6. Midnight Conversations

AUTHOR'S POV

Maitri was in the room working while Aryaman was shouting on people as to why their works were in a mess and how they couldn't handle a crisis as such and just then Maitri walked out of the room with her hair in a messy bun and wearing black rimmed glasses.

Aryaman who was sitting frustrated looked up to find her opening all the cupboards in the kitchen. Wondering what she was doing, he walked to the kitchen and leaned onto the door frame, crossing his right ankle over his left one.

"Oh Gaddiya Uchiya Rakhiya

Naaran Bohot Jatt De Piche Aa

Par Tu Mainu Baali Jachdi

Baali Jachdi" She started dancing and singing all of a sudden leaving the cupboard doors open and swaying her body to the beats of the song. Aryaman's eyes widened in shock at the sudden change in behaviour.

In the small kitchen space, Maitri was vibing as if it was a club. She hadn't noticed the young man leaning on the kitchen door frame watching her live performance for free. She tucked open her saree pallu and played with it, one minute placing it on her head and the next removing it from there and twirling around making the pallu fly.

Soon the song came to an end. Removing her phone that was tucked in her saree, she scrolled through her phone until another song came.

"Ek garam chai ki pyali hooo" She looked around in the kitchen cabinets to find the thing she was looking for. Aryaman didn't understand what she was looking for and wanted to help her but instead found himself captivated in her innocence and lack of concern for the world around her.

"Aur usko bana ne wala ho" She sang as if no one was hearing her. She changed the lyrics to her accord and sighed heavily when she couldn't find a single thing.

"You are an extremely bad singer" Aryaman said smirking at her shocked state which just fell on the ground. Hearing the sudden voice of Aryaman, Maitri lost her balance and landed on the ground. He held out his hand for her. Taking it, she stood up and straightened her saree.

"I was right" He said helping Maitri up. Maitri gave him a death glare.

"About what?" She looked at him confused. Aryaman walked past her inside the kitchen and opened the cabinet right beside the gas stove.

"You do wear spects" He said as if the most normal thing.

"Haan toh? Its not wrong to have a poor eyesight and you know what, you should be glad that I pay money to see you" She said removing her glasses and placing them on the kitchen counter.

"I'm going to assume you were looking for tea leaves in here" Aryaman said rolling his eyes at her comment and brewing his coffee.

"Yup, aapko mili? Please say mili" Her eyes sparkled in happiness at the mention of tea. She took a step forward to look inside the cabinet.

"We don't have tea here. Dad and mum and also Avi and Aaru, each Ranawat drinks coffee" Aryaman replied taking a sip of the coffee.

"Ohh" A sad expression passed on her face which Aryaman had seen.

"Its okay" Saying that she turned around to leave for her room.

"I can brew you a coffee" Aryaman felt guilty at her sad face and thought probably he could compensate that by making her a coffee.

"That's sweet of you but I don't like coffee" She took her glasses and passed him a huge smile, showing him that she was fine.

"Why are you still awake?" Aryaman asked as they both walked out of the kitchen.

"Ohh I was still working, what about you?" She asked turning behind to look at him.

"Just scolding people because they are behaving worse than a highschooler. One work...one work I've given them and they can't do that properly. My money is going in vain" Aryaman sat on the seat tiredly. Maitri stood at a distance from him and chuckled.

"Life is unpredictable. Sometimes things happen as you wish and sometimes they don't. Not a big deal. Take a chill pill. I'd advise that you sleep, it looks like you are getting grumpier with the passing second without sleep" She said smiling observing the way his head snapped at her in anger which then cooled down.

"You don't get angry?" He asked wondering how she was always so hyped up all the time.

"Ehh it not like that. Don't go on my size, the day I blast, everyone maintains their distance from me. Normally there are one or two times in a year where I get so angry that even papa lets me be on my own because he knows if he comes in between, he might be a warrior lost in the battlefield. Other days... my anger can be bought by food" She walked to his seat slowly shrugging her shoulders.

"You are the most weirdest person I've met" Aryaman said shaking his head at her, indicating her to sit with him for a while.

"I am going to take that as a compliment. Thank you" She sat comfortably on the seat.

"Shouldn't you be sleeping? You are way too excited right now" He said placing his cup on the table separating the two of them.

"I should be but numbers are my favourite. I want to get done with the work and then I'll sleep" She opened the window to look outside but it was all dark. A smile formed on her face as she remembered all the fights with her sister for the window seat. Aryaman noticed it and let her enjoy the warmth of memories.

"Can I ask something?" She looked at him.

"Not like you'll not if I say no so please go ahead" He opened his tab to work but equally paid attention to her words.

"Were you all this silent or was it Waqt ne kiya koi haseen sitam?" She folded her legs on the seat and placed her elbows on them, supporting her face with her hands.

"You...." He looked up from the tab at her and all the comments he had in himself for her just vanished seeing the cute curious face.

"Waqt ne kiya kya haseen sitam" He took a deep breathe and stopped the smile from forming on his face, returning his gaze to the tab.

"Hmm interesting" She made a face as if she understood everything.

"What about you? Were always talkative or there was a time where Khamoshiyan aawaaz hain?" He asked her in her style.

"Became one after coming to U.S. I was quite a nerd back in the days. Ghar se school, school se ghar. My life finished in that much but afer coming to U.S I realised that yes studies are important but who said you can't have fun while studying" She leaned onto the head of the seat and replied.

"Funny how our transitions happened in the opposite directions of who we are today" He murmured to himself.

"Were you going somewhere or were coming from somewhere before the crisis happened?" He asked seeing her so comfortable in the saree. Not that it looked bad on her but he never saw his mother wear it until on some occasions so thought to ask her.

"This... oh no. I like wearing sarees. I was to go change into a night dress when all this happened. Didn't get time to change into jeans or something" She sat with her back straight as he was initiating a conversation for the first time.

"You can change now if you wish to. There's a bathroom on this plane if you didn't notice" He said sarcastically missing the frown on her face.

"Ha ha, I didn't know that there was a bathroom. I thought I would have to keep myself pressed for a whole day until we land..." She rolled her eyes and stood up to leave for the room.

"This sassy mouth of yours is going to bring you trouble one day" He said looking at her smirking.

"So far it hasn't brought me any trouble and am sure it won't in future. Incase something happens, I know I'll manage" She looked at him with an attitude. Aryaman stood up from his seat and took slow, predatory steps towards her. She looked at him head to toe before fixating her eyes on him, wondering what his plan is.

"This mouth...will bring you troubles that you wish to encounter on every turn of life" He removed her spectacles from her eyes, pinning her to the wall. She looked at him wide-eyed.

"What non...nonsense you are speaking?" She stuttered slightly due to the closed proximity.

"Its true doll. That day when you first encounter it, you'll end up craving for more" He placed his elbow on the wall and played with the spectacles.

"Aap kya bol rahe hai meri kuch smajh mein nai aara ha (I don't understand a single word you are saying)" She tried taking her spects from him but he held them higher.

"I have to work Maan, please de dijiye" She held onto his bicep and stood on her tip-toes to reach for her glasses.

"What did you call me?" Aryaman asked smirking.

"What?" She took a step back immediately creating distance between them.

"What did you call me?" He asked pulling her back in position. Maitri was left speechless under his scrutinizing gaze. A pink blush formed on her cheeks and she averted her eyes from him.

"Wohi jo aapne suna" She said regaining her composure and looked back at him with confidence.

"Playing my game with me huh? Fine, you won't get your spectacles until you call me by that name again" He took a step behind, allowing her to leave.

"You think I'm blind? I'm not blind, I can work without spectacles too. There's a thing called lenses even, I'll wear them and work" She stomped her foot like a child and walked into the room. Aryaman rubbed his thumb and index finger on his jaw before walking back to his seat. He removed his blazer and opened a few top buttons of his shirt and rolled his sleeves till the elbow.

Tucking the glasses in his shirt's pocket he sat to work. It was not even 15 minutes and Maitri came out looking at him with a pout.

"Please de dijiye na. What will you do of my spects?" She crossed her hands at her chest and asked him cutely.

"Nope" Aryaman streched his neck and cracked his knuckles, not looking at her even once.

"Aren't you a gentleman? Please return me my glasses" She held out her hand to take the glasses.

"A young lady recently told me that gentleman-ly thing doesn't suit me" He said quoting her words.

"She was dumb. Don't listen to such women. But please return them" She said siding with him, cussing herself for uttering those horrendous words. He looked at her cocking his eyebrow at the change of heart.

"Try again doll" He continued playing with her.

"You are the most annoying, infuriating, senseless, idiotic, stupid fool I've ever known" She couldn't hold herself anymore and burst out on him.

"Its making this worse darling"

"Don't call me that" She pulled him on his feet holding his collars.

"Glasses, now!" She tried acting intimidating hoping he'd now return her the things he's taken. Aryaman smiled and flicked her nose before removing her hands from his collars.

"Cute but no" He placed his legs on the table and paid complete attention to his work. After a few more tries she accepted her defeat making him smirk proudly.

"Fine" She looked at him defeatedly. Aryaman sighed in happiness and looked at her.

"I'll say"

"Good, go ahead" He crossed his ankles and waited for her to say. Holding the glasses in one hand he motivated her.

"Close your eyes" She said to which he obeyed like a good boy.

"Maan hume hamare spects please de dijiye" She said feeling hot all over her skin. She resembled a tomato in that moment. Aryaman opened his eyes at her first work and took in the shy her.

"Aap sirf hamara naam bhi le leti toh bhi hum aapko lauta dete. Please bolne ki kya zaroot thi" He pulled her onto the seat beside her and made her wear the glasses. He pinched her nose lightly.

"I had only heard that nerd girls look cute but after seeing you in spectacles its seems true" Maitri bit her lip to stop blushing more than she already was.

"Why did you accept defeat so fast?" He asked taking the tab in his laps.

"I left my lenses at home" She said shaking her head at her carelessness.

"Seems like an achievement to me. Atleast I got you silent for a while. I really didn't expect that you can remain silent, but you proved me wrong. Good job" He mocked her making her angry. She looked for the nearest object to hit him but found none so slapped him on his bicep and that's when she realised she did exactly what he had refused her to do earlier.

"Sorry" She rubbed that area out of fear as he looked at her with a cocked eyebrow,

"Sorry sorry sorry, it happened as a reflex. No hard feelings, I swear" She rubbed that area continuously trying to erase any feeling of her slap.

"Its fine" He held her hand and eased her fear. She didn't say anything and rushed inside slapping her head for the mistake. On the outside, Aryaman shook his head at his firecracker's madness.

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Here's the chapter. Got some free time today so thought to update. Next week I have exams the full week so I don't think I'll update.

Keep praying and wishing for me to pass my exams with flying colours, please.