10. Pani Puri

For years, Shubman always asked himself why he never wanted to let her memories fade. They were just kids when they met. It was not like he never had any other friends, of course he did, but she was different. They shared something different.

His younger version always felt a tingling feeling whenever they ran in the function halls, when they ate 'pani puri' together, when she would curtsy as the reply for his bow... He could not count, EVERYTHING she did bought that feeling to him, which he never felt after she left.

They only met on two occasions before. They might have only spent an aggregate of 10 days together but yet she meant something to his younger self and her memories mean something to him.

Now after about 10 years, she was sitting right next to him, eyes fixed on the road. Both the youngsters were stealing glances of one another, none of them were willing to take the first step to break the ice, so destiny decided to play it's part.

A song started playing and Navya let out a chuckle.

"Kya hua?" asked a confused Shubman.

"Kuch nahi" replied Navya.

Shubman - ab bol bhi do.

Navya - vo college main na mujhe dare diya gaya tha ki 24hrs ke liye mujhe bas 'Yes' hi bolna hain.

Shubman - tho.

Navya - tho, ek ladkene mujhe iss gaane se propose kiya tha.

Navya turned to look at Shubman horrified expression "firr..........."

Navya - maine kaha 'Yes bhayya ofc, ek behen apne bhai se pyar karti hain

Shubman let out a small laugh.

Shubman - pani puri khaogi?

"Haa, taaki log tumhe pehchan jaye aur kal ka headlines hoga ek ladki ke saath pani puri khathe hue dikhe SHUBMAN GILL, kaun hai vo......" she said dramatically.

"Eghhhhh" he let out a frustrated sound.

"Side effects of being a handsome cricketer huhh" she said chuckling.

"Handsome" he stated looking for any sign of blush on her face but no there was nothing close to a blush. She just shrugged her shoulder with a 'matter of fact expression'.

The car stopped at the traffic signal. When she dialed some number.

"Hello, oka half-an-hour place clear chestara (hello, can you clear the place for half an hour)

"Ok, thank you"

After about 5 minutes they reached a café, the place was completely empty. Only 2-3 workers were visible. The place was nothing like a usual café, it was filled with all kinds of desi food items, it looked and smelled wonderful.

Shubman looked at Navya, who signaled him to follow her.

They ate pani puri without worrying about any headlines. Shubman found out that she pulled some strings to clear the place for THEM.

Shubman clicked a few pictures with the staff and headed back home. This time there was no ice. The pani puri broke the ice.

The duo entered the house only to find their parents chatting in the living room. Navya walked upstairs while Shubman followed her.

Navya arranged a guest room for him. She was about to leave when he suddenly stopped her and made her stand in front of the mirror and he stood right behind her.

"Subah bhabhi kya keh rahi thi.... tum mirror ke saamne curtsy karti ho" he asked with a loopsided smile as he saw her flustered.

She turned back slowly facing him "kya karti tumhe khud main zinda jo rakhna tha" she said not more than a whisper and slowly walked out of the room.

This time he could not stop her, how could he, he had to move to stop her but he himself was frozen at her reply.

What the hell was she doing to him.