We walked to the nearby lake. It was a breathtaking scene with the moon's reflection on the lake. We decided to dip our legs on the lake. I folded my joggers upto my knee and as soon as we stepped into the lake, she stepped out citing the water was so cold. I didn't tell anything because I knew she wanted to get her feet wet. I just stood in the water and started explaining how good it felt. I could see from the corner of my eye that she wanted to join me but she wasn't ready yet. I started splashing the water with my hand. She was still hesitant and that was killing my patience. I splashed some water on her face. "ABHI!!", she shouted and complained that she couldn't see because her glass got wet. I splashed more water on her again. That was what was required to get my Chashmish into tit-for-tat mode. She came into the water and started splashing over me. "Chashmish! Stop now", I said grabbing her hands. "See you stepped inside the water. How does it feel now?"
"You are sly", she said.
"Sly?", I asked raising my eyebrows.
"You always trick me into doing things you want", she said sarcastically.
I told her that if she didn't like it, she can step out of the water and tried to leave the water but she stopped me by holding my hand. I looked at her wanting to know what she had to say.
"Rockstar! Don't blame me. If you can't stand in this cold water for a long time, you can say it. Don't put the blame on me and go out", she said with a smirk.
I replied that I can stand in the water even till morning and it was she who said that the water was cold. We made a challenge as to who will stand in the water for a long time. For the first 10 minutes, she did most of the talking while I just gave her one word answers but as time progressed, her talking reduced. After half an hour, I realised that she wasn't talking at all and I was the one who did all the talking. I noticed that she had started shivering as her fingers were trembling and also from her quivering lips. She had her arms crossed across her chest and I could clearly see that she was feeling so cold.
"Let's stop the game. It's getting late", I said but she wasn't moving at all. Why was she so adamant for nothing but a stupid challenge?
She
Unbelievable. I was gobsmacked to say the least. I just gave him silent treatment for few seconds since I can not last long without talking to him. I sighed to myself. We did say before we left our homes that we will go one place each where it includes book and music. Now he took that back and we were not allowed to go to either places otherwise I won't be able to talk to him. "No, nothing is lost just yet Pragya, we will go to exactly where we said we're going to go. I will think of a way, now let him think he's won this". Throughout the journey we continued our banter. All of a sudden there was a harsh break during which Abhi's hand brushed my bare legs. I gulped, looked at him for few seconds and looked away. I realized how Abhi just started the conversation to ease the uneasiness, I just smiled and we carried on talking. No wonder he was my best friend he was so sweet and understood the silence between us before we even talk. We reached to our first destination Lonavla. After getting out of the car, we took our belongings to our two night cottage stay. I ran off to the washroom to have a shower and change into my red dress, sandles and accessories. I had put my light makeup with eyeliner and clear gloss. I was ready for the day. The cottage was pretty. We didn't get much to have a look around the cottage as we had a long day ahead of us and thought of looking at it once when we come back to it. All I want to do now was to sight seeing with Abhi. I went downstairs and as I was walking down the stairs I noticed Abhi staring at me. Then I thought a split second later, "No, why would he stare at me?" I just shook my head and went towards him and smiled. My smile went even wider when I noticed him with two cups. Yes, I needed tea before going out. How adorable of a best friend can he be. After we had our drinks, Abhi put his trainers and we were ready to go.
It was a ten minute drive. It was Tiger's leap, the place that we were going to, that's what it was called. After Abhi parked the car we walked upto the alley, at the very top. It was stunning. I was amazed at the beauty. The place did look like a tiger is leaping into the valley at a certain point. The view was mesmerizing. With our cameras we started taking pictures of the scenery and our selfies together. It has been good couple of hours since we had been there.
It was getting dark, hence I was getting closer to Abhi to hold onto him. All of a sudden a scary loud voice came from behind out of nowhere and the only thing that I can do was hug Abhi tight. He hugged me back automatically, which was expected. He was my best friend after all. It was electrifying, something that is beyond a feeling. Wait, what? Few minutes later we were still holding onto each other not wanting to let go. Well I didn't want to, didn't know about him. I just smiled at him when he looked at me. I noticed him staring, I felt different. I guessed this was the tightest hug we had, maybe that's why. Heard a cough from Abhi and I let him go straight away. We looked behind it was a small child who fell behind but looked like he was staring us for a while as he was smiling and drawing his eyebrows at us. I saw Abhi shaking his head at him and went to him. I waited here whilst Abhi was talking to the child. As Abhi came back I asked how the child was. He told me that how he was alright just a slight fall. I nod my head.
As we forgot to pack our food, we were pretty hungry and it was already 5 pm we decided to find a place where we can have food. We were able to find a nice place, The Kinara Village Dhaba. We had tandoori roti, mutton and chicken handi, cheese tikka, kulfi and drink. We were knackered by the end of it. It was 8.30 pm when we resumed to go out after coming to the cottage to get into comfortable clothing. Abhi came to change his t-shirt and I needed to change my clothes since it was getting chilly. I got into my khaki joggers, black hoodie with white and khaki trainers. We also had to speak to our families to let them know we are safe and about our plans. I and Abhi decided to for a walk to see the view near our cottage and then for sight seeing to a different place.
We walked to the nearby lake. To say it was beautiful would be an understatement. The view looked so divine. We folded our joggers and stepped into the water but the water was so cold that I jumped out of the water immediately. Abhi was enjoying getting his feet wet and he was annoying me by telling me how good it felt to have his feet under water. I wanted to enjoy too but the water was cold and I couldn't bear it. He started splashing water with his fands. It was clear that he was trying to get me dip my legs in the water but I didn't want to feel the cold water as the weather was already chilly. He started splashing over me and my vision became blurred as my eyeglass got wet. I shouted at him for that but he was not stopping. I went towards and started splashing water over him continuously until he stopped me and made me realize that I had finally stepped in the lake. I told him that he was sly that he always tricked me into doing things he wanted. That made him angry, I guessed, so he started leaving asking me to leave if I didn't want to but I stopped him. I told him that if he couldn't stand the chillness of the water, he could tell it directly and not blame me. He told me that he wasn't affected by the water and he could stand all night. After a silly argument, we challenged each other to know who can stand in the water for a longer time. I started talking about how we should enjoy the next few days and which places we should go etc but then I saw moon's reflection on the water and I felt like holding Abhi's hand but I hesitated for some unknown reason. I felt so lucky to have him as my best friend. I got reminded about the first poem Abhi had written for me.
"You are my moon in my brighter days and the brightest star in my darker days".
He
She seemed to be lost in thoughts. I clicked my fingers at her. "Eyyy, Chashmish", that's when she finally came to senses, "Yes, Rockstar?". I told her "let's go". She said that we haven't finished our challenge so were not going anywhere, whilst telling me this she was shivering. I scolded her for few minutes, she was still not having any of it. I looked at her as she was looking at me uncertain, with water droplets running down her face and she was literally shaking now. I had enough of it. "Is this you're final decision?", yes she said. "Okay, then". I went closer and picked her up in my arms. "Hey, what are you doing? Put me down right now, RS I said put me down". I said, "No what are you going to do if I don't?" She looked at me and looked away.
"What was that? Did she blush? Or is my head spinning and I want her to blush in my presence? Wait, what am I thinking? You not thinking anything? She's your best friend and that's it. Get a grip."
After few seconds, she just put her one arm around my neck and the other arm by my shoulder and gripping it tight. I took her away and she was in my arms until we got into our cottage. As soon as I put her down, got some towel and made some tea and put the fire on for her and made her go to her room so she can change into her pyjamas before she came down for the tea and fire. She was still cold and shivering therefore I offered my heat and she took it as she had no choice and I hugged her sideways tightly throughout the whole night. I' was rubbing her hands for her and soaked the feet with warm water and salt. She was feeling much better. We chatted the night away. It was 4 am as we head to our rooms as we had to get up early morning for our new adventure for the next morning. Changed into my my pyjamas and dropped myself to bed as I was feeling sleepy now.
Had slept for just a couple of hours and I had to wake up soon since we had planned a trek to Lohagad Fort. I quickly went for a shower and got ready in my trekking wear. I went to Pragya's room to check whether she was ready. As I knocked her room door, she opened the door with her tooth brush in her mouth.
"Chashmish, you woke up just now?", I said annoyed.
She told me not to panic as she would get ready in half an hour. "How could someone look so cute even when they are brushing? Ermm, why are my thoughts going haywire these days? Abhi, stop it.", I told myself hitting my head. True to her words, she got ready in half an hour. We drove to the Bhaje Village in few hours. We started our trekking journey after having our breakfast.
After few hours we reached the fort without taking any breaks as both of us didn't want to stop our adventure.
"Wow! It's so beautiful", said Pragya with both her hands on her mouth.
"Like you", I said. I bit my lips as I realized what I said. Thankfully, Pragya didn't pay attention to my words making me relieved. She started clicking pictures of the fort, the beautiful view from the top, and then started clicking selfies while I was just staring at her. Her smile. Her smile made me forget the world. I wished I could spend my life seeing her smile.
"Rockstar! Are you here?", she waved her hands in front of me. I came out of my trance and started giving my trademark poses for her to take photos. It was a fun filled adventure. By the time, we came back to our cottage, it started raining. So we had to restrict ourselves indoor. We were sitting in the front room when she got a call from Pranav and she started talking nonstop. I went to my room and slept off as I didn't get enough sleep the previous night.
I felt someone pulling off my blanket and murmured, "Prem, let me sleep na". Water was splashed over my face. "What the hell?", I shouted and woke up but stopped as I saw Pragya. I rubbed my eyes to make sure I was seeing her.
"You need my glasses?", she giggled and asked me whether I was planning to sleep the whole night. Night? I turned around to see the clock and it was 9 pm.
She
After few seconds, I realized Abhi was saying something, "Yes, Rockstar?". Abhi told me let's go. I told him that we haven't finished our challenge so were not going anywhere, even though I was feeling chilly I was adamant about it. He scolded me for few minutes I was being stubborn. I was looking at him to see whether he was convinced to stay even though I was getting colder by each second. I saw him coming closer and all of a sudden he picked me up in his arms without a warning. I carried on being my stubborn self as I was telling him to put me down but he was adamant this time not letting me go and said "No, what are you going to do if I don't?". I had no words. I was frozen at his words, unknown to me and I looked away, after looking at him.
"Why my face is feeling flustered? Am I blushing? No I can't be, he's my best friend, why would I?"
After the realization that dawn on me after few seconds I just put one of my arms around his neck and the other arm by his shoulder and gripping it tight to make sure that I didn't fall by accident. We reached to our cottage and he put me down straight away, he got some towel for me and told me to go to my room to change into dry clothes. I went upstairs to get into my pyjamas. When I came down, he had my tea ready and fire was on. I was still freezing and shivering hence he offered his heat and I took it as I was feeling abit drowsy too. Tea made it a little better. Abhi's heat helped me more and kept me awake as he hugged me sideways throughout the whole night and he was also rubbing my hands for me, soaked my feet with warm water and salt. I was feeling much better. We chatted the night away. It was 4 am as we head to our rooms as we had to get up early morning for our new adventure for the next morning. Abhi took me to my room and tucked me in my bed before going away to his room to sleep he shut out the lights leaving the lamp light on for me. After he went I was feeling sleepy so I dozed off instantly.
I was feeling too lazy to wake up but I had to since it was already 6 am and we had to go for trekking. Just when I started brushing my teeth, I heard someone knock my room's door. I knew it must be Abhi and he would start panicking if he saw me brushing my teeth just then.
As expected, he was annoyed that I woke up just then. I didn't give him much time to react and told him to give me half an hour to get ready. We drove in Abhi's car to the village from where we had to start our trekking to the Logahad fort after having our breakfast.
After half an hour, I got tired of walking. I thought of taking a break but he seemed to be excited about reaching the fort so I stopped myself from telling him that I was tired. By the time we reached the fort, clouds were engulfing the sky completely. When I saw where we were, the view took my breath away.
"Wow! It's so beautiful", I exclaimed and I was lost in what I was seeing that I didn't know what Abhi was telling me. I quickly took out my camera and started taking pictures of the landscape. After few minutes, I started taking pictures of me and Abhi, but he wasn't being attentive. He looked like he was lost in one of those no-blinking trances. I didn't know why he was acting weird since past two days.
"Rockstar, are you here?", I wave at him and he came back to earth and started giving cool poses for our photos. The way down the fort was fun since it was just me talking about the beauty of the place and Abhi was all ears to what I was saying. Just when we reached our cottage, it started raining and we had to drop our plans for the evening. I got my brother's call about our day and stay. I told him about my first trekking experience and how happy me and Abhi were. My brother asked me whether Abhi was behaving normally with me or did I see any changes in him. I said no. I wondered why he asked such a question. What did he mean by changes in Abhi? I didn't know but I didn't want to think much about it because sometimes I didn't understand what my brother did and the reason behind it. All I knew was he was a very protective big brother and if he did something, then it would be for my good. So I didn't mind being clueless around him. As our phone conversation ended, I looked around for Abhi and realized he was sleeping. He was awake all night the previous day taking care of me so I decided to let him sleep undisturbed for few hours.
The clock was going to strike 9 and I decided to wake him up.
"Prem, let me sleep"
This was what he said when I tried to wake him up. Looked like he was in deep sleep and didn't realize that he was not at home. I picked the water jug on the side table and poured some water over him. He woke up in anger but stopped seeing me. He rubbed his eyes as he saw me. He might have expected his mom or Prem. Poor baby. I teased him whether he needed my spectacles and asked him whether he planned to sleep all night.
He
I had a quick shower until Pragya got ready. We were in our PJ's as we decided to go for a long drive around Lonavla. We got into my car and started the drive. "Pragya looked divine as she was...what? I need to stop this. I see her everyday like this, okay not everyday but come on how many times you have seen her like this? without makeup and just a rough bun with glasses, come one? lost count, that's how many times right? so deal with...she's your bestfriend remember, what are your thoughts at?"
I put the music on loud which Pragya didn't approve and changed the tape and put the radio on instead where there some soft music. I just shut the radio. She frowned at me. I just smiled back at her which annoyed her further.
Abhi: Eyyy Chashmish, I was thinking, why don't you tell me something, like a deep secret that you haven't shared with me until date? I mean, I am sure you have, right? We are bestfriends after all. So tell me, am I right?
Pragya: *Smiled at me* Well Rockstar, wouldn't you be surprised?
Abhi: Surprised? So you do have secrets that I don't know.
Pragya: Why are you talking like you share everything with me? I know you have something that's bothering you.
Abhi: I do share everything with you know and you know it. You're always there without me even asking for you to be and I come to you only in terms of my good, bad days. You're the first one I think about. Don't turn the tables now. I know you share everything with me too. Like how you feel I'm not telling you something that's bothering me. I feel you are not telling me something to me.
Pragya: *Sighed*, yes you are right about everything. The thing is...*looked at me and I could see how she needed encouragement from me and smiled as soon as I give her one by smiling at her and letting my eyes talk and I felt her comfort level grew tenfolds around her eyes*
Abhi: *I parked the car and kept my hand over hers *
Pragya: *She looked at me and I could see that her eyes were getting wet * What do you think about love?
Abhi: *Confused and Surprised, luckily I wasn't driving when she asked me this, who knows what I would have end up doing?* * clears throat* Love? That's a...a difficult question? I don't know chashmish...I...I haven't thought about it?...*Whilst her gaze was holding my eyes I went even deeper and got lost in her eyes*...What do you think about love?
Pragya: I went through an ordeal where I think...you know what I think about love? I think it's silly, nonsense where someone loses themselves to another just to get heartbroken and tore them into pieces. The person who is left heartbroken feels small and worthless. That is not true you know. It's not their fault if the heartbreaker didn't understand the loved ones worth. Why should the person who fell in love suffer? Why isn't the person who fell in love so they say and then break the same persons heart not suffer? Why does the person who loved suffering affects the family? How can a person say they love one person, later on in months date another, then later on in months date and the circle goes on and to each they say love them. How can love just happen million times? Isn't love supposed to be magical? Isn't love supposed to be with only one special person and you feel it for the rest of your lives with them? Isn't love supposed to be about loyalty? Isn't love supposed to be about trust and honesty? If these things done exist. How can love exist. Tell me Abhi, how can it even exist? *almost on the verge of bursting into tears*
Abhi: *I was surprised that my Chashmish had so much pain hidden * Wh.. What happened Chashmish? Why are you talking about heartbreaks and all? *I didn't want to ask this question but my heart wanted me to ask * Di.. Did someone break y... your.. heart?
Pragya: Me? If someone tries to break my heart, I would break their bones. *She realized I was worried and tried to ease the situation by chuckling as if she just told me a joke * *I looked at her intently * It's Pranav bhaiyya. You know how deeply he loved his classmate and the girl too reciprocated. But the girl left him for another guy. I couldn't forget how my brother hurt himself not able to forget her. My parents sort of knew that there was something wrong with him but only I knew what exactly was destroying him. It was this so called love that made him an angry monster from a loving son. He came out of depression in a couple of months with the help of his friends but the hell he went through for the few months was not worth it. Love is supposed to make a person happy. But it didn't make him happy but made his life miserable. You know right? my brother has never even scolded me but once he slapped me when I tried to stop him from harming himself. Love makes a person forget himself, his family, his life. I HATE love. *she wiped her tears and looked away *
Abhi: *I felt relieved as soon as she said her brothers name, though I didn't get it why right at that moment, at the same time I felt bad what impact it had on her* Chashmish look at me. *Pragya looked at me with watery eyes* I know this won't help you or may not even make you feel better...ermmm...*took hold of one of Pragya's hand*. I don't know about love but if love gives you happiness, wouldn't you give it a go? And I'm sorry that you had to go through this alone, I wasn't even there for you. I just wanted to let you know that you know you can tell me anything, right? *Pragya nodded with a subtle smile*.
Pragya: I don't know if I would be able to. Please, don't say sorry. I did not tell you anything when I should have done.
Abhi: It's OK. Now that you have told me, you are not going to worry about it. *I took her glasses off and wiped her tears * Do you know why that girl was able to leave Pranav for another guy? *she looks at me confused * because she didn't really love Pranav. Pranav deserves better. He will get someone who loves him for being him. *she seemed to have calmed down a bit * Don't be afraid of anything even love. Life is nothing if we don't take risks. If you ever find someone special in your life, don't be afraid to fall in love. *I put her glasses on * It's very rare to have people who love us immensely without any expectations. *I somehow get reminded of my grandpa and stop talking.
Pragya:*I felt her hand on my shoulder* Rockstar? *looked at me worried *
Abhi: *Sighing* I...There's something that I haven't mentioned...It's...It's my grandad. I was pretty small when I...I lost him. He was like my only savior when I was a kid, you know my hero. He was the only one who was there, like when I fall or he would take me shop or spend time with me. I miss him daily, think about him...You know my parents didn't have time for me. *teary eyed*. They were always so busy at work I guess. My brother was small like me. I guess sometimes I didn't feel like wanted. They would always pamper Prem but never me. Don't get me wrong I'm not envious of Prem just wish I felt I was loved by my parents. My grandad gave me just that and much more. *smiles at Pragya with a drop of tear coming out of one eye*. After my grandad, it's you that special someone who loves me unconditionally. Ofcourse no one can take my grandad's place but no one can take your place too.
Pragya: *Rushed to me straight away and hugged me tight* You never told me this before, oh my days. I adore and respect you more now Abhi. You can share anything with me.
Abhi: *We broke the hug after we hear some car honking behind. We smiled at each other and I started the car. I switch on the radio but it doesn't seem to pick up signal* Damn radio. It would be cool to hear a song at this weather.
Pragya: *Starts singing * *I looked at her pleasantly surprised.*
She
Whilst Abhi was getting ready I went to my room to change into my PJ's since we were planning to go for a long drive around Lonavla, a laid back clothing will do us just fine. I took my makeup off, got my lenses out and put on my spectacles on. Also just had my hair on a rough high bun. I felt more refreshed and natural. As soon as we got into Abhi's car as expected, he put that vulgar music of his which makes some thunder and lightning noise that I didn't understand. I love listening to him but his music made me so confused about, why would anyone like this music? beats me. I quickly changed the tape as I could not take the horrendous noise anymore and put the radio on. It had blues old song on, classic. As I was listening to it, Abhi shut the radio. I got irritated as I looked at him, he smiled at me which annoyed me further.
Abhi: Eyyy Chashmish, I was thinking, why don't you tell me something, like a deep secret that you haven't shared with me until date? I mean, I am sure you have, right? We are bestfriends after all. So tell me, am I right?
Pragya: *Smiled at him, thinking this was unexpected*. Well Rockstar, wouldn't you be surprised?
Abhi: Surprised? So you do have secrets that I don't know.
Pragya: *Trust him to twist his own words* *I guess I could ask him what I wanted to ask him long back* Why are you talking like you share everything with me? I know you have something that's bothering you.
Abhi: *Startled and looking perplexed at me*. I do share everything with you know and you know it. You're always there without me even asking for you to be and I go to you only in terms of my good, bad days. You're the first one I think about. Don't turn the tables on now. I know you share everything with me too. Like how you feel I'm not telling you something that's bothering me. I feel you are not telling me something to me.
Pragya: *Sighing, how correct was he I thought*, yes you are right about everything. The thing is...*looked at him to see if I should go forward, then realized how silly I was being, Ofcourse I should, he's my best friend. I did needed some signal that he would be okay with me though and to my delight after I smiled at him, he smiles and let his eyes do the talking for wanting me to carry on and my comfort level grew tenfolds*
Abhi: *He parked the car and kept his hand over mine *
Pragya: *I didn't think that I would ever talk to him about this so I felt a little difficult in starting the topic* What do you think about love?, *I asked him as I thought he would make it easy for me *
Abhi: *He looked confused and surprised at the same time*, then I see him clearing his throat* Love? That's a...a difficult question? I don't know chashmish...I...I haven't thought about it?...*Whilst my gaze was holding his eyes I went even deeper and got lost in his eyes, for unknown reason to me, then i heard him say*...What do you think about love?
Pragya: I went through an ordeal where I think...you know what I think about love? I think it's silly, nonsense where someone loses themselves to another just to get heartbroken and tore them into pieces. The person who is left heartbroken feels small and worthless. That is not true you know. It's not their fault if the heartbreaker didn't understand the loved ones worth. Why should the person who fell in love suffer? Why isn't the person who fell in love so they say and then break the same persons heart not suffer? Why does the person who loved suffering affects the family? How can a person say they love one person, later on in months date another, then later on in months date and the circle goes on and to each they say love them. How can love just happen million times? Isn't love supposed to be magical? Isn't love supposed to be with only one special person and you feel it for the rest of your lives with them? Isn't love supposed to be about loyalty? Isn't love supposed to be about trust and honesty? If these things done exist. How can love exist. Tell me Abhi, how can it even exist? *almost on the verge of bursting into tears, felt like I couldn't sit there for a second as I felt uneasy of what I felt and I didn't even know why*
Abhi: *He looked at me surprised * Wh.. What happened Chashmish? Why are you talking about heartbreaks and all? Di.. Did someone break y... your.. heart?
Pragya: Me? *How could I fall in love with someone? The idea sounded crazy to me* If someone tries to break my heart, I would break their bones. *He looked worried so I tried to ease the situation by chuckling but he looked at me deeply that I couldn't fake smile * It's Pranav bhaiyya. You know how deeply he loved his classmate and the girl too reciprocated. But the girl left him for another guy. I couldn't forget how my brother hurt himself not able to forget her. My parents sort of knew that there was something wrong with him but only I knew what exactly was destroying him. It was this so called love that made him an angry monster from a loving son. He came out of depression in a couple of months with the help of his friends but the hell he went through for the few months was not worth it. Love is supposed to make a person happy. But it didn't make him happy but made his life miserable. You know right? my brother has never even scolded me but once he slapped me when I tried to stop him from harming himself. Love makes a person forget himself, his family, his life. I HATE love. *I finally felt a burden off my head as I wiped my tears and looked away *
Abhi: Chashmish look at me. *I looked at him with watery eyes* I know this won't help you or may not even make you feel better...ermmm...*he took hold of one of my hand*. I don't know about love but if love gives you happiness, wouldn't you give it a go? And I'm sorry that you had to go through this alone, I wasn't even there for you. I just wanted to let you know that you know you can tell me anything, right? *I nodded with a subtle smile, feeling lighter and happy that I could share this with him*.
Pragya: I don't know if I would be able to. Please, don't say sorry. I did not tell you anything when I should have done.
Abhi: It's OK. Now that you have told me, you are not going to worry about it. *He took my glasses from my eyes and wiped my tears I didn't know but it felt good that he felt the need to stop my tears * Do you know why that girl was able to leave Pranav for another guy? *I was confused * because she didn't really love Pranav. Pranav deserves better. He will get someone who loves him for being him. *he looked at me for a second * Don't be afraid of anything even love. Life is nothing if we don't take risks. If you ever find someone special in your life, don't be afraid to fall in love. *he put my glasses on * It's very rare to have people who love us immensely without any expectations. *He suddenly stopped talking and there was absolute silence *
Pragya:*I touched his shoulder as he remained silent with his eyes closed* Rockstar? *I looked at his worried eyes *
Abhi: *Sighed* I...There's something that I haven't mentioned...It's...It's my grandad. I was pretty small when I...I lost him. He was like my only savior when I was a kid, you know my hero. He was the only one who was there, like when I fall or he would take me shop or spend time with me. I miss him daily, think about him...You know my parents didn't have time for me. *he was teary eyed*. They were always so busy at work I guess. My brother was small like me. I guess sometimes I didn't feel like wanted. They would always pamper Prem but never me. Don't get me wrong I'm not envious of Prem just wish I felt I was loved by my parents. My grandad gave me just that and much more. *smiles at me with a drop of tear coming out of one eye*. After my grandad, it's you that special someone who loves me unconditionally. Ofcourse no one can take my grandad's place but no one can take your place too. * I was touched was an understatement and felt bad and sad that he had to go through this in his childhood*
Pragya: *Rushed to him straight away and hugged him tight* You never told me this before, oh my days. I adore and respect you more now Abhi. You can share anything with me.
Abhi: *We broke the hug after we hear some car honking behind * * we smiled at each other and he started the car * * he switched on the radio but it doesn't seem to pick up signal * Damn radio. It would be cool to hear a song at this weather.
Pragya: *He looked like he was pissed off. I decided to cheer him up by singing*...*He looked at me surprised as I haven't sang in front of him before. Singing was something I kept to myself but our conversation few minutes before broke my inhibitions*
He
It started raining heavily and Pragya took me outside without a further ado and she started dancing around me, trying to convince me to dance so she can cheer me up but she didn't realize her presence was enough. I admired her innocence and enthusiastic nature and then all of a sudden she pulled me towards her and took my hands to put on her waist. I was watching her getting drenched. She looked ethereal. I almost went closer to her to caress her cheeks but her voice broke me out of my trance. It frightened me. "What was I just about to do there?", I thought to myself. I already took of her other hand without realizing as I was dazed in my own bubble. We started slow dancing to the rhythm, to the rhythm of the water droplets we continued dancing, it felt like forever until she put her head on my chest, then our dance went even slower and without even realizing we didn't know how long we were in that position.
As soon as the thunder stroke she hugged me tight, another thunder stroke then hugged me tighter, then another thunder stroke, she hugged me even tighter, if that was even possible. Thunders came one after another and after the thunder stopped, I could see her getting scared a bit shaky clinging onto my shirt. I tried soothing her, told her "it's okay you got me. I'm here. come on let's go. It's getting late and we got to get up early for our next stop". I can feel her head move as a nod through my chest like she was giving me tingling feelings. My heartbeats was rhythmically moving faster.
"What is this? What will she think of me if she ever find out what I was thinking or feeling? No what am I saying? I'm not feeling anything...I can't, she's my best friend."
I looked at her down as I did not want to let go, a smile creeped in the corner of my mouth and I just caressed her hair then she looked at me smiling at me, shyly. "Wait, why would she be shy with me? Feeling more than what I should, no, not feeling thinking more than I should", I thought. Without looking at her, I just grabbed her hand feeling her eyes at me at the corner of my eyes took her to the passenger side of the car and made her sit. I quickly sat in the car and drove to the cottage. The rain did not stop. We reached in our cottage and got into our dry clothes. Then Pragya made hot chocolate for both us. We talked a bit more and head to our rooms to sleep since we had to get up at 4.30 am.
We started our journey early morning the next day. Karshid beach was our next destination. It was a deserted area and also a not so popular choice. That's the reason I chose it. We went to the resort where I had booked two rooms for me and Pragya, kept our luggage, took some rest. After freshening up, I got ready in my white T shirt and black shorts. Pragya was already waiting for me in her room. She was also wearing a white T-shirt like me. As we reached the beach, I sat on the sand and watched the sea while Pragya was playing some sort of chase me game with the sea waves. I laughed whenever she ran away from the waves as they approach the shore. After few minutes, she came and sat beside me tired. I offered her a water bottle and she asked me, "When did I become so boring?"
"Boring?", I raised my eyebrows. She told me that I was sitting on the sand instead of playing in water. "If I come, you will start some stupid challenge about standing in water and get frozen. I don't want to carry you in my arms to the resort now...". I stopped as I realized what I said. She started lazily moving her finger on the sand.
"I am sorry", I said holding my ears. I got up and extended my hands to her but she was sitting with her arms crossed across her knees and face away from me. I told her sorry again but she was stubborn and didn't even face me. I decided that I had to take control of the situation and moved towards her. I took her in my arms and move towards the beach. She kept on telling me to drop her and gave me slight punches. I stopped and asked her, "Do you really want me to drop you?" "Yes", she told me angrily. I dropped her and started laughing. Realizing I had put her in the water, she pulled me into the sea and started laughing as she got her revenge. We start splashing water at each other. After some time, we came back and sat on the sand. She started searching for something and started panicking. I looked at her wanting to know about her worry. "My Cap", she told me disappointed. She told me that she must have missed the cap in the sea. I told her that the cap didn't suit her anyway but just then I saw the cap on the shore just about to be washed way.I quickly ran towards the sea and caught the cap beating the sea wave. I came back and put it on her head. She pulled my wet cheeks and told, "My dear Rockstar!" and I didn't know what happened then as I was not there.
She
The rain started. It was raining so heavily. At the first opportunity I took hold of Abhi to take him outside the rain without a further ado and I started dancing around him, trying to convince him to dance so I can cheer him up. Then I pulled him towards me as he wasn't dancing and instead he carried on looking at me dancing. I took hold of the situation and put his hand on my waist. I looked at him getting wet and thought he was going to start the dance first with me as I saw him getting closer and his hand was moving towards me. He kept looking at me. "Abhi", I called out to him. Without realizing I felt his hand under mine and it looked like it was there before. We started slow dancing to the rhythm, to the rhythm of the water droplets. We continued dancing and it felt like forever until I put my head on his chest. Without realizing our dance went even slower and we didn't know how long we were in that position. As soon as the thunder stroke, it scared me. I hugged Abhi tight, another thunder stroke then hugged him tighter, then another thunder stroke, I hugged him even tighter, if that was even possible. I freaked out as I started shaking, clinging onto his shirt. Abhi was trying to make me feel better about it as he told me "it's okay you got me. I'm here. come on let's go. It's getting late and we got to get up early for our next stop". I nodded at him still laying on his chest like I wanted to stay there forever. I sighed as I was trying to feel him, my heartbeats were getting faster, feeling the butterflies and did not want him to let go of me and stay here with me forever. "Wait, what am I thinking? There's no such thing, no feeling we are only best friends and best friends don't have these thoughts". I tried to shake what my mind was thinking. "Wait, why would I shake it off? I'm not thinking anything", I thought to myself. I saw him looking at me down as he smiled at me and just caressed my hair then I looked and smiled at him, feeling shy. Unknown to me, why? He just grabbed my hand as I board my eyes at him, noticing that he took me to the passenger side of the car and made me sit without looking at me or giving me eye contact. It must be because of the heavy rain, I pondered over it. He quickly sat in the car and drove to the cottage. The rain did not stop. We reached our cottage and got into our dry clothes. Then I made for both of us, hot chocolate. We talked for a little while more and headed to our rooms to sleep since we had to get up at 4.30 am.
We started our journey around 5 am. We reached our resort in few hours and took rest for some time. After a quick nap and a shower, I got ready in my white t-shirt and three quarter trouser and waited for Abhi. Just when I was wearing my cap, he came to my room and then we started walking to the beach. Karshid beach was Abhi's choice and as usual his choice was the best as it looked like the cleanest beach I had ever been to. As soon as we reached a spot in the beach, Abhi went and sat on the sand while I started playing in the water. It was fun but not much fun without Abhi.
I went and sat besides him. He gave me a water bottle since I looked tired and I asked him why he was boring. He looked at me like he didn't understand what I meant. I told him that he was sitting on the sand instead of playing in the water. "If I come, you will start some stupid challenge about standing in water and get frozen. I don't want to carry you in my arms to the resort now...", he said.
I didn't like that so I looked away.
He apologized but I didn't respond. The tables had changed and he was trying to get me into the water while I was sitting on the sand. He came to closer to me and carried me in his arms. "This is the second time he is choosing this way when I don't give in to his talks. He can't dominate me like this", I thought and started telling him to drop me down but Abhi being Abhi was not listening to my complaints. Finally he asked me whether I really wanted him to drop me and I said yes.
"Splash". He dropped me in water. Why didn't I realize he was walking to the sea? As if it was not enough, he started laughing at me. "Don't underestimate the power of me", I thought and pulled him into the water as well. This time, I laughed. We started splashing water each other. After some time, we went back to sitting on sand. I realized my cap was missing after searching it around. Abhi tried to convince me that it didn't suit me but then suddenly he started running towards the sea. I wondered what happened but he came back with the cap. As he put it on my head, I couldn't stop adoring him. Could he get any cuter? I pulled his cheeks and said, "My dear Rockstar" and we sat silently on the sand watching the sunset. I leaned over his shoulder and it felt good even though we didn't talk anything.
He
I kept looking at her whilst she was leaning on to my shoulder. Once I broke out of my trance I put my arm around her and we stayed like this for couple of hours watching the waves making noises and there were odd few people who were by the beach but then they went. It was just me and Pragya who were left behind. Pragya moved out of my arms to stretch and unexpectedly I groaned. She looked back at me with a questioning look and I just smiled and shrugged. She smiled back and looked the other way. "Pure that was a close call, what was that? Why did I even?" I thought. Since I had my sports ball with me, I took it out of our little travel bag that we bought with us. I and Pragya decided to play volleyball even though it's fun playing as a group, there was no one around so I and Pragya went ahead and played the game. First we put the line in the middle to show the opposition sides then the game began. It was lots of fun. We drew by 20 points. As it was already evening we head to our place and changed into our evening wear to go to a restaurant.
We went to a nearby sea-side restaurant for our dinner. The only question that Pragya was asking me till me we finished our dinner and got back to our rooms was this. "Where are we going next? Please tell. You know na, I can't handle suspense". To be honest, her asking again and again made me be firm in my decision of keeping it a surprise. We were standing in front of her room and she tried asking me the same question for the last time. I poked her nose and told her "It's a surprise and surprises can't be told before". She frowned at me before saying good night and closed the door. I went to my room and retired to sleep. Unlike other mornings, we woke up a little late that day.
Just when we started having our breakfast in the restaurant, Pragya got a call from her home. She stood up from the chair and started walking as she started her usual non-stop talk. I could hear "Papa, you too!!", "You know what happened?" "Mom don't start your worries now" occasionally in between her talks. It was just the third day we were away and she had got more than 5 calls till then whereas my family called me only once when we reached Lonavala. "Come-on Abhi! Stop comparing and complaining! You are on a trip with your best friend. You shouldn't think about anything else!", I told myself.
"Hey Rockstar! Are you lost in thoughts again?", she asked me as she sat on her chair.
"Talked with family?"
"Hmm.."
We resumed our dinner quietly.
"What happened?", she asked me as she kept her hand over mine on the table. I replied nothing
"If you want your family to call you, you should keep your phone charged", she told me and I looked at my phone, it was indeed switched off.
"How did you know I was thinking about them?", I asked her
"It's written on your face and you can never lie to me, remember?", she warned me.
I let out an embarrassed smile and looked down. She also told me that she had been informing Prem about our whereabouts regularly. I looked at her surprised and then she showed me our photos which she had shared online and the likes it had got.
"Look what your mom has commented on your trekking pic?"
"My little monkey has found its place"
I started laughing hard as I read the annoying comments put by Prem and my Mom. I scrolled through other photos and something that caught my eyes spoiled my mood.
She
As he put his arm around me and we stayed like this for couple of hours watching the waves, during this time I felt comfortable so I started trailing my fingers down his t-shirt. I didn't think he realized because I could feel his eyes on me. I carried on. After couple of hours only I and Abhi who were left behind. I moved out of his arms to stretch myself and out of nowhere I heard a groan from Abhi. I looked back at him to see if he was trying to tell me something instead he just smiled and shrugged. I smiled back and looked the other way. That was strange, I thought to myself. Maybe it was just coincidental. Few minutes later we decided to play volleyball even though it's fun playing as a group but there was no one around and with strangers, I'm not sure if it's a good idea so me and Abhi started firstly by putting the line in the middle to show the opposition sides then the game began. It was lots of fun and laughter as I was trying to compete him knowing how good he was at literally in every sports, since this was one of my favourite sports, I wasn't no less. We drew by 20 points. As it was already evening we head to our place and changed into our evening wear to go to a restaurant.
We went to a nearby sea-side restaurant for our dinner. Abhi told me that we were going to our next destination the next day but didn't mention the place. I kept on asking him but my efforts went in vain as he didn't tell even after we finished our dinner and went to our rooms. I decided to give a last try as he came to drop me in my room. He just poked my nose and told me that surprises can't be told before. I frowned at him and told good bye before closing the door.
It was 8 am when I got ready. We went down to have our breakfast and then my phone started ringing. It was from my home. I enthusiastically narrated the day's happenings and my dad was teasing me in between by saying that Abhi had saved them from trouble for two weeks. When I said that the beach was isolated and didn't have much people, Mom started being herself. I mean she started being the worried mom and started advising me to be safe, to not talk with strangers, to not go out in late nights etc. and luckily dad got the phone from my mom. He asked me to not worry about them and enjoy while being safe. Mom asked about Abhi. I replied that he was having breakfast and asked her whether she wanted to talk to him but she told me not to disturb him. As I came back to the dinner table, I found Abhi staring at the table.
"Hey Rockstar! Are you lost in thoughts again?", I asked him
"Talked with family?", he asked me
"Hmm.."
We resumed our dinner quietly.
"What happened?", I asked me as I kept my hand over his on the table. He replied nothing but I knew what exactly was he thinking.
"If you want your family to call you, you should keep your phone charged", I told him and he took his phone from his pocket only to find it switched off.
"How did you know I was thinking about them?", he asked me surprised.
"It's written on your face and you can never lie to me, remember?"
He smiled at me and looked down. I also told him how I had been in touch with Prem throughout the journey. Prem had been showing the pictures I shared online to their Mom and Dad and I knew it would in turn make Abhi happy. I showed him the pictures and the comments on it.
"Look what your mom has commented on your trekking pic?", I said as I gave him my phone.
"My little monkey has found its place"
He started laughing hard as he started reading the comments put by Prem and his mom. He started browsing through all the photos.
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