Author's POV
"Maa, jaldi kijiye mujhe late ho raha hai," Aakash told her mother with an impatient sigh while his hands were busy with the laces of his shoes.
("Mom, hurry up, I'm getting late.")
"Ha ha, aa rahi hu ek minute ruk ja."
("Yes, yes, I am coming, wait a minute.")
He went outside to wait. Five minutes later, her mother appeared, her movements quick and efficient. She double-checked the locked door before slipping into the passenger seat. The engine hummed to life, and they merged into the morning calm. The weather forecast had been right; the roads were clear. The drive to the academy took them only twenty minutes.
-----
Aakash pulled the car to a stop near the entrance.
"Aapka academy aagaya, chaliye shaam ko milenge aur jab mein waha aaunga tab mein aapko phone karunga."
("We have arrived at the academy, let's meet in the evening, and when I reach here, I will call you.")
"Ok", she responded, giving him a quick wave before she disappeared inside the building.
Just as he was about to start the car, his eyes caught sight of the lunchbox on the car's dashboard. He sighed, got out, and walked back to the academy, pushing through the doors into a world of dance. His eyes scanned the room, searching for her. He found her in a corner, animatedly chatting with a group of women.
"Maaa", he called, holding up the lunchbox.
"Yeh ligiye, aapka lunch box aap isse car mein hi bhul gayi thi." He said, giving her the lunch box.
("Here, you forgot your lunch box in the car.")
"Ohh, mein toh bhul hi gaye thi ki mein bahar nikala tha." She responded, taking the container from his hands.
("Oh, I forgot that I took it out.")
As he walked back to his car, his eyes snagged on a familiar white car parked a few spaces away. His feet stopped mid-stride. Aakash had a mind like a steel trap, a photographic memory for details others missed. He had a habit of observing his surroundings and imprinting them in his mind. He felt a familiar warmth in his chest.
'Is it her?'
The thought was a blank screen in his mind, and he stared at the car, lost in thought.
'No, this can't be her. You're just dreaming, Aakash. There are hundreds of identical cars. That doesn't mean it's hers.' He shook his head, pushing the thought away, and settled into his seat, driving off to the office.
-----
His day was a blur of paperwork and laptop screens, as his team had been assigned a new project. Exhausted, he just wanted to go home and rest.
Evening came, and with it, the end of his workday. He left the office, the drive to the academy a mere ten-minute journey. He parked and waited, his gaze on the entrance. After what felt like an eternity, he saw his mother, and then he saw her.
It's her.
Esha was walking out of the academy with Meera.
"Chalo ab mein chalti hu, Aakash wait kar raha hai mera."
("I will take a leave, Aakash must be waiting for me.")
"Theek hai"
("Ok")
"Wait a minute, chalo tumhe apne bete se milati hoon." Meera pulled Esha towards his car.
("Wait a minute, I will introduce you to my son.")
As Aakash got out of the car, their eyes met, and they both froze.
"Aap" they both said in unison. Meera looked between them, her confusion palpable.
("You")
"Tum dono ek dusre ko jaante ho?"
("You two know each other?")
"Jaante toh nahi hai, par 2 din pehele inka car kharab ho gaya tha aur mein inhe theek kiya."
("We don't know each other, but her car broke down 2 days ago, and I fixed it.")
"Oh, accha"
"Agar introduction nahi hua toh mein kara deti hu. Aakash, this is Esha, and Esha, he is my son Aakash."
("If the introduction is not done, then I will do it. Aakash, this is Esha, and Esha, he is my son Akash.")
"Nice to meet you, again" Esha said, her voice a sweet melody. She offered her hand, her small smile inviting.
"Nice to meet you too, again" Aakash responded, his hand engulfing hers in a gentle, accepting her handshake.
As Meera and Esha chatted, Aakash was lost. All the while, Esha could feel his gaze on him, which didn't go unnoticed by Meera. Aakash was so lost in her that, seemed least interested in the conversation. His trance broke when Meera called his name.
"AAKASH...Tu sun bhi raha hai ki mein kya bol rahi hu. Tujhe dekh kar aisa toh nahi lag raha ki tu sun raha hai" Meera said, calling his name, her tone playfully sharp.
("AAKASH...are you even listening to what I am saying. Looking at you, it doesn't seem like you are listening.")
"Woh....mein..... I was thinking about something else. Bohot hogayi baatein. Ab hame chalna chahiye." he stammered, averting his eyes from Esha to his mother.
("Actually....I....I was thinking about something else. We talked a lot. We should leave now.")
"Ok"
"Bye"
He looked at her once more, his voice a low, almost whisper.
"Bye", Esha responded.
The car ride home was filled with a comfortable silence. Aakash broke it.
"Accha hai ki aaj baarish nahi hui warna aaj toh hum traffic mein phas jate." Aakash said, breaking the silence.
"Ek baat puchu?" his mother asked, a mischievous glimmer in her eyes.
("Can I ask you one thing?")
"Puchiye"
("Ask")
"Pyaari hain na who?" her mother asked with a face of mischief.
("She is cute, isn't she?")
"Hmm", he responded absent-mindedly.
"Ha?" he said, breaking his trance, and he looked embarrassed.
"Ummm....I.. mean.....she's nice.", he said in a serious face.
"Ok", her smile broadening as she looked at him teasingly.
"Tum dono peheli baar kaise mile, tell me the story, I am excited for it.", she said, squealing in happiness.
("How did you two meet? Tell me the story, I am excited for it.")
"Why are you so excited for it?"
"Just wanted to know. Do you have any problem in telling me?"
"Noo..."
"Phir bata na. Pehele kab mile?"
("Then tell na. When did you two meet?")
"Jab aap apne friend ke wahan gayi thi puja ke liye."
("When you went to your friend's house for puja, that day.")
"Phir?"
("And?")
"Uss din mere meetings jaldi ho gaye thee. Isliye mein ne socha ki thodi der bahar ghum aau. Phir yaad aaya ki aap groceries lane ki baat kar rahi thi. Toh socha mein grocery store jane ke baad Vijay se milkar aaunga. Mein jab Vijay ke ghar se wapas aa raha tha, tab bohot baarish gir rahi thi aur mein ne ek car ko road ke side par park dekha. Kisi anhoni ke darr se, mein bahar utra aur dekha ki woh..... I mean, Esha ki gadi kharab ho gayi thi. I offered help, that's it."
("That day, my meetings got over early. So, I thought I should go out for a while. Then I remembered that you were talking about buying groceries. So, I thought I would meet Vijay after going to the grocery store. When I was returning from Vijay's house, it was raining heavily, and I saw a car parked on the side of the road. Out of fear of someone stranger, I went out and saw that wow.... I mean, Esha's car had broken down. I offered help, that's it.")
"Acha"
"Ha, aap ko itna excitement kyu hain jan ne mein?"
("Yes, why are you so excited to know?")
"Bas aise hi."
("Just like that")
A comfortable silence settled over them for the rest of the ride.
Aakash's eyes remained on the road, and his mind had her thoughts, while Meera was lost in her own thoughts, a serene smile on her face.
Esha reached home and went inside the house. Without her dramatic brother, the house felt silent.
"Maa, Abhi kaha hai?"
("Maa, where is Abhi?")
"Woh apne friend ke wahan gaya hai. Aa jayega thodi der mein."
("He went to his friend's house. He will come shortly.")
"Ok"
She returned to her room, got freshened up, and helped her mother with dinner. She settled at her table and took out her sketchbook. After having dinner, she returned to her room. She settled at her table and took out her sketchbook. She loved doing sketches. Art was a world where she could get lost in her imagination and translate them into art. Whenever she got free time, she would dive into the world of sketches. She had her dinner early today and got some free time for herself.
When she was in the middle of the drawing, her mind drifted to him. Aakash. He had occupied her mind since the time they met again today. She completed her sketch, still thinking about him.
After she was done, she came and lay down on the bed.
'Accha, toh who Meera aunty ke bete hai?'
('Ok, so he's Meera aunty's son.')
'Ha lagta bhi hai, unka face bilkul apni maa par gaya hai. Smart and cute.'
('Yes, it seems so. His face resembles his mother's. Smart and cute.')
'Hey Bhagwan, mein kyu unka baare mein soch rahi hu? Somebody help. Yeh kya karre rahi hain aap? Kabhi aapka chehera yaad aa raha hai aur kabhi apki awaz.' She brought her thoughts to a peaceful rhythm and closed her eyes. After some time, she fell asleep.
('Oh god, why am I thinking about him? Someone help. What are you doing? Sometimes I remember your face and sometimes your voice.')
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Hey Folks!!
Finally! Their official meeting is done. Now, what happens next? For that, stay tuned!!
Hope you like this chapter. If yes, please like the chapter and comment on your favourite part.
Thanks for reading❤️...