She wasn't sure when and how will she forget those happy memories Aman had with her, but she was positive that one thing that Aman couldn't snatch away from her as he did with her love was those memories. They will always stay with her forever. They were her to cherish.
" Rose, are you sure?" Aavya asked holding her hand.
" 100%..." It was a bright nod with a sparkling smile.
" This call for an Ice-cream treat. And it's on Zee..." Kyle pulled Zeehan as everyone walked towards their favourite joint.
Some hearts were free, some were filled with pain, some with regret and some with insecurities, yet together they felt safe.
✿✿✿
" You're grounded... "
" For what, Papa? " A not so little anymore, 17-year-old teenage Aman asked.
He wasn't exactly a photocopy of his father but he already had half of the girls from his grade drooling over him.
" For skipping your class..." Ansh reasoned out.
" Papa, Rosie and I went to watch a cooking competition..."
" Really? Bunking your class that too carrying your cell phone along with you and on top of that you forgot to pick up Aavya from school too..." There's no way Ansh was gonna let him go this time.
" It was the Famous Italian Chef Judging the competition, Papa... "
" So, you didn't feel the need to ask for permission? You went all the way, 20 km to watch a shitty competition which you could have watched online, dumping your sister. How can you be irresponsible? "
" If I'd ask you you'd say no... " He was really good at putting up arguments just like his mother.
" Yes as that would be the right thing to do and now you've proved it would have been a wise decision too. You're grounded... No cell phone, no soccer and no TV... "
" Papa... Being grounded doesn't work here..." He made a face.
" Then forget those late-night parties, son. Dad never allowed me to one. So, I won't either. Forget about convincing me with all your modern world theories. " Ansh stared at his son.
" Papa... "
" Don't Papa me Aman... "
Old memories die hard, even if they aren't as pleasant as the happy ones. Those fights Aman had with Ansh were hard to forget as behind those warnings, chidings and incessant shootings it was a father's love that triumph always. Letting him down wasn't easy but desperate times need desperate measures.
No one accepts the fact but everyone knows it's true.
" Aman, what are you doing here?" Ayan entered the room they had shared for almost 15 years. Nothing felt different, the memories were fresh yet Aman's heartfelt eons of pain.
His eyes were fixated on a picture of all the three siblings together. It was Aavya's 12th B'day.
Aman turned around to find his handsome brother in a blue Armani suit. He felt proud of him. He couldn't have expected anything less from him. He had done what Aman intended to do.
" I had to attend an important call." It was a lie. All he wanted to do was gather as many memories as he could. Nostalgia filled his core and it was euphoric.
" Cool. Let's go. You're the chief guest. We can't start without you." He held him from his shoulder.
" Ayan, do you have a girlfriend?" Aman asked out of the blue.
" If I had one you sure as hell would be the first one to know." His reply was swift as the person he was.
Aman laughed that out.
Years had made him more mature and responsible, and every time Aman realized that he felt guilty. His brother had lost a personality somewhere in that half a decade and now there was nothing he could do for it. They walked together.
The living room was lively and full of people. With every passing year Ahana aged like wine, prettier and lovely. Ansh didn't hitch to hide the few strands of grey hair, he carried them elegantly along with his rimless glasses. Ahana and Ansh were in a deep conversation with some of the guests Aman couldn't recognize. Before he could sense Ayan's absence he saw him escorting some other guests. The party was a private one but the crowd didn't suggest one.
Perhaps, they were close after all Aman was the only one who was left aloof. He saw Aavya chatting with a bunch of people dressed in tuxedos and elegant gowns. She, herself was looking amazing in a black one piece. So, his family was pretty much engaged except him. His eyes surveyed the room, for someone he could talk to.
Kyle was busy with Naomi, so were Zeehan and Kyra. Until his eyes fell on someone, standing all by herself in the darkest corner of the room with a glass of wine. She looked mesmerising in a navy blue long chiffon dress, her hair was down and she looked inches taller than usual, of course, because of the stilettos. Her eyes were reflecting the light behind those specs and it took him a full minute to acknowledge that his heart had skipped a beat.
Aman stood like a statue, just observing her. He knew she was nervous because whenever she was nervous she would constantly tap her legs.
He slowly walked towards her, until she noticed his presence and their eyes met. Aman's dimpled half-smile was met with a surprised, forced one. He winced.
" Rosie! Aren't you happy to see me?" He wanted things to go back to normal, which wasn't possible at all.
" Why? Are you a sour candy?" One thing that she loved supposedly more than she loved Aman was sour candies.
The thing that Aman was jealous of, he considered them an adversary, because if given a choice Rose would have chosen a sour candy anytime over him, but alas it was a choice she was never given.
He chuckled after a while Rose joined in.
" How are you?" He asked in a genuine tone, she knew he cared but she was hurt and he was the reason behind it.
" Good. Actually, never been better." She lied, avoiding Aman's intense gaze because both knew that in Aman's presence it was the last thing Rose was good at.
Frankly, it didn't matter now.
" Won't you inquire about me?" He asked, turning his head towards her.
She fought her urge to break down. She had been nervous the entire night that such an encounter would break her, she didn't wanna look weak and fragile. Earlier when they met it was all strictly professional but this was home and at home, they have been families.
" No! I wouldn't..." He was definitely surprised. She was upset and her actions made it crystal clear.
" As, I know you are definitely doing good. And you're happy. Right?" A hurtful smile on her face made Aman's heartache.
If at all she knew, if at all he would give her the reasons, if at all...
" Yeah! Right..." He looked away.
