The Desert Lily

Chapter 30

Ayush stuffed a piece of toasted bread into his mouth, stretching his hands to get the jar full of jam that perched cozily on top of the kitchen cupboard.
"Papa, give me first. You eat after that."said Kevin as he sat grinning on one of the dining chairs, while his father got his hands on the container.
"Fine!But you are not getting anything more than three spoons. "Ayush chided as he put the jar on the dining table.
Kevin pouted and folded his arms across his chest.
"Nobody loves me! Papa and Mama will starve me for days. "he complained, eyeing the way Samaira spread the jam on his toasts. She was sitting beside him as a silent spectator of all the drama that has been going on since the morning.
"Momma, why are you spreading like as if it's poison, put some more no! Please! "he exclaimed shaking her hands.
"Come on, Kevin! You know I'll give you without papa's knowledge. Keep quiet."She hushed him. Kevin grinned again as his father eyed them suspiciosly.
"What secret mission is going on?"Ayush demanded.
"I'm giving him as much as jam as he want. "Samaira said pragmatically.

"What? He'll get some disease! "he precautioned.

"He's just a kid and we don't feed him sweets daily. Let him eat. "she said.

"Fine! "he accepted defeat. Kevin pushed his tongue out of his mouth at Ayush and stuffed a toast gilded with the reddish sweet jelly.

"By the way, where are you taking us for the picnic.......Aira? "Ayush asked very casually, stressing the name very much.
Samaira's eyes bulged out of their sockets and almost came out into the air. She spat the water inside her mouth which landed right on Ayush's face.
"I'm sorry, sorry! It was unintentional."she pumped as she handed him some tissues. Ayush's forehead cringed as he glared at her. He took the glass of water that was in front of him on the table.
"Ayush, no! "Samaira yelled but it was too late. She was drenched in water and the kohl that lined her eyes, spread into unique patterns on her face.
"Ayush, I told you it was unintentional! How old are you?? "she screeched as she emptied a jug of water on his head.
"Youuuu!! What did you just do?Ask that question to yourself! "Ayush seethed as he looked as if he came out after bath without drying himself.
"Gift or shit, you give me some and I'll give you ten times more! Beware!!And you spoiled me!"she warned cheekily which made him look at her from head to toe.

"Anyway, I'm glad that you're returning to your old self, even if that cost my hair style. "he said in a puckish tone.

"You too are back to the old you.I don't know how but don't change anymore. "she uttered softly, running her fingers through wet fringes.
"It's because of you! "Ayush controlled the urge to scream this at her face and silenced himself. He pursed his lips and looked away from her.

"I won't change. "he whispered after a pause.

"But only until you remain yourself."he said after a short while.

She cocked her head and looked at him, trying to read his face. She couldn't decipher what was going on in his mind. But one thing she was sure of,his words had a huge effect on her. They made her think and sometimes wonder and sometimes feel..... loved.

"I seriously don't want to be the old me. I genuinely love my current self. I'm no more an idiot to beg to a cheater. I won't get my myself insulted by and cry over an asshole. I'm ready to face anything that comes my way. It's not so easy to break me now. "she murmured gently after getting herself out of the pool of thoughts.

"Amidst all this, just don't forget to smile. "he stated.

"I won't.After all, you're here, doing everything childish and flirting so that my lips curve up. "she vouched and exhibited an effulgent smile on her face. He heartily returned her gesture and ran his long fingers through his messy hair.