chapter 17

It was a lazy Sunday afternoon, and Kabir was sprawled on his couch, phone pressed to his ear. The comforting aroma of masala chai filled his apartment as he spoke to his mother, who had called for her weekly check-in.  Aarti, meanwhile, was watering her new plants on the balcony, occasionally stealing glances at Kabir’s side. She could hear his deep laughter filtering through the air, and out of sheer curiosity, she leaned against the railing, trying to catch snippets of his conversation.  “Arey, Mom, Ahmedabad is treating me well,” Kabir said, stirring his chai absentmindedly. “No, no, I’m eating properly. Stop worrying.”  Aarti smirked. Probably telling her he’s not just surviving on butter chicken.Then, his mother’s voice grew louder—loud enough that even Aarti could hear. Though Aarti didn't like to hear their conversation like that but she couldn't control herself from knowing much about Kabir. “And what about friends, beta? You’re in a new city. Have you made any?”  Kabir hesitated for a second, then chuckled. “Yeah, Mom. I’ve made a friend. My neighbor.”  Aarti’s ears perked up, she can't stop herself thinking, "Oh? Is he talking about me? "“Neighbor?” His mother’s curiosity was immediate. “Ladka ya ladki?”  Kabir sighed dramatically. “Ladki.”  Aarti nearly dropped the watering can. She quickly pressed herself against the railing, fully invested now. “Ohho!” His mother’s excitement was unmistakable. “Kaisi ladki? Koi achhi Punjabi kudi hai?”  Aarti clamped a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing. "Poor Kabir."“No, Ma,” Kabir replied, amusement laced in his voice. “She’s Gujarati.”  There was a pause. Then his mother’s exaggerated gasp. “Gujarati?! Matlab vegetarian?!”  “Yes, Ma,” Kabir confirmed, rubbing his temple. “She’s a pure vegetarian. And before you ask, no, she hasn’t force me to eat veg. Food only. ”  Aarti couldn’t hold back anymore. “Not yet!” she called out, smirking.  Kabir’s head snapped toward her balcony, eyes widening. “Excuse me, Aarti? Are you eavesdropping?”  Aarti leaned on the railing, grinning. “Not my fault you talk so loudly.”  “Unbelievable,” Kabir muttered, shaking his head.  His mother, meanwhile, had heard Aarti’s voice. “Was that her? Beta, put her on the phone!”  Kabir’s jaw dropped. “Ma, no! We are not doing this right now.”  Aarti giggled. “What’s the matter, Singh? Afraid your mother will like me more than you?”  “Highly possible,” his mother chimed in over the phone. “Beta, let me talk to her. She sounds fun.”  Kabir groaned. “Ma, I will call you later. Before you start planning weddings.”  Aarti burst into laughter as Kabir quickly ended the call. He turned to her with narrowed eyes. “You enjoy embarrassing me, don’t you?”  She shrugged innocently. “I just enjoy honesty. And you, my friend, were being "very" honest.”  Kabir crossed his arms. “Alright, Mehta. If my mother starts sending me rishta pictures tomorrow, I’m blaming you.”  Aarti winked. “Looking forward to it, Singh.”  As she walked back into her apartment, Kabir shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. His mother had been right about one thing—Aarti was definitely fun.. To be continue...