11:00 PM — Aditya’s House
Aditya’s car pulled into the driveway. He parked, stretched a little, and walked toward his front door.
Something felt odd — the door was unlocked.
No one ever visited him this late.
Confused, he stepped inside.
The kitchen lights were on.
He headed straight there.
Inside stood Aniket, lost in his own thoughts. His eyes were half-closed, his mind clearly elsewhere.
On the stove, a pot of thukpa was about to boil over — Aditya quickly turned off the gas.
The faint click of the knob made Aniket open his eyes.
Aditya stood before him, arms folded.
Aniket forced a smile. “Oh… you’re back! Right on time, actually.”
Aditya smirked. “Yeah, I can see that! Just in time — or else my thukpa would’ve boiled itself out of the pot!”
Aniket looked away.
Aditya tilted his head. “What happened? Fought with your dad again?”
“No, man,” Aniket replied casually, pulling out two bowls and pouring the soup. “Nothing serious.”
Aditya carried both bowls to the dining table. “Do you really think I’m stupid like you? I know you only make your mom’s special thukpa when you’re either really happy or really upset.
And your face says you’re definitely not happy… so?”
Aniket thought to himself, “Having a friend who understands you better than you do yourself — it’s a blessing and a headache!
How do I even tell him what’s bothering me?”
Aditya snapped his fingers in front of him. “Hey! Where are you lost again?”
Aniket was about to fake a smile and say something, but Aditya cut him off.
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“Don’t even try lying with that fake smile. I’m not buying it this time.
If you want to talk — fine. If not, that’s fine too. But don’t lie. Not to me.”
He sighed, lowering his gaze.
“Someone told me today — secrets weaken even the deepest bonds. And lies are no different.
I can wait for you to open up, but I won’t accept lies.”
Aniket smiled faintly.
“You’re right… silence is still better than a lie.”
Aditya took a spoonful of thukpa. “Tastes good.”
“I know,” Aniket said with a half-grin. “I made it.”
Both of them ate quietly for a while.
Just before finishing, Aditya asked softly, “Aniket… do you still trust me?”
Aniket looked up. “Why? Do you think I don’t — just because I’m hiding something?”
Aditya took the last bite and said bluntly, “Absolutely!”
His annoyed, puffed-up face made Aniket burst into laughter. “You’re just like your sister, Ira!”
“And you’re exactly like your dad — always changing the topic when you don’t have an answer!”
Aniket smirked knowingly. “Oh, you think you’ve started to understand us now, huh?
Anyway… it’s not that I don’t trust you. It’s just… I’m not clear about things myself yet.
I don’t know why this is bothering me, or why I want to fix something that’s already shattered.
It’s like a moth that doesn’t know why it’s drawn to the flame — even when it burns. I’m the same.”
Aditya leaned back in his chair.
“Wow, poetic tonight, huh? So tell me, who’s the ‘flame’? Do I know her?!”
Aniket sighed. “Not everyone’s a hopeless romantic like you, Devdas.”
“Hey! Don’t call me that!”
“Why not? Scared of losing your Paro?” Aniket teased, resting a hand on his shoulder.
Aditya brushed his hand off. “Who isn’t afraid of losing the one they love?”
“Alright, alright,” Aniket chuckled. “I won’t call you that again.”
He took both bowls and went to the kitchen sink.
Aditya followed, rolling up his sleeves.
“So, tell me,” he said playfully, “are you confused about your feelings?”
Aniket gave him a sharp glare.
Aditya pouted like a kid. “Fine! I promise, I won’t ask again until you want to talk.
But remember — I’m always here. So never hesitate.”
Aniket smiled. “Never will.”
Together, they cleaned up the kitchen — side by side, in comfortable silence.
Meanwhile
Sleep was nowhere near her.
She stood on the balcony, wearing the earrings Aniket had given her.
Looking up at the stars, she whispered, “Why did I even wear these?”
And then, answered herself, “Probably because… they’re expensive! That idiot must be filthy rich to say to throw them away like that — but I’m not. I can’t throw away something this costly. That’s it! Nothing else! But still… Why did he give them to me?”
Her eyes sparkled, reflecting the starlit sky.
Far away, A faint smile curved his lips — and peace lingered in his eyes.
Earlier that day, Ruhi had come to the hospital with gifts for the children.
Among them, one was for Rudra — a tiny beaded bracelet.
It wasn’t expensive, but it was precious — because she made it with her own hands.
He kept looking at it, smiling over and over.
Maybe because it kept reminding him of the way she’d given it.
Her face — proud and shy at the same time.
Her voice was pretending to be annoyed.
Her cheeks turned red.
She’d stretched her hand to him, looking away, and said, “One was left over, so… here. Don’t think I made it specially for you, okay?
If you even imagine something like that, it’ll be bad for you!”
Rudra burst out laughing, remembering that moment.
“Liar! Total liar. As if I didn’t notice — the kids’ bracelets were half this size!
Sweetheart, when you’ve got someone this loving and smart, you must have to come up with better excuses next time!
Because tiny lies like that? I’ll always catch them!”
He looked at the moon and whispered, “See that, Dad? Someone actually gives me gifts now.
Silly, childish excuses — but so cute.
I wish you could see this… I’m happy. And I promise — I’ll keep her happy too.”
With that, Rudra smiled softly, went inside,
and placed the bracelet gently in a small box.
“I’ll always keep this safe,” he promised.
