It Was Only You

❣ It was Only You [3] ❣

Anjana Aunt's facial expressions converted to disgust from happiness within seconds. She was in a call with someone when we came face to face.

"Rishina, I'll call you later alright? Some uninvited guest has arrived at my doorstep. Bye"

With that she ended her call and looked at me in anger. I always knew how much she hates me and my presence near her son. Even if Aditya takes my name in front of her, she would stop him from talking further. Such is her hatred towards me. 

When Aditya asked me to organize his parents 35th Marriage Anniversary Celebration Event Anjana Aunt spoke many things against me within the duration of organizing the event and at the celebration itself. But as she's the mother of my best friend I tolerated everything until the last minute. But now isn't the time to sort out differences between us and what is rather important is to meet Aditya.

"Anjana Aunty, is Aditya at home? I want to meet him"

Anjana Aunt gave me a puzzled look and immediately turned her attention to correcting the pleats of her Sari as if I didn't even exist. I was looking at her face for an answer if not a taunt.

"No, he isn't. You know right that you can contact my son anytime? He carries his phone with him everywhere he goes for your information if you don't remember. What was the need to come here? I thought you knew that I don't like seeing you in front of me Zoya"

Saying my name she directly looked at me with piercing eyes. Her words felt cold but for the time being, my only concentration was regarding Aditya's whereabouts. If he isn't home where is he? Is Anjana Aunt lying to me? Is everything alright?

"Aditya isn't at home? I've been trying his number since morning but he didn't pick my calls. Could you tell me where is he Aunty? I want to talk to my best friend and it's an emergency"

I was literally pleading Aditya's mom because I had no other option. If she doesn't know where her son is then who else will know? But I could've realized beforehand with whom I was dealing with. Anjana Aunt gave me a sarcastic look and talked to me in a dramatic tone.

"Look Zoya, I don't know why my son considers you his best friend but I know that he has his own life apart from giving you all his attention. I hope you are aware that he has applied for the Pilot examinations and I wouldn't want any disturbance blocking my son's way. Try calling him again and I'm sure he'll pick your call unless he has gotten fed up of you and let me also tell you that calling Arjun to ask about Adi wouldn't be of any use since he's in Switzerland with Harsh and is very busy. Both of them are oblivious to where Adi is. I hope you won't come here asking for my son again. Will you care to leave now?"

Anjana Aunt sounded annoyed and she shut the door with a loud 'thud' on my face with the force with which I backed out from the door. I was completely lost after listening to her. I turned around to get back to my car with all my hopes drowning.

While driving my only thought was revolving around where Aditya has gone without even informing me. He has never done this before. Why would he avoid me? Did I hurt him by saying something I shouldn't have said? I wanted to park my car by the side and stare in to the oblivion but since I wouldn't want my parents to worry about where I am, I drove through the traffic and reached home within forty five minutes.

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It was night time when I walked out of the bathroom in my Bunny Pajamas after a cold shower, wiping my hair. I walked towards the dressing table placing my towel on the rack with my mind still clogged remembering Abbu's idea to go back to Mussoorie.

I sat in front of the dressing table and started combing my hair looking at my reflection in the mirror, I looked as if I had no reason left to smile. My face looked plain and dull. I don't want to leave Mumbai in the first place but I can't decide for myself since it's my parents' decision.

There are so many memories of mine attached with this colourful city where I started living a life where I am finally happy, I found peace, where I have a reason to wake up every morning and where I found a best friend for a lifetime.

With the sudden remembrance of Aditya, I placed the comb down and ran to check my phone on my writing table for any calls or messages from him but to my disappointment there were none. For my satisfaction, crossing my fingers I restarted my phone but no, nada.

What is wrong with Aditya? He has never behaved so strange with me. Why is he so high on his ego to not even call me back when he can clearly see the number of times I've tried contacting him? I touched my forehead with both my hands in confusion. That's when Noor entered our room opening the door wide.

She noticed me, closed the door and walked towards my writing table.

"Appi, ammi told me that you went to AdiYa to inform everyone that you're leaving?"

She looked at me sympathetically to which I gave a pretentious smile and taking her hand, both of us sat on the bed.

"Noor... It felt strange. I was feeling bad because unlike other days, today I was going to bid goodbye to the company which made me feel confident about myself, made me realize that there's more to life and made me understand that one tragedy doesn't mean that you have to end your life because there are millions of other opportunities. I was thinking perhaps this is where I was meant to be but I was wrong Noor. It was tough but I managed to talk. The staff was surprised but they don't have a reason to worry because I'm not the sole owner of the company and he'll make a better organizer than me, that guy has his own aura. As Abbu said I asked Akanksha, Shaun and Mithileshji to join the Event Management Company I'll be opening in Mussoorie if they find it easier to come there rather than staying in Mumbai and they agreed. But I feel so nervous as if I'm leaving my identity and so.. soul here. I feel helpless Noor!"

In no time tears were forming at the corners of my eyes and the first tear drop fell from my left eye and touched my cheek. I started sobbing and Noor was staring at me with sadness clearly visible in her eyes too.

She turned towards me completely, crossing her legs on the bed and wiped away the tears falling down my cheeks with her hands. She was squinting her eyes at me which I felt is odd.

"Aap hume aise kyun dekh rahe hai?"

I asked her out of curiosity. She smiled with me and held me by my shoulders.

"Appi, can I ask you something? But promise me that you'll give me an honest answer!"

She sounded excited. What was Noor cheered up about when we are supposed to leave this city forever this weekend? I remember that she had a break-up with Arjun recently but that doesn't mean her feelings for him have gone away completely! But I can't ask her to contact Arjun to see whether he has at least a clue about Aditya's whereabouts, I can't hurt Noor by talking about Arjun.

"Yes I promise. What is it Noor?"

That's when Noor looked directly at my eyes without blinking.

"What are you going to miss the most when you leave Mumbai appi?"

My heart felt a little weight with Noor's question though I couldn't understand why. The feeling was something unusual which I've never felt before. What's wrong with me and what's the reason for me to panic apart from leaving the job I am doing in Mumbai? Do I have any other reason to feel miserable?

♛ Sewwi ♛