KRISH HAD ALWAYS ASSOCIATED ASMARA WITH JASMINE FLOWERS. Never mind that she sometimes wore them in her hair, woven into the French plaits framing her face like speckles of moonlight in her raven tresses.
But she was like them, too. Strong in her being despite feeling delicate to the touch. Not extravagant, yet absolutely lovely in the earthiest sense. Pure and delightful and adorable and pleasing.
She was small and faded into the background of loud sunflowers and scarlet roses, yet drew attention with the sweet perfume of her mystic quality.
At least that was what he had originally thought. Now he was sure he had been wrong.
Because here she was, more beautiful than ever before. A soft periwinkle salwar suit, her white dupatta adorned with sprigs of plum blossoms and lavender butterfly wings. Pristine nose stud upon her softly-hooking nose, glimmering in the light. The faintest line of kohl decorating her honey eyes. Shyness dancing with her delicate eyelashes. Shimmery silver anklets rhythmically cham-chaming to the beating of his heart.
And he knew it would be impossible to compare her to a single jasmine flower, let alone a garden full of them. Flowers were ephemeral, their beauty withering away with the passing of the seasons. But Asmara? Asmara's loveliness was timeless, and she grew more and more beautiful by the day.
The realization came to him like a boulder to the head as she glided into the room. Her eyes remained downcast, though she lifted them for a moment. Their eyes met. Krish immediately looked away.
The noise around him ceased to exist. The whole world blurred.
This couldn't be happening.
"Krishi? Hello bolo na! [Say hello!]"
"Huh?" Krish spluttered as his mother elbowed him in the ribs. She glared at him. He turned his attention back to his surroundings. Daijaan was beaming like a full moon, whereas the others stared at him expectantly. Yuvi raised an eyebrow.
Turmoil, happiness, dread, frustration. Whatever the emotion was that Krish was unable to identify, it was certainly wreaking havoc on his senses.
"Uh, ahem." Krish coughed. "H-hello," he mumbled, eyes trained on the floor.
"Bewakoof [Stupid]," Anjali muttered under her breath, gently shoving his head with her hand.
Refusing to make eye contact, Krish couldn't believe she was here. All the feelings and sparks and jitters suddenly rushed back into his body like the flooding streets of Mumbai during monsoon season. And that was that. He was right back to square one.
Oblivious to her silly son's plight, Anjali was squealing like an excited schoolgirl at a candy shop.
"Asmara beti! Idhar aao na! [Come here!]" She beckoned her over, arms flapping with delight. Asmara obediently walked over, her anklets dancing with her, making Anjali grin wider.
Finally, someone she could bond with! Everyone was so busy these days. Now she had a piece of her best friend to spend time with!
Anjali practically jumped on her, engulfing the poor girl into a bear-hug.
"Haye, kitni khoobsurat pari hamare ghar mein hai! Haye, itni sweet si ladki! Bilkul Ammi pe gayi! Nazar na lag jaye. [Oh, what a beautiful fairy is in our home! Oh, what a sweet girl! She took after her mother! May the evil eye not be cast upon you.]" Anjali let go of Asmara. She circled around Asmara's head with her hands, pressing her fists to her own temples to ward off evil spirits. She pinched her cheek.
"Mmmmm, chhodo!"
Krish almost flinched. Yuvi, ever observant, took notice of this. Ah yes, the infamous Asmara.
Asmara on the other hand, felt her heart race. She had only learned recently that Krish was one of THE Raichands, the very Raichands her grandmother resided with.
She was nervous today. Nervous to see him, nervous about his reaction, nervous for his thoughts. Nervous because their time apart had made her realize that staying away from him felt like air without oxygen. She had fallen for him, she now knew. But then there was the issue of doubt.
Had he missed her as much as she had missed him? Had he felt the dull ache in his heartstrings that she had? Or did the connection between them dissolve into thin air? Would he reciprocate any feelings she had for him?
The constant jumble of thoughts was making her almost motion-sick. So when Daijaan, sensing Asmara's pale face, suggested she go relax in her new room, she was beyond relieved.
ASMARA SAT ON HER NEW BED, FOLDING SOME OF HER SALWAR SUITS SLOWLY. Lost in thought, she couldn't even focus on the luxurious room in front of her, enriched with shimmering golden accents and mahogany. She didn't see the poignant glass vase on the coffee table full of magenta roses and baby's breath. She missed the magnificent crystal chandelier draped from the ceiling like an ice sculpture. And this was only a guest bedroom! Yet she overlooked all these glories as she pensively folded her salwar suits.
Would Krish even speak to her? He hadn't even made eye contact with her earlier. Perhaps she had been too hopeful.
Biting her lip in an attempt to distract herself from the throb of disappointment in her belly, she was slightly startled to hear a knock at her door.
Asmara rose at once, only to meet familiar brown eyes head-on.
"Krish?" she whispered after what felt like eons of silence.
"Asmara," he murmured, walking towards her.
The two stood in front of each other for an extended period of silence, before Asmara felt her eyes fill up with tears, betraying her. A single tear rolled down her cheek.
Krish reached out and stopped it with his thumb, wordlessly. He wiped her cheek with the back of his fingers, making her feel both better and worse at the same time.
She stared at him and Krish felt at that moment, he had never known life without this way she was looking at him.
"Krish," Asmara whispered again. He didn't answer. He reached down and engulfed her into a hug, cradling the back of her head.
"I missed you." Her voice was muffled against his woolen sweater. Krish felt himself smile. He hugged her a little tighter, surrendering himself to her warmth.
"I missed you too," he said softly, meaning every word. And after a long time, he felt complete.
"Everything will be fine," he murmured. Whether to himself, or to her, it was unknown.
. . .
............I AM SO SO SO SORRY. how long has it been??? Five months?! omg i am sooooo sorry 😭😭 This year has honestly been the worst year ever, but I am so glad my junior year is done and over with! I WAS LITERALLY DROWNING. And it's summer finally! Now to get through my final rounds of college exams, first semester of senior year, college apps, and then in January I WILL BE FREEEE. *ahem*
So small updates: I TURNED 17! Yup on June 27th, about 6-7 wattpadders remembered, much appreciated guys thank you <3 😘😘😘i didn't hype my birthday up at all this year and i got so many messages on the 26th *facepalm* 😂
So yeah! hope you can forgive me with this bad but long update!!!! let me know what you think! the long awaited reunion is here ;) next update will be soon, i hope to get in a couple more throughout my summer vacay before school starts and i disappear again :D
love you all ❤️
- Meenal.
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