Nightfall by Pranay Javeri (best books to read for self development txt) 📖

lot." he said with a calm voice. He acted as if I, not going to school wasn't a new thing and he didn't care if I would miss my school.

I kept myself calm and decided to negotiate," Dad, you should have told me already that you weren't going to drive me school. I would have gone with Millicent. Now, what should I do?"

"Iris, now you have grown up and you are a less than a year away from your graduation. You have to solve your own problem. I can't help you every time with your problems."

Hearing his reply, my jaw fell down in shock and anger which was evident on my face. I shrugged and didn't speak a word. I hung my bag on my shoulder and went towards the door. As soon as I opened the door, I saw a white long sedan parked in the porch.

I was surprised to see that so I called my dad," Dad, there's a car in our porch. Do you know whose it is?" It was new and had a glimmer in it. I was mesmerized by its elegant design. I looked out for the model and make of the car. It was Audi S4 which was launched just in the beginning of the month of January of this year.  I knew a little about cars--------------thanks to Jake who always blabbered about the latest cars and their efficiency, etc. From, it's look it seemed very much expensive. My dad was standing behind me when I was examining the car. I half jumped when he was standing behind me. I didn't hear him come.

Then he asked," How's the car?"

"Great but seems a lot expensive. By the way, who is its owner? Do you know them?"

"Yes, I know her."

"Who?"

"You!" he exclaimed.

I was shocked by his answer. Did that mean that the car in the porch belonged to me? He had bought it for me? I somehow blurted out as I touched the upper part of the car," What? Are you kidding me, dad? Is this my car?"

He didn't say a word but held out his right hand that was holding a key. I looked at him for permission and he returned back a look and handed me the keys and said," It's all yours."

At the moment, mom came out of the house with a wide smile on her face. She also knew about this-----------------so it wasn't a surprise for her. They both planned it under my nose. Damn it!

I hugged her," Thank-you, mom." and then dad," Thank-you dad for such a wonderful gift. But you didn't need to buy such an expensive car. I would have managed you living me......"

He stopped me by raising his hands," Iris, I'm saying it once again----------now you've grown up and it's time for you to get independent and you also have your driving license. So, get the show on the road." Mom simply nodded agreeing him.

I placed my hand over his arm and said," Thank-you once again." I got in the car and the engine roared to life. The journey to the school was smooth. The car was great and easy to drive. I had also tried some radio stations with the stereo.  Some of the songs were my favorite but the only thing running through my mind was----------Walter .I wanted to see him, to talk to him and to know him. I parked my car in the parking lot in the free slot. As soon as I got out everybody was looking at my car. Some boys were drooling at my car which made me blush------------a little. I closed the door behind me. I went towards the entrance and Sophia called me," Hey, Iris. When did you come? I didn't see your dad's car? How did you come to school?"

I simply showed her my car keys with a wide grin on my face," I have my own car, now."

She squealed with delight and hugged," Really, I'm happy for you and congratulations."

"Which class do you have now?"

"Um...I have Philosophy and you?"

"I have Biology. See you later in Accounts or English." I said as I forwarded towards my class.

My class was in the building no.3 on second floor. There were five buildings in the high school. Each building was four-storey and big. I had reached before time and everybody were still occupying the seats. Claire was already there sitting on the third desk in second row. Ian hadn't come yet, so I sauntered towards her and swiftly sat beside her.  I nudged her and said," Hey, Claire."

"Hey, so did you all have fun hiking?"

"Really, I didn't have much but Stella did--------a lot. It was her plan by the way."

"I had guessed that already that it was Stella's plan. She is the one who like hiking, camping, rappelling, rafting and the adventurous things that give you an adrenaline rush, in our group."

I also told her about my latest possession," Dad gifted me a new car and it was a big surprise for me this morning." I told her every bit of the story and she listened to me with full attention. Then she told about her weekends and I heard or tried to hear since my thoughts drifted to Walter and we continued our talk until Mr. White entered the room and began to take attendance. I answered my roll call and noticed Ian when he answered his call. I never saw him come in the class. I think I was so busy talking to Claire that I and Claire, both didn't noticed him. It was good that I didn't notice him before and shouldn't in future. The lecture went with the introduction of various plant species and their special characteristics. He also gave homework to study some of them which were found in abundance in our town. Biology passed by and I had Creative Arts next on my schedule. I wasn't happy at all to attend Creative Arts. The reason was clear------------------Ian.

I bid adieu to Claire and rushed out of the class as soon as Mr. White did. I wasn't planning on waiting for Ian. I had decided to sit with any random student. It was better to sit with a stranger than Ian.  The class was in the same building but on first floor. I walked down the stairs carefully. I reached the class in less than five minutes.

As soon as I entered the class, my face lightened up. Terrence was sitting on the fourth bench of third row alone. I quickly waved at him and sauntered towards him. He said as soon as I sat beside him," Hey, Iris." I smiled looking at him," I didn't know you were in Creative Arts."

"Same here, I didn't know as well."

Ian entered the class and he saw me and I faked a smile at him. He didn't bother much and that was the best thing when Ian didn't bother something. I tuned Ian out of my thoughts and focused on Terrence. I knew that we both are going to have a good friendship bond. He had all the qualities of being a true friend. After Millicent and Sophia, he would be the one whom I would call my best friend. I hope he would feel the same for me in future. He would consider me as his best friend.

Suddenly, his calm voice broke my series of thoughts," So, did you sort your things with him?"

"With whom?" I asked confused.

"The boy-------whom you-----you know------kissed in the canteen." he said in a low voice almost a whisper. My cheeks flooded red and I began to blush as I remembered the kiss in the canteen and the corridor, his lips, his eyes, his hair, his skin, oh....no, not again. I tried to calm myself and then answered his question snapping out of my daydreaming," Yeah, I talked to him. I told him about the game and the dare. We're on talking terms now....." I said the last words almost a whisper-------hard to hear. I didn't want to be on only talking terms with him.

Suddenly he shot another question," So, how's your relationship status? Like are you friends or something." his eyes a little nervous and as he fiddled with his fingers.

I was confused by his expressions and body language. Terrence was so predictable and readable. I could read each and every expression that crossed his face and on the other hand was Walter-------not so clear, difficult to read and understand, full of mystery and questions. I stopped my series of thoughts and answered his question," We're acquaintances, I suppose-------" but then I realized that we didn't even talk once and we didn't even know anything about each other except our names,"---------------Maybe, we're not even acquaintances. Strangers-----------that's the perfect definition of the current status of our relationship." I added and further said in my mind in determined tone,' which is soon going to change.' I can't live being just a stranger to him. Our small talk was interrupted by Mr. Martin-----------our Arts teacher.

The lecture was all about indigenous Australian music, its origin and about indigenous musical instruments. It wasn't a boring lecture actually; we heard a little traditional music and also examined the musical instruments. The music soothed my mind and it didn't let it drift to the thoughts of Walter.

Terrence asked," Do you play any instrument?"

"No. Do you?" He nodded and I further asked excited and surprised," Really, which? You never told."

"Yeah, I play guitar."

"Oh great, you have to play it once for me sometime."

 The lecture ended and now I had English on my schedule. English was in the next building. So, I quickly waved bye to Terrence and ran towards my English class. I didn't want to be late. I had reached before time and Sophia and Claire were just entering the class. I called them running," Hey, Sophia----------Claire, wait for me." We all got inside together but I froze as I saw him sitting on the last bench of last row in a heroic position. I was apparently drooling, I suppose or it seemed as if I was drooling.

Sophia and Claire were a few steps ahead and then they noticed my absence and turned back to search me and they asked me," What are you waiting for?" I didn't answer their question since my gaze was fixed at him. They followed my gaze and saw him too. They shrugged and went to occupy their seats and suddenly I was internally happy like a freak when he gestured his fore-finger towards me and then towards the empty seat beside him. He was inviting me to sit beside him. I would have ran there and occupied it but I have a little ego problem-----------just a little, so I sauntered towards him.   

He said as soon as I occupied my seat beside him," Congratulations, Ms. Robins for your new car."

I was caught off guard by his words and that emotion could be seen perfectly on my face. He gave a low chuckle and I was snapped out of my thoughts. I asked him, shock still in my voice," How do you know about my car? I had only told Sophia and Claire about it." He didn't speak a word but there was a slight grin on his face. So, I further teased with serious look," Wait, were you eavesdropping me?"

He replied," First of all-----------you're not a good actor. So, acting is not a career for you. Second of all----------I wasn't eavesdropping on you, Ms. Robins. I was just passing by when you were telling or rather half-screaming about your car to Sophia."

"Don't call me, Ms. Robins. Call me, Iris." I ordered.

"Okay, Iris. I am sorry if I have offended you in anyway." he apologized innocently.

I wished I could kiss him at the moment. He looked so cute in his innocent face. So I said calmly controlling all my internal emotions," Hey, you don't need to apologize. I was just teasing you and I'm not offended by any of your act and thank-you---------" I took a deep