A A R A V

Needless to say, things ended up just fine. She removed the glass pieces from my hand, and even taped it before the doctor reached home and gave me a tetanus.

But it was awkward between us. After Kaira left and the doctor was still taping me, I could feel her eyes roaming everywhere but at me. She just wouldn't look into my eyes, as if they held a fire that could burn her.

So after the doctor left, I knew I had to talk to her.

"So.... the deal?" I asked, walking into the balcony where she was standing. She looked surprised but then gave me a small smile, looking away.

"I can't. I've got medical to study, and I can't afford a week away from home," she said softly. Although that caused a pang in my heart, I nodded.

Medical was hard. I had seen Myra studying all day and sometimes even all nights and when we were encouraging her to study, how could I be selfish enough to ask Ruhaana not to?

"I think I should leave," she said when I didn't respond for long. "And your hand is fine now," she said, her eyes zooming to my arm which now bandages and put into a blue cloth plaster.

I nodded, taking a deep breath, not looking at her either. And just as she turned away, there was a huge thunder.

She always squirmed, scared; and I chuckled. "You've always been scared of loud thunder!" I pointed. She raised her eyebrows, giving me a fake smile and nodded negatively.

"Atleast it's better than being scared of cockroaches!" She taunted. I rolled my eyes.

"Whatever!" I teased.

"Whatever!" She repeated.

And then I smiled. And she smiled back, her eyes finally locking into mine. Her eyes were the window to her heart and it was almost as if I could look right into her heart and see the real her.

"How about a day?" I offered.

"What?" She asked. I had caught her offfuard.

"You said you can't afford a week. You can afford a day right?" I asked and she nodded.

"Then give me a day. 24 hours?" I requested.

She remained silent for the longest time as thunder stormed around us.

"Okay," she whispered.

"Okay?" I repeated. I had no expectations that she would agree.

"Just 24 hours," she conditioned.

"Agreed!" I smiled, forwarding my hand. She smiled back, keeping her hand in mine.

"Can we-- Can we go tomorrow?" I asked, not trying to sound desperate.

"Fine. But what am I supposed to tell Mom and Dad?" She asked.

"I'll manage that," I wink, taking out my phone and calling Aryamman Uncle.

"Uncle!" I said when he picked up, "Actually I'm going to Lonavala tomorrow. And Ruhaana was saying there's this science exhibit on the way that she wants to see. So should I surprise her by taking her there tomorrow? We'd be back in a day," I lied conveniently. Ruhaana looked at me with wide eyes and I winked.

Within the next three minutes, I had permission.

"Where are we going though?" She asked me with a I am impressed face.

"Paris," I smirked.

"Paris?" She shouted, "For one day?"

I laughed. "Kidding. I'll tell you later," I smiled.

"Later when?" She enquired.

"Later tomorrow."

"Okay," she agreed. "I think I should go now."

"I think you shouldn't," I stopped her.

"Look outside. It's thundering and raining cats and dogs. I don't think you should go back now. Maybe wait for the rains to stop a bit," I said. She peeped down at the small floods forming below and gave a small nod.

"Guess you're right," she said. "I'm afraid I'll have to wait here for the night. Let me just let mom know."

I smiled going in and she followed me, texting on her phone. "And, how's your hand now? Does it still pain?"

"A bit. But the pain killers seem to work just right.," I replied, sitting on the bed and she followed me.

She nodded and awkward silence followed until there was a knock on the door.

"It's open," I called loudly and from the corner of my eyes, I could see her straighten herself.

Abeer, Ishan, Kaira and Myra walked in. "There you two are, I've been searching for y'all the entire house!" Myra scoffed as she sat beside me and I put and arm around her, she leaned in.

"I've told you so many times to be careful," she said, disappointed. I figured Kaira must've told them what happened.

"How are you feeling now, Aarav?" Kaira asked sitting opposite to me.

I gave her a smile, "Better."

"And what were you guys doing here?" Abeer asked settling himself on the bean bag.

"Nope nothing. Getting bored, the rains are heavy," Ruhaana sighed.

"Yeah," Myra agreed, "I think all of you should stay over. It's raining cats and dogs outside anyway, it'll be just like old time's!"

"Done!" Kaira agreed instantly.

"Sounds like a plan," I smiled and everyone agreed.

✿ ✿

It was a little after dinner when we were sitting in my room. My room was a little bigger than Myra's (which was messier and filled with books), so we decided on hanging out there.

Ishaan And Abeer were playing on the PS4 and I couldn't because of the plastered hand, so I sat out with the girls for a change.

Myra and Ruhaana said they'd have to study because they haven't all day and I couldn't understand the fuss they make all the time about studying, but quoting my sister directly, 'medical doesn't leave you even for a day'.

So while they excused themselves to study after dinner, it was just me and Kaira. We were hanging out with Ishaan and Abeer for the longest time until they got so distracted by their game that we decided to take a stroll outside.

"Your hand... how much time do you think it'll take to get fine again?" She asked, her voice laced with concern.

"I don't know," I said, "It's fine to me, honestly. Doesn't even hurt anymore. Shouldn't take more than a few days."

She nodded. We were just taking a stroll in the backyard of my house.

"And what do you plan to do ahead, now that you're back to Bombay?" She asked.

"I don't know, to be honest. I mean, I'll obviously start taking over Dad's companies now that I've got a masters in business, but I really love sports, football, kickboxing. I don't want to leave that!" I sighed.

"Then don't," she said, "Why didn't you ever consider making a career in sports?"

"Honestly, football barely has scope in India. And Dad's instructions were clear. No matter how much time I am in London, I had to come back to India, so there's no question of playing for a team abroad. And there goes my dream of having a sports career," I accepted.

"Oh," she whispered, "And music?"

"Music is out of line. When you're the child of a famous rockstar or a singer like my Dad, people expect things from you. They expect me to be as good as my Dad, some expect even better. And I didn't want that. I didn't want to be compared to my father all the time to a point where I start feeling frustrated by the fact that my Dad is a superstar. I love him. Music is his thing, I don't really want to poke my nose in," I smiled.

She nodded. "That's understandable. That is exactly why I didn't want to be a doctor like my Dad. Or like Myra and Ruhaana. And if you see, I really love Interior Designing," she beamed. I smiled.

"Yeah, you're great with your work. You've designed Myra's new room right?" I asked. She nodded.

"It's lovely," I complimented, "If I make my room again, I want you to do it. Would you?"

"Thank you, Aarav," her eyes twinkled, "I would love to."

We walked in silence for some time until she said, "I actually wanted to thank you."

"Thank me?" I asked, confused.

"Yes. Uh... Ruhaana told me. The day I got those injections 'cause of my tooth and I went all lunatic. Thank you for taking care of me," she smiled.

"Oh c'mon. Isn't that what friends are made for?" I gently poked her arm. She giggled.

"Ruhaana.... I feel she really likes Ishaan, don't you?" She said out of the blue, grabbing my attention.

"Why... why do you think so?" I asked.

"I mean... you know, Ruhaana always liked Ishaan and he obviously liked her back as kids. But both being shy, they never confessed and stuff. And now they get the fair chance to have their thing, you know..." she shrugged.

"Ishaan had a thing for Ruhaana?" I asked, surprised. As a kid, I was closer to Abeer. Ishaan was quieter and more reserved, always. And I knew Ruhaana had a thing for Ishaan, but he reciprocated the feelings?

God.

What had I done?

I mean, I hadn't done anything but still.

If I hadn't gone to the camp at all, I hadn't fallen for Ruhaana and she wouldn't have been my fake girlfriend, it would have been Ruhaana and Ishaan. It would have been them.

I altered their story by doing shit.

And now I was taking her out for twenty four hours.

What if...?

God, no.

"Kaira, are you sure?" I asked, just for confirmation.

"Yeah, they cute, right?" She shrugged. I nodded absentmindedly. Very cute.

"Aarav," she called, stopping, "I need to tell you this."

"Tell me what?" I turned back, facing her.

"I'm a pathetic liar, okay," she giggled, "So that day, when you were over to Ruhaana's and I got all lunatic and then I fell asleep... I remember you telling Ruhaana that you like me..."

Shit. No.

"And I haven't been able to stop thinking about it ever since. I mean, I never knew... it's just odd, you know," she pressed her lips together, "but if you want, I and you... we could.. give a chance. 'Cause I really like you too."

Fuck.

Fuck. Fuck.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

I need to do something. I need to tell her the truth.

"Kaira... I...." I stammered.

"I know... things moved pretty fast, right? It's just two weeks you're here and all that stuff. But that doesn't change the fact that you're my best friend, Aarav. I know you since we were kids. And there's no one I can trust more than you, any of you. So, why not?" She smiled taking a step closer.

Her arms wrapped around me and she kept her head on my shoulder. I closed my eyes, putting an arm around her, as I stood numb.

My life was a total mess.

✿ ✿ ✿