Adrita's POV
To say that my house was located in the middle of a forest will not be an exaggeration. The front of our home is attractive to a lot of people, having a round drive away and a fountain in the centre captivates a lot of attention. But it was our backyard garden that held all my affection. Enormous trees were rooted parallel to the fences, shading the little heaven people call garden.
And in this garden was my safe place, my safe heaven. I stroll toward the little corner which has a small podium in the centre, surrounded by flower beds on both sides and back support in the form of a tree bark whose canopy shaded the podium perfectly.
Pushing myself up on the podium, I sit cross-legged on it and stare up at the vast blue sky draped with fluffy white clouds. Placing my sketchbook on my thighs, I start drawing various patterns and design ideas for the clothing line I was dying to begin.
It's just an onset of great things ahead.
Hours and clouds both pass by, but I still stay in the same position working on various logos.
The sound of confident footsteps nearing me breaks my concentration and I turn toward the source just to end up facing my cousin. A smile automatically shapes on my lips, but Nyra pays no heed to it and bends down to pick up a pouch that I had no idea about.
"Still your favourite place?" I ask, not being able to control myself.
"I don't have anything much, now do I?" She retorts and starts walking away.
"Sit, Nyra," I ordered.
She frowns at me and stares at me as if I have said the most incredulous thing ever.
"Just sit. I promise I will never bother you again."
Still frowning, she sits on the podium but averts her eyes away.
"You don't have to bother anymore, because I am leaving for London tomorrow."
"Ohh." I find myself unable to say anything. She is leaving...once again.
"Well, you must love London to leave your position here? Why? Got some cutie there?" I teased. I don't think I should be doing this. Anirudh asked me to leave her alone and accept her decision and here I am, teasing her. But I can't help myself.
Anger was evident on her face. "Stop, Adrita. Stop acting as if we are alright. We are not! Get it? You don't have to act like a ray of sunshine with me when I know I made you like this."
"Why did you start hating me so much?" I asked, vulnerability reflecting in my voice.
"Because I could see my parents in your parents,
Because I could see myself in you,
But I could never be you."
The vulnerable nonchalance in her voice pierced my heart.
We fell into an overbearing silence, it was ironic how the birds chirping above us tried to lighten the mood. But the silence defeated them into nothingness.
"You didn't make me like this. I became me on my own like everyone else."
She didn't say anything. Maybe she doesn't believe me, which was understandable.
"Nyra, why are you leaving? Don't you feel alone there?"
"The loneliness there is of a different kind. I am lonely there because I am alone. Not in a manner where I am surrounded by people, but can not reach them. The loneliness I feel here is of a different kind, a more devastating one."
"Your words did affect me. The truth is, your words made me feel insensible, whenever you would ignore me or taunted me, I felt guilty. Consequently, to gain your approval I started listing off the things I am grateful about. So much that people thought I was trying to ridicule them. But things started to change, I found people I would die for, people who made me see different shades of life. Helped me to see the beauty in it. Now, I am better at this habit of mine. It has become my strength. And this strength became a part of me on my own." I confessed.
"I don't have enough courage to apologise to you, Adrita."
"And I don't think I can accept your apologies yet."
Nodding her head, she steps down and picks up her pouch, ready to walk away.
"I hope you find your people in London who would love you and cherish you. Who would bring a smile to your face. And who would bring me, my Nyra back. And maybe then you will have the courage to apologise. And maybe then I will be able to accept it. Goodbye, Nyra."
Her eyes glisten with unshed tears, simply nodding at me she turns around to come face to face with a smiling Anirudh.
When did he arrive? And he is wearing the hat I bought him! He looks cute and funny hehe.
Nyra walks up to him, grimacing, she lets out, "I am sorry, Anirudh. I am ashamed of the words I said to you. I truly am."
I knew what she was talking about. Anirudh had already told me about his meeting with her.
It was ironic how she could say sorry to him but was not able to say it to me. Maybe, it wasn't the word sorry itself, but the acknowledgement that comes with it.
Anirudh doesn't reply, just lets out a small smile, "Have a safe journey."
She nods at him, and with a small smile starts walking away.
A feeling of relief mixed with sadness courses through me. Relief, because now there was somewhat clear air between us. And sadness, because she was leaving once again. But at least this time it was a proper goodbye.
Two pairs of very familiar arms slither around my waist, tugging me gently so that my back collides with Anirudh's front. And just then my brain decides to go out for a drive somewhere, leaving my poor heart to go on overdrive.
He places his chin on my shoulder and mumbles softly, "Beautiful."
I could feel the loud thumping of my heart and all the stupid butterflies fluttering in my stomach. Every feeling inside me was too blissful to handle.
"What's beautiful?"
He turns me around, his arms still around me. Grinning, he takes a pause and then brings his mouth close to my ear and whispers, "Your house, of course."
After a slow agonising moment of comprehending his words, my jaws drop and my eyes narrow. Pushing myself back, I walk away from him and take my seat once again on the podium.
A laughing Anirudh sits beside me and tilts his head to look down at the sketchbook lying on my lap."What's this?"
Two minutes ago I thought I would try to pretend to be angry with him but...
"Be The Father To My Child!" I shriek in excitement.
I am not sure if it's an exaggeration but it felt like everything went silent after my exclamation. The shocked expression on Anirudh's face slowly got replaced with an utterly horrified one. And then everything came back to normal, however, Anirudh starts coughing wildly. I try to calm his coughing marathon by patting his back. After two minutes of intense coughing, he stares at me and exclaims,
"Wh?WHAT?"
"Oh! You got the wrong idea. Father as in my co-partner and child as in the brand I want to build."
"What? Why? Why would you word it like that?" he implores, resting his hand over his heart.
"For the fun of it. I shrug innocently at him. Shaking his head, he takes the sketchbook from my hands, his mannerism resembling a strict businessman. "Are you serious?"
"It's my dream, Anirudh. I am quite serious about it and I believe no one could be a better co-partner for me other than you. You are talented, and it would be an honour to have you as a partner. And I am not saying this because I am in a relationship with you but because I know you. Most importantly, I trust you."
A bewitching smile spreads on his face, turning my insides into a sweet mess. "Tell me all your plans. All the details." He commands, and I do just that.
After an hour-long tiring business discussion, we sat under the shade, hands in hands, my head on his shoulder, and his supported against the bark of the tree.
"You haven't decided the name yet? Of our to be child? Aka our to be company?" He questions, trying to hold in his laughter.
"No, not yet. I will keep you updated."
I sit upright and look giddily at him. He raised his eyebrows and I couldn't control myself so I went in for the hug I was craving. "Anirudh, we are going to build our very own empire. I am so happiee."
He chuckles at my excitement and wraps his arms around me, returning my hug.
Leaning back, I exhale a happy sigh and look at the sky above to thank for everything I am blessed with.
"Adrita." I frown at the sudden serious voice of Anirudh and raise my eyebrow at him, my smile still very much intact. "I heard everything you and your cousin talked about."
"Ohh."
"Adrita, let me be your safe space. Your personal rant listener. I am proud that you consider your traits as your strength because truthfully it is, and I can not explain how much I adore you for it. But if ever you want to rant, want to trash talk someone, or maybe you feel like being upset at something but you know it's trivial. Always come to me. Let me be that one person you want to share everything without thinking of anything."
How can one person be so perfect? He is slowly becoming my everything, and that pleases me and terrifies me at the same time.
"It is a lifelong commitment. Are you truly ready for it?" I ask.
"As ready as I can be." He answers without missing a beat.
"There is a condition."
A cute frown appears on his face but he nods nonetheless, signalling me to continue.
"Let me be your safe place too."
"Done deal." He exclaims and throws his hands toward me. A horrified scream leaves my lips when he starts tickling my stomach. I laugh uncontrollably trying to get rid of him, but he continues tickling me, laughing at my expense. And I didn't seem to mind it one bit.
And true to our promise we became each other's safe place. Each other's home.
****
Author's note:
So it's finally over...I would love to know your opinions and feedback!
Lots of love ð