Chapter 24: chapter 24

The moment Animesh stepped off the train in Jaisalmer, I couldn't help but grin from ear to ear. It felt like I was meeting a long-lost friend, even though we had only known each other for a short while. Animesh had that effect on people—he was effortlessly friendly and easy to be around."Animesh, welcome to Jaisalmer!" I greeted him with a warm hug, trying to contain my excitement."Riya, it's great to be here! finally, I am in Jaisalmer!" he replied, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.Yesterday when Animesh finally boarded the train from Delhi to Jaisalmer. He messaged me his arrival time, and I rushed to the railway station to welcome him on Sunday Morning. When I spotted him stepping off the train with a cheerful grin, it felt like I was meeting an old friend.Four weeks earlier after I departed from Animesh's apartment, I found myself lost in thought. The unexpected hug and his words, "I want to live with you forever," left me both surprised and confused. I knew it was essential to clarify our relationship and feelings, but I wasn't quite sure how to broach the subject as this was my first instance of having a male friend.A few days passed, and my messages with Animesh became less frequent. I was back in Jaisalmer, immersed in my army duties. The vast desert landscape seemed to stretch as far as the eye could see, mirroring the vastness of my thoughts.One evening, as I was sitting in my small army quarters, my phone buzzed with a message from Animesh.Animesh: Hi Riya, I hope you're doing well. I miss our coffee sessions and discussions.Riya: Hi Animesh, I miss those too. How's everything at your end?Animesh: Things are good, but I can't help but feel that our conversations have become less frequent. Have I done something to upset you?Riya: Oh no, Animesh, it's not that. I've just been caught up with my army duties here. But I've been thinking about our last meeting.Animesh: About the chess game and the dare challenges?Riya: Yes, exactly. I wanted to talk about that.Animesh: Sure, what's on your mind?Riya: Well, after the chess game, things got a bit... complicated. Your hug and the words you said, "I want to live with you forever," left me confused.Animesh: I understand how that might have come across. I apologize if it seemed too forward. I was caught up in the moment, and I guess I got carried away.Riya: It's not just that, Animesh. It's also about how I felt in that moment. I don't want to lead you on if I can't reciprocate those feelings.Animesh: Riya, I appreciate your honesty. I don't want to make you uncomfortable, and I respect your feelings. We can keep our friendship as it is, and I'll ensure I don't overstep any boundaries.Riya: Thank you for understanding, Animesh. I value our friendship, and I don't want to lose it because of any misunderstandings.Animesh: Agreed, Riya. So, are we still up for our coffee bets and discussions?Riya: Absolutely! Let's not let this come in the way of our friendship and fun.We continued our stock market bets and playful banter through messages. It was our way of staying connected despite the physical distance between us. The stock we had bet on continued to perform unpredictably, and every win or loss brought more laughter and camaraderie into our lives.One sunny afternoon, as I was sipping tea at my favourite spot in Jaisalmer, my phone buzzed with a message from Animesh. "Hey Riya, I hope you're doing well in the Golden City of Jaisalmer. Guess what? Our stock had another surprising twist today!"I grinned at his message and quickly replied, "I can't believe it! Tell me all about it, Animesh."As we exchanged messages about the stock's recent ups and downs, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. Animesh had a way of turning financial news into a thrilling story, and I was hooked on every word.Animesh: "It's like the stock has a mind of its own, Riya. Today, it dipped sharply in the morning, and I thought I was going to owe you a coffee. But then, it rallied like a champion in the afternoon, and I ended up on the winning side."Riya: "Wow, that stock knows how to keep us on our toes! Maybe it's secretly enjoying our bets."Animesh: "Ha-ha, I wouldn't be surprised if it's listening to our conversations and trying to outdo our predictions."Our playful banter continued, and I couldn't help but feel a growing connection with Animesh. It wasn't just about the stock market anymore; it was about the bond we were forming through our shared experiences.Animesh: "Riya, I've been thinking. How about we take our coffee discussions to the next level?"Riya: "What do you mean, Animesh?"Animesh: "Well, since we both love coffee, why don't we plan a coffee-tasting adventure together? We can explore different cafes, try exotic blends, and make it a coffee journey to remember."I couldn't help but smile at the idea. The thought of sipping coffee with Animesh in person was exhilarating. "Animesh, that sounds amazing! But there's one tiny problem. I'm in Jaisalmer, and you're in Delhi. How do we make this happen?"Animesh: "Don't worry, Riya. I've already thought this through. I'll find a way to visit Jaisalmer, and we can embark on our coffee adventure right there."I was both surprised and touched by Animesh's determination. It wasn't just about the coffee; it was about the effort he was willing to put into our friendship. "Animesh, that's incredibly sweet of you. I'd love to have you here in Jaisalmer but I am busy all days except Sunday, wait two weeks later I may have off on Monday too. Let's make it happen!"With that, our plans for a coffee-tasting adventure were set in motion. Animesh started researching the best coffee places in Jaisalmer, and we eagerly discussed our preferences and the types of coffee we wanted to try.As the days turned into weeks, our excitement grew. Animesh kept me updated on his travel plans, and I prepared a list of must-visit cafes in Jaisalmer. It was during this time that we began to open up to each other about our lives beyond coffee and stocks.Animesh shared stories about his school mischief, his dreams of becoming a successful banker, and his love for adventure. I, in turn, told him about my family, my experiences in the army, and my dreams of exploring the countryside.One evening, as we chatted about our favourite travel destinations, Animesh asked, "Riya, if you could go anywhere in the world, where would you choose to visit?"I didn't hesitate in my response. "I've always wanted to visit a foreign city known for its charm and beautiful romantic allure. I dream of experiencing it all someday."Animesh's reply was equally enthusiastic. "Foreign city, huh? That's on my list too. Maybe one day, we'll both get to sip coffee in a foreign country café, discussing stocks and laughing about life."The thought of such an adventure with Animesh brought a smile to my face. Our friendship had grown beyond the stock market and coffee; it was about sharing dreams and aspirations.As the date of Animesh's visit to Jaisalmer approached, my anticipation reached new heights. We had planned a two-day coffee-tasting extravaganza, and I couldn't wait to introduce him to the vibrant culture and flavours of my city and now it was the current day when finally Animesh was with me in Jaisalmer.~~~~~