TILL INFINITIES END

31. AARUSHI

It all started so suddenly, I didn't know how to process it. One moment we were all sitting around, talking like usual, and the next, Sam's father dropped the bomb. 

"But how so sudden?" Varun asked, his voice carrying the surprise that I'm sure we all felt.

Samarth's father explained, "Actually since the part 2 years, my business partner had been searching for an opportunity to expand, and that they found one in Gujarat. They insisted me on going and having a look at it in gujarat which I did and found amazing. At first, I wasn't sure about moving Megha and Sam so far away. I thought maybe I would go alone and they could stay behind in Delhi. But then Sam's admission to VSSS came through, and everything changed. Then I thought that why leave Megha leave behind here? We decided to make the move permanently since it's best for Sam and business both. Can you imagine? The business has the potential to triple with the opportunities Gujarat has to offer!" His excitement was so prominent, and I could see why it made sense for them.

As he spoke, I felt this mix of emotions washing over me. On one hand, it was great for their business, and Sam would be in one of the best colleges for his further studies. But on the other hand, the suddenness of it all—Sam leaving, Megha and Sanjay following soon—hit me harder than I expected. Tia should've been here, she shouldn't have gone to meet myra. This was important.

"So... when are you planning to shift?" I asked, trying to keep my voice even.

"Ahh, not too soon," his father replied. "Sam will go first for his academics and stay in the college premises. Megha and I will follow in about a year."

I glanced at Sam. Something about him seemed... off. He wasn't the usual Sam I knew, always full of life and giggling and laughing. He was quiet, which was unusual. His silence stood out to me. I caught his eye, and he looked up, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes as it usually did.

"You don't seem too happy with this decision, Sam," I said softly.

He tried to brush it off with a smile, but his mother quickly said, "You're right, Aarushi. He doesn't want to leave at all. It took everything for us to explain that it's a wonderful start for his career. And VSSS? It's the best college we could ask for!"

I nodded. "I get it. He's grown up here and has a bunch of close friends, and it's never easy to leave home. But it's good for him in the long run. He'll adjust."

Varun sighed beside me. "Yeah, Sam, this is an amazing opportunity for you."

Sam's father added, "Even we're hesitant to leave Delhi. After spending our whole lives here, moving to a new place is never easy. But Sam at such a young age? It's bound to be tough for him."

I smiled, trying to lighten the mood. "We're all going to miss you, Sam, but we'll be even happier seeing your success."

Then, little Vyom, who had been listening quietly, piped up. "So Samarth bhaiya will go now?"

Sam looked down at Vyom and smiled gently. Vyom got up and walked over to him, his little face full of innocence. "But why do you want to go?" he asked in the softest voice, almost pleading.

Sam lifted him onto his lap. "I have to study there, Vyomiee. That's why I have to go." He lightly pulled Vyom's cheeks.

"Please bhaiyaa... don't go," Vyom pleaded, in his innocent voice.

Sam's face softened, and he hugged Vyom tight. "Look, Vyomiee, I'm going, but I promise to visit every month. And when I come back, I'll bring you lots of chocolates and sweets from there. And then," Sam added with a mischievous smile, "we'll team up and tease Tia didi, okay?"

Vyom giggled, his tiny fist bumping with Sam's, and I couldn't help but smile at the two of them.

But something caught my attention. 

"Sam," I asked, "you didn't tell Tia about this?"

He paused for a second, then nodded. "I did. She knows." 

His eyes dropped again, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right.

"And you told her you're coming today?" I asked. He nodded and tightened his lips.

Why hadn't she stayed at home? Why had she gone to meet Myra instead? It wasn't like her. she would never deliberately leave the house if sam were to come.

The conversation kept going on, and after a while, Sam's parents said that it was time to leave. They chatted for a while and headed out, but Sam stayed behind on the place he was sitting. His parents asked him if he was coming, and he told them to go ahead. He'd join them in a minute.

Once they were out of sight, Sam approached me, holding a small box.

"What's this?" I asked, surprised.

"Aunty could you keep this in Tia's room for me?" His voice was soft, almost hesitant.

I took the box from him, curious, "Sure, beta. But what is it?"

He scratched the back of his neck, "Uh... it's chocolates. All of Tia's favorites."

"Chocolates? For what?" I ask.

"Uhh...Her date's coming up soon, and, well, I thought she might need them during her pain." He said. 

oh. my. god. 

"Oh, but what was the need of all this?" I say, smiling at him.

"It's literally nothing. She's my best friend, It's no big deal to get her some chocolates when she needs." His eyes dropped, and I could see the care behind them, the thoughtfulness in his gesture.

"And..." he spoke further, "Can I go into your kitchen for sometime?"

"Oh, sure." I said and stepped aside for him to go. I saw another polythene in his hand as he passed by me to go in. I look at Varun adjusting the pillows on sofa and stuff here and there.

And then I remember Varun... the young adult Varun who would bring me ice cream during my periods, never missing a single date, always knowing exactly what I needed before I even said it. It made me feel special, cherished, and I always wondered if Tia would find someone who could take care of her her in that same attentive, gentle way, even if he's just a friend. But I mean, look at Sam.

Sam, who remembered her favorite chocolates. Sam, who knew that her period was coming up, who wanted to make sure she had what she needed even before she realized she might. It was such a simple thing, really. But it wasn't. It was everything. And the way he did it, without wanting any praise or acknowledgment—just quietly caring for her in the background—it reminded me so much of Varun when we were younger.

He came out of the kitchen and said, "I'll take your leave. Thank you."

I looked up at Sam, my throat tightening. "Sure," I said, my voice almost covering the emotion I was trying to hold back.

As he turned to leave, I stood there for a moment, watching him walk out, feeling my heart swell with something between happiness and a deep, unspoken sadness. He was leaving, and yet he was still here in these small ways, showing how much he cared about Tia, even if as a best friend. It wasn't just about him going to Ahmedabad—it was about the fact that he wasn't really leaving her behind. Not in the ways that mattered.

I carried the box to Tia's room, my hands trembling slightly as I placed it on her desk. For a moment, I just stood there, staring at the box, the emotion rising up in my chest, and my eyes welled up. I thought about how much Tia was cared by her best friend and her father, how lucky she was to have someone like Sam in her life. Someone who, without saying much, was saying everything.

And in that moment, I felt a deep sense of peace, knowing that no matter where Sam went, he would always care for Tia with these small, thoughtful gestures. Just like Varun had done for me. My heart swelled with warmth. In that moment, I saw a younger version of Varun in Sam—the way he used to pamper me when we were younger, always thinking of little gestures like this. And now, Tia had someone who cared for her just as much.

It made me realize that Tia had found someone who didn't just match the standards Varun had set—Sam was setting his own.