Raabta - when the present is haunted by the past scars

6. Filling the Void

Advait.

Shiv ji has given me this opportunity again. He has sent her to me again.
I had lost all hope that I'll ever meet her again, but this is what destiny is I guess. Unpredictable, relentless in its twists.

Now when I've met her, I'm not letting her go. I'm not repeating the mistake again.

This time, I'll rectify all the mistakes and win her over.
Win her love.
And I'll wait, I'll wait for however long it takes for her to become mine.

Because at the end, she's is the one for me.

With this new determination, I was all ready to leave for college when, I heard Ma calling me.

"Arey apna tiffin toh leta jaa. Tere favourite kachoriyan banaye hai aaj. Yeh le."

(Hey, take your tiffin. I have made your favorite kachoris today. Take this.)

She handed me the lunch box, a familiar warmth spreading through me as I caught the aroma of freshly made kachoris. There’s just something special about the way Ma makes them—no one else could ever replicate it.

“Thanks, Ma. Love you,” I said, giving her a quick hug. “Now bye, I’m getting late.”

I hugged her and went to college on my bike.
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The class began, and as usual, we took our usual seats—Mishti beside me.

There was a certain comfort in having her so close, an inexplicable peace that settled over me whenever she was near.

I liked her being around. I liked her presence... no, I needed it. It was as if just by sitting next to me, she was filling that forever-present void in my life with her quiet warmth.

Every smile she gave, every little glance my way, was like a brushstroke of color on the empty canvas that was my life. I had lived in grey for so long, I didn’t even realize how much I missed color until she brought it back.

She was completing my life in ways I couldn’t begin to comprehend, filling spaces I thought would always stay empty.

I felt so much, just with her being here... just with her sitting next to me. It was maddening and comforting all at once.

If only she knew...

Suddenly my trance broke by the ringing bell, indicating it's our break time.
That means I'll enjoy the delicious kachoris.

Mr. Shaw made his way out of the class, and students shuffled behind him, including Mishti.
Tch.

I took out my lunch box and
"Advait is it what am I thinking it is? Are there aunty's delicious kachoris in that lunch box?" Pakhiee’s voice chimed in, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Bss ho gaya. Sigh
(That's it)

"What? Brother you brought aunty special kachoris and didn't even tell us!?
Bhot galat, bhai bhot galat."
Kabir exclaimed, his eyes wide with mock disappointment.

(Very bad brother, very bad)

Bss ho gaya. Abh toh mai khane se raha. They love Ma's cooking and I love their bonding with her, lekin iss chakkar mai mujhe kachori nahi milne aaj!

(But in this chaos, it seemed I wasn’t getting any kachoris today!)

Before I could take a bite, Pakhiee and Kabir snatched my lunch box away, with Adi and Naina jumping in to join the fun.
Of course.

"Hey Mishti! Come here. Look Advait got the kachoris. And it's not any random kachoris, it's aunty special, world's best. Come, taste it."
Pakhiee said, and then I realised she's coming in class now.

She approached and took a bite of one kachori, her eyes lighting up with delight. “Ummhh... this is delicious! Who made it?”

"My mother.", I said.

The moment I said it was my mother, her expression shifted to shock and confusion. I couldn’t help but smirk at the change. Yes, I knew why she was surprised, and I also knew why she’d react that way.

Thank you, Shiv ji. With this, I felt like I had taken another step toward my goal. Toward my Mishti.
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Here's the 6th chapter guys.

What do we think about it? Do we like it?

Why do you think Mishti's expressions changed after eating the kachoris?

Are we liking Advait and what are your thoughts on his feelings towards Mishti?
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If you liked the chapter pls do vote and comment. It would mean so much to me.
Thank you

-with love
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