Author's POV
"Mumma, mein academy ke liye nikal rahi hu," Esha said, pushing back her chair from the dining table. Her mother emerged from the kitchen, a lunchbox in hand.
("Mumma, I am leaving for the academy.")
"Ha ha, yeh le tera lunch bhi ready hai.",
("Yes, yes, take your lunch box, it is ready.")
"Theek hain mumma, shaam ko milenge. Ab mein chalti hu."
("Ok mumma, meet you in the evening. Now I will leave.")
"Sambhal kar jaana. Aur koi problem hui toh mujhe ya papa ko phone kar dena. Ok?", Esha said, smiling at the ritual.
("Go carefully. And if you face any problem, then call me or Papa. Ok?")
"Ok Mumma, mein dhyan rakhungi."
("Ok Mumma, I will take care.")
She walked out to her car, but the key turned to a silent click. She tried multiple times, but the engine wouldn't catch. With a sigh, she called her father, Rajesh, who came out to see what was wrong.
"Kya hua, tu gayi nahi ab tak?" he asked, a hint of concern in his voice.
("What happened, you haven't left yet")
"Papa, yeh gadi start hi nahi ho rahi hai dekhiye na."
("Papa, this car is not starting, please see.")
He opened the bonnet of the car and thoroughly checked the engine. When he realised the problem, he turned to Esha.
"Tu ab se car shed mein laga. Hum do car wahan adjust kar lenge. Baarish ke wajah se engine mein paani bhar gaya hai. Tu ek kaam kar, tu meri car leke jaa. Mein office cab ya bus mein chala jaunga."
("You put the car in the shed from now on. We will adjust both the cars there. Due to the rain, the engine has filled with water. You do one thing, you take my car. I will go to the office by cab or bus.")
"Papa, iski koi jarurat nahi hai. Mein cab se chali jaungi.", she said, already pulling up an app for booking a ride.
("Papa, there is no need for this. I will go by cab.")
"Eshu..." he began.
"Nahi Papa, mein chali jaungi. Aapko late ho jayega."
("No, Papa, I will go. You will get late.")
"Par tujhe bhi late ho jayenga na."
("But you will also get late na.")
"Don't worry Papa. Already mujhe late ho chuka hai. Par aap ko late nahi hua hai."
("Don't worry Papa. Already I am late. But you are not late.")
"Theek hai, mein tujhe academy mein chodd kar office chale jaunga."
("Ok, I will drop you at the academy and leave for the office.")
"Papa, agar aap mujhe chodkar wapas office ko aane ke liye ek ghanta lagega. Iss se accha mein hi chali jaungi."
("Papa, if you leave me, it will take one hour to come back to the office. It would be better if I leave.")
"Are you sure?"
"Ha baba, aur yeh cab bhi book hogaya. Aane hi wala hai."
("Yes baba, and look, the car is booked. It is about to come.")
"Theek hai aur jate samay kisi bhi cheez ki problem ho na, toh mujhe phone karna."
("Ok, and if you face any problem, then give me a call.")
"Theek hai papa, mein roz mumma se yahi line roz sunkar jati hu."
They both shared a laugh, a comforting moment between a father and daughter. Soon, the cab arrived, and Esha settled into the back seat. Since it was Saturday, the roads were less crowded, and she arrived at the academy in forty-five minutes.
"Esha, tum roz jaldi aati ho par tumhe aaj late hogaya. Is everything fine?" Meera asked, sitting next to her.
("Esha, you always come early, but today you were late. Is everything fine?")
"Ha aunty, bas engine mein thoda sa problem ho gaya tha. Isiliye cab book karke aayi. Baarish ke side effects." Esha concluded the last part dramatically, which made Meera laugh.
("Yes, aunty, there was a little problem in the engine. That's why I booked a cab and came. Side effects of rain.")
And they soon started their practice.
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It was lunch...
Meera and Esha sat at the table talking about their weekends. In a very short time, Esha had become the dearest person to Meera. She treats her like her own daughter.
Meera suddenly remembered Aakash's behaviour yesterday. With no doubt, she was shocked. Aakash has never shown any interest in girls. He always focused on his studies and career. Even in his childhood days, he didn't have any friends who were girls.
"Beta, tujhe bura nahi lage toh mein ek baat puchu?"
("Dear, if you don't mind, can I ask you something?")
"Puchiye na"
("Ask na")
"Are you committed to anyone?"
"Noo?"
"Accha ok"
"Waise apne suddenly yeh question kyu pucha?" Esha asked, confusion in her voice.
("Why did you ask this question suddenly?")
"Bas aise hi, puchne ka mann kiya," she said with a small smile.
("Just like that, thought of asking.")
"Ok"
Esha didn't mind, and they continued their conversation. Ten minutes later, they were back to practice.
In the evening, everyone dispersed. Esha and Meera walked out together. Outside, Aakash was already waiting for his mother.
"Wait a minute, tum tumhara car nahi layi ab, ghar kaise jaogi?" Meera asked, stopping mid-stride.
("Wait a minute, you didn't bring your car, how will you go home?")
"Cab mein chali jaungi."
("I will go in a cab.")
An idea strikes in Meera's head. She held Esha's hand.
"Koi jarurat nahi hai. Mein Aakash ko bolungi ki who tumhe drop kare."
("No need for that. I will tell Aakash to drop you.")
"Uski koi jarurat nahi hai aunty. Mein apne aap chali jaungi."
("No need for that, aunty. I will go by myself.")
"Tum hamare saath aa rahi ho, and that's final."
("You are coming with us, and that's final.")
Meera insisted, pulling Esha along with her towards Aakash.
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Aakash's POV
It was Saturday, and my day at home was average. Before Maa started her classes, we would talk, watch movies, play chess, and cook together. Now, it was just me, and it was kind of boring.
It was evening, time to pick up Maa. I grabbed my keys and headed out. When I arrived, I saw Esha and Maa coming out together. Maa stopped mid-stride to talk to Esha. I wondered what they were discussing.
Maa literally pulled Esha towards my car, a stubborn habit of hers when someone didn't listen.
"Aakash, Esha bhi hamare saath chal rahi hai. Pehele tu ise chodega phir hum ghar jayenge."
("Aakash, Esha is also coming along with us. First drop her and then we will go home.")
"Aunty, please, aapko itna takleef uthane ki koi jarurat nahi hai." She said, but Ma is Ma, stubborn as always. But at times, I love her stubbornness, for example, take the current situation.
("Aunty, please, you don't need to suffer so much")
"Hame koi takleef nahi hogi, agar aap hamare saath ayegi toh hum dono ko accha lagega. We insist." I said, and our eyes met.
("We won't suffer, if you come with us, then we will feel good. We insist.")
"Theek hain," she had no other option left. Although she has but I will not let her opt for that option.
("Ok")
I saw the teasing smile on my mother's face, and I knew exactly what she was thinking.
Yes, guys, I like Esha. I realized it yesterday, and I won't deny it. She has a sweet aura that attracts me. I don't know her well, but from what my mother told me, she's the kind of person I want. It's not that I hate women; I'm just afraid of the world. After my father's death, I realized how cruel society can be. I love being restricted to my home and my mom, but I also wanted Esha to come with us.
Ohh no, we are diverting, coming back to reality.....
We three sat in the car and started our journey. It had been raining this entire week. Many parts of Delhi have been declared as red alert areas.
Maa is always a fan of the classic Bollywood songs from the 90s. She put on the FM in the car. It played one song that opens the gates of nostalgia.
Ek ladki bhigi bhagi si
Soti raaton mein jaagi si
Mili ik ajnabi se
Koyi aage na peechhe
Tum hi kaho ye koyi baat hai, hmm
Dil hi dil mein chali jaati hain
Bighdi bighdi chali aati hain...
I looked at her in the rearview mirror and saw that she was already looking at me. Our gazes held for two seconds before I broke the trance and focused on the road. I was able to feel her gaze on me.
"Yeh gana accha hai, hain na?" Meera asked, looking between him and her.
("This song is good, isn't it?")
"Ha," both said in unison.
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Hey Folks!!
Meera is a real cupid. How will their ride be? For that, stay tuned!!
Hope you like this chapter. If yes, please like the chapter and comment on your favourite part.
Thanks for reading❤️...