Hopeful Streaks

Chapter 16

On turning to her side further, letting in some of her exhaled air, he whispered,"You're not letting me go!", pointing out her hands holding his palm. His gaze drilled into her's. The intimacy was little more this time, that their knees were already brushing against each other. Mitha, also didn't notice that she was under his nose; because she was busy consoling him.

She fought for breath; his eyes were pricking her's making her infirm. She gulped off the lumps that choked her gorge. She bit her lips in embarrassment; mantling crimson in a florid manner. She, then unsnapped her girlie fingers which were holding his hand and her other hand that was resting on his sensible hand. "Erm.. Sorry! I was just trying to console you. That's it!", she muttered; dropping her head down in embarrassment. He let a chuckle, escape his lips and cut her off in the middle,"Did I say something now?", hunching up his brows. He couldn't help but giggle to see how she reacted when he uttered those words!

She looked up, and nodded her head in sideways, gesturing no.

"May I?", he asked pointing out the exit of the room. She oscillated her head hastily in a positive manner. His chuckle grew bigger, and he exited the room, with a smile on his lips. Mitha, was still frozen; cemented to the couch. She couldn't help but curse herself, for her stupid behavior. But it wasn't her fault, she was trying to console him. She did a face-palm, shrinking her face in embarrassment.

In sometime, when Ajay had changed into his trousers and tee; he ambled back to her room. He found her sitting simply, on the couch. He stood right beside the door; cleared his throat and asked,"Shall we go?"

"Ah yes! But keep those keys aside and come!", she raised her brows, pointing out the car keys.

"Huh?", he hunched up his brows, that made wrinkles on his temples.

"Kick it off. We'll walk and go."

"You still didn't say where are we going?"

"That's supposed to be seen. Come!", she said commanding.

Both of them started marching; with an awkward silence accompanying them. All the while, Mitha was engaged with what happened, few minutes ago. She felt really half-baked, to get caught red handed to Ajay,m. But truly, swearing up and down she was just convincing him. Ajay, tried to bring her back from the rooted thoughts, by opening his mouth to her.

"So, what's going on in your mind?", he asked.

She was still thinking about the same. She was still replaying the scene, in her heart.

"Oie!", Ajay's he-mannish fingers picked her up from the hollow of her land, to which she had gone splashing down, long before.

"Ah! Yes.", she regained her conscience and managed to reply.

"What is going on in this pretty little head of your's?", he asked, putting accent and limelighting each and every word, which presupposed that he was in need of a proper, honest reply.

"Nah! Nothing.", she replied turning to the other side, without making an eye contact.

"I am not that sluggish. Come on!!", he said.

"If you really want to know about what i was thinking.. You've got to answer my questions! Will you do?", she asked arching her brows pertly.

He straightened his lips; let his hands inside his trousers' pockets, and said," Okay!"

"Ok! Super!! I will save this okay, and ask my questions later. Okay?",she asked coming back to normal completely.

"Okay! Then tell me what were you thinking!"

"No way! That's a deal. I will let you know once you answer my questions about which i will probe you at another time.", she said.

He grumped,and she giggled.

"Stop giggling!", he pouted again.

"I.. I am sorry! I really want..to.. st...stop! But see!", she couldn't help but giggle.

"Excuse Me! I am not a jester. Stop laughing." He pouted again.

She couldn't stop her scorn because of his pout. "You look cute when you do that!", she said between giggles.

"What! Me? Cute? Take back your words!", he yowled, making his lips hanging down; complaining.

"Oh my good! Ajay Rish is all cute like a cuddly kid, while he is pouting!", Mitha sighed.

"I am not cute! And i am not a kid!", Ajay fussed.

"You're droning again!", Mitha announced and she was still giggling. She couldn't apprehend why couldn't he take the fact that he was cute.

"Kick it to curb! We're still walking. Where are you even taking me?", he asked.

"I am taking you to my favorite place, with my favorite people in there.", she said, as she wrapped her hands around his arm, leering at him.

"Favorite place.. With favorite people! Hm-hmm!", he echoed.

On ambling for few minutes, Mitha proclaimed,"See.. Here, we're!", standing in front of the bistro lounge, where Cassy and Deb would be.

"This?", he narrowed his eyes and knocked.

"Yeah! This!! Come let's go."

Whence, Ajay leapt forward and opened the door and held it for her to enter in. For a second, she was amazed by what he just did.

'He freaking held the door for you', her inner-demon danced.

'Shut up! This is just another thing!', she had to run counter to what the demon confessed.

As they entered in, Cassy on seeing them howled,"Someone has forgotten Cassy and her cafeteria!"

"Cassy! I am sorry. I know it's been long. See. Jay is here!!", Mitha pinpointed her husband.

"Oh! Your husband is here?", Cassy's mouth lurched out into an O, when she saw him there.

"Welcome, Mr. Ajay.", Cassy's lips twitched into a neat, baggy smile.

"You can call me Ajay, Aunty!", Ajay said smiling, as they settled themselves in chairs.

"Oh-oh! Welcome my boy. You can call me Cassy too.", Cassy chuckled.

" Both of you're ditching me. I am here too!", Mitha pulled out their legs.

Before anyone could open their mouths, she cut them off in the middle and intimated,"Okay! I will go see, what's Deb doing!"

Subsequently, she turned to Ajay and asked,"Jay? Want some coffee?"

"Yeah. Okay!",he said giving out a smile. She chuckled and entered the kitchenette. The cafeteria wasn't that busy that day, so Deb was standing in, arranging the coffee cups.

"Deborah Jeremiah! Can you take the honor of making coffees for me and my husband?", Mitha pried.

"Bon-bon! Hey. When did you even come? Ajay is here?", she asked in the state of amazement.

"Yes! He is talking to Cassy. Like, he was feeling too low about his deal being snatched by someone else. His anger! My gosh. His about to come hypertension is threatening me.", she said forgetting that they were only flat mates, and not husband and wife. Legally, may be!

"Bon-bon! When did you start caring so much for him?", Deborah being amazed by her friend's newly found worry of her husband.

Mitha flushed. "Why shouldn't I care?", she asked dropping her head down, as Deb filled the machine with Coffee beans.

"Ah huh! Someone is blushing!"

"Stop Deb!"

"So, something's happening!!"

"Nothing big!", Mitha sniffed.

"Nothing big? So, something small! What's that?", Deb staked out.

"He accepted that i am his friend. He played guitar, when i asked for. He started talking to Divya. He had spent fudging four days, with her on listening to me!", she explained, emphasizing everything.

"Holy christ! Is this all true?", Deb's mouth cracked wide open on hearing all these.

"Yeah!",Mitha chortled.

"So, what've you decided? Do you really like him?", Deb came closer to her this time, and asked looking into her eyes.

"I kind of like him. But you know what? He's not still comfortable with me. I don't know what makes him feel insecure. I actually want him to be totally free and happy!", She spoke her heart out.

Deborah, turned serious!

"We saw that he had a girlfriend. Right?", she asked.

"Yes! And i met that lady twice!", Mitha made a long face.

"Controversial!", Deborah rolled her eyes.

"Yes. Too much. And the best thing is he babied me, before her.", Mitha, let out a chuckle and raised her invisible collars.

"Bon-bon! Stop feeling fetish for all these. Are you serious? Now, i am worried. I don't want you to have false hopes. Please, don't do that.", Deborah clutched her arms, arresting, when the coffee maker made a bing.

Mitha sighed sharply, and muttered,"I know right! I don't want to fly high dwelling on these hopes. If it is meant to happen, if it is meant to happen for me..it'll happen!"

"That's my girl!", Deb patted her. Once, the coffees were ready, both of them came back to the table where Ajay and Cassy were talking.

While, the girls were discussing about Ajay, he was sincerely querying about Mitha to Cassy.

Later, when Mitha and Deb came back to the table, Ajay volunteered to speak to Deborah, asking how she was. Even this act of Ajay, gave an earthquake to Deborah and Mitha.

After having a nice chat for an hour, They decided to depart. They bid good bye to them, and started their parade back to home.

"So, what did Cassy say?", Mitha asked.

He paused for a second, looked at her, lineal into her eyes, like an arrow. He couldn't help but get drowned to those coffee brown eyes. "She asked me to take care of you.", he said and it was a mere whisper.

"Oh!", she hummed looking back at his eyes. His eyes, were holding a great responsibility of caring her.

On seeing those emotions brimming down from his eyes, she uttered,"Will you do that?"

"I am supposed to do that until you're with me.", he said, turning half-grumpy; deviating his sight to the opposite side.

'Why the heck would i even go somewhere else, when i have you here?', her heart screamed out. 'How nice if he could read minds!', she even thought.

While, she was thinking about his mind-reading ability, she screamed all of a sudden on seeing something.

"Saravana Bhavan*!",she shouted.

"What?", he being amazed by her suddenly embraced shock.

"SARAVANA BHAVAN!", she gritted her teeth, pointing out her favorite restaurant in the city.

"So.. What?", he asked.

"Do you even know how long it's been? Come let's have today's supper here! Please?", she obliged and he couldn't deny.

"Okay!", he agreed and they walked.

She didn't expect him to agree so soon. Being amused, she wrapped her hands around his arms; clutching it tight; clinging to him, happily.. She said,"Thank you so much, Jay!"

He smiled back and when they entered the restaurant, the waiter over there came straight to Mitha, and greeted her.

"Doctor Madam! How're you?", a familiar voice hit her. It was the serving assistant at that hotel, who was Mitha's friend due to her frequent visits to the place.

"Raj anna*! How are you?", She cackled. While, Ajay stood stunning on being unable to catch on to what was happening around.

"Fabulous! And you're married now?", Raj asked Mitha, with a cheeky smile dancing on his face; pouring down some water to two of the glasses, and placed before them.

"Anna! This is my husband. Ajay.", She announced and next off on turning to Ajay, she introduced her friend,"Jay! This is Raj anna."

"Doc! You didn't let me know, even! This is too mean. I came to know only when i saw the news paper!", Raj pouted. Subsequently, Raj turned to Ajay and talked,"Sir! What'll you do if your good friend comes to you all of a sudden marrying, without telling you or inviting you! Isn't it ungenerous?", Raj grouched to Ajay.

Ajay, was still staggered, being unable to get a hold.

Ajay, then on recollecting himself turned to Mitha, with an uncontrollable giggle on his face and cackled,"Too bad, Mitha! You should've invited him."Ajay commented sarcastically. Mitha, lopsided at him and hit his arm; cramping her teeth,"Shut up! Don't taunt!", it was actually a whisper.

He didn't stop, he turned to Raj and continued,"But definitely Raj anna..If it was my friend, I would've doubtlessly stabbed his life out of his body." He said leering at Mitha, examining her reaction.

"Shush!", Mitha gestured at Ajay.

"I am sorry Raj anna! My situation was different at that time. Forgive your friend!", Mitha requested.

"You're forgiven! Only if both of you're visiting me often! Deal?", he asked.

"Deal!", Mitha chuckled.

"Okay! Mr. Ajay please do let me know what you want!", He asked authentically handing over the menu card. It was comprehensively different, for Ajay to eat in a middle class restaurant after so many years. After all, he was not a born billionaire. But still, he hadn't come down from his caliber and eaten in small hotels, in recent years.

After placing his order, he passed the card to Mitha, and she ordered few of her favorite things!

"You know what? I've put on weight. Shouldn't eat this much.", she poutingly handed over the card Raj, after placing the order.

Raj chuckled and went away, to place their orders; while Ajay was playing intertwining his fingers; giggling at what Mitha said.

"Don't laugh. You'll know this only if you were a girl.", It was her turn to grouch.

"My goodness! I am not a girl.", he raised his brows and sighed, taking one of his legs; putting it on the other. Suddenly, Mitha got remembered of Ajay's sarcastic reply to her, while Raj asked about the wedding.

"Hey! You. King of sarcasm. Why did you tell that while Raj anna was affectionately asking me about the wedding!", Mitha snapped at him for his act of commenting.

"I was just kidding.", he pouted.

"And that's why i said you're a kid!", she said turning her face away.

"Haha! Very funny!!", he smirked sarcastically and turned away.

When all that they ordered, started arriving both of them started to gulp them off the plates, sooner. After chewing down all the food, which Ajay felt delicious; they decided to leave.

"I feel better!", Ajay opened his mouth finally, when they were walking back home. Roads were empty; with vehicle noises barely, here and there.

"Really?", Mitha's eyes dilated and jumped a little to hear something like this from Ajay.

"Promisingly!", he paused for a second and assured, gazing at her orbs that were happily fluttering.

"I told you..right? That you'll feel okay if you come with me!", Mitha asked at him. He nodded his head smiling.

Once they reached home; they walked in . Mitha, strode to the privy; while Ajay entered her room to see Divya.

She apprehended that he was there, when she came out of the water closet. She came beside him, and saw him standing aimlessly there. She raised her brows gesturing what, and he nodded his head curtly; whilst his eyes were laid on a paper, lying beside Divya's bed.

Ajay's curiosity flew open and his hands travelled to the note book to which the paper was kept inserted.

"Hey don't take that!", Mitha panicked realizing that it was her wish list paper; and she had written about Siddharth in it. She started to pant. Her heart beats were loud enough to be heard, as such without a stethoscope.

Ajay, took the paper to his hands, and looked at her,"Why shouldn't I see this?"

"Because tha..that's my diary. My wish list paper. Yo..you can't see.", she shouted jumping up and down, trying to snatch back the paper from him, as he was raising his hands upper and upper; playing tricks with her.

"You're a cloud buster! Why did you even grow this taller? Ajay Rish, give it to me!", she gritted her teeth jumping.

"Hey,hey. Wait. I will see and then give.", he didn't stop his sheepish activity. He also didn't stop waving his hands up above her head, cheekily playing with his wife.

"Stop it Ajay! Give it to me!", Mitha growled. She was still jumping; sweeping his trunk; brushing against his arms.

" I won't give!", he said smirking, wolfishly; still letting her suffer for reaching his hands. He enjoyed seeing her pouting for the paper, and her embrace due to her hops.

"Wipe this devilish smirk off your face, and hand over the paper to me!!", she gritted her teeth again.

Mitha, couldn't decide what she has to do. She wanted the paper back, to her hands. She didn't want Ajay, to see her wish list and get to know about Siddharth. She was in the middle of a serious crisis. Ajay, had started trusting Mitha, and now she can't do this to him; by letting him know about Siddharth as it was. It would be a different story, if she said to him directly, though.

"Please don't do this. Give it to me.", she decided to outcry for one last, time. He didn't seem to give ears to what she was yelling.

She sighed, taking her weary hands to her hip; she had no other ways to pluck that feckless paper from his hands. She neared him; assembling the audacity from all over her body; she raised her hands to his hip and started tickling him. He stood with no reactions, for her fingers tickling his abdomen. For Mitha, it was not that easy to tickle his trunk. It wasn't soft and delusional, like her skin. She felt it hard to nudge his body, like it was a rock.

"Am i supposed to know what're you doing?",he asked, with his hands raised up in air, looking down at her. Whilst, she was still discovering a way to make him feel ticklish.

"What're you? You don't have feelings in your body too?", Mitha snapped at him, still nudging his stomach.

"What?", he chuckled, completely forgetting about the paper.

"I am tickling you and you don't even feel anything. How mean!", she pouted. And that's when he had brought his hands down.

"Look..", he said and within he could complete, his phone buzzed. He fished the phone from his pocket, and started answering the call. His hand was dropped down, at that time. He stood frozen and in the jiffy, when he was centered, talking on phone, Mitha grasped the paper from his hands voraciously.

Ajay, couldn't envision, what happened just now. She then, saved the paper inside the note book, and put it inside one of the drawers, of the table and turned to Ajay, sticking her tongue out, and throwing out an evil smirk. He had cut the call at that time.

"This is cheating. I was answering my phone call. And you snatched the paper from me.", he growled.

"I am sleeping now. Good night.", she diverted the topic, smiling sheepishly at him. He pouted again, and exited the room, vituperating his PA for calling at that moment.

"You're a cheater!", he shouted as he exited the room.

"Good night!", she chuckled back, as she covered her up with her blanket.

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