chapter 9

it is a well known fact, that no matter how much sad or depressed we may feel, the support of the person who holds a special place in our heart can make all the problems in our life feel like nothing. after spending time with Aditya and sharing her pain with him, Aashi was feeling so much better, her mood was all refreshed. Since it was late night, Aditya decided to drop Aashi near her house. on their way as they rode together, Aashi couldn't help but look at Aditya with a smile on her face. her smile symbolized her growing love for him, and Aditya too couldn't take his eyes off her as he glanced at her through the bike's mirror. finally as they reached near Aashi's locality, Aditya stopped the bike. Aashi got off from it. there was a silence between them, they kept looking into each other's eyes. In that moment, their eyes spoke volumes, revealing the affection, love, and care they held for each other. finally Aashi broke the silence. Aashi: Thank you Aditya...Thank you for coming to meet me on just one call. (Aashi said with a voice filled with gratitude) Aditya: No need to thank me Aashi. I'm glad that you choosed me to share your sadness with. (Aditya replied with his eyes reflecting his sincerity) Aashi: actually Aditya, the thing is that I hardly share my sadness with anyone, but if I do, than it means that the person is very special to me. (Aashi confessed, her eyes filled with shyness and love)Aditya's heart swelled with joy upon hearing these words. Aashi had indirectly revealed the place he held in her heart. Overwhelmed, he remained speechless, unable to find the right words to express his own feelings.Aashi noticed his silence and playfully raised her eyebrows, smiling at him. Aashi: What? Say something now, or will you keep staring at me like this? Aditya: I... I really don't know what to say, Aashi. "Uff! even after being a girl i took the initiative to express my feelings towards this idiot, and he still doesnt know how to proceed further" Aashi thought to herself in her mind. she looked bit dissapointed, but she tried to hide it from Aditya. Aashi: Alright, it's too late now. I think you should leave. (Saying this, Aashi started to walk away) However, Aditya couldn't let her go without expressing himself. He called out her name and stopped her from walking away.Aditya: hey Aashi...wait a minute (Aashi turned back towards Aditya)Aashi: hmmm yes...tell me, what is it? (Aashi asked with curosity) Aditya: well Actually... I..i wanted to say something. Aashi's face lit up with a smile upon hearing Adityas words. "Uff! Thank God...finally he is making a move now" Aashi thought to herself in her mind. Aashi: yes tell me, am listening ...Aditya: Well, actually Aashi...the thing that I wanted to say is..... goodnight."Aashi's expression changed from excitement to disappointment once again. She had hoped that after indirectly hinting at her love for Aditya, he would confess his feelings too. But all she received was a simple "goodnight."Aashi: Goodnight? That's the only thing you wanted to say ha?" (Aashi questioned with disappointment) Aditya knew exactly what Aashi wanted to hear, but he couldn't resist teasing her a little. Aditya: Yes, that's it. Were you expecting something more from me? (Aditya asked playfully) Aashi: No, nothing. (With that, she walked away, her anger was evident in her steps) As Aashi left, Aditya couldn't help but smile. He knew he had teased her, but deep down, he also knew that he needed to gather the courage to express his true feelings for her. Love was in the air, and it was only a matter of time before their unspoken emotions would find their way to the surface.As Aashi enters inside the house, her father was waiting for her in the main hall. Mr Triparty: where did you go leaving the party? (Mr Triparty questioned Aashi straightforward) Aashi: I was feeling suffocated in that party dad...that's the reason, I went to a place where I could find actual peace. Mr Triparty: and you didn't even bother to inform me? Aashi: how could I inform you dad? you were so much busy with your bussiness friends...that you didn't even realise that your daughter is standing all alone in one corner of the party. Mr Triparty: ok fine, I accept that I left you all alone...but I was busy discussing something with them...how could i leave them in the middle of the conversation? Aashi: that's the main problem with you dad...you are busy almost all the time...you hardly have time for me...anyways, we have already discussed this. am going in my room now...please do not disturb me. (Saying this, Aashi went inside her room, while her father kept looking at her) After entering inside the room, Aashi set on the bed with a upsetting face. suddenly her mobile buzzed indicating a message, it was from Aditya. Aashi's face lit up as she opened the message and read the beautiful lines written by him in Hindi."Mere iss dil ko toh kehna hai bohot kuch tumse, Par kambaqt ye dil najane kyu darta hai kehnese.Shukriya karta hoon uss khuda ka jisne mujhe tumse milaya hai,Vakai, tumara mere zindagi main ana uss Khuda ka mere liye ek anmol touffa hai"through the small poem, Aditya smartly hinted his feelings indirectly, just as Aashi had hinted her feelings towards him. overwhelmed with joy, Aashi replied to his message calling him an idiot but adding a smiling emoji. Aditya read Aashi's response and couldn't help but smile. he decided to call her immidiately. Aashi picked up the call eagerly. Aditya: Hello?? Aashi: well well well...I didn't knew that there is a hidden poet within you ha. Aditya: no no...am not at all a poet...but when there is a existence of a beautiful person in our life...then even a common person ends up becoming a poet. Aashi: oh really??? if this is true, then this new born poet within you does deserves a small gift. Aditya was taken aback with Aashi's reply. Aditya: a gift??? what is it?? Aashi: well, you will come to know about it soon...meet me tomorrow around 11 AM on the Mall Road. Aditya was filled with curosity, unable to comprehend what Aashi had in store for him. Aditya: a gift on the mall road? I wonder what is it? Aashi: uff! now don't think too much about it...you'll come to know tomorrow by yourself...till then....Good Night Aditya!!!!! (Saying this, Aashi disconnected the call with a smile) Aditya was left with a question mark hanging over his head, wondering what Aashi's gift could possibly be. The next day, Aditya visited Mall Road. It was a usual day like any other, with many people passing by on the streets. Aditya looked around in search of Aashi. Suddenly, he heard a voice from behind, asking if he was searching for someone. As he turned back, he saw Aashi standing in front of him.Aditya: Hey, good morning. Aashi: Hmm, you have arrived sharp on time. It seems like you are excited for the gift huh? Aditya: You created so much excitement that I was just waiting for this day to arrive. Aashi: Well then, come with me. I want to introduce you to someone. Aditya: What? Who is it Aashi? (Aditya questioned with curosity) Aashi: Uff! You just come with me (saying this, Aashi took Aditya to a nearby restaurant. At a corner table, a middle-aged woman in her 40s was waiting for them. The woman and Aashi exchanged smiles) Aashi: Come Aditya Aditya: Who is she Aashi? (Aditya asked with curiosity) Aashi: Just understand this, the gift which I want to give you... she is the one who holds it. (replied Aashi, leading Aditya to her. They sat at the table) Aashi: Hello Mrs Khanna. This is Aditya, the guy about whom I had told you. The woman looked towards Aditya, smiled, and said, "Hello Aditya". "Hello," replied Aditya with a confused face.Mrs Khanna: Well Aditya, it's really nice meeting you. Aashi has told a lot about you... I just can't wait to display your work in my gallery. Hearing her reply, Aditya turned his face towards Aashi with curiosity. Aditya: Aashi... who... who is she? And... and what... what is she talking about? Aashi: Aditya, she is Mrs. Khanna, the owner of the Vision Art Gallery. Aditya: Vision Art Gallery? Oh my God... it's one of the biggest art galleries in Bangalore. (Aditya replied with surprise and excitement) Mrs Khanna: Yes Aditya. You're absolutely right. Our art gallery is one of the top in Bangalore. Aashi: And now, the same art gallery will also sell your paintings as well. Aditya was shocked and surprised. He was filled with joy. Aditya: What are you saying Aashi? Is it... is it true? Aashi: Yes Aditya. Actually I have known Mrs. Khanna for a very long time. That day, I was very impressed with your art, so I discussed it with her. She immediately agreed to display your art in her gallery. Aditya: But... but Aashi... Mrs. Khanna has not even taken a look at my art... how can she directly display my art in her art gallery? Mrs Khanna: Don't worry Aditya. I know Aashi from a very long time. I believe in her word. If she told me that your paintings are unique and worth displaying in my art gallery, then yes, I do trust her words. Aditya was overwhelmed with happiness. He had become emotional, and words were not coming out from his mouth. Aditya: am...am just feeling short of words... I really don't know what to say. Thank you so much, Mrs. Khanna. Mrs Khanna: Oh, please don't thank me. It's because of Aashi that I came to know about you. If you want to thank someone, then thank Aashi, because of whom you are sitting here in front of me. Hearing her reply, Aditya turned his face towards Aashi. He looked at her with love and affection, and Aashi returned the same expressions. Mrs Khanna noticed them looking at each other. she could clearly see the love Aditya and Aashi holded for eachother. Mrs Khanna: Well, okay then, Aashi and Aditya. I'll leave for now. We will discuss the further procedure later. Aashi: oh okay Mrs Khanna, and thank you for coming here. Mrs Khanna: Oh, not at all Aashi. My art gallery always welcomes new talents. So, thanks to you for introducing one of them to me. See you. (saying this, Mrs. Khanna left) After she had gone, Aditya again started to look at Aashi. Aashi: uff! you started staring at me again ha? don't you have any other work rather then just staring me? (Aashi questioned playfully) Aditya: I just can't stop staring at the woman who has done so much for me....you saved my life...you inspired me to live life again...and now...you are helping me in introducing my paintings to the world. Aashi: I have done nothing Aditya...am just giving you what you deserve...your art is Brillant...and it needs recognisation...and Mrs Khanna's art gallery is a perfect place for your art to be displayed. Aditya: you had told me that you wanted to give a small gift...but the gift that you have given me just now...its not at all small...it's huge...Aashi smiles hearing Adityas reply. Aashi: well the word "gift" was just an excuse...the time I saw your paintings...right at that moment I had decided that I'll talk to Mrs Khanna regarding your paintings...then yesturday before going at the party...I gave a call and told her about you and your paintings...since she knows me from a very long time...she immidiately agreed to meet you...I would have told you all this last night itself, when you took me at the lake...but as you know, my mood was bit off at that point of time ...so I let it go....Aditya: I wish I could do something for you inreturn for the things that you have done for me. Aashi: uff shut up dude...I already told you that I have not done any favour on you...but yes, if you really feel like doing something for me, then I have a wish...Will you fulfil it? Aditya: I'll do everything th at I can to fulfil your wish...just tell me what is it Aashi remained silent for a while...she kept looking in Adityas eyes. Aashi: I want you to do a portrait of mine...Will you do it? hearing Aashis question...Aditya was feeling touched, he smiled...Aditya: I would love to....and trust me, if i do it...then it will be the most beautiful painting that I have ever made. hearing Adityas reply, Aashi felt short of words...she shyed a bit and turned her face down.      to be continued in next chapter