"When you have to go through EVERYTHING, to get that EVERYTHING."
It's so hard to be someone when you're confused about who or what you're. Tarun is never 'Who' he thought he would be. He has a secret which he is claimed of hiding from everyone. Nei...
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"Mom, I'm going out."
"Wait, may I know where my son is going?" She makes a show of looking at her watch. I can't be in my house right now. Okay, I except, I've said the line 'I can't be in my house.' a lot in past few weeks.
"With Abhimanyu." Oh yes. I did said that and kudos to Mr. Moore for it. He told mom that he's my friend. Best friend who I stayed the night with when I was grounded. Mom doesn't seem to mind it and also, hadn't brought up the topic. Either I got scold.
Some progress.
At least, I can say his name in the house or with anyone as a friend. He could come to my place sometime too and it will happen soon.
"But isn't Dhruv in your room? I thought you two were going to hang out today."
Oh... about that. It didn't go well as I thought it would. Actually, I didn't think of anything, at the first place.
"He is playing with Paras. I'm sure they would enjoy."
"Oh, you know, Dhruv still love video games." Mrs. Thakare says sitting in the two sitter sofa,-she takes up the whole space- like she isn't embarrassed about her son playing. Well, she shouldn't.
"But you can do hang out with Abhimanyu later." I know the look. She is trying to make me stay. Sorry, not gonna happen.
"No, mom. It's important." Everything between Abhimanyu and me is important. And today's gonna be a big deal.
"Okay, bye. He is almost here." I wave them off.
"I'm sorry about Tarun. Kids these..." I shut the front door behind me. I'm not gonna let anyone ruin this. Not even mom or Dhruv. I can't believe he tried to kiss me. And I'm virtually padding myself on the shoulder for not kissing him back. Abhimanyu texted me this morning as he wants to take me somewhere. I think, it's gonna be related to nature only. I've decided that I'll be confessing to him that I love him. I hope I've enough strength to do it as he had. I told Praful about it, I've my luck.
I walk about the pavement of my house and all my thoughts disappeared as I see Abhimanyu walking down the path toward me. His both hands are stuffed inside his jeans pocket. The moment he see me, I got his sweet dimple smile, reaching his eyes. He is as happy to see me as I'm.
"Hey..." he come closer enough and places a quick kiss on my lips. What the hell? Before saying anything, I look around our neighborhood. The street isn't busy and I didn't see anyone outside. Shit. Mom could have seen us from the living room window.
I give him a frightened look.
"It's okay. Nobody saw us, Tarun." He tries to make it easy for me.
"Yeah but you can't do that... not here." In front of my house or anywhere in public.
"Nobody can tell me not to kiss you."
"Is that right?"
"Yeah. Not even you." He smiles.
"Okay... get inside the car." I say as I unlock the car, give him the keys and take the passenger seat beside him.
"So... you mentioned to me before that you have a bike. Why didn't you used it rather walking all the way?" He sure use it to go to school and cafe. I frown surrounds his face. He takes a pause before saying.
"Oh that... it's gone for repair. It's actually the battery that needed to be change. And I like walking." He nods but doesn't look at me as he turns the ignition on.
"Alright. So, where are we going?" Because I don't have any idea. He never tells me. In past few days, I have been to his place only- sneaking out at night, yes, from the window, Second time- due to my exams and no where else. Actually, the window is very helpful I didn't realize.
"It's a surprise." He gives me a sheepish smile.
"Not again. Now I'm actually starting to hate surprises."
"Yeah. Sure. Whatever you say, babe." He says as his left hand-the other on the steering wheel-reach to touch my thigh and my leg suddenly feels warm. He can just paralyze me from his touch.
●○●
"I knew it." I exclaim loud. Like I won a bet with myself.
Abhimanyu looks at me like I'm gone mad. "What is it you knew way before?" He says, confusion clearly in his voice, as he park the car in the empty slot and we come to a holt. Then, he turn so his body is facing me. "Tell me."
I just straight point my finger at the entrance gate and the hoarding which shows...
Okayama Friendship Garden, Pune.
I've been here before with my family. I remember when dad and I made a remote control helicopter, actually, he made it and I was just as much as excited to see it fly in the sky. And when I saw it, touching the sky lines, almost like reaching above the clouds I was so happy. I laughed and looked at mom who was sitting on the picnic blanket we brought. She was taking care of Paras who wanted to run away and enjoy the show from where I was standing. I remember her face, her eyes bright, she was actually living. The image just kinda feel like fading.
I loved this coming here and It's a big open place. Not as just plain open but also has a man made lake and the small size water fall with a fountain with sprinkles in the middle of the lake. I see people emerging from and going inside from the wooden gate, the actual main entrance for the park. It isn't much crowded today considering it's sunday. Much better for us.
"I knew you are gonna take us somewhere like this. Related to nature." I finally say.
"You know me and what can I say, I'm way too predictable." He chuckles.
"I give you that. So, let's go. It's been so long." I click open the door and come out of the car, taking in the fresh cold breeze. Abhimanyu walks around to stand beside me, hooking his arm around my shoulder, purposely, pulling on much weight. He's heavy.
"I've never been here." He says his nose touching my ear. I push him a little away, because his voice shivers the hell out of me. He clung more tight to me. Good, that nobody can see us.
We start walking but I gaze falls over to the street food vendors standing with there stalls on the either side of the gate.
"Before walking so much, which I know we had to, let's eat something. Let's see who reaches there first." I tell him and already started running toward the stalls, leaving him as I know his gonna follow me anyway.
"And what do you wanna eat?" He runs for me.
"Something spicy. Pani puri!" I run fast as he attempts to catch me with his arms. _________________________________________
