Invisible Strings * Ongoing*

13. Trance

13. Trance

In the Green Room

The minute, Manizeh had seen Arnav step out and shoot her a friendly smile on the way out, falling into an instant discussion with Aman, she had rushed into his green room at the speed of light.

All the while, standing out with Aman had been nerve-wrecking for her as well. Only because, she literally did fear these two(A&K) had the potential to set each other ablaze in fire, in several different ways. And even though, she knew, Khushi could handle this – as her closest who'd seen her go through range of emotions in all these years for this man – it was inevitable for both curiosity and concern to creep up.

And well, one look at Khushi – standing against the wall, rooted to her spot – all flushed and frazzled – had been the testimony indeed, that yup – she had just been burned in her emotions within. She'd helped Khushi with a glass of water, from Arnav's desk nearby, instantly – post which – she had seen Khushi succumb to a seating position in a chair – right there – before she opened the snack box in her hand in a state of part hypnosis and she began munching on the - Cinnamon Swirls.

Manzieh had obviously asked, how did she even get those because well, they'd walked in empty handed, and on discovery when Khushi had answered that Arnav had handed it to her, because he wanted her to eat before the concert began – she herself had been stumped – momentarily. Well, it was a very sweet gesture. And just like that, as she said the very same to Khushi, and asked her if she was okay – she heard Khushi fill her in briefly with the highlights of what had transpired and said, in between the two...as she continued to eat...all stumped in between too...in part daze...

Now, as Manizeh watched Khushi almost finish the second Cinnamon swirl, she hands Khushi another glass of water as she says out loud – " well, to be honest, babe, I still don't know why you like those so much. I never could develop the taste for these. Anyways, crazy again, that he remembered, for this was a preference you developed, after moving too Fiji...right? like I remember, you'd always tell me back then, that you'd tell Arnav during your long distance years, that you couldn't wait for him to taste the best cinnamon swirls, from the bakery at the central marketplace near our houses on the island...like I just gotta say, its super sweet of him to just arrange this for you, right now...on that note...Khushi?? Which one's taste better haan? those one's, your usual fav's from back at Fiji, or these? That Arnav just arranged for you??????"

Khushi finally finishes munching on the swirls and as she finishes gulping the last bite down, emotions finally settling in their simmer a little – she says taking the glass of water, while continuing to fan her face with the other free hand – " these....of course...tasted, better...in the moment....Manizeh..."

Manizeh nods at that and asks again, her head trying to connect the dots again – " Wait...tell me again? did he really say? how soul wrenching it was for him to stay away from you all these years???????"

Khushi states at that fanning her face still – " indeed, he did...and I am telling you..Manizeh...there was so much angst in his eyes at that...his face...was twitched in so much pain, he was almost on the verge of tearing up...godammit...damm him, freaking hell...first he riles me up emotionally and then electrifies me...after with such intensity and display of passion in his eyes...for me...as if...in that moment...all he was thinking off, was our intimate conversations with one another...during our long distance...and well, we had a long share of those.....,"and she pauses fanning her face again– as she is hit with the various memories of their intimate conversations on video calls during their long distance.So much said..so much felt...so much expressed....with dreams..of just...experiencing those moments with the other....at finally meeting...