When starts align

Part 4

He looked like one of those Models on Vogue. 

She wasn't sure why she noticed these things today and never before. Although their interactions have been scarce, it was not like they never met. It was certainly a mystery as to why this day felt different and she was too drained out to introspect at the moment, so she decided to enjoy the view while it lasted. 

He first brought her food and then went back to bring over his before settling into the opposite chair.

She was starving and could not really wait so started to much down a few spoons of the Gobi Fried rice which did look very appetizing. 

"Trust me. Thats the best Gobi rice you will ever have", Aakash had promised a couple of hours ago and it did live up to the hype. Replaying the memory with his expressions did bring up a smile on her face.

"Rombha nalla iruku polaye", Karthik commented noticing her smile.

"Yes semmaya iruku. Try pannunga", she fed him spoon from her plate and his reaction was just so adorable she thought to herself.

"How was the tour?", she enquired as she continued to eat her mouth-watering gobi rice.

"Good. Just regular stuff. The clubs seems very interesting. You should check it out", he suggested. 

"Kandippa. Oru few weeks settle down aaganum. Then will start exploring", she agreed.

***

"Great session guys and girls", Aakash cheered his band up after a great session. 

"Ritesh backing vocals and harmonies matum rehearse pananum. We have a fest in a week in Varkala and it will be great if we can put up a perfect show. Neraya album sponsors lam irupanga", he commented. 

"Done machan. Next two days la elam finalize panita we will have enough time to get ready. Costumes pesitiya?", he asked to confirm. 

"Yes. We have some fit checks this weekend. Lets meet up again tomorrow same time guys", he said before calling it a day. 

There were about 6 guys and 3 girls on the band as their lead singer just graduated out of college. 

"We need a lead singer", Ritesh beseeched and he knew that his best friend was right. 

They had to find a replacement soon. Varkala was too close but for the upcoming music fest season they had to have a strong female voice that can complement Aakash's and they had to do it within the next few months. 

"I know. We will find. I will try to set up some auditions in the next few weeks. Freshers day la new students will also preform. So that will be a good place too", Aakash comforted but he knew that they did not have too much time. 

"Seri va canteen povom", Ritesh suggested which seemed like the best thing to do given they had not eaten anything since morning. 

***

The lunch was all she needed, for the most part at least. He took their plates off to the closest trash can and she followed with the empty bottles behind him.

"Thank you!", her lips curved into a whole hearted smile after a fulfilling lunch and heart warming conversation that felt so natural. 

She could now see why Dhruv was best friends with his man. He was genuine, honest and just knew how to give people their space and respect their boundaries. With him even silence was not awkward which was refreshing. She did not feel the pressure to keep the conversation going nor did he try to small talk with her just for the sake of it. 

"I will call Dhruv. He said he will be here by 3:30. Inum 10-15 minutes iruku", he commented checking his watch which was unusually old school but it fit the look perfectly. 

"Seri. I will be back", she said and walked towards the restroom while he called Dhruv. 

K: Enga machan iruka?

D: Sorry da. Konjam late aiduchu. I am on the way. Oru 20 mins la anga irupen. 

K: Ok. See you at the parking lot. 

D: Tara ok va?

K: Ava ok dan. Nee paathu badhrama vaa. We just had lunch here.

D: Enna?

K: Lunch saptom nu sonen. Adhuku en ipdi shock aara?

D: Nee oru ponnu kooda lunch saptiya? Adhuvum Tara oda? Nambara madri edachu sollu da. 

K: Mooditu vandhu seru. 

He cut the call knowing very well that he was about to get roasted about this lunch which he had revealed by mistake for a long time to come. 

***

"Anga paaru da un aalu vara", Ritesh commented seeing Tara walk across the canteen towards the restroom.

"Edayaachu olaradha naaye", Aakash scowled at him for pulling his leg before looking straight ahead and bumping into the girl that had refused to leave his thoughts all day long. 

"Ouch", she let out a faint scream in pain until she saw who the person was. 

"Sorry. Did not see you coming", Aakash explained with concern but her response left him little shocked. 

"No problem", she said like a stranger and quickly rushed into the restroom before he could say anything more. 

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Author's Note:

What will happen next? Let's see what they have in store :-D