As Taara entered her home she was greeted by her mother's surprised look. "You're early today?" Her mother asked more than pointed out. 

"Yeah." Taara answered making a beeline for the kitchen. She needed her cup of tea. The hours at work had been tiring. She had no heart to head to the beach cause she knew she'd only feel more miserable after sitting there alone and missing him. He was leaving for Singapore later tonight and obviously couldn't make it to their evening rendezvous spot. Taara left her tea to boil and headed upstairs.

"Wanna go out for a movie tonight?" She heard her mother ask.

Taara smiled. It had been a while since she had gone for a movie outing with her mother. Maybe it would be a nice way to detox and take her mind off things. "Sure. Better be a light movie. You select the movie and book the tickets. I am going to decide the restaurant." Taara spoke peeping down. 

"Deal!" She heard her mother say. "By the way, where's your guy? Fought with him?" Her mother finally let her curiosity slip out. 

Taara mentally laughed at it. "He's heading to Singapore for a week. There's some business summit. By the way, Papa is also going for it." She added the little piece of information at the end even though she knew her mother wouldn't care to know.

Taara's mother sighed. "Business men and their business trips!" She muttered under her breath. 

"Did you say something?" Taara asked looking over her shoulder.

"Nothing sweetie. I will WhatsApp you the movie start time. You can nap if you wish."

"Cool. I don't think I can take a nap. I have a little work to be done." Taara grumbled dragging herself up the stairs. 

* * *

Taara : Have a safe and happy journey. 

 Aayush: Will! At the boarding gate.

Taara: :)

Aayush: You missed me today?

Taara: Nah. Went out for a movie then a restaurant. Just returned. 

Aayush: with whom?

Taara: With my other boyfriend. 

Aayush: Really?

Taara: He's more handsome than you are.

Aayush: Well, at least you admitted I am handsome.

Taara: The subject of importance is my second boyfriend.

Aayush: Taara, calling your mother your handsome boyfriend is not a good idea. Really.

Taara: Wait! How did you know?

Aayush: I have my eyes on you, always. :)

Taara: Creepy Stalker!

Aayush: Next time play that trick before posting pictures tagged MovieWithMom.

Tara: Ah, Oh! Wait - you stalk my profile, huh?

Aayush: I am in the flight now.

Taara: Liar.

Aayush: Do you want me to send you a picture to prove it? The air hostess looks pretty by the way.

Taara: *rolls eyes*

Aayush: Miss me! About to take off.

Taara: Have a nice time!

Aayush : Good night!

Taara: Sweet dreams!

* * *

Never had the beginning of a week been so slow for Taara. She never thought she'd miss him so much. It had been only two days but to her they felt like two months. She hated being at office. She hated how her mom's words kept haunting her. In the past two days, they hadn't spoken. Just a few texts were exchanged. A few in the morning and a few at night. She couldn't help but think and perhaps overthink the entire thing in various angles. 

Was she just an amusement or his new adventure? Would it ever go somewhere— the thing that they had? More importantly, did she want it to? There were many questions that popped up time and again in her mind to bother her. She hadn't thought of the long run. She was just looking for companionship when he entered her life. It all seemed easy and perfect. She was finally believing that she had her share of fairy-tale scenes in life too! But life doesn't stay the same forever.

Taara had seen her parents fight over stuff. Stuff that included priorities, work balance, expectations from life. Very rarely are there people who perfectly fit into each other's lives. At one point or another each has to mould itself to fit in with another. Relationships weren't easy. Taara had learnt that at a very early stage. She was mature enough to avoid dealing with them. She would have ran away from a few of them. 

But she didn't run away when Aayush approached her. It was one of the bravest things she had done in her opinion. No doubt she was happy how it had turned out. She loved spending time with him. There were little things she really loved about him. She loved how he not just heard her out but always had a reaction. She was amazed at how he subtly pointed out her flaws without actually offending her. He did that a lot. The best part of it was he did it in such a way that he made her question it and come to it on her own. She loved when under the cover of petty things he conveyed big reality checks. She was absolutely in love with his personality. WAIT. Did that count as loving him too?

"Taara?"

"Yeah!" She blinked looking at her colleague Juhi. 

"I have been calling you for more than three times. Where are you lost?"

"Nah. Nothing!" Taara sighed.

"Anyways, are you not leaving yet?"

"Oh -yeah. I will just finish this .." Taara pointed to her computer screen.

"Right? Can you please do me a favor. Please give this to Boss, she's in a meeting right now. And I need to leave. Please."

"Sure!" Taara gave her a sugary smile. Juhi left mumbling a quick thank you. Taara looked at the file and placed it on her desk. Turning to the computer screen in front of her she sighed.

* * *

Aayush looked at the time as he entered his suite. "1 am" his phone read. Wow! She must already be asleep. He checked his chat window. Surprisingly, he didn't find a good night text. Although there was one in the late afternoon, it was a picture of a cup of tea. He smiled. God, he never thought he'd miss her so much. He couldn't wait to get back to Mumbai and be at the Marine drive with her. Sighing he loosened his tie and slumped onto the bed. No matter how excited he had been for this trip and how much he looked forward to it since past two months, all he wanted was for it to wrap up quickly. So that he could get back home, so that he could get back to her.

━━━✦❘༻༺❘✦━━━

Do vote and comment!