Unwelcome Emotions

S02- Chapter 2

"Where were you looking, Kamini. Because of you, everything is a mess! BC Andhi ho?" Oh, the joy of swearing in Hindi abuse, I had forgotten the fun of fighting with people. I was so excited to argue. Just then, Prateek showed up.

"Forgive her, she's just come from Japan and is trying to see India with love. Agni, please forgive her," Prateek said lovingly, making a funny face and looking at her.

she walked away giving me a look as if she would gouge my eyes out. She had a no guilt for ruining my shirt. Shit, Main use jate huye dekh rahi hoon. Pretty Angry woman. I smiled

When I got home, my mom welcomed and told me

"Kitni weak ho gai hai, kuch khati hai ya nahi. "

She had an aarti plate in her hand, and Prateek was with me, ready to steal laddus. My mom fed me a laddu, but I couldn't meet my dad since he was busy playing games at Prateek's house.

After freshening up, I looked out the window and saw that same woman scolding a child. I am laughing. Somehow, she noticed me smiling, my eyes met her eyes and but didn't show any expression. She looked away.

The next day was Diwali eve. Mother's house filled with the aroma of ghee and sugar, the sounds of firecrackers punctuating every conversation. She came by too, to let my mom taste some sweets.

"How is it? Is it sweet enough, Auntie?"

I was watching Netflix on my laptop, and she placed a bowl in front of me, saying, "You eat too." She showed neither anger nor kindness. I got a strange feeling, like she'd already forgotten me. Her name was Agni, right? I removed headphone.

I took one, then another. The sweetness melted on my tongue. "It's terrible," I lied, reaching for a third piece.

Her laugh surprised me—warm, genuine. "Then give them back."

"Never. But you could show me where to get more."

Agni's eyes lit up with sudden mischief. Outside, Prateek was just pulling up on his old Activa,

"Prateek!" Agni called out, already moving toward him. "I need to borrow your scooter."

"What? No way—" he started, but she'd already snatched the keys from his hand with the ease of someone who'd done this a hundred times before.

"Your best friend needs sweets," she said, dangling the keys just out of his reach.

Prateek looked between us, his mock outrage dissolving into a grin. "You're worse than my sister, you know that? At least get me some jalebi on your way back!"

"No promises!" Agni was already walking toward the scooter, twirling the keys around her finger.

"Take care of my baby!" Prateek called after us. "And by baby, I mean the scooter, not Neetu!"

I stuck my tongue out at him as Agni started the engine. The scooter waited beneath a string of Diwali lights, and suddenly I felt like a teenager again, awkward and unsure. I hadn't been on a two-wheeler since college. Agni swung her leg over with practiced ease, adjusted her helmet, and looked back at me expectantly.

"I..." My hands hovered uselessly at my sides. The seat seemed impossibly small, the distance between us both too much and not enough.

"Are you getting on or planning to admire my theft skills?" There was that edge in her voice again, but something softer too, almost playful.

I placed my hands on her shoulders first, barely touching, like a dancer uncertain of their partner. The scooter wobbled slightly as I climbed on, and I jerked back, overcompensating.