May 17 2022

The evening was delighted with laughter and chattering at Anne's house. Benjamin and Janhvi came over this evening and Kapoor wanted to cook mutton biryani for them, They brought the ingredients and everyone decided to cook together, Anne and her family loved biryani a lot.

Benjamin: What's everyone's favourite biryani though? Chicken, Mutton, Fish or vegetable?

Anne: Mutton is top tier.

Anya: Same here!

Maya: Hmmm, Chicken is good actually.

Janhvi: I love all types of biryani.

She laughed as everyone chuckled while Anya placed some of the used ingredients in the fridge, Anne was making yogurt raita while Maya and Benjamin were watching the group.

Benjamin: Personally I love all of them as well, Buuuut I'll go with Chicken for this.

Maya: *Grins* Yeah! Always in my team, Benji!

Anne: *Chuckles* The poor fish and vegetable biryani feels left out.

Janhvi: Don't worry, A foodie like me exists.

They shared a laugh together as everyone in the kitchen continued talking to each other while helping each other out with cooking, Eventually the biryani was almost ready as Anne placed the raita on the fridge since it's better served cold, The group were cracking jokes while Winters went to check on the pot of biryani as she raised an eyebrow before smiling.

Anne: Janhvi! Did you forget to pour ghee?

Janhvi: *Gasps and facepalms* Oh my god! I'm so sorry, yaar. I got so distracted with Anya's stupid jokes.

Anya: *Gasps* Mom! She thought my jokes were stupid!

Maya: It kinda is, Not gonna lie.

Benjamin: *Laughs* Respect your older sister, Maya!

Anne couldn't help but laugh at their banter as Janvhi quickly ran to grab the bottle of ghee, But Winters told her to relax and gently took the bottle from her hand and poured ghee into the biryani before closing it with a lid.

Anya: Why do you laugh when they make fun of me?

Anne: *Laughs* Not because of that. I feel like I have four kids at this rate.

Janhvi: *Chuckles* I don't think Anne could handle us if we were her kids.

Maya: I mean, She already can't handle us.

Anne: You should be lucky I'm handling you two.

Benjamin: *Raises both of his hands* Don't mind me, Just watching.

They shared another laugh together, Now they just needed to let it cook for fifteen minutes, And another fifteen minutes to let it rest once the stove is closed, They decided to continue talking at the living room.

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The biryani was prepared, The strong scent made their stomach rumble. The food was set in the plates as everyone sat excitedly and began eating as Maya spoke.

Maya: Mmmm, This is so good!

Anya: You're so good at cooking, Janhvi.

Janhvi: *Smiles* Thanks, But it would have flopped if Anne didn't remind me about the ghee.

Anne: *Chuckles* Don't worry, It would have been fine regardless.

She smiled as everyone continued eating, Benjamin poured some yogurt on the side and took a bite with the rice as he hummed.

Benjamin: I gotta ask, Anne. Have you cooked Indian dishes like these before?

Anne: A lot, I lived in New Delhi for two years, So I learned a few stuff.

Her tone became quieter when she mentioned "New Delhi" It's like she didn't want to speak about it at all. The group continued eating before Maya asked a question which caused the tension to heat up.

Maya: You told me so many stories about it. Will we ever travel to India?

Winters abruptly stopped eating and narrowed her eyes, She didn't speak a word. Didn't care to respond to her question, Benjamin and Janhvi looked at each other awkwardly while Anya stared at her mother. The silence spoke louder then anything, Maya frowned a little and took another bite while Ben and Janhvi didn't know what to say before he cleared his throat.

Benjamin: Umm, Anya, Maya. Take some meat from my plate, *Chuckles* I can't just eat the whole thing.

Anya: *Smiles* Sure. . .

Maya just quietly nodded with a small smile on her face, Janhvi looked at Anne who was silently eating.

Janhvi: Anne, Try the raita.

Anne: Of course.

Winters brought the bowl close, pouring some yogurt on the side of her plate. The tension started to fade as they changed the subject, talking about other things.

Soon, Dinner was over as Anne was cleaning the dishes, Janhvi was helping her out as both of them were talking while Benjamin was listening to Anya and Maya talk to each other.

Maya: You know. . . Sometimes I wonder what Mom was like when she was our age.

Anya: Probably the same, Serious face, always worrying, always keeping things together.

McFarland shot his head up and heard what they were talking about as he cleared his throat.

Benjamin: She's told me a few stories. Honestly, she was braver than most twenty year olds I've met. . . Moving away, starting fresh, it couldn't have been easy.

Maya: She doesn't talk much about it, though. . . I also don't know what I said wrong.

Benjamin: *Sighs* Maybe she doesn't want to talk about, But don't blame yourself. I'm sure she eventually will speak about it.

Anya: Eventually? Benji, Me and Maya aren't kids anymore. I'm nineteen and Maya's seventeen. What does she want to hide from us?

She looked annoyed for a moment, But there was a hint of concern. Benjamin realised this was getting too personal and he shouldn't push it further.

Benjamin: Look, Some memories can be. . . A bit heavy, You know? Sometimes you carry them until you're ready to put them into words, But hey. . . Don't get upset or stress her out. She's your mother, I'm sure she's gonna tell you when the time is right.

Anya and Maya looked at each other, knowing he was telling the truth as both of them nodded.

Maya: I guess you're right, Benji. . .But I will apologise to her if she's still upset at me.

Anya: Yeah sis, I got your back.

She patted Maya's back as Benjamin couldn't help but smile at them, Eventually Janhvi returned to the table while Maya got up, walking to the kitchen and saw her mother drying her hands with a towel.

Maya: Hey Mom. . .

Anne: Yes, Maya?

Maya: Ummm. . . I'm sorry if I upsetted during dinner. I think I got a little too curious.

Anne just stared at her before smiling and patted her shoulder.

Anne: It's alright, I'm sorry as well. I should responded to you, at least.

Maya: Don't blame yourself, Mom. It's okay.

They both smiled and shared a hug, Anne never meant to get upset at her, It was just a small question. But it was those sweet memories that. . . She never wanted to speak about.

She remembered the pain afterwards. . . Yet, She still thinks about it.

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Charlie was at his house, and was done with his workout as he was doing light stretches with his arms, Singh grabbed a bottle of water afterwards and finished the entire bottle, he was super thirsty.

He placed the bottle aside and left his room, making his way to the living room. He sat down for a moment, thinking what he should cook for dinner right now.

That's when he heard a knock on the door, Singh raised an eyebrow before getting up and opened the door to see Alex and Manushi.

Alex: *Smiles* Okay, Charlie. Are you showing off to your own mirror?

Charlie: *Smiles* If I did, The mirror would have broke.

Manushi: *Laughs a little* We actually brought some food, Me and Alex made marag together.

Charlie: *Smiles* Just when I was thinking about dinner, But thank you. You didn't have to do this.

Alex: I never wanted too.

Singh stared at him while Alex held his laughter, Manushi couldn't help but laugh before Charlie rolled his eyes and took the steamboat from her hands. Alex was holding a bag of roti as Charlie told both of them to come inside, At first they refused but he said he won't eat it if they didn't join him for dinner which made them laugh.

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Charlie: Mmm. . . this is really good. Didn't know you two had skills like this.

Alex: See? Told you it would turn out fine.

Manushi: *Grins* Correction, I cooked most of it. He just did the easy parts.

Alex: *Sighs* Traitor.

Charlie chuckled as Alex and Manushi laughed together and continued eating, The food was really delicious.

Charlie: I think you two should bring dinner for me very often.

Manushi: *Laughs* Then we'll just move in at this rate.

Alex: *Chuckles* He'll kick me out within a day.

Charlie: *Smiles* An hour actually.

Manushi laughed while Alex rolled his eyes and shook his head. Charlie couldn't help but laugh with them, the taste of good food and good company making the evening brighter than he expected.

But at the same time, This brought back a lot of memories. . . Back at New Delhi.

~~~~~~~~~~~~Flashback~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There was a family gathering happening, Charlie's parents invited their relatives and other friends to the party, An eighteen year old Charlie was seen looking around as he saw his dad talking to his brothers and relatives, Charlie's cousins were hanging out somewhere else.

But he wasn't in the mood to hang out with his cousins right now, He entered another room and saw his mother talking to their relatives before she noticed Charlie and smiled.

Mother: Ha, Beta. Kya kua? (Yes, son, What happened?)

Chandramohan: *Smiles* Kuch nahi. . . Bas thoda bore ho raha tha. (Nothing. . . just a little bored.)

Mother: Arre, cousins ke saath khel lo na. Hamesha akele ghoomte rehte ho. (Go play with your cousins. You're always wandering off alone.)

Chandramohan: Woh sab apne group mein mast busy hain. Main disturb karne jaunga toh daantenge. (They're all too busy in their own group. If I go, they'll just scold me for disturbing.)

Mother: Phir yaha hi mere saath baith jao, relatives ke gappe suno. Tumhari Hindi bhi improve ho jaayegi. (Then sit here with me, listen to relatives' gossip. Your Hindi will improve too.)

Chandramohan: *Laughs* Maa, aap bhi na. . .

He facepalmed and continued laughing as his mother grinned and told him to sit down, Soon, He sat down and listened to everyone's gossip, But it seemed to bore him even more.

Later on, Charlie left the room and smelled marag from a distance, It was coming from the kitchen. He hummed softly, feeling his stomach rumble. As he continued walking by, Charlie noticed a woman who was looking and touching the flowers, He froze for a moment before she noticed him.

Anne: *Smiles* Ummm. . . I'm sorry, Those flowers looked pretty.

Winters looked awkwardly, hoping he understood her. But Charlie knew what she said, He's been learning English for a long time now.

Chandramohan: *Smiles* Oh it's fine, Don't worry.

Anne: *Eyes lit up* You. . . Understood me?

Chandramohan: I do understand a little bit. . . Flowers are pretty, right?

Anne stared at him and continued smiling at him, Charlie seemed like a nice person to her, And Singh also seemed interested in her.

Anne: *Laughs* Oh thank god! I thought no one here spoke English.

Chandramohan: Little bit only, Still learning.

He walked towards her, staring at her. Anne giggled and shyly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as both of them continued looking at each other.

Chandramohan: Uhh. . . My name is Chandramohan.

Anne: Chandramohan. . . Did I say it right?

The way she said his name warmed his cheeks a little, Especially when she spoke in an American accent. It made him smile at her.

Chandramohan: Yes.

Anne: *Smiles* My name is Anne.

Chandramohan: *Chuckles* Anne, Nice name.

Both of them shook hands, But it turned out to be more awkward which made both of them laugh nervously.

~~~~~~~~~~End of Flashback~~~~~~~~~~

Alex: Charlie?

Charlie snapped out of his thoughts and realised he hasn't took a bite, Manushi and Alex looked concerned as Chhillar said something.

Manushi: Is there something wrong with the food?

Charlie: No no no, It's delicious. Sorry about that.

Alex and Manushi looked at each other before nodding as Charlie sighed and took another bite, They sure can tell that Charlie was thinking about something.

Alex: What's wrong?

Charlie: *Smiles a little* I just took a short trip to memory lane, Don't worry.

He continued eating as both of them nodded, They were talking to each other but Charlie was still lost in his thoughts by that memory, Even after all these years.

He still thinks about Anne.

A/N: Thank you so much for reading and stay strong!!!! :)