*Aslesha*

"Bye paglu! Kal yaad se 3 baje. Late mat karna" Viraj yells and I wave him goodbye as he and Rudra go for their practice.

On Fridays the library closes at 5 when the college hours are done so I didn't have to wait today.

"So now you guys are seeing each other on the weekends too?" Pari asks raising her eyebrows.

"We're partners for the assignment remember? Thanks to your Majnu" I say.

I go to the supermarket to buy some groceries with her, spending some much needed Pari-time and then drop her home. I reach home around 6 and go to my bedroom and just lie down on my bed feeling utterly tired.

What a week this was! The longest and the most hectic week of my entire life.

Monday was the announcement. Tuesday I danced in the studio and Viraj saw me and also recorded my dance. Wednesday we were thrown out of class and then in the evening we went to Cabo de Rama fort where I ate those amazing Chinese bhajiya.

I need to dig out the name of that place from him soon.

Thursday I went to his house and we saw the match together. I also made him a sandwich. And today we had the little food fight where I buried his face in the plate of pasta.

I smile at that thought. It was so hilarious. A week filled with Viraj. It's just 3 days he's been acting like that and we're like long lost friends who have met after years and are having too much fun together.

I need to get a bloody grip on my emotions. Just a week ago I wanted him to rot in hell and ab aadha ghanta hua nahi usko gaye hue and am already thinking about him.

I need to distract myself. I keep forgetting that he's doing all this just for me to participate.

I sigh and get up from my bed in the mood to just cook something to music. So I go to the kitchen and decide to make chhole bhature. I switch on the music player and take a break from reality for a while.

~•~•~•~•~•~•

"Aur kya chal raha hai college me" papa asks as we sit on the dining table having our dinner.

"Papa kya bataau aapko. Like pehle school me it was just me and Paro na. Ab toh humara itna bada group hai aur sab ek se badh ke ek namune hai. There's Paro obviously. And maine aapko Rudra ke baare me bataya tha na. Vo jo school ke time se Pari ko pasand karta hai.." I say and papa nods.

"Vo bhi humare saath hi baithta hai aur lunch vagera sab saath me. I think Pari is starting to like him too" I say and giggle. He smiles looking at me.

"Aur there's Shabnam and Joel who I met on the first day through Rudra. Shabnam is really kind and such a sweet heart. Like she is always positive about everything and then Joel.. bahot smart hai vo papa. He wears these huge glasses. Jaise vo apne pados wale Mathew uncle pehente hai na waise hi. But he's the one cracking all the smart jokes and knowing all the answers in class and stuff. Aur Tej!! Baap re baap vo toh itna ajeeb hai na papa" I say and laugh at the thought of him.

That freaky weirdo!

"Badi ajeeb baate karta hai vo. But bahot hassi aati hai uski baato pe. And there's Sid. The Bollywood freak. Khud ko Shah Rukh Khan samajhta hai vo. He's really cool though. And Saumya ke baare me batayi thi na mai? Meri library wali friend. Vo bhi humare saath baithne lagi hai ab lunch k liye. And last but not the least vir.. aap hass kyu rahe ho?" I ask suddenly when I see my dad grinning.

"Nothing. It's just so good to see you like that.. continue continue. You were talking about Veer" he says smiling.

I never told him about how Viraj was the one who had cut my hair. I think he never should know. Aadhi galti usme meri bhi thi. That was a long time ago and Viraj is not the same now. I'm not the same. Our equation has changed.

"Kaha kho gayi Aashu?"

"Ha vo.. he's like the biggest trouble maker. School me bhi vo aise hi tha. Usse mera dance ka secret pata chal gaya".

Papa's eyes widen at that statement.

"And he is just persuading me to participate in the dance competition. He says that I can help him make our college reach the number one position. Thoda jyada hi ho gaya uska ha. He is the cricket star of our college. And we are always bickering on the smallest of things. But, I can't believe I'm saying this, he is so much fun to be around with. I just wish he stops pushing me for this dance competition" I say shaking my head and smiling.

"I definitely agree with him. Tum me bahot potential hai. Usse bhi dikh gaya ab toh. I hope he gets you into the competition" he smiles and I roll my eyes.

"We'll see about that. And papa I'll be going to his place tomorrow. We're partners for the assignment also, so gotta work on it. But don't worry I'll go after lunch. And then Sunday is the match raat ko. He is in the team and, actually all the guys are in the team except Joel, oh my, I'm friends with the whole cricket team, but that's not the point. So raat ko aate hue der ho jaayegi. Chalega na papa?" I ask making an innocent face.

"No need to make that face" he chuckles, "as long as you come home safely, I don't mind" he says and gets up from the table keeping the plates in the sink.

After doing the dishes, I get to my room and curl up in my bed taking out the novel, I've been reading.

Save Me the Waltz by Zelda Fitzgerald.

'She felt the essence of herself pulled finer and smaller like those streams of spun glass that pull and stretch till there remains but a glimmering illusion. Neither falling nor breaking, the stream spins finer. She felt herself very small and ecstatic. Alabama was in love.'

~•~•~•~•~•~•

*Viraj*

Marodi kalaayi mori, churri chatkaayi, itraai toh chori se garwaa lagaaye.

Hari ye chunariya jo jhatke se cheeni, mai toh rang hari, hari ke rang.

Laaj se gulaabi gaal.. mohe rang do laal.

"WAAAHHHH" I'm startled by that voice and quickly close my laptop and turn my chair around to see my mom standing right behind me.

"Knocking mom. Ever heard of it?" I say putting the laptop on the table.

"Ab khud ke hi ghar me knock kar ke aau?" she mocks and I roll my eyes.

"This is my bedroom by the way" I say.

"Vo sab chhod. Kon thi ye ladki? Haaye, kya adaa thi. Please tell me she's your girlfriend" she says clasping her hands excitedly.

"Aslesha thi vo. Aslesha Mathur" I say and a look of understanding registers on her face.

Yes mom, she's the one whose hair I cut, who complained about me and then we were forced to move out of Goa.

"Bahot achha naachti hai vo" she says silently, taking my laptop and opening it and playing the video again, her eyes fixed on the screen.

"Vo toh hai" I say looking at the screen.

Ha toh mai kabhi kabhi uska dance mere laptop pe dekh leta hu. Mera laptop, mai kuch bhi dekhu. Huh!

But video toh uska hai na..

She watches the whole video and smiles.

"Chalo agar ye sab dekhta hai tu apne room me, toh I don't need to worry" she says pulling my cheeks.

"Maaa" I whine making a disgusted face. She's my mom for god's sake. How can she make such jokes.

"Tune fir se khana nahi khaya barabar se aaj" she says folding the clothes that are scattered on my bed.

"Aap ke cooking skills ki meherbaani hai" I say to which she hits me with the jeans in her hand.

"Khud banaa na fir. Tab pata chalega" she says and I sigh.

So yes, my mom is not the best cook in the world. She doesn't make like horrible food. But she just knows 4-5 dishes and I'm bored of eating it.

Last time I complained a lot about it, I received a flying chappal. Uske baad se mai apna muh band hi rakhta hu.

Aashi toh bahot achha khana banati hai. Oh god now I'm hungry. But I'm hungry just for her food.

"Maa, Aashi aane wali hai for the assignment. Please uske saamne ye dance ka kuch mention mat karna" I plead and she chuckles.

"Kya mention na karu? Ke tum apne bedroom me chup ke uske videos taadte ho? Ishh that sounded so wrong" she says giggling.

"Maa please" I literally whine and she sighs with a smile.

"And um.. koi past ki baat bhi nahi" I say not looking at her. She nods.

Just then the door bell rings.

Shaitaan ka naam liya aur shaitaan haazir.

"I got it" maa says grinning widely and rushes down the stairs.

I follow her, but not running to get down quickly like a school girl. When I go down, maa is inviting her in.

"Aslesha right? Bahot pyaara naam hai tumhara. And ye kurti kaha se li tumne? Bahot sundar hai" she says and actually takes her hand and touches the sleeve of her kurti, looking at the patterns closely.

"Ok maa, at least let her come in" I say as I enter the living room with them.

Well she is really looking good in that kurti. It's yellow in colour with elbow length sleeves and a maroon border. She is wearing maroon tights or leggings or whatever they're called underneath it. And her jhumkas are making very cute tinkling sound with every move and uff.. my heart feels weird. Her hair is tied in a side braid and she just looks really really pretty.

Stop gawking at her like a dumb ass you idiot!

"Ermm Aashi, stating the obvious, but that's my mom" I say.

"Hii aunty" she says and opens her bag removing a steel ka dabba.

"Maine aaj ghar pe gulaab jamun banaaye the. Toh mai thode aapke liye bhi laayi. Abhi waise thode garam hai. Aap fridge me isse thodi der.."

She stops talking when I take the container from her hand and start opening it.

"Viraj, garam gulab jamun achhe nahi lagenge" she explains.

"Who cares? Gulaab jamun gulaab jamun hote hai. Thande ya garam" I say.

"Ye hamesha aise hi khaane ke liye crazy rehta hai kya" she asks maa as I try to open the god damn lid.

Khul jaaaaaa...

"Mere haath ka banaa hua toh kuch nahi khaata" maa scoffs.

"Ruko Viraj. Udaa doge saare gulab jamun. Laao mai kholti hu" she says and takes it.

"Mai nahi khol paaya.. tum kaise" I stop when she easily opens it. "Um well.."

Thank you God. Keep proving that I'm an idiot in front of her. Really thanks a lot.

The sweet smell of gulab jamuns hits my nostrils and I quickly forward my hand to take one but she slaps it away.

"Ye tumhare haatho ko itni ink kaise lagi hai? Go wash them first" she scolds me.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" I exclaim.

"Language!" Maa scolds and comes and takes one gulaab jamun and takes a bite from it. "Mmm.. wow" she closes her eyes and I suddenly feel like jumping up and down and whining like a kid.

Mujhe bhiiiii...

"This is heaven" she says and Aashi mumbles a 'thank you'. I again try to quitely put my hand in the dabba but Aashi glares at me.

"Ruko. Mai khilaa rahi hu" she says like it's the most natural thing to feed me like that. But who am I to complain as long as I get to eat them. She takes one gulaab jamun and puts all of it in my mouth.

The sweetness and the softness just melts in my mouth and I close my eyes savouring the taste.

Sahi kaha maa ne. This is heaven.

I would do anything if she just feeds me food made by her everyday like this. Now I'm confused whether I like her dance more or cooking.

"Aur ek" I say opening my mouth wide like a small kid.

"Jaao spoon laao" she orders.

"Arrey Aashi do naa yaar please" I whine.

Yes I'm desperate. Bina namak wala khana does that to you!

She chuckles and takes one more gulaab jamun feeding me.

"Ek number" I say.

I take her fingers and suck them, licking the chaashni. That's the main part.

Her eyes widen as she looks at maa who is looking at us with interest. "Viraj!" she pulls her hand away and slaps my arm.

"What? Vohi toh main part hai" I say confused. She shakes her head and I see maa smiling smugly at us.

Ab maa ko kya ho gaya?

"You guys continue. I have some work to do" she says and goes to her room upstairs.

"Mai ye fridge me rakh ke aata hu. Tum notes nikaalo tab tak" I say and go to the kitchen. Obviously I take one more gulaab jamun before keeping it in the fridge.

I wash my hands and go to the living room. Aashi removes the notes that we made that day. Ok that was just Wednesday and today is Saturday. Why does it seem such a long time ago?

I sit beside her and we start doing the assignment. It takes almost one hour to complete it and we fill up almost 10 pages and align them in a file.

She leans her head back on the cushion of the couch and closes her eyes. I look at her for a moment just when ma enters the room and she quickly sits straight.

"Chai, coffee kuch peeyogi beta?" She asks. Look at her being all kind and sweet. Bete ko toh paani ka bhi nahi puchti.

"Nahi aunty mai bass nikal hi rahi hu" she says getting up.

I take her hand and pull her back on the couch. "Maa bass ek chiz achhi banati hai, aur vo hai coffee. Pee ke jaao chup chap! You were snoring the whole time for the last hour" I tease her and she glares at me.

"Meri coffee hamesha badi kadwi bannti hai. Aap mujhe bhi sikha do na please" she says smiling.

"That's a first time for ma. Kisi ko kitchen me kuch sikhaana" I smirk.

"Shut up!" They both say together and I roll my eyes.

I follow them in the kitchen and sit on the dining table. Aadhe ghante baad practice hai college me.

Maa shows her the way she makes coffee and I remove some cookies from a jar and keep them in a plate. The rich aroma of coffee fills the room.

Maa seriously makes the best coffee. It's like a must in my day. Maa ke coffee ke bina din nahi shuru hota.

She pours coffee in the mugs and we sit on the dining table. Why does this seem really natural? Like it's an everyday thing. It should be awkward right? This girl sitting here beside me has somehow ruined the life of our family.

My mood sulks with that thought.

"Viraj ko toh kuch banane nahi aata. Akele kaise reh paayega kya pata. Maggi se zindgi chalayega" maa says sipping her coffee and Aashi chuckles.

"Aap pe gaya hu iss maamle me mai" I scoff.

"At least mujhe utni toh akkal hai ke gas pe plastic container me kuch garam nahi karte" she says pointedly and Aslesha chokes on her coffee.

"Whoa, easy there" I say getting up.

She starts coughing vigorously and I quickly start rubbing her back. "I'm so sorry. Ye lo paani" maa says bringing her a glass of water and she shakes her head.

"He did what?" She exclaims and starts laughing loudly. Maa starts laughing with her too.

"Aur nahi toh kya. Our kitchen was going to explode. Vo toh mai time pe aa gayi" she says and I glare at both of them.

These two ladies pitching up against me? Wow!

"I can't believe this Viraj" she says her eyes wide with amusement.

"Ye toh kuch bhi nahi hai. Ek baar toh.."

"Nahi maa.." I whine cutting her off.

"Nahi aunty bolo naa" she says leaning ahead on the dining table.

"Ek baar mai mehmaano ke liye chai banaa rahi thi. Aur isse kaha zara shakkar daalne kyu ki mere haath thode busy the. Aur sahabzaade ne namak daal diya" she says shaking her head and I groan running my hand down my face, even though I have a smile on my face.

Aashi starts laughing loudly again. "Ye toh kuch bhi nahi.. Ek baar toh.."

"Nahi maa enough! Aashi ko late ho raha hai na. Chalo Aashi" I say taking her hand and pulling her up as she is still laughing.

I wouldn't let her go but maa will just go on humiliating me in front of her. And I have practice too.

"Please dobara aana Aslesha. It was really nice meeting you" maa says with a genuine smile touching her cheek lightly.

"Jarur aunty" she says smiling her dimpled smile. We say our goodbyes and get out of the house.

She goes towards her scooty and I follow her.

"Waise aaj kurti vagera kyu? Maa ko sanskaari bahu wala impression dena tha kya?" I tease her and she hits me with her helmet.

I take it from her and chuckle. "Dance class jaaungi yaha se" she says and forwards her hand asking for the helmet.

I take a step forward and place it on her head and buckle it up right below her jaw, my hand lingering there for a little more than necessary.

Focus!

"You look so goofy in that helmet" I say knocking it lightly and she rolls her eyes.

She looks damn cute.

"Oh please! I look awesome" she says cocking her head and pouting like girls do in selfies. I laugh at that and she gives me her dimpled smile.

I wanna touch that dimple!

"Mujhe late ho raha hai ab. Bye dummy" she says.

Dummy.

She calls me that often.

"Bye paglu. Kal milte hai. You'll be drooling watching me play" I remind her and smirk.

She just rolls her eyes and leaves.

I sigh and get on my bike. I seriously can't wait for tomorrow's match.

Kisi bhi haal me jeetna hi hai. Warna izzat ka faluda ho jaayega.

~•~•~•~•~•~•

Long long chapter. Their bonding is getting stronger. Next chapter we will see our hero doing the best thing that he does.. playing cricket!! Sab log ground me present rehna ha. Tab tak ke liye miss me.. ily :)