Chapter 12
Aditi's Perspective
The sun bore down relentlessly as I stepped out of the classroom, the heat of the summer afternoon wrapping around me like a heavy blanket. I could feel the exhaustion from the day settling in, the weight of everything that had happened pressing on my shoulders. Founder's Day had been a whirlwind, and even now, my heart raced when I thought about being on stage and that... moment with Kabir. I shook my head, trying to push the memory away. I needed to focus on getting home, away from all the chaos.
As I walked towards the gate, I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. Grateful for the distraction, I pulled it out and saw a message from Mom:
"My gudiya spoke so well today! Everyone's talking about it. Bring something sweet on your way home—I'll order pizza for us all in the evening. Love you!"
A smile tugged at my lips despite everything. Mom always knew how to make me feel better, no matter what. I could almost taste the pizza already, and the idea of stopping by the bakery for something sweet added a little spring to my step.
But just as I was beginning to relax, I saw him. Jai. My heart sank. Why now? Why here?
He was leaning against the gate, and before I could even think about turning around, he spotted me. I forced myself to keep walking, praying that he would just let me pass by, but of course, Jai never missed an opportunity to make things difficult.
"Aditi," he called out, his voice dripping with that smarmy charm he'd always had. I used to find it endearing. Now, it just made me want to run the other way.
I plastered on a polite smile, though my stomach churned with anxiety. "Jai. What are you doing here?"
"Waiting for someone," he said casually, though his eyes never left mine. There was something unsettling in his gaze, a possessiveness that made my skin crawl. "I heard you were great today. The perfect little leader, huh?"
"Thanks," I replied curtly, hoping that would be the end of it. But Jai had never been one to let things go so easily. He took a step closer, and I had to fight the urge to back away.
"So, you and Kabir," he began, his tone laced with something darker. "What's going on there? You two look pretty cozy these days."
My heart skipped a beat, panic flashing through me. How did he know about Kabir? I hadn't told anyone about us. Anger flared up, quickly replacing the fear. I wasn't going to let Jai intimidate me, not again.
"Why do you care, Jai?" I shot back, my voice colder than I intended. "It's none of your business."
I saw the brief flicker of annoyance in his eyes before he smoothed his expression over, leaning in closer. "I'm just looking out for you, Aditi. You know, making sure you don't make the same mistake twice."
I clenched my fists, struggling to keep my composure. The nerve of him, acting like he had any right to be concerned about me. "Whatever, Jai. I don't need your advice."
Before Jai could say anything else, I felt a familiar presence beside me. Kabir. Relief flooded through me as he stepped up, positioning himself protectively at my side. I glanced at him, my heart calming a bit just from knowing he was there.
"Is there a problem here?" Kabir asked, his voice polite but with an edge that made it clear he wasn't playing around.
I watched as Jai straightened, his smirk faltering slightly as he sized Kabir up. The tension between them was thick enough to cut with a knife, and for a moment, I was sure Jai was going to push back. But then his gaze flicked back to me, and something dark passed through his eyes before he spoke.
"No problem at all. Just catching up with an old friend," he said, but there was nothing friendly about his tone.
I couldn't take it anymore. Without thinking, I reached out and grabbed Kabir's hand, holding on tight. "We need to go to the bakery," I said firmly, not bothering to hide the coldness in my voice. "Mom's expecting something sweet for tonight."
Kabir glanced down at our intertwined hands, then back up at me, his expression softening. He squeezed my hand reassuringly. "Yeah, let's go," he said, turning back to Jai with a final, pointed look. "See you around, Jai."
Jai's smirk was gone, replaced by a tight line of displeasure. "Sure. Enjoy your sweets," he muttered, though the bitterness in his tone was impossible to miss.
I didn't look back as Kabir and I walked away, our hands still linked. My heart was still racing, but now it was from the relief of getting away from Jai, not the fear he'd stirred up. Kabir's hand was warm in mine, grounding me, reminding me that I wasn't alone in this.
"Thanks for that," I said quietly, glancing up at him. I was grateful, more than I could put into words.
Kabir looked down at me, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. "Anytime, Frosty."
I couldn't help but smile back, the tension slowly melting away. As we turned the corner towards the bakery, the sun didn't feel quite so harsh anymore.
The tension from our encounter with Jai lingered in the air as Kabir and I walked down the street, hand in hand. But as we got closer to the bakery, the familiar scent of fresh bread and pastries started to ease the tightness in my chest. The sun had dipped lower in the sky, casting everything in a warm, golden hue, making the day feel a bit softer, a bit more bearable.
Kabir nudged me playfully with his shoulder as we approached the entrance. "You know, since I saved you back there, I think it's only fair that I treat you to something sweet."
I rolled my eyes, but a smile tugged at my lips. "Saved me? Please. I had everything under control."
"Oh, is that what you call holding my hand and practically dragging me away?" he teased, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Besides, it's the least I can do for you, Frosty."
I huffed in mock annoyance, but my heart warmed at the nickname. "Well, if you insist on treating me, I might as well let you."
Kabir grinned, pushing open the door to the bakery, and a blast of cool air greeted us, along with the rich, mouthwatering aroma of baked goods. The small shop was cozy, with a few tables scattered around and a counter filled with an array of pastries and cakes that looked too good to resist.
We made our way to the counter, and I could already feel the battle brewing as we scanned the display case. My eyes landed on two perfect chocolate pastries, and I knew exactly what I wanted.
"I'll take those two," I declared, pointing them out to the girl behind the counter.
Kabir stepped up beside me, pulling out his wallet. "And two cold coffees to go with them."
I shot him a look, raising an eyebrow. "What are you doing?"
He met my gaze, all innocence. "What? I'm just paying for our order."
"Oh no, you're not," I said, reaching for my own wallet. "I said I'd get something sweet for Mom. This is on me."
Kabir shook his head, a stubborn grin on his face. "You might have said that, but I'm still paying. It's called being a gentleman."
I narrowed my eyes at him. "And I'm calling it being stubborn. Give it here," I said, reaching for his wallet.
Kabir held it out of my reach, his grin widening. "Nice try, Frosty. But I'm taller."
I stood on my tiptoes, trying to snatch the wallet from his hand. "Kabir, I'm serious! I'm paying."
He laughed, holding it even higher. "Nope, not happening."
I glared up at him, frustration bubbling up, but then I had an idea. I leaned in, my face inches from his, and whispered, "Fine. But just know that if you pay, I'll never speak to you again."
Kabir froze, his eyes widening in mock horror. "You wouldn't."
"Try me," I shot back, crossing my arms.
For a moment, we stared at each other, the tension thickening. Then, with a dramatic sigh, Kabir lowered his arm. "Alright, alright. You win. But only because I can't stand the thought of you giving me the silent treatment."
I smirked triumphantly as I handed my card to the cashier. "That's what I thought."
Kabir shook his head, chuckling. "You're impossible, you know that?"
"Maybe. But at least I'm not a pushover," I said, shooting him a smug smile.
As the cashier handed us our order, we found a small table by the window and settled in. The bakery was quiet, only a few other customers scattered around, and the soft hum of the air conditioning made it feel like our own little world. I took a sip of my cold coffee, letting the refreshing taste wash away the remnants of the day's stress.
Kabir watched me as he took a bite of his pastry, his eyes studying me in that way that always made me feel like he could see right through me. It was unsettling, but also... comforting, in a strange way.
"Kabir," I started, my voice trembling slightly.
He glanced at me, his expression curious. "Yeah, what's up?"
I took a moment to gather my thoughts, then looked him straight in the eye. "I need to tell you something. I can't give you what you want."
Kabir raised an eyebrow, clearly puzzled. "What do you mean? What do you think I want?"
I fidgeted with my pastry, trying to find the right words. "I don't know. I just thought that maybe you're expecting something more from me. Maybe you're hoping for my notes or something."
His eyes widened in surprise. "My notes? You think I'm being nice to you just to get your notes?"
"Well," I said, feeling a bit embarrassed, "you've been around a lot lately, and I didn't know if—"
Kabir's grin turned playful, and he leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a soft whisper near my ear. "Oh, Frosty," he said, his breath warm against my skin. "You're such a cutie ."
I felt my cheeks flush a deep red at his words. His closeness, combined with his teasing tone, made my heart race. I tried to compose myself, but the embarrassment was overwhelming.
"Stop," I stammered, feeling a mix of shyness and irritation. "Don't say things like that."
"You know," I said, trying to shift the focus, "I was thinking about getting some jalebi from that shop on the highway."
Kabir raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Jalebi, huh? That's quite a change from the serious conversation we were having."
I shrugged, feeling a bit self-conscious. "Well, I don't want to keep talking about my notes. And I've been craving jalebi."
Kabir chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "You're really good at changing topics, you know that?"
I rolled my eyes, but a smile tugged at my lips. "Sometimes you just need a sweet distraction."
As we finished up with our pastries and cold coffees, I made my way back to the counter to order a few extra pastries for home. After paying for them, I turned around and saw Kabir watching me with a curious expression.
"Need any help with those?" he asked, glancing at the small box of pastries I was carrying.
"I've got it," I replied, though the box was a bit heavy. "Mom will appreciate these."
Kabir's gaze lingered on the box. "How about I buy you one more pastry? It's the least I can do after all that."
I raised an eyebrow, half amused, half skeptical. "Last time you got me ice cream, Anaya ended up eating it. I don't want to risk you buying something that she might take away again."
Kabir's grin widened, a playful glint in his eye. "So, you're saying you don't trust me with your pastries?"
I shook my head, though I couldn't help but smile. "It's not that. It's just that Anaya has a way of making things disappear."
Kabir's expression softened, and he took a step closer, his eyes locking onto mine. "You know, you're too cute to refuse. If I offer, you should probably just take it."
As Kabir and I finished up in the bakery, I was relieved to have the pastries safely packed away. He bid me a cheerful goodbye and headed off on his bike, leaving me to deal with the usual chaos of getting home.
I grabbed a rickshaw, the familiar jostling of the ride providing a welcome distraction from the earlier tension. The driver maneuvered through the bustling streets, and I found myself lost in thought about the day's events. I didn't mention Kabir or our conversation about the pastries to anyone; it was just a quiet moment between us.
When I arrived home, Anaya was waiting eagerly at the door. Her eyes widened as she saw the box of pastries in my hand.
"Finally! I was about to come out and drag you back if you didn't hurry," she teased, reaching for the box.
I laughed, handing it over to her. "Relax, I'm here now. Mom will be thrilled with these."
Anaya's eyes lit up as she opened the box. "Yum! These look amazing. I hope you saved some for me!"
"Of course, I did," I said with a grin. "But don't start eating them before dinner. We need to save some for everyone."
Anaya rolled her eyes but looked satisfied as she carried the pastries into the kitchen. I followed her inside, where the scent of pizza and the warmth of home enveloped me. Mom was busy setting the table, her face brightening as she saw me.
"Welcome back, sweetheart!" she said, giving me a hug. "And thank you for picking up the pastries. Everything's almost ready."
"No problem, Mom," I said, hugging her back. "I just had a quick stop at the bakery."
As we sat down for dinner, the conversation flowed easily. The day's earlier events, including my brief encounter with Jai and Kabir's company, remained unspoken. It felt good to be back in the comfort of home, where the stresses of the day seemed to melt away.
As the evening went on, our family settled into a comfortable rhythm. The pizza was delicious, and we laughed together as we reminisced about old stories and shared updates about our lives. The warmth of the family gathering was a perfect antidote to the stress of the day.
Mom and Dad were enjoying their pizza, and Anaya, always full of energy, was eagerly telling us about her day at school. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and even though I was still a bit flustered from earlier, I couldn't help but smile at her excitement.
Mom had just finished praising me for my speech earlier when Anaya suddenly chimed in with a mischievous glint in her eye. "Didi, Ria's best friend has a jiju. I want one too!"
I was in the middle of taking a sip of my cold drink when Anaya made her declaration. The unexpected comment made me choke on my drink. I sputtered and coughed, trying to regain my composure as Mom and Dad looked at me with concern.
"Are you okay, Aditi?" Mom asked, her voice full of worry.
I waved a hand, trying to clear my throat. "Yes, I'm fine. Just a bit surprised by Anaya's request."
Dad, trying to stifle his laughter, leaned back in his chair. "Anaya, do you even know what a jiju is?"
Anaya shook her head, looking puzzled. "No, I don't know."
Mom and Dad exchanged amused glances before Dad spoke up. "A jiju is what we call the husband of your sister. So, if Aditi gets married someday, her husband would be your jiju."
Anaya's eyes widened as she processed this information. She then turned to me with an innocent, yet insistent look. "Didi, I want a jiju now. Can you get me one?"
I could feel my cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "Anaya, you're too young to be worrying about things like that. And I'm not even thinking about marriage right now. Let's just enjoy our time together."
Dad leaned in, a nostalgic look in his eyes. "You know, Aditi, when your mom and I were in school, we dated from the 9th standard. Look at us now, with these two wonderful girls."
Mom smiled at Dad, her eyes soft with affection. "Yes, and we never told our parents about us dating back then. We just focused on our studies and our future."
I raised an eyebrow, feeling a mix of curiosity and disbelief. "Science students don't date, and both of you were in commerce streams. You never told your parents, and you think it's okay for me to do the same?"
Mom chuckled, her eyes twinkling. "Well, things were different back then. And we didn't have the same pressures you do now."
I shook my head, still trying to wrap my mind around it all. "It's not about pressures or streams. It's just that you two were never open about it. And I've told you, I'm focused on my studies. I won't be getting married in the next 50 years, so let's not talk about it."
Dad raised his hands in surrender, though a smile still played on his lips. "Alright, alright. No marriage plans for the foreseeable future. We'll leave you to your studies and enjoy our family time."
Anaya looked a bit disappointed but quickly brightened up as she turned her attention back to the remaining pizza slices. "Okay, no jiju for now. But when didi does get one, I'll be the first to know!"
The next morning, I found myself surrounded by the usual chaos of getting ready for school. With Anaya on her holiday, Dad had decided to drop me off, and I was grateful for the extra bit of sleep I'd managed to catch. The car ride was filled with Anaya's excited chatter and Dad's occasional chuckles as he listened to her.
As we approached the school gate, the familiar sight of my friends and classmates milling about made me feel a mix of anticipation and dread. It was just another day, but the events of yesterday still lingered in my mind, especially the awkwardness with Kabir.
Dad parked the car, and I grabbed my bag, ready to jump out. Anaya, ever the enthusiastic little sister, bounced in her seat, already eager for her holiday adventures.
"Have a great day, Didi!" Anaya called out, leaning over the front seat to give me a big wave.
"I will," I said, smiling at her. "Thanks for the ride. Enjoy your break!"
Just as I was about to close the car door, Anaya, in a sudden burst of energy, shouted out, "Didi! If you find a jiju for me, you have to tell me first!"
Her voice carried across the school gate, and I felt my face flush instantly. I turned around, my heart sinking as I realized that not only my classmates but also Jai and Kabir were now looking in our direction. Jai's expression was a mix of curiosity and amusement, while Kabir's gaze was more thoughtful, though a small smirk played at his lips.
The collective reaction from my peers was a blend of giggles, whispers, and wide-eyed stares. I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks as I quickly tried to regain my composure.
Dad cleared his throat, obviously trying to suppress a smile. "Anaya, that's enough. Let's not make a scene."
I shot Anaya a look that was a mix of exasperation and embarrassment. "Seriously, Anaya? Can't you keep things to yourself for once?"
Anaya, oblivious to the growing crowd's interest, just grinned widely. "But Didi, it's important! I want to be the first to know."
I sighed and waved to Dad, signaling that it was time for them to go. "Okay, okay. I'll keep that in mind. Now go on, and have fun today."
Dad gave me a reassuring nod and a final wave before pulling away from the school gate. I stood there for a moment, still feeling the sting of embarrassment as I watched their car disappear down the road.