AR: Ricochet [Thread #2: Page 1/150] - Page 36

Chapter 6: Xeno

Xeno. N. The smallest measurable unit of human connection, typically exchanged between passing strangers ' a flirtatious glance, a sympathetic nod, a shared laugh over some odd coincidence ' moments that are fleeting and random but still contain powerful emotional nutrients that can alleviate the symptoms of being alone.

Long Island, New York City, Present

The key clicks in effortlessly as he knows it will and he enters his house, tired, worn out and glad that it's Friday. Not that the work was over for him, he supposes. The financial reports won't read themselves. He wriggles his toes as they're rid of the shoes and loosens his tie. It's a routine he's been following since a while and he slides into it naturally. Remove shoes, loosen tie, head upstairs, place the work stuff in the study, shower, cook something, eat, watch T.V, work, work, work, sleep late, get up (late, for once. Thank God for Saturdays). And the day goes on. It's been weird since he and Brittany broke up, it'd been a good nine months.

It's the weekends when he feels her absence the most. He misses the lazy Saturdays spent in her bed and the benefits of fantastic morning sex. He recalls the smell of the hearty breakfast she always made and her voice when she chided him for not eating properly. It's not like he can't cook, he just chooses not to. He remembers dressing up late, heading out somewhere, sometimes aimlessly, sometimes with plans. He remembers her crashing at his place and coming for Sunday football with him. She never played, but she caught up on reading while he played. He's reminded of all the times she wrinkled her nose because he hugged her sweaty and smelly after an intense match.

It's a wave of nostalgia that leaves him a little raw and aching behind his solar plexus. He rubs the spot absentmindedly as he showers, the water hot on his skin. Exhaling loudly, surprised by the intensity of what he feels, he dries himself and changes into sweats before going to the kitchen to make pasta for himself. It's not everyday he feels like this, but with what the break up and the work, things have been a little low for him lately. And at times like this the house feels just a little too large for himself, with just a little too much space for one guy. It was practical though. When he'd first bought the place he'd thought maybe he should do a bachelor pad sort of thing but his mom had convinced him otherwise and so there was this house, four bedrooms and big enough for a family. Except he was alone at the moment.

"And isn't that a depressing thought." he murmurs to himself, his voice loud in the house.

He finishes the pasta with a glass of wine (he's earned the indulgence thank you very much) while watching reruns on T.V. He watches T.V for some more and confirms Nikki's invitation for lunch after Sunday's match and then brews coffee while he gets his reports organized. Taking a sip of the coffee, he relaxes, switches of all other thoughts and focuses on the reports, going over them in detail, making note of corrections and suggestions. It's well into the night (more like morning) when he's finally free for the weekend and the thought isn't half as appealing as it was when he had a girlfriend. Not being table to think of anything to do after catching up on sleep, he decides to go grocery shopping when he wakes up; his kitchen needs to be replenished anyway.

And the thought of moving into a smaller, luxury apartment plagues his mind with a viciousness that was new; the emptiness of his own house hitting him hard, punctuating the fact that he was alone. Exhausted, he falls asleep and if he dreams of Saturdays spent with Brit, then that's nobody's business but his.

Southern California Institute of Architecture, Los Angeles, California, seven years ago

"Come on, Armaan, you need to get out, buddy."

"No I don't. I don't feel like it. Mike. Come one. Let it go, please."

"Uh, no. You look like a hobo, alright? So get up, shower, shave for fcuk's sake, and then we're going out. I'm not sitting here watching you make a mess of yourself, its fcuking depressing."

And Armaan who'd never heard his zen-like roommate swear, decides its better for everyone concerned that he's up. Secretly, he's grateful for his pushing. Breakups suck.

Hours later when they're pleasantly buzzed they get back to the room and he hugs his roommate, not bothering to put his gratitude in words. The murmured "No worries, man." eases him up and the days after that are marginally easier. He doesn't date in his last year of his college, and instead drives himself to work hard.

And his life picks itself back up again, and the ache that he felt constantly dissolves into a scar that's visible, but one that never hurts. He listens to music, watches movies, works twice as hard because he wants to graduate summa cum laude, but he doesn't date. It's still a little raw after last time. He supposes he'd been a fool to think he could make long distance relationships work. And sometimes the feeling of wanting to be with someone will come back with a vengeance, blindsiding him. But he restrains himself; the thing with Simran had ended badly and to this day he hadn't figured out why. It hurt more for the same reason, he guesses. Because they never realized when things had gotten so bad, how they'd let things get so bad, because he had plans to propose to her when they finished college, but things took a turn for the worse and it took them both by surprise.

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Southern California Institute of Architecture, Los Angeles, California, six years ago

They've only just started keeping in touch via emails, he and Simran. She is doing well, and he hasn't asked her if she is single. But she sounds happy and that makes things much better. He invites her to his graduation and she invites him to hers because they were friends now and besides he was good friends with her family even before they'd started dating.

He remembers graduation in vivid detail (both his and hers) and it was amazing. He remembers cheering madly, the tears in his eyes because university was over and the fierce hugs he gives and receives and the promises to keep in touch, to never forget, to always meet up as much as possible and to plan a reunion someday. And the day is emotional and overwhelming in the best possible way. He recalls the way his mom and dad were misty eyed, but so, so proud. He remembers Abhi screaming his lungs out and Nikki doing some sort of crazy dance, not caring that a thousand people were watching them. And the moment is something he never wants to forget because things will never be the same again, they'll go out in the "real world" and the real world was daunting, but right now, they were on the brink of innocence and adulthood and it was a lovely, lovely place to be.

By the end of the day he's drained and a little excited. It doesn't sound half bad now and the thought of working, of finally designing houses, making them, sends his blood racing and he sleeps with a smile on his face.

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Malik Associates, New York City, three years ago

He remembers the pride in his father's eyes when he first works at Malik Associates. He remembers thinking that he never wants that look to go away.

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Long Island, New York City, one year and nine months ago

He remembers cremating his dad and not feeling anything. Not comprehending that his dad was gone. Just like that. Not understanding that the man who he looked up to, the man who inspired him like no one else, the man who raised him, loved him, taught him everything he knew, gave him life lessons, is gone.

He remembers the way his dad would pick him up and he'd sit on his shoulders having candy floss while dad showed him around Disneyland. He remembers that time dad taught him to ride the bicycle and then let go only for Armaan to fall. He remembers being angry with him for it until dad bandaged his bleeding knee and said "Sorry champ." and he remembers saying "It's okay" because it was and it was his dad and he couldn't be mad for long. His dad takes his mom and him out for a sundae later that day and the incident is forgotten.

He remembers crying for days when their dog dies, because he can't comprehend death and the way his dog just died, he can't figure what the absence of life means and it's not until he lies in his mom's lap while she strokes his head and his dad explains that Sandy was sick and he's in a better place now that he calms down. But that's his first brush with death and he never quite gets over it. He never gets another dog after that because every dog seemed to morph into Sandy and there was no replacement for Sandy. Not now, not ever.

He remembers the way both he and his dad were fumbling and awkward when dad gave him The Talk and he remembers being more than a little mortified and consequently not speaking to dad until the awkwardness dissolved over a football game.

He remembers the first time he and dad had an argument. He doesn't recall what it was about except the fact that once the anger was gone it left a wake of hurt and what he does remember from that is that he never wants to fight with dad again because it's just not worth disappointing him and being the recipient of that look in his eyes. He apologizes and his dad hugs him and just like that it's forgotten.

He remembers all this as he sits in his room with his mom, the two of them mirror images of stoicism and he can see the way she's tormented by memories of dad too because she loved him very much and he can't begin to imagine what his mom is going through because his parents have always been so in love and his dad showered all his affection on his mom and he'd always thought (still did) that he had the best parents ever and that someday he wanted to marry a girl and shower her with that much affection. It was an errant thought, not something he thought constantly but his parents were idyllic in their marriage and he wanted that.

But he sees his mom now as she tries to keep her emotions in control and he hugs her until they're both crying in part anger, part devastation. Because hit and run was not how they'd imagined Sanjeev Malik to die. Because it was all so unfair and he was scared out of his mind because his dad was gone and what was he to do now. The company was his, all his and he had to run it and he knew nothing about that, nothing.

His stomach churns with confusion, anger and sadness and he cries and cries because he's not ready, not ready to face the board of directors of the company, not ready for it all. But he lets it all out that night and doesn't cry again. Instead he throws himself into running the company, understanding how it works, and he recalls the day he feels like he could run this company well and the feeling is a heady mix of happiness and pride and part grief because dad would've loved to see this.

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He wakes up feeling much better and not half as depressed he was last night. He cranks the radio up, listens to the news while he has breakfast and then heads for a shower. He makes a list of everything he has to buy for his house and drives to the supermarket, feeling surprisingly upbeat.

With the earphones blasting Back in Black in his ears he heads for aisle three, picking up milk, coffee, and checking off things on his list. At one point his trolley crashes with someone else's and he apologizes profusely only to see Riddhima, grinning at him, wishing him a sunny good morning and he wishes back.

He notices that her trolley is full of fancy stuff like ricotta and Parmesan and he smiles appreciatively at the food. "Wow. Someone's going all out with the cooking!"

She waves off his comment with a sheepish smile; "I've got friends coming over and we're having Italian, so."

"Sounds great! Have a nice weekend!"

"I will! You have a great one too, I'll see you Monday. Bye!"

"Mahalo!" and he has the pleasure of hearing her ringing laugh as she places the reference. It's nice knowing someone else who's also a crime show junkie. Smiling, he makes his way down aisle three.

Sunday morning comes in early and he's up with the alarm. He hit the gym last evening and feels pleasant, his muscles loose. Like after a good round of morning sex. Shaking his head, he heads for the shower.

He comes back, clothed in sweats and a wife beater. Grabbing his bag, he heads for the garage, when his phone buzzes.

So. No morning sex for you now that Brit's gone. -Abhi

There are way too many things wrong with that sentence for me to even point out. - Armaan

Aww baby are you embarrassed? - Abhi

My best friend knows when I usually have sex. I think I'm allowed to freak out a little. - Armaan

Nikki and Brit talk. I hear. - Abhi

Please, please, please shut up. This is getting worse by the second. - Armaan

Oh no I like embarrassing you. So it's just you now, eh? - Abhi

I have a feeling that's about to translate into something mortifying. - Armaan

You know. You + your hand - Abhi

STOP you are killing me here I hate you so much right now I will literally pay you to stop texting PLEASE. - Armaan

I'm having too much fun to stop, sorry. - Abhi

HOW you're a surgeon is beyond me I swear. You're like 5 years old mentally - Armaan

You know 5 yr olds who talk about masturbation? What kind of people have you been associating with? - Abhi

I AM BEGGING YOU TO SHUT UP - Armaan

Bye. See you at the park. - Armaan

Have fun riding the unicycle - Abhi

Fcuk you - Armaan

Aww baby don't be like that - Abhi

He doesn't reply but he's grinning which he's sure was Abhi's plan all along. Ridiculous he thinks fondly.

The Park, Long Island, NYC, Present

The match is, as always, intense. Tempers run high, fouls are made but no one gives a shit and sometimes he thinks that everyone pretty much vents their frustration at the ball instead of actually playing any soccer. It's still fun and it gives them an excuse to keep in touch so none of them bother much. A few girls are playing but most of them are sitting nearby and talking and he waves back to Nikki as he catches her eye.

He's sweaty, warm and breathing raggedly. Taking a water bottle he sloshes water all over his face in an attempt to cool off. They'd won today but by a whisker and he claps Mike on the back, congratulating him on a game well played while simultaneously smirking at Abhi whose team had lost. The asshole had it coming with what the texting in the morning.

They head to the parking and he looks back to see Abhi jogging to catch up with him.

"Armaan, are you okay?"

And he's slightly surprised to see his friend so serious, there's not a trace of humor in his eyes and it warms him over. He nods, grinning and he sees the glint in Abhi's eyes return.

"Yeah, I thought so. I mean, you looked a little more relaxed after uh, riding the unicycle."

"What is wrong with you?!"

"I just like making you mad."

"Sure you do. Enough with the unicycle, saale. I can't even look at a bicycle now without thinking of sex."

"That was the plan all along, babe."

"No, seriously. Did you like get into med school by fluke? Because your mental level never ceases to astound me."

"Oh please, you're just jealous I'm way cooler than you."

"Sure yeah. Go ahead, delude yourself."

"Dick. Anyway, you coming for lunch right?"

"Sadly."

He laughs when Abhi flips him off.

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Long Island, NYC, Present

He's so grateful he came for lunch. He hasn't had Indian food since his mom went to India and he can't stop licking his fingers, his brain tripping over a single word: wow.

"Nikki, this is, this is just, amazing, my god."

"Of course it is! I had to call Jyoti aunty and ask for all the recipes!"

"You called Mom? How is she? I was planning to call her later tonight."

"She's fine, sounded much better than before. I think she's having fun. It got a little lonely here for her after Sanjeev uncle, um, passed away."

"Yeah, I think it did."

Shaking off the morose thoughts, he asked them about work.

"Work has been crazy off late, Abhi and I get a lot of emergencies. We hardly sleep, man! You tell me, how's the new intern?"

"More like a colleague. She isn't interning, she's working as a consultant kind of thing."

"She any good?"

"Yeah, her work is really impressive. It's a wonder she hasn't been picked up by a company before, really. And by the way, she is Riddhima. That's her name."

"Is she hot?"

"What?!"

"You heard me."

"She's...very nice." Not to mention attractive, funny and smart, he thinks.

"Nice."

"Yeah, nice. What's wrong with nice? Nice is a perfectly acceptable word."

"Sure it is." she smirks and shares a look with Abhi who smirks back at her, the asshole.

"What?! What is that look? Do you guys just, I don't know, meet up and decide oh lets annoy Armaan by making up all kinds of obnoxious looks because obviously it's the best thing ever? No, I'm serious."

"Oh shut up. And don't be such a drama-llama."

"A what ?" He flounders, looking at Abhi with a mix of exasperation and wariness.

"You, my friend are so out of touch with pop culture."

"Riiight. Like I said: mentally, you are five."

"Hilarious."

"I know."

"What the look meant was," Nikki interjects, "is that the last time you described a girl as nice you ended up dating her."

"I did not!"

"Did too."

"You guys suck. I don't even know how I put up with you guys."

"Takes patience, young padawan."

"Whatever. You got beer?"

"I'll get them, you put in a movie."

And he grins when he and Abhi spontaneously chorus, "Dibs on anything but DDLJ!"

"Assholes!" is what Nikki shouts back and he high-fives Abhi.

Laughing, he leans back into the couch as they look for a movie among the hoard of DVDs.

"And isn't that a depressing thought." he murmurs to himself, his voice loud in the house.

I really like this part!He feels so alone in the big house,he wants to have a family just like his parents.Maybe this is why he misses Brittany so much.He longs for someone.Armaan's parents are not divorced this time,they are great parents,according to him.I loved how you showed Armaan and his father's relationship.The way you feel when you loose a loved one,the anger you feel because it is coz of a drunk driver.The way he remembered all his memories with his parents,the TALK with his father,his dog dying;everything flashing before his eyes because he was loosing his father.Every emotion described beautifully😃

Break-ups are never easy but girls have a sure-shot therapy for it!A big tub of ice-cream and a romantic movie for her cheesy hearts!But boys usually don't go through the after-breakup sadness unless they are in a serious relationship.Otherwise,they move on quite fast.

The Abhi-Nikki part also was awesome.The way Abhi-Nikki cheered him,making him realize that he's not alone.

Now coming to the Armaan-Riddhima part.The way they bumped into each other and exchanged pleasantries made me realize something.

This is a story of a normal guy and girl meeting and falling in love.They both have had their share of relationships,in which they were quite attached.The way they usually show in soaps,you don't bump into a person everyday!If you like someone,life doesn't keep throwing that person in front of your eyes.Armaan-Riddhima keep meeting like normal people,exchange talks and go their own way.This is what really happens...

They are not even friends yet.He has his past,she has one.You are not hurrying with their relationship by making them bump every now and then,making them think about each other every day. And this is a different way of showing of a simple love-story:)

This is my POV of your story but tell me if you are writing from another perspective.

Anyways enough of my bak-bak!I really really really LOVED this part!Keep writing and I'll wait for your update after the boards!All the best😉

PS- I really like how you always reply to our comments!I always feel bad when you give a big comment and some writers don't reply.I know some of them are busy but my mind keeps reminding me that I asked a question or gave them a big comment:)

It is okay if it they don't reply sometimes but everytime?😕