The Mourning Moon

Chapter 30

Today was Sunday. Vivaan was out shopping while Somya and Ishita were having brunch. Well Ishita was having brunch while Somya was staring at her. It went on for a while before Ishita put down her fork, looked up and asked in an annoyed voice, "What?"

Somya just smiled and asked in a singsong voice, "How you doing?"

Ishita raised her one eyebrow in question. "Why do you ask?", she asked sceptically.

Somya just shrugged causing Ishita to roll her eyes as she answered, "I am doing fine."

"Good. And how is Vani doing?"

Ishita shrugged. "How would I know? We broke up a month ago."

"Oh, I see! Wait! What? You guys broke up? And you did not tell us about it?"

"I told Shreshth."

"And he didn't tell me about it? Why?"

"I asked him not to."

Somya frowned at that. "Why, Ishi?"

Ishita looked at her as if the answer was obvious.

Somya sighed. "I know I would have pressed for details but that's only because I care for you."

"I know, Som. But no matter how many times you would ask, the answer would always be the same. She has desires that I cannot fulfil. As you noticed, I am asexual and that's a huge turn off for everyone."

"Not for everyone, Ishi."

Ishita just smiled sadly before turning her attention back to her food.

--------

Today was the day Ansh was going to meet Shreshth's parents. They were supposed to go meet with them the day after Vivaan had announced his marriage with Somya. But they had to cancel their plan as Shreshth's parents had to go out of town for work related stuff. So they decided to visit his parents coming weekend. The whole week Ansh was anxious. Why? Well, he was going to meet the parents of the love of his life who knew nothing about his feelings and Ansh was scared to confess. He wanted to tell Shreshth about how he felt for him. But he did not want to lose Shreshth as a friend. So he kept quite and thought about anything other than his feelings for Shreshth and the coming meeting with Shreshth's family helped with that a lot.

As the weekend approached, Ansh's anxiety reached it's peak. He was meeting with Shreshth's parents. He was meeting with his love's parents. Oh gosh! What should he do? How should he impress them? How should he talk with them? What if they don't like him? THIS IS TOO MUCH PRESSURE. Ok, ok. Deep breaths, Ansh. Deep breaths. It's all going to be fine. Relax. Calm down. Let's get ready. Yes, ok. But, but what should I wear? What should I wear? OH MY GOSH! Two hours passed with Ansh having a mental breakdown and his family trying to calm him down and getting him ready for this important meeting. Once he was ready and calmed down, he went outside and stood on the front porch holding one rose bouquet and one lily bouquet in his arms, waiting for Shreshth to arrive. Soon Shreshth arrived in his luxurious car. He got out and walked towards Ansh who walked towards him as well.

Shreshth greeted Ansh's parents and his sister who were standing on the porch before looking at Ansh. He looked up and down at Ansh and said, "You look good."

Ansh blushed. He was wearing a black button up shirt with a black jeans jacket and black jeans.

"Thank you," he said. "You look good too," he complimented Shreshth who was also wearing black shirt and black jeans. 'We look like a couple', Ansh thought and blushed again. "Um, this is for you," Ansh said holding out the rose bouquet to Shreshth.

Shreshth smiled as he took the bouquet and said, "Thank you. It's beautiful. I, I am sorry I didn't get you anything."

"No, no. It's fine," Ansh quickly said.

Shreshth looked at the other bouquet in Ansh's hand and asked, "Who's that for?"

"Um, it's for your mothers," answered Ansh, shyly.

Shreshth was touched by this thoughtful gesture and mentally berated himself for not bringing something for Ansh and his family. He really was not good with these social conventions. Well, next time when he arrives at Ansh's house, he is going to bring something for them.

"So, shall we go?", he asked.

Ansh nodded and they made their way to his car. They got inside the car. Shreshth started the engine and soon they were on the road, on their way to his parents'. He looked beside him at Ansh who looked nervous but did not say anything. Instead, he put his hand down on top of Ansh's hand that was resting on his thigh, in a calming gesture. Ansh looked at Shreshth and then at their hands and smiled. The rest of the car drive went in comfortable silence, Shreshth never taking his hand off of Ansh.

Soon they were parking in front of a huge gate of a moderate sized villa. They got out of the car and stood in front of the gate. The gate opened automatically and they made their way inside. Ansh took in the surrounding. The villa was surrounded by huge walls that were covered with vines. The garden was filled with lilies on one side and sunflowers on the other side. In the middle, was a dirty pathway on which they were walking. There was a dog house in one of the corners of the garden upon which a grey cat was sitting, watching them with careful eyes, a yellow collar was around it's neck. It jumped down and made it's way towards the open door of the villa and went inside.

"Is that your cat?," Ansh asked.

"Yes. That is Gibbles. He was a stray kitty but I adopted him and gave him to my mothers so they can take care of him as I am unable to due to college," Shreshth answered with a chuckle.

They stopped as they reached the opened door of the house, Shreshth was about to ring the bell when a loud bark came from the inside of the house followed by the sound of paws hitting the floor as if running. Before anyone could comprehend what was happening, a huge body collided with Shreshth causing him to tumble down on the ground. As soon as he was on the ground, he was attacked by licks.

"Trinity, my baby girl. I missed you too," Shreshth said as he scratched his overly enthusiastic Golden Retriever.

Ansh witnessed the scene with loving eyes, his chest filled with warmth.

"Oh my. Is that my baby boy?", came a female voice from the inside.

Ansh looked towards the source of the voice and saw a beautiful, tall, black haired woman with pale skin, round eyes and plump lips, who looked to be in her early forties, rushing towards them.

Shreshth stood up and was engulfed in a warm hug from his mother.

"Hi, Ma. How are you?," asked Shreshth.

"I am fine, sweetie. How are you? And who is this fine looking young man beside you?", Shreshth's mother asked, looking at Ansh with a teasing glint in her eyes.

"Ma, this is my friend, Ansh. Ansh, this is my Ma, Astha", Shreshth introduced them.

"Namaste, ma'am. It's been a pleasure to meet you," Ansh said resfectfully as he handed over the bouquet of lily to her.

"Aw, sweetie. The pleasure has been all mine," Astha said taking the bouquet from Ansh.

"So finally you have arrived," came another female voice from behind Astha.

The trio looked towards the source of the voice. As soon as Ansh's eyes landed on the speaker, his eyes widened in shock, for standing in front of him was the woman whom he had met in the bus.