The yellow lights emitted the mood of the evening and the happiness of the hearts. Everyone was ready in their traditional attires. The kids were too excited as they hardly got to wear the ethnic wear. The girls especially took more time, as expected to get ready. Janhavi was looking beautiful in a noodle strap pink short Anarkali with dhoti patterned bottoms in navy blue with gold lace. Hey eyes matched her dhoti bottoms in the similar shade of navy blue. Wearing a simple mang tika, earrings and a round finger ring in matt gold, she looked splendid. Siya had worn lehenga choli that Manu maasi had gifted her and Aarna too had worn a lehenga choli.

As Janhavi came down with Aarna and Siya, Agastya was the first one who had the broadest grin as he muttered 'whooaa beautiful', but soon looked away composing himself before anyone could catch him. Vihaan was too excited as he wholeheartedly complimented Siya, his 'Si' "whoooaaa prettiness! you look super fab and I mean it" Siya hugged Vihaan, her 'Vi' "Ohh thank youuu Vi.. manu maasi got this for meah...isn't it pretty daddy?" she asked Siddhant too as she twirled and her bangles clanked.

"Hey what's this? neva have seen youu wear these...what's its called? something chu...chu" Vihaan said and before he could say anything embarrassing enough, Prashant immediately filled in for him

"Vihaan it's called Chudi in hindi and bangles in English.. they don't wear them in London.. Ask your mom to wear often so that her dear son knows its name" he winked at Manu and Akshay high fived with Prashant while Manu spared a look at both of them "shut up guys"

Janhavi had thought and had been waiting for Agastya to compliment her as he always did during their childhood. But Agastya didn't say anything, just smiled formally at her and got going with Vi who had dragged Siya too with them.

While all of them were busy in chit chatting and enjoying the snacks, Aarav raised a toast to grab everyone's attention

"Hello everyone.. thanks for joining us yet again this year as well. Although every year we all come here to celebrate our friendship, today it is a special occasion as a new chapter awaits for Agastya". Nobody knew what he was saying, not even Agastya's best friend Janhavi. There were few raised eyebrows and Aarav smiled

"Bata raha hoon bhai... Sabra... so Agastya has been lucky to grab admission in automobile engineering and is flying to Massachusetts, USA in a week's time... the university he had got admission into is one of the top ones for his branch and I couldn't be glad that he could pursue his dream at one of the best universities to study automotive engineering... so that was about the surprise! We would be glad as parents to have all your blessing for Agastya for his future endeavors"

As soon as he made this announcement, there was a hubbub and everyone congratulated Agastya and hugged him. But there was one who was although happy for him, yet was shocked as she had no idea about Agastya having plans to move abroad for studies. He never mentioned it nor even discussed that he had applied for it in the USA.

This news came as a jolt for Janhavi as she frowned. The chaos didn't exist, the people seemed to haze, the time froze and she could only see Agastya going back in motion and soon disappearing out of her sight. She was brought back by the burst of fireworks that had lit up the sky. But the question was, what about her life, that was somewhere lit up by her only best friend since childhood, her Gusty. They came face to face and she smiled softly while the corner of her eyes were wet "Congratulations Agastya...wish you success and the best of everything in all that you do here after".

Her emotions somehow got buried as there were many people around and Gusty just managed to reciprocate with a 'thanks' that sounded quite formal. The silence today felt very uncomfortable to not just Janhavi but Agastya too felt the very same. As if they fell short of words on what to say, what to ask and how to react.

The evening and the celebration had been progressing pretty well. Kanhaiya bhaiya had arranged everything for the BBQ. They all had decided to enjoy BBQ once they would change into something comfier. The night grew colder and they all enjoyed homemade Diwali snacks they had brought with them, especially Vihaan every year looked forward to Diwali for its pomp and food.

"Sweetheart... come hea...leďus click pics" Vihaan pulled Siya who was busy stuffing her mouth with motichoor laddoo "Aaahhhh.. Vi.. can you noh hold on...don't spoil my pics yaa.. I don wan my pics with stuffed mouth.. looking like a laddo" But Vi enjoyed teasing her and clicking her weird pictures against her wish to irritate her only to be chased later "hey..stop hitting me preetiness".

And that's how Vihaan and Siya had been since their childhood. Sanaya would always say "dono ka naa alag hi chalta hai... tere sath raha naa jaye.. tere bina raha naa jaye...aisa hisab hai dono ka... Tom and jerry kahi ke.. lekin hain bade cute"

Soon they all had decided to change and enjoy the night away. The pool had been heated, the jacuzzi had been whirling. The lights in the pool and the back yard fairy lights with Diwali lanterns and yellow-orange marigold décor had set the perfect ambiance for the after party. The marinades were kept ready by Radha and Kanhaiya bhaiya had just started the coal fire till everyone was back at the pool having changed.

The elders had decided to sit and relax with booze and gup. The ladies too had a lot to catch up. Siya, Vihaan, Aarna and Hridaan had decided to get into the jacuzzi, while Janhavi was finding it tough to face Agastya. The hurt had seeped that made her sad and emotional. Naina and Sanaya called her too if she wanted to join them, however, she excused for having a swim. All the adults had been lazing around in a far-off corner from the pool as the guys helped in BBQ and served the ladies too. Agastya too came and chit chatted a bit with Sid chachu and had some fun banter with Prashant chachu. His eyes although were at the pool as he had seen Janhavi getting into the water.

They had been together at the farm house for the entire weekend yet Agastya kept maintaining distance from Janhavi, intentionally from his side. He knew he was going away and it won't be easy on jaanu. Hence, he had planned already to maintain distance deliberately, to probably make it less difficult for her. She sulked a little as she found Agastya aloof and not her usual Gusty as he was during their childhood, who would be buzzing around his Jaanu all the time and would do nothing without her.

It pinched her more as he did not even intimate her about him planning to go abroad for higher studies. How should one feel when one finds the distance widening? Her state of mind and heart was no different. She took a dip in the pool and swam the length to the other end. As she surfaced above to breathe, she came face to face with Gusty. He had been in the pool and their eyes met. He could read hurt in Janhavi's eyes. She could see the questions he feared to answer. It was a very emotionally intimate eye lock. Her tears had got mixed with the dripping pool water and the chlorine had made her eyes red.

Having been hurt, she chose not say or ask anything and Agastya dared not to talk much. And in a couple of minutes when the silence grew awkward, they smiled softly to each other and swam towards opposite directions. How metaphorically apt it had been that even their lives had been going in two different directions where Janhavi was pursuing her graduation in business studies from Delhi University, Agastya was flying to the USA for automobile engineering. Even the time zone and geographical mapping matched to that of their state of lives that would be moving into different directions. It felt awkward but it was the question of their lives and their careers. Her tears couldn't be seen but that didn't mean they were not felt and noticed. Afterall, who they both had been hiding from? Each other? who were best friends since childhood.

Soon the kids were called to relish the sizzling hot BBQ that was ready to be devoured. Agastya had turned 18 and on the evening after the actual party, there was a little booze and gusty had his first celebratory beer with his dad. Aarav had thought to have a toast with Agastya so that he knows if ever he boozes in his absence and being a friend more than a dad, he wanted to be that open to his champ. It took few sips for Agastya to like the taste while Naina made him take a sip from her red wine as Siddhant issued a warning with a friendly pat on his back

"Naina don't mix booze for him.. It will hit bad... young man always remember 2 things, first not boozing is not a crime.. if you don't want to booze always opt out; it is your personal choice and decision that you and everyone else must respect and second if ever you do, never mix two types of alcohol"

Being a traditionally well brought up young gentleman, he had never touched alcohol till now. Janhavi had been to her room to bring her hoodie with Siya and Naina had asked her to get Aarna's jacket as well. She had given a miss to see Agastya taking his first ever sip. By the time she was back, she saw Agastya with a beer can and was little astonished when Naina offered her red wine with a smile

"Want to taste big girl? We want to be open to you kids so that you know the good and the bad and the right and the wrong of things you would get into... you are just like Agastya to us.. so we want you guys to grow up responsibly"

Janhavi smiled and just took a sip. But soon her face turned into sour expression as she coughed a little "aai aunty... yuck... this is so bitter. Dikhne me jitni temptng hai utni hi ewww feel hai... feels like medicine" everyone laughed and even Agastya had a smile on his face looking at Jaanu's expressions. They all settled with their choice of drinks while the kids had a choice of freshly squeezed juices or cold drinks that they were seldom allowed.

"Mom! India's cola has a different taste...why so? Hey preetiness! you know, in London the same cola tastes more sweet and less fizzy... try karegi this one" Vihaan said cheering his cola with Siya's orange soda.

Aarna was sleepy and it had gotten past midnight when they wrapped the party.
Agastya had a couple of beers and had also tasted a glass of wine. Being a teetotaler till now, the alcohol made him feel little tipsier. And the emotions and the deliberate attempt of distancing made him dizzy. He too said his good night as Vihaan and Hridaan took him to their room. They all had been dead tired and it didn't take much time for the kids to doze off into a deep slumber.

Janhavi thought Agastya had gotten drunk on those couple of cans of beer as he had slurred while talking. Filled with a lot of contemplation about all the distance in her and her Gusty's friendship, she thought of talking to him. Reaching his room, she found him asleep with his shoes on, lying beside Vihan and Hridaan who were fast asleep. She slowly walked to him and sat by his side for some time. Removing his shoes, she tucked him into the duvet and caressed his hair. She didn't know when her eyes felt hazy and those unushered tears rolled down her cheeks as she held Gusty's hand softly in hers

"Why did you do this Gusty? Bachpan ki bestest friend, 'my Jaanu' se itna paraya kar diya ki discuss karna to door, batana bhi zaruri nahi samjha. Wo Agastya jo Janhavi ke bagair school ke gate se bahar bhi nahi jata tha, usne aaj itni badi baat nahi batayi... Why has this distance seeped in between us? Why do I now feel awkward to even ask you? Why do I not feel the right to question you? I am happy for you but don't know the reason and that makes me sad... I want to cry hugging you but I even can't do that... You used to tell me every small thing, used to share even your spelling mistakes too... Perhaps this is it! We were probably destined to be together only till here. But you will always be special for me. Gusty will always hold a special place in Janhavi's heart. But you have hurt me today and this has seeped so deep that..."

She stopped wiping her tears, running her hand through his hair softly, still holding that smile and then left him to rest for the night. As she left, Agastya had a soft smile spread on his face while in his sleep. That day had been the heaviest for Janhavi and Agastya both for they had shared a bond so beautiful, yet things looked slipping away. It felt like trying to hold the sand in your fist, the more you tighten, the more it slips. It felt exactly the same and they both had no words and no questions to ask and no answers to give to each other. Yet Janhavi had the WHY that spun her head and she cried to sleep.

The morning wasn't as fresh and happy as it had to be for Janhavi and well, even for Agastya. However, they didn't show their vulnerabilities. They were supposed to head back to Mumbai as Agastya had a lot of arrangements and packing to look after. Radha made the breakfast for them and they all enjoyed the last meal of this visit as they would start their journey back home. It wasn't a great feeling, Janhavi already felt emotional as she knew probably it would be too long now that she would get to see Agastya next. This gave her heartbeat a skip and it wasn't a great feeling. Their bags were packed and were kept in the cars.

Just as everyone was bidding goodbye to each other and especially to Agastya after the farmhouse weekend, Janhavi was about to peck Agastya on the cheek as she hugged him bidding farewell. But the hug naturally turned a little longer. Just as Gusty broke the hug, Jaanu's kiss that was intended for his cheeks landed on his lips. As soon as they realized what just had happened, both Janhavi as well as Agastya, who were taken by surprise, got awkward. They looked around to check if anybody had noticed what just happened and turned to walk away in different directions out of mixed emotions and awkwardness.

Janhavi was overwhelmed and had turned pink reminiscing the whole thing in the journey back home thinking about what had happened a while ago. And in those thoughts, they didn't realize to have reached home. Did they really? Was Mumbai even a home now to them as they had their paths about to be separated when Agastya would fly to the US.

Her eyes got wet at the corners as her heart murmured "was it the last hug Gusty?"

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Health and happiness
Shefali and Asmi ✨💕