Shadows of The Heart

CHAPTER 6

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the Singhania mansion, the evening promised to be one filled with laughter and heartfelt connections. Aarav, the eagerly awaited the arrival of Maya. 

As Maya stepped into the grand foyer, Aarav bounded towards her with a grin that lit up his face like fireworks on a festive night. "Maya, you're finally here! Come come, let me tell what happened today." and there he started, how he planted the tomato at the school garden, secretly.

This is the routine now. Every morning and evening, Aarav's days start and end with sharing all his thoughts to Maya.

Vikram, seeing them, smiled at them and shook his head. He went upstairs to get refreshed.

After half an hour or so, Maya decided to leave the mansion and head towards her home as Neha will be waiting for her. 

"Now, your best friend is leaving. Will meet you tomorrow! Hmm?" Maya said.

"Umm.. Maya can you please stay a little longer" Aarav asked, showing his puppy eyes.

Maya tried explaining to him, but Aarav was not in the mood to listen. She said that she has a lil sissy who will be waiting for her at home to have dinner together. When Aarav heard that Maya wanted to spend time with someone else than him,  he felt offended.

"You have a sister?" 

"Yeah, she is like my best friend too. Would you like it when I don't come to see you on time"

"Nooo..." Aarav shouted dramatically - 

"I don't like sharing you... I... I don't like sharing what's mine" he said with a little pout.

"Awww.. my baby.. no one is sharing. Okay? I will come tomorrow and stay with you longer. Hmm?"

"Finee.." he said scoffing. "At least join us for dinner?" he asked sowing his puppy eyes again.

Maya smiled warmly at Aarav's enthusiasm, grateful for the invitation but hesitant. "Thank you, Aarav, but I wouldn't want to intrude..."

Before Maya could finish her sentence, Vikram appeared, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Nonsense, Maya! You're practically family. Join us for dinner tonight."

Feeling a bit pressured but also touched by the gesture, Maya relented. "Alright, I'll stay for dinner, but just this once."

Vikram beamed, pleased that Maya had accepted. 

As they settled around the dining table, the atmosphere buzzed with a lively energy. Aarav, ever the chatterbox, started regaling Maya with tales of his school escapades, complete with exaggerated expressions and dramatic gestures.

"Maya, you won't believe it! My so-called best friend totally stole my crush right under my nose!" Aarav pouted, his mock indignation drawing chuckles from everyone around the table.

Maya couldn't help but laugh at Aarav's antics. "Oh, Aarav, boys will be boys! But let me tell you about my day at the office..."

As Maya launched into her story about endless meetings and demanding tasks, Vikram couldn't help but make faces at her complaints, which only made Aarav giggle even more.

Dada sa observed the scene with a contented smile. 

As the banter continued to weave its jovial web around the dining table, Rohan and Varun, couldn't resist adding their own playful comments to the mix.

Rohan, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, leaned forward. "Aarav, you're complaining about your crush being stolen? Wait till you get to college, where the competition gets real!"