I think life's worth exploring.
So, we did.
We strolled around the streets, and for the first time in years, I breathed. Freely.
She never forced me to come out of the shell I'd built around myself but just calmly volunteered to stay beside me until I was ready to let her in.
Not even a week since we met and we're already having the best time together.
I laughed even when I was trying to hold back.
Maybe she was just another one manipulating me.
Maybe she's just here to use me like the others did.
Or maybe, just maybe... she's genuine.
I urged myself to believe in the third option.
Not even once, did she force me into anything. The way she kept checking up on me with a delicacy I'd never experienced in my life.
The way she added, "only if you don't mind." to every sentence she used. I felt so much more than fine.
I'd never been handled with so much patience. Not at home, not by my parents, not by any human being, ever.
And here she was being so considerate towards me, I feel like I was genuinely being cared for.
I started waiting for her to pick me up, everyday.
She asked me if we could head to the University together, when she dropped me on the first day.
At first, I didn't want to bother her, but she somehow convinced me saying "saare paise auto par lagayegi kya yaar? Get me coffee instead."
(Would you spend all your money over auto rides?)
She's just too full of energy. As if, she's been through storms but rather chooses to laugh it off with the biggest grin on her face.
She's someone who could light you up with the ever so bright eye smile of hers.
✴︎
"Are you free this Saturday?" Avni asked as we took our seats.
"I think, yeah." I replied.
"Do you mind joining me for badminton?" She looked at me as she continued, "There's this unwinding thing for me..every weekend, I love to spend at least an hour or two playing badminton. You know, it's really fun with those idiots."
Those idiots?
"Those Idiots??" I curiously raised my brows.
"Uh, yeah, I think I never told you about them. They accompany me every weekend and I hope you'd do the same from now on? They're fun to hang out with." She spoke with a flicker of hope.
"I'll try to come...who are they, though?" I love badminton. But of course, since, I've had no company, I'd spent most of my time reading or studying all the time.
"Hain do nikamme. They're my guy friends! One of them, Advit, I've been close to him since we were kids, so he's always been around, almost like a big brother to me. About Shubham, well, he's Advit's school bestie, quite an asshole..," she huffed before continuing further, "but yeah we've been keeping up with this routine for three months so far and it's fun, they're always teaming up against me now I've someone to team up with, so come on yawr."
"I would love to join y'all but I've never been close to guys before, so I...I don't know-" I hesitated.
She cut me off before I could speak more,"I was the same, but don't worry, they're very approachable and you'd be comfortable around them. Also, I'm always here for you, you know that, right? I'll punch them right in their face if they mess with you."
"Of course, I do know that." I chuckled slightly after her attempt to reassure me.
"Toh chalegi na?"
(So, you'll come, right?)
"Haan!"
(Yes!)
"Bros', I need to tell you something." I looked at the male figures standing across from me with their rackets in hand.
"Ew, tu merko bro bolna kab band karegi?" Shubham scrunched his nose annoyingly.
(Ew, when will you stop calling me bro?)
"Jab tu merko beech beech mein interrupt karna band karega! Shut up and listen to me now." I rolled my eyes as I turned to Advit.
(When you'll stop interrupting me.)
"Someone's joining us today!" I declared.
"Who?" Both of them asked at the same time, their brows furrowed.
"My friend at the University," I gave them a tight lipped smile, "She's a good player, watch out!"
Shubham scoffed, "Voh toh khelte time he pata chalega kon kitna achha hai."
(That we'll figure out when we'll play, who's better than whom.)
"Dekh lenge," Oh, how I wish I could smash the smugness off his face, "aaya bada"
(We'll see)
"Haa toh bada he hu mai." he said measuring our heights as I turned to Advit again, ignoring his nonsense remark about my height.
(Yes, I'm taller!)
"You're okay with it right?" I asked.
"Of course," Advit shrugged, "Unless, you both end up losing to us."
"She has played tournaments in her highschool days if you're trying to underestimate my girl." I spoke, folding my arms across my chest.
"Right, of course." Advit scoffed jokingly, "Your girl.." He emphasized.
"Abh na bohot hua tumhara team up karke mereko pareshaan karna. Merko meri teammate mil gayi abh, bachke rehna chunnu munnu!!" I sticked my tongue out this time.
(Enough of your teaming up against me and annoying me. Now, I've found my teammate, better watch out.)
"Oh god, mai toh darr he gaya." Shubham said as he dramatically kept a hand over his chest with a deadpanned expression.
(Oh, god, that was so scary.)
God. Just one smack across his handsome face and I can breathe in peace.
"So, when is she coming?" Advit asked, obviously used to our banter.
"Maybe around ten minutes." I said as I typed away the address to her, "yahin pass mein he rehti hai."
(She lives in the same area.)
He nodded, "You never mentioned her before,"
"We became friends like ten days ago. It was our first day at college, I noticed she sat alone at a corner, so I approached her, and now we're closer than I'd expected. She was quite distant and careful at first, but she let me in. She loves reading by the way." I blabbered.
"Oh." Advit said.
"Such a heart-touching story." Shubham commented, wiping his imaginary tears.
"Wasn't for you to comment upon." I blurted out.
"Never mentioned which story." He huffed.
"Bas karo donoooooooo!!!"
(Enough of you two!!!)
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡
Hey loves, second chapter up as well! How are we feeling?
Merko ekdum dhak dhak hora;)
I'll slowly increase the word length of chapters once I get a grip!
Do vote and comment <3
Lots of love😚
Ig: jazzinshadowss
~Jazz🤍
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