Chapter 15 : I'm in Himachal Pradesh :D and, I miss u :(

19 December 2020, 10:00 am

From : diadutta95@gmail.com
To : [email protected]

Sub : I'm in Himachal Pradesh :D and, I miss u :(

Dearest Abhay,

I'm sorry I didn't call you last night, I crashed as soon as I checked into my room. The two hour flight was uneventful, but the four and half hour drive to the resort was brutal. Brutal but beautiful. This morning I woke up to the wonderful sight of snowcapped mountains through beautiful floor to ceiling windows of my room on the fifth floor. The other five lazy butts were yet to wake up, so I strolled around the resort. It's absolutely gorgeous, and they have decked it up beautifully for the festival. I had a nice room service breakfast. They bought me chocolate almond croissants, buttered toast, cut fruits and freshly squeezed juice. I felt like royalty. Our itinerary starts in half an hour, I just finished getting dressed and I'm so excited! I just wish you were here with me.

At what time do your parents arrive?
I hope you have a good time with your family. I'm sorry again.

I really miss you. I love you loads.

With love, Dia

I hit send, and look at the clock again. 9:33 am. Hope he replies before I have to leave at 10. Things have been a little strained between us. Who knew a phone call would change a relationship so much.

I know he is upset, but I've been stubborn too. I can understand that I ditched our plans, but he must know that I've been wanting to go from before we made plans. One second I'll be feeling sad that he is upset with me, then I'll myself feel upset that he refused to come with me, then I'll start feeling annoyed that he is the one upset, and then I'll cool down and realise that, poor guy had plans for us and I just rained on it, then I'll feel sad, and the cycle will repeat all over again.

It would have been easier if he was mad at me, then I'd have been mad right back, we'd gotten into an argument, we'd argued our hearts out, then the problems would've been resolved, instead he is just distant, his responses are short, his smile doesn't reach his eyes. I want to ask him, to yell at him, to comfort him, but I've either been sad, mad or scared to do any of it. I've been scared that I'll make things worse, irreparable. This is all so new to me, so I've been procrastinating the inevitable, but I promise myself that I'll sort it out, I'll bring us back, I'll bring Dia and Abhay back, as soon as I return from the festival.

These confused thoughts combined with my excitement of going on this trip have been the only things on my mind for the past fortnight.

Other than that, I went to Niana Sahani's house the very next day she called, and luckily for me, my dawn sky fit her pretty much perfectly, I only had to do the most basic alterations, which took me hardly ten minutes. Surprisingly the actress was very pleasant in person. She even took my card and said, and I will quote, "I hope we do business again". Her house was gorgeous, and she even was gracious enough to give me a tour. I left with a 2.5L cheque and two beautiful tickets for the festival, and left behind my visiting card.

The actress looked absolutely breath taking on the day of the ICA, and miraculously my dress was approved by the critics. My baby made me so proud. There was a moment a few days after I dropped Dawn sky at Naina's, I woke up and when I noticed the wall on which the dress was hanging on for months was empty, I started missing it. I got over it as soon as I saw my dress all over the internet though.

Then the followers on my Instagram skyrocketed the day the starlet tagged me on her page, but luckily it all calmed down the very next day. I was a blissful nobody again.

Five days before I had to leave for the festival, I got a call from Rohan, the assistant editor at 'The Magnum Life' magazine, and my good acquaintance. Turns out he heard about a small time designer getting the privilege of dressing  The Naina Sahani for The ICA and when he heard the name Dia Dutta, he had to see if it was me. I ended up telling him the whole story, including the extra ticket I had for the festival.

Turns out he wanted to go to the festival badly himself, he'd always wanted to go to the festival, but unfortunately he didn't get the memo that this year they were conducting it in December instead of the summer months.

So, obviously I gave him the ticket, and he even paid me the full amount. Now I'm eighty grand and a friend richer. He didn't fly with us though he couldn't get a ticket in the same flight, but he asked to tag along for the rest of the festival.

Though I was sad that Abhay couldn't come, I'm happy that I could offer it to someone who've wanted it for so long. Rohan is even writing an article on the festival. It seems that this would be his first publication in a very long time. He seems to not be getting any chance to write since he became the assistant editor, busy with the management role. Helping him out is a small silver lining for Abhay not being here.

I'm shaken out of my confusing thoughts, literally, by a very excited Shradda,"come on D, everyone is waiting! Stop moping around, your relationship is fine. Let's get partying already!" she all but drags me towards the start of a very beautiful, well mostly very beautiful, week.

~~~×~~~

19 December 2020, 1:30 pm

From :[email protected]
To : diadutta95@gmail.com

Sub : Re : I'm in Himachal Pradesh :D and, I miss u :(

Dear Dia,

It's okay you didn't call, I figured you'd be tired. I myself was tired last night. Alekya had a stomach bug and Aakash and I took her to the hospital. She is well now. I'm sorry about your brutal yet beautiful road trip. Your breakfast menu sounds delicious. I'm glad you are enjoying your stay so far, and I hope you enjoy the rest as much.

My parents arrive at 9 tonight.

Miss you more. I Love you.

Abhay

~~~×~~~

22 December 2020, 7:45 pm

From : diadutta95@gmail.com
To : [email protected]

Sub : Thinking of you.

My dearest boyfriend,

This evening I attended a gardening and landscape class, and all through the class I could only think of you, of our little terrace garden, our muddy hands, our first kiss, our endless sunset views. I wish you'd been here, we could've made so many more memories. Though I completely understand, I just wish it would've been different.

Sorry for starting a letter with my whining. Anyway enough of me being a brat, tell me, how are uncle and aunty? Did they settle in well? Did they approve of your home? Did they approve of my amazing interior decor skills? Because let's be honest, I did most of the decorating in your home. Are you showing them around? Don't forget to take them to our favourite chat shop, or the temple two blocks away. I'm sure they'll enjoy both the places. Oh! Is Alu okay? Poor girl. I hate having stomach bugs and I'm 26!

As for what I've been upto in the last four days, Oh My God! It's been a whirlwind. On the first day, we had a great introduction event. There were laughs, a few performances and a huge list and timetable of all the things taking place for the next seven days. Do you know how many times I had to painfully choose between two options? Too many! It was heartbreaking. I could only attend either chocolate making or a winter themed fashion show! I had to choose between a ballet theatrical and a bindass Bollywood concert! You see why I'd have trouble? But I'm a strong girl, your super woman, and though I had to make a lot of sacrifices, I'm having a great time. My friends have been crazy as usual. Shradda found a boy toy for the week, Deepak is off most of the times doing God knows what, Rajiv and I have been attending most of the culinary seminars together, and Rohan has been a lot of fun too. He has a lot of funny stories to tell. Gautam and Trisha are being overly lovey dovey, it makes me both happy and sad. I miss you the most when I look at other couples. One day Abhay, we'll be the couple making others jealous, deal? I think Gautam and Trisha will tie the knot soon. Isn't that exciting!

Anyway, I have to freshen up and go down stairs for a Royal Rajasthan style feast. My stomach is eagerly anticipating the experience. I'll write to you soon enough. I'm sorry I have not been able to call, the reception is horrible here, and the timing is always off. This resort is located in the valley of two huge mountains, so you can understand the reception problem. Do you know, there is even a ski trail, and ski camp a kilometer away, we've been thinking of ditching the festival for a few hours to go and try our hand at skiing. Okay, I'm going off on our plans again. I'll stop, otherwise I'll be late for dinner.

Still missing you crazy, Loving you a ton.

With Love, Dia.

----

22 December 2020, 10:52 pm

From :[email protected]
To : diadutta95@gmail.com

Sub : Re : Thinking of you.

Dear Dia,

I've been thinking of you too, a lot. I've been watering our plants, even they seem sad without you. I wish it would've been different too.

You are not a brat. Mom and Dad are fine, and they are super impressed with your decor skills. I've been showing them around and they've come to like Mumbai. Alu is okay and having a blast, being spoilt by her grandma and grandpa. I've taken them to both the chat shop and the temple. They loved it.

My dear super woman, I'm sorry for all your sacrifices. They seem very challenging, but I'm glad you are having a blast with your crazily wonderful friends. And yes, definitely deal. We will be that couple everyone is jealous of. It sure is great to hear about Gautam and Trisha.

Royal Rajasthani feast? Wow Dia, you won a jackpot. And skiing? Sounds fun, but please be careful. I want you back healthy and in one piece. It's okay about the infrequent contact, you can fill me in as soon as you get back. Just stay safe and have a blast.

Still missing you more, I love you a ton too.

Abhay

~~~×~~~

26 December 2020, 10:34 am

From : diadutta95@gmail.com
To : [email protected]

Sub : I'm a flight ride closer to you.

Dearest Abhay,

I'm at Chandigarh airport, and my head is killing me. We had to get up at 5 am. The four hour road trip was even brutal with a headache. As for why I got the headache. Last night, at the amazing farewell party, I stupidly drank the fruit punch and guess what? Just like every cliche, it was bloody spiked. Now I'm experiencing a hangover. I only had two glasses!

I can't wait to see you again. I can't wait to hug you close and kiss you again.

You are coming to pick me up, right? If my headache subsidies in the next two hours, I'll happily execute the perfect airport reunion moment, I'll come running towards you, you can catch me in your arms and twirl me around thrice. Haha, just kidding. Just greet me with that beautiful smile of yours. I miss it.

Did your parents reach home safe?

Excited to see you, Love you loads.

With Love, Dia.

-----

26 December 2020, 10:42 am

From :[email protected]
To : diadutta95@gmail.com

Sub : Re : I'm a flight ride closer to you.

Dear Dia,

I'm sorry about the hangover. Have some ibuprofen. It's in the medical emergency bag I gave you. You'll feel better.

I can't wait to see you again too, and I definitely can't wait to shower you with kisses.

Yes, I'm coming to pick you up. Perfect reunion moment sounds fun. Haha. I can't wait to see your smile.

Yes, my parents reached home safely. Is it weird that I feel terribly homesick. I miss them, I miss you.

I Love you. Have a safe flight.

Abhay.

~~~×~~~

2:27 pm
(text conversation)

Abhay : I'm at the gate, where are you?

Me : At the gate too. I see you. God, you look handsome.

Abhay : I see you too. You look pretty beautiful yourself.

Me : I'm back at last.