Vedant: 16, Aarohi: 19
* * *
"But grandma, I am worried about your health," she mumbled, her gaze fixed on the delicate porcelain cup cradled in her right hand. The steam rose in wisps, dancing like spectres in the finely lit room, casting fleeting shadows across her furrowed brow.
Her grandmother, seated opposite her, regarded her with eyes that held a lifetime of wisdom, now softened by Aarohi's tensed face, "I will be fine, Rooh." She said, taking another sip from her cup of tea, "Besides you've stayed over for a night or two with the Mehra's before too, so why are you hesitant now?"
Looking at the smiling face of Madhubala Singh, her lively grandmother, who, at times behaved as if she were a child, Aarohi breathed in the apprehension that whirled around her for a while now, "But it's been more than two years since I last stayed there," she expressed, her words gently woven to hide the hesitation in the quiver of her tone. "And what if you need something in the middle of the night?"
The room seemed to hold its breath, the gentle ticking of a clock was the only sound punctuating the silence until a crack of laughter burst into the said hush, her grandmother's infectious joy seemed to melt away the worries that had settled in Aarohi's heart like stubborn shadows. The flicker of light danced in her grandmother's beady eyes, highlighting the amusement in them.
Aarohi couldn't help but smile at her grandmother's gentle frown. She reached out, her hand resting on Aarohi's, a comforting weight. "Oh, my Rooh," she murmured, her voice a soothing melody, "life is not just about working and doing chores. It's about moments like these, shared with the ones we love." She paused, her gaze drifting to a distant memory.
"Rooh, you know you worry a bit too much," she huffed, adjusting her glasses, "you should live your life a little, you always work so hard and never give yourself a moment of peace, my child," she gently scolded, keeping her cup on the table, "you should enjoy more before you have wrinkles, and joint pain like me," she laughed, her eyes crinkling at the sides from the short movement.
Aarohi felt a tug at her heartstrings, rethinking those words. Her old woman wasn't wrong, she concluded. Still, even if she wanted to stay with Saloni and her family over the weekend for New Year celebrations, a part of her felt guilty for thinking of leaving her grandmother, no matter how hard she was urging her to go. The last time she stayed at her house, they had been tenth graders, and that too during summer vacation. She had had numerous memories with Saloni at her home, and some with her at Aarohi's home, but they were all from years ago when they were young. And her grandma wasn't getting any younger.
With a soft sigh, Aarohi leaned forward, "Okay, I'll go, Nani," she whispered, her words carrying the weight of a thousand memories. "But I'll keep calling and if you need something, tell me, and I will come right away."
Madhubala Singh laughed at the stern words pointed at her, nodding anyway, "Arey child, alright. But remember to sleep early there."
Aarohi chuckled at her cute expressions, slowly bobbing her head vertically.
***
"Oye, Roohi, take this and come with me outside for a minute," Saloni's voice cut through their previous chatter, her hands deftly arranging the fairy lights. She handed another pack to Aarohi, her eyes sparkling with anticipation as she motioned for her friend to follow.
Outside, the evening air carried a whisper of excitement, awaiting the coming year in a few hours, and the gentle glow of the lights around the other houses illuminated their path, beckoning them into the enchantment of the celebrations.
Once outside, Aarohi carefully placed the packet on a nearby chair before turning towards her best friend, who stood by the wall, her gaze fixed on the window of the adjacent house. Closing the distance between them, Aarohi inquired, "What are you trying to look at?" Her smirk hinted at playful curiosity as she lowered her voice. "Or should I say, who?" The mischievous glint in her eyes mirrored Saloni's as if they shared a secret language known only to them.
"Yaar—" Saloni began, pouting her lips as she glanced at Aarohi, sensing her friend's playful teasing. Aarohi's knowing smile only confirmed her suspicion. "It is about a boy again, isn't it?" she remarked, not bothering to hide her amusement.
Saloni frowned childishly, "Again? What do you mean?" she protested, feigning innocence while knowing exactly what Aarohi was implying.
Aarohi couldn't help but chuckle at her friend's cluelessness. "Of course you and your never-ending crushes on boys," she teased, giving Saloni a gentle nudge. "Tell me, who is it this time?" Her eyes sparkled with mischief, eager to unravel the mystery of Saloni's latest infatuation.
Saloni's cheeks flushed a deeper shade of pink as she recalled the name of the man she had been secretly admiring.
"Ekansh," she mumbled, biting her lip to contain the grin that threatened to spread across her face.
Aarohi's eyes widened in surprise, her gaze shifting towards the house Saloni had been peering at just moments ago. "You mean Ekansh Malhotra?" she echoed, her voice tinged with disbelief.
As Saloni nodded slowly in confirmation, Aarohi couldn't help but gulp, her mind racing with questions. "Goodness, how did you even get to like him?" she asked, her tone, a mixture of incredulity and curiosity, eager to understand the allure of Saloni's latest crush.
Saloni's words tumbled out in a rush as if she needed to justify her attraction. "Why? He's just so fine you know," she blurted out, her tone tinged with a hint of defensiveness when it came to her choice of men, particularly when it came to this guy.
Aarohi's expression shifted, a mixture of concern and confusion dancing across her features. She shook her head gently, alarmed at the possibility of being misunderstood. "Arey, not that," she interjected, her voice soft but firm. "He doesn't come out of his house that much, na? So how did you meet him?" Her question hung in the air, as Saloni smiled cheekily at the excitement of telling her everything.
"Actually, I saw him months ago," Saloni confessed, her voice swaying with a hint of shyness as she recalled the memory. "He was on the terrace, but I didn't pay much attention to him because, you know, he seemed boring." She paused, a sheepish smile playing on her lips as she admitted her initial judgment of him.
"But then I got curious, I guess," she continued, her gaze drifting away as she recalled the moments of clandestine observation. "When I kept seeing him through my window, so..."
"So you're now interested in him," Aarohi remarked, a teasing glint in her eyes as she leaned closer to Saloni, her curiosity piqued by her friend's words. "Well, how long have you been crushing on him again?" she inquired as she scanned the neighbouring windows, hoping for a glimpse of Ekansh Malhotra.
"Some weeks," Saloni murmured to herself, her brows furrowing slightly as she tried to recall the passage of time. "No, it's been more than a month, I suppose," she corrected herself, a faint sigh escaping her lips as she braced herself for the inevitable scolding from her best friend for not disclosing this secret sooner.
Aarohi huffed in mock exasperation, her fingers lightly poking Saloni's cheeks. "And you're telling me this now, haan?" she teased, though a warm smile softened her playful tone.
"Sorry yaar," Saloni whined, her expression contrite. "I wanted to be sure before telling you because you know how nagging I can be sometimes."
Aarohi shook her head, her smile widening despite her mock annoyance. "Leave it be. First things first, let's see if we can see him now," she whispered, her voice tinged with excitement. At her words, Saloni giggled, her anticipation bubbling over as she hurriedly stepped over a brick to get a better view of his room. At that moment, a shared thrill seemed to course through them.
"You're a creep, Sulu," Aarohi whispered to her unabashed friend, a playful glint dancing in her eyes as she bit her lip. "And you're turning me into one, too."
"His room is empty," Saloni lamented softly, her gaze fixed on the light blue curtains billowing in the breeze through his open windows, the study desk devoid of its usual occupant.
"I know, right," Aarohi agreed, her wide eyes scanning the unfamiliar contours of his room just beside Saloni's. "Guess he isn't there at all," she concluded, a tinge of disappointment mingling with the curiosity in her voice. She couldn't help but silently pray that Ekansh's mother wouldn't catch them peeking into her house, especially not into her elder son's room. The prospect of getting caught added a thick layer of dread into Aarohi's naive heart, even though that notion had nothing to do with Saloni Mehra.
Lost in their unusual activity, they failed to notice the approaching steps, the sound of footsteps muffled by the soft grass beneath their feet. Suddenly, a presence made itself known, shattering their concentration.
"Now you two are stalking Ekansh bhaiya, haan?" The voice was familiar yet unexpected, sending a jolt of surprise through Aarohi's body. She instinctively stepped back from the brick she had been standing on, her right palm pressed against her wildly beating heart.
"You rascal, at least give people a warning," Saloni retorted, her annoyance evident as she glared at her younger brother, who had managed to sneak up on them with expert stealth. "And what does it have to do with you?" she added, her tone laced with irritation at Vedant's nosy antics.
"Nothing, actually," Vedant drawled, his gaze flickering towards the very room they had been spying on. "But poor bhaiya will be so scared by you, di," he teased, a mischievous grin playing on his lips as he made a face at his sister before turning his attention to Aarohi.
"And since when did you start stalking boys, Rooh-afza?" he mocked, his eyebrows wiggling suggestively as he addressed Aarohi, his playful demeanour adding an unexpected twist to the encounter.
Aarohi felt a flush of embarrassment creeping up her cheeks as she averted her gaze, her fingers nervously tucking a small strand of hair behind her ear. She bit down on the inside of her bottom lip, struggling to find the right words to explain herself.
"I mean, I was..." she began, her voice trailing off into an uneasy silence. What could she possibly say to him now? She had been caught red-handed, spying on someone she barely knew, and now Vedant had witnessed her lapse in judgment. While Saloni might find a way to deflect the attention away from herself, Aarohi, always so composed and thoughtful, couldn't shake off the feeling of shame at being caught in such a moment of indiscretion.
Watching Aarohi fidgeting nervously, Vedant couldn't help but chuckle, the corners of his lips curling up to reveal his teeth. He took a step back, his shoulders lifting in a casual shrug. "Getting shy, are we, Rooh?" he teased, his amusement evident in the way he savoured her discomfort.
Saloni, growing increasingly irritated by her brother's presence, gave him a slight push. "And you are just a shameless brat disturbing her," she snapped, pointing towards the packet of lights that Aarohi had placed on the chair by the mango tree. "Why don't you go and help Papa with these lights, and stop bothering us," she added, her tone firm and resolute as she dismissed Vedant with a flick of her hand.
Vedant quickly took a step back, his eyes widening in mock shock. "I'm going anyway," he retorted, his expression twisting into one of annoyance.
"Anyways, before you make a fool of yourself, Ekansh bhaiya will be coming soon," he added, a note of warning in his voice as he remembered what Samarth had told him earlier.
With a final glance at Saloni, Vedant turned on his heels and made his way across the space, his steps quickening as he disappeared into the house.
Left in his wake, Saloni and Aarohi exchanged a glance, a shared sense of anticipation hanging in the air as they awaited the arrival of the elusive Ekansh Malhotra.
"Oh Sulu, seems like someone's lucky today," Aarohi cooed in a sing-song tone, a playful wink directed at her friend, who couldn't help but blush furiously in response. Indeed, it was shaping up to be an extraordinary day for both of them.
Aarohi had heard bits and pieces about Ekansh Malhotra from her conversations with Saloni, and occasionally, Samarth would mention his elder brother in passing. Ekansh, the quintessential guy next door, was a grade above the girls, and known for his introverted nature and serious demeanour. Ekansh was a recluse, his world orbiting around his preparation for NEET. Saloni had once dismissively branded him a "boring nerd," a label that seemed incongruous with her current fascination.
This unexpected shift in Saloni's perception was nothing short of a revelation to Aarohi. It was as if the saying "opposites attract" had come to life before her very eyes, pairing the vivacious, humorous Saloni with the reserved, studious Ekansh. The thought of their contrasting personalities coming together painted a picture of an intriguing match.
* * *
Aarohi adjusted the blue ribbon, her eyes scanning the area for the hook Kriti didi had mentioned, meant for securing the ribbon in place. While she was preoccupied with this task, Saloni was on the other side of the room with the silver ribbons, each of them engrossed in their respective tasks while Kriti didi was overseeing the balloon arrangements; everyone seemed to have found a role in the lively chaos. Aunty was in the kitchen with uncle helping her, their efforts aimed at preparing dinner for the celebration.
Amid this flurry of activity, the conspicuous absence of that one "useless kid," as Aarohi thought of him with a hint of annoyance, was notable. He seemed to have vanished, evading any form of help to the preparations. While everyone else was invested in bringing the party to life, he had seemingly chosen this moment to blend into the background, leaving Aarohi and the others to manage without his assistance.
As Aarohi finally spotted the hook, a small metallic object on the cream-painted wall, she realized it was just within reach—if only she could stretch a bit further. Carefully, she leaned her upper body to the left, extending her arm as her muscles tensed under the strain, her fingers trying to work swiftly to secure the ribbon's end.
Between her concentrated effort, she heard the front door open, heralding Vedant's entrance into the living room, followed by Kriti didi's sharp rebuke for his lack of effort. Saloni's voice joined the fray, her words laced with vexation as she too chastised him, while Vedant wove a tapestry of excuses, claiming he had been busy.
Distracted by the unfolding drama, Aarohi's attention shifted momentarily towards the two sisters, her interest piqued by their interaction. It was this fleeting lapse in concentration that betrayed her balance. She had forgotten about the severity of her stance on the stool, the limited space to her left offering no further support. In an instant, her footing was lost, and she found herself stumbling, bracing for her body to topple over.
But, with a sudden twist of timing, Aarohi's descent was abruptly halted, not by the cold, tiled floor she had braced herself for, but by a pair of unexpected arms encircling her waist from either side, their grip firm and secure. The sudden rescue sent her heart racing, thumping wildly against her ribcage, as she released a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding in.
"Take it easy, Rooh-afza," came a voice from beside her, his tone relaxed yet filled with a hint of mirth. It was a voice she knew instantly. "You're going to give granny a hard time now," he snickered, his words carrying the gentle tease of someone who understood the repercussions of her potential fall—not just the physical harm to herself, but the worry it would inevitably cause her grandmother.
In that moment, between the security of those arms, Aarohi found both relief and a faint blush colouring her cheeks at the embarrassment of her being a mess twice before this noisy kid.
Just as his hands gently settled on her waist, Aarohi felt a fleeting wave of warmth before they vanished in an instant. Startled by their sudden disappearance, she swiftly descended from the stool, a subtle sense of relief washing over her as he didn't say anything further.
"Thank you, kiddo," she murmured, stealing a brief glance at his boyish features turning sour at her last word, before redirecting her attention towards Kriti Didi, reaching out for another ribbon.
"That's a first for this monkey to have done something good," Saloni chuckled, teasing her brother's unexpected helpfulness towards her friend.
Vedant's expression morphed into one of mock indignation as he casually dismissed his sister's jibe with a wave of his hand. "Shame that you don't always get to witness my good deeds," he taunted back, his voice laced with childish arrogance.
With a nonchalant stride, he moved towards his eldest sister, offering his hand with the balloons. "And Rooh always needs 'my' help, isn't it huh?" He threw a teasing glance towards the silent girl meticulously sorting ribbons on the carpet, his words dangling in the air, ripe with jest.
His playful banter was swiftly met with a light reprimand from his eldest sister, her hand connecting with a soft smack against his shoulder. "How many times have I told you to call her 'di' as well?" she scolded, her gaze piercing into him with a look of annoyance. Her disapproval wasn't just about the casual dismissal of formality, but a deeper insistence on respect, driven by her frustration with Vedant's habitual disregard for the age-old tradition of addressing one's elders with respect, especially when the person in question was of his sister's age.
"Ouch!" Vedant recoiled, his face moulding into a picture of feigned hurt as his bottom lip jutted out in a pout. "Chill out, di," he chided lightheartedly, prodding his sister in an attempt to lighten her mood—a task that, truth be told, required little effort because both his sisters loved him too much.
"Besides..." His tone shifted, the edges of mischief smoothing out into something more sincere. His gaze, previously alight with humour, softened as it found Aarohi, who, at that moment, was oblivious to his scrutiny. "Is respect only shown with the use of such words?" he murmured, more to the air than to anyone in particular. The room seemed to hold its breath, the weight of his question lingering.
In that brief span, Aarohi's deep russet eyes lifted to meet his, wordlessly blinking at his question before she redirected her focus to the ribbons in her hands. "I do respect her, a lot to be frank, both as a person and as Saloni di's friend." Vedant's voice carried a gravity that surprised even himself, revealing a layer of sincerity often veiled by his jolly demeanour.
* * *
As midnight approached, the final moments of the year slipped away like grains of sand through an hourglass. The room was adorned with meticulous decorations, a delightful result of their effort. With Kriti didi's instructions, the ribbons and balloons were secured neatly, their contrasting colours beautifying the room. Four large ocean blue balloons, shimmering with a hint of silver, adorned the wall, each bearing a number symbolizing the beginning of the new year, which Vedant had helped place in the centre of the wall.
The cake, though simple, exuded an understated elegance as it was kept on the centre table. Meanwhile, Samarth and Vedant helped illuminate the room, their nimble fingers dancing among the candles and fairy lights, casting a warm glow that enveloped the space in a magical ambience.
Aarohi watched as Kriti didi assisted her mother in arranging the dishes, while Saloni stood beside her father to set up the sound system, selecting the perfect playlist.
And as the room buzzed with activity, Aarohi from her position beside the sofa, took a moment to capture the scene and save the gleeful faces of everyone in her phone.
As the clock stuck nearly towards midnight, Samarth's voice pierced through the excited chatter, calling out for everyone's attention. While Saloni's parents congregated in one corner, Saloni sprung into action, urging everyone to gather around the table, a glimmer of anticipation dancing in her eyes as she held the knife. Kriti didi, capturing the moment in a video, stood beside her parents, smiling at everyone.
Samarth positioned himself on the left of Saloni, ready to join in, and Vedant pushing him.
Yet, amidst the hustle and bustle, Aarohi found herself grappling with a sudden onslaught of disorientation. Her surroundings blurred, her heart weighed down by an unexplained heaviness that threatened to engulf her.
Unable to comprehend the sudden shift in her emotions, Aarohi stood frozen, oblivious to the calls directed her way. And in that moment, enclosed within the lively chaos, she felt a certain pinch of melancholic loneliness shot through her mind.
But, within the chaos, a warm hand suddenly enveloped her wrist, slowly pulling her into the present moment. It was Vedant.
Blinking away the haze clouding her vision, Aarohi managed a faint smile as Vedant's face came into focus, his reassuring presence anchoring her. Slowly, the faces of her loved ones emerged, their voices gradually seeping into her consciousness.
Vedant gently tugged at her hand once more, his voice a soothing whisper in the cacophony of noise around them. "Come on, Rooh, we're all waiting," he urged softly, never releasing his grip on her hand as he guided her towards the spot beside Saloni who was watching her with concern etching her face. Aarohi stumbled slightly at his sudden movement, laughter bubbling up from within her as she felt the weight in her heart lift, replaced by a sense of belonging and warmth.
When the countdown reached its climax, Aarohi felt a surge of joy wash over her, ending the remnants of unease that had clouded her earlier. With the final chime of the clock marking the arrival of the new year, she couldn't help but smile radiantly, her heart brimming with a sense of peace.
In between the hearty cheers and applause, Saloni gracefully took the knife and cut the cake, welcoming the year with joy and hope. The room erupted into a chorus of well-wishes and happy New Year greetings, each voice adding to the symphony of the night.
Vedant's infectious laughter resonated through the room, blending with the soft music playing in the background, his arms encircling both Saloni and Aarohi in a warm embrace, drawing them closer in a bond of shared happiness. Aarohi's breath caught in her throat at the feel of his relaxed touch, a subtle flutter stirring in her chest as she basked in the warmth of his presence, her heart oblivious to the changes in her.
Her gaze swept over the gathered faces, taking in the familiar expressions of contentment. When her eyes met Vedant's, she couldn't help but notice the endearing dimple that graced his left cheek when he smiled cheekily—a sight that never failed to make others happy. With a contented sigh, she allowed her gaze to drift away, her smile widening as she savoured the moment.
As Saloni fed her a slice of cake, Vedant's banter with Samarth in the background filled the air, the sound a comforting backdrop to the scene unfolding before her. In that moment, surrounded by the warmth of friendship and family, Aarohi felt a sense of belonging unlike any she had experienced before, the feeling that had gripped her before, long forgotten. It was in this moment that she understood—that true life, as her grandmother kept telling her, lay in moments like these, where love and laughter intertwined to create memories that would last a lifetime.
* * *