LOOKING IN EACH OTHER'S EYES

CHAPTER 4 : CHANGING SEASON

"Aadhira! Please check there's someone on door," said my mom.

"Okay!" I replied.

I opened the door to check who it was, Sudisha, she had came to invite me to play badminton with her. Hey Didi, Aap Aaoge? Hum Badminton khel rhe hai niche" ("Hey buddy, will you come? We are playing badminton downstairs). I loved playing badminton, and Sudisha was one of my favorite people to play with. It was a nice summer day, and I figured we had a little bit more time before dinner. "Yeah, I'm coming, just wait for me here," I responded. I was getting ready to go play badminton. I fixed my clothes, combed my hair and put it into a tight bun so it wouldn't get in my way. I took my shoes from the shoe case and my badminton racket and headed for the entrance. "Okay, I'm ready! Let's go," I said to Sudisha.

We took the lift, pressed the button for the ground floor, soon the lift stopped and opened. We got to the ground floor, walked outside and went over to the badminton court. Aryansh and Prakhar were there too, playing basketball. We didn't pay much attention towards them and focused on our game.

Our game was a chance to relax and play a sport we both loved. The sun was setting, the breeze was blowing, and we were laughing back and forth while the shuttlecock flew between us. We weren't aiming to win at all costs; instead, we were just enjoying each other's company. It was a laid-back, enjoyable game that was the perfect way to spend an evening.

After almost an hour of play, Aryansh and Prakhar joined us and we wrapped up around 7:30.
I sat on the bench, tired, "It's been a while since I had played so long." "Yes Di, Ditto," she reacted. "Wapis jaa rhe ho kya tum dono? (Are you two going back)?" Prakhar asked us. "Not yet," Sudisha answered. I nodded. While taking a sip of water, I suddenly caught sight of him. I looked at him twice. It was the same individual I had seen waiting for the bus the other day. Out of curiosity... I asked Aryansh, "Who is he?"

"Who?" He asked me.

I nudged Aryansh and said, "ARREY VOH JO BENCH PAR BAITHA HUA HAI."
(The one who is sitting on that bench)"

He glanced at him and responded, "WOH? MUJHE NHI PTA." (That guy? Sorry I don't know.)"

Out of the blue, Sudisha tells him, "Go ask him then." I laughed. That Sudisha. What a comedian.

"Well alright then," Aryansh said in this funny tone that I just started cracking up.

Aryansh stood up and approached him. "Is he serious?" Sudisha asked me, astonished.

"I suppose so," I replied, while glancing at Aryansh, who was indeed speaking to him.

After engaging in a 10-minute conversation, he returned with a smile, indicating the successful attainment of his objective. Intrigued by the outcome of their interaction, I sought to uncover the details of their exchange. 

"What is it?" I asked him. "What? (suddenly remember) Oh yeah sorry! His name is Armaan Mishra," Aryansh answered. "Wicked," Sudisha said. 

"Huh?" I reacted.

"No...No...Nothing," Sudisha replied.

"I inquired about his interest in joining our game, but he declined," he informed. "Does it hold significance?" I questioned. "No it doesn't," Sudisha responded.

"Well, I guess I should go back home. It's getting late, and my mom will probably be calling me anytime now."

"Wait, I'm coming with you too," Sudisha said.

We took the lift and reached our floor. I was on the same floor as Sudisha's. I said goodbye and headed to my apartment. It had been a fun day. I walked through the door and my mom poked her head out of the kitchen. "Oh! You are back," she said in a funny voice. I guess she thought I would be out later.