Hope of it all

12. So done

(Listen to 'Let her go' for better experience)

Aarav's POV

I am sitting in a rusty auto on my way to Aastha's place. Her last two lectures got cancelled so we planned to meet at her house directly. I knew the address as we had been travelling together. But it was the first time I was visiting her house. 

I walk to the wing and wait for the lift. I press 8 as I enter the lift. The lift opens, and I walk to her apartment. 

I ring the bell and hear soft rustling of footsteps. Aastha's wide smile greets me as she opens the door. She's wearing an oversized hoodie and shorts. Her wavy black hair is tied into a loose bun, a few strands falling on her cheeks. 

"Hi! Come in." She says. I remove my shoes outside and enter. The sight of the living room felt sadly nostalgic. The plain white walls were decorated with happy family pictures and messy paintings made by a kid, probably her sister. There was a beautiful mandala painting made on the wall with bright colours. The floor on the corner was filled with lego blocks and toys.

I would be lying if I didn't feel a pang of jealousy and loss right at my chest. 

"Yeah, that spot is forbidden for walking. You have no idea how bad it hurts when you step on a lego" She says jokingly.

The kind of pain I wanna feel.

I chuckle "Don't have to tell me twice." 

"Kon aaya? Oh you must be Aarav!" Her mother says as she steps out of the washroom. 

"Hello aunty." I give her a tight smile.

She smiles and continues "Kuch khaaoge?"

"Nahi aunty, Thank you" I reply.

She nods and gets back to her work.

Aastha leads me to her room. It had purple walls and childhood pictures framed all over the room. "Is that your sister?" I point to one of the pictures. It looks like it was clicked recently. 

"Yes. Her name is Kaashvi. She's usually at home around this time but today she's gone for her friend's birthday party."

"Oh. I would love to meet her." I say genuinely.

Aastha opens her laptop and I open mine. We soon fall into a comfortable silence filled with typing sounds and sharing insights. Time flies as we work on the project.

She is explaining me a point she wants to add but I knew it was wrong. But I couldn't embarrass her when she was talking about it with so much confidence. So I let her finish.

"Are you sure?" I ask her

"No." She says immediately.

I laugh at how cute she sounded. I cover my face with my palms.

"It's wrong." I say with a smile.

"You could've told me that before I gave you a speech on it." She says and narrows her eyes.

"Right. Sorry, my bad" I say sarcastically.

My phone rings and I pick it up.

"Hello?"

"Hi beta. I will be late today. Stuck in a meeting. What should I order for your dinner? I am having mine with my colleagues." My dad says

" I am at Aastha's place right now. Don't worry. I will cook something after I go home." I say. He pesters me a little but I promise him that I will eat properly. He ends the call after wishing me good night.