It's Complicated

Chapter 4: The Sea

I left home in my jeans and orchid t-shirt and reached the station. My heart was beating fast and I realized one of the real reasons behind my desire to go to a far-off place. I wanted to take risks. I no longer wanted to just wait for the universe to give me someone I wanted, I no longer wanted to see where it goes, how things work out ahead of my friendships, and if the other person makes any effort for me or not. This time, I wanted to take the leap of faith and try my luck.

Standing at the station made me feel free, though my heart was throbbing due to the worry of being rejected. But that was a distant case. Right now, I wanted to try to meet someone who may not look at me the same way as I did. And this feeling of risking myself was adventurous.

"Come with a mask to the station right in front of my ladies' coach!" I dropped him a text after I sat down on the train and kept glancing at every lady to make sure that none of my relatives were there, my hair all messed up to hide my face.

Twenty-five minutes of stressful journey later, I got down at the platform, grabbed the mask from Hanish, and tottered to the less crowded bridge. I took a sigh of relief after reaching the east side where I was mostly safe from being caught because my relatives lived in the west.

"When are they coming?" I avoided taking Ashwin's name and asked.

"Ashwin is nearby at his nani's place, will be here in half an hour," Hanish said, looking at me with awe.

My heart fluttered at this news. Tilting my head, I looked at him from the corner of my eyes, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"You are here to meet me!" he said excitedly, "Came so far for me!"

As expected, Hanish thought that I had come to meet him specifically. So, I couldn't just stand there with Hanish, waiting for Ashwin, because Hanish wanted to spend some time together. If Hanish realized that I wasn't there for him, it would spoil his mood and then, when Ashwin arrives, Hanish may remain silent. Then, instead of talking to me, Ashwin may keep asking Hanish what the matter is, and why he looked dull. But Hanish wouldn't be able to share his feelings and he would just remain silent. So, I had to take care of Hanish's mood like a baby, like I always did as a girlfriend.

"Let's meet your cat!" I said with a smile and he lighted up. Now, no more giving in to his mood. I had learned how to handle his stubbornness and this was going to be over soon. Soon, I may be dating Ashwin, and then Hanish could go and cry in the corner because I was so done with his child-like behavior and whining all the time!

We reached his house but a strangeness stopped me from entering his building, "Bring her down," I said.

"No, she won't come, she doesn't like to leave the house," he informed and I had to reluctantly go to his place.

I slowly walked up to his flat and saw the door. My feet slowly crossed the sill of his main gate and I saw the living room where I had come after nearly two years. The couch, the bed, and the ground, where I had hugged Hanish like he was all mine and where he had kissed me in a millennium. The memories flashed in front of my eyes like bad weather and I shook my head to ward off the thunder.

"Meoww!"

I heard the sound and looked around. Then, I saw a chair where she was sitting calmly.

"Oh God, she is so cute!" I piped and picked her up in my arms. White, orange, and brown shade, her face was tiny and cute. But after a minute, she started getting restless and jumped out of my arms. Hanish tried to catch her but she ran into the kitchen. We shot a few videos of her from afar and then she ran below the bed.

"She doesn't like new people," he said, "Would you like to have sheera? My mom made it today."

"Yeah, I would love to," I smiled.