Falling For The Nerd (Slow Updates)

02| Nerd and Nostalgia

"Okay," Kunj said.

"Chalo, ab jaake tyaar ho jao, phir nashta bhi toh karna hai. Baad mein late hone ka bahana toh bilkul mat karna tum dono, samjhe?" Dadi said, both boys smiled sheepishly.

"Oh, yeh college! Haye re, yeh college ki duniya!" Avi exclaimed dramatically, making faces at the mention of it. Sneha, Kunj, and Lata chuckled, while Lata playfully hit Avi's cheek. "Chal, badmaash!"

"Oh meri sexy nani! Aap kya jaane college ka atyachaar? Aapka yeh pota kahan mujhe London se Mumbai le aaya," Avi pouted, while Kunj rolled his eyes.

"Chal, uth! Mujhe teri wajah se late nahi hona, Avi! And trust me, agar last moment par tujhe kuch bhoola hua yaad aaya na toh..." Kunj started, but Avi cut him off sarcastically.

"Toh kya karega?"

"Toh ghar ka saara kaam kaka ki jagah tu karega, samjha?" Kunj shot back, tossing a cushion from a nearby couch at Avi, who looked at Kunj in shock.

"Oye!" Avi screamed, but Kunj had already walked away, while Lata and Sneha chuckled at their cute bickering. Avi quickly followed Kunj, knowing that their mornings were always filled with playful teasing and laughter.

They had grown accustomed to such mornings, enjoying the lively banter that reflected their close bond. They were not just cousins; they were best friends, inseparable and more like brothers, navigating life together, one playful moment at a time.

As Kunj walked up the stairs to his room, he passed through the heart of the house—a spacious, cozy lounge area that welcomed everyone with its vibrant energy. The five-bedroom home exuded a charming blend of bohemian and traditional styles. Colorful tapestries adorned the walls, and mismatched cushions filled the seating areas, inviting conversations and laughter. Potted plants dotted the space, adding life and freshness, while wooden beams and intricate carvings gave it a warm, timeless feel.

Continuing down the hallway, Kunj admired the soft light filtering through the windows, illuminating the warm wooden floors. Each bedroom door had a unique touch, reflecting the personalities of the family members who inhabited them, yet all shared the same inviting essence that made the house feel like a true home.

Finally reaching his room, Kunj opened the door to find an aesthetically pleasing sanctuary that was both warm and cozy. The interior was adorned with wooden furniture that complemented the rustic charm of the house. An inviting book corner filled with well-loved volumes stood against one wall, while an open balcony, adorned with hanging plants, provided a serene view of the greenery outside.

Kunj walked toward his wardrobe and selected a pair of clothes to change into before heading into the bathroom for a quick shower. Moments later, he emerged, dressed in black faded jeans and a snug black tee that hugged his perfectly sculpted frame, enhancing his charm and appeal.

He towel-dried his hair, ruffled it playfully, and glanced around for his spectacles and books. They lay scattered on his study table, the hallmark of a typical studious type—or a nerd, as many of his peers would label him. To them, Kunj was just that: a basic nerd whose life revolved around his family and his books. His glasses, while functional, often obscured the striking beauty of his eyes, which his mother, Aradhana, had always said sparkled like gems.

Just then, Avi barged into Kunj’s room without knocking, as was his habit, cutely complaining, "Kunj, listen to me! This watch is acting up again!"

"Wait a second, Avi. Let me find my specs first. How are you planning to become an engineer if you can’t even fix a watch properly?" Kunj replied, searching the table for his glasses.

Avi, ever the dramatic one, found the specs lying under a book. "Uff! You talk so much. My brother can’t even handle this simple task. Here are your specs," he muttered, rolling his eyes as he handed them over.

"Thanks," Kunj said, reaching for the glasses, but Avi stopped him. "Kunj, is it really necessary to wear those? You could always get laser therapy or use contact lenses. Why bother with this?"

Kunj smiled faintly, his gaze drifting as he replied, "I know I can, but wearing these makes me feel like my mom is still with me, Avi. She used to say I looked good in them."

Avi looked at him, confused, but Kunj’s expression shifted to a bittersweet smile as he reminisced about the past. He recalled the first time he had to wear glasses as a child. He had been frustrated, often tossing them aside in irritation. But Aradhana, his mother, would patiently pick them up, kneeling beside him to explain how important they were for his vision, always reminding him that they were part of what made him unique.

The memories lingered, wrapping around him like a comforting blanket. Kunj's room, with its cozy book corner and the lush greenery from the balcony, served as a sanctuary where he could lose himself in stories, just as he had lost himself in the warmth of his mother’s love.

In the grand, sunlit halls of their luxurious mansion, marble floors gleamed under the golden rays streaming through large, ornate windows. Expansive rooms were adorned with elegant furnishings—plush sofas, intricately designed carpets, and tasteful artwork lining the walls. It was a space that echoed warmth and love, a perfect backdrop for the memories shared within its walls.

Five-year-old Kunj darted through the expansive living room, his laughter ringing out like music. His tiny feet pitter-pattered against the polished floor as he playfully dodged the soft arms of his mother, Aradhana, who chased after him with a glimmer of amusement in her eye.

"Kunj, come back here!" she called, her voice a mix of playful annoyance and affection. Her beautiful saree flowed gracefully around her, colors dancing like sunlight as she pursued her mischievous son.

With a cheeky grin, Kunj turned a corner, his dark curls bouncing with every step. He knew that his mother would catch him soon, but the thrill of the chase was too exhilarating to resist. As he raced past the grand staircase adorned with a lavish chandelier, he felt a rush of freedom and joy.

Finally, Aradhana managed to corner him in their cozy reading nook, filled with plush cushions and stacks of books. "Got you!" she exclaimed, her laughter echoing through the room. Kunj giggled, his eyes sparkling with delight.

"Maa, I don’t want to wear those glasses!" he protested, pouting adorably as he squirmed in her embrace. "They make me look silly!"

Aradhana knelt down to his level, her expression softening. "But you have to wear them, baba. To me, you look the sweetest in these," she said, gently taking the glasses from her side.

Kunj's small face scrunched up in a frown as she carefully placed them on his nose. "Do I really look cute, Maa?" he asked, twitching the bridge of his tiny nose, innocence shining through.

"Absolutely, my little Kunj! You look perfect!" Aradhana assured him, chuckling as she adjusted the frames. She kissed his forehead, and in that moment, Kunj felt like he was the center of her universe.

With a burst of energy, he hugged her tightly, his heart swelling with love. "I love you, Maa!" he exclaimed, his voice muffled against her shoulder.

"And I love you, my sweet boy," she replied, holding him close, the warmth of their bond radiating through the room. In those precious moments, nothing else mattered. They were simply a mother and son, reveling in each other’s love and laughter amidst the luxurious backdrop of their home.

FLASHBACK OVER

"I miss Maa, Avi," Kunj said softly, a sigh escaping his lips as he gazed at his mother’s picture on the study table.

Whenever he felt low or upset, he found solace in talking to her photograph, sharing his worries and everything that troubled him. It was his way of keeping her memory alive, of feeling her presence in the silence of his room.

He could never forget the haunting moments that had changed his life forever, when they lost so much in the blink of an eye.

Wiping away the unshed tears that threatened to spill, Kunj forced a dry smile. Avi, sensing the heaviness in the air, wrapped his arms around him. "I miss Massi too, Kunj," he said softly, sharing in the weight of the loss.

•☆•☆•☆•

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