RIHAN POV :
"So, we're..." I blurted out, hoping she didn't catch the underlying meaning. She played innocent, and I breathed a sigh of relief. But I wanted to tell her, confide in her, that we also look cute together. Yet, my fears held me back. We had the whole day together, and I was determined to make it enjoyable and memorable, not just because we had the day off, but because we were together. Her presence made me happy for no reason, and I couldn't help but act younger than my age around her. Luckily, she is so understanding and made me feel incredibly lucky.
As we sat across from each other at the cafe, discussing our plans for the day, I found myself flirting with her again, trying to make it seem natural. But my mind kept wandering back to the way her cheeks lifted when she smiled, the way her hair softly blew in the breeze, how her lips curve into a sarcastic smile, a subtle warning sign
and the way her laughter soothed my heart.
"Wait, I'll go to the washroom," she says, standing up and walking away. My eyes follow her until she disappears around the corner. Just as I'm still gazing in that direction, my phone beeps. I glance at the screen to see Sidharth's call flashing. I answer promptly, "Ha, bhai, bol?"
"Where are you?" he asks.
"Coffee Cafe. Aaha ko coffee Pini thi Nakshi market ke left mai hi hai" I reply, glancing at her empty chair.
"Aaha tere samne hai?" he inquires, curiosity evident in his tone.
"Nahi, washroom gyi hai" I respond.
"Tu usse sab kuch explain kyu ni krta" he questions. "Maybe she has experienced these feelings before."
His words strike a chord, and my heart sinks for no apparent reason. I can't quite put my finger on this feeling, but it's definitely unreasonable!
"She probably doesn't even know what falling in love feels like," I said, thinking I knew her well enough. After all, she never had a boyfriend in London, and she would often tell me about her male friends, but never a romantic partner.
"Not having a boyfriend doesn't mean she didn't have feelings for someone," Sidharth pointed out, his words making me raise an eyebrow. I quickly glanced at my phone, wondering if he had somehow mastered voice reading too!
"Huh?" I uttered, my mouth slipping before I could catch myself.
"Yes, if she didn't have a boyfriend, it doesn't mean she didn't have feelings for someone," he repeated, assuming I hadn't heard him clearly.
"If she had, she would've told us," I responded confidently.
"Yahi toh baat hai, that's the thing with girls - they don't share such things with anyone,ho sakta hai she had eyes on someone and he had on another and now she's trying to move on" Sidharth said, his words hovering over my fading expression. My eyes lowered, casting an expressionless glare into the air. "Are you saying this to tease me?" I questioned, a hint of defensiveness creeping into my tone.
"Bhai soch kr toh dekh , it's possible, right? Maybe she had eyes for someone else, and he had another girl, and she's trying to move on," he replied, his voice laced with a gentle reasoning. "Or maybe,jaisa tune kaha, just maybe, she doesn't know what it feels like to be in love."
"Tu topic nikal kr toh dekh, maine aise hi tum dono ko akele nahi chor hai" he mumbled, a hint of playful accusation in his tone.
"Tu yeh saari baatein kavya ke samne toh nhi kar rha" I asked, suddenly realizing he might be with her. My mind raced with the possibility.
"No, she's gone to the washroom," he replied with a chuckle.
"These girls and their long washroom breaks, huh?" I teased, rolling my eyes.
"So, what's the plan ahead?" he asked, his voice upbeat and cheerful, his grin practically audible over the phone.
"Playstation shayad" I replied, my tone dry and sarcastic, implying we'd be scrolling through our phones, killing time.
"Ha ha abhi playstation, phir shaadi ke bad fish the ring wala game khelna" he teased once again, and I knew it, I just knew it!
"Saale, yaha kuch pata nhi aur tu shaadi ke sapne dekh raha hai" I said, trying to control my cheeks from flushing and a smile from spreading across my face.
"Come on, now you're also thinking about it!" he said, and my mind suddenly flashed to a scene - aaha in a saree, us finding the ring in the pot, our wedding... "Shut up, chup kar ja warna bohot mar khayega!" I replied, covering my face with my palm, my thumb and index finger pressed against my eyes, the rest of my hand hiding my blushing face.
"Alright, fine. I'll call you later, she's back," he said, and abruptly cut the call.
And all he left me with was a puzzled mind, wondering... what if she really did have eyes for someone in the past? And why am I suddenly imagining our wedding?! Ugh, that sneaky mind of mine not mine but his! It's all because I picked his call, kamina! I cursed him internally as I saw aaha walking towards me. I hope she walks towards me like this on our wedding day... Wait, what?! SHUT UP, MY MIND, WILL YOU?!
"Kya hua?"she asked, pulling her chair in.
"Kuch bhi toh nhi" I replied, trying to hide my face, which was still flushed.
"Then why are you blushing?"she asked, her brows furrowed in concern, as she tucked her hair behind her ears.
"Chale?" I suggested, quickly changing the subject, glancing at my wrist not wanting to get embarrased again but... only to realize I wasn't wearing a watch! I looked up to see her giggling, her expression transformed from concern to amusement.
***
"She's an angel, and I can't help but be captivated by her every move. The way she jumps with joy, her infectious laughter, the softening of her gaze when she looks at me... it all leaves me in awe. Her patience with my childish antics, her concern when I'm hurt, and her readiness to help - she even carries bandages in her bag for me! Though I haven't needed them yet, I'm grateful for her caring nature. And when we pass by a mirror, I can't help but notice how adorable we look together, with her being slightly shorter than me. It's a perfect pairing.
"Damn, I enjoyed alot!" she exclaimed, giving me a glance as she removed her helmet in front of the bike's mirror.
"Yeah, me too!" I replied, gazing at her.
"Well, it's already 5:37, sunset" She questioned checking her watch.
"We'll miss it if we don't hurry!" I said, taking the keys from her hand and sitting on the bike. I kicked back, pulling the bike into a U-turn, and said, "Come on, let's go!" She hopped on the back, "Aram see!"
Riding the bike at full speed, I hoped we wouldn't miss the sunset. I longed to see it with her, to tell the sun that someone is more radiant than it at golden hour. I yearned to gaze into her eyes as the sunset light danced across them, to see her hair blowing in the wind, and her gently tucking it behind her ears.
Speeding the bike, lost in thoughts of the perfect sunset view, I felt a gentle stir behind me. Curiosity piqued, I glanced in the mirror to find Aaha removing her helmet and placing it on my head, her eyes sparkling with care. My heart swelled with affection - it was my favorite gesture of hers, a small act that spoke volumes of her thoughtfulness. And then, her arms encircled my waist, her soft palms grazing my chest through my t-shirt. The touch sent shivers down my spine, and my heart skipped a beat. For a moment, everything felt right with the world, and I couldn't help but smile, unguarded and unrestrained. My entire being was aglow with joy, and I felt like the luckiest person alive. And then, she nestled her cheek against my shoulder, and I was undone.
This is so cute and adorable I can't —
As I pulled into the parking lot and killed the engine, I couldn't help but rush to her side. She was already waiting for me, her eyes sparkling with excitement, and I couldn't resist the urge to sweep her up in the moment.
I grasped her wrist, pulling her away from the wall, and we took off running, the sunset's golden rays casting a magical glow over everything. I glanced back at her, and my heart skipped a beat - her face was radiant, her cheeks flushed with joy, and her eyes shining like diamonds. The wind whipped through her hair, and her laughter echoed through the air, mingling with the sound of our footsteps. We were lost in our own little world, where nothing else mattered but this perfect moment, and I knew I'd cherish this memory forever.
We finally stopped at the edge of the shore, and the breathtaking view took our breath away. The sunset's fiery hues danced across the sky, casting a golden glow on the waves below. The clouds were set ablaze, transforming into a kaleidoscope of pink and orange shades. The crisp wind whipped through our hair, and I couldn't help but wonder how she was taking it all in. I turned to gaze at her, but instead of looking at the sunset, she was looking at me - our eyes locking in a moment of pure connection. Before I could even process it, she quickly turned back to the view, exclaiming, "The prettiest!" as she gazed out at the sea. She turned back to me, her eyes sparkling with joy, and I was struck by the beauty of her smile as she tucked her hair behind her ear.
"Yes, the prettiest," I whispered, my eyes locking onto hers as she nodded in agreement. But my gaze lingered, taking in the subtle details of her face - the tiny mole on her nose, the way her smile painted her cheeks with a soft pink hue, and how her pink top seemed to radiate a warm glow on her skin. I was captivated by her beauty, and I couldn't help but stare.
"Let's walk," she suggested, breaking the spell, and I quickly glanced back at the sunset, hoping she hadn't noticed my continuous gaze.
"Hmm" I breathed, shaking my head in wonder. Being alone with her for the first time in four years, watching the sunset together, was a moment I'd appreciate of. My body was alive with excitement, yet simultaneously relaxed, like I'd finally found my haven. I was relieved we'd made it in time, and she was radiant with joy, her smile a constant beacon of happiness.
"But before..." I trailed off, kneeling down to gently remove her shoes, ensuring she wouldn't have to bend down herself. It wasn't her job to do so; I wanted to take care of her. I folded up her pants to prevent them from getting wet, revealing her porcelain skin adorned with shimmering nail polish. The touch of her skin was familiar yet special to me, like a precious memory. I stood up, holding our shoes in my left hand, four fingers cradling four shoes.
"I can hold mine," she offered, extending her hand towards the shoes, but I swiftly drew them back, unwilling to let her carry them as long as I lived. With a gentlemanly gesture, I bowed my head slightly, indicating for her to lead the way. She shook her head, a blissful smile still gracing her face, as she walked ahead of me on the beach. I joined her, our footsteps synchronizing as the water lapped at our feet. I glanced out at the sea, the sunset a kaleidoscope of colors, and then at her, the sun shining down on her back, her hair dancing in the breeze. Her constant smile was the most beautiful sunset of all, illuminating my world with joy and love.
"Don't you get tired?" I asked, my hand subtly sliding into my pocket as I glanced at her, then back ahead.
"Of what?" she replied, her voice calm and serene, conveying a sense of comfort and security.
"Your smile," I said, still gazing ahead, my eyes fixed on the horizon.
"Huh?" she queried, her footsteps slowing to match mine as we walked in sync. I cherished the moment, feeling like a kid who'd just received his favorite toy. Her smile was a gift, and I was grateful to be the recipient of its warmth and joy.
"You've been smiling since noon," I said, finally meeting her gaze, our eyes locking in a moment of pure connection. The world around us melted away, leaving only the two of us, lost in each other's eyes.
"What's wrong with that?" she asked, her eyes roaming from my hair to my face, a hint of curiosity in her voice. "Nothing, it's just..." I trailed off, my heart racing as I hesitated, my finger twitching in my pocket, a nervous habit I'd developed after my last heartbreak, it always happens when I do the things above my boundaries and it includes giving women compliments.
"You don't smile often, especially not this much, unless you're truly happy," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
"It's a good day, isn't it? And I must be so happy to smile like this often then," she said, her voice whispering sweet nothings in my ear, the background noise fading into oblivion. Realising she's happy with me, more than normal days. Her response sent shivers down my spine, every fiber of my being tingling with excitement, my heart skipping a beat. I felt my tension melt away, my thumb relaxing its grip on my palm, as I whispered, "it is..." instead of 'It is, even more so for me.' The unspoken words hung in the air, a secret only my heart knew.
As I walked ahead, I turned around, making her stand there also causing her brows to furrow in confusion. I needed to diffuse the tension, make things seem normal again. "You know the movie we saw yesterday?" I started, "was a total flop!" I exclaimed, spreading my hands wide in emphasis.
But before I could finish, my hand met something soft - soft like, like someone's butt, to be exact— i gulped the guilt. I glanced up to see a lady about to saw us, but Aaha swiftly intervened, positioning herself between us. "Sorry, my mistake," she said, covering my hand with a sly smile, as she gently pushed me back a step.
Just as the lady turned around, her glare fixed on me, and I sensed trouble brewing. "Isn't that the guy, who hit with his hand?" she yelled, drawing the attention of passersby. Ah, great, a public spectacle.
"It was me, I'm sorry," Aaha began to apologize, but the lady's expression swiftly transformed from anger to a charming smile, her gaze softening as she turned to Aaha. She was a stunning woman, dressed in a tight blue jeans and a lavender-colored crop top, her hair pulled back into a sleek bun.
"It's okay if it's you," she said, her eyes lingering on Aaha in a way that made me raise an eyebrow. Wait, what? Something was off here. I took a step forward, but before I could intervene, she asked, "Are you single?" Her gaze drifted from Aaha's chest to her face, and I couldn't help but stifle a laugh with my hand, trying to composed myself. Aaha shot me a glare, but I knew she was fighting back a smile too. "Yeah," Aaha replied hesitantly, taking a step back as if sensing the tension. "She isn't," I clarified, as the lady's eyes made contact with her chest again, and I instinctively wrapped my arm around Aaha's upper body, pulling her close. It was clear what the lady was implying, but protecting Aaha was my top priority.
"She is," the lady said, her voice low and accusatory, her finger pointed at me. "I didn't ask you, it was you who hit me on purpose." I was taken aback, unsure what she meant. Was she implying I'd made a move on her? No, definitely not.
"You aren't worth hitting," I shot back, my voice rising in defense, knowing Aaha had my back. But Aaha's palm swiftly met her forehead, a silent 'you messed up' gesture. The lady's eyes widened in indignation.
"What?!" she exclaimed. "Here I am, trying to behave normally, and you're saying this? It's always guys who can't resist touching beautiful girls around!" She glared at me, her tone dripping with disdain.
"Beautiful?!" I muttered, stifling a laugh, and felt Aaha's giggles against my chest, her eyes furrowed in amusement.
"Dickh—" the lady began to curse, but Aaha swiftly intervened, taking a step forward. "Ayy angrez ki aulad," she said, her words a mix of Hindi and English, "hoge ladke aise mai keh rahi hu galti se hua, aur tere pass kuch hai hi nhi jisse hit kre ladke."
The lady's eyes widened in confusion and indignation. "What do you mean? Kehna kya chahte ho" she exclaimed, looking like she was on the brink of a meltdown. Aaha glanced at me, a silent signal that we needed to do it, and she took a step back, playfully hitting me on the chest again.
"We mean this!" we exclaimed in unison, and I promptly held up my hand, showing the lady a defiant middle finger. That's when we made a run for it, weaving through the crowd, laughing and holding hands. I grasped Aaha's wrist, ensuring we didn't get separated, and we both sprinted towards the bike. We glanced back, relieved to have escaped, and burst into laughter again. Our eyes met, and we couldn't contain our giggles. "She was a gay" Aaha managed to say, still chuckling, and we both erupted into laughter once more. She held her stomach, and I pressed my head against the bike, our joy infectious and uncontainable.
"She was impressed by them!" I blurted out, pointing at Aaha's chest and making a gesture with my fingers, as if measuring something. Wait, did I really just say that out loud? I quickly opened my eyes to find Aaha giving me a sarcastic smile, her arms crossed over her chest. "I guess she was," she said, her hands moving over her stomach again, as if trying to contain her laughter. 'Yeah, it's normal,' I thought to myself, we've been best friends for so long, so she's not awkward around me anymore.
"Well, here..." I said, kneeling down again to help Aaha put on her shoe. I carefully unfolded her jeans, which were only slightly damp, and made sure she was comfortable. As I stood up and put on my own shoes, I couldn't help but glance back at Aaha. Her eyes were shining with a hint of tears, likely from laughing so hard, and her cheeks were flushed red. Her pupils dilated as she looked at me, and my heart skipped a beat.
"Bhook lgi hai" I muttered, resting my forehead on Aaha's shoulder standing in front.
"Maggie khaye?" she asked, and I forced myself to compose myself, grinning widely. "Chalo phir" she said, exhaling a sigh of relief.
As we drove, the streetlights flickered to life, illuminating our path like a magical runway. We sped along, and the lights kept pace with us, a beautiful synchrony that left us both in awe. "Wow" was all we could say, our voices barely above a whisper. We pulled up to the near by food truck, and as we stopped, it was dark around and food truck's lights were turned on, We grabbed two steaming plates of Maggie noodles, the aroma wafting up to tease us. Aaha sat across from me on a plastic chair, her eyes sparkling in the fading light.
She was stirring her noodles, trying to cool them down, and I couldn't help but be drawn to her. I picked up my fork, took some noodles, and blew on them gently, making sure they weren't too hot. I extended my hand in her direction, my thumb tucked between my palm, trying to hide my nervousness. She looked up at me, and I quickly glanced down at my bowl, trying to play it cool. But she didn't let me get away that easily. She took my shaking hand and pulled it towards her, and as I looked up, I saw her take a bite of the noodles I had offered. My racing heart relaxed, and I let out a sigh of relief as i released my thumb.
"Umm, it's delicious," she muttered, her mouth still full. "Maine pyar se khilaya na isliye," I replied, smirking at her.
"That's why it's so bad," she shot back, her face expressionless, making my lips form a straight line. But then, she threw me a curveball - a giggle that left me smiling.
We headed to the club as planned, but after three hours, Aaha was beyond tipsy. I managed to drag her out, holding her over her shoulders. She was completely out of her mind, and I couldn't help but think, 'Why did I bring her here? Stupid me!' She was rambling on about the absurdity of club-goers having donuts stuck to their chests and grass growing on their heads. I sighed, eager to escape before things got worse. "Aaha, baitho," I said, starting the bike.
"Why?" she asked, making an adorable face, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Kyuki Mai keh rha hu," I said, trying to sound firm, but she just gave me a disgusted look and turned around, walking ahead. I quickly got off the bike and ran to catch up with her, grasping her hand. "Aaha, rukho," I called out, trying to get her attention. "We're running late, Kavya might be waiting for us," I said, holding her shoulders.
"One condition," she said, a sly grin spreading across her face. "Give me a piggyback ride and spin me around." She pointed to her cheek, and I couldn't help but find it incredibly adorable. Her cheek, her nose, her smile - everything about her was so damn cute that I couldn't help but cover my mouth in awe. Please help, I'm a goner!
"Okay," I murmured, turning back and kneeling down, allowing her to climb onto my back. She wrapped her arms around my neck, and I held her legs, feeling her weight against me. Even in her drunken state, she was adorable, and I couldn't help but wish she'd always be this carefree. As I stood up, she started swinging her legs in the air, and I couldn't help but smile - a genuine, heartfelt smile, because in that moment, I was truly happy. "Twinkle, twinkle, little star," she began singing, her voice heavy and sleepy, and it was so cute that I couldn't help but feel my heart melt.
"Ghar chale?" I asked, hesitant to leave the moment, knowing I wouldn't get to see this carefree, playful side of her again. She's never behaved like this before, even when drunk, and it's only with me that she's letting her guard down. I savored the moment, knowing it's a rare glimpse of her vulnerability. But reality beckoned - we had college the next day.
"Hmmm" was all she managed, sounding like a nod, and I reluctantly started walking towards the bike. She continued swinging her legs in the air, like a child, and for the first time, I saw a side of her that was innocent and pure. Unfortunately, I knew this was a one-time thing, and I wouldn't get to see this side of her often.
As we rode home on the bike, Aaha continued singing and asking incoherent questions, her drunken state making her wonder aloud why trees were so tall and lights charged electricity. I had already texted Sid to wait for me at her place, so we could return home together, ensuring her safety on this night ride, i cannot let her go on her own.
I cherished this moment, watching her carefree and playful, even if it was just a result of too much drink. It was funny and memorable, a chance I knew wouldn't come again. And yet, I couldn't help but realize that my feelings for her went beyond friendship. I had always loved her, but acknowledging it is a surprise, and I'm still afraid of ruining our friendship if I fell harder. It is complicated, but I couldn't deny the truth - I have fallen for my best friend, who didn't even know what love felt like.
I stopped in front of her house and parked the bike, getting off before her to help her walk. "Aaha, come on, let's go," I said, but as she got off, she lost her balance. I quickly caught her, holding her thighs and back, and lifted her into my arms. "Thank you," she slurred, resting her face on my chest, her legs swinging in the air again. Just then, the door swung open, and Sidharth's expression changed as he took in the scene before him, his eyes widening in surprise.
"She's just drunk," I explained, entering the room where Kavya was standing near the couch. "Can you take her to her room? I'll come with some lime water," she said, heading to the kitchen. As I carried Aaha upstairs, I noticed she was still staring at me, her face resting on my chest. I ignored her gaze, assuming she wasn't in her senses, and gently laid her down on her bed. I removed her shoes and sat beside her, feeling relieved that we made it home safely. As I glanced at Aaha, I couldn't help but smile at her adorable almond-shaped eyes, still fixed on me.
She grasped the edge of my t-shirt sleeve, her fingers barely clinging to the fabric. "You know what you mean to me," she whispered, her eyes struggling to stay open, her gaze fluttering around the room. I started to ask, "What do you—" but paused, realizing she wasn't in her right mind. Yet, I couldn't help but wonder what she meant. "What do I mean to you?" I asked softly, my curiosity getting the better of me, even though I knew she might not remember this conversation in the morning.
"Well, I cherish you," she whispered, her voice barely audible, "you're my sunshine." My heart skipped a beat as she continued, "You've been the love of my life since high school." I felt a sensation run down my spine as goosebumps covered my skin. "I wish I could write you into my destiny, but all I can do is write your name on paper," she said, her words piercing my heart. Tears filled my eyes as she spoke, "I don't want to tell you never," she paused , but you already said it out loud, aaha!
"Because I know you don't love me, but I do, more than honeybees loves flowers, more than mountains loves the sky," she continued, speaking with the innocence and candor of a child, her words leaving me in awe. "I'm not pretty," she said, her voice trembling, fake tears streaming down her face like a child's tantrum.
"Who told you that you aren't?" I asked, holding her hand, which she was using to wipe away her tears. "You never say it," she pouted, her lips curling downward, her brows furrowed in a adorable scowl.
"You're pretty, prettier than the sunset, darling," I whispered, my voice barely audible, as I gently caressed her cheek, trying to erase the doubt from her mind.
"You were so popular among the girls, and you never even noticed my efforts, that's why I never want to tell you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. I let out a soft smile as tears rolled down my right cheek. "I'll never tell you how I always kept things in my bag for you, like chocolates, in case you ate something spicy and needed something sweet. I know you can't handle spicy food," she said, her eyes struggling to stay open. "I'll do everything for you, but I'll never tell you what you mean to me," she whispered, her eyes finally closing as she drifted off to sleep. "Rihan," she trailed off, her voice barely audible. I sighed in relief, my whole body tingling with joy, like what's they say, butterflies?! Yeah, butterflies fluttering in my chest.
I wiped away my tears, unable to contain my smile. The most beautiful moment in the world had just happened to me, like the first ray of sunshine in the morning. She wouldn't even remember what happened today, but I would cherish this day forever and ever. I stood up, gently opened the blanket covering her body, and slid the hairs aside to reveal her face. I leaned down and kissed her forehead for the first time ever. It was a soft, gentle kiss, full of love and adoration.
I then walked over to Sidharth and Kavya, who were preparing lime water, and said, "We won't need that, she's fallen asleep." I pulled out a chair from the dining table and sat down, feeling grateful and content.
I tried to act like a normal person, but the butterflies in my stomach refused to settle down. I couldn't wait to share the news with Sidharth - he had to know! When Kavya asked if I wanted to eat something, I shook my head, "I'm already full, full of Aaha's talks," I said, my mouth slipping without realizing it. I quickly covered up, "I mean, she was babbling on about why trees are tall, why lights need charging to glow, and even asked why there were donuts 'stinking' around girls' chests in the pub... and why there was grass growing over people's heads!" I said with a chuckle, trying to make it seem like a normal conversation. Sidharth burst out laughing, and I smiled back, while Kavya giggled, clearly amused by my attempt to downplay the moment.
"Donuts?!" Sidharth chuckled, and I smiled back, trying to play it cool, while Kavya giggled. "Yeah," I shook my head, attempting to downplay the excitement still buzzing inside me. It was hard to act like it wasn't the best day of my life. Then, Sidharth asked, "chale?" and I nodded, trying to seem nonchalant, while secretly feeling like I was walking on air.
POV ENDS.