will call our parents." Manish said, "Bro, do not worry and enjoy your drink. I have taken care of everything." The three of them drank, and the recess was over. Then, they went to class, and soon the school day was over.Adrita was waiting at the gate for Manish, and he was laughing and pulling jokes on Safal. Adrita held his hand and said, 'Come with me.' At first, Manish was shocked, but then Adrita said to Safal and Vishal, 'You both go.' Manish went with Adrita, and she took him to a coffee shop. She asked him what he wanted to have, and Manish said, 'I want a cold coffee...' Adrita said, 'And?' He replied, 'A cigarette.' Adrita ordered two cold coffees and took Manish to the cigarette shop, where she bought him a cigarette. They both sat down, and Adrita said, 'Manish, do you know that I had a crush on you since we were in the sixth class? But I thought you were a spoiled kid, which is why I didn't used to talk to you much. But now that I know you are going through a tough time, I ask you to be with me until you have time.' Manish asked, 'What do you mean? Are you proposing to me?' Adrita said, 'Yes, what's your answer?' Manish replied, 'That can't be possible. How can I be with you?' Adrita held his hands and said, 'First, calm down and relax. Now, listen to me. I have seen people suffering from cancer, including my mother. I lost her when I was five years old. I know the pain, and I genuinely want to help you, just like I wanted to help my mother.' Manish removed his hands, ran away, and didn't stop until he reached his home.

Manish rang the doorbell, and his mother came and opened the door. He went straight to his room and closed it from inside. His mother followed him to his room and knocked on the door, asking, "Manish, son, is everything alright?" Manish replied, "Yes, everything is fine. I do not want to talk to anybody. Just let me be alone." His mother insisted, "At least have your lunch." Manish responded, "I will have it later. I am not hungry at the moment." His mother said, "Okay," and went away.

While Manish was in his room, he constantly thought about what Adrita had said. In the evening, he came out of his room and went for a walk to the park near his house. He bought two cigarettes and sat on a bench, where he continued to ponder over the blunder he had made. He remained there until evening, lost in thoughts about Adrita.

Next day, he went to school and Adrita was already in the class. He went to her and said, "Meet me at the same place after school." He sat on his seat as the school started. Throughout the day, Manish was quiet and silent, and didn't do anything naughty. During recess, Safal went to him and said, "Bro, aren't you coming to the medical room for first aid?" Manish replied, "No bro, I cannot. You go." The last period was with Mrs. Rashmi, and Manish was already in the class, sitting at the back. The period reached the midway point when Safal and Vishal entered the class. They asked, "Ma'am, may we come in?" Mrs. Rashmi replied, "No, where is your friend Manish? Has he not come to school?" Adrita said to Mrs. Rashmi, "Ma'am, he is in the class." Mrs. Rashmi was surprised and asked, "What? How is that possible? Come here, Manish. What happened?" Manish came near Mrs. Rashmi, and she asked, "Son, is everything alright?" Manish smiled and replied, "Ma'am, everything is alright." Mrs. Rashmi asked, "What day is it?" Manish said, "Ma'am, it's Wednesday." She responded, "No, son. It's the best day of my life." Manish said, "Ma'am, from now on, all your days will be the best days." He then went back to his seat. Mrs. Rashmi said to Safal and Vishal, "Both of you, if you tell me what happened to Manish, I will never ask you why you came late." Safal said, "Ma'am, we also do not know." While they were talking, the bell rang, and the school day was over.

Manish took his bag and left for the coffee shop, and Adrita also went there.

Manish was already there when Adrita arrived, and she asked, "What will you have?" Manish replied, "Coffee." Adrita ordered two coffees for them and suggested, "Let's go to the cigarette shop and buy you a cigarette." Manish replied, "No, not anymore." Adrita exclaimed, "Pinch me, am I dreaming or did you just say no to a cigarette?" Manish said, "I need to tell you something very urgent." Adrita asked, "Tell me, what do you want to say?" Manish replied, "I want to be in a relationship with you, and I will tell you a very important thing when we pass our twelfth class." She asked, "What is it that you will tell me after 4 years?" Manish said, "It's just something that needs to be kept a secret." Adrita said, "If you want to be in a relationship with me, then tell me." Manish said, "No, I cannot tell you anything." Adrita said, "It's okay if you won't tell me, and I am happy with the way you behaved in school today." Manish went closer, held her hands, and said, "Adrita, you do not know me, and yet you asked me to be in a relationship with you just because I have cancer." Adrita said, "No, that's not the whole truth." Manish asked, "Then tell me, why do you want me to be with you?" She said, "You know, Manish, I had a crush on you because you are the most intelligent person I have ever met." Manish asked, "How can you say that?" She said, "If you let me finish, I will tell you." Manish said, "I am silent, now you can continue." Adrita said, "You know, when I joined this school in the sixth class, you used to be the topper. When my father came to the PTMs, our class teacher would tell him that I came second, and he would ask who came first. She used to say, 'It's Manish, but the difference is very minimal.' That day, I thought you were better than me, but slowly you degraded yourself and became what you are today." Manish asked, "But why, even after knowing that I have cancer?" She said, "I will tell you when you reveal that secret. Manish said, "Okay," and the waiter brought them their coffee. While they were talking, Safal passed by and saw Manish with Adrita. He went into the shop and asked, "What's up, bro? Have you started drinking coffee? What about our cold drink?" Manish held Safal's hand and took him aside, saying, "Safal, be calm and go home. I will meet you at school." Safal replied, "No, I want to know why you're with her and why you're behaving so strangely." Manish said, "You will never believe me, so go. I will meet you later." Safal left, and Manish sat there again. They continued talking, and after half an hour, Adrita said, "I have to go for tuition. I am leaving, and you can meet me at seven in the evening after my tuition. We can walk to my house." Manish said, "Okay," and they both left the coffee shop.

Manish came to his house and sat in his room. He had lunch and was constantly thinking about Adrita. Soon, in the evening at six-thirty, he left his house and went outside Adrita's tuition classes, where he waited for her. She came out of the tuition and he was about to approach her when her father came and took her home. Manish got angry and went to the cigarette shop. Without thinking, he started to smoke. Suddenly, Adrita came from behind and put her hand on his shoulder, saying, "You liar!" Manish turned angrily and said, "You told me to come to your tuition, why didn't you tell me your father was going to come? I should have met you at school." Adrita explained, "My father came because he had to pay my tuition fee. He met me and left. And you, idiot, you came here to smoke. You know you hadn't smoked for the past two days and now you're starting again." Manish replied, "I was angry at you, that's why I smoked." Adrita said, "Okay, answer my five questions. If you don't agree with me, then you can smoke two more." He agreed and she continued, "So, my first question is, what is addiction?He said it is a habit. She said, "Good. Now, the second question: how many habits do you have?" He said, "Many." She said, "Good. Now, the third question: at what age did you have your first habit?" He said, "I do not know." She said, "Okay. Now, the fourth question: if you do not know what your first habit was, can you make a new habit?" Manish said, "Yes, but what should the habit be?" She said, "Make a habit of not smoking every day. And for each day you do not smoke, I will kiss you. But on the day you do smoke, I will not talk to you for two days." Manish threw his cigarette and said, "Give me a kiss. I will never smoke again." She said, "Stop, you pervert. Let's go have something to eat." And they went to the shop.

Manish asked, "What would you like to have?" and she replied, "I will have what you want." Manish said, "I will take an iced tea," and she agreed, saying, "Yes, that will work." Manish went to the shop and got two iced teas for both of them. Adrita then said, "Now walk me to my home," and Manish responded, "That is why I came." Adrita asked, "What happened? Why did you change yourself all of a sudden and become a good and obedient boy?" Manish replied, "You are the reason," and she smiled, asking, "What did you see in me?" He said, "I didn't see anything, but I want to change for you. I don't deserve to be good, but you deserve a good boyfriend. If I don't do that, it's injustice." She said, "Okay, that was cheesy. Now we have reached my home. You can go, and I am going up." Manish said, "Okay," and she went upstairs. Manish stood there for a few minutes and then left.

When he was returning home, he met Vishal. Vishal asked, "Manish, where are you coming from?" Manish replied, "Just from here. Where are you going?" Vishal responded, "Okay, come on, let's go to the cigarette shop and have something." Manish declined, saying, "No, bro, I have to go home." Vishal insisted, "What home? Just come with me." Despite Manish's attempts to refuse, Vishal took him to the cigarette shop and ordered two cigarettes and two lemonades from the shopkeeper. Manish said, "Bro, I will not smoke.

Buy only for yourself." Vishal questioned, "What is wrong with you? For the past few days, you have been acting weird, and now you're trying to prove that you're a good boy. Bro, we are best friends, and we have been together since childhood. You and I are neighbors, and we used to smoke, drink, and do almost everything together. Now you're backing out." Manish explained, "No, bro, it's not like that. I am dating Adrita, and I want to become sober for her." Vishal disagreed, saying, "No, bro, it's not like that. She is changing you, and this is not the real you. If she truly loves you, she will accept you as you are. So quit trying to make her happy." Manish insisted, "No, bro, it's not like that." Vishal asked, "Then what is it?" Manish replied, "I do not want to do these shitty things anymore." Vishal questioned, "What do you mean, these shitty things? You enjoyed these things, and we used to have fun this way." Manish countered, "What if you fell in love? What would you have done?" Vishal dismissed love, saying, "Bro, love is nothing. Okay, now answer my questions. If you think I am wrong, then you can go." Manish refused, saying, "No questions. I will not smoke." Vishal insisted, "Just listen." Manish agreed, and Vishal continued, "Did your mother not love you when you were smoking? Did your father never love you when you were smoking? Is Adrita's love more important than your parents' love?" Manish fell silent for a few minutes, and Vishal asked, "What happened? Did I say anything wrong?" Manish admitted, "You are right, but..." Vishal interrupted, saying, "No buts. Here, have your cigarette, and let's sit and talk." Manish agreed, and they both smoked and enjoyed themselves.

Later, both of them arrived at their respective homes. Manish was in bed at night when his phone rang. It was Adrita, and he answered the call, saying hi. Adrita noticed that he seemed down and asked if everything was alright. Manish replied that he was fine, but Adrita persisted, saying okay. Manish then interrupted and asked if he could ask her a few questions. Adrita agreed and asked what it was. Manish asked if she really loved him. Adrita was taken aback by the question and asked if he doubted her. Manish clarified that he just wanted to hear the truth. Adrita replied, calling him an idiot, and confessed her love for him. Manish then asked if she would accept him with all his flaws and mistakes. Adrita assured him that she accepted him as he was. Manish then asked if she would still love him if he continued smoking and engaging in other wrongdoings. Adrita replied that she would still love him, but it would be better if he stopped doing those things. Finally, Manish asked why she loved him, wondering if it was because of his cancer or if it was genuine love. Adrita responded by calling him an idiot again and told him that she would answer all his questions after school the next day. She advised him not to think too much and get some sleep. Manish then expressed that he couldn't be with her anymore, and Adrita accepted his decision, telling him to leave her after school the next day and to not dwell on thoughts overnight. Manish agreed and ended the call.

Manish was alone in his room, thinking about what Vishal had said, and then he fell asleep. The next day, Manish went to school and sat at the back of the class, not talking to anybody. Safal approached him and asked, "What happened, bro? Are you alright?" Manish replied, "Yes, it's okay. Just leave me alone." Safal returned to his seat, and slowly everyone else arrived for class to begin.

Manish sat with his head down during the first period. Mrs. Renu approached him and asked, "What happened, son? Are you alright?" He replied, "Nothing, ma'am. It's just my mind. I'm having thoughts that I can't control." Mrs. Renu smiled and said, "Come to my home in the evening. I live near the shop where you and your friend smoke and have lemonade." Manish was shocked and said, "Ma'am..." Mrs. Renu reassured him, "Son, don't worry. Just meet me in the evening." The class ended.

Soon, the school day came to an end, and Manish remained seated with his head down on the table. As everyone else left, Vishal approached and asked, "Bro, do you want to come, or will you sleep here?" Manish replied, "Yes, I will meet you at the cigarette shop. You go ahead." Vishal inquired, "Where are you going?" Manish responded, "I am going to meet Adrita." Vishal advised, "Don't take too long. I have something new for the three of us. Safal and I are going to the cigarette shop." Vishal then departed, and Manish grabbed his bag and headed towards the school gate.

There, Adrita was waiting for him and she said, "Hi, idiot." He replied, "Hi, please do it fast, my head is bursting with thoughts." Adrita asked, "Can I have five minutes of your time?" Manish agreed and she suggested, "Then come with me to the coffee shop and let's talk there." Manish said, "Okay," and went with her. They both sat at the table, but Manish was unable to make eye contact. Adrita asked, "What's wrong? Have you grown tired of being good for just one day?" Manish replied, "No, it's not like that. I am not a good boy." Adrita questioned, "Were you like this when you were born? I mean, were you always bad like this?" He responded, "No, but I cannot change for you. If you love me, you should accept me as I am." Adrita clarified, "Did I tell you to change yourself and impress me?" Manish admitted, "No, but I cannot be in a relationship with any girl as I have priorities." Adrita acknowledged, "Yes, I know your priorities include your addiction and your friends." Manish denied, "No, that is not true. When I am with them, I am my true self. When I am with you, I do not want to do anything wrong, and that is making me..." Adrita interrupted, "Making you what?" Manish replied, "I do not know." Adrita stated, "If you want to end the relationship, it is okay. But remember, will you leave every new thing in your life because of your addiction? If the answer is yes, I will leave you forever. If you say no, then I will tell you what I saw in you." Manish declared, "No, I will not leave new things for the past." Adrita said, "Now listen and then act. We will decide our future right now, whether we should be together or separate. Manish asked, 'What is it?' and she replied, 'Calm yourself and answer my five simple questions.' Manish said, 'Okay.' She began, 'My first question is, who are you?' He responded, 'What kind of question is that? I am Manish.' She nodded and continued, 'Now, the next question is, why are you like this?' Confused, he asked, 'What do you mean?' She clarified, 'I mean your personality. Why is it like this?' He confidently replied, 'My personality is my choice.' She inquired, 'Who makes these choices?' Manish confidently stated, 'I make these choices.' She then asked, 'If you make these choices, who will be affected by them?' He replied, 'I will be affected. They will decide my present and future.' Finally, she asked, 'Are these choices with you from the beginning? I mean, did you choose to be born to your parents?' Manish was taken aback and said, 'What kind of question is this? I cannot answer it.' Adrita calmly responded, 'When you can answer this question, you will find out why I chose you.' Manish asked, 'What do you mean?' She explained, 'I mean that the answer to why I chose you lies in the answer to whether these choices have been with you from the beginning.' She stood up, ready to leave, and Manish desperately said, 'If you want an answer to this, tell me, if I tell you that I love you and I still cannot be with you, would you still be with me?' She replied, 'I will tell you tomorrow when you give me the answer to this question,' and she left.