Beyond The Golden Skies

♛ 07: Uninvited Guests •

Many evenings went by in the terrace of the café. The days slowly turned into weeks. When Sakshi was having a bad day, Ayush would crack a joke and somehow find a way to make her smile. When he went through a rough day at work, he would pour out his feelings to her. She would listen without interrupting and then comfort him. Most of all, he helped with accounts. She started falling in love with the subject... and with the man teaching it.

Her biggest fear was how he would react knowing about her political family. He told her how a politician was responsible for his mother's death. As the elections were getting closer, her heart tormented her to reveal truth

Another evening after college, Sakshi dragged herself to Chocobar Café. A quiet warmth filled the walls of the café. Puffy clouds scudded across the golden skies.

Ayush crunched on some chocolate cookies and sipped on a cup of coffee. Sakshi sat beside him, staring at her milkshake on the table.

"You're really quiet today. Everything alright?" he said.

"I need to tell you something. But you might... start hating me," she said with a half smile.

"Hate you? That will never happen." He scrutinised her face with worried eyes.

She leaned closer to him, breathing in the sea breeze perfume lingering on his body. Tension surged through her heart like a tsunami.

"My father is... a politician," she said.

He choked on his coffee. "What?"

His reaction twisted her chest. Yes, he would hate her. He would stay away from her just like the girls at college who feared her.

"His name is Udayveer Kumar. The Vice President of Sunehra Dal Party," she said.

"Udayveer Kumar? He was in the news a few weeks back, right?" he asked.

"Yes, it was him," she said.

He nodded, slowly breaking into an amused smile. "Why would I hate you for that?"

"Because of what happened to your mother."

"That's silly. Just because one man from that field ruined things doesn't mean your father is the same. I'm sure he is a good person because he raised an amazing girl like you," he said, making her blush.

She placed a trembling hand on his arm. "I'm sorry. I misunderstood you."

He smiled softly, gripping her hand with his strong fingers. "You worry too much. Just relax and focus on your exams."

Time ticked away and they finsihed the class. Sakshi covered her face and stepping out of the café, cautious about anyone noticing her. Ayush gripped her fingers and scanned both sides of the road. He made it a habit to cross the road with her and made sure she was safe before he left.

Just as the traffic light turned green and Sakshi set her foot ahead, Ayush stopped her.

"Look at that!" He pointed to a kitten huddled in a corner of the pavement. He raced to it and knelt on the ground, coating his pants with dust.

The black and white kitten trembled, scrunching its nose as Ayush carried it in his arms. Its emerald green eyes twinked in the evening light.