||~~The Brewer's Girl~~||

👼Turmoils👼

☺chapter 11.☺

❤Dedicated to MayurChan for being back as my reader with his ever so encouraging reviews!!❤

Kabir.

After a tiring day with the photoshoot, I'm heading home. My phone pings as I steer my car into the bachelor's walk street towards my home. Its one of the double bedroom Usher quay apartments, having a spacious refurbished balcony with a quiet view of streets and river Liffey.

I'm getting used to this, walking home to find a waiting Aashna. Its been a month she is here and I fail to believe my luck, she got a job here? Here where I am! Someone up there is definitely so happy with me.I grin as I pass my garage and reverse back, my night sky black- Toyota Yaris. I'm very happy with its advanced and affordable features.I step out of it and walk to the main door checking for texts in the phone.

I read Kukkie's messages, its been a week she has left. My eyebrows quirk up in amusement at her, she has written dozens of curse words for her ex- boyfriend, trying to make me believe (or her) that she doesn't care whatever he does, she sends middle fingers stuck up for emphasis and I laugh. She needs to grow up! I send her some angry emoticons, I just don't like cute girls using curse words, they might look more unnervingly hot to some people but I can't bear them uttering shit.I keep scolding Kukkie and Aashna too for that matter. Thinking of Aashna I turn the key in the keyhole and step in the house. I can hear some faint sound of metal being struck, and a smile tug at my lips. I hang my coat to the stand and remove my shoes, smiling fondly in the direction of kitchen.

As I wash my hands, the sound of a bell gets more clearer, I can now hear Aashna singing her evening prayer from the little made up room I have in my apartment as a mini temple. she is sat on a small mat with her legs folded beneath her and a scarf is resting on her head. her eyes are closed and there's this divine ambience in the moment which makes me join and sing along with her, joining my hands up in the prayer. This has become a routine, every evening I come home to find Aashna worshipping God, a serene smile on her face as her lips move to sing.

She opens her eyes and gives me a smile, which I gladly reciprocate.I help her in lighting the incense sticks and hands her the camphor to perform the end of this religious ritual we as Indians offer to deities.

कर्पूरगौरं करुणावतारं संसारसारं भुजगेन्द्रहारम्।
सदा बसन्तं हृदयारबिन्दे भबं भवानीसहितं नमामि।।

Her voice is beautiful yet deep and soothing one.Not a day has passed when I didn't thank god for blessing me with her since I've realised she's the one.

And with everyday, everything she does makes me fall in love with her even more deeper.

We both aren't too religious on our part, but we have been taught to do the honours of keeping our tradition and culture intact. Today got to be something special, that's why I can smell something delicious in the kitchen.

"Mum called, she said its an auspicious day of full moon so i should cook something sweet." she speaks while getting up.

"Oh is it so?" I ask her standing up as she walks to the kitchen. "Yes! I even teased her off saying why do i have to cook something, chocolate also comes with a sweet taste." She giggles and takes off the lid to check it over the stove. I join her chuckling and peering at the container coming to a boil. "But she insisted that i make the Rice pudding." she smiles sniffing the sweet aroma filling the kitchen.

I shake my head at her fondly, "I'll be back in five"

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Aashna.

I'm setting the table for dinner, but refrain to fill his plate knowing very well Kabir would walk in and take his plate to the sofa in the hall. He for some reason can't eat properly, very likely as a child needing to watch TV while eating.

Its habits like these and his dumping the wet towel on sofa after shower thing that makes me angry at him.There! He just did it again! I glare at him as he walks in the hall switching on the TV. Certain amount of fury rush into my system and I stomp towards him switching the TV back off.

I'm glaring at him as he gives me one of those what the hell looks, beg to mention , looking really fresh and intimidating with his after shower styled up hairs.

"Kabir! Towel!"

Kabir starts to say something in his defence but then glances back at where he threw his towel.

"Oh!" He looks back at me trying to look innocent "I don't mind really"

This man has the audacity! I put my hands on my hips, controlling like a lady of the house. well I am! "Fuck Kabir! Its been weeks and maybe months I'm telling off this bad habit of yours!"I raise my voice and instantly regrets. I see his eyes widen and jaw clench as he stares at me.

"I've been telling you not to use that word!" He scolds but in a controlled voice.

"What word?" I breathes hard as I peek at the towel from under my lashes.

"The "F" word!" He says sulkily, twitching his mouth in disgust.

"Okay! What the fudge! Now will you listen to me?" I bellow again.

"No!" He is offended it seems. "Its still the "F" word!" he says, averting his eyes somewhere up and then to my left. Did he just roll his eyes on me?

Okay! Maybe I need to calm down we are going nowhere with this.I walk away from him to the dining table. He follows me and takes his plate.

"Towel! Kabir" I shoo his hand away and he rolls his eyes, "I'll remove it from there okay? let me eat first."

"Now!" I shoo his hand away again.

"If you're so bothered why don't you do it yourself?" his eyes widen as he shrug his broad shoulders.

" I'm not your wife!"

"Then stop acting like one!"

"Fine!" I take his towel and throw on the floor, crushing it beneath my feet and stomping off to my room.

I can't see the reason, why am I boiling up! Its been a hard day at university, where I tried to prove my point to the minimum population that wants to speak French.I cook, gets in a good mood and Kabir happens. Why is he so irritating with his habits! Why does it matter so much to me if he carries on with his habits, why do I want to see him better?His snide comment was too right. Why am I behaving as one fuc...fudging wife!I frown at myself.And also I'm listening to him while he doesn't to me? I'll use the F word whenever I want I'll use it! Fudge fudge fudge fudge fudge!!! Its fuck not fudge! I cover my face and sigh to take control over my irritation.

I look up as he walks in. His eyes are wary as he takes in my mood, wearing his sweatshirt and looking sweet. I groan! Why do I take notice so much I'm angry at him right now. Why? I don't know it. Damn me!

His eyes are trained on me as he approaches me cautiously.

"I'm not going to shout at you Kabir, I'm sorry" I sigh with my head buried in my palms.

"You look like you are going to erupt like a volcano!" he talks animatedly and whispers in my year, "BOOM"

I roll my eyes at him giving a long stare till he controls his smile and puts up his hand.

"Okay! I've removed my towel from the couch, dinner is ready and served and guess what? your favourite movie '3 idiots' is coming and i'm sure you don't wanna miss that!" he tugs at my hand and I easily give in letting him lead me out of my room.

"Why so moody today?" He asks as we settle comfortably on the dining table.I chew on my lips staring at him, as he eats from the bowl.

"Delicious" he remarks and I'm glad he approves of the Kheer (sweet Rice Pudding) that I cooked.

"There is a less French speaking population here, those who wanted to learn, I mean among kids, came to me for help but I had arguments with their parents not allowing them and I guess I need to learn Irish if I want to make them understand how beneficial it can be to learn new languages."I tell him, "my day went bad probably because of my inexpertise at speaking Irish."

"Lily can help you with it" he smiles a reassuring smile at me.

"Why don't you teach me?"I ask as I gulp a bite, trying to finish dinner quickly so that I could go to sleep and this day can end.

"Lily has more patience than me, why for imagine she taught Vladimir. " he chuckles and adds, " besides I really want you and Lily to get along." "We are getting along" I smile a genuine one that reaches my eyes. Lily is a sweetheart and fun to be around.

Next half hour we watch the movie and I'm hardly keeping up because my eyes are drooping low, tired that I was.

"I think I'm gonna go. Good night"

"Night. Sleep well" he calls from behind half yawning himself, as I walk back to my room.This has been a long day, and I can't believe its a Monday night only! I'm already yearning for weekend to come.

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Kabir.

"No beer?" Peter asks me and I decline politely. We're at Porterhouse Brewery again and as I sit here among my friends I watch the two ladies talk animatedly at the counter.Lily and Aashna are inseparable, they are just too much into their world that Vladimir is sulking beside me for Lily's attention.Maybe I too would have, but Aashna blesses me with a smile or two at least. Peter laughs at us both oogling at our ladies.

"jeez Vladimir, I can spot some drool!" Peter comments and I share a laugh with him while Vladimir successfully ignores us.

Aashna comes to sit next to me, "can I have some too?" She points at the stout Peter is pouring for himself. "Are you sure about this?" I ask Aashna and by the way of she eyes me back, I guess she read the worry guarding my eyes.

"Uh huh!" She nods and aims for a big gulp.

I take the glass away from her to give her some time as she coughs a little and wipes her lips on her sleeve. "This is good!" her face looks flushed a little and i don't know if it is because of the cold or the fact that all our attention is on her.

She smiles and I return one with this- is enough for today -look.Vladimir engages her in a conversation, some Russian tale he tells every girl that he meets. I give Peter a knowing look and he smirks.

"Did you tell her?" He queries.

I shake my head, "I don't know when should I ? I mean how should I? Its all as new to me as her" I tell him sincerely.

"Well, what are the chances she reciprocates what you feel?"His question takes me afloat.

"I really didn't give much thought, I'm sure she likes me as a friend."I frown timidly.

"Man! You need to play out your cards, get her feelings out, I can sense something in the way she prioritise you."Peter says and I look at Aashna, sitting close but deep in conversation with Vladimir.

"What do you mean,I'm her friend of course she would...wait! I've got an idea!" I smile ruefully at Peter as he cocks up his eyebrows at me. "Woah! Someone's excited"

"Yeah, I need your bike keys, you can take my car" I throw my keys to him.

"Thanks man, can I go on a drive long way?" he grins at me clearly glad that i offered him a ride.

I grin back at him, I'm so excited to take Aashna on a ride that I'd have given him anything he wanted in this moment. That happy I am! " you can have it till Sunday , just no funny business in my car" I warn him and he smirks winking at me, "will mind it".

After Lily closes down, Vladimir and she is off to some 'their time' which surely I don't want to know. I glance at Aashna who is a bit funny tonight from all the beer she drank with Vladimir when I wasn't looking.

"would you like a ride?" I ask her and kicks the bike as its engine roars to life. Aashna's mouth has formed a big O in surprise.I grin patting the Hyosung GT-650 RC model. She rushes to me and sits behind me as I zoom off into the traffic.

We're soon on less traffic area, winds are cold here as the river runs just behind the waterworks line.This night, the fun of riding in the cold, Aashna with me, its all exhilarating, specially this moment when she is tightly hugging me from behind.I give her a tour with a night view of most of the places where I usually go like the dusk photography spots, that shows you city's most photogenic views, then we ride along the Liffey river banks.

It was a relaxing ride, now as we head back home Aashna is probably asleep, her head is resting on my back and her arms are loosely wound around me. The monster in my stomach is purring at her touch.

As I cut the bike's engine, Aashna grabs onto me tightly, very much awake.

"We're home" I feel the lost warmth as she dismounts and I park the bike in the garage. She follows me in looking around my small garage.

"Are you tired?" I ask to which she shakes her head and we move out into the cold night. "Just the wind" she whispers.

I hums in response. "You feeling light headed?"

"Uh huh! Probably the stout" I cock my head to one side accessing her and then a ghost of a smile stretches my lips. As much as anyone may think its taking advantage of a frenzy minded girl, I'll leave no chances to upturn what is wrong with her?

Since last two weeks she has been weird around me, still comfortable but there is something going on.

"Can we take a walk?" She asks and I'm surprised.

"oh! I thought we were going in"

"I need to talk to you" she says and moves ahead and I'm Stilled where I was. No hard work needed, guess she would tell me now what's bothering her!I join her, taking her hand in mine. We both glances down as her hand twitch a bit and I frown at her slightly.

"What is it?"

"I dunno, I can't understand what's happening!" She mirrors my expression as my frown deepens.

"You can't or you don't want to?" I raise my eyebrows at her.I'm getting curious. I have this odd feeling whatever it is, I'm involved.

"Have you ever had a friend who is more to you?" Her question sets me on the edge.

"Oh...kay!" I was quite unsure where were we heading earlier. Either unsure or definitely sure. "Peter is more. Like a brother. But I don't really feel him that caring and returning the honour. We're more like hanging out buddies , he is more than Vladimir and Lily,..."

She shakes her head and I stop, waiting for her to say,"Not Peter.. Or them, er...like a girl, have you thought of her as more?"

"Lily?"

"No..not her, someone else maybe?" She looks at me expectantly from under her lashes.

"Aashna, I've told you already, I've never had friends really, whom I could open up to, its just you. And you are undoubtedly more" I gaze deep in her eyes.

Her sharp intake of breathe catches my attention. "More than a friend?"She whisper asks me.

Woah? Do I want to tell her now? She doesn't seem ready, i want her all senses to hear me, undrugged by anything when i pour my heart to her.I sigh. "Why are you asking this?"

"Because its frustrating the fudge out of me" I suppress a bubble of laughter as she says so. She has stopped using the F word I hate but adapted to a new F word, fudge, it sounds cute when its out of her mouth in that ridiculously lively voice. and right now she looks the cutest with her red cheeks from the cold and head covered in the hood of her jacket, her tresses cupping her face as she pouts at the ground.

"Frustrating?" I ask bemusedly, "what is?"

"This fudging thing called 'more than friendship' ! Its frustrating the hell out of me that I'm getting physically attracted to the only best friend I have!" She walks ahead losing me as I stop in my tracks, gazing at her with a darkened gaze. The monster in my stomach whacking its tail in joy.She really is attracted to me? I opens my mouth and stare at her but she is walking ahead still murmuring. "Aashna" I call out.She realises I'm behind her and turns around.

My eyes collide with hers, and she walks to me, stopping when she is really really close."Its so foreign to me and I'm afraid." she whispers and drops her gaze to my neck.

"You just said you are getting attracted .....I mean physically attracted to me?" I find it hard to breath as she scrunches her eyebrows and steps away.

"When did I say you? I said a friend" she doesn't meet my eyes and her lips are a little swollen from all the chewing she did tonight out of her nervousness.

"Oh!" I really find no words to say anything. But wait! She is talking about someone else is she?

"Who then?" I look at her with my hardened gaze. The thought that she'd think about someone else that way was unsettling and upsetting. Who was he? If someone had been she would have let me know at least. I'm her best friend.

The monster in my stomach itches its index finger on its chin as I wait with a half breath for her to say something.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~''

You guys surely didn't see it coming right?
Any guesses who's Aashna talking about 👅

Beers on girls indeed makes them  cute if not that funny hah👻

Leave me votes and comments,
I shall see you guys with next chappy soonish!!

Love always,
Sue ❤