Invisible String

the string climbs mountains

Maanav: Heyy!

He had sent it yesterday. I didn't think he'd text. I was too embarrassed to reply. It had been more than twenty four hours. But better late than never.

Aabha: Hey

"Food's here." My dad knocked on my door.
"Is it okay if I have it in my room?" I asked him.
"Yeah, sure." He sighed. The whole house was full of stale mood and heavy tension. Everyone one of us was exhausted. No one bothered to argue with the other.
I got my plate of food, went to my room and closed the door behind.
Solitude.
How much I loved my alone time. I valued it more than anything else.
As I put on Gilmore Girls on my laptop and started eating, my phone rang with notifications.
I had replied to everyone. Guess people just realised I was alive.
After dinner, I showered and put on some fresh pyjamas. I had a warm night shower after a long, long time. It felt good to wash away the day's tire.

I switched off the lights, lied on my bed with my blanket on and got my phone to reply to people's messages. Most importantly, Maanav's. Other people would understand the delay, but Maanav wouldn't. He didn't know what had happened.

Maanav: Are you busy?
Aabha: No. Sorry. I was just caught up in things for a long while. The timing's bad right now. My grandmother passed away. Three weeks ago.

I just felt this need to tell him what actually happened. I owed him that explanation.

Maanav: Oh, I'm so sorry. That's awful. How are you doing?
Aabha: I'm okay. Trying to be better.
Maanav: Should I text you later?
Aabha: No, no. Now's cool. I'm sorry it took so long. I hadn't touched my phone for days.
Maanav: That's totally okay. Take care dude.
Aabha: Yeah. I had my best friends visit me today. They sort of got mad at me for not keeping in touch and asked me to go out and try to move past this.
Maanav: Oh. I actually might have a solution for that.
Aabha: What?
Maanav: Can I call you now?

Ah. No. No. No. No.

Aabha: Sure.

"Hey!" He greeted cheerily as soon as I picked up his call.
"Hey!" I responded.
"So um, me and my friends from school were planning this trek. To Shiv Hills. And I was wondering if you'd want to come."

He's inviting me to a trip he's going to with his friends?

"Oh. Wow. Okay, um. Can I tell you later? Or tomorrow? Or the day after that?" I asked him. I was doubtful about this.
"Sure. No problem. Just let me know before the 16th. We're going on the 17th."
"Yeah, sure. Thanks a lot for inviting. That was really nice of you."
"No problem. Always love your company."
Was he flirting? I didn't know how to flirt. Or when someone flirted with me.

"So, I have to go to bed. I'll text you tomorrow?" I said before yawning loudly.
"Yeah, you sound really tired. Talk to you later. I really hope you come. Goodbye." And he hung up.

He really wanted me there.
At least it sounded like that.
Wow.
WOW.

Chapter 14

17 May 2023

(Aabha)

"Please, no, I can't go alone. It'll be hella awkward. I even asked Tanish about the possibilities that might take place in this situation. He said Maanav would mostly be with his friends. And it somewhat made sense. Besides, I think he invited me out of sympathy. Because of my circumstances. Please, please come." I was begging Yahvi and Megha to come. I had asked them to meet me urgently at Madan's. It WAS urgent.
I had asked Maanav to change the dates from 17th to 18th because I had an orientation at my tuition. And he immediately changed the dates. FOR ME. I couldn't turn him down now. Not at all.
"You know he's just leading you on and is gonna ghost you at the end, right?" Yahvi said.
Ouch.
"Please. You asked me to put myself out there. I'm putting myself out there. I just need a little help. I'll get lonely if he doesn't give me any attention. I don't know any of his friends."
"You asked my cousin for advice?" Megha asked me.
"Tanish was my best friend way before I realised you were blood relatives. And he's a guy. He might know about this stuff better."
She sighed.
'I would've come but, I have to attend my brother's wedding." Yahvi said.
I turned to Megha and looked at her hopefully. She narrowed her eyes and stared back at me for a few seconds before saying, "AGH! Fine. I'll come with you. Stop looking at me like that."
"Yes! Yes! Yes! I love you. I love you. I love you." I said excitedly and pulled out my phone to text Maanav.