Journey Of Strokes

CHAPTER 15

Aarohi's POV

The alarm softly chimes, signaling the start of the day. The soft chirping of birds outside her window. I reach out to switch it off, allowing myself a moment to bask in the stillness of the morning. With a peaceful sigh, I stretch my limbs and slowly rise from the bed.

After splashing my face with cool water, I head to the kitchen to prepare myself a coffee. Sipping slowly, I go into the garden area and sit with my parents in the sitting area. I enjoy the calmness of nature and soaking up the bright sunlight. I listen to Ma and Pa having some conversation while Ma leans on his shoulder.

I drift back to yesterday's events and notice that the rash on my back is still there. Like most people in the world, I also went and searched on Google Baba, WHO suggested that it was a soulmate mark or some kind of medical condition. This got me in deep thought: is it that I am finally going to find my soulmate? What is he like? How do I recognize him? Question one after another popping into my head, or am I ill? Do I need to get my total body checked?

Yesterday night, after Ma left the room, I called Manya to inform her about the rash. I sit before my laptop and wait for her to lift my video call, plugging in my headphones. Soon she lifts, and I notice she is lying down on the bed with a face pack on. I lean back on the headrest of the bed. I tell her, "Mujhe nahin pata (I don't know) what this rash is, but Ma applied some ointment." She just looks at her phone, seeing the pic of the rash I sent. "It's ok, let's see till tomorrow." She says.

I pause for a moment, clearing my throat to grab her attention. She looks at me, and I hesitantly confess, "You Know...... aaj ( today) during lunch, I and Karan were having a normal conversation, and..... " I pause, which makes her lean towards the screen, "Karanaskedmeonadate" I say without giving a break in one breath. I close my eyes, peeking a little at her expression, but seeing her confused, I repeat it slowly as the blush crept through my cheeks: "Karan asked me on a date ". A scream from the laptop followed a few seconds of utter silence, and I had to pull out the headphones. I knew this would happen, so I put headphones on; otherwise, the whole house would have woken up.

I gesture for her to take deep breaths before speaking. "WOWWOWWOWOWOW!!!!!!!" she says, and suddenly her expression changes as if she realized something and then points a finger at me. "Kya yahee( is this ) reason tha ki (that you)  wanted to buy a fancy-looking dress?" I shyly nod. "Main tujhe chhodoongi nahi. Ek baar jab tuh ghar aa ( I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU . ONCE YOU COME HOME )  then we will TALK. "HOW DARE YOU TELL ME THIS IN A VIDEO CALL WHEN WE MET IN THE AFTERNOON?" I bring my hands together, apologizing, "SORRY Meri pyari, WORLD me meri Best friend." It takes about 20 minutes of convincing.

FINALLY, she says, " FINE! Come early tomorrow so I get to dress you  up." I nodded excitedly, and as I was about to cut the call, I suddenly remembered, " AAAHH!" I shout into the mic, startling Manya. " WHAT?!!" She shouts back. "I think Ayush FOUND SOMEONE. That idiot got a call from someone called JAAN and he ran as if his life depended on it. I will not leave him. I will take my revenge," I say angrily. I look at Manya, noticing the change in her demeanor, looking a bit nervous. She says, after a pause, " Hmm.... Aaaa!! HOW dare he ? We will beat him together " agreeing with her, and we say our goodbyes.

As I'm lost in the thought, the vibration of the phone pulls me back, and Karan's name flashes on the screen. Subconsciously, a smile plastered itself on my face. I opened WhatsApp.