Chapter : Eight   

Alleppey did manage to impress Kirti with something new every day. When she'd think that the shows over, a new trick would pop up in front of her. Smiling, she placed a hand over Abhi's shoulder while they navigated on his bicycle. The road wasn't bumpy and neither were there any ditches ahead; Kirti simply wanted to hold him.

The sun barely peeked out, making the sky appear a lighter shade of charcoal, few stars still glowing, scattered about the sky. The morning breeze was relatively cold and refreshing and Kirti closed her eyes, inhaling deeply as she let the winds caress her face softly. The rhythmic sound of the pedals and chains of the bicycles was the only sound which invaded the blissful serenity. Kirti wished for this moment to never end.

Abhi too smiled shyly as he felt Kirti's fingers wrap over his shoulder, her thumb gently resting at the crook of his neck and shoulder, making him feel overly conscious.  He was grateful that she was sitting behind him and couldn't view his blushing face. It'd have been hella embarrassing for the poor guy. For Abhi a ride through the streets of Kerala was the easiest way to get some fresh air. He had been residing here since his seventh grade and was happy about everything that life had gave him in here. His smile slowly faded when he reminisced an old memory out of the blue. Abhimanyu wondered what his life would've been had it not been for Sekhar who gave him shelter and company.

"Hey Abhi! You missed the turn!" Yash called, breaking Abhi out of his cage of thoughts.

Nodding, Abhi realized that he ended up pedaling straight ahead, missing the right turn into the Beach Road. Slowing down, he took a u-turn and then got back on track, a grim expression persisting over his face from the sudden rush of those dreadful days.

"Everything okay?" Kirti asked, pressing her fingers gently over Abhi's shoulder.

"Couldn't be any better," Abhi answered, regaining his charm and smile as he pushed out the thoughts and focused on the street ahead.

The group then parked their bikes over the roadside near the famous Kaappi Cafe which was still occupied by customers despite the early morning hours. Old men sat at the long benches, either conversing over something in a language not known to Kirti or reading the newspapers while sipping on some hot tea which the staff prepared with precision.

The sun had rose further up, spreading it's lights all around and waking up the entire place. Birds chirped about as they flapped through the skies. The clouds turned a brighter shade as sunlight reflected off from them, brightening the desolate streets up. Kirti could hear the sound of the lapping waters and the waves crashing against the shore at the far off coast of Alleppey Beach while she witnessed the wide sandy beach which stretched out till the horizon. Trees lined up along the roadside, providing shade to people during the afternoon when the sun would be blazing like a ball of fire.

The group got off their bicycles and huddled up near the cafe's benches. Abhi chit chatted with the old men who looked extremely agitated about some article which they had read in the newspaper. The old men replied to Abhi in Malayalam and he began to initiate the conversation in fluent Malayalam as well. Kirti kept her eyes trained on Abhi with admiration as she witnessed him speak a language which was foreign to her with such speed. His eyes wrinkled at the corners when he smiled at the men who were now looking better than before. Abhi's calming vocabulary did have the potential to make anyone feel at home.

"Bro? Done with that?" Yash asked, shuffling on his feet as he kept his eyes open, scanning the place all around.

"Relax, Payal won't be coming before it's five thirty," Paras said to Yash and yawned as he settled down on the bench beside Jiya.

"You knew her name!?" Both Yash and Abhi exclaimed, looking at Paras with accusation.

"It's not like you guys ever asked me," Paras argued back and leaned over Jiya's shoulder to enjoy a moment of sleep. Jiya didn't protest. In fact she too leaned back on him, the two of them dozing off to their peaceful slumbers within no time.

"Seriously guys?" Abhi asked the two but the only response he received were light snores.

"Fine," Shruti said, "It's about five right now so we have half an hour. Let's order a cup of tea by the time she arrives," 

"Count me in!" Yash said, raising a hand as he and Shruti walked over to the staff to order their cups.

Abhi and Kirti stood next to one another, neither motioning towards the order table. They exchanged a glance and realized that neither wanted a hot cup of tea to ruin the rarely cool air of Alleppey.

"Wanna stroll around?" Abhi offered, gesturing at the desolate roads ahead which were now clearly visible under the sun.

"Sure," Agreed Kirti and they headed out of the cafe.

Walking side by side, they began pacing the length of the roadside trees which provided a cool shade. Kirti smiled as she looked up at the tall coconut trees which swayed over their heads. She wondered how old they were. Their steps were in perfect sync as they strolled about, enjoying one another's silent company.

"How come you shifted from Mumbai to Kerala?" Abhi asked.

"Mom had to go abroad and I didn't have anyone in Mumbai so I couldn't stay there all alone. Here, in Kerala, I have got Sekhar who can be by my side when I need him so that's why I am here," Kirti explained her fake story. It hurt a little to be lying to Abhi but what choice did she have anyway?

Abhi nodded thoughtfully and then grinned as if something crossed his mind.

"What is it?" Kirti asked, unable to suppress her own lips from turning upwards at the sight of Abhi's infectious smile.

Abhi shook his head as if shyly dismissing her query. Now Kirti's curiosity was brimming over her.

"Batao na, (Tell me,)" Kirti pressed the topic.

"Uh..." Abhi wondered how to frame his thoughts, "I know it's pretty sad that you had to leave your home in Mumbai and travel all the way here, away from your Mom but... I think it was worth it," 

"How?" Kirti voiced her question. Was it worth all the sleepless nights and days filled with fear and anxiety?

"I got to meet you," Abhi mumbled not meeting her eyes, "that's how,"

Kirti paused a moment to reflect over what he said and a warmth spread through her as she smiled with her cheeks turning crimson. With the sudden silence from Kirti,  Abhi feared if she would punch him for that confession. After all, Kirti did know how to throw a good hit on the face. His nose was the living proof to that.

"I mean...we all got to meet you. I mean not just meeting you, yeah, that'd be too distant... We all got to share a roof with you. You're pretty good a company and honestly, your silence sometimes becomes too intriguing... I mean not in a bad way... I just wonder-" Abhi went on rambling nervously while Kirti looked at him with amused eyes.

Reaching out, Kirti slipped her hand into Abhimanyu's, shutting him up completely. Abhi kept his eyes trained on their linked hands as they walked, somewhat finding it difficult to believe it. But her warm little hand in his was an evidence enough to counter his contrasting thoughts.

"I understand," Kirti spoke, "And I'm glad as well to have met you,"

Abhi shot her a quick glance when she said the latter part. Kirti was looking out at the sandy beaches which stretched out endlessly while the breeze blew her hair back gently. Her chocolate brown eyes sparkling under the morning light and long eyelashes wavering along her eyes.

***

"I don't see her!" Jiya whined rather too loudly as the group tried and hid behind the long rows of trees.

"Shush!" Abhi whisper shouted at Jiya who would've attracted quite a few eyes with her loud curses.

"Whatever! We've been waiting for this Payal since the past hour and she's nowhere!" Jiya's outburst was worth a huge audience, "She better show up or else-"

"There she is!" Yash said and pointed a finger excitedly at the far distance.

Payal was a short girl with her light brown hair tied up into a bun and sunglasses perched over her nose as she jogged over the roads. Earphones plugged into her ears,  she was dressed in a maroon track suit which revealed her curves, hugging her body lightly. Overall she looked pretty.

Jiya opened her mouth to comment out on Payal finally arriving when Abhi, with his quick movements, clasped a hand over her mouth, stifling her words before they left her lips. Kirti sighed and rolled her eyes at their actions.

"Go, go, go!" Abhi ordered Yash and Paras. His voice sounded like the one of an Army General, commanding his juniors to get moving.

As planned beforehand, Paras and Yash stood by the roadside, chitchatting casually. While Paras looked dead irritated, Yash managed to pull off a casual look on his face as Payal slowly approached them. With her eyes covered off by the sunglasses, it was difficult to guess if she noticed the boys. The remaining four friends kept watching silently as Payal smiled wide and slowed down next to Paras and Yash.

"Hey! So you were speaking the truth when you said that you come every weekend, huh?" Payal asked Paras who nodded, trying in vain to look friendly.

When Paras didn't make an effort, Yash kicked him on his shin and Paras sighed.

"Payal, meet my friend, Yash," Paras introduced as planned.

Payal looked at Yash who flashed her a charming smile and waved at her. Smiling back, Payal shook hands with him as they talked about for a while.

"He never greets us with such a smile! That son of a-" Jiya began cussing at Yash who wasn't too far and Abhi clasped his hand back on her face.

"Should've just brought a tape and taped her mouth," Abhi muttered to Kirti who giggled.

***

The group strolled over to the cafe which was now bustling with people. Yash sounded overly happy and ecstatic as he skipped along the group; after all, Payal had befriended him and they had exchanged their numbers before parting.

"You cussed me when I was talking to Payal, didn't you?" Yash asked Jiya who shrugged indifferently at him.

"Wanna visit the cycle show rooms around Alleppey later today?" Abhi asked Kirti as they entered the shade of the cafe, "I mean I'm sure you wouldn't wanna grab a ride on my carrier seat everyday,"

"Sure," Kirti agreed smiling at him.

Her smile almost immediately vanished when her eyes met a certain pair of dark ones. Kirti halted on her steps while the group got on their respective bicycles. Her eyes remained glued to the man sitting in one of the benches, sipping his coffee and scrolling through his phone. He looked just the same with his dark moustache. His hair was now slightly dyed into a lighter shade of brown, making it appear almost golden.

It can't be him. Kirti thought.

But her mind almost immediately rejected it's statement when the man looked up to call for the waiter. It was the very guy who had broke into her house in Delhi back when she was eleven. The very guy whom the police had searched for months, pasting his wanted posters all around Delhi and yet nobody succeeded in tracking him. Kirti felt her heart stop working and took a sharp intake of breath when the guy looked at her, meeting her eyes.

Kirti felt like she turned to stone when the guy locked eyes with her. She frowned when he smiled confusedly and waved at her as if to ask what the matter was.

"Kirti?" Abhi's voice jerked her out of her thoughts as she turned to find him waiting on his bicycle for her to climb on.

Glancing back at the man, Kirti was now sure that it was the same guy who had broke in. Thank heavens that he didn't recognize her with her short hair and grown up features. After all, it had been years since he may have seen her.

Sighing nervously, Kirti got on the carrier seat as Abhi pedaled off. She wondered that if this guy was here, could it be possible that... Ifaaz was also here?

Kirti shuddered involuntarily at that thought and clasped onto Abhi's shoulder with a nervous breath.

Author's Note:-  

Dun dun dun! And the eighth chapter is also done!!!

How was it? Who else enjoyed the Abhi-Kirti time?

What mysterious past does Abhi have? Only time will tell us.

See y'all until the next update! *waves a goodbye*