The Book and its cover

-------------------------------------------------------PART 1 ------------------------------------------------------

*Hello?* He said “yes,” answering the call.

She started scolding him. “Where are you, dumbass?”

He replied, “On the way home.”

“Come early, I’m hungry,” she said, and hung up.

The bell rang, and she opened the door. She took his bags, pulled his shirt to bring him closer, kissed him on his forehead, and asked him to get ready as they were leaving for a party.

He changed immediately into the casuals she had picked for him. Soon, they found themselves in the car and reached their friend’s place for the party.

He being naughty, mischievous, and the heart of the party — outgoing, highly extroverted, always excited, and full of fun. He just flowed with the moment.

Seeing this, her friend pulled her aside and asked, “Why are you with this cartoon? I’ve heard and seen that he’s rude, arrogant, dominating, and short-tempered.”

She smiled and replied to her friend, “Yes, you’re right. He is.”

Her friend, being very close to her, was concerned. “Then why are you with him? Don’t you feel you deserve better — someone silent, patient, and calm?”

She preferred not to answer the question. Her friend got angry and demanded a reply.

------------------------------------------------------PART 2 -------------------------------------------------------

So, she took her to the balcony and said, “Don’t judge a book by its cover. You don’t know anything about him. I too had the same views about him once — the same as you have now. You’ve only seen a part of him.”

“You remember the trip we all went on? That was exactly when I started feeling for him.”

“He has one of the purest hearts of all. The very first night of that trip, he had a bad day and was sitting outside, away from everyone. I came out for a stroll and saw him talking — I thought he was on a call. But then I noticed his phone was lying beside him. He was talking to himself.”

“I preferred ignoring him at first, considering the way he usually is. But then I heard his heavy voice. I went closer and realized he was blaming himself and arguing with God — which I never expected from him.”

“I asked if everything was okay. He got scared, which scared me too. He immediately stood up and asked if I needed anything. He wasn’t making any eye contact. I had never seen him like that, and I never imagined he could be this way.”

“He hurriedly said, ‘Hey, I’ve kept everything ready in the room for everyone. Everything is set. You’re good to go to sleep. Do you need anything else? If there’s any problem, tell me — I’ll fix it.’”

“I replied, ‘Everything is okay. But is everything okay with you?’”

“He laughed and immediately said, ‘Arre, I’m practicing the act that I’ll perform in front of you all.’”

“His hands were shivering, his body language was unstable, and his eyes kept moving restlessly. I went closer and asked him to sit, saying I wanted to enjoy the city view at night. He refused and asked me to go back to the room since it was late.

“Only if you answer my question,’ I told him.”

“He said no and insisted we go inside. But I looked into his eyes and asked again. I insisted until he sat down.”

“He murmured something. I asked what the issue was. He said nothing and then started telling me what he was going through mentally.”

“I felt very bad for this guy. I never imagined that a boy like him — who is always so energetic — could be so broken inside.”

The next morning, we all went for breakfast at a nearby café. He was behaving strangely — quiet, distant, and avoiding me.

Do you remember I asked if any of girls had pads because I felt I got my period? I don’t know how, but he was the only guy who noticed among all.

When we returned to our farmhouse, he came knocking at my door — holding a bar of chocolate and a few handpicked flowers.

I asked, “What are these for?”
He enquired softly, “ Girls’ problem ?”
I smiled and said, “Yes.”

He continued, “Take care. And if you need anything, you can call me anytime.” He even asked if I had pads, and if not, he had a pack with him.

I laughed and teased, “Do you get periods too?”
He grinned and said, “No, but I keep them in my bag — just in case of an emergency.”

That moment froze me. I don’t know why, but I suddenly felt like hugging him tightly. But he just smiled, waved, and said, “By the way, I’m one of the admins of our WhatsApp group. If you need anything, I’m just a call away. And haan, please don’t tell anyone about what you saw or heard last night — otherwise, my terror will end, and people will start calling me weak.”

He laughed and left.

I stood there in shock again — the same guy everyone calls arrogant and rude, who roasts everyone and never shows emotions who lies most of time about himself - was so soft, so vulnerable inside.

I thought maybe he was lying. So, to test him, I texted saying I wasn’t feeling well and asked him to hand over the pads he had.

Within a minute, he came and handed them to me, asking gently, “Do you need coffee?”
He brought the coffee and waited nearby. I asked him how he was feeling that day, and he started opening up — about panic attack he was having last night, talking about his childhood, how he sees life, and how he feels responsible for the group.

I asked if he was ever in a relationship.
He said, “Ahhh. It’s a long story… maybe someday.”

And you know what? Listening to him triggered something inside me — that girlish instinct to heal the broken guy.

After that, I started spending more time with him. When we returned to town, we met more often… and that’s how it all began. Somewhere between those long drives, late-night coffees, and quiet conversations, we fell in love.

Eventually, he shared his breakup story. I don’t know if it’s right or wrong to say this, but I silently thanked that girl for leaving him — and thanked God for introducing him to me.

We both are complete opposites, but somehow, we balance each other. For me, he tries to change himself, and I too try to incorporate the things I need to. I help him control his anger and impatience, while he helps me break my hesitation — to speak confidently and take a stand for myself.

I always thought I was helping him heal and making him stronger. But I was wrong.
He helped me grow more than I ever imagined. He pushed me to chase my hobbies, supported me in my career, pampered me in ways I never knew I needed.

All my period dates are noted in his phone — and he reminds me when they’re close.
Once, I told him I hated his smoking habit — and he quit, just like that. I didn’t believe it until I realized he actually had. No matter how busy he is, he never forgets to check on me.

You know, he’s such a rebel when he’s with the group or his guy friends — loud, fearless, full of attitude. But when he’s with me, that ego melts away. He doesn’t hesitate to sit near my legs, hold them, or even massage them when I’m tired. He never feels shame in loving me openly.

She looked at her friend and smiled, eyes glowing with quiet pride.

After listening silently for a while, her best friend finally said, “I can’t believe he’s the same guy everyone talks about. But I trust you — and I can see the change in you. I don’t even know what to say… I’m still processing it all.”

She took a deep breath, then smiled faintly. “You know, I wasn’t even ready to attend this party tonight. I was tired of people asking why I’m still with him. But he insisted — said I should come, feel better, and stop caring about what others think. He even told me not to worry about him or his image.”

She paused for a moment, her voice softening. “So, yes, he may look rough and loud to the world. But to me, he’s the gentlest soul I’ve ever known.”

And with a faint smile, she added, almost like a whisper,
“Honestly… what else could a girl ask for?” The world saw the cover. I discovered the story — and it changed mine forever.

-SURAJ