Twists Twirls Perils & Pearls

54. A hug by circumstance

Abhedya walked the corridors of his college like a lost soul. His friends were jumping around, clicking selfies, making promises, taking chances and proposing to their crushes. Abhedya himself got proposals from majority of the girls in the college. Some told him they loved him since day one, some just wanted to be his friends and some told him they had a huge crush on him. His college life was about to end and he wanted to enjoy each and every moment of this day but it a was ruined. He was feeling restless, suffocated and angry.
What was Swarnima doing with him. She told him to move on but she herself was still holding on. Making him the guilty. Abhedya's chain of thoughts broke when his phone screen flashed 'Mom'. He inhaled deeply and answered the call.
"Hi mom!
Yes I stood first again.
Thankyou.
No mom not today I have a party.
Okay I will try.
Bye."
Nandini told Abhedya to come home soon. But, he refused saying he had plans but will try and come early. He just wanted to stay away from Swarnima and divert his mind.

It was around midnight when Abhedya finally reached the farm house. He was drunk but was still in his senses. The house was decorated with fairy lights along the path. A huge banner which read 'CONGRATULATIONS GENIUS' was put on the main door of the house. As he entered, Arya and Nivi popped the sparkles.
Tara and Aadya showered flowers on him.
Maan picked him up on his shoulder and brought him inside.
Nandini and Pri hugged him and Randeep gave him a pat on his back.
Everyone was happy and it was their little celebration for their beloved Abhey!
Abhedya felt happy too.

Rudra gave Abhedya a file and announced, "Abhey! You always asked me why I didn't involve you in any of my projects or let you intern with our company. The answer is because I knew your caliber was way above other interns and I wanted to give them a fair chance too. You see not everyone has genius genetics." Everyone laughed and Rudra continued, "so, Mr. ABHEDYA R. SINGH here is your first project. Details are in this file. You have to finish by tomorrow that's the challenge."

Abhedya's happiness knew no bounds. He hugged his father tight as it was not always you got appreciated by your father.
Swarnima came with a trolley which had a beautiful four tier cake, one for each year. Congratulations was written beautifully with red icing on it.
Everyone gathered and Abhedya cut the cake and fed everyone leaving Swarnima. No one noticed it because they were busy gulping down the yummylicious cake.
Swarnima was just thinking what had she done 'now!'.

"Abhey! You know what is so special today? It's twenty one day to your twenty first birthday. This project is your first present. From now on everyday will be special for you." Nandini kissed Abhedya's forehead and party was over.

Swarnima came to the terrace to calm down. Abhedya's behaviour was confusing her. He was a sugar candy at one moment and sour bites the other moment.
She was watching the stars without blinking her eyes and hummed
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"हम-तुम कितने पास हैं
कितने दूर हैं चाँद-सितारे
सच पूछो तो मन को झूठे लगते हैं ये सारे
मगर सच्चे लगते हैं
ये धरती, ये नदिया, ये रैना
और?"
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Translation:( not literal)
We both are so close and these stars and moon are so far.
To be honest, my heart feels all this is an illusion.
But, what appears absolutely true and magical is, this earth, this flowing river, this starlit night and...
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"तुम /you!!" Came a voice and Swarnima stopped singing.
"Why did you stop? That was a beautiful song." Abhedya appreciated her.

"I was just... Umm... What brings you here? Aren't you tired?" Swarnima questioned him.

"I am. But you don't let me sleep. You mess my brain." Abhedya stood next to her and made her face him. "Why do you do this Nim? What did you tell the first year juniors? Kanak and Heerak. I understand everything. It was like a reflection of our life. Just the positions reversed. What was that dialogue... yeah... that diamonds and gold should be together... something like that... Tell me something truthfully... what are you looking for? Are you still obsessed with me? Just like when we were kids. If yes, why did you say 'move on', forget any Aby and Sona existed. What's in your head? Please clarify Nim. No more twisting. I am fed up."