Chapter 05 | Aashi

I catch my breaking breaths as I gaze upon the scenic landscape infront of me. I can still remember the last time I was here. The details are clearly etched into my memory. The memories are vivid. The memories of my mother making it clearly one of the best days I'll ever have. I remember me thinking, 'this is the best day of my life'. Until it happened.

My mom was standing here near one of the green couches at the foot of the terrace looking picturesque and it was a dream-come-true birthday.

One that I won't ever forget.

Neel gets out from his side and open the passenger's side door for me. I step out. My breath hitches and I swallow. Tears start forming at the back of my eyes but I really don't want to cry infront of him. I push the tears back and toughen up for the time that I'm going to be here.

He smiles and offers his hand, and don't know why but I take it. I clasp his fingers tightly because my legs let go of control and I feel almost dizzy. He gives my palm a light squeeze but doesn't let it go. I hold on to his hand and let him take me inside. I murmur quietly 'to not let go' inside my breath because it's all overwhelming for a minute.

Things like this don't happen everyday.

Not again.

                         ****

We are on the inside of the open- terrace which is in the now decorated with red- tapestries and brown painted walls, sitting on those suede brown leather couches with one of the long white curtains being blown by the wind.

The cool wind eases me and calms my nerves as I fidget and glance at Neel. Thoughts swarm my mind and I look around to suck in the homely feel it still provides.

Does he know?

Why the hell would he choose  here of all the cool, infinite places?

The white curtain caresses my cheeks and blows back near the tapestry on its own accord. I take a sip of the pineapple crush I've ordered a few minutes ago. It pertains one of the fondest memories I have of this place.

My heart beats faster and Neel is sitting opposite me, glancing sideways but still observing me. I can so feel it in my bones.

"Are you comfortable?"

"What's the point of bringing me here?" I ward off my aggressive question and add, "Who told you about this place?"

"Uhh. . .Aashi, you invited me here on your tenth birthday. You do remember, don't you?"

I walk down the memory lane, then realise, we used to be friends back then. Mom must've invited him. How stupid am I?

"Oh. . .yeah."

"I remember you being so happy. So, I figured." He takes a sip of his cola and licks his lower lip, "thought you'd like it."

"N-o-o, I, I like it," I smile a little to break off the tension, "appreciate it even," I murmur slowly, "just got thrown off balance there."

"It's okay, I asked Ankur to make the reservations here at the last moment."

"Oh. . ."

"Aren't you gonna order anything?" he asks, a sheepish smile breaking out on his face.

"Pizza," I gaze at the fairy lights that are hung close enough to be on the inside than the outside.

I can do this. Now or never. I force myself to take deep breaths and push my old memories back.

                          ****

The warm cafe brought back warped memories that I've buried somewhere deep inside, but still I fight with them. I try to smile as much as possible and make it less awkward for Neel. He knows something is definitely up but he doesn't budge me out of my comfort zone.

He even comes up with polite conversations which slightly throws me off and surprised me, but gave nothing away as we shared a family pizza. When we were done, he insists on paying. I fight on it with him, but he reasons that it's his chance to make it up to me. So after arguing for a while, I let him.

Now, he's finally driving me home. As I glance outside the window at the passing houses, I think about what it is that the people inhabiting all these homes are doing at this current moment. The cool wind blows my hair back and I finally let go of all my nervous energy and the taxing day I've just had.

Neel parks right outside my house and turns around to face me, "Hope you enjoyed your day."

"Yeah. . . I did." My conscience was on a starter mode, 'Liar'.

"I expected you to really enjoy but yeah, things happened."

"It's really okay." I say, trying to vet the idea if I really did enjoy today, albeit some parts of it.

"It's not. But, if you say so."

I smile genuinely and cut him some slack, "You atleast tried. Most boys I know, won't."

"Then you really don't know most of these boys. I can't imagine someone not sucking up to you."

My lips crack a smile and he shoots me a smirk. "This doesn't makes us friends, just saying."

He chuckles at my statement, shaking his head, "no, it doesn't."

I step out of the car, closing the passenger's door.

"Bye, I'll see you in school. Take care, Aashi," he adds, flashing a smile.

"See you in school, too. Take care, Neel." I wave at him, as he backs out of my driveway and drives off in the distance.

I stroll down my driveway, smiling and touching the roses that lined it. Then, I see it.

It's someone I didn't expect. He's waiting for me. I see his folded arms on his chest, gazing fixatedly  at me.

                         ****

Rohit unfolds his hands from his chest, glaring at me. As I walk closer to my own porch, he runs a hand through his disheveled hair and stuffs them into his jeans pockets, legs constantly stumping the ground in a disjointed rhythm.

"Aashi, what are you doing with Neel?" he seethes, his pupils dilated and eyes red with anger.

"It's none of your fucking buisness. Get off my porch, Rohit."

"Why are you so mad?"

"Why am I mad?" I cock my eyebrows and let out a calming breath and pray for some patience.

"Are you out of your mind, Rohit?"

"No, I don't think so. You look pretty much crazy to me."

"What do you mean?" I narrow my eyes at his face, taken aback.

"You know exactly what I mean. Are you with him?!"

"Stop talking to me in that tone," my face contorts in anger, "Maybe, I am. At least, I'm not conflicted unlike you." I get into the house and shove the door close in his face.

My dog comes to the door, licking me one second, barking the other. I sit down to pet him, and rub his chin which makes him calm down.

If Rohit tries to talk to me in that tone again, I'll leave Shadow out to get his ass. Shadow jumps on my torso, and I try to calm my hyper dog down, walking to the kitchen.

My dad, on hearing the commotion comes out of the study, and puts his elbow on the railing, balancing his tea.

"Aashi beta (daughter), you home?"

"Yeah, dad."

"Rohit was waiting outside for you."

"Yeah, met him. I'm going to be in my room for a while."

My dad mumbles an incoherent 'okay', and goes back to his work.

I feed Shadow some treats from the dining table and he follows me to my room.

I discard my heels in one corner, and fall face down onto my bed. I open up the online messaging app on my cellphone and text Ria that I got home safe. Shadow jumps on the bed and curls up into me, balancing his chin on my forearm.

    .                   ****

I wake up, drool lapping on my chin and try to move my weight from my forearm. I twist under the duvet and reach for my cellphone.

I slept for five hours, which means I was almost dead. It's two in the morning and I've gotten a couple of missed calls and messages.

I unlock the screen to check them, four of the messages were from Ria, asking how my independent date went, so, I type in a quick reply. I check the calls next, which belong to my bench- mate, aka Ria.

Another three texts were from an unknown number.

  + 91 46********
                        
10:35 pm

You think you're the prettiest girl in the world, huh?

10:55 pm

You can't even pull off a red dress with your tiny chest.

10:59 pm

What do you think of yourself, bitch?

I instantly growl and think of throwing my phone at the anonymous hater. Instead, I block the number and heave a long sigh. Now that I'm thinking about the messages, it had something to do with what happened yesterday.

Immediately, Saheema's face pops up in my head. I'm absolutely certain that she's behind this.

So, I do what any sane person would do, I take up my phone and dial his number.

All roads lead back to Rohit.