Throughout the whole flight, he couldn't sleep. His mind kept wandering back to his childhood days .
One time, when he was in Grade 1, Aarav had given his favourite toy to Grandma because she had been sad throughout the whole day. He had even made silly faces and deliberately lost at games just to make her happy, just as she used to do whenever he pouted.
Another time, when he was in Grade 3, he had pretended to be sick to avoid going to school.
But after 10 a.m., he stopped pretending and went back to his usual activities. He spent the rest of the morning teasing Grandma and irritating her while she went about her chores. He even asked her to make his favourite curry for dinner.
Little did he know that Grandma had already figured out that Aarav was pretending.
But she didn't confront him.
Later that evening, after dinner, she told him a bedtime story. Grandma only told him bedtime stories whenever he had made a mistake. So, Aarav already had a feeling that she knew something.
As she began the story, he slowly realised his mistake. Eventually, he confessed the truth about pretending to be sick.
She didn't scold him.
Instead, she made him promise never to lie to her again and to honestly tell her whenever he didn't want to go to school.
Another time, during his summer vacation in Grade 5, he secretly collected his lunch money and bought a bangle for her birthday. He hid it carefully for weeks, waiting for the right day to give it to her.
When her birthday finally arrived, he proudly handed her the bangle.
She was genuinely happy.
But she still scolded him for neglecting his health just to save money for her gift.
Despite the scolding, she loved him dearly.
Instead of giving him lunch money from then on, she started preparing his favourite food herself and forced him to finish every bite.
Those small moments meant so much to him.
They had once been nothing more than ordinary parts of his childhood -- little moments that he never thought he would have to hold onto.
But now, they were the only way he could remember her.
They weren't merely memories anymore.
They were pieces of her that had become a part of him, preserved forever in the form of love.
And now, the thought of never being able to relive those moments again felt like a sharp, stabbing ache in his chest.
Drowned in those memories, he didn't even realise that the flight had already landed.
Soon, the sight of families gathering after long reunion and cries for separation greeted him.
But,
None of these mattered because his heart felt empty .
Too empty to notice the surrounding.
He hadn't told his friends,
Not even -- his best friend.
Not because he didn't want to , but because he had no idea how to tell.
He - himself wasn't able to accept the truth so he didn't have the courage to tell others.
So, he was all by himself.
He dragged his suitcase and signaled for taxi.
Suddenly, some one grabbed him .
But, before he could process further, he was wrapped around by a strong arms in a tight embrace.
It took him few seconds to get back to reality. He realised that those strong arms were none other than of Aakarsh - his one and only best friend.
He was confused by his behaviour because Aakarsh usually hated hugging.
But this time , Aakarsha wouldn't let him go . After whole 5 minutes, he finally loosened his arms and slowly let go.
Then, he pulled him over a bench and forced him to settle down in a bench.
" You remember that I am your best friend right. So, whenever you need me --whatever it is , don't hesitate." Aakarsha said as he pulled him again in a tight hug.
Aarav was still surprised by sudden embracing from Aakarsh . Since , it was something he really needed so , he slowly responded the hug back.
They remained like that for a few mins.
Suddenly ,Aakarsha felt his shirt getting wet. He was confused for a second.
Then,
Slowly ,he heard a sobbing sound.
It was Aarav. He didn't want to pretend to be strong anymore.
And so, he let his tears flow down his cheeks.
Gradually , Aarav felt his shoulders slightly loosening up.
After a while, Aarav awkwardly wiped his tears and pulled himself from the embrace and lowered his face in embarrassment.
Aakarsha didn't say anything -- just patted his thighs and reached for a taxi. They both sat side by side but none of them talked.
That silence felt much more comforting than any others words.
Aarav didn't say anything about the house and the legal documents. Aakarsha also didn't ask anything further. After the journey ended, they both went back to their own rooms.
Aarav lay down on the bed as soon as he tired - exhaustion took over him.
His mind suddenly wandered the towards words Aakarsha had said before parting the ways.
" Did you forget how much grandma had scolded me for making you cry just once ?? And you had cried literally just for few seconds."
" So, I hope you remember that little promise I made with her infront of you.
Maybe it was child's play at that time -- but it isn't now. "
A heartwarming smile formed in his lips. He had never seen this side of his best friend. So seeing him suddenly behave this way felt different but also in a good way.
Aarav and Aakarsha had always supported each other. Even though they tease each other a lot,but they never doubted eachother. So, this friendship was one of his safe zone after his grandmother.
So, when he hugged him - that didn't just felt like hugging a friend but also a part of him that was once loved by his grandmother .
Aarav felt that he was the only warmth that didn't felt like burning. He was the kind of friendship that felt like coming home with pain .
The pain wouldn't automatically disappear but it would make the moment more easier to pass .
The grief hadn't disappeared but the weight of having to carry it alone had been reduced from the shoulders of Aarav.