“Why you didn’t mention about him arriving here?” I wasn’t able to hold my tongue as I received a call from Zoya.

After attending her wedding, I had grown close to her. She had attempted hard to keep in contact with me. And also wasn't offended with my lack of socializing skills.

“I didn’t mention about whose arrival?” She sounded confused and I was taken aback with her reaction.

“About Faiz… I mean Faizal arrival?” I stammered with the words. Was she really clueless or was she faking it to keep it hidden from me for sake of his brother?

“He is there?” She was stunned would be understatement. “I was aware that he was travelling to Kerala due to some business matter but not to Kochi. I even asked if he could meet you on getting the news but his visit was far from the city you stay in. He said it was next to impossible,” she kept quite for a second. “I didn’t inform you because you might not appreciate the news that he came so close and went without meeting you.” She waited for a moment as if recollecting, “he had a meeting in Kolam.”

“Kolam?” I was stunned with the news, “but he said he had a work over here.”

“I am not sure if there was change in plan but he hadn’t mentioned any such thing at home so I wasn’t aware that he might visit you.” She paused for a second, “is he staying at your home?”

“He didn’t want to…” I wasn’t able to hold my anger back.

“He might not want to trouble you,” Zoya attempted to justify his actions. “You know him better than me. You’re aware that he is expert in hiding things even if it kills him from inside. I am not aware about the matters between you both… but I can assure you that you’re damn special for him even if he attempts to hide it but sometimes it turns next to impossible. Maybe him paying visit to you was result of his one such attempt.”

•••

Zoya words had put my brain at work, I wasn’t able to force myself to sleep. Should I call him? I stared at the mobile screen lost in thought, I wasn’t able to stay at peace. I shook my head as I kept the phone aside. Why should I contact every single time? He was the one who acted rude with me. He said he wasn’t interested in visiting me. Why shouldn’t I display my anger for his such cruel words? Why I should be the most understanding one?

But I knew him! I sighed as I touched my phone. His name was displaying on the screen. I shouldn’t had acted so rude with him. What if he had travelled so long just to meet me? He won’t do that! I should stop visualizing things! I am not that important for him that he would take so much efforts.

“But I miss him,” I was reasoning with my accusation on him. I sighed as I gave in and dialed his number. It rang for a while before he picked it up.

“Nivi…” he sounded uncertain as if he wasn’t expecting a call from me.

“Did you get a room?” I inquired; I wasn’t able to hold back my concern.

“Yes…” he sounded so exhausted.

“Dinner?”

“I don’t have energy left to walk out of the bed.”

I knew it! “That will only result in more exhaustion,” I argued. “You have to travel tomorrow as well. Just mention your hotel name, I will order something for you.”

“No need, I am full.”

There was silence before guilt took over me. “I am sorry for the way I acted a few hours back,” I apologized. “I shouldn’t allow my moods to get over me.”

“I understand,” he sighed.

“You should stop understanding or it will only end up in me acting weird in front of you. You don’t deserve to be treated the way; I do.”

“Stop behaving as if I am a victim,” he groaned.

“I do test your patience a lot,” I confessed.

“There is no doubt in it,” I heard him chuckle.

“Sorry that you have to deal with me.”

“I am not tolerating you,” he groaned in disapproval. “Will there ever be a day when you will stop saying it? I am not tolerating you,” he sighed. “You’re my friend, I don’t know why you have hard time accepting it but that’s the truth.”

“But yet you had dealt with my tantrums more than the rest!”

“And I am glad that I did!” He huffed, “I am exhausted it will be better if I go to sleep.”

“Wait a second,” I urged.

“Yes…”

“Thanks for making some time from your busy schedule to meet me.” I paused waiting for his response but I met with silence. “I acted weird few hours back because I was expecting more. I didn’t want you to leave so early and…” I kept it incomplete; it would be embarrassing to share my delusional thoughts. He would consider me crazy if he would be aware that I thought he travelled so far for me.

“I don’t know if I will be able to meet you again before leaving but I wish too,” I muttered. There wasn’t response from the other side apart from his calm breathing. “Aww…” I concluded it as he was fast asleep. “Good night, my favorite human.” I wished as I hanged the call. The way just talking to him or thinking about him could make me smile so wide. 

•••

I had waked up in a very happy mood after last night conversation with Faizal. “Is there something special?” Dad inquired on seeing my wide smile. “You seem you after ages,” he noticed, smiling widely at me.

I shook my head, “I am always me.” I winked at him as I grabbed a plate and served myself the breakfast.

“Nivi,” mom walked into the dining area with tray filled with dosa. “I hope today you will reach home at regular time.” Her voice was filled with mixture of concern and fury. She didn’t appreciate me arriving late at home.

“I can’t tell it,” I shrugged my shoulder as I dipped a piece of Dosa into the Rasam. “I had informed you about the work load. Even if we try our best, we end up working overtime.”

“But try to make it early,” she mumbled grabbing a vacant chair among us. “Shruti is going to visit us today.”

“Shruti?” I widen my orbs in horror. “Why didn’t you told be about it?” I was stunned with the news.

“She wanted to give you surprise and had asked me to keep the news away from you. I told you, so you could be present before they arrive. Jay won’t stay for long; he might drop her and walk back.”

“But why?” I made faces at the news. Jay Reddy was my brother-in-law but he acted more like my big brother. I shared a very good bonding with him but unfortunately, we hardly met once or twice in a year due to them staying in Andhra-Pradesh and our busy working schedule.

“We are fortunate enough that he decided to pay a visit or his work doesn’t even allow him with a minute of rest.”

He was a police officer and things in their state was worsening from past few months. There was constant strikes and violence taking place. A huge revolt had taken place last Wednesday and maybe for safety he was dropping Shruti here.

“Things hadn’t calmed down?” I inquired on glancing at the tension visible on my parents faces.

“You should watch news,” dad grumbled. “Things aren’t going to calm down any sooner. It only turning worse.”

“They are just killing our people,” mom expressed her concern.

“Our people?” I was taken aback with her choice of words. “Stop discriminating people on basis of caste and religion.  Everyone is human!”

“But Muslim don’t think in that manner,” Dad objected. “If they did! They might have not tortured innocent people. There won’t had being so many murders.”

“I will highly suggest to stop watching that news.” I groaned as I stood from the chair. “Before it develops hate in your heart.” With that as final statement I walked out of the house.

Those words triggered me, it made me anxious. It made me overthink! They weren’t just judging people involved in the violence but the entire race of that religion which included Faizal. I couldn’t bear the thought of him being judged in the same scale. I didn’t want them to hate him before even meeting him.

Though I had a very great morning but eventually the day was turning up soar, I missed the bus. With a very sulky mood I was rushing towards the building while I banged with a stranger. “Sorry,” I apologized as I knelt down to collect my papers. Mr. Iyer car was parked in the parking lot and he didn’t appreciate if I wasn’t present in the office when he arrived.

“Slow down, lady…” he chuckled as I raised my head to glance at him. I offered him an embarrassing smile as I got on my feet and was on the verge of leaving when I heard a familiar voice.

My heart was beating loudly at the anticipation of who the person might be! I turned to face him. He stood there, leaning on one of the trees. His black orbs fixed on me, a hint of smile playing on his lips. He looked so damn handsome in the white shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbow. I couldn’t help myself from pouting as I caught a glimpse of him. The day had just started but I was feeling exhausted. I rushed towards him not even being concerned that I was going to end up late for the work.

“I thought you already left...” I pouted as my orbs were brimming in tears. Emotions were having troll over me and I couldn’t hide it from him. From the past few years, he had turned into my safe place. The only person that I trusted the most with my emotions. He had the courage to handle the different versions of me and he never complained. Never!

“It was a plan but…” he kept it incomplete as he noticed the tears sliding down my cheek. “What is it?” Concern was visible in his orbs. His hands raised to reach towards my cheek but he held himself, back. “Are you crying?”

“My day sucks,” I groaned as I attempted to wipe off the tears. “You might think that I act like kid even in real life.” I didn’t like the idea of him thinking me as fool.

“I know you’re a kid,” he mumbled as his hands cupped my cheek. “And it is a good thing that you hadn’t lost your innocence and you don’t fear to be your real-self.” He smiled at me, “and I am aware that this kid comes out in front of trusted few so I consider myself fortunate to be one of them.”

“Why can’t you always act so sweet towards me?” I pouted, “why you have to turn into that mean Faizal Qureshi. That human acts as if he doesn’t give a damn about my existence.”

He laughed as he shook his head at my statement. “That human really doesn’t care about your existence.” I glared at him, “but this human might care a little.”

“You again turned into that Khadus one,” I mumbled while he shook his head. He had a smile playing on his lips as leaned towards me. My orbs widen in shock while I heard him chuckle at my reaction.

I could feel his warm breath on my sensitive skin as he mumbled. “Don’t worry, I am not planning to kiss you.” I felt embarrassed and I was going to open my orbs which I had closed due to our closeness when I felt his soft lips on my forehead and butterflies into my stomach. “Miss me…” he mumbled; I could feel his gaze on me. “And I am not leaving anytime sooner.” There was promise held in his words. I heard him sigh, “not until I have succeeded in my mission.”

I didn’t have the courage to open my orbs or inquire about his mission after that kiss on my forehead. It wasn’t first time that he had kissed but it felt different!