ARiya FF: Memories Part 7 (UPDATED 26/09) - Page 14

Part 7

When Riya was young, she had developed a strange fondness for stars and moon; the night sky in general. She would spend hours and hours staring at the inky black skies and the tiny specks of gems and would wonder ceaselessly about the numerous secrets the blackness of the skies hid. Was it true that her loved ones were now stars? Did the lonesome moon, hanging in the sky, found solace in the multitudes of lonely people beneath? She didn't know. Her friends thought that she was a nave, young girl, hung up on far-fetched and ridiculous notions. However, she never stopped believing in the possibility of all those fantasies. She simply thought that if she stopped believing in such childish concepts then what was there to life? What was life without a pinch of magic? Without a dash of fairy tales? Nothing, but a seamlessly merging relentless struggle for survival. And she'd rather not live such a meaningless existence, devoid of any hope, any magic, any stars.

Today as well, she found herself standing on the balcony of her apartment and staring at the endless night sky. It was new moon that day and hence, the sky was dipped in utter darkness. The darkness was a stark reminder of Arjun's bottomless orbs. Those vast, mysterious, sinister, midnight black eyes. She chuckled a little at the utterly romantic comparison. Maybe, if she were a poet, she might have filled scrolls and scrolls of sheets describing his eyes and the arresting effect they had on her.

She shook her head to clear her head. She had serious work tomorrow. She had promised Arjun that she would retrieve the rest of his belongings from Rathore sir for him to inspect and she needed to focus on that. She knew Rathore sir wouldn't recommend the snooping around, rather he would frown upon the idea and scold her for encouraging the potentially devastating idea. But she had seen the helpless look in Arjun's eyes. The naked vulnerability. The disturbing humanness. She had felt it, felt the pain, deep down to her bones and she knew she had to help him in some way. She understood the risks involved but she also understood that it'd be riskier if she tried to restrain him. At least this way she could get him to trust her so that he wouldn't attempt anything foolhardy on his own. Now, all she had to do was translate the idea in a way for it to appear intelligible to Rathore sir and convince him to go ahead with it.

Once that was handled, she could then worry about the next step, namely, to persuade a certain raven haired individual to let her help in the investigation and not to make it a solo mission.

Yes, tomorrow was going to be a harrowing day.

*

The next morning, Riya woke up to the sound of clattering of cutlery and utensils. She, at once, rushed to the kitchen in her nightgown and gawked at the man in her kitchenette as he dug into the drawers and cabinets.

"What are you doing?" She exclaimed.

He pivoted on his spot, a look of surprise colouring his features at being caught red-handed by the beautiful, dusky woman. His urgent gaze relaxed a little and he zoomed his way towards where she was standing, looking- if she assumed correctly- slightly abashed.

She simply raised her perfectly shaped brow at him and waited for him to explain himself.

"I couldn't find the fork." He mumbled, averting his gaze.

She continued staring at him in the same way for some time before the words sunk in and then, she burst out laughing.

"You... w-what?" She spluttered, amidst the laughs.

He scratched the back of his head and offered her a sheepish grin.

"Yeah. Rathore dropped by early in the morning and brought some noodles. But I couldn't find the fork."

Eventually, she stopped laughing and shook her head slightly.

"Well, you raised quite a hell here trying to find a fork." She chortled.

He gave her a lopsided grin.

"You have such a beautiful laugh."

She started. Did he compliment her? Did Arjun Suryakant Raute just compliment her?!

She blushed. "Thank you."

She went to the drawer at the farthest to her right and pulled it open. Lifting a silver artefact- which Arjun knew was a fork, she handed it over to him; he still looked a little embarrassed.

"I'm sorry."

She laughed. "No, it's alright. Next time though, call me. I live adjacent to your room, you know."

He nodded his head like an innocent child.

"Anyway, I will go get dressed, okay?"

"Try to not wander in the kitchen again," she added teasingly before she left, leaving a red-faced Arjun in the living room.

*

"So, Rathore sir dropped by, eh?" She flopped into her maroon leather couch; Arjun sat right across from her on the armchair.

"Yeah."

"Why didn't either of you wake me up?"

He shrugged. "You were asleep. We didn't want to disturb you. Perhaps, Sameer just wanted to drop the noodles and ask how I was doing. He only stayed for a few minutes really."

She hummed. Her dimples peeked out as she tried to hide her grin. Arjun had again referred to Rathore as Sameer; it was disconcerting yet at the same time, incredibly endearing.

"What are you smiling about?"

She expected him to be irritated, like the old Arjun would be; instead a look of amusement was painted on his face.

Her grin dropped. She knew she should feel good but his amused expression made her a little uncomfortable. She didn't know this man at all. Three years and everything was wiped out. He was now just a familiar stranger.

"What is it?" he frowned.

She shook her head and changed the topic. "So, what do you want to do today?"

He fell back against the chair and regarded her question. The truth was he had a lot of things in his mind. He still hadn't told Riya about the name that had popped into his head last night. He wanted to know who Roshni was, however he knew that the moment he brings up her name, he'd be met with deflection and hesitant glances and he didn't want that. At the same time, it felt horribly wrong to not tell her about his latest recollection, especially when she was looking at him so softly and all he wanted to do was melt under her gaze.

"Well, I have my therapy around 4. And I was hoping you'd take me to the ETF office and show me around, you know? I wanted to ask Sameer for my belongings, but he seemed in a hurry and I didn't want to bother him. That's about it, I guess. Also, can we go to my-

"Arjun sir, stop."

"Arjun."

She ignored his comment and continued, "You are not physically fit yet to make these trips and I know you feel helpless, I understand. But you cannot do this. I told you yesterday and I am telling you again. And I will keep reiterating until the doctor gives his consent. I'm really sorry."

His face fell down. He really wished that she could help him. How hard would it be to navigate a few stairs after all?

Maybe, he should wait for some time till he was fit to walk on his own and without anybody's or anything's assistance.

"You cannot push my wheelchair around the-

"No."

His shoulders slumped.

"Fine. Then, you suggest some activity?"

She thought for two minutes before running to her bedroom. When she came back, she had a board of... Ludo?

"Let's play Ludo." She chirped excitedly.

He couldn't care less about ridiculous board games but the way her eyes sparkled with joy was so worth it.

"You're on." He grinned.

"Also, if you win, I promise I'll bring your belongings from the office, so that you can look through them."

She gave him a sincere smile.

He took her right hand and squeezed it. She eyes widened momentarily before she smiled her dimpled smile.

Suddenly, Ludo seemed interesting.

*

Far away, at a place almost barren, a silhouette spoke on the phone.

"He's alive, eh?"

The voice from the other side sounded muffled.

"Don't worry. This time when we find him, we will change that."

*