𝐀𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐀

e i g h t e e n

❦

A A I N A   S L E P T  O V E R.

Never in her wildest dreams or delirious times did she ever spend a night away from Hira Ghar. She never needed to. Kaki and her guards were always there to have her back home safely and before midnight, something every family would do. Even for Aaina, staying out was never really an allure, especially in a small town where life was slow and laid back. 

Aaina hummed at the lethargy, leaving her body as she thought how well she had slept. And that too after so long. Her eyes opened at the flash of sun rays on her face, and she felt her muscles awaken as if it was the first time she was actually waking up from sleep. A sudden wave of anxiety filled her as she didn't see the familiar maroon ceiling she saw the first thing in the morning. She slept on her stomach, her hair tousled over her cheek. Rather, she saw a blue lantern that did not belong to her. 

As she stood up with a jerk, she took notice of the surroundings and realised she never went back home the previous night. 

hai bhagwan, did i die last night? 

It really felt like she had died. It was peaceful and deep. She got up, fidgeting with her hair as she struggled with putting it up in a bun. 

Slowly, she recollected the conversation from the previous night and how Amar convinced her to stay the night and how there was an extra room with all bath amenities. She never agreed to it yet had probably fallen asleep in that room with boxes. Aaina rubbed her forehead as she cringed at the thought of having just dozed off anywhere.

But since she was there, she freshened herself up in the washroom attached to the room and then went downstairs. As she walked towards the kitchen area, she slowed down, catching a familiar sight. 

“You cooked again?” 

He looked up as she entered the kitchen area. 

Aaina was entranced to see him all fresh and sporty, wearing a simple, chikankari, white kurta set, and his long hair pushed back, with him cooking away something delicious. It smelled heavenly in the kitchen.

“Have a seat”

And she did, smiling.

He placed a plate of a ghee glazed Bajri (bajra) roti with a side of curd, pickle, and a chutney. 

“This looks so good”

“Well then, stop looking and eat it”

She couldn't stop smiling and sat down like a child excited to have their favorite meal. Her stomach was finally relieved from last night's hunger. Her smile widened more as she saw him sit in front of her with another plate. Just something about sitting together and having a meal seemed intimate to her, and she tried to hide her sentiments. He looked so calm as he ate, as he cooked as if he was always so confident. Never messy, unlike me, Aaina thought. She stared from under her lashes, at the rolled up sleeves of his white kurta, tracing it upwards his ring clad fingers over the table. She looked away as she felt him glance at her for a moment, sweat marring her forehead.

Embarrassing.

They had the meal in silence. It wasn't awkward like the times before but rather comfortable. 

“This was so delicious” 

Amar took a quick glance at her and looked back at his plate with a nod. Wait, did he get nervous? She couldn't help but ponder if a man like him could ever get shy, but it felt good to know he embraced some. . .what? Tenderness? Most people did when it came to  the hobbies they love. Cooking must be really close to his heart.