-Anjali-

Ashwathy got back from her shoot by 4 in the evening. We had decided to catch a movie at 2 but that didn't work out. So after a light snack in a small roadside shop in a place called Kolasseri, we headed back to Manjodi. Enroute was a place that held a special place in my heart. It was weird that I remembered it at all. Thiruvangad temple, a temple I had frequented very often in childhood with my parents. It brought back a feeling of peace and calm. 

I wore my most decent pair of baggy pants and shirt while Ashwathy wore a long yellowish white skirt and white top, lined with golden embroidery at the ends. She looked pretty. We sat down under the banyan tree overlooking the temple. 

"Aashi, tell me something about yourself. Sometimes I feel like I don't know you at all", I smiled it off and played with the flower on the leaf in my hands. 

"Like what" 

"Like how much you dislike the electronic shop guy flirting with you for starters", we laughed. I looked at her as she did. I was glad to see her smile but sometimes it seemed forced. I don't know if it was something I was doing wrong or whether she had something going on. She would just never tell me anything. And since the moments were perfect I didn't want to question her and make us awkward. I trust that she would tell me when the time is right. For now this was perfect. I smiled as we locked hands. 

We walked back to a popular place called Odhens and had dinner. I hadn't had such delicious food in a long time. We walked home despite the light showers. We were partially drenched by the time we got home. 

After getting into the house and locking the door, Ashwathy headed to her room while I headed upstairs. 

...

I sat with my phone sending replies to Sanjana's "He has agreed to give her a chance. I had dinner as well. Thanks for not asking" when I heard a faint knock on the door. It was Ashwathy with a water jug. I held out my hands to take it from her.

"I'll keep it" she said and walked in heading to the table to keep the jar down. I walked to stand beside her when she didn't budge after keeping the jug. 

"Ashwathy?" 

"I-"

"Is something wrong?"

"I want to sleep with you", I frowned at her words. The single bed could barely fit me, fitting another person my size was out of question. 

"I don't think we both would fit-" I paused upon realizing. She sighed and giggled. 

"That's not what I-"

"I get it. We don't have to rush. It's fine"

She looked scary when she was dedicated. But I wanted to make sure where this was coming from. 

"I want to touch you", she said leaning in closer and holding my wrists. I could feel the hair standing on the sides of my neck. She let go of my wrists, wrapping her hands around me as she pulled me into a hug. I felt her fingers twirling on my nape which made me lose my breath in a minute. 

"Did you watch another video?" I asked as she let the other hand slide down to my waist. She pulled back. "Not just one", she whispered and ran her nose down my ears to my collarbone. She finally broke the contact, facing me. I had lost myself long ago in her touch.
"Aashi", I whispered before she leaned enticing me into the taste of sweet mint and vanilla. She lifted me, letting me sit on the table. I put my arms around her neck as hers went down further, finding the gap between the fabric and skin. My nails dug into her shoulders as she found her way in. Our kisses growing into little gasps and moans as we breathed each others names. 

I got off the table not breaking the contact our lips and walked back towards the bed, making her lie down. I lifted the hems of the golden embroidery, pushing it above me as I traced a line until I found what I intended to. Between the heavy panting, she would utter my name, her hands grasping the bedsheet into a ball on either sides. 

We collapsed next to each other on the tiny single bed which could apparently hold two people. She kissed my forehead as I nuzzled into her neck; the faint smell of sandalwood and lavender, drifting me into sleep. 

...

I woke up late to find her gone. I sat up on the bed, thinking back to the night. I had expected to wake up next to her or at least to be woken up by her. No, maybe I was asking for too much. This was enough. 

I went down after my morning routine to find the house empty. I was indeed late to wake up but the usual food on the kitchen counter was missing as well. I walked out to find Sanjana by the pond. I walked to her. 

"You seen either of them?"

"Yeah, Ashwathy asked when we both were leaving. I'm guessing my extended stay is causing inconvenience, so I'm going back tomorrow", Sanjana said, putting pieces of bread for the fish. I sighed. 

"You did something didn't you?" Sanjana asked bluntly, staring at my face. I looked away, which made her hold my face and force me to look at her. 

"I didn't technically but we weren't..."

...

"What the fuck?" Sanjana blurted out loud. I gestured her to be silent. 

"You stupid bitch", I raised my eyebrows as she continued, "no fucking wonder", I frowned upon hearing. 

"What?"

"She definitely wants you gone", Sanjana said getting back to feeding the fish. 

"Why?"

"You forced her into-"

"She came to my room!"

"Was she drunk?"

"No"

"Does she know about Sanya?"

"Not everything. Just the toxic ex-"

"Why!" She said looking concerned. "Why would you do that to yourself?"

"What do you mean?"

"Are you over Sanya yet?"

"What do you even..Sanya fucking tried to.."

"Kill you? Yeah but you. What about you? Won't you run back to her at the slightest inconvenience?" She asked leaving me speechless. I hoped that I didn't. I knew that I wouldn't. Now that I have someone who cares about me. 

"I have Ashwathy. Why would I?"

"I don't know Anjali. I feel like it's all too soon. I'm going back tomorrow. I suggest you come with me", she said, sitting down by the bench next to the pond. Tell me about it. I knew things were too good for me. I knew I didn't deserve that but I wanted to believe that it was right. That I deserved better. 

"I need to talk to her", I said and walked back into the house. I found the initial anxiety coming back. Was I setting myself up to be disappointed? I don't know.