Today is the day Darsh is coming to my home. As if her own son were coming home, my mom is cleaning the entire house and cooking a ton of food. My brother and I, meanwhile, feel like adopted kids.
I enter the kitchen and say, "I want breakfast, Maaa."
She doesn't even give me a look. "Go eat whatever is available, such as muesli or cornflakes. Today is too busy for me. Really?
After exchanging glances with my brother, my brother and I quietly take the muesli, fill two bowls with milk, and begin eating. My phone rings at that very moment. It's Tithi, my college friend.
I pick up the phone.
She says, "Please come with me today." "I have to go shopping and get some essentials. I don't want to travel by myself. Are you coming?
I'm free. totally free.
"Obviously," I reply. Since we're leaving, let's also take a look at our college. Months have passed since our visit. "All right!" she says with excitement. "I will call others too." It will be a reunion of friends.
"Done."
Quickly finishing my breakfast, I head to my mom.
"I am taking Tithi with me, Maa."
"All right," she replies. But return soon. Darsh is arriving today.
"I understand, Mom."
I believe that the entire neighbourhood is now aware of Darsh's impending arrival.
My brother lets out an exaggerated sigh. "Mummy, you no longer love me."
She gives a smile. "No, no, bacha, I adore you. As you are aware, Darsh bhaiya consistently ranks first in his school. You can ask him for tuition if you need it.
I smile. "All right, all right. I'm going now.
Today, I wear a white top and black jeans. The top is plain white, with delicate embroidery along the neckline and sleeves. Soft. Simple. Elegant. I wear my wristwatch and a thin bracelet. A minimal necklace rests lightly against my collarbone.
I don't overdo my makeup, just a soft, natural look. I put on small golden earrings and a simple ring.
For a moment, I try to make a messy bun, but no. I changed my mind and clipped my hair up instead.
At 10:15 a.m., I leave the house. Standing, I gaze up at the sky at the bus stop. Even though it's an ordinary day, it feels unique. The wind is a little chilly, but the sun is shining brightly. Everything seems lovely.
My bus pulls up.
Surprisingly, I find a seat when I enter. I hardly ever get a seat at this time because of the usual office and college rush. However, I do today.
a seat by the window.
The window is open. As the wind rushes in, it plays with my hair and brushes against my face. I grab my earbuds from my bag, plug them in, and start listening to music while gazing out. The wind.
The sun.
I have no idea when my eyes will begin to slowly close.
And perhaps...
I lose myself in a dream.
I slowly open my eyes.
I don't know where I am for a moment. I glance around. The bus is continuing to move. I look out of the window and turn my head.
Something seems off.
The streets look unfamiliar. The buildings. The shops. Even the turns the bus is taking. I don't usually take this route.
I am not stopping here.
My heart skips a beat.
With haste, I get up and approach the conductor.
"Pardon me, could you tell me the location of the KR market?"
He gives me a nonchalant glance. "That halt? Fifteen minutes ago, we crossed it. What?
My stomach drops.
However, this is the first time I've truly missed my stop and found myself in an entirely new location.
At last, the bus pulls up at the next station.
I move aside. I have never been here before.
It feels unfamiliar. Not the same. Odd.
I quickly check the bus timings on my phone. In a few minutes, the next bus that returns to my college will arrive.
To get to the other side, I have to cross the road.
While crossing the road, I keep checking the bus timing on my phone.
Suddenly
Someone pulls me toward them, a firm grasp on my wrist. A sudden movement.
I was briefly confused by what had just happened.
A bicycle nearly crashes into me.
My heart nearly stops.
I blink.
What just took place? Then I see that the traffic signal has already changed when I look up.
As I slowly turn around, I see who pulled me.
It's a man.
nearly six feet in height.
Although I'm not entirely sure what "handsome" actually means, I believe this to be it. This is what people call handsome.
Keen eyes.
a nose with the ideal shape.
lips that are defined.
He is dressed formally black trousers and a clean shirt. I can see he has a toned body even through the fabric.
Hold on... What am I thinking?
I need to give him credit.
I gaze up into his eyes.
And he asks, "Are you done looking at me?" in a cool, almost amused tone.
I feel as though I've been openly observing him. I immediately pull back my hand.
"Thank you," I mean. "Sorry, no, no, no," I mumbled.
And before he can continue...
I run.
A dangerously attractive man literally makes me flee.
I am running, but why?
I could have given him a proper thank you. I could have said something normal.
However, no.
I simply run.
After a few minutes, I board my bus and depart from that location. I look out the window, replaying the whole thing.
I was actually in a stranger's arms just a few seconds ago.
I almost got hit by traffic.
He pulls me.
I stare at him.
He catches me staring.
I run.
Very mature behaviour.
When I get to the market, Tithi is there waiting for me.
She asks, "Why did you take so long?" "Where have you been?"
I apologise, a little out of breath. "What just happened will surprise you."
And I tell her everything.
She gives me a quick look.
Then she starts giggling.
"Are you insane?" she asks. Was he attractive?
I pause. "Perhaps."
She narrows her eyes and asks, "Maybe?" "Have you got his number?"
"No," I say softly. "I went for a run."
"You what?" You ran after meeting a cute guy who saved your life.
I sigh as she begins to laugh. "All right, all right. Give it up. She grabs my hand. Indeed. Give it up. It's time to go shopping.
And with that, we walk into the crowd.
However, I am still thinking about that somewhere in my mind.
After Titi and I go shopping, we meet up with our college friends. I return home at approximately 4:50 p.m. The house feels unusually quiet as I walk in.
I immediately go to irritate my brother after dropping my bag on the couch.
Mom says, "I told you to come home early," from the kitchen.
I ask, "Maa, for what?"
"How are you able to forget? Darsh is coming today, as I mentioned.
Yes, exactly. That is right.
How is it possible for me to forget that Darsh is arriving today? I think I totally forgot about it because there are so many things that happen in the morning.
"Oh! When will he arrive, then? I ask quickly.
"He already came and left as well."
"What?
I have been planning since I found out he is coming. I want to observe every aspect of him, including his appearance, speech, and behaviour. And I forget today, of all days?
"Don't mind, Maaa. I mumble, "I'm a little busy today.
"It's all right," Mom says. "He moved to India already. He'll be in Hyderabad. And for your studies, you are heading to Hyderabad in a few days, correct? There, you can meet Darsh, Uncle, and Aunty.
"Anyway, I am leaving in four days." It's not that bad, then.
I have started packing my things.
It has been days
I hesitate a little before logging into my account.
The screen is flooded with notifications.
Mentions, tags, and messages.
My fans.
A small smile appears on my face.
Among the numerous messages, one immediately grabs my attention.
from an account name lemon.
It's not a strange name. In the writing community, people usually hide behind aesthetic usernames. It's normal.
The person who has stood by me from the start.
When I first began to write stories.
When I had low readers.
Even during that phase — when I disappear without explanation, this account never disappears.
There are other loyal accounts, too.
But this one feels different.
I don't know who she is.
I assume she is a girl. Most of my readers are girls. They love romance. They understand emotions better.
I once had a large crowd at the first meet-and-greet event. Many people come to meet me.
But Lemon doesn't.
Still, somehow, she managed to get my autograph.
Whenever I reach a million reads.
As soon as my story becomes a "super hit".
Every time I set a new record.
I get so many messages in my inbox.
This account, however, is unique.
Lemon never sends lengthy paragraphs in my inbox.
Just one short text.
Brief. Sincere. respectful.
Meaningful, but not loud.
And somehow, that feels more special.
And I feel encouraged.
Because when someone loves your book
When someone loves your words
When someone believes in your talent
It becomes a strength.
It becomes motivation.
It makes you want to write again.
I look at the screen of my laptop for a few moments.
Perhaps I should try to write today.
New chapter.
New episode.
The cursor blinks at me.
Before I can type a single word, my brother walks into my room.
"What are you doing, Di?"
"I'm writing," I say. "Are you done with your studies?"
He nods. "And you know what? That brother came to our house today."
I turn to him immediately. "Oh, really? How does he look? What did you guys talk about?"
"He is very tall," my brother says casually.
Before he can say more, Mom's voice echoes from downstairs.
"Ishan! You said you will take only fifteen minutes break. Where are you now?"
I look at him and smile. "Ohhh, so your studies aren't complete yet. Go, go, my boy."
He rolls his eyes and leaves the room.
Silence fills the space again.
Not a word.
Perhaps today isn't the right day to write.
I shut down my laptop. Perhaps a new city will inspire me differently. I decide to start packing.
First, clothes.
Next, books.
Next are the little things I don't want to forget.
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