Maya

Yes, I am not strong enough and that is the only explanation for how I ended up in his arms. Not that I didn't protest. Of course, I did. The difference was that I didn't have the required energy to fight him after the endless weeping. I was tired.

I held onto him as he carried me into the car. Probably, his. I tried hard to keep my eyes open. But I failed terribly. I remember flashes of him handing me the medicine and a soft mumble that sent chills down my spine.

I don't recall what the words were. I don't recall any other events after that. The only thing that stayed in my recollections of the night other than the whole episode with Ishaan and showing my vulnerable side in front of Ajay was the warm pair of hands against my skin.

That was all before I went into a deep sound sleep.

★★★

The next day, I woke up with a terrible headache. A jolt of pain shot through my body as I struggled to sit up. I rubbed my eyes to see a not-so-familiar room. Soon my eyes fell on my dress. An oversized shirt paired with slightly tight pajamas. 

I kept my guard on as I looked around the place. As the morning light seeped through the huge window, my eyes closed halfway adjusting to them. I turned towards the bedside table to find my handkerchief and a white cloth soaked in a bowl full of water. Then, a photo frame caught my attention.

I took it to see Ajay in a dark green shirt, grinning in the frame. I gulped to see him giving one of his best smiles. The picture gave me flashes of last night. The time when he carried me in his arms. The time when I made a fool of myself by crying in front of him. I squinched my eyes close as I thought how embarrassing it was.

Soon, I realized it was his house as I found the hanging photo frames of his family and his award ceremonies. I took baby steps to the door, keeping my guard on. I peeked through it to see Ajay leaning on the table. I pressed my lips tight to not let out a cry.

I came nearer to see him sleeping soundly. 

This is the face that makes girls go head over heels; the same one that always makes me want to smack him. But now I can just feel my pride getting hurt after whining in front of him.

I am grateful to him for helping me; for staying there while I cried and even though he nagged a bit, I was grateful that he didn't leave me there alone which he could easily have done.

I have a feeling that if I still keep hating him, the world will not accept me. But can I just forget our fourteen-year enmity or the oath that we can never ever be friends? More than that, aren't we just faking a couple? With all these, we better stay the way we are.

Feelings for him? No way. I am not having any. I was just planning it out just as Ajay used to say when we were younger, " Planning and practising makes a man perfect."

Although at that time, I just joked it off by saying, " Then it doesn't work for women, right?" I now understand that it is good to play as planned. 

But plans are never supposed to be perfectly executed, it just goes with the flow.

As I saw him shifting in his sleep, I quietly and quickly made my way out. Soon, through the little gap of the door, I saw him stretching himself out and turning his gaze towards my side. Feeling extremely alarmed, I dashed inside the room where I was sleeping earlier and went back to sleep, pulling up my blankets.

I don't want to face him right now. What if he makes jokes and comments on last night's incident? Better to stay put.

I look through my half-opened eyes to glance at the creaking sound to see Ajay walking slowly, tapping his feet in a way to avoid any sound. I snap my eyes shut.

" Maya, are you up?" He asked in his lowest voice possible. He coughed a little before trying once again with a slightly raised tone. It makes me want to chuckle out but I kept a straight face to enjoy the drama a little more. It's fun like this.

" Monkey, get up fast," he said in a moderate tone after nine failed attempts. This time it made me angry. He is on that, again?! But anyway I am not budging this time.

I smirk in my mind as he sighed, " This girl is a sleepy head. What do I do with her?" — he let out another deep sigh and soon, I felt a hand on my forehead. I snapped my eyes wide open at the sudden touch on my skin. With that, he felt too shocked as he almost lost his balance.

I sat upright to see his bewildered pair of eyes which didn't expect that to come. He pulled his hand back with a bit of hesitation. My breath ceased and I averted my eyes. Somehow it became awkward.

" Fresh up and come to the dining and… here is your phone," he said, handing me the phone and turning his gaze from me. I nod and take it before he hurriedly leaves.

I should have said something. Argh, too stupid.

★★★

" Yes, Pranav. I am fit and healthy."

" You are not. Do you understand? Just come back right now. I need to keep a check on you. Curfew for you at 9 pm. No partying, no meeting up with anyone and no going out after that. You need to follow them." He shouted from the other end and I had nothing to say.

I turned towards Ajay who was glancing at me from time to time, crunching on his food. "Pranav, I am okay, alright? And curfew at 9? Not happening."

" W...what? You are disregarding the rules? I told you to not stress yourself. You never listen to me. You are getting so irresponsible."

I roll my eyes at his commanding voice. " Bye Pranav." With that, I hung up the call on him. I already know what is waiting for me at home.

" Are you afraid of Pranav Bhai?" Ajay asked as he looked at my nearly-full plate and then towards me. My eyes went wide in shock at how he read through my mind. I am scared to face all those questions for which I have got no answer.

" No… not at all. Nothing like that. Let's eat," I lied, slurping on my soup. I don't want him to read my emotions and feelings. Last night was enough of an embarrassment. Not any more.

" Oh," he said, not at all convinced by my words. " So, let me drop you home. Then, I will go to the studio for dance rehearsals."

" No, no. I can go by myself. Even I need to go to the dance rehearsals."

" No, you better take a rest. You were sick last night. Don't wear yourself out, you have a lot of time for that," he said with an indifferent voice, getting up from his chair, " Take care of yourself and don't make me worry."

I nodded and then realized what he said. Did he just say that? I looked at him who raised his eyebrows in a questioning glance and I soon concluded that it was just my wrong functioning ears. Maybe, too much water got inside them last night...

He turned around and seemed as if he was debating with himself about something. Hesitating, he started," Last night..."

My heart thumped faster as he mentioned 'last night'. Oh God, Is he trying to talk about me crying on the streets? My hands turned sweaty and I braced myself to prepare for the future fiasco. What if he tries to blackmail me with that incident? Huh, he thinks he can do that.

" … Sarah told me she went to his farmhouse to find Ishaan... I thought you would be concerned. So, I told you," he said. I missed half of his words but realized it was about Ishaan. I heaved a sigh of relief. I was also relieved to learn about this news. Honestly, I didn't even get to think about him after waking up.

" And, don't care about what people say about you. Keep confidence in yourself. You know what you are, that is enough." He walked away after saying those intellectual lines. He probably said that with reference to what Alisha ma'am told me. It relieved me strangely.

I gulped as the pathetic scene flashed before my eyes with me crying on the street-side bench with him watching me earnestly. I blinked as I thought I should at least thank him.

★★★

My mind tossed across the two sides— my pride which felt hurt by having to say him thank you and my heart who is secretly thankful for his kindness.

I got out of his car as soon as we reached my home. He was coughing all the way which made me feel solely guilty. It has to be all on me. Taking a few steps after waving at him, I halted in my tracks. I was frustrated as I couldn't help but feel terrible. 

Grabbing all my strength together, I turned right at the time when he was about to start his engine. " What's wrong?" he asked, confused, seeing me standing still.

" Ajay, why don't you come up with me? To have soup?" I gave a weird wide grin that most probably creeped him out as he stared, horrified.

" I should have known about it before. You are a mad patient, right? Be honest, did you hurt your brain when you were born?" He asked as he sank in his seat.

I balled my fist and gave him another wide smile, coming near to his car. " You can always have a hot soup when you are down with cough and cold. In return, take my side in front of Pranav," I said in the last part just to make some sense to him.

He found it illogical for me to invite him for a cup of soup. Better to keep it this way.

He heaved a sigh as if he found his breath again. " So it was for that? Okay, but I can't wait long."

" Yeah, sure," I said, smiling widely.

He stepped out of his car and said, " Don't smile like that. It creeps me." He checked me from top to bottom, squinting his eyes to show his disgust. 

As he walked a little ahead of me, I stomped my feet and muttered a curse under my breath. It is unbearable to deal with him like this. It is always better with the quarrels and fights between us. It doesn't become awkward like this.

It must be the same with him because that was all how we interacted. Fights. And other times, grumpy faces and avoiding face-to-face talks. Intolerance level=infinity. Okay, just cut 5 marks from the scale of infinity intolerance. For his goodness.

I am just too thankful to him.

As soon as the door swung open, I saw Pranav glaring at me. Before he could scold me, I moved aside and he halted, seeing Ajay. Well, he came to help, after all.

His glare changed into a weird welcoming smile as he gently asked him to step inside. He nodded politely and smiled at Pranav and Ayushi. Pranav pulled me aside.

" Are you hurt?" he asked, turning me around, checking my body. He placed his palm on my forehead to check my temperature and heaved a sigh. " You have got to explain about yesterday," Pranav demanded, crossing his arms.

" I promise I will but not now, later." He complained but then agreed after looking at the time.

" We will chat later," Ayushi whispered, giving a slight nudge on my shoulders.

 " Are you sure that you are fine?" Pranav asked with worried eyes.

" Yeah. " 

" Take care." Ayushi hugged and waved at me as she was leaving for the office.

" Wait Ayushi, I will leave too. Let's go together," Pranav said, picking up his file bag and glancing at me and Ajay for the last time before leaving.

I point over the chair to Ajay as I stride inside the kitchen to make a hot soup. " Hey, no need for that," he shouted from the dining space.

" Accept this as a token of thanks," I replied as I poured the soup into the bowl.

" Oh, leave that. Or else, let me help," he said, stepping into the kitchen.

It took me ten minutes to prepare the dish. "The soup is ready." I kept the soup on the table. He takes calculated steps towards the table and takes his seat.

" You won't have?"

" I already had it at your house. Be careful with it. It is hot," I replied, pushing the bowl towards him. As he kept blowing the air, slurping on the soup, the ends of my lips curved into a smile. This time it was genuine.

" It is delicious. I didn't know you could cook so nicely," he said, making me give a wide grin.

" I am talented." I flaunt my hair around in pride. I heard him chuckle lightly seeing my confidence.

I smiled before walking up to my drawer and pulling out the medicine box. I took out the cough syrup. 

" Take this. Remember to have it twice a day. It will help your cough." I handed him the bottle of cough syrup. He looked at it before reluctantly accepting it. 

" You sounded like a doctor. Still, Thank you." 

" Thank you too, Ajay," I murmured in a low voice but he seemed to have heard. He smiled but never uttered anything more.

I am genuinely thankful. I don't know if you will understand my gesture of thanking you. But still, deep beneath, I wish you know I am grateful to you.

~•~

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