26: memories

If Nila thought Vijay was trouble, Tarun was the harbinger of tragedies. Who in the right mind would drag four people to a trampoline park when they have a wedding to attend in the evening?

Tarun Tej, that's fucking who.

He should get an A+ for his persuasion skills and be awarded a Phd in marketing.

Nila was usually the light in the dark, the compass of perfectionism and discipline amidst chaos but somehow Tarun managed to shatter it and influence her to make her worst mistake in history. With the way Tarun sold the idea of having fun in the trampoline park and the reels he'd saved to show them, he chipped away the uncertainty swirling inside her. She had asked so many questions: Won't we become tired? (There is enough time to take rest and then get ready), What about lunch? (We'll just order outside), What if no one is able to drive back? (We'll take an auto and come back later for our motorbikes).

Vijay, obviously, didn't give a damn about it. Tanvi seemed to have changed her mind and welcomed any kind of distraction that came her way. She had expected Krish to be the voice of reason but the only thing he had said was to make up their mind soon. Nila didn't want to feel like the party pooper here and the idea of going to a trampoline park was enticing, if the timing wasn't considered. Eventually, Nila had agreed.

Bad choice.

Now that they had all come back from the trampoline park, everyone was spent. Every bone and muscle ached. Vijay was the only one who seemed less dead. Krish had managed to order food before he went to take a hot shower. Tarun curled up on the carpet and Tanvi next to him. Vijay collected the order from the door but no one was ready to eat.

"Aren't you guys hungry?" Nila asked. They had had a few slices of bread and coffee before they left for the park.

"We are but we are too tired to eat," Tanvi groaned.

Nila rolled her eyes. She was starving and she didn't care for the ache in her body. Grabbing plates and cutleries from the kitchen, she started serving the fried rice and split the pizza. Vijay stole quick bites from her as she ate before he winked at her and asked her if she wanted to join him in the shower. Nila didn't even have the energy to blush. She simply stared at him without emotion even though the idea of someone helping her in the shower was tempting in her current situation.

She couldn't remember when she had worked out before. That must be the reason her body felt like it might give up any minute. It was about time Nila started a workout routine.

After she was done eating, she felt her eyes droop. Her body sagged into the sofa. But she couldn't go to sleep in her stinky sweaty clothes. She had to shower. Reluctantly and painfully, she walked to the bathroom. She could hear her mother's voice in her head, scolding her for bathing after eating. But she couldn't care less about that right now.

Hot shower, hot shower, hot shower, she told herself, picturing it and forcing herself to get in. And once the water hit her skin, she sighed loudly and closed her eyes. Memories of the time in the trampoline park flashed in her mind --- Tanvi pushing her brother whenever she got the chance, Krish doing the highest jump in the trampoline and Vijay calling him a cheat, Vijay dragging Nila into the pit of foam blocks. She sagged against the wall and smiled. Despite the ache in her bones after that workout, she wouldn't deny the fact that she'd made some damn good memories--- memories that would stay forever.

When she was done with the shower, she realised that she had run out of t-shirts. She only had a fresh pair of shorts, a grand salwar for the evening and a cotton printed blouse for tomorrow. She could ask Tanvi, she decided, poking her head out of the room. Krish was helping himself to the food and Vijay was grumbling and bringing him a cup of water. She could spot Tanvi's legs but she was hidden behind the sofa.

"Vijay!" she hissed, waving her hand.

"Silver?" She could hear his footsteps until they stopped right in front of the door.

She clutched her towel tighter and poked her head back outside. "Is Tanvi awake?"

"Nah, she passed out. What's up?" His eyes flicked to her fisting the towel on her chest and then back to her eyes.

"I need to borrow a t-shirt," she said. Vijay smelt of soap and perfume, something different from the usual one he smelled like. His hair dripped wet just like hers. "I thought I could ask Tanvi but..."

"She probably won't mind if you borrow one without asking but wait," he said, lifting his finger as if he had an idea and disappearing. Nila sighed. She should have packed an extra t-shirt. But in her defence, she didn't know she would be going out so many times.

Vijay came back a few seconds later, holding a t-shirt. "Here."

"Thanks," she said, grabbing the fabric and closing the door shut. She slipped the clothing over her head and inhaled the familiar smell. Vijay. Nila smiled and pressed her nose into the fabric, looking at the mirror and liking how his t-shirt was a little loose on her and engulfed her shorts.

But somehow it was perfect.

After drying her hair with the towel as long as her tired arms allowed, she opened the door and walked into the living room. Vijay was cleaning things up and Krish wasn't anywhere to be seen. The twins were fast asleep on the carpet.

"Did they eat?" she asked even though she knew the answer.

"Nope," Vijay said from the kitchen. Nila sat on the sofa for a minute but her body automatically folded horizontally across the furniture. She closed her eyes as her muscles groaned in relief at finally resting them. It was so satisfying.

Sleep called to her.

Suddenly she felt like she was being picked up. Nila opened her eyes and met Vijay's. "What are you doing?"

"Sharing the sofa," he said, slotting himself between her and the back of the sofa and wrapping his arms around her to hold her in place.

"There are two empty beds in the house."

"Krish is sleeping in the room." Nila stared at him. "The sofa looked less lonely than the other bed. Can you blame me?"

"If you wanted to sleep next to me, we could have at least taken the bed, you idiot," Nila said. "Do you notice the lack of space here or are you blind?"

"What if I like the lack of space?" he asked, pressing his face into her neck.

Nila didn't have the energy to think of something clever or put up a fight. Plus, it felt incredibly nice to be pressed against Vijay, soaking up his warmth and smell. She gave in and turned around to slide her arm under his and rest her cheek against his chest. Vijay rested his palm on her back, the other hand carding her damp hair. "Isn't this nice?" he whispered.

"I never doubted it'd be otherwise," she murmured.

"Then why did you refuse last night? I was so sad, silver."

She smiled. "Because I was scared this will be yet another thing I'd get addicted to," Nila said, sliding her leg between his and twisting their ankles. It did feel nice, she thought. Oh, so nice.

"Too late, silver," he brushed his lips on her hair.

"I know."

"Hypothetically speaking, what if you lose a particular t-shirt of yours?" she asked.

"Did I lose it or did someone steal it?"

"Let's say someone stole it."

"Is there a particular reason they stole it?"

"Maybe because they like it and the owner too much."

Vijay tightened his arms around her. "I'll allow it. This time. If it repeats, I'll need something in exchange."

"Another claw clip to add to your collection?"

Vijay chuckled. "It's fun. It fascinates me."

"That's the most childish but adorable thing you've said," Nila murmured, weaving her fingers into his hair. "Now shut up. Let's go to sleep."

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The wedding was nothing like she'd ever been to. While the nikkah ceremony happened with Farah's father and Aadil on the stage, the five of them sneaked in to see Farah. The look on Vijay's face when he saw Farah was precious. He was so emotional, refusing to give into her teasing and begin their usual bickering. Krish was like an adoring brother, asking questions and soothing her nerves.

"Let's take a picture," Farah said, almost tearing up. It was strange to see tears in her eyes but the fact that it was the happy kind made Nila's heart full.

Nila clicked a picture of the trio — Farah, Krish and Vijay with Farah sandwiched between them, all bright smiles and glazed eyes. Then the twins huddled in and later, Farah's cousin took a picture of all of them. Farah's gaze fell on Vijay's hand on her hip and she smirked. "Guess it's going well," she whispered into her ears.

"Yeah, it is," Nila said, not helping the grin on her face. She glanced at him, running her eyes over his red kurta and black pants. The fabric fit him so well as if it was tailored just for him. He was just so... hot. There was no other word.

Oh, and hers.

"He's a keeper. He'll treasure you like there's nothing of more value to him. But make sure you don't break his heart. I mean it, Nila. If it ever came to that, you know whose side I'll take."

Nila knew it was a warning and a promise. She smiled, touched at how protective she was over Vijay. "I know. I won't let him go."

After they took a seat back in the hall, Farah walked in, looking ethereal. Aadil and Farah exchanged rings and saw each for the first time in a while. Aadil then placed a necklace on Farah and Aadil's mother fed them both milk.

Only when Farah and Aadil grinned at each other like they couldn't believe they were married, Nila let out a breath she didn't realise she was holding.

Farah was married.

She was married to the love of her life.

The smile on her face as she posed for the pictures was blinding, full of light, full of love. Her parents had the smile of contentment as they greeted everyone come to bless their daughter. It was such a wholesome event.

Vijay nudged her. "What are you thinking?"

"She's so happy," Nila murmured. Vijay linked their pinkies together, pressing it against the gold shimmery fabric of her salwar.  "I wonder if I'll be when I get married."

The words slipped out of her mouth before she could think. Vijay's fingers crawled into her palm and pinched the soft skin playfully. "You'll be double this happy, silver. Your face will be naturally pink from joy, eyes crinkling beautifully and cheeks lifted high, eyes twinkling with light. I'll make sure of it."

Nila shoved him gently. "Stop it."

"What? You're thinking of a possibility where you'll marry someone else?" Vijay said.

"I'm just trying not to expect too much out of my life because it has a habit of disappointing me."

"Not when I'm around," Vijay said, linking their pinkies again.

"There's mutton biriyani!" Tarun gushed as if he had never seen a grain of the flavoured rice in his life. "Come on, let's go, let's go, let's go! They've started serving."

"God, keep it down, Tarun. You'll make it seem as if we are here only for the food," Tanvi chided. She was wearing a lavender lehenga.

"They have ice cream too, you minx," he said and excitement cracked through Tanvi's  firm composure.

Krish shook his head, probably feeling hopeless about the lot. Even though all of them barely managed to make it to the event with their aching muscles and bones, they didn't seem to care about it now. They were all just happy to be there.

Meanwhile, Nila's phone was blowing up with likes and comments at the sneaky but daring picture she had taken of Vijay's hand on her thigh. He had placed it casually when he had to talk to Krish who was on the other side of her.

And just as casually, Nila had clicked a picture and posted it on her story without giving it a second thought.

She liked it. Sharing pictures of her and Vijay and showing off how happy she was. She'd never been used to doing it before, always having to downplay her excitement in fear of being judged or scolded but now everything had changed.

Everything had changed when she met Vijay.

She just hoped her sister wouldn't use that picture against her for the rest of her life.

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