We were unaware that days were flying and that was the month of Onam which was the significant festival of Kerala ....

Divya akka started the pookalam ( flower rangoli ) on the day of Atham ( the first day ) .

Akka started the flower rangoli in small size only with the yellow flowers and the size was growing towards the Onam day...

That Onam was memorable as I was with Shravan... We had a good time with Divya akka by helping her in making festival arrangements...

We were glad to gather the flowers for the pookalam... We sat beside Divya akka to wonder her talent in making the vibrant flower rangoli..At times ,we took a chance to suggest her the design of the rangoli.

My admiration on Divya akka grew enormously when I saw her in Onam attire... Her big jumkas and black rounded bindi added more charm along with her deep black eyes... She was damn beautiful while she was laughing...

" Akka is so beautiful... I will be like Divya akka when I grow up..."

I looked my image at mirror ...

" I love akka very much " Shravan brushed his hair ...

" Hey... Shravan... that's my hair brush... So many times I have told you that you shouldn't use my personal things..."

I grabbed my hairbrush to place it in the drawer...

" So what ? We are friends..."

He jerked...

" Still I need my personal things to be mine..."

I affirmed , dragging him out of my room...

"Shravan ... Shall we go...?"

Anna ( brother) came out of his room with his friends...

It was Divya akka ' s habit to call everyone for Onam sadya ( Onam feast ) ..

After seeing Anna's friends I gestured Shravan that we had to be the first to attend the feast..

When we reached the dinning area , my parents were helping Divya akka to arrange the feast...

On floor the mat was unfolded to be seated... There were a dozen of curries served alongside the main course in the banana leaf...

As I had already celebrated few Onam with akka , the meal wasn't new to me...

But being from North India , Shravan was wondered to see the innumerable dishes and payasam ( dessert) made in Jack fruit...

Divya akka made him to sit and began to explain the vegetarian feast. . I remember few names of those dishes like kalan, thoran , puliinji , eriseri, olan....and so on...

I didn't remember every dish' s name..but ,the aroma and taste of those dishes still stuck in my taste buds...

It took so much of time for us to complete the meal..

After the meal akka was busy in cleaning everything . My parents stayed with akka that they were waiting for the guests...

They made the living room to be presentable , leaving the centre with plates of flowers and fruits...

Divya akka was in a silk saree with added jewelry...

" Amma... Who's coming...? Should I change my dress?"

I asked enthusiastic , where I encountered sarcastic laughs from the relatives...

" Suman beta... Go and play with Shravan... Only Divya akka should dress up well ... "

She didn't mind to explain me what's going on and as usual we were out to play...

When we were home , there was a hightened happiness in everyone's face...

'Divya is lucky... She's going to Paris.'

' He seems a good boy..'

' Her beauty speaks louder along with her character...'

We felt bored amidst the elders and Shravan hissed me that we should move to the backyard to watch the stars as the sky was clear on that day...

Even I wanted a break as I was annoyed with Anna's friends all-day...

But , when we reached the backyard we were shocked to see Anna and his friends there..

Few of them were playing while others were chatting ..one of his friends was playing in our swing recklessly...And ,at one point the chain broke down unbearable of his weight...

My eyes were shedding tears where Shravan gestured me to stop crying..

We left the backyard immediately ...

" I hate anna... Why he has brought his friends here.. ? This is our favorite spot.. he had spoilt our place "

I began to weep , accusing him...

Shravan held my hand ...

" Suman... It doesn't mean that we can't see the stars if we aren't in backyard... We will have a better place to watch stars.. come on ... Cheerup..."

He brought me past the garden where a stream crossed... There was an abandoned bus at the stream's bank...

He helped me to get top on the bus...We sat there , watching at the stars...

" Indeed it's a better place Shravan..."

I cooed in happiness...

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" Coffee ?!"

I nod as I am badly in need of it..

Sitting on the passenger side I see Shravan who's terribly trying to set his hair in it's place...

" Don't worry... You're good with the messy hair...

He rolls his eyes and puts on his cooler...

" Now...?!"

He arches his brows heroic...

" Cool" showing my thumb , I wear the seat belt..

" Sam... Just Google the nearest Cafe... it's almost late night and I don't think many of the shops would be open..."

He is right... I unlock my mobile and mumble...

" Shravan... There's a coffee shop within two kilometers from here.. "

" Good... What's the name..? Switch on the direction.."

" Wait..let me check...!" I swipe the screen and read the name...

" Shravan ... The name is - midnight Cafe.."

"What ?! Midnight Cafe?!" He restates the name..." Seems strange?!"

I read the reviews and dismiss his doubt...

" Reviews are good... Five stars Shravan... May be we can go there..."

He slows down the car .." Sam... I don't feel good vibes yaar.. "

I laugh " Shravan... We are going to have a cup of coffee..."

As I direct , he drives to the cafe... when we reach there ,the atmosphere is different than the images in Google...we exchange confused look...

" Sam... I think you don't need this coffee lifeline... I forgive your fault..."

I grasp his shirts sleeve and mumble noticing the bodyguards of the cafe...

" You are right Shravan... Even I don't want coffee... Let's leave..."

He is still laughing at me ....

" what did you say...?! Good reviews Shravan... Five stars..." He mocks me saying those words in my tone..

" Shravan... Just stop it... It's irritating..."

I shout at him...

He is still laughing..." I will never forget your reaction..."

He is teasing me still ...

And ,

This time I don't scold him to stop rather I begin to stare at him...

For a second , I forget where I am and with whom I am... His laugh brings me somewhere where I have been left as void.. I don't mean to say it ... But , I said it...

" You're looking handsome while laughing..."

I mutter under my breath whilst a strong breeze takes away the tear drop that threatened to fall down...

There is a stillness in me where I have lost myself to the cosmos , where I am belong originally...

" What..?"

His query brings me back ...He is driving , without taking his eyes off the road...He turned the car to stop infront of my apartment..

Did I say it that much louder?

I close my mouth in shock... clenching the jaw to hit my foolishness I clear my throat to get some time to react...

I don't know why I have said that...Thank God ! He doesn't hear it correctly...

"... I said, why don't you drop yourself for a cup of coffee?"

I show my apartment..

He taps the steering and looks me in query...

" Are you sure? "

I nod , closing my eyes..."

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