SAY YOU SAY ME

CHAPTER 6

It was late in the evening when Ahaan was leaning over the balcony lost in deep thoughts about what Arushi had just said about him to her dad. There was a light breeze and the neighborhood had fallen awfully silent so that Ahaan could hear the 'lub-dub' of his heart. Moments and memories from the past clouded his mind and welled up his eyes. Ahaan, Amir and Arushi- What a trio they were!

"Ahaan!"- he could find a familiar touch on his shoulder and looked around to see Arushi.

Arushi could notice Ahaan's eyes had welled up and she was concerned.

"Ahaan, is everything alright?"

"Ahh, yes. Of course."- Ahaan said quickly brushing off the lone tear waiting at the corner of his eyes.

"Well, I was thinking, you know, why not go around a walk to the park and have some ice-gola and candy floss!"- Arushi beamed.

Ahaan's eyes lit up. "Sure! Let's go."

"Cool."

The park was a 5-minute stroll from Arushi's place and Ahaan and Arushi were glad they stepped out because the light breeze was just around perfect.

"So, what I was thinking was that we go tomorrow morning in the early hours and get done with the cleaning. Then we could shift both of your luggage to Khala's place."

"Yeah, sounds cool to me. I have never been there. What's it like?"

"Patience, darling. Some patience!"- Arushi enacted how one of their teachers at school to which Ahaan couldn't help but giggle.

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The park had undergone some major reconstructions that were new to Arushi as well. The slides, swings and other rides were almost new, there were also new and more comfortable benches around the park some reserved for the elderly and on the farthest side were all the stalls of ice-gola, pani-puri, candy floss and many more. Overall, the ambience of the park was quite vibrant.

Some people were jogging around the park while some children here and there were playing hide and seek. Arushi and Ahaan walked over to the other end and came at the ice-gola stall.

"Do you still despise street food, Mr. Healthy Stuff?"- Arushi clearly remembered how Ahaan used to completely avoid stuff like ice-gola, pani-puri, candy floss and for that matter every Delhiite's favourite- Vada Pav.

"There's no harm in indulging quite a few times, though."

"Ahh! No one can say NO to street food, okay."

"Yes, of course. How can you expect taste without some sweat and dirt garnishing? Am I right?"- Ahaan was clearly smirking.

"Oh, come on, don't get into your medico avatar now."- Arushi playfully hit Ahaan and they both giggled.

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Ahaan and Arushi had got themselves an ice-gola each and were walking back towards the park. Just as Ahaan was about to sit on one of the benches, Arushi playfully pulled him down and made him sit with her on the ground.

"Seriously! What are you, five!"

"Oh, come on! Stop being a spoilsport. Benches are boring. Don't be a grandpa."

"What about my trousers! You better wash them for me."

"Fine! I'll do it!"

Arushi was grinning ear to ear while enjoying her rainbow ice-gola while Ahaan looked at her being her goofy self and couldn't help but smile.