A denied romance leaves a lasting impression 

The target was to become first in the class. But Naween Delpajith had several problems that overlapped one another.

First, he lived in a lodge and had no one to guide him through his lessons. Secondly, he had to do everything on his own from cooking to washing clothes.

Thirdly, his dad notoriously restricted his cash handling. Fourthly he had got only the eighth place in the class repeatedly through three term tests. Fifthly he was only a child just starting to learn the ways of society.

Sixthly - to crown it all - a girl had started showing an interest in him. He had sensed it suddenly. He was sitting at the front row in the class when he felt goose bumps all over.

Someone at the back of the class must be watching him intently. Partly turning his head tried to locate the source.

He was successful two days later.

Aparna's emotional waves were powerful. Her coal black eyes had recently found a tendency to slid away from the blackboard towards that young handsome boy with curly hair, sitting at the front row. Her thoughts were full of him. But he was so cool! He was always looking away from her. And that excited her.

Naween realised his grip on himself loosening. In the class, he saw Aparna everywhere. Her presence was intoxicating. He slowly rubbed his forehead. Man, am I nuts?

He was too young, but even at the age of thirteen he felt the heaviness of first love.

He slipped his foothold at every term test. Aparna's hypnotising eyes sleepily looked up at him from every text book he opened.

He tried to shook himself free but his conscience only tightened the love net. He had to gasp for breath when she walked by. But each time she glanced at him tenderly. She did not smile. But her glistening eyes were raining them.