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ख़ामोशी से बिछड़ना आसान नहीं होता, 

दिल से दिल का रिश्ता इतना आसान नहीं होता। 

जो ख़ामोशियों में भी महक जाए, 

वो प्यार कभी बेज़ुबान नहीं होता।

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Adrisha walked back to her seat, only to find it occupied by someone else. With a slight huff of frustration, she scanned the room and noticed there wasn't any empty seat else the one beside Eshaanth, who was completely engrossed in his work. Reluctantly, she made her way over and settled in beside him.

For a while, Adrisha tried to keep silent, glancing around the room and tapping her fingers on the table. But boredom quickly set in, and she found herself drawn to Eshaanth. His intense focus on his work piqued her curiosity and, more importantly, her desire for some entertainment.

She leaned closer, peering at the documents he was reading, but his concentration remained unbroken. Finally, unable to resist any longer, she cleared her throat softly.

"Accha, will you answer one thing?" she asked, her voice carrying a hint of mischief.

Without glancing at her, he questioned, "Why did you come back?"

She smirked and said, "Someone was sitting there and there was no empty seat except this King Kong."

Eshaanth looked up, his eyes narrowing slightly as he gave her a glare, the name obviously causing him irritation.

"I will kick you out of here if you insult me like this one more time. Understood?" She gulped as he spoke in a gloomy tone, frightening her. Eshaanth's eyes softened as he observed the terrified girl.

She sat silently after that, not saying anything, her expression tinged with sadness. She wasn't used to people talking to her like that. Her usual confidence seemed to crumble, leaving her feeling small and out of place. She knew she was at fault; after all, he was just a stranger and she had been bothering him. Of course, he would be annoyed. The realization stung, making her feel even worse.

Eshaanth glanced at her from the corner of his eye. The sight of her sad face and the oppressive silence gnawed at him. He wasn't used to seeing her like this. Normally, she was spirited and full of energy, not this subdued, quiet figure beside him. The contrast unsettled him, stirring a sense of guilt he couldn't quite shake off. Maybe he had been too harsh.

Adrisha's shoulders slumped as she stared at the ground, lost in her thoughts. She felt a wave of regret wash over her. She had just wanted to break the ice, to connect in some way, but instead, she had only managed to create a wall between them. Her mind replayed the moment over and over, each time deepening her sense of isolation.

Eshaanth sighed inwardly. He hated seeing anyone, especially someone like Adrisha, looking so dejected. She reminded him of his cousin's brother, who was the same age as her. He was also aware that he had been rude to her for no apparent reason. Her silence was deafening, and he found himself missing her usual banter. It took him a few moments, but eventually, he couldn't stand it any longer. The empathy he tried so hard to suppress nudged at him, urging him to reach out.

"What was it?" he finally asked, his voice softer than before.

Adrisha looked up, startled by his question. Her eyes holding a hint of sadness and emotional turmoil along with surprise.

He rolled his eyes as she asked him, confused, "Are you talking to me?"

"No, I am speaking with your spirit," Eshaanth uttered, causing her to chuckle loudly and give him a funny look.

"You are hilarious," she said, but she held back her laughter when she noticed how strangely he was staring at her.

With a playful twinkle in her eyes, Adrisha asked at last, struggling to contain her laughter. "Do you know why skeletons don't fight each other?"

Eshaanth looked at her blankly, his face a mask of confusion.

"Because they don't have the guts!" she exclaimed, bursting into a fit of uncontrollable laughter. Her laughter was infectious, light and bubbly, echoing through the small space.

Eshaanth, however, just stared at her, bewildered. What kind of weird creature is this girl? he thought to himself, watching her with a mix of amusement and perplexity.

Adrisha noticed his blank expression and quickly reined in her laughter, though a few giggles still escaped. "Didn't you understand?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Wait, I have one more."

She took a deep breath, trying to suppress her giggles, and continued, "What did one ocean say to the other ocean?"

Eshaanth raised an eyebrow, anticipating the punchline and curious about how bad one's sense of humor could be.

"Nothing, they just waved!" Adrisha delivered the joke with dramatic flair, laughing even harder this time. Her laughter was so hearty that it drew a few curious glances from the other patrons in the waiting room.

Eshaanth, on the other hand, was visibly traumatized by the barrage of puns. He ran a hand through his hair, unsure whether to laugh along or call for help.

"This is what you wanted to say?" Eshaanth asked blankly, his gaze fixed on Adrisha.

She nodded confidently. "I am funny, right? I know I am," she said proudly, her eyes twinkling with self-assurance.

"Well, you might have a misunderstanding there," he replied, his tone matter-of-fact.

Adrisha's smile vanished as she narrowed her eyes at him. "What do you mean I'm not funny? It's you who doesn't have the sense to understand my legendary jokes," she shot back, clearly offended.

"More like you don't have common sense," Eshaanth said coolly, watching as her face reddened with anger.

Adrisha gritted her teeth. "You know what? It's my fault. I thought that you might be good because you helped me, but I was wrong. You can never be good, King Kong," she snapped, her voice trembling with frustration.

Eshaanth's eyes darkened, a dangerous glint flashing in them. He glared at her, but before he could respond, Adrisha stood up abruptly, her chair scraping loudly against the floor. She turned on her heel and stormed away from the waiting area of the airport, heading toward the cafe. How dare he make fun of her jokes? That was off-limits.

As Adrisha walked, her mind raced. She couldn't believe his nerve! Her jokes were fantastic, and anyone with a decent sense of humor would appreciate them. She muttered to herself, replaying the conversation and growing more indignant with each step. Reaching the cafe, she ordered a sandwich and a coffee, hoping the food would calm her down.

Eshaanth, still in the waiting area, clenched his teeth. Anger surged through him, hotter and more intense than before. The brief moment of softness he had felt for her was now dissipated into thin air. He wanted to teach the brat a lesson, to make her understand that her behavior was unacceptable.

The bustling activity of the airport did little to distract him from his seething thoughts. Eshaanth wished fervently that they would soon reach home so he could put this irritating encounter behind him. The idea of never seeing this ungrateful brat again was a comforting one. If they continued this way, he might say something that would make her regret ever talking to him.

In the cafe, Adrisha took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She sipped her coffee, her mind still reeling from the exchange. She knew she had overreacted, but his words had struck a nerve. Why did he always have to be so infuriating?

Meanwhile, Eshaanth's thoughts were a whirlwind of anger and frustration. He couldn't understand why she got under his skin so easily. She was just a girl with a bad sense of humor, yet here he was, fuming over her words.

For the rest of the time, both Eshaanth and Adrisha avoided each other. They didn't even look at each other, both simmering with anger. Adrisha felt insulted because Eshaanth had questioned her sense of humor. The sting of his words lingered, turning her mood sour. On the other hand, Eshaanth was furious because she was the first person who had ever called him names and gotten away with it. Her audacity gnawed at him, a bruise to his ego he couldn't ignore. If they weren't in public, he would have made sure she understood exactly who she was messing with.

Hours later, when the storm finally cleared, they boarded the flight, still refusing to acknowledge each other's presence. The tension between them was almost palpable, like an invisible wall that kept them apart. They sat in silence, immersed in their thoughts, until the plane touched down in Delhi.

At the luggage carousel, they couldn't avoid each other any longer. They exchanged glares, a silent battle of wills. Adrisha, with a dismissive roll of her eyes, pushed past Eshaanth to grab her luggage first. The slight shove made Eshaanth clench his jaw, his eyes narrowing in disbelief. He grabbed his own suitcase with a rough motion, his anger barely contained.

As Adrisha walked away, her steps hurried, and Eshaanth's gaze followed her. His eyes fell on something glittering on the floor. Her bracelet, delicate with stars dangling from it, lay abandoned. He bent down and picked it up, feeling the cool metal against his skin. For a moment, he simply stared at it, the stars catching the light. He slipped it into his shirt pocket, right near his heart, not entirely sure why he kept it.

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"Common mom, I can't eat everything. I'll eat the rest tomorrow," Eshaanth groaned, leaning back in his chair as he tried to fend off another spoonful of food from his mother's hand. His eyes pleaded for mercy, but Amrita's joy at having her son home after so long was unstoppable. She was beaming, her hands constantly working to serve him more food.

"Tu to chup hi kar de, khoteyaa," Amrita scolded, her voice a playful mix of affection and mock indignation. "Tujhe to yaad bhi nahi tha ki teri ek maa bhi hai! Jab dekho kaam aur kaam, aur uske alawa agar time mile to teri woh janlewa hobbies! Kabhi maa ki chinta bhi kar le. Zinda hai ki mar gayi..."

(You just shut up, you moron. You are so unaware of your mother's existence! You spend all of your time working and, when you do have free time, engaging in your lethal pastimes! Remember your mother from time to time. If she is still alive or not...)

"Mommm!" Eshaanth cut in, his tone filled with a mix of exasperation and concern. His father, Rishan, also chimed in, "Amrita, bas karo."

(Amrita, stop it.)

Amrita rolled her eyes dramatically at their collective protests. "Maine aapko bola hai na, aisi baatein na kiya karo, Mom. Aap kyun karti ho?" Eshaanth's voice softened, the genuine concern in his eyes reflecting the deep bond he shared with his mother. The thought of losing her, even in jest, was unbearable to him.

(Mom, I have warned you not to say things like that. Why do you do it?)

"Accha, sorry, nahi bolungi aise," Amrita relented, seeing the seriousness in his eyes. She leaned in and kissed his cheek, her eyes twinkling with love. Eshaanth blushed slightly, looking away as if embarrassed by the public display of affection.

(Okay, sorry, I won't say things like that.)

"Arey, bola na sorry," she repeated, turning his face towards her with a gentle hand. The room quieted for a moment, the emotional weight of the conversation settling over them.

(Hey, I apologized.)

"Aap promise karo mujhe, aap kabhi aise baatein nahi karoge," Eshaanth insisted, his voice a soft command. Amrita nodded solemnly, and he leaned forward to kiss her forehead, sealing the promise with a tender gesture.

(Promise me, you'll never say things like that again.)

Ambika, who had been watching the exchange with a smile, couldn't resist teasing. "Hume toh itne pyaar se kabhi nahi khilaya," she quipped, nudging Aarav Shekhawat, their cousin who was more like a brother since he moved in after the tragic loss of his parents in a plane crash.

(You’ve never fed me with so much love.)

"Hume toh aise kisses bhi nahi mile, ab bhai aa gaye hain na di, ab hum aur aap kaun, saara pyaar bas unke liye. Hum toh kisi ko yaad bhi nahi," Aarav added, throwing his hands up in mock despair, as if deeply wounded by the neglect.

(We never got kisses like that either. Now that brother is here, we’re forgotten. No one remembers us.)

"Jiju, aapko kahin se jalne ki boo nahi aa rahi?" Eshaanth asked Aniket with a smirk, who chuckled in response.

(Brother-in-law, can you smell something burning?)

"Aa toh rahi hai saale sahab, lagta hai aag kisi ke dil mein lagi hai," Aniket joined in the teasing, while Ambika and Aarav rolled their eyes.

(Yes, brother-in-law, I can smell it. Seems like someone's heart is on fire.)

"Humaare toh sirf Dad hain," Ambika said, looking at Rishan, who threw a flying kiss to his daughter.

(We only have Dad.)

"Sahi kaha di, aapne ek Dad hi hain jo humara dukh samajh sakte hain. Ab bhai ke aane par sabse zyada value bhi toh unki hi kam hui hai. Kahaan mom unko khilati thi, aaj dekho," Aarav added, making a sad face while everyone bit their lips to control their laughter as Rishan was really looking at Eshaanth with jealousy, while Amrita blushed.

(You’re right, sis. Only Dad understands our suffering. Since brother’s return, even Dad has lost his place of honor. Mom used to feed him, now look at today...)

"Ek ek chittar padega dono ko, chup chap khana khao warna. Muh khola toh dono ki favorite dishes table se hatwa dungi, phir rote rehna ache se, aur apne Dad ko bhi saath le jaana," Amrita threatened, glaring at the two of them, who gulped nervously.

(I'll smack you both if you don't shut up and eat quietly. If you open your mouths, I’ll remove your favorite dishes from the table, then you can cry all you want and take your Dad with you.)

"Tu kha beta," she said to Eshaanth, who smirked at the duo, enjoying the fact that they got scolded, while they rolled their eyes in frustration.

(You eat, my son.)

The atmosphere was warm and vibrant, filled with the joy of family togetherness. As they continued to chat and joke, the evening stretched on, each moment adding another precious memory to their lives. Amrita felt a deep sense of fulfillment, knowing that despite the ups and downs, their family was united in love and laughter.

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The clinking of utensils was the only sound breaking the quiet tension at the dining table. Abhishek Mishra, seated at the head of the table, regarded his daughter with a measured look. Beside him, Asha Mishra maintained a polite but somewhat distant demeanor. Kalyani, Adrisha's grandmother, sat on Abhishek's other side, her gaze gentle and understanding as she watched her granddaughter. Adrisha, seated next to Kalyani, focused intently on her food.

"How was your workshop on nuclear science, Adrisha?" Abhishek's voice was even, masking any underlying expectations.

Adrisha barely glanced up, her response coming quickly. "It was good," she said, her voice calm but lacking warmth.

Asha attempted to engage further, her tone carefully neutral. "Did you enjoy the workshop? It must have been quite informative."

Adrisha shrugged slightly, keeping her answers vague. "It was mostly theory. Nothing too exciting," she lied smoothly, still not meeting her mother's eyes.

The room fell silent again, an all-too-common occurrence in their household. Conversations rarely went beyond surface level, particularly when it came to Adrisha's activities. Her parents saw her as a studious, responsible girl, and she had done little to disabuse them of that notion. The truth of her racing, the adrenaline, and the secret passion she harbored remained carefully hidden.

Abhishek cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "It's good to see you focusing on your studies. It's important to stay dedicated," he remarked, his voice carrying an edge of expectation.

Adrisha nodded, forcing a tight smile. "Of course, Papa," she murmured. The praise felt hollow, but she knew it was easier to maintain this facade than to confront the chasm of misunderstanding between them.

Kalyani caught Adrisha's eye and gave a small, reassuring nod. There was a deep, unspoken bond between them—she was the only one who knew Adrisha. Kalyani's subtle support was a lifeline for Adrisha, offering her a safe space amidst the pressures of family expectations.

After dinner, Adrisha quickly excused herself and retreated to her room. She closed the door and leaned against it, letting out a sigh. The conversation had been as shallow as always, but the brief exchange of looks with her grandmother had given her some comfort.

In her room, Adrisha glanced at the hidden corner where her racing gear was stashed. The memories of the day's race were vivid, a stark contrast to the facade she maintained for her parents. She knew Kalyani was worried about her, but also trusted her to make her own choices. It was a delicate balance, living a double life, but for now, it was the only way Adrisha could reconcile her passions with the expectations placed upon her.

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"Kya dhoondh rahi ho, beta?" Kalyani's voice was soft, filled with concern as she watched her granddaughter frantically search the room. Adrisha's usually calm demeanor was replaced by a flurry of restless energy, as she upended drawers and tossed aside cushions.

(What are you looking for, dear?)

"My charm bracelet, Dado! I can't find it anywhere," Adrisha's voice cracked with frustration, her eyes darting around the room in desperation. The bracelet wasn't just a piece of jewelry; it was a collection of memories, each charm representing a significant moment in her life. Losing it felt like losing a part of herself.

Kalyani sighed, her eyes softening. She knew how much the bracelet meant to Adrisha. It had been a gift from Kalyani, each charm carefully selected to commemorate special occasions. The thought of it being lost was heart-wrenching.

What Adrisha didn't know was that her bracelet was not lost but kept safe by someone she least expected. Eshaanth lay on his bed in Delhi, the city still bustling outside his window, the noise contrasting with the quiet of his room. In his hand, he held the delicate charm bracelet, each tiny piece glimmering in the soft light.

Why had he kept it? Adrisha was, in his mind, an adversary, a constant thorn in his side. Their interactions were always charged with tension, yet here he was, holding onto a piece of her.

Eshaanth's eyes traced the charms, each one a glimpse into the life of the girl who, despite everything, fascinated him. He couldn't understand why he hadn't returned it. Maybe it was the idea of having a piece of her close, a way to feel connected to her even when they were apart, that made him hold onto it. Or perhaps it was a reminder of the complexity of their relationship—a complexity that was both infuriating and intriguing.

He sighed, closing his eyes. The bracelet was a constant reminder of the unspoken emotions he didn't want to acknowledge. It symbolized the tangled web of their interactions, a mix of animosity and something else he couldn't quite name. As he lay there, the bracelet in his hand, Eshaanth struggled with the realization that perhaps the lines between enemy and something more weren't as clear as he had convinced himself they were.

Meanwhile, Adrisha continued her frantic search, unaware that the piece of herself she was desperately looking for was safe in the hands of the person she thought was her enemy.

The bracelet remained with Eshaanth, a silent witness to the unspoken connection between them, a secret he kept from the world, and most importantly, from himself.

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