I stepped back rubbed my eyes yet the sight before me remained the same. The guy in front of me was more than just the delivery boy. The same face, the same brown hair, the same brown eyes. Both of us just stared at each other in both horror and disbelief.
The boy standing in front of me was none other than my angry bird friend Rudraksh.
As soon as both of us processed what had happened. He lowered his head and lowered his cap even more as if he was trying to hide his face. The expression on his face was embarrassment and something even deeper. As if he was tired of everything. As if the world had betrayed him. Seeing him like that made my heart ache. He is such a nice guy and it's not easy to see someone so nice looking so sad.
"Ma'am your order."
"Rudraksh?"
"What!"
"I..... I... will not tell anyone, I promise."
"Thanks!"
"But why are you working as a delivery boy?"
"I have to go cover my shift."
"Uhmn... okay..."
I quietly closed the door. Still taken aback. I quietly climbed back the stairs.
'Uhmn... okay...' That's what I said to him. Seriously. Of all the things I could have said. I almost choose to say nothing. That's the stupidest response I could have given him. Why am I like that? I never find the right words at the right time. Truly never.
"Hey, Chandni, hurry it up!'
"Yeah, yeah coming."
I started preparing the sweets. But through the process I couldn't help but be silent. Wondering what might have caused him to not give me the answer. He clearly didn't want to tell me the truth and who am I to push him into giving answers. It's all his choice. Besides, I just met him we are not even that close. Of course, he wouldn't tell me. Oh God! What do I even say to him!
I need to get my mind off him. But why? I guess it's his choice to tell me. And I shouldn't be pushy. I will apologise to him for asking him earlier and will tell him it's okay if he doesn't want to talk to me. I mean I am keeping my secrets too.
Everybody has them, secrets. And I wonder what other's secrets are. Sooner or later most of them get exposed. Although I hope mine remains a secret cause if my family gets to know that their daughter is a bloodstainedassasin would they really accept me and even if they do would things be the same or will we grow distant.
As soon as the mixture was ready, I set it down to cool. For the mean time I went in my room. Should I text him? Should I call him? Well, he must be busy. How about I text him to call me. But would he really? I mean he must be trying to avoid me. So maybe I should text him. But texting seems insensitive somehow. I will call him. But when? I should text him to call me. And if he doesn't I will call him tomorrow. No there is no purpose of delaying the matter. I will call him after dinner.
'Hey, Rudraksh could you call me when you are free.
I really want to talk to you.'
Perfect!
I was done making ladoos. We had had our dinner. Everyone liked them and my brother was already preparing my next challange. On the way of buying ice cream. Papa had given him the money but he had to pay for mine. Because of the bet.
As I had expected Rudraksh hadn't called me. And it was about time for me to talk to him. I dialed his number. Waiting for him to pick up. Honestly I don't think he is.
I sighed. Almost sure that no one was gonna pick up the call. But to my surprise he did.
"Hello."
"Hello."
"Is this Rudraksh?"
"Yeah."
"About what happened today. I promise I won't tell anyone. And if you don't wanna answer my question it's alright. I was wrong to ask you. I am sorry about that."
"Girl aren't you gonna take a breath. It's alright really."
"I am sorry to disturb you."
"I said it's alright. Don't apologise when it's not your fault. I think I should tell you. You are my friend after all. And I trust you really. I have quite the big family. My father... he passed away during the pandemic. Can't believe it has been five years since he left me. You know how cruel this world is. My single mother couldn't find a job good enough to support all four of us. As a result my sister and I had to take up jobs."
"I am sorry for your lose. A father is irreplaceable. A father is like gold."
"I..."
I heard him sob at the other side. Really quite sobs. He had lowered his voice so his siblings couldn't hear him. Those quite tears were that of a scaredteenager.
"He was like mywhole world. You know fathers are something else. He was the one I wanted to be like. He..... he was such a nice guy. Always putting us before his own needs. Why is God so cruel? He was a great man. Always smiling. My father was the kindest person I know. When he entered the room he just seemed to lighten the atmosphere. He never complained not even in the slightest. Even in his final days when he looked so pale and weak he never complained. But I know he must have been so scared."
He continued to cry. Still so quietly I know he had taken up a lot of responsibility and even now he was trying his best to hold his own.
When he talked of his father it reminded me of mine. The one I lost. The one I couldn't even say goodbye to.
"I look at my mother. She looks horrible. So tired all the time. I remember when the school trip circular came. She saw it. And asked me if I wanted to go. I said no. Yet she forced me to go. She tries her best to make us happy. But she looks so tired all the time. At nights sometimes I hear her quietly sob I pretend I didn't hear her. Because I don't know what to say to her. What do I even tell her?"