A Sweet Sacrifice

I suppose my very first actual attempt at fiction. Re-reading it, it sounds awful to me. But I do consider it my very first.
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Rahel sat behind his desk, sneaking glances at her. Her vibrant smile and shrill laughter made his heart flutter. He did not speak to her often, for he didn't have the courage to. He did, however, like her very much. Whenever he did gather the courage to initiate conversation, she was always cordial and polite but the words exchanged would be few. If she ever spoke to him, his knees would shake and occasionally, he would stutter.

Misha had always been popular. She wasn't very pretty but she was only 13 and beauty would grow on her in time. Rahel wasn't the only one who knew that. Many boys felt a passion for her. So far, only one had acted on it.

Vivek belonged to a wealthy family. There could be no other explanation to his handsome allowance. He was frequently at the canteen, a privilege few could afford at that age, and was often seen treating Misha, consequently buying time with her.

Rahel could not afford such frivolities on his allowance. He came from a modest household and was prudent with his expenditures. In his heart, he disliked Vivek, but not too much for he was not one to hold grudges.

The next day was 'Chocolate Day'. Some of the girls had been talking eagerly about it. Rahel had not heard of it before. Seemingly, people exchanged chocolates on that day as a gesture. A gesture of what? He did not know. Possibly affection. Probably friendship.

The thought made his mind wander. Soon, he found himself torn between his mind and his heart. H heart won.

That evening, he crept out of his house and walked to the nearest store. He felt his heart beatng loudly but did not know why. His every step was burdened with apprehension.

In the store, he glanced inside his wallet. A twenty rupee note was all that it had. It was a lot at that time for a person his age. He figured that if he bought a chocolate for less than fifteen, he'd have at least five rupees to himself.

He peered into the glass box with the chocolates on display. "How much?" he asked the shopkeeper, pointing at one that seemed neither too large, nor too small. Just right. "Twenty" was the response.

His heart fell. He contemplated. Then Misha came to his mind. He bought it. As he walked back, though the apprehension had not left him, he was filled with anticipation for the day to come.

The next day saw the tittering girls exchanging chocolates between themselves, though mostly candy. Rahel felt happy with the bar of chocolate in his pocket. He waited till he felt the moment was right. Soon, he knew the moment wouldn't come. After much deliberation, he rose and walked towards Misha. As always, his legs were weak and unsteady.

She sat behind her desk, munching at her candy while she gossiped with her friend.
He drew up to her. "Misha...." he called, in almost a whisper. She paused and turned around to face him. He reached into his pocket. As his fingers closed around the bar, Vivek appeared from behind.
"Happy Chocolate Day, Misha," he exclaimed while placing a box of Ferrero Rochers, an imported brand of expensive chocolate, in her hands.
"Oh my god!" cried Misha. "Thank you so much Vivek! I love these!" Her face was filled with delight as she beheld the treasure. "Oh Vivek, you spoil me! This is so unexpected!"
Suddenly aware of Rahel's presence amidst them, she turned to him, still smiling, "You called me, Rahel?"
"Oh no, it was nothing really," whispered Rahel, mostly to himself.
Misha looked at him, her smile giving way to slight bewilderment, as he stepped back and walked away.