My name is Ribi. My heart was pounding after a simple handshake, and I had no idea why. "Would you teach me how to use magic like you do?" she asked, interrupting my thoughts.
"Why?" I replied.
"Why not?" she retorted with a mischievous grin.
Before I could answer, she suddenly stepped close, her face inches from mine. "Really? You'll teach me?" she whispered, causing my face to flush.
"Yes, yes," I stammered, my voice barely a murmur.
Just then, a voice interrupted us. "Rudra! What are you doing, man, and who is she?"
I tilted my head, looking past her. Seeing my friend Vivian, I quickly took a step back. "Oh, hey, Viv," I said. "This is Ribi. She's a newcomer. She moved to our village a few days ago."
Ribi stepped forward with a surprising directness. "Hello, my name is Ribi. I want to play in the village with all of you."
"We'd love that," Vivian said, "but we have a condition. You have to accept it."
I looked at Vivian in shock. What was he up to?
"What condition?" Ribi asked.
Vivian didn't miss a beat. "You have to bring lunch for everyone."
Ribi and I exchanged a look. After a few seconds, she smiled. "I'll do it."
"So you're in," Vivian said with a nod. We spent the next hour talking, and I learned that she likes cooking and reading.
Later, as I was packing my bag to head home, I heard a voice right behind me. "So you have a guitar too?"
Vivian answered for me, his voice a little too loud. "Yes, Rudra plays really well. You know, he's been playing since he was three!"
"How cool," she said, her eyes shining. "Can you play it now?"
"No, not today," I said, a little flustered. "It's getting dark, and I don't think it'll be good to leave the cattle here. Your family is probably waiting for you, too."
Her face fell. Seeing her disappointment gave me a strange feeling, and I sighed. "Fine. I'll play for you tomorrow. Just don't expect too much; I don't think I'm as good as you think."
"I'll be the judge of that," she replied with a grin.
After we finished packing, we started walking to our respective houses. My thoughts were all over the place, replaying our conversation. Suddenly, my face felt hot and my heart started aching. Oh, no, I have a fever. I broke into a run, rushing home.
I found my mom in the kitchen and hugged her from behind, burying my face in her back. "Oh, Mom," I mumbled. "I think I have a fever."