It was exactly half past 1 pm. I had gone to my dad's room to give him lunch and tablets. He was much better than yesterday. Mom was out doing grocery shopping. So I had my lunch alone and came back to my room to continue my office work. As it was too hot outside I decided to turn on the AC in my room.

While doing my work, I got a call from Ashi. I wondered why she would call me at this odd time of the day. It was very rare she called me when she was at work. Then I thought maybe it was lunchtime and she would want to talk about her meeting. I picked up her call for the third ring.

Without even allowing me to say HI, She breathlessly asked me 'Appu, are you free, can we talk, it's urgent, please spare me five minutes, I want to tell you something important.'  Her voice kind of worried me.

I was given no choice hence I said 'I all ears Ashi, go on'

'OK OK, so after our meeting, my clients decided to have some dessert outside. As it was hot we all voted to have ice cream. There is this newly opened ice cream parlor which is just opposite our tech park. We finally chose to go there and try out new flavours' She paused to breathe.

'We ordered our favourite flavoured ice creams and chatted while waiting for it to be served. A waiter came and served our ice creams and out of nowhere he gave me the same flower bouquet as I got in Subway' she said with a shaky tone.

I became blank. I was speechless and shocked at the same time. I did not reply.

'Hello Appu, can you hear me'? Ashi asked sounding worried.

'Yes, Ashi, please continue. I'm blank and trying to digest what you just told' I said keeping my voice calm, but my mind was filled with millions of thoughts.

'I still can't believe it Appu, I'm in the washroom and my clients are out having ice cream. I acted cool in front of them like I knew who it was from and came to the washroom to call and tell you about this ' Ashi replied controlling her tears.

Again I was just silently listening to her without uttering a word.

'I have no idea how to stay calm after getting the rose from the waiter Appu. When I asked him 'who gave', He said a kid gave him to give it to me and that's it, no other information I got Appu' s Ashi said, this time half crying.

After about 10 seconds I found my voice.

'Calm down Ashi, you're with your clients and nothing will happen to you, this may be just for fun again, OK?' I said trying to calm her down.

'But Appu, you and I both know that it's not just for fun or prank. They know my live location now. They may be following me too Appu. Who is doing all this and why?' asked Ashi sobbing.

'You don't worry, I'll come over tonight and we can talk about it Ashi, now go back there with confidence and act as if nothing happened at all, ok?' I tried convincing her somehow 'Also, please don't create any trouble for yourself at the office. Now wipe your tears, set your makeup, and go back there.' I repeatedly told this. 

' Ok Appu, thanks for always being there for me, daily. Muahh. See you tonight' said Ashi after wiping her tears, she sounded much better and then she hung up the call.

I was in complete shock. After disconnecting the call, I just sat on my bed without blinking an eye for I don't know how long. The fact that I had a dream about the ice cream parlor was scaring the hell out of me. This time I was really worried. I had not yet decided whether to keep the dream to myself or tell Ashi. I guess I'll skip the part depending on how she is tonight. I don't want her to worry more.

This may sound funny but I somehow started to believe my dream was coming true. A first the white horse resembled a white car, now the ice cream parlor. God. Also, I have a strong feeling something was fishy, and something was going to happen soon.

Later that evening I finished my work and wanted to go out and get some fresh air until Ashi came home. My head was aching because of all the thoughts and thinking too much. Doing my office work made it worse.

While walking I wondered if I would see Mr. K.

'What,  seriously, Mr.K? Stop It Appu' I mentally slapped myself.

Why was I even thinking about him or wondering if I could see him?

'God, control Aparna, and Don't ever think about these things again I said to myself and plugged in my earphones and played Arjith singh songs.

Maybe my dream had something to do with the fact I was thinking of Mr. K. 'Whatever'

I shook my head to clear my thoughts and started brisk walking.

                                                     x----x----x------x-------x-------x--------x------x--------x

It was half past 7 pm, I came back from a walk, got freshened up, completed my office work, and checked on my dad. He had almost recovered.

I was watching TV for some time to keep my mind distracted and when it was almost dinnertime, my Mom called me to have dinner. I told her that ill be sleeping over at Ashi's house and asked her to pack some dinner for both of us. 

My mother agreed to it.

She loved Ashi more than she loved me. She allowed me to do anything or go anywhere if it involved her. Ashi had become my extended family.

But also like all other Indian families, my Mom had issues once in a while.

Her usual dialogues. What will our neighbours think that you always hang out with her etc. etc?

Like always I ignored.

If I asked for a sleep over at Ashi's house my mom knew Ashi might have been upset about something and also she had a soft spot for her. She would always say 'Poor girl stays away from home. She will need you, to be her support'. Somehow I also needed the same. It was a win-win.

She asked me if everything was ok while packing our dinner. I replied 'yes ma, all fine. Some office politics that's it'.  

While my mom was packing our dinner I noticed that she had kept 2 extra boxes.

'Maa, why are you packing two extra boxes ' I asked with a confused look on my face.

'You know Sakshi Aunty right, give these two boxes to her please ' Mom said casually.

'Who is Sakshi Aunty Maa, I don't know anyone by that name, and no time, sorry' I said irritated.

'Arrey, the house in front of Ashika's house, that's Sakshi's aunt's house. There will be a white car in front of the gate just in case you get confused beta, Go and tell her your Raji aunties daughter and give these boxes to her' mom said and gave me the bag.

'How do you know her maa' I asked with utter shock.

'When I would go for a morning walk, she used to also come to jog and while coming back home we would walk together, that's how we became friends' she said smiling and thinking of her fond memories.

' But I haven't seen her at all, all this while' I said confused and trying to remember all my mom's friends.

'Yes, cause she and her family lived abroad for almost five years and only last week they moved back to India. Her son wanted to come back to India and work for sometime to see how it goes' she said with sparkle in her eyes. She was always a fan of patriarchy.

I rolled my eyes and asked

'First of all, did she call and tell you they were back? did she recognize you? Also, did she give you any chocolates?'

She gave me a stare and a disgusted look.

'You and your childishness. When will you even grow up Aaparna. Of course she recognized me, in fact, she even invited us for lunch. That's why I am giving her some homemade sweets as a welcome gesture ' she said with a smile.

'Oh god, what is wrong in asking for chocolates Ma, and also don't pull me into the middle of this lunch and all' I said waving my hand which is a gesture I always do to tease her.

'Why are you so antisocial kokko'? She asked teasing me back.

By the time I replied,

She said 'And don't forget to give boxes. One last request, please be nice and smile kokko.'

I was in no mood to argue or talk back. My mind had already started thinking about Mr.K and that I would have to officially meet him now. what if he opened the door, what if I had to introduce myself to him etc etc. These what-ifs continued in my mind like a chain link so I gave Mom a sarcastic nod and took the bag which had boxes and left.

My mom always calls me Kokko just to see me irritated, she enjoys it and also she knows how to catch hold of me.

'Will I ever get to do what I want? My mom and all her friends, uff' I thought along with all other thoughts and headed out of my house.

Even though Ashi's house and my house was nearby, I always made sure to take my bike, go for a small ride near the park, and then go to Ashi's house.

But today I had extra work to do.

So I went straight to Ashis's house and parked my bike in front of her house.

Like my mom instructed I had to go to Mr. K's house first.

I Got down my bike and went to the house in front of Ashis's house and stood there debating on whether to go in or not. My mind was bombarded with too many thoughts and I was yet to decide how to talk calmly.

While standing in front of their house I noticed that it was quite big and had a well-maintained lawn and a big front yard. The basement was for cars and the main entrance was on the first floor. I guess they had a dog too. I could hear it bark from a distance.

After an eternity I decided to go in. I went up to their front door and rang the bell. After 10 seconds of ringing the bell and waiting in front of the door, A lady opened the door and asked who I was. 

I guess, because we both hadn't seen each other it was hard to tell who Sakshi Aunty was.

I replied exactly how my mom told me to tell.

And as soon as she heard my mom's name she said 'Hi beta, I'm Sakshi. Come inside, Let's have some tea.

Just when I was about to reply, I heard a loud husky, and sexy voice from inside the house. Mr.K entered the hall with just a towel tied around his waist.

My mind went blank completely and I just stood glued to the ground staring at him.