Love Me

28

On her way back home, Roshni called Daksh.

"Daksh, are you at home?" she asked sweetly.

"No. Night is falling, I'm in college. I was thinking about staying here for some days," he replied sarcastically.

"I get it, you are at home. I have a surprise for you." She giggled and cut the call, hopping onto the bus with excitement.

When she reached home, she knocked on the door. Daksh opened it with a smile, but the color drained from his face the moment he saw her.

His sweet, innocent Roshni looked completely transformed with short red curly hair.

"Roshni... what happened? Did the parlour lady cut your hair by mistake?" he asked, tucking a strand behind her ear.

His fingers lingered on her soft curls. Daksh had always adored her traditional look that gentle, natural style. He had let her experiment before, but this sudden change left him conflicted. He felt a strange pang of longing, almost possessiveness.

"Baccha... did you cut your hair this short willingly?" he asked cautiously.

She nodded with a playful twirl, showing off her red-dyed curls. "I even colored it! Look, my nails aren't they gorgeous? And see, I even did waxing! Yeah, it hurts a little, but it's fine." Her eyes sparkled with excitement.

Daksh stayed silent, staring. Her boldness both thrilled and unsettled him.

"Go eat first," he said stiffly. "Then do your assignment. Otherwise, I'll have no choice but to mark a cross in it. And don't slack on your other subjects either." He said in emotionless tone and started walking toward his room.

"Won't you eat, Daksh?" she called softly, following him with hopeful eyes.

"I'm not hungry. I ate before you came." He shut the bedroom door.

Roshni pouted, frustrated. "What's wrong with him? Doesn't he like my hair or nails? Ugh... I don't want to eat alone. I better do my assignment." She trudged to her room but fell asleep before finishing.

The next morning, Daksh noticed her gulping down breakfast in messy hair wearing her loose t-shirt and short pants which had panda print on it.

"What happened? Why are you such conditions? Aren't you going to college today? You haven't even taken a bath." Daksh pointed out. But seeing her pale face he put his palm over her forehead, finding it normal he walked to the kitchen to make himself a cup of tea.

"I'm on leave." Roshni said irritation clearly in her voice.

"Why aren't you going?" he asked.

"My tummy is hurting. I don't want to go," she admitted, looking down.

"Did you eat something from the roadside? Tell me," he asked in serious tone. His expression tells her that if she gives him a positive response he wouldn't take a second to scold her.

She shook her head. "It's just... you know... I just... got my date today."

Daksh stiffened. "So you have a date today? That's why you don't want to go to college? With whom are you going? Roshni, I already told you I like you. Why are you trying to date someone else? Don't you like me?" His asked, walking back to the dining table holding a cup of tea.

Roshni rolled her eyes. "Daksh, are you serious? I'm not talking about that kind of date! Leave it! I don't want to go to college. Just go away!" She said. And suddenly something clicked in his mind.

"Period?" he asked slowly.

"Yes! My tummy is hurting. I don't have time for your nonsense," she said, groaning.