Yet Another Sunset #6 [New Thread Link On Page 1] - Page 15

will be waiting...😭

Morning dawned, the colours transforming in variety with a certain subtlety that took away minutes off my hand. I cuddled my bare arms as I rubbed them with fingers. The breeze was picking up speed and the cold was getting harsher. Despite the weather, sleep was long gone and it came as a surprise for we slept in late the previous night, what with the innumerable teasings and long conversations. As the wind gathered my hair slowly, I turned to face my empty room in the big mansion. My lehenge was on a corner, unfolded making it like a part of a mess. A tint of hollowness bothered me for until yesterday I slept with Muskaan. I wasn't scared of sleeping alone, but imagining sleeping alone wasn't a matter either. Until now. All night I had prayed, often nurturing my tears which seemed uncontrollable, for Muskaan. I didn't want to make a scene before she left tonight for Delhi. Thankfully, I had gotten over the idea that I was going to be without a companion yesterday night itself when Atul and Vivek (I find it weird not mentioning Armaan, but somehow he doesn't come in my normal talks. He is classified category. Still got to figure out why) spent hours with me, chatting as though we knew each other for centuries. Now I was more at peace and completely satisfied at Muskaan beginning a new journey. Suddenly, I was glad that Muskaan found Rahul. If it was for anyone else, I might not have found new friends.

The knocks on the door waved through surprising me. The sun wasn't up yet. Revealing Armaan, I rolled my eyes as I opened the door. Our brief moment from last night replayed, making it impossible for me to keep a straight face.

"You are up early?" I asked.

"I should be asking that, right." He stated rather than asking back. Thank God. I hated not being answered to and listening to further questions.

"Yeah. You should. I just woke up early and didn't find reason to get back to bed. Simple. What are you doing here?"

" I was out on a jog. Saw you on the balcony and came up to see the only non sleeping person in the house," he answered. I took a good look at him as I noticed him in tracks.

"You were jogging in this cold that too today? Wow. You must be a healthy freak."

"Not exactly. Jogging is a term I use often to excuse myself when I am just out enjoying the morning." He chuckled. I raised my eyebrows. Why do I always get the feel that there is so much more to know in this man?

"So jogging includes checking out girls in balconies and then hitting on them harmlessly," I said, motioning my hands in air adding drama. We were heading to the kitchen. At least I was, and he was following me.

"Well you could say that." He said meaningfully.

I didn't respond to that instantly and a brief veil of silence drew in. The hums and buzz of the kettle suppressed the silence as I readied two toasts. I was hungry and this felt like home already. Armaan dropped onto the bar chair, busying himself on his Blackberry.

"Coffee!," I offered. It would be mean having something in front of people without offering it. Besides, he wasn't an enemy. I hate admitting it, because he was never rude to me so I had to keep it even. I put forth his cup and he thanked me with a look and a charming smile. I had to remind myself that I was staring at it too long.

When the toast popped, we shared that as well. We didn't talk much because he was into his BB, messaging and occasionally gawking in my direction. I took the morning paper and read, sitting opposite him around the granite slabbed counter on the bar chair. Engrossed in our actions, we spent the next half an hour in silence before the house sprang in life.

*

When evening came, Muskaan was packed. Bua and the children were the first ones to crash on her, hugging and promising to stay in touch. Bua blessed her. I watched, keeping quiet for I was afraid my voice would crack at the wrong moment. On the other side, Rahul was chatting with the boys and Atul handed him a pot. I smiled. Atul's love for plants was a few of million reasons to like him. He couldn't harm those speechless living beings; tis probably why he cared for humans as well. Naina Aunty cried between her smiles, brining Rahul to near bursting point. Armaan thumped on Naina Aunty and I could see him say something to which Aunty smacked him. She looked tiny under his arms. Muskaan brought me out of my dreamland as she stood in front of me, eyeing from Armaan to me and back to Armaan. I straightened myself, frowning at her teasing glows.

"Someone taking the attention I am supposed to get," said Muskaan, putting in fake complain.

"No one's taking your attention away. Just don't assume things for yourself," I retorted.

"I wouldn't have if it wasn't for your distraction."

"Shush! Idiot! Off with killing me! At least when you are going, tell me something nice."

"Like what?"

I ignored her innocent looks and simply reached out to her shoulders and drew her into a hug. We stayed like that for a few moments and I heard her sniff later. I pulled her off of me and wiped her tears.

"Call me, kay. Whenever you can. I need female company every time I can manage it," she said, doddling on my palms with her sari borders.

"Yeah. You will need it in between all the times Rahul's gonna keep you busy," I said shamelessly. My attempt in bringing her out of her emotions worked like magic as her eyes widened and her cheeks ended in crimson.

We shared our own personal soul sister moment before she got into the car and as the car zoomed the pathways, I had to blink back my threatening tears. While everyone withdrew back home slowly, I stood amazed at how much happened in the past weeks.

From my corner of my eyes, I caught Armaan staring at me. Somehow I read the deep blue pair of eyes so well. I lip synced, 'I am not crying'. He understood but he looked unsure. I didn't have to prove anything then but the urge was ignition. I smiled. He eyed me intensel. Finally convinced, he smiled back. Honestly.

The sun played around the horizon for the second and last time for the day.