SAANCHI
✨

It felt like everything went silent around us. People's words, arguments, screams, everything fell deaf on my ears. The shock on his face clearly explained he had not even the tiniest of idea that he would see me here...ever again!

I stood still there. I was urging my legs to walk towards him but my petrified heart wanted to simply run away from here. Far away.

Back to Sydney again maybe!!! But I knew I couldn't anymore. I had run enough and now I was tired. He also looked tired.

The handsome face was still very much handsome. His tall build. Those dark brown eyes however looked tired and red. Like they didn't sleep for ages. His thick beard and moustache and that messy hair as if he woke up seeing a nightmare. He looked same yet different.

Nothing like how we met the first time.

My thoughts went back to the time I met him the first time...

Flashback begins...

'And this is your room!!!' Riya Pacchi showed me and I was practically jumping looking at the room. It was an all white room with a double bed along with a table lamp and a cupboard for myself. But the teddy bears beside it is what excited me the most and when I saw 'Tillu' next to it is what got me squealing.

'Ohhhh myyyy dad got this?' I asked hugging my pink teddy bear. The one which dad got for my seventh birthday. I was turning 14 soon however I wanted the teddy bear alongside. Mom told me she would buy me new ones but I was adamant about Tillu and I was glad I finally had him by my side.

'And this is the balcony!!! Have a look' let me get you your favorite milkshake till then' Riya Pacchi said and I was jumping.

I didn't want to go to Australia. And staying with Riya Pacchi is the best feeling ever. Although Ajjo (grandpa) wanted me to stay in Mangalore along with them, I knew staying with Riya Pacchi was more fun. She was the coolest aunt anyone could get. I could freely talk to her about how much I liked Hrithik Roshan and she would also let me try applying lipsticks unlike mom or Bapama (Grandma). Both thought I was too young for it.

Come on I am now going to high school. Eighth standard isn't too small. I was even the first one to know about periods in my school although I still didn't get my periods. I even know how babies are produced although the sexual reproduction chapter is in ninth standard. I know everything! But then my family is the overprotective kind. And with Riya Pacchi it felt like a free bird.

'Pacchiiii... please add some choco chips too!!!' I shouted from the room to which I heard a 'Gotcha' and I smiled.

Hugging my Tillu I walked towards the balcony and slided the glass door.

The apartment was on the fifth floor and I loved the view from here. It was facing a small garden area post which there were yellow fields. Pacchi told me those were mustard fields.

I smiled and took a deep breath and hugged my Tillu but suddenly my concentration was broken when I heard a voice...

'...I found my pajamas!!!' hearing that my eyes widened and I turned around to see a lean shirtless boy in a blue and pink striped towel trying to jump in order to reach the pajamas. But everytime he jumped the towel tied against his waist would slip and he would juggle between both. Finally he jumped higher and caught hold of the pajama saying...

'Found it Bua!!! Thanks!!!' and that's when he turned around and my eyes met his. We both were looking at each other but suddenly what happened next made me burst out into loud laughter.

His towel fell off and he was standing in his black color underwear still staring at me like a shock struck bird while I was behaving like someone had switch on a laughing gas cylinder.

It's only when a little kid from the neighbouring balcony shouted
'Nangu Pungu Bhaiyya (brother)...Shame shame!!!puppy shame' and my laughter riot continued is when he realised his condition and within next few seconds he ran inside his house.

Flashback ends...

That was the first time I met the man who brought a storm that I could never recover since ages in my life!!!

A smile adhered on my lips remembering our first meet. From that day till today. From giggles in our lives to the pain which was never ending.

He stood before me with so many questions probably which he would shower upon me.

My thoughts were broken by Mehek who said

'Saanchi...are you ok with being the president of the apartment?' before I could answer we heard a voice

'I don't want this post!' and without giving an explanation he walked out of the meeting. While people kept saying how he cannot do it, how it was what he suggested and was backing off from his own words now.

But all that aside when he passed by my side the strong cinammon perfume which hit my nose made me close my eyes. Damn this was intoxicating!

STOP!!! He is a married man. He even has a daughter Saanchi...Stop it!!!

But when he did not even spare me a look and left from there. It ached badly deep down my chest. In my heart! Did I still have one? I thought there were only a few leftover pieces!!

Wooow Dr Saanchi turning a poet???

Damn this man is already getting into my head when he has not even spoken a word! How will I live in an apartment next to him where Sudeshna and now his little replica would also be there.

He still hates me for what I did to him! Because I left him alone but what could I do...it wasn't easy for me either! .

I shut my eyes to hide my tears and left from there.

✨

'Look Beta (child)...it's a rule as per society that when no one wants to contest in a election we have to follow the chit rule. And as per that you have been picked as the president!!! You can't back off now! It's you or your aunt...either one of them must take up this position!!!" Mr Kumar said and I didn't know what to say.

'Parmeetji is right Saanchi. And anyways you are young and so is Nishchay! You both can manage everything easily. You both know netbanking, you both have the experience of handling big businesses so why not?' said Riya Pacchi and I was stumped.

How could I explain them that it's not that easy to face this man once in a while and here they are asking me to be the president of the apartment which means regular interaction with him and I can already feel how my emotions are resurfacing! What if I behave stupid and say something which i shouldn't!!!

Damn!!!

'But I don't know anything about the apartment!!!' I reasoned

'You have seen Gulmohar for years Saanchi. You know how it operates and the rest is just decision making and finance. You can handle it and then come on there is Nishchay to help you. Although I was the president and Ajit handled finance all these years, it was always Nishchay who managed all the money related and bank related transactions. He even took time once in two weeks to help us write the accounts. You don't need to worry. Just support him!' said Mr Kumar

Support him??? Who will support me??? Damn there are chances I may even faint in his presence!!!

But whatever reason I give will not be enough for them to be convinced so I followed the reverse psychology.

'Ummm I am ok Parmeet uncle...but I suggest you ask Nishchay!!!'

I was damn sure he would deny but then to my utter surprise he said
'Nishchay has already said a yes!!!' and my eyes almost turned as big as saucers.

'Hhhhhe...he agreed???' I asked

'Ofcourse Beta (child) and comeon we all know you both were childhood besties. I think you both can do a great job!!!' said Mr Kumar leaving me speechless.

✨

My legs were practically shaking as I took steps towards the office room. I could hear him speaking to Ajith uncle...My heart was pounding loudly. I stopped at a glass window and looked at my reflection yet another time in it.

I didn't want to dress up yet I ended up dressing in a salwar kameez instead of a jeans and shirt which I always prefer. Strangely the color as well was red.

Red because it's his favorite color???
Nope!!!
Because that was the most subtle salwar kameez I had!!!

Yeah!!! Sure Sherlock!!!
My mind mentally mocked me. I adjusted my dupatta yet another time and took a deep breath.

This is it!!!

And I entered the office room. That's when I heard Ajith uncle...

'Heyyyy Saanchi...how are you...come come...we were looking into the accounts.. come sit here' he said and I smiled saying

'Thanks uncle!!! I'm good! How are you?' I asked however my eyes were still on the man who didn't even lift his head up for even a fraction of a second and kept scribbling something in the register.

I was about to take a seat next to him when he stood up saying
'Ajith uncle! I will look into it later!! I need to cook for Kyra! It's a Sunday!!!' he said and I was shocked.

The Nishchay Mehra and cooking??? Can he even boil a glass of water???

Poor Sudeshna!!!

I thought for a while when Ajith uncle said...
'Ofcourse ofcourse!!! Today must be biryani day na???' but he didn't even respond. He didn't even smile.

Like someone would come and ask him to pay tax for smiling!!! Idiot!!!

Fine he is angry with me! But that doesn't mean he has to behave like a Hitler!!!

Hitler 2.0 indeed!!!

I wanted to talk to him...I was about to stand up to talk to him when Ajith uncle said...

'Ummm Nischay the budget for Diwali is in place na??? Remember we will have a pooja followed by lunch and you know these oldies will create a ruckus if you again ask them for extra cash! Like they want to take all the money to their graves!!!' Ajith uncle rolled his eyes.

'Dont worry uncle I have all the budget in place. We must organize the caterer alone rest I will take care!!!' he said and that's when I thought this would be a way to gain his apology. Maybe this can earn me an apology.

'Ummm Nishchay!!! Can I take up the caterers responsibility! I mean...my cousin Neiyat is a wedding planner across India she will know good caterers!!!' I said but before I could say more Nishchay said...

'Ajith uncle I think we must ask Happy Caterers again. Their food was decent last year too!!!'

'But Neiyat may know many new cate-'

'Ajith uncle ..I think Dr Prabhu may not know already but we have a limited budget which I don't think her hi-fi chefs would wish to cater to!!!'

'But Nishc-'

'Mr Mehra!!!'

'Nischa-'

'Its Mr Mehra for strangers Dr Prabhu!!! Only people who know me well call me by my first name...kindly adhere to it' he said and I was shocked

And that's when little pitter patter of shoes fell on my ears and within seconds I hear a 'Paaaaa.... biryani!!!' and my already moist eyes were now soaking wet. Tears rolled down my eyes.

'Ofcourse Princess!!! Come Pa will make you biryani today!!!' he said cutely which yet another time made me realise how much time had moved on...

He...had moved on!!!

And I....was nowhere there with him.

He had his own world while I was... Alone!!!