Kya Yhi Pyaar Hai?

LAUGHING TOGETHER

CHAPTER-22
SWASTIK'S POV

While walking several thoughts comes up my mind. How from my teen hood I have never really enjoyed being out and how because of me people who were fun loving misses out too.

During bachelor's too the boys used to stay with me instead of going to places where they liked. I always canceled on them yet they never complained. I felt guilty. Now that only two years are left to college life I would try to not be a spoilt sport. I also used to love dancing not much like Kiara but still I did but mom always hated it so I had to quit.

As I walked inside east wing I saw the whole area empty. Why wouldn't it be when the whole party is there. There are some staff here too. I must say east wing looks better then west. It's more like poolside area which is decorated nicely with lights and flowers.

The soft retro music in background makes it more serenic. The pool shines as light reflects on it, some beautiful floating diyas floats on water. On a table infront of couch various board games like chese, ludo, card and carrom are set up.

People surely chose fascination against comfort. I should have came here before only. Walking deeper inside I sat on couch in far end corner and looked at the water in pool. It's comforting and calm. Looking at sky for a moment I closed my eyes for a moment as cold breeze hits my face.

I looked at my left to see a piano. I walked near it and brush my fingers on it. Looking around the place I remember the time when I came here.
We were in 6th grade when Kiara got dengue.

I glanced at the entrance of our class wondering will she come today or not. It's been 3 days since she came school. Today is maths midterm and I know she will not miss it as in this subject she is better then me. She will surely rub it on my face. Class bell rings and our maths teacher enters the room with test.

Teacher starts distributing the question paper. During whole exam I kept on glancing at the door that she might come but she didn't . After exam one of our classmate asked

"Mam why is Kiara absent?" He asked
Even I want to ask the same but why does he have to inqure though. He is one of those guys who doesn't gives me good vibes whenever he is around Kiara. I even heard him once in boys washroom that he wants to make Kiara his girlfriend I so wanted to punch him. Like hell she will.

"She is suffering from dengue. It might take her time to recover" teacher said smiling sadly
I look down at my lap feeling my heart clenched at the thought of her suffering.

"Children do help her out with notes okay" she said
As she left. That guy who's name I don't even remember stood up and came to me. I looked away from him disgusted by his presence.

"Hey can you giving me your notes I will copy them and give them back to you" he said. I side eyed him
"No" I said curtly.
He kept on saying something but ignoring him as always. I stood up and walked away bumping my shoulder into him intentionally.

After school I found myself standing infront of Kiara's house. I pulled up my bag strap nervously as door open. Kiara's mom opened the door and invited me in with a smile similar to Kiara.
"Arpita go and check if Kiara is up" she said to a house help.
"She is sleeping alot these day, medicines you know. We will sit here and have juice and snacks until aunty comes. She will take you up. Okay beta?" She said

"Ji aunty" I said
Aunty sat with me for sometimes talking about school and how nice I am to visit Kiara. After sometimes that house help comes back.
"She is sleeping didi" house help said

Kiara's mom looks at me apologetically
"Sorry my child. I would have woken her up b-" I cut her off
"It's okay aunty. Please give these notes to her" I said handling her my notes books. Anyways I can always write them again for myself.

She took the notes from me and thanked me. She gave me a dairy milk chocolate which at first I denied but after she insisted I took it.
While walking out of the house my eyes lends on a piano. I so want to play it.
But the promise I made to mom came in my head.

That day this piano was kept in the living area. It's beauty always pulled me too it.
I doubt that I even remember how to play it now.
"Can you even play it?" I heard Kiara
I shook my head and glance at her.
She is leaning against the piano with her arms folded across her chest.

She is looking intensely in my eyes. We stare in each other's eyes as if trying to looking into each other's soul. As always with the intensity she looks at me and the emotions in her eyes made my heart beat insanly. Getting intimidated my her stare I look away fake coughing.

From the corner of my eye I saw her walking towards the couch I was sitting on before. She sat on it.
"Come sit here" she said patting seat beside
I looked at her and then nodded.

We both sat beside each other in comfortable silence with soft music and cricket chirping around us.
I don't know what came over me when I said " I am sorry"
She looked at me confused.
"That night I shouldn't have acted like jerk" I said
Even after apologizing to her, I felt the need to apologize again.

"What can we do you can not run away from what you are right?" She said mockingly
I scoffed
"Tujhe izat raas nhi aati" I said
"Izat. Sorry magne mai konsi izat hai prince" she said bumping her shoulder to mine
"I don't apologize, so be grateful that I did" I said
"Bhag khule humare" she said joining her hands

"I still don't like you though" I said
"Hate se don't like thak. I see" she said. She put her face in her palm and blinked her lashes rapidly
"Maat Kar bhot buri lag rhi hai" I said
She playfully glared at me and hit my shoulder.

"Tune kuch khaya?" I asked
"Arey aaj suraj kha se nikala tha" she said dramatically
"Nevermind " I said and stood up
"Where?" She asked
"You don't want to eat doesn't means others too" I said
"Sit here. I am also hungry I will ask someone to bring us food" she said.

"I will get it mys-" she cuts me off
"Shh. I have already asked someone they must be one there way here. You just sit" she said
I nod and sat back.
"Ludo khale?" she asked
I nodded.

"Mera red tujhe jo chaiye you can chose" she said setting up her tokens. I chosed blue.
~~~~~~~~~~
She cheats alot. Throughout the game all she did was making fake rule and cheat. I glared at her for the nth time.
She just smiled and pops the last piece of panner tikka in her mouth shamelessly, and mind you that was mine to begin with.

So, in irritation I flipped the ludo upside down she chuckled darkly, running her fingers aggressively in her hairs and I know something is on my way. I stood up cautiously and moved backward.

She wiped her hands in napkin and removed her heels and earrings. Suddenly a pillow lands on my face. I stumbled back because of force. I looked at her to see laughing. She does have a melodic laug- . Not the time.

I lifted up another pillow and hit her back. Her laughter dies and mine started, her expressions looked too funny. She started hitting me with pillow continously so believing in equality, I too did the same. We both were running and hitting each other with pillow while laughing loudly.