Song of the chapter: Acha lgta hai
Artist: Shreya Ghoshal, Mohit Chauhan
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Anirudh's POV
On our way back the minibus dropped us at a common location close to the sunshine club. It was the same place from where we had boarded the bus in the morning, thus Maithili and Adrita had their cars parked in a nearby private parking lot. Adrita offered to drop me off. I, of course, refused, but then I saw something out of the world; the epitome of beauty.
And I couldn't dare refuse.
The subtle shiny blue of it shouted for me to caress it. The luxurious well-crafted interior challenged my middle-class eyes as if mocking how I won't ever be able to enjoy the luxury it offers. My eyes couldn't move from the beauty and my whole being couldn't believe I am offered or better- honoured to sit inside it.
I jumped at the opportunity. Who would dare refuse such a gorgeous car?
I gaze at the numerous streetlights as Adrita drives through the deserted roads, roads that were deprived of human rush, roads that were taking us to our homes.
The crescent moon followed us. Its radiance was shadowed by the glamorous city lights, but the smile of the crescent moon I had been envisioning since childhood seemed to be a little warmer tonight.
Did I again start with the philosophical thing? Heck!
But the night was beautiful, beautiful enough to worship it with all I had. I tilt my head a little to gaze at Adrita but her whole focus was on the roads ahead.
Smiling, I turn my gaze back to the world on the other side of the window. A crowded bus enters my line of vision, heads turn and numerous eyes fall on us. No, not on us, but onto the luxurious car. Some turned away, some stared, some awed, some frowned, some waved.
If I were on the bus, I would have been one of those who turned away.
"We belong to such different worlds. Don't we?" I claim, my eyes following the crowded bus as it takes a new turn and gradually I lose its sight.
I turn to Adrita. She glances at me with a small frown as if registering my words, and then returns to focusing ahead.
The small frown after a second moulds into a small smile when she once again glances back at me.
"And yet we live in the same one..." She mumbles, embellishing her words with her signature radiant smile.
Did I ever tell you that I suck at philosophical or bookish thoughtful thoughts?
In order to not say something stupid, I decide to keep my silence.
"Music?" Adrita asks, and I simply nod at her.
She taps and scrolls on her car's hi-tech music system and a second later the silence of the car gets shadowed by a Bollywood tune.
"Rat hai toh sawera bhi hoga
hai safar toh basera bhi hoga
Gum ke aage muskuraye gaye hum
Ta ra ra ta ra rum pum." (Song: Title track of movie Ta Ra Rum Pum)
I chuckle as Adrita sways her head around while humming the song. "This song is so you. Isn't it?"
"I will take that as a compliment," Adrita declares over the music.
"It's meant to be one."
5 songs later, Adrita's car pulls into my fairly decent neighbourhood. She stops the car in front of my house and looks at me with a happy face.
Rubbing my sweaty palms on my jeans I hesitantly pull out the gift from my jeans pockets. The same gift that had caught my eyes in the adventure park. I turn to Adrita and notice her curious stare.
"Uhh, I couldn't find pink roses but umm yeah this is for you."
I peer at the heartwarming smile of Adrita as she brings the pendant to her eye and stares at the teardrop size pink stone carved out like a rose.
"Thank you." She hums, but her eyes remain fixated on the necklace as if it will disappear if she takes them off it.
Smiling, I bid her goodbye and almost shut the car door when I remember something important, leaning down I face her and assert, "Drive safely. And the moment you reach home; message me, alright?"
She nods her head in agreement which makes me smile at her as I whisper her goodbye.
Shutting the door gently, I pace towards my house but then Adrita shouts, making me stop in my tracks and turn towards her.
"Thank you for the gift! And I hope you haven't forgiven one of your shoes in my car, Mr Cinderllla!"
A boisterous laugh leaves my lips which I am sure must have generated the curious nature of my neighbours... and that would lead them to be out any minute so, composing myself I reply, "Don't worry Princess Charming! I am sure you don't need it. Now go before it gets late."
Adrita shrugs at me but drives away nonetheless. Shaking my head, I enter my house and make my way towards my Grandma's room. I gently knock on her door, even though I know she must have slept. Opening her room's door, I soundlessly pick up the empty jar from her bed table and made my way to the kitchen.
Thereupon refilling the jar I once again place it in its earlier position and retire to my room.
After I was all freshened up and changed, I scan my phone's condition; the phone I had forgotten to take out of my jeans pocket, the same jeans I had mercilessly thrown into the cupboard.
A message notification pings on my phone and I turn it to face the screen. An unbridled smile makes its way on my lips as I gaze at the particular message I just received.
Adrita: I am home.
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Author's note:
This chapter is dedicated to the sweetest, most loveliest @Frreebird. It's her birthday!!
May all your birthdays be the happiest and may you always remain a freebird!
Lots of love!!