SEVEN MONTHS - a lifetime

Chapter 6 : A chance that changed everything

Kiara leaned in, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. She could barely contain herself as she blurted, "Alright, enough with the suspense! Tell me everything. What happened after the mall incident?"

Shriji took a deep breath, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass absentmindedly. Her lips curled into a faint smile, a mixture of nostalgia and exasperation. "Well, after we left the city mall, we got home late that evening. I was tired, and honestly, I didn't think much about Aarav. It felt like one of those random encounters you'd laugh about later and move on from. Life was already so overwhelming-between studies, coaching, and managing everything else, I didn't have the bandwidth to dwell on it."

Kiara arched an eyebrow, her lips curling mischievously. "But you didn't forget him, did you?"

Shriji shrugged, leaning back in her chair. "I did, actually. Or at least, I convinced myself I had. Two days passed, and I was buried in my usual routine. Then, while checking an important email from my medical coaching institute, I saw it."

Kiara gasped theatrically, gripping Shriji's arm. "Saw what? Oh my God, tell me already!"

Shriji chuckled softly, her cheeks warming at the memory. "It was an email from Aarav Srivastava. The subject line was plain-just his name. At first, I thought it might be spam. But when I opened it..."

Kiara's eyes widened, her excitement bubbling over. "What did it say?"

"It was a simple message," Shriji said, her voice dropping to mimic Aarav's tone. "'Hi, this is Aarav-the mall guy. Wanna know you more.'"

Kiara erupted into laughter, slapping the cushion beside her. "What?! That's the line he went with? The audacity!"

Shriji rolled her eyes, though a faint smile played on her lips. "Exactly. I thought the same. So, being me, I replied, 'But I don't wanna know you more. I'll just block you.'"

Kiara clutched her stomach, her laughter echoing through the room. "Oh, savage! I love that for you. What did he do then?"

Shriji hesitated, her smile turning softer. "He replied with something unexpected. He said, 'I'll find you again somehow, haha.'"

Kiara's laughter faded, replaced by a gasp. "Oh my God. That's... kinda desperate. And a little creepy, if you ask me."

Shriji shook her head, a wistful look in her eyes. "It wasn't creepy. Persistent, yes, but not creepy. That's what stood out about him. He didn't step back, no matter how hard I pushed. And honestly... that was the best thing about him."

Kiara's grin widened. "Oh, now it's getting interesting. Keep going!"

Shriji tucked her hair behind her ear, her gaze distant. "After a bit of back-and-forth, I got frustrated and told him, 'You're a Srivastava. I can't talk to you.'"

Kiara tilted her head, confused. "What's wrong with being a Srivastava? Is there some hidden rule I don't know about?"

Shriji sighed, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks. "It's just... I'd always heard Srivastavas were notorious. You know, flirts, heartbreakers, the whole package. So I told him, 'I'm not into Srivastavas.'"

Kiara burst out laughing again. "Wow. You really said that? What did he do?"

Shriji's smile softened as she continued. "He didn't get it. He just said, 'So what? At least try getting to know me.' And then, as if to prove he wasn't like the rest, he started telling me everything about himself-his name, his college, his family, even his birth details."

Kiara sat up straighter. "Wait, hold on. What did he say about his college?"

Shriji smirked. "He was a second-year med student at Bangalore Medical College."

Kiara's jaw dropped. "No way! That's in the city I completed my graduation from! Oh my God, this just keeps getting better."

Shriji nodded, her expression a mix of amusement and disbelief. "He went on to tell me about his family-his mom, dad, and younger brother. You remember the guy who called me bhabhi at the mall?"

Kiara cackled. "How could I forget? That kid deserves an award for matchmaking!"

Shriji chuckled along. "Then Aarav told me about his education-how he'd taken two drop years after 12th grade to get into medical school. It was like he was laying out his whole life story, trying to prove he was trustworthy."

"And you?" Kiara asked, leaning in closer. "What did you do?"

Shriji shrugged. "I told him, 'Okay, but I don't trust you, and I'm not giving you my details.'"

Kiara clapped her hands, laughing. "Good for you! Finally, some self-control. I'm so proud."

Shriji raised an eyebrow. "You think I'm not smart enough to handle people?"

Kiara burst into laughter again. "No, no, that's not what I meant! But honestly, good move. You didn't let him charm you right away."

Their laughter filled the room, but it was interrupted by the sound of the door creaking open. Shriji's mom walked in, carrying a tray of snacks and two glasses of lemonade. Her radiant smile  made Kiara gasp in admiration.

"Aunty, you look so beautiful today!" Kiara exclaimed, hopping up to help her with the tray.

Shriji's mom laughed lightly, setting the tray on the table. "Oh, Kiara, you're too kind."

"No, really!" Kiara insisted. "You look younger than Shriji. Honestly, aunty, you're glowing!"

Shriji shot Kiara a mock glare. "Excuse me? Are you saying I look old?"

Kiara smirked. "Not old-just tired. It's all the worrying you do, Shriji. Aunty's calmness keeps her young, but you... you're aging yourself with stress!"

Shriji's mom chuckled as she handed them the lemonade. "Kiara, you always know how to make me laugh. Alright, enjoy your snacks. I'll leave you two to your gossip."

As she left, Shriji turned to Kiara, crossing her arms. "You just wait. One day, I'll look younger than you."

Kiara laughed, brushing it off. "Sure, sure. Now, back to Aarav. Don't leave me hanging!"

Before Shriji could respond, her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and frowned. The name flashing on it made her pause-Tithi was calling.

"Hello?" Shriji answered hesitantly.

"Shriji!" Tithi's voice was filled with urgency. "Where are you? I've been trying to reach you all day."

"I'm fine," Shriji replied, glancing at Kiara, who was watching her closely. "I'm with Kiara. What's wrong?"

Tithi sighed audibly. "Good. I was just worried. There's something important we need to discuss. Can we meet tomorrow?"

Shriji's brows furrowed. "Is everything okay?"

"I'll explain tomorrow," Tithi said cryptically. "Just promise me you'll come."

Shriji hesitated but eventually nodded. "Alright. I'll meet you."

As she hung up, Kiara leaned in, her curiosity uncontainable. "What was that about?"

Shriji shook her head. "I don't know, but it sounded serious."

Kiara studied her friend's expression and then gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't stress about it now. Let's focus on the story. I still need to know how you handled Aarav."

Shriji smiled faintly, her gaze softening. "Alright, where was I?"

"You'd just told him you didn't trust him," Kiara prompted eagerly.

Shriji sighed, her voice dropping to a wistful tone. "That was just the beginning. Aarav wasn't the kind of person to give up easily. And as much as I tried to push him away... there was a part of me that couldn't ignore him."