"I don't want to go," Ananya said sitting in the corner of the bed.
"You...you... can't deny," Neha said stomping her foot.
"Why do you want me to go? No one likes me there, Shriya, Arjun..."
"And? No one, Dadi, please tell her to come. Are you really going to leave me alone in the face of mentals?"
"Who's mental?"
"Literally everyone."
"Then don't go."
"Ok, I am telling Vishal that I can't come as my best friend..."
"Ok, fine." Neha and Vishal were mending up finally. She didn't want them to fight again. Honestly, she did want to go. It's been a long since she travelled somewhere. But whenever Arjun and Shriya's words came to her mind she felt like pulling herself from everything and hiding somewhere.
Finally, the night before their trip came. Arjun was having a different kind of restlessness within him. He had questions but couldn't put words to them. He dialled Vishal's number.
"Hey bro, packing done?" Vishal asked over the phone.
"Umm, yeah. So everyone is going? All four of us?"
"Four? We are not limited to only four anymore, bro."
His heart skipped at his words.
"Then? Who else?" He asked sceptically.
"Neha, of course."
"Won't she feel awkward with us?"
"Why would she feel awkward, I'll be there with her."
"Yeah, right." Arjun cut the call.
Suddenly he lost all his enthusiasm for the trip. So, she won't be coming.
The next day early in the morning Arjun, Vishal, and Rahul were gathered together. Others would be picked up on the way.
"God, why do you guys have to meet so early, ha? It's only 4:30?" Shriya complained petulantly as she got in the car.
"We have a long way to go, sleeping beauty," Vishal said teasingly.
"Well, I am going to sleep in the car. You guys gonna drive, anyway." She replied shrugging.
"Really? We thought you are going to drive."
"Yeah and till we reach our destiny our ghosts will appear."
All the two boys started laughing as Arjun started the car. They arrived in front of Ananya and Neha's apartment building. His eyes were hooked towards the front. Maybe she would come at the last moment. God, why can't he just stop thinking about her? He heard Neha talking outside the car, but not her. Ok, fine let her be here. He's going to enjoy it to the fullest and forget about her. But he felt a heat building in his chest. It spread toward his brain. He gripped the steering wheel tightly. He felt so depressed.
He didn't even bother to look back and remain in his place closing his eyes stiffly. Maybe he should have asked her once to come, but she probably didn't because of him. He felt a cloud of sadness covering him.
"After a long time, I am going to enjoy the morning. I don't remember when was the last time I enjoyed sunrise last time. Thanks, Vishal for planning this trip." His sense went numb at the girly voice. His eyes snapped to the rearview mirror. She's here. His senses went numb, only her voice ringing. He felt like his heart would come out. Unknowingly, a smile appeared on his handsome face, which he himself didn't realise. He let out a soft laugh.
"You ok?" Shriya asked from beside him.
"Yeah, why do you ask?" He asked casually. But the next moment he realised his condition. She must have thought he was an idiot to smile at himself. He retracted his lips.
"Go to sleep." He said while starting the car.
Arjun's eyes went to the mirror again. There she was seating, looking outside with her curious pair of eyes. Inwardly, he felt a stone lifted from his chest. He didn't realise a pair of eyes also followed him when he was not looking.
As their car moved the sun started giving hints of its appearance so that the earth could get ready to welcome its most prized blessings. And that moment a view almost took away Arjun's breath. As the sun gently rises, casting its warm, golden glow upon the world, he saw her enjoying there, adorned in the ethereal beauty of the dawn's light. Her delicate features were illuminated, revealing a softness that rivals the dawn's gentle embrace. In the early morning haze, her eyes shimmer like the first light of day, reflecting the promise and hope that each sunrise brings.
And right there, that moment he felt like he fell in love, once again. He fell for her innocent face and was busy adoring the serenity spreading outside, a beauty experienced for ages. But only he was the witness of the masterpiece seating in the backseat of his car. Her hair, cascaded down her shoulders like waves of sunlight, intertwining with the morning breeze. As the first rays of light caress her skin, it glows with a soft luminescence, like the blush of a rose at daybreak. With each breath she takes, she breathes life into his heart, awakening a love that blooms with the dawn. Yes, Arjun Singhania fell in love with Ananya Roy, once again.
After they took a tea break they started their journey again. On the way, Shriya felt like vomiting.
"Please, stop the car, stop the car." On stopping she rushed out. Ananya and Arjun both came out in concern. Ananya went holding her hair back while she let it all out.
"Arjun hold her hair from back, please and give me the water bottle." Arjun followed while Ananya started splashing water on her face. The others also have gotten off by that time.
"Oh, my God!" Shriya started panting feeling her body go light after vomiting. She had a problem with motion sickness. Ananya started applying water to her neck and ears. Soon ease returned to her body. But as soon as she saw the person standing with the bottle looking at her worriedly, a different kind of emotion tugged at her heart but it didn't last long as she got disturbed. She always felt a little threatened with her presence and it soon consumed the warmth she felt a moment ago, into irritation.
"Feeling better?" Ananya asked softly.
"What the hell! Who told you to take care of me? My friends are here." Ananya was shocked at her tone.
On the other hand, Arjun was lost in the soft pattern of her furrowed brow and troubled eyes only serve to accentuate the depth of her compassion and the strength of her character. In her moments of concern, her features soften with tenderness. At that moment she didn't seem like a girl of 'hatred' or 'revenge', to him. His trance broke at Shriya's harsh tone. And for a second he seemed to see hurt in her eyes but it was replaced by blankness that he doubted whether it was there or not.
"No one told me. It's called humanity which I learnt while growing up. Clearly, you didn't." Ananya said feeling irritated and got in the car.
"Ungrateful Bitch." Neha cursed from behind.
Arjun felt so annoyed at Shriya's immaturity. "What was that, Shriya?" Arjun scolded her. Arjun's sudden outburst surprised and scared Shriya.
"Arj..."
"You will say sorry to her after you get in the car," Arjun commanded her sternly.
He went and straight took a seat beside Ananya in the back making Ananya turn to him. Vishal and Neha were in the middle and Shriya got conjured up with Rahul in the front.
"I'm tired, someone else had to drive now," Arjun said grumpily and closed his eyes.
"Sorry, and thanks." Shriya's half grumpy, half apologetic voice came.
"It's ok." Ananya's response lessened the tension a little in the car as a song started playing in the background.
Aao Milo chalein
Janaa kahan na ho pata
Hum jo chalne lage
Chalne lage hai ye rasteein
Aa ha ha
...
Soon they arrived at a hilltop village. It was surrounded by misty mountains and dense forests. The village was tucked away from the usual tourist crowds and offered a serene environment for relaxation and exploration.
They checked in at a resort in the village. There are small cottages and a small landscape area along with a pool. The cottages were designed in the village houses tradition.
After the journey, all of them were tired so they freshen up for some time. Neha and Ananya were staying in the same room while others in single.
It was almost time for the sun to shutter down when they gathered near the poolside as they planned their next day's plans. Ananya was silent all alone, just enjoying the view outside.
She stood up to take a walk while Rahul came to join her.
"I didn't expect you to come but I'm happy that you did. Now I won't fall alone as Vishal and Neha roam together while Shriya tags along Arjun."
Ananya just smiled feeling a little pang at the last part. But she decided to enjoy than let it affect her. But it's so tough to control your emotions when the object of your affection roams in front of your eyes but no matter how much your heart craves you can't even hold his hand to your heart's content.
"Why does Rahul never leave a chance to roam around my girlfriend?" Arjun gritted to Vishal looking at the two figures strolling.
"You mean your ex-girlfriend?" Vishal rolled his eyes at Arjun.
"Whatever, just because we broke up doesn't he can come and try rolling his dice anytime." Arjun knew he must sound ridiculous but he couldn't help it. He always felt a burn inside him when he sees them together.
But you have no right either, remember you let her go. But she lied otherwise you two would have basking in each other's love right now without a doubt.
The next day Ananya came out of her cottage. A smile crept up her lips as she inhaled deeply taking in the invigorating mountain air. She listened intently to the melodious chirping of birds, the rustle of leaves, and the distant echo of a flowing stream closing her eyes. At this moment, the worries of the world fade away, replaced by a deep connection to her surrounding.
She started walking along with the forest, it called to her. She entered the forest taking in the lush green beauty. After walking for a while, she heard the sound of someone's voice. She strolled closer tiptoeing cautiously. The sound seemed like someone was hurt and crying in pain. But as she looked behind the bush she saw a man attacking a woman. She was about to let out a cry but someone covered her mouth from behind increasing her fear more. Her eyes widened but no sound came out.
"Ssshh, darling you are about to invade someone's privacy. Look close, he's not hurting her." This time her eyes tended to come out of its socket as she realised what was going on and more so to the person standing behind him. She jerked away his hands and turned. There stood her tormentor with a mischievous smile looking devilishly handsome in his casual dress up.
She started walking leaving him behind while Arjun followed.
"What were you doing alone in the forest this early, sneaking on a couple's lovemaking? I didn't know you had such fantasies." He said, his tone a mixture of anger and something else that sent shivers down her spine.
"I was just enjoying the forest peacefully, away from you. Why do you even care? I had no idea people had such bad taste. In the jungle? Seriously? I thought someone was hurt that's why I went to check." She replied grumpily.
Arjun chuckled, the next moment he pinned her to a nearby tree. As she looked into his eyes, amid the forest there was a darkness in his brown orbs.
"Even in us humans, a certain wildness resides within us. There is this craziness, rawness about making love in the lap of nature." He whispered huskily tugging a strand of her hair behind her ear. "You will know when you will experience it." There was something in his voice and the innocent touch of his fingers behind her ear that could curl her toes. She looked at his lips and took a gulp. He was still looking at her face as if observing every detailed pattern of her delicate features and memorizing it.
But she came out of the trance the next moment hearing his voice.
"Now, if I see you one more time walking in the forest all alone I am going to lock you up in my bathroom." With that, he dragged her out of the forest.
As they neared their cottage, they saw everyone ready for the day. Ananya snatched her hand and started walking with more speed.
They ate something light and started their trekking. There was a waterfall, they had to reach it through trekking. The way to the waterfall went through the forest. Ananya was so mesmerized by the deep mystical beauty of the place. The more she saw she couldn't get enough of it.
"God, I can't walk anymore. This was a bad idea to trek. I told you to go on the cruise. This whole crawling through the forest is a horrible idea. God knows, which animals, insects are there." Shriya complained like a kid.
Before anyone could talk, Neha spoke up. "Well not everyone is walking around with a money tree in the backyard," Neha taunted. She had enough of this crybaby.
"So sad to hear that. What can I say my Dad is rich unlike yours. Don't feel low, Neha."
"Oh, I don't. I know my capabilities that's why I plan my trip according to that and currently enjoying it to the fullest. You shouldn't have come here, rather you could have enjoyed your lollipop in your dreamy cruise..."
Ananya tugged Neha behind and glared at her. "Just because she's behaving like a child you would too. Aren't you older than her? Now shut up and talk to me." She said while hanging her hand around Neha's shoulder casually on the other hand Rahul tried to prohibit her from any more fighting.
"These girls are crazy," Vishal murmured from beside Arjun while he just decided to keep mum and enjoy their banters silently.
Finally, they reached the falls. And the beauty of the cascading waterfall makes them forget their tiredness. Even Shriya started enjoying ignoring her earlier complaints. Rahul and Vishal started capturing images with their camera while others rejoiced. A not-so-deep lake has been formed below the fall. Neha took Ananya's hand and went near the fall. They started splashing at each other. Arjun leaned against a tree and silently observed her, the moment of her uninhibited happiness. Under the enchanting spray, revelling in its refreshing embrace, she looked like an angel, just born from the womb of nature. Her carefree laughter mingles with the melodious rush of water, painting the surroundings with joy and vibrancy.
Shriya hesitated to go in the water, she had worn an expensive dress, and she didn't want to ruin it and she also felt a little awkward as she watched Ananya and Neha enjoying themselves like little kids. She looked at her surrounding but found Vishal already in the water and Arjun and Rahul doing something in Rahul's camera.
Ananya noticed Shriya standing alone with a confused expression. She indicated Neha looked at her. "Tell her to come, na?"
"You think, she wants to, why don't you ask her?"
"You do, na?"Ananya urged again.
"Fine," she turned towards Shriya and shouted, "Shriya, join us."
"Come on, Shriya, trust me, you will love it." This time Ananya called out encouragingly seeing her still faltering. This time Shriya smiled and ran towards them letting go of her hard feelings.
After some time the boys joined them. Arjun's eyes never tend to leave her. "Their eyes locked with each other and the air crackled with electric energy, an undeniable spark that bridges the gap between their souls. Their eyes met, and in that fleeting instant, the world fell away. A knowing smile dances upon their lips. Suddenly Arjun started drawing closer but Ananya's feet seemed to get stuck as her heartbeat started pounding like a hammer. Her body danced in anticipation, what was in his mind?
Her breath hitched when he lifted his hand near her face, but he just removed a leaf from his hair and smiled. The stiffening in her chest seemed to ease as she let out a breath.
In the evening they were seating outside dining and having snacks. They also played some indoor games like dumb charades and antakshari. But after some time Arjun had to leave due to some important meeting. Finally, they went to sleep. After dinner and drinking for a while.
Sleep was far away from Ananya's eyes. She came out of his room and sat outside near the pool. There seemed to be traces of clouds in the sky hiding the stars. Her mind pondered over all the incidents happened since yesterday. Arjun hadn't behaved badly with her again except for the morning incident when he scolded her. She saw that concern in his eyes again the way he showed it, it was ridiculous.
She knew Arjun loved her and if you truly love someone it just couldn't be faded away that easily. It takes time, days, years and for someone their whole life. After Arjun's rash behaviour, she hadn't tried to talk to him. She started to believe that this was the end of their story. Arjun Singhania was not in her fate. If he became happy by staying away from her then let it be.
But that concern in his eyes or that spark of adoration danced in his eyes near the waterfall, what were they? Just a remaining trace of his old feeling for her or is he forgiving her, finally?
Suddenly, she felt someone taking a seat beside her.