chapter 5

Author's POV

Anbu was looking at him with a blank face and an open mouth.

" Ummm ? " Anbu initiated the conversation after a brief silence. 

Rishi took his hands from his head and looked at Anbu, who was accurately waiting for his response.

She expected something like this, now-a-days it's so obvious to have a past relationship right ? But seeing his red bloodshot eyes she understood. It's definitely not gonna be a simple relationship for him.  And it scares her, because just now she began to imagine her future with him, and he's already stumbling with his past.

" And we broke up . That's it, " Rishi said,  scratching his nose, trying to control his emotions. 

Anbu was still not done with his deep voice filled with so many emotions that she feared.

She still gave him the same white face look.

Seeing her worried over his past relationship, Arjun shook his head and said " don't worry I have moved on long ago. And now I'm clear about what I want and what is my feeling towards it " he assured her with his words. But it's not enough, he needs to assure her with his actions. Perhaps she can wait until then.

" If you don't mind, can you tell me your ex's name ? " Anbu hesitates to ask him as she doesn't want to make him feel pressured by her. 

Rishi shook his head and said " i have moved on, that means i don't remember anything, any single thing about her and that includes her name too " His eyes were showing pure hatred towards his ex. 

Anbu nodded at him. If he himself doesn't want to keep anything from his past relationship then why should i even pressure him over it ? Anbu thought for a moment and smiled in relief.

Rishi felt suffocating, something wasn't right with him and he wasn't able to find what it was. 

" Excuse me, i need to freshen up " saying this he went away, not even for once he looked for her response.

He literally ran from there, Anbu was dumb seeing him like that. However she stopped overthinking and began to concentrate on how to change her mood. He seems so disturbed and off from the time he opened up about his past relationship. 

On the other side Rishi was standing in front of the mirror of his bathroom.  Splashing water on his face numerous times he was trying to get out of his mind games, when the cold water touched his face he felt little smoothing from the eye irritation. He stopped and again gazed at his face, his red  bloodshot eyes were scaring himself too. Why does he have to feel this way whenever something pops up from his past ? Why is he feeling so much pain and agony towards her when he claims himself as 'moved on'.

The pouring rain sounds were audible to him, he felt like the rain was exposing all his emotions with its continuous sound. 

His fiancee is waiting outside for him, carrying a  lot of expectations and dreams of a happy married life with him. The girl who's gonna be his wife in a few days, And here Rishi is still finding himself confused over this or that. 

Closing his eyes for a moment he remembered Anbu's smiling face, he too smiled and opened his eyes.

" You have moved on. Believe it and live on it " he said pointing his index finger at himself looking at the mirror.

Pulling the towel from the hanger , Rishi wiped his wet face and walked out. 

Now, he has something in his mind. Then it's Anbu.

When he came back, Anbu wasn't in the hall. Her handbag and mobile were still on the couch.

Rishi's eyes were eagerly looking for Anbu here and there, and finally he found her in the kitchen.

He wondered what she was doing there, but Anbu didn't notice him at all, she was looking at the ingredients which were on top and couldn't reach there due to her short Haight.

This made him chuckle, Rishi shrugged and walked inside the kitchen " what're you trying ? " His strong deep yet calm voice played a melody in her ear.

Anbu was startled by his sudden entry, turning around she looked at him and said " umm..... actually it's already lunch time so " she trailed off rolling her eyes here and there.

" Ohh, yeah let's Cook together. '' Rishi cheered and went to the fridge to take out vegetables.

Anbu smiled, Finally she was successful in diverting his mind. Putting her hairs into a bun she too joined him in cooking.

She was amazed by his cooking skills, he made chapatis and paneer tikka while Anbu helped him by cutting veggies and making the dough for chapati. 

They had a little chit-chat of what should be eaten and what should be avoided while it comes to health. 

Rain was still pouring like if god had left the tap open. 

Both finished cooking and served themselves, Anbu felt really happy. This is what she wants. She and him , peaceful environment, long talks, spending time with each other and genuine smiles of Rishi. 

Both had lunch with a satisfactory smile of being in each other's presence, the food was also good. Plus the breeze weather along with rain.

Both were done with lunch, and wrapped up the vessels too. They talked about their work and it was already evening. 

Anbu was gazing out of the window, Rain wasn't ready to stop at all. Now she was a little tense, till when she can stay at his apartment ? She was lost in her thoughts, when she felt Rishi shaking her shoulder.

Shifting her gaze at him, Anbu faced him.

" What happened ? Where were you lost ? I have been calling you and you didn't even budget " Rishi asked her, being concerned for her.

" Ohh...sorry I didn't notice, " Anbu replied with a stable expression.

" That's ok, you got a missed call from your dad. Here get this " saying this Rishi handed her phone. 

Sudden nervousness covered her face when he mentioned her dad. 

Grabbing the phone from him in a hurry, she quickly dialled her dad's number. 

Rishi was standing there still, watching everything.

Her dad picked the call. I first rang myself, " hello appa, sorry i was in kitchen with swati's amma, taking a few cooking tips from her " she had to continue the lie as she didn't leave with Choice. 

Rishi was trying to suppress his laughter seeing her lying with perfection. 

Taking cooking tips from swati's amma ? Wow. No doubts she fears a lot of her dad. 

" No, appa I'm here. umm yeah uncle and aunty are also fine, ohh No ...umm  uncle and aunty are having a nap should i wake them up ? " She made an excuse when her dad asked her to hand over the phone to Swati's mom and dad, thanks to her instant excuse making skills. Rishi adored her when she was pouting while talking to her dad. 

" ummm i don't know appa i came to give her books but suddenly weather became odd and i didn't have a choice other than staying here , Rain is still the same, i was thinking to book a cab and return home" she said the fact, she was really feeling like doing it. Rishi sat there and watched her keenly. 

But Just then she heard her dad saying " no, don't make that mistake, I just saw the news. Weather is too bad and we still have chances of cyclones too. I believe swati's home is safe for you as of now, stay there for tonight. I actually planned to pick you up but it seems our area is jammed due to water overflows. Take care, I'll call you in a few minutes." He said and ended the call without listening to her.

Anbu made a pout and looked at Rishi who was already laughing at her. She felt like she dug her own grave. Now how will she manage here ? And she knows her dad will definitely call Swati's home to make sure she is there only. 

Spending a day with him  was cool until spending a night under the same roof came !! 

It was already a long day for her, and now the night seems long too.