Recovering from loses wasn't new to Ashwin. People come, people leave. He was more used to absence than presence. Despite his lonely nature, 3 years ago a girl, his girl found him and helped see a flicker of hope down the road. But what he didn't realize was that she had helped him stand up, only to push him down and walk over his barely beating heart.
When his love left him on a Tuesday afternoon, he felt like he reached the peak of loses- he had lost everything. Every meaning he thought that love brought to his life, left him on his knees. Nothing seemed to interest him anymore and "trust" was just another word.
Ashwin lost everything that was never his to begin with. He didn't know that another wave of love was going to crash on him soon. Only this time, it won't drown him, it will help him float and bring him safely to the shore until he comes back to swim willingly.
7th May 2020:
Birthday - Ashwin saw his phone. No messages, no calls. He asked his only friend to not wish him as well.
He went to his office. Even there - he is the boss everyone hates.
Lots of money, his own business, 3 houses to his name, 5 cars and more. Yet happiness hasn't knocked his door.
He has a visitor - the receptionist said
*knock*
"Come in"
A girl probably in her mid 20s,walked in, she seemed familiar.
He missed seeing such purity. Perhaps no one has hurt her he thought
And then he looked at her eyes that held innocence I hope she never loses it.
Her face was showing 1000 shades of happiness- all in a second before she extended her little hand
He shook it firmly. Something stretched in his face Did Ashwin Kumar smile? he surprised himself.
"How can I help you?" His heart clenched a bit realizing the irony You are the one who needs help his mind screamed
"Hi! I'm Sivaangi"
He was taken aback,
Was it really her? Sivaangi - the cute junior who used to wave at him in school.
"I'm here to help" She said pulling him out of his thoughts
"Huh"
"I'm an interior designer. Your friend Rakshan sent me here, he asked me to revamp your cabin" she said in a chirpy tone.
Before he could reply, she jumped in
"Hold on! He asked me to give you something"
She clumsily looked through her bag and pulled out a card
"I know you don't want me to wish you, but here's a small gift from my side machan. I don't know why but I thought you would appreciate this idea of revamping the place. Although you hate it, Happy birthday Ashwin. If you're going to refuse this, please be gentle with her, she's a good soul"
Ashwin looked back at her. She was already moving around his cabin, taking a few notes.
She looked at the black canvas that hung on the wall behind the couch there. She scribbled something in her notepad and immediately scratched it.
All the expressions she gave within the span of seconds intrigued him.
She came back.
"What did Anna say?"
"Anna?"
"Pchh Rakshan Anna" she pouted.
That pout- he recognized it. It was her. Sivaangi- from school.
