Maya

We finally reached Lucknow after the day’s journey. The whole night I was tossing around still pondering about Ajay and my promise to be friends.

Did I overdo it? Argh... I am doomed.

Now that I think of it, staying friends without any arguments that too with Ajay seems too much impossible.

You brought it to yourself. Don't sulk, my subconscious mocked.

Anyway, I can't help that anyway.

Just then, my phone vibrated and I picked up the call. "Hello, Ayushi," I said, getting off the train. 

" You reached safely, right?" 

" Yeah. How are you all?" 

" First class. Pranav and I were playing with Cookie and we also fed her, so tell Ajay to not worry. What about you? " She asked and I could hear Pranav's voice as he must be playing with Cookie.

" Looks like Sarah and you became quite close. Or else Sarah won't trust Cookie to just anyone." 

" You know, I am special and not just anyone." I nodded at her confident voice.

" I am missing you all so much."

" By the way, we are not even missing," Ayushi stated, heartlessly.

" Ah, I should have known better. Fudge." She laughed mercilessly before hanging up the call.

I got down on the station when I looked around to find a huge crowd of the whole film team taking care of the media. I observed all the people, attempting to search for the man I have been thinking about the whole night.

For a second, I got worried but all of a sudden, I felt an arm encircling my shoulders and I turned, startled to see Ajay, smiling. His hair was a little messed up unlike usual but somehow it looked good on him. I turned towards his hand, feeling the same tingling as yesterday.

As if he noticed what was wrong, he took back his arm, distancing our frames and rubbed his hands on his hair, messing it up more.

He looks devilishly handsome when is he acts shy.

Get a hold, Maya.

I blink rapidly to snap myself out of such thoughts. We all slowly came out of the station and got inside the booked cars. I wanted to sit with Ajay but somehow, Raghav sir and Ramesh sir were willing to take him with them.

" But you both go… I can come in the next car—," Ajay said but got cut off by Ramesh sir. "No, it's okay, we can talk the whole way." 

He gave me a meaningful smile and Raghav sir gave a 'not-sorry' look before getting in the car. I laughed at them as Ajay tried protesting a few more times, throwing his hands up in the air as an attempt to get out of their hold but it was all in vain. 

" Let's go," Rajiv sir said and I nodded, getting in the next car with him. I was nervous and worried about sitting with him. I remember how I behaved rudely when he told me how he wanted to show the world a flawless skin shade and texture just to maintain society's beauty standards. I am still upset with his comment but anyway he is senior to me and I should have acted wisely.

I gulped slowly, thinking if he is still upset with me about the matter. We did our shoot earlier but we never had a proper talk other than shoot stuff. I never thought he would be angry but who knows?

“Sorry, sir,” I mumbled, suddenly much to his surprise. He turned towards me and I felt the urge to explain to him and give a proper apology. “Sir, actually about that day… I didn't want to react that way but somehow it came out like that… Can you please forgive me?”

He listened intently and chuckled a little. “ The first day I saw you, I realised you are too bold of a girl with a big mouth, not knowing how to keep your mouth shut in places. But later when I gave it a thought, I understood your point. Unless and until required, why would anyone want to change their look on screen? Maya, you are not just a good actress but also a great person. Your reaction was justified but you know, all these years of dealing with people, it is very rare to see a debut actor or actress being so bold in voice. It’s impressive.” 

I smiled politely.

“ Don't think that you were wrong but yeah, next time, be careful. Not everyone is so good like me,” he said, giggling out. I laughed out, maintaining as much etiquette required for a decent laugh and thanked him for forgiving me because I know everyone may not tolerate this attitude, that too from an aspiring actor like me. 

After reaching the hotel, a few people carried our luggage to our respective rooms. “Looks like you had a great journey,” I asked when I saw the crestfallen face of Ajay. He rolled his eyes before walking past me. 

I knew how tired he was after having to sit with the two most talkative creatures. 

Well, how can you say anything when you belong to the same category?, my brain mocked.

While I was busy talking sense to my brain, Raghav sir came near me, handing me a key. "Your room's key. It is on the 2nd-floor corner." I nodded, taking the key. I looked at Ajay who was taking his own keys. Where is his room? 

As if Raghav sir read through my thoughts, he said, " Unfortunately, he got his room on the 3rd floor." 

I turned to see his giggling face. I looked down, sad and embarrassed.

So, we are on different floors… fine.

I frown, looking at the key. Never mind. We can still meet. 

I was thinking about all this when my phone rang loudly. Akash.

" Hello, miss. Did you forget about me?" Akash complains from the other end. " Too bad, miss. Didn't expect such behaviour from you, miss." 

" Stop with that 'miss' thing first." He laughed at my demand. 

" Well then, you should have met me once before leaving. Now, I have to die here for three months without you," he said, making an over-dramatic emotional voice. 

" Shut up. You won't die that way. You are fooling no one here. " I fake glared from this end even though I know he can't see me.

" Ah, you won't understand, miss." 

I walked upstairs near my room. Digging the key on the keyhole, I tried opening it. The door swings open on my second attempt. I kept talking when I felt a sudden pull on my handbag handle, making me turn around. A sudden clack sound made me conscious of my surroundings. 

My mouth fell open to see my keyring on the floor, broken into pieces. I looked up with a horrid expression to see Ajay's worried expression. 

" I… I am sorry," he said, fumbling, after a long silence.

I turned to the keyring pieces. The phone from my hand was about to slip from my hand but I clasped it tightly. I bend down to pick it up, feeling my eyes welling up with tears. I could hear the continuous 'hello' from the other end of the call.

Before I could pick, I saw a hand stopping me. I knew who the person was. I didn't rely on myself right now. Sadness and anger made their way through my emotions. 

I jerked my hand out of his hold. A lone tear escaped my eyes. I knew it wasn't his fault. I was just angry at myself.

This keyring has been with me for all these years. It gave me the strength to fight on during all those years; when I felt stupid and useless. It gave me the strength to hold back all the pieces together when I felt everything falling apart. And today, it just broke this way. 

It was half-broken from that very day when I had received this as a gift. It was taped to remove the cracks. But still, it remained the most treasured gift. 

I rubbed my eyes and picked up the call. "Hello, Akash… I… I will call...you later." I hung up the call, picking them all up. 

I looked up to see the shocked and helpless face of Ajay.  "Maya, I am really sorry… Are you o...okay?" He stuttered as he was about to come near when I walked away and shut the door on his face. 

I didn't know what I was supposed say to him.  plopped down on the bed as tears rolled down my eyes. I stared at the pieces of the keyring, which made me recall all the moments.

Maya, Happy Birthday. Remember to keep this keyring with you always. This will bring you good luck and fate.

This will always protect you at times when I am not present. 

It was precious to me because this is very close to my heart. When I was small I would cry every time something went out of my wish, then on my birthday, Akash and Pranav gave this to me and told me how this keyring will give me the strength to handle anything bad and will bring good fate.

I always believed them and slowly, this became more like my friend. I always made any promises, swearing on this keyring. Now that this is shattered and broken, I feel as if my happiness just came to a halt.

Anybody would find this childish of me but I can’t help. And I can’t seem to forgive Ajay for this. Looks like we can never ever be friends.

I rub my tears as I pick up my ringing phone. Akash. I let out a gasp, coughing a little to adjust my voice. 

“ Hello, Maya. Is everything okay? You ended the call abruptly that time.”

“ Yes… nothing happened. And I told you I would… call you later.” my voice broke but I tried keeping a straight tone.

“ Hey… Don’t tell me you are crying.” I went numb thinking how he got to know.

“ Don't even think about lying. I know you better. What’s wrong?” His voice turned concerned. I didn't want to tell him, maybe he would think I am silly. But as he was insisting, I felt the urge to tell him.

“ Maya, you were crying because the keyring broke. But it was already broken from the first day and was surviving on the tape. It’s been so many years, it was destined to break someday. Why are you being so emotional?”

I agree with him but can I forget all the memories attached to it? 

“ But it could survive only if Ajay didn't pull my bag harshly. I know I am being dumb but I can't forgive him for this.”

" Okay, first listen. Don't blame Ajay. He won't be crazy to intentionally break that. It was a mistake and then, if he wouldn't have helped, you wouldn't be able to treasure this precious gift in the first place," he said, making me confused. What does he mean? 

" Maya, do you know how it broke? When I and Pranav bought your gift, it slipped from my hand and the delicate glass broke into pieces. We thought we wouldn't be able to give that to you. We didn't have any option other than buying something else because this keyring was the last one in the shop. Then, Ajay helped us to join the pieces with tape and glue. He even decorated it. So, indirectly, he is the one for whom you still have this gift." My eyes widened at this new piece of news. 

I felt my throat dry and I just stared at the broken pieces of the keyring. I shook my head in disbelief when my eyes caught a book near the door.

I took steps near it, picking it slowly. I recognised the cover. It was the diary Ajay was keeping away from me. With a bit of hesitation, I was about to flip its pages when the doorbell caught my attention.

" You there?" Akash asked.

" Yeah, I got it. Thanks for telling me. I will call you tomorrow. I am feeling a little tired now." I pretend to be tired because I don't feel like talking anymore.

" Oh...okay. Take a rest." He hung up the call.

I opened the door, after wiping off my tears. There was no one there. As I was about to enter back into the room, I noticed a similar keyring near my feet. It was round but the colour was different and had more designs on it than my old one had.

I was confused when I saw a note near it. I picked it up. It read: 

That keyring must've been very valuable to you but I swear, I didn't break it knowingly. But still, I feel sorry. If you are angry with me, I can understand but please accept this small apology. Even though this keyring doesn't match that one, I tried my best to find a similar one. I hope this can fill its place. Once again, I am sorry. 

Ajay 

My heart skipped a beat as I thought he must've gone out and searched a lot to buy this for me. 

I closed the door and soon, flipped the pages of his diary. It was filled with sketches and notes and important days. My eyes stopped when I saw a sketch of someone. My mouth went wide as my eyes were about to pop out of its socket. It was a painting of when I was dozing off on the train. At the end of the page, something was written. Cute monkey. 

My cheeks unknowingly blushed upon seeing this. A smile crept on my face. I covered my red face, feeling the tingling once again. 

I kept it aside but couldn't help but feel a new sensation inside me. The doorbell rang once again. I breathe several times before running for it, thinking it to be Ajay. But I was disappointed on seeing the housekeeping. 

" Ma'am, do you need anything?" I shook my head when he handed me a note saying, " Sir from Room no. 203 has sent this for you." 

Room 203? The adjacent room? It can't be Ajay, then.

I open it and see a 'Sorry' written in beautiful handwriting, the same one as in the diary.

" Thank you. Is it from Mr. Ajay Sharma?" 

" Yes, ma'am," he replied. I blink a little before understanding. Maybe, he changed the rooms. But why? Can it be—? Don't overthink. 

I felt anxious with my overthinking mind. Must be because I just saw that sketch and the keyring with the note and now this. 

Before he could leave, I told him to wait a second. 

Because he is giving notes and chits without coming in front, I planned a similar thing. I took up a note and wrote out my words.

I fold it safely and give it to him with the diary. " Can you please send these to Mr. Ajay, Room 203?" 

" Thank you," I said when he nodded. I smile and close the door behind me. 

I put away my luggage and freshen myself. With every shower drop, I could only think about Ajay, the keyring and the sketch. When did we turn good? Was it really last night? Or even before that? 

With my mind roaming with all the questions, I walk towards the large balcony. I looked around the interiors. I didn't notice the big mirror or lamp shade near the bed or the pink and blue candles decorating the room, as I was busy mourning over my keyring.  

I plop down on the couch and called mom to inform her that I had arrived. 

My heart and mind were of opposed natures, thinking whatever they wanted to believe. I didn't know anything but I knew one thing for sure my soul is speaking of things that it never did before.

~•~

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