The Love Maze

1) Old beginnings

Rishi's POV

I was walking down the familiar street with my ears enveloped in headphones, my mind lost in the song playing on the radio.

The essence of the rain that subsided a few moments ago was still present in the drenched roads and tiny droplets falling from the leaves. Even though this place is nothing new to me, it still holds value.

As I reached my destination, the sound of a loud argument which I now consider as their casual way of talking, filled my ears

"Am I interrupting something?" I asked meekly, opening the door

And Uncle Prem's face took a 180° turn as he greeted me with the most heartwarming smile I've ever seen

"No no, beta", he replied

"It's just that he ...", he began but gave up with a disapproving nod

"Stop!! Don't stress him too", Sumitra Aunty said walking from the kitchen

"Yeah... Let's talk about it later. Now I'm famished", I said making a pout

"Oh my poor boy, you haven't eaten?" Aunty spoke with much concern

"Not even a bit because all I crave is your Aloo Paratha", I replied, flashing a smile. And I could say she was quite flattered by that as she returned a warm smile rushing to the kitchen. After a while of chit-chatting with Prem uncle, Aunty arrived with a mouth-watering meal.

"No excuses, you have to finish it all", she replied being firm

"Fine...Umm.. I'll take my own time", I said smiling at her as I stood up

"Arey, where are you going, beta?" Uncle questioned confused

"To the guest room, uncle..umm...I like to eat without anyone watching"

I mentally face-palmed myself for making up the most absurd excuse. But he did seem to buy it. I walked upstairs carrying my plate. I knocked on the door opposite to the guest room. After a few seconds, my dear cousin opened up

"Thank you for using our room service, sir. Your most favorite, Aloo Paratha", I placed the plate in his hands as I went into the room

"Why are you here at this hour?" he asked in a sleepy tone as he stood there in his pyjamas.

"The same reason why I was here the last time",  I replied as Jimmy, the cute golden retriever welcomed me with a warm lick.

"Rishi!! ", he gave a sigh of disbelief as he shut the door behind

"I didn't call you for this"

"Shut up, Viv. You and he fight every weekend"

"And it ends up in Aunty saying: No food until you learn how to behave", I replied in frustration but that moron just burst into laughter

"What's so funny, Mr.Sharma? Especially when I'm talking about something so serious", I asked, crossing my arms.

"The way you mimicked my ....my mom", he managed to speak between his laughs.

I only gave him the 'I'll kill you if you laugh again' stare and that did the part as his laughing streak came to a halt

"Okay....But seriously thanks Rish", his tone turned vulnerable now

"I don't know what I would do without you", he said giving me the emotional look

"Oh!! I liked it better when you were all giggly", I teased as I made myself comfortable on the floor. He just smiled as he sat beside me

"You and Aditi are the only people who care about me"

"Yeah and of course after Jimmy", he said dramatically as he petted the dog. The poor boy has to listen to all his sad stories whether he likes it or not

"C'mon quit being so grumpy. Don't let them bring you down. What they think isn't the reality", I replied, trying to cheer him up.

But his eyes were still glued to the plain ground

"Moreover, forget about them and start focusing on yourself more. We've barely got a year of Uni left to figure out what to do with our lives", I added

Business Administration wasn't a bad choice for both of us.
But our passions were profoundly outside the box

"Can you believe it ?? It just feels like yesterday we were freshers-trying our best to look cool and suddenly we're here closer to completing Uni.", he spoke reminiscing the old days

"So many things happened, right? We messed around, made connections, and had fun. Then you and....", he spoke looking at me with a heartfelt gaze

"Yeah...but everything is for the best, Viv", I interrupted forcing a smile

"Is that what you really feel?" he questioned making me feel weak

"Absolutely.. ..You take care and enjoy your meal. I'll be back, mimicking Sumitra Aunty if you are feeling down again ", I  grinned.

"Will take the offer", he laughed, nodding his head.

"See ya tomorrow. Don't be late as usual", I said and walked out the door.

______________________________________

Kyra's POV

I gazed outside at the glowing roads, through the rain splattered-car window. The song on the radio was just the perfect background score for the view. This place has a special feel to it even though it holds no value to me

Maybe this new beginning is just what I needed.

I don't have to take away what's waiting for me by wondering hard about the past. As I was lost in my thoughts, somebody's voice pulled me out

"Sorry?"

"Are you okay, mam? I've been calling your name a few times", the driver uncle, Dev questioned with concern.

He could be just an employee to my father. But to me, he has been my only friend in the past five months who could notice any changes in my mood. He would accompany me 24X7 to make sure my needs were taken care of. I know it's his job but he does it with care rather than just as his duty

"Yes...I was just lost in the beauty of this place", I replied, focusing back on the view outside.

"Do you really wanna go back to the university?" he asked with hesitation

"Absolutely, Dev bhaiya. It's my dream. I won't let some hurdles snatch it away from me", I answered smiling as I felt an unknown sadness in my heart. He just smiled back, nodding

Will everything work out fine? What if it is too much for me to take? Should I have just listened to Dad?

He was very against the idea of me returning to university when I could be the head of his very reputed company. The negative speculations clouded my mind

"It doesn't matter anyway", I thought to myself as clutched my pendant

It's gonna be just another day