Sweet 'n' Sour | ✔

ten

10. haath chodne ke liye thode hi pakda hai. (I did not catch your hand to leave it one day.)

•°•

"Andar aajao. Girna hai kya? (Come inside. Do you want to fall?)" Preeti interrupted with a teasing lilt in her tone.

I tried to move first, failing because I was trapped. While the lack of space between us was exciting, I'm a gentleman and this was something way out of my expertise. She pushed herself back, a futile attempt to add distance between us given the bulging backpack that didn't let her move. Our eyes met as a string of awkwardness lingered between us.

We both tried again, at the same time, and ended up knocking our heads into each other.

"Ow!" She grunted, clasping her forehead and shrinking her head like a turtle.

I gasped. "Shit! I'm so sorry!" I held her shoulders, cupping her cheek to tilt her head up so I can see the extent of damage my thick skull has caused. Literally. She looked up, and we both froze. My hand fell back to my side, clenching and unclenching at the thought of having the audacity to touch her without any consideration on both sides.

She blinked, I blinked and we both looked away in the opposite directions.

"Are- Are you okay?" I whispered, turning my head to face her.

She nodded timidly.

Preeti chuckled at our expense. "Give the bag to me." She held out her hand, helping Priya shrug off the backpack from her shoulders. In doing so, she leaned into me and her forehead slightly touched my throat. I flattened myself to the wall, hands pressed by my sides curling into fists. Then she moved away and I breathed out in relief. Priya disappeared inside, leaving me to deal with her younger sister's wiggling brows and playful eyes. I passed the woman a forced smile, escaping past her without making it obvious.

"Aisi speed se toh mein agle janam tak mausi nahi banane vaali, (Considering the speed, I'm not becoming an Aunt until my next birth.)" I heard Preeti comment as she entered the compartment along with me. My cheeks colored and I rushed in, settling on my seat beside the window.

"Are you okay?" Bhai asked worriedly.

I turned to face him. "Huh?"

"You're all red. Is it the heat? Do you need sunscreen?" He inquired.

I shook my head. "I'm fine," I mumbled, meeting Priya's eyes for a split second before focusing back out of the window.

Despite promising there will be no work bearers on the trip, Priya and Bhai had their laptops out. Preeti was busy on her phone, so I plugged in my earphones and put my liked songs on shuffle. The gentle sway of the train lulled me to sleep.

"Adi?"

"Adi!" A tap on my shoulder jerked me awake. I yawned, clamping my mouth shut when I noticed Priya right in front of me. I blinked rapidly, embarrassed that she had to see my sleepy face that I know, and Vikram is the witness of, is not a pleasant sight to watch. Bhai offered me a bottle of water for which I thanked him. Twisting open the cap, I let the cool water soothe my dry throat. "How much more time?"

"It's not even been an hour yet." Preeti snorted.

"It's a one-day five hours travel," Priya answered.

I sighed, rubbing my face with both of my hands.

I'm hungry.

"When will be lunch served?" I asked anyone willing to answer.

"At one," Preeti replied. "I'm hungry too." She added with a pout.

"I'm sure Mom has packed something to eat." Bhai closed his laptop and put it aside. "I'll go and-"