Safe haven [Yourstoryindia]

#Chapter 6: A hand to hold.

                     Alvin was waiting for Anusha in his car. He was wearing a light green button up shirt with jeans, his hair still wet from shower.

He kept looking to her gate as he was bit worried that she might cancel on him. He remembered her worried look before, the way she tried to hide her pain while singing that song. But he wasn't going to probe about her problems, unless she told him about it. For that, he could wait...for a short time, he sighed.

Why was he trying to tangle up himself with her life.. when he won't stay..he had no idea.

Then she opened the gate with a creaking sound, breaking his train of thoughts.

She was wearing a beige and maroon coloured salwar with maroon dupatta, her hair was open which made her look like a child and her dark brown eyes held a tinge of sadness as always.

She smiled at him with one of her fake smile, and came around to the other side of the car. As she got in the car, he turned on the ignition. They drove in silence for sometime.
Anusha kept looking outside through the window. Rain was long gone, but the sky was still grey and sun was nowhere to be seen and the dull light made everything look grey and dull.

Her mood was no exception, she was zoned out and didn't try to make a conversation with him. Alvin turned on the music system, he had connected Riya's pen drive to the system and a loud rock music blurred out from the system making Anusha jump in her seat.

'I had no idea that Riya was into this kind of music now...sorry' he reduced the volume quickly and send her an apologetic glance.

He was using his rental car, an old Honda city. His mom used to drive a similar car before they moved back to Kerala. It has been four years since they left to Kerala and last year his twin sisters got married and moved to Canada.
Mom is there with them now and soon he will join them. The thought of his family warmed his heart and spread a smile on his face. When they came to a halt on the signal, he looked at Anusha who was busy looking outside. So close still miles apart..

'Do you like it here? He asked her as they turned to the salwa road.

'Eh.. I guess so..?' she said in an unsure tone. Her long black hair fell on her cheek, so he couldn't see her expression clearly.

She didn't hear him, it was evident. He was trying to break the ice between them, but it wasn't happening.

' I think I am annoying you.. I will keep quiet..' He tried to act cool but his voice betrayed him.

She turned to him,' no it is not like that. I was miles away.. I actually didn't hear what you said.. sorry.'

She genuinely felt sorry. She was afraid that he will ask something that she didn't want to answer but instead he was quiet and he was trying to make a conversation.

'Ok..if you say so..' he said with a smile.
'I was asking whether you like life in Qatar?' Anusha thought for a second before answering.
' Technically it is good to be here, away from home, away from everything..but sometimes I miss home..' she paused and returned the same question to him.

'What about you? I think you love Qatar.' The way she emphasized love Qatar made him chuckle.

He was happy that finally she was 'talking..

' Yes.. I like it here... I have lots of good memories here, and I will miss being here.'he said and changed the topic.

Rest of the journey, they chatted easily. They talked about the music session too. They both laughed about Riya's enthusiasm. Both of them were sure about not Riya's crush on Ahaan. Anusha wasn't sure about Ahaan's feelings though.