In the coming weeks, Alice found herself spending more and more time with Rishabh. Almost every lunchtime when she didn't have a club, she would see a text from Rishabh inviting her to go for a walk. Her responses went from "sure" to "yes" to "gladly" as time passed. They would go to the local park and watch the ducks swimming around in the lake, holding hands. At first, when other students of their school passed by, they would instantly drop each other's hands and move away from each other like two like poles of a magnet suddenly being switched on to repel each other. But they slowly started to care less and less. So much so that they even waved and invited their friends over to talk to them.
They would also roam around the high street, admiring the items displayed on the shops or the picturesque look of the sky. They talked to each other about their day, about their life, about their dreams. Neither of them went too much into their background, and they were fine with that, they thought. Rishabh knew that Alice lived with her grandfather. Whenever he tried to ask her about her parents, a dark cloud fell over her face, diminishing her brightness. She went into a sort of trance that seemed to take over her completely. To the point that he had to snap his fingers or shake her so she would come back to the present. He hated the effect that question had on her, so he stopped asking.
He also knew she had a dog, called Bruno. She would share the new troubles Bruno had got himself into every week, ranging from humping other dogs in the park and scaring away their owners to chewing and breaking her brand new airpods. "You could make a TV show, or a comic, on these stories," Rishabh remarked, ""the Adventures of Bruno." I'm sure lots of people would tune in to that show."
Alice chuckled heartily at that suggestion. "Don't laugh," he said, as politely as possible, "it could happen. And it would definitely be very fun to watch."
Alice's laugh turned into a sombre smile. She considered the possibility of making something of the sort when she grew older. Rishabh took her leave to go home early as he had a PAG (practical report) due the next day that he had not even started working on. He only had frees after lunch, so he was free to go home.
When she got back from the walk, Alice found Matilda waiting for her at the entrance. "Where do you disappear to these days?" she asked. Although, she already knew what the answer would be.
"I went for a walk with Rishabh." Alice answered simply.
"You are going for a lot of walks with him these days," speculated Matilda, "what is going on?"
"Well, I think I'm falling in love." she stated, the words of Miss Cook echoing in her ear, 'you'll know it when you like someone.'
"Really?!" Matilda exclaimed. Then, calming her demeanour, she asked, "Have you guys... you know."
Alice jumped, her cheeks flushed,"What?! What do you... how could you... No! Our relationship is a relationship of the mind. It is sacred."
"Only the sacred things are worth touching." Matilda answered.
"You have such a curious influence on me." Alice remarked. "You know if it weren't for you telling me half your guy friends have a crush on me, I would never have figured out Rishabh's feelings towards me."
Matilda waved her hand in dismissal and then asked, "What happened to that portrait of yours?"
"I am kind of jealous of it. I am already more than a month older than that painting, while it hasn't aged a day." Alice chuckled while her eyes watered with pain and sadness. "But," she continued, "Miss Cook sent me a frame. It came in delivery wrapped as a gift. There was a note saying, "If you decide to frame the portrait, please consider using this.""
"And what did you do?"
"It was a most beautiful frame. Normal plastic frame covered with handmade geometric patterns, which I think she painted herself with some sort of acrylic paint. How could I not use it?!"
"Ah, I would like to see it someday." Matilda expressed. "Although, I am afraid everything seems more beautiful to a person who is in love."
"I need to go for my lesson now." said Alice. "But I will introduce you to Rishabh someday. Then, maybe you will see what I see. He is a genius. When he talks, it is like music from a classical orchestra. His eyes are like deep wells that reflect the wisdom that is inside of him. His hands are so gentle and warm. I just can't describe it all. I need to run for my lesson."
"See you!" said Matilda.