Chapter 49: The Big Bad World

After a while of companionable silence, Aanya opened her eyes and asked, “So, what other were you going to make?”

“Well, I was going to say it’d be nice if you went to sleep now and that we discuss this later…” Aakash began, eyes glinting with mirth as he looked down at her. “…But I know that look in your eyes so I’ll skip that part where I suggest it and you turn me down.”

“Very perceptive of you.” Aanya laughed at his rueful expression. “Stop trying to explain what will happen to indirectly still put forth your idea.” She nudged him in the ribs with her elbow, “Answer the question.”

“Leave the planning of the Founder’s Day celebration to Naina and its execution to Parikshit.”

Aanya began to rise up and complain but Aakash waggled a finger at her at which she huffed and resumed her previous position, albeit with her arms crossed in front of her and a raised eyebrow.

Meeting her challenging stare, Aakash spread his arms in helplessness.

“Look, back when the company was still comparatively small, you did let them handle these events, didn’t you? So, what’s the harm in doing so now, Aanya?”

“…I did that back then, yes…” She began slowly, forehead creasing, “But now…I started taking up and looking through so much during and after the expansion that I have become used to scrutinising things myself.” She shook her head stubbornly, “It’s comforting to know that everything is going according to plan.”

“Stubborn as a mule.” Aakash rolled his eyes, earning an elbow to the side. “Ouch!” He jumped, “Stop doing that!”

“Only if you can refrain from your snide comments.” Aanya smirked and pushed his leg away to move a little closer into a more comfortable position.

“Your wish is my command, my lady.” The man replied with a mock bow, his head almost colliding with Aanya who was sliding back into position.

“Watch it!” The black-haired lady exclaimed, barely dodging the clash on reflex.

“Oops.” Aakash massaged his temple, fingers tracing an old scar.

“Don’t be a baby. We didn’t even collide so you don’t have to keep massaging.’ Aanya pulled his hand away, amused at what she thought were exaggerated actions.

“Huh? What?” Aakash, who had zoned out for a moment, gazed at the hand caught in Aanya’s slender palm. “Ah,” He figured out what had happened and gently extricated his palm.

Tracing the scar not obscured by the fringe of his hair, Aakash explained, “Oh, Cabir and I kind of ended up remembering the time when I got hurt. So, I’ve found myself tracing this scar quite a few times lately, haha…”

“Aarav opened up a treasure trove with just one question, didn’t he?” Aanya’s reply, while out of the blue and completely detached from the conversation, elicited a hearty chuckle from the man beside her.

“He sure did. I can’t remember how long it’s been since I’ve recalled all those times; the times when we were up to our tomfoolery back in school.”

“Our days are filled with so much work, so many responsibilities…it’s like they say; we live our lives so focused on our work we fail to appreciate the world around us.”

“More to the point, we stop paying attention to our surroundings that we lose connection with many things we liked. I only realised that day how much I wanted to play badminton again. I have seen Aarav go out to play but it never struck me that I used to enjoy badminton back in the days too.”

“You used to lose every time you played against Jeet or Jatin.” Aanya jeered, elbowing him slightly.

“…Scrap that part.” Aakash laughed aloud, “It’s ironic though.”

“What is?” Aanya questioned.

“My hand started itching to hold a racket again when I remembered the times I used to play…and lose…to those two.”

“Ahhahahaha.” Aanya couldn’t help it and burst out laughing. She became solemn again quite soon, and a hint of sadness could be discerned in her tone, “All our lives become so strenuous after we actually begin experiencing the whole, wide world, huh? Most people looking out only for themselves and competing every step of the way.”

“The big bad world.” Aakash chuckled.

Aanya raised an eyebrow at that, “Don’t judge the world so harshly. There’s some good in it too.”

“Says the cynic who just mentioned people look out only for themselves.”

Lip curling at being trapped by her own words, Aanya shrugged, “Right then. A big bad world it is.”

“That easily?” Aakash met her eyes. “You’re letting go just like that?”

“Why not?” A sliver of merriment flashed across her eyes, “If I don’t compete with you then am I not reducing the dog-eat-dog ‘competition’ which makes this world bad?”

After a moment’s pause, Aakash riposted, “But then you are just accepting my words that the world is bad.”

“Hmm, there’s some truth in that.” Aanya nodded while pushing him a bit. After adjusting herself, she laid her head on his chest, body stretching out on the bed. Closing her eyes in relaxation, she muttered, loud enough for Aakash to hear, “What a conundrum.”

“It truly is a conundrum.” Aakash sighed, even as his lips stretched into an unconscious smile as he looked down at the beautiful face resting against the gentle rise and fall of his chest.