"Need to wait until I cook! Until, can explore my house!" Meera said with a smile before getting into her room!
Neel watched her leave, after few minutes, she came back, her dress changed from formal to something simple, and soon she again disappeared, into the kitchen! Having nothing to do, he occupied himself observing his surroundings. A simple house, no hints of luxury, but an unknown sense of..... silence combined with...peace. A two storied building, with white walls, classic furniture, few indoor plants. And....few photo frames hanging onto the wall.
With a sigh, he sat down on the floor, leaning closer to the knee-height table, his hands rested on it firm, supporting his head. He didn't realise when was it that he dozed off to sleep.
Meera served the dishes on the table and sat across him. Her eyes taking in the look of his asleep figure. Did she make him feel tired? She didn't wish to disturb him, but...
With an inhale, she attempted to call him by touch but even before she could, he shot his eyes open when she was about to touch him!
"God!" She retreated her hand with a gasp, the sudden reaction being unexpected.
Neel watched her blankly, his gaze so sharp as if it were to pierce her soul, "I do not like..." he breathed, "to be touched!"
Meera was silent, how did he even sense it? "I was just trying to wake you up," she explained, "no other intentions!!" she scoffed.
A moment of silent staring continued until Meera cleared her voice, "The meal is ready, so...shall we?" Her voice clearly conveyed her hesitation. Neel couldn't help but provide her a nod.
He took a look at the table, a simple meal, just like her simple house. Pasta with aperol spritz.
"This is a three-Ingredient Tomato Sauce. Olive oil, salt, fresh tomatoes." Meera explained, "All it takes is a little time to create the most vibrant, fresh pasta sauce ever. Basic, easy, dinner perfection," he could see a proud smile on her face, "Serve with your favorite pasta shape, broccolini and sip on an Aperol Spritz. And it will be your favourite dinner!!"
"I'm sure you'll like it!!" Meera said with a smile again.
Neel was right! She's a talkaholic. Ignoring her, he took hold of the fork and the spoon.
"Thanks for the food!" She started her meal.
Neel halted for a second, his grip tightening around the fork and with a swallow, he forced himself to eat.
He liked the taste. Since when was it that he had a house made meal?
Pushing away his thoughts, he carried on.
"How does it taste? Did you like it?" Meera asked taking a sip of her drink.
Neel looked up from his cutlery, while she expected an answer, he provided a question, his finger slowly pointing at the photo frames on the wall, the photos that included a couple along with her. "Why do you stay alone? Are they settled out of station?"
Meera looked at the wall, a huge lump settling in her heart at once, with a faint smile she looked back at him, a nod escaping her, "Somewhat similiar!"
He saw her continuing the meal, with a nod at himself, he continued as well, but his hands halted again when she raised another question - "And what about your family?"
She who was focused on her pasta, finally looked up at him when the silence struck her.
His head was still down.
As she watched him, she felt a sense of....as if he was trying to supress or endure something unknown and unseen.
Meera felt the urge to ask whether he was okay, but instead, she remained silent.
"You cook well!" He finally spoke up, his head still down while his voice sounded deep. Without any other word, he tried to finish whatever was arranged for him neatly on the table.
While the other way, she didn't know how to respond, his compliment completely going ignorant. Why did she feel like he was beginning to feel uncomfortable? And why did her mind pointed herself the cause?!
Shaking her head, she focused back on her meal, she didn't want to let it go waste. This was one of her favourite, and she would enjoy it in all the cases!!
When she almost finished her cutlery, and looked up, she saw him seeing her, which surprised her! Licking her lips, Meera couldn't help but watch him with hesitation as she took notice of his empty bowl, "Are you feeling more hungry? I apologise for preparing a limited amount?!"
Neel shook his head, taking a sip of his drink which was still untouched.
With a sigh she had her last bite, feeling satisfied, her hands soon reaching for her already half emptied glass of drink.
"What did you say to the kid when asked who I was?" Neel asked without even sparing her a gaze.
While Meera, was surprised he could hear the conversation even after being seated far from her.
"Who is the new person seated there? Why doesn't he speak?" The five year old kid asked her with a pout, back in the garden for which she laughed replying - "A stranger who might not be a stranger if the next time he comes."
"Well, I assume if you heard the question, you would even have heard the latter!" Meera shrugged.
Neel nodded, taking the last sip of his drink, "I did," his voice itself an evidence of his cold demeanor, "and there's no next time."
Okay....
"I would then hope this time didn't bother you much!" She said, holding back the urge to say - 'I didn't ask you for!'
"I will take my leave!" Neel declared, standing up.
She stood as well with a nod.
Meera followed him until the gate, and when was about to leave, she called him as if remembering something. Requesting him to wait, she disappeared into the house again.
After a brief time, she returned with a candy, offering it to him. "I have a habit of appreciating children with candies, in the orphanage."
"And, this is for you! Thank you for helping me this day, again."
Neel watched her with no expression, giving her a shook of denial, "I don't like candies," he sighed, "and I'm no kid! Goodbye!!"
And just with that, he left, leaving her to her candy.
Meera watched him as he slowly disappeared into the darkness.
Doesn't like candies, doesn't like to be touched, doesn't like others talking too much, what else in the world would he actually like?? And moreover, he didn't even thank her for the dinner!!
Meera sighed feeling a bit frustrated, uncovering the candie, she took a huge bite of it, "But I do like it!!"
************
Neel again found himself in front of his once house! The bungalow that looked haunted, was the proof of his haunting past.
His steps leaded him inside the building, the furniture damaged to its peak, his own steps creating an echo around, the silence strangely reminding him the silenced life of his.
This time, his hands didn't halt. He took hold of the photo frame. Adjusting it, he couldn't take off his eyes from it!
These people....
'And what about your family?'
They.... were his family!
The family....he no more has!
The entire day, he couldn't help but remember things he tried so hard to forget.
The way how he played with his parents, aunt and uncle in his childhood, the way how his mother always said him to thank God for the food provided, the way how she always praised him by giving a chocolate. The way she used to cook. The way his father took care of the garden which had jasmine flowers, the ones that his mother always loved.
Everything, hurt him as much as everytime he remembered it.
Why was fate so cruel towards him?
The question he never asked anyone but always wanted to be answered.
The way the woman did every possible thing to make him recall his past, whether intentional or not, he didn't like it.
Having yourself reminding things that make you vulnerable, was literally the worst.
He sighed in frustration for the first time, "I'm beginning to hate you, woman!!"
************
After the 3hour journey of flight; from Mumbai to Delhi, and 2hour journey by train; from New Delhi to Mathura Jn, Deep reached Mathura. Deep and Vinson travelled one more hour, and checked in, in a hotel, nearer to the estate Tara and Aryan would be coming to.
While Aarohi just followed them in secret, checking in, in the same hotel.
And she is actually beginning to feel worried now. She didn't yet decide what to do after coming here, and everything began to look like a mess for her!
And its night now, the feeling of uncertainty eating up both Deep and Aarohi from inside.
************
Started at early morning in the eight, at Mumbai Central, after sixteen hours of journey, Tara and Aryan reached Mathura Jn, in the midnight.
The journey was long, yet felt like a relief! They chatted with some stranger-passengers, them sharing their life stories, with Tara and Aryan.
To see, there were students among them, returning to their homeland in the holidays, few were travellers, and there were one old couple, along with their young grandson, them visiting the holy land of Lord Krishna.
Talking with them felt like a cooling balm over their souls, beginning to feel the new beginning of their life.
When asked where they were to go, they replied with a 'Family reunion', saying that they were going to meet their grandparents after so many years.
They wished them all the best, and an advance greeting of 'Krishnashtami'; the celebration of the day when Lord Krishna took birth.
Now, in the midnight, after the peaceful connections made with the strangers, Tara and Aryan finally got off the train! And there was already a man standing ready for them.
"Radhe Radhe! Welcome back, prince and princess!" The man greeted with a soft smile and a slight bow.
Aryan and Tara stared at each other, obviously feeling awkwardly new to the new calling.
All they could offer was a faint-nervous smile, as they greeted him back in unison, "Radhe Radhe!"
"I'm the king's butler. Aman Mittal."
They nodded a bow, "I'm here to receive you both." he informed.
Aryan and Tara followed him while he and the driver who came along, carried their luggage until the car.
As they were seated in the car, their hearts pumped faster than ever in anticipation. The nervousness slowly starting to eat them up from inside.
Yet, both tried to stay calm as the car began to move.