Ahana's point of view**

It was almost lunchtime when Nani Ariya gave me a ring. She was confirming the dinner plan. She sends lunchboxes for me and persuades me for dinner plans every now and then.

In this cruel world where everyone acts voracious. Nani Ariya even after not having any blood ties, takes care of me as her own family. Today on-call she sounded exceptionally eager than ever, I wonder what she is up to now! She has already been so giving, that I could not pay off the debt till eternity.

Towards the end of my working hours, I was busy completing my current project, when Nani gave me a call again. It was her routine she would everyday call me and remind of the time knowing very well, how I lose count of it when I am designing. Today had no exception. Assuring her that I will leave the office in a few minutes, I kept the call.

It was already 7 pm when I was in a prebooked cab stuck in the famous Mumbai traffic. It takes hardly 15 minutes to reach the mansion from Office, only if the roads are clear but it can take hours if it's not. At around 8:15 pm I finally reached the mansion And rang the doorbell. As expected Nani Ariya was the one to open the door. She is too gracious to let one of her servant to welcome someone.

When I entered the massive mansion, the first thing I said was "sorry" knowing very well Nani was waiting for me for quite a time. Followed by a sorry I explained to her the traffic situation, but she being a gem just smiled and acknowledged my apology.

I was not expecting anyone other than Nani and her handful of servants to be home, because that is how I usually find the mansion. Today for a startling change I found Izhaan here. why was I even surprised, it is his house, maybe because after I migrated to Mumbai this is the very first time I am able to see him. Nani has spoken about his Milan trip, he was there for some official work.

I glanced at him. He has grown into a handsome hunk. His eyes were as expressive as it was 12 years before, they made me downcast my sights. However, it was hard for me to do so, as I was able to see him only after a very long time. His body was still sleek as earlier but now it was not just sleek but sculpted in suitable proportion. He clearly makes time for his workouts.

When Nani Introduced us I made courage and looked in his eyes and while forwarding my hand I said, "Hello" he shook my hand and gave a nod with a smile which was hardly noticeable.

I was anticipating him to say something but his mouth never brought in any words. He was totally opposite of himself now. Earlier he carried a boyish smile that never ever left his face. He was a complete prankster always making me laugh. I was his partner in crime.

When the meal was served on the dining table. I was squatting on the opposite side of him. making nani to settle on the head of the family chair at the same time adjacent to me and Izhan.

Throughout the dinner, I could feel his gaze on me, it was a really awkward situation. There was a time, I Was stubborn to get fed only by him whenever I was at his place which was almost every day. He and Ratna Ma used to take care of me more than my mother Alisha ever did.

The awkwardness in the room was so high that the only sound we could hear was of the cutleries. I was grateful to Nani Ariya to break the silence and ask me about my current project. I like to talk about my designs and projects especially to the people who are creative and giving by nature. It is been said to me that my birth mother Maisha was also a fashion designer, this is how Ratna Ma and mother Maisha actually became friends, they completed there fashion designing course together.

Post dinner it was almost impossible for me to leave the mansion as Nani was exceedingly persuasive in asking me to stay back, somehow, I managed to do so and carried my self out of the massive mansion.

It did not take much time for me to reach home, as it was already late evening and past the traffic time of Mumbai streets. Nani Ariya was keen on sending me home with one of her chauffeurs, but I denied her for the same. I wish to be on my own I am an orphan now and I can't be taking so many favours from Her, although she is like a family to me so were they.

I entered my house which is situated on the 2nd level of a 3storey chawl. You could hardly call it a home because no one besides me stays in it.

The people staying in the chawl call it a `Kholi'. Mostly the room or the kholi in this chawl were comprising is of a single cabin and kitchen, bathroom was outside we were supposed to share it with other residents on the floor. room was small but it was enough for a single-member like me.

it mystifies me how an entire joint family comprising of kids and also grandparents stay in it. Few of the members mostly men, stay outside the kholi in an alley. There was no source of privacy for anyone in this chawl. Not that I am complaining about my living condition, in fact, I am grateful that I got a place to reside on such short notice in a city, which is known for the crowd and its busy spirits.