ALLUSION

04 | four

[The next day]

Seher was sucking the end of the pen that she was holding. Folding the page from the upper edge to a triangle and then letting it return to it's original form, she was trying to think of something. Something as in, a plot for her new book. She wanted to try something different, real and intriguing all at the same time. She started making faint lines in her journal, the usual thing she used to do before writing. She put in all her efforts but she was blank and couldn't think of anything. Losing the motivation, she pushed the book away from her and rested her head on the wall behind. She had closed her eyes in order to calm herself but she her phone caught her attention. It rung- once, twice, thrice.

Her eyes widened at the notification she read

-The renowned book critic Aditya Chopra loses his life in a tragic accident. One more loss after Vikram Sethi's death.-

She couldn't figure out what was going on. Two people died within the span of less than three days. She knew both of them as they were from the same field. The field of books. She kept looking at the white screen of her phone for five minutes straight trying to believe what her eyes had just read and then called out for Miheeka.
Miheeka who had a face pack applied on her face hurried to her room in order to check if she was fine.

"What happened? Are you okay, Seher?" She asked.

"Miheeka, you need to see this." Seher said forwarding the phone to her. Miheeka reached out for the phone and read the news, she looked a bit shocked but it didn't overcome her mind like it did for Seher.

"Phew! Is this why you called me?" She asked throwing her hands in the air.

"Yea-" Seher replied.

"Then do not do this again or you'll be so dead and I promise you that." Miheeka said as she turned towards the door and started to walk out.

"How can you be so unaffected?" Miheeka stopped at Seher's question.

"Because he simply deserves it. I've told you that you should stop worrying about people who are worthlessly wealthy. He was such a mean person, and you know that too. Why do you even care? Instead, you should think about Rehan. Miss him, you heartless." Miheeka's voice started to fade as she lashed out and banged the door behind her back.

"Mihee-" Seher tried to call out for her but she didn't let her complete and informed

"Call me if you really need something."

Seher couldn't help but close her eyes and let a gush of air out her mouth. She typed Rehan's number on her phone but couldn't tap on the dial icon. She rolled her eyes and again rested her head on the wall behind. Call it telepathy or whatever but after a few seconds she received a call from Rehan.

"Hey." She said.

"Hi, what are you up to? Thought anything about your book?" He asked.

"Nah, can't think of anything right now." She said and Rehan immediately understood her mood.

"Hey, do not think about that Aditya whatever who died in an accident. I know you're thinking about him. Stop already." Rehan said.

"I can't think of anything other than that. I don't know why it feels so weird."

"Seher, for the god's sake, do not over think about it. It's none of our business."

"I can't. It's so unbelievable."

"You know what? Feel bad about it. Like, feel very bad about it. But please get over it. You can't feel bad for the same thing again and again. I really thought I would get to hear some I miss you-s from you but you have all the rubbish talks to talk about." He sounded a bit angry.

"I'm sorry, Rehan. It's just that- I don't know. Tell me how's it going?" She changed the topic.

"Everything's good if we ignore Ridhaan. He's constantly show casing his clumsiness and to be honest it gets embarrassing at times. I swear I'll advise Miheeka to think twice about marrying him, if at all Ridhaan gathers the courage to propose her." He said and Ridhaan shouted from nowhere Miheeka won't ever believe a moronic fellow like you, understand that.

Seher giggled at how cute they look when they argue on anything and nothing. No, they're not a couple but they do look cute.

"I'll blame you Rehan." Seher says.

"Blame me for what?" He asks.

"You're too much behind Ridhaan. Pulling his legs, and that too, always."

"It's fun, to be very honest." He said and Seher could sense that he was smiling.

"Okay, I've to go for now. I'll call you later." Rehan said.

"Mind you, I'm not going to say I love you if you don't say it first." Rehan added.

"Haha, you said that already and I love you too." She smiled after hanging up the phone. She felt light, she felt better.

• • •

"Tell Rehan that I am taking good care of you." Miheeka said as she served a plate of sandwiches she had made.

"Sure, I would." Seher smiled and replied.

"You look happier now. Wait, let me guess. Rehan and you had a talk, didn't you?" She asks wiggling her eyebrows.

"Yes, we did. I feel better, no doubt. But still feels a bit weird. I don't even know why." She said.

"Of course. Because you think too much. Also, check if I have added sugar while I was supposed to add salt. You can't trust me when cooking is considered, you know that right." Miheeka said dusting her apron.

"Nah, it's perfect. The only thing is that you've added hot chilli sauce instead of the one we use normally and its damn spicy." Seher laughs and Miheeka had the oh-no face.

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Author's note: Hey ! I don't even know if you're liking this or not. Do tell me your views. By the way, six more chapters to go. I have decided to keep it a really short book consisting of ten chapters only. Thanks for reading. See you next week. Bye♥