*Aslesha*

Finally finally finally!

Viraj aaj wapas aane wala hai.

Ye itne din kaise gaye uss idiot ke bina mujhe hi pata. I missed him so bad. Ye 7 dino me vo mujhse bass 2 baar call kar paaya.. aur tab bhi 2 minute se jyada baat ho nahi paayi.

Uski flight ka timing toh ho gaya hai aur humara pura group usse pick up karne aaya hai. Khush ho jaayega vo hum sab ko dekh ke. Plan sirf mere aane ka tha but baaki sab bhi usse itna miss kiye ke unse bhi raha nahi ja raha tha.

Hopefully vo under 19 ke world cup ke liye select ho gaya ho. Ho hi jaayega waise. He is the best.

"Aashi tere vo dance competition ka kya hua? Vo bhi toh inter state tha na" Pari asks.

I didn't realise she was standing here. Mai itne time se gate ko stare kar rahi hu ke pata hi nahi chala.

"Agle hafte hai vo. Bangalore me" I tell her. Neel, too, comes and stands on the other side of me.

"Really? Humaare liye bhi passes laana. Sab jaayenge aur mast chhutti manaa ke aayenge" he says.

"Chaddha ye tumhara final year hai na? Next week exams hai tum log ke" I say and he rolls his eyes.

"Tum log kitne lucky ho tumhare sab ke exams ho gaye. Mujhe dost bhi mile hai toh sab bachkaane. Mere year ke log sab saale mand hai" he says shaking his head.

"But passes mile toh please laana hum sab ke liye" Rudra says wrapping his hands around Pari and I nod.

Sab ek ke baad ek prakat ho rahe hai. Aur conversation sunn kaise rahe hai chup chaap. Ajeeb log.

The announcement is made that Viraj's flight has landed and my heart rate quickens.

Finally.

After a few moments, people start arriving and my eyes start searching for that familiar face.

Jaldi aao na. Aur kitna rukaaoge?

Finally I see him and he, too, is looking around like searching for someone. His eyes finally land on me. A grin spreads on his face and so does mine.

I can't stop myself and I run towards him and jump in his arms to hug him. He lifts me up and I hold him tightly. Hands and legs both wrapped around him, I'm sure I look like a monkey. I don't care. People around us are staring. I don't care.

The only thing I care about is that he is back.

He. Is. Back.

"Bahot miss kiya tumne toh mujhe" he says, his voice muffled.

"Muh kholna jaruri tha? Shut up and hug me" I say and for once he obliges.

We stand like that, in each other's arms for I don't know how long when somebody from behind clears their throat and I let go.

"Hum bhi mil le kya humare dost se Aslesha ji? Aapki permission ho toh?" Sid asks and my face turns red as I awkwardly move away but Viraj doesn't completely let me go and puts his hand around my waist to keep me by his side.

"Ab puchna padega kya saale? Bol!" Tej says and everyone looks at Viraj anxiously. I cross my fingers and wait for Viraj to say something.

"Mai under 19 world cup ke liye select ho gaya hu!" He shouts and we all scream together and literally jump on him all at once.

I am so proud of my love.

Thank you Bhagwan ji.

Everyone starts congratulating him and I can't help but jump up and down in happiness.

"Guys.. guys.. GUYS!" Viraj says loudly and all of us shut up at once.

"Chale ab. Mujhe bahot bhook lagi hai. Aur vo guard ka muh aisa ho gaya hai jaise aake apne ko dande se maarna chahta hai" Viraj says eyeing the guard near the gate who looks really dangerous and we all laugh.

"Party bhai party! Daaru peete hai" Tej says and Saumya smacks him over his head and he winces.

"Party baad me bhai. Mujhe jaldi ghar bhi jaana hai. Mom wait kar rahi hai" he says. We all decide to meet at the Sea view cafe for a little while and get in our respective cars and drive off.

~•~•~•~•~•~•

"Viraj!"

His mom squeals as soon as we get out of the car.

He hugs her and I decide to leave to give them some time alone. Rudra's house is next door and Pari is probably gonna wait with him so I'll have to go alone.

Just when I'm about to walk away his mom calls me. "Aslesha tum kaha ja rahi ho ha? Andar aao chalo. Khana kha ke jaao" she says.

"Um aunty nahi mai fir kabhi aati hu. Viraj abhi aaya hai aur.."

"Oye tum idhar aao chup chap. Khana kha ke jaao matlab banana bhi tumne hai. Mujhe tumhaare haath ka hi khana khana hai. Sochna bhi mat itne jaldi ghar jaane ka" Viraj says and I chuckle.

"Aao na Aashi" aunty says again. How can I resist when she asks me so sweetly. I nod and join them as we enter the house together.

"Aapne pucha nahi mai select hua ke nahi" Viraj says to his mom and she rolls her eyes.

"Usme puchna kya. I know tum select hue ho" she says shrugging her shoulders.

Viraj looks at me proudly and tugs his collar wiggling his eyebrows and I roll my eyes.

"Kyu ki maine tumhe bola tha select nahi hue toh iss ghar me kadam bhi mat rakhna. Wapas aaye ho matlab select hue ho" she continues and Viraj's proud expression fades away as he glares at his mom and I burst out laughing.

Viraj goes to his bedroom as I shuffle through his kitchen to cook something quick and tasty.

"Arre beta mai kar lungi" his mom says.

"Nahi aunty please. Aap jaao Viraj ke saath thoda time spend karo" I tell her.

"Tum bahot kaam karti ho" she says.

"Kaam kya isme. Mujhe cooking pasand hai" I say.

"Maaaa, mere grey wale track pants kaha hai?" Viraj's voice comes from above and aunty lets out a long breath.

"Itne din yahi sab miss kiya but ab wapas aaya hai toh mann kar raha hai wapas bhagaa du isse ghar se" she says and I chuckle.

"Maaaa" he calls out again.

"Aayi" she replies and walks out of the kitchen mumbling to herself how she's got such a useless son.

I shake my head and smile to myself. She is the proudest mom. You can see it clearly in her eyes how much she loves him.

Within half an hour I make dal tadka and jeera rice and we have dinner together.

~•~•~•~•~•~•

"Mera inter state competition hai Bangalore me agle hafte" I say running my hand through Viraj's hair.

I was going to leave directly after having dinner but Viraj insisted that I should wait for a little while. I've got a really persuasive boyfriend. Not that I'm complaining though. And now we're just laying on his bed.

"Agle hafte? Kab?" He asks me as he rests his face on his palm, propping on his elbow as he looks at me.

"Saturday ko competition hai aur mai Friday ko jaaungi yaha se. Shaam ki flight hai" I tell him and his face falls.

"Mujhe Saturday ko Mumbai jaana hai wapas. Selection ke kuch formalities vagera pure karne hai. I'm so sorry that I won't be there to support you" he says taking a strand of my hair between his fingers and tucking it behind my ear.

I try not to show my disappointment as my heart sinks. And he genuinely looks sorry. Purposely thodi kar raha hai vo ye sab. Aur ab toh ye hamesha aise hi rahega. Uske matches ke liye 2-3 mahine ke liye bahar rehna.

"Kitne dino ke liye jaaoge tum?" I ask him.

"Not sure. But training bhi shuru hone wali hai for under 19. Humare coach bahot strict hai. Aur iss baar ka under 19 world cup New Zealand me hone wala hai. Bahot kuch ho raha hai life me Aslesha. Excited hu. But darr bhi lag raha hai" he says as he falls back on the bed and gazes at the ceiling.

"Viraj Singhania ko darr bhi lagta hai?" I say raising my eyebrows and he chuckles as he pulls me towards him and I lay my head on his chest cuddling close to him.

The familiar musky smell of his hits my nostrils and I inhale deeply. Oh how I missed this.

"Tum na hamesha mera mazak hi udaao" he says rubbing his nose in my hair.

"Tum famous hone ke baad mujhe bhul mat jaana" I say suddenly. I don't know how those words escape my mouth. They just do.

Viraj puts his hand below my chin and makes me look up into his eyes.

He is so handsome.

"Pagal ho gayi ho kya? I want you by my side through it all. But agar mai achha cricketer na bann paau toh tum mujhe mat bhul jaana" he says grinning.

"Oh please. Tum famous cricketer banoge isliye hu mai tumhare saath. Warna tumhe ghaas bhi nahi daalti" I say cuddling closer to him and he laughs and his chest rumbles with laughter and I smile.

"Aslesha Aslesha Aslesha.. kya karu mai tumhara" he says kissing my forehead.

We stay like that for a while in comfortable silence. Both thinking about things. Both enjoying each other's company.

There are moments like these when those three magical words are almost on the tip of my tongue and I want to say them to him so badly.

But himmat nahi hoti.

What if he doesn't love me back. Insecurity toh rahegi hi. Vo Viraj hai. Aur mai Aslesha.

"Mai cricket ke liye apna surname change karunga. I'm not gonna use my dad's surname" he says and I look at him.

His jaw is clenched. Maybe he's thinking about his dad. I caress his cheek as his face relaxes a little.

"Ma ka surname use karne wala hu mai. Sachdev. It's gonna be Viraj Sachdev from now" he says and I am a little shocked but very proud of his decision.

"Really?" I ask sitting up.

"Ajeeb sound kar raha hai na" he says scratching the back of his neck and sitting up.

"No you idiot! Ye bahot achha decision hai. Your mom will be so happy" I tell him.

"You think?" He asks hopefully.

"Yes! Oh Viraj you are such a perfect son. I'm really proud of you" I say and hug him.

"I love.."

Shit shit shit.

"I love this decision of yours" I say quickly.

My phone starts ringing and Viraj groans as I see my dad's name flashing on the screen. I then realise that it's past 10 o' clock.

"Hello Papa bass aa rahi hu" I say as soon as I pick the phone.

"Ok ok mai bass ye bolne ke liye phone kiya ke aaye hue zara stapler pins laana please" he says.

"Ha okay papa"

"Aao aaram se tum" he says casually. A little too casually. Colour rises on my cheeks and I hang up.

"Viraj mujhe ab nikalna chahiye. Bahot late ho gaya hai" I say and get off his bed.

"Stay the night naa" he whines and I hit his arms.

"Besharam. Ja rahi hu mai. Kal college me milte hai" I say.

"Arre mai chhodta hu tumhe. Tum apni baby doll ko bhi toh nahi laayi ho" he says and stands up too.

He takes his bike keys and I say goodbye to his mom.

On the way we take the stapler pins and also eat pastries from a cake shop. Everything seems back to normal now. Just how I like it.

He stops the bike behind a huge tree near my house and the road is deserted and the only light glowing is the light illuminated by a nearby street lamp.

"Andar aao na" I say and he shakes his head.

Hum dono ka kya natak shuru hai jab se. Dono tayyar hi nahi hai ek dusre ko bye bolne ko.

"Nahi ab kal hi milte hai" he says ruffling my hair and he pulls me close to him and kisses me.

Sweet lord in heavens.

We kiss each other pouring all our emotions into it like we are kissing for the very first time and the kiss goes on and on and on and on. It starts becoming urgent and fierce as I fist my hand in his hair and his hand runs down my back to a little lower than necessary.

Holy shit.

He bites my lower lip and a shiver runs down my spine as he pulls me closer and a moan escapes my lips.

I break the kiss as I realise we are still on the road and near my house but we stay like that, foreheads touching as we try to calm down our laboured breaths.

"Aslesha" he breathes out.

"Viraj" I whisper.

We look into each other's eyes and for a moment I feel exposed and naked in front of him. Like my soul is naked and he can see right through me and see how much I love him.

And for a brief rare moment I feel like I see the same emotions in his eyes too. Maybe, just maybe, he loves me back.

"I.. I should go" I say and he smiles and kisses my forehead and I say goodbye.

I start walking away with a stupid grin on my face. But suddenly it feels like the world sways a little as my vision blurs and I stumble.

"Hey hey are you okay?" Viraj asks getting off his bike and walking towards me with a concerned look on his face.

Ye ab tak yahi tha. He doesn't leave until I get in. How cute.

"I'm fine. Don't worry" I say giving him a reassuring smile. "It's just the kiss that left me in a daze" I say and wink and walk away. I hear him chuckle as I enter the house and then the engine of his bike that fades away.

I hope nothing breaks us. Ever.

~•~•~•~•~•~•

Ok so itne dino se mera dimaag kaam hi nahi kar raha tha ke kya likhna hai. I wrote this chapter 3 times and deleted it because I was not satisfied with it. I want to give you guys just the best so isliye I'm sorry that I keep you all waiting. Things are going to get a little rough in the next chapters so seatbelts pehen lo kyu ki ab rollercoaster shuru hoga. Ily :)