4

 

Read Chapter 3 Here!

SHREYA

I run a comb through my unruly curls and give up in exasperation. No matter how much I comb, there are always some stubborn and adamant curls that refuse to set in and stay wavy and aloof. I sit by the bed for a while. It is after all only 7.45 and I do not want to appear too eager to meet Arjun.

I check his messages yet again, like I do every time he sends them. I can still remember the feeling of dismay when I read his message about having some news to share. For a while, I thought for sure that this time he has met someone special. All the fears and anxieties that usually hoarded me whenever he met a girl to consider a marriage alliance, came rushing down on me.

You see, I have loved him almost all my life. If you ask me when and how it began, I will have to say that it all started when I was ten years old. Yes, I found the true love of my life when I was ten. It wasn’t love at first sight or a lightning-strike revealing him in a new light. It was a slow unraveling of a truth that I could no longer deny.

It was sports-day in our building and I had lost spectacularly to another girl who left no stone unturned to flaunt her success and to make me feel bad about having lost the race.

“I still can’t believe that you lost.” She had said, probably for the zillionth time since she won the race against me.

“And I can’t believe that instead of cheering for a friend, you will continue to make her feel bad!” Arjun had reprimanded her softly as he approached me. He had looked at me with compassion and that was finally my undoing. I broke down into sobs.

“Hey… come on, Kiddo. Don’t do that! You know I hate it when you cry.” He wrapped his arms around me and enfolded me in a bear-hug. He was twenty then, I was merely ten. But at that moment, I had decided that no one else could ever match up to him. I had spent almost every day at his home, eating meals with his family, watching television with him and also did my homework and studies with his guidance. But that hug changed something for me. I saw him in a new light – as someone with whom I wanted to spend my whole life.

“Feeling better?” He had softly asked me while releasing me from his hold. I had wiped my eyes and nodded.

“Then come on. Let me treat you to an ice-cream cone. Or two. I know you like to have two flavours at a time.” He had smiled saying this. I had happily left with him, holding on to his hand and feeling as if nothing could go wrong in life as long as I am with him.

My mom comes to the room, breaking my reverie. She shakes her head as she looks at me.

“Look at you all a-stir, as if going on a first date. When will you guys get together?? I have had enough of you pining for Arjun. Why don’t you let him know your feelings?”

“And break our friendship?? No way, Aai! You know I cannot tell him!” I say, just the thought throwing me into panic.

Just then the doorbell rings. My father opens the door. I can hear Arjun.

“Hello Baba. Has Kiddo come home from office?” Just his deep rumble makes me blush. I hurriedly run a hand over my head and look into the mirror.

“Aai! Do I look okay? Is this t-shirt too tight?” I ask her breathlessly. “Why am I not losing any weight?? In fact, it seems like I am gaining some every day!”

She lays her palm on my cheek and smiles. “You are beautiful. Now go and try something to win him over!”

“Aai!” I whisper in dismay as I step out of the room.

Two decades of having loved him, and he still takes my breath away. I lay my hand on my heart, trying to calm it down while smiling uncertainly at Arjun. He is wearing cargo shorts and a black full-sleeved shirt that looks like it has been tailor-made for his physique. At forty years of age, he looks dashing as ever. For me, nothing has changed about him. Except probably for the few grey streaks that now run between his shoulder long hair which he leaves open most of the times. His eyes show some crow’s feet at their edge when he smiles or laughs. But otherwise, he is awesomely Arjun, the one who still reigns supreme over my heart.

“Aai, how are you?” He asks my mom. And that is another thing that totally endears him to me. Ever since I can remember, he has always called my parents as Aai and Baba. I can never get used to him doing this. It makes me ridiculously happy. It gives me a feeling that wherever we both might end up some day, he will always be a part of my family.

“Fine, Beta. Do not be a stranger! You do not drop in as frequently as you used to!” Aai admonishes him lovingly. My parents are crazy about him, my Aai even more so. Arjun raises his hands in surrender and smiles.

“Hey Kiddo… care to join me for a walk around the building before we dine? Just wanted to catch up with you…” He says, blinding me with his million-dollar smile.

I nod my head and after waving to Aai who winks at me, I leave with Arjun.

Read Chapter 5 Here!