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I was roaming in the garden behind the palace when he entered, running and huffing. But he immediately darted his eyes elsewhere, re-collected a cold posture upon seeing me there, and took a U-turn back to the palace.
What's going on with him? Leave it!
It's been 15 days since we've been giving each other the silent treatment-the best way to avoid him. I don't want to trouble aunty, so around her, we exchange words.
That night and that fight-it's nearly impossible to forget anything. Everything is imprinted in my memory: his words, his reaction, the hurt on his face. The main reason for not talking to him is that neither do I want him to get close to me, nor do I want to hurt him. He's so nice to me, and that's what sucks the most because I know the fact: the moment I start loving him will be the moment I lose him.
"Vidya!" Aunty's voice approached from behind.
I turned around, greeted by her cute smile. I smiled back, we both walked in silence for a while.
"Is everything alright between you and Jay?" She asked calmly.
Why she's asking this suddenly? Did that bastard said something to her?
"Yes aunty. What happened?"
" Nothing. Bas jabse tum dono Jay k flat se aaye ho thode change lag rahe ho, toh hume laga kuch hua hai." She elaborated.
"Everything is fine aunty, believe me!" I clutched her hand while assuring her.
Sorry for another lie.
"I do. Lekin beta jaise Jay bhag k yaha aarha tha or fir ekdum se wapas chla gaya toh hume laga bas..." She said, confused.
"Nahi nahi aunty, wo ese hi sayad us...unhe laga ki mai kahi bahar chali gyi toh bas dekhene aaye the... Aap tension mat lijiye..."
"Acha fir thik hai, Kam se kam ye nikamma dhyaan toh de raha hai tum pe."
I smiled.
"Aunty..." She interrupted. "You can call me maa. Aunty sounds like we're strangers." She gently said.
I don't think I'm worthy of calling you this when I know that I'm lying to you too. But I love you just like my mother, so of course I can call you maa.
I just nodded and that made her face lit up like a firefly.
"Maa, wo hume do din baad ek confrence me jana hai. Actually, ye thoda jaruri hai humari company k liye but..." I completed firmly.
"But kya?" She raised her brows.
"But conference Delhi me hai."
She walked in silence for a few minutes, and my eyes were fixed on her.
