Journey - Day 1

Their journey started from Delhi, destined for Trivandrum. Normally, it takes 3-4 hours by aircraft, but all planes were postponed for three days owing to weather conditions, so it will take roughly 42 hours or nearly two days by rail.

Arjun and Aadrita had both taken AC First Class tickets, wherein a compartment has only two berths. Though it was costly, Arjun wanted to travel comfortably without any hustle, and for Aadrita, this was the only ticket that was available with confirmation. Aadrita preferred to travel in open sleeper berths instead of enclosed a/c berths.

Aadrita was on a return trip from her holiday in Kullu Manali. She always took one week's break a year to travel to places to cool off. This year it was to Manali, "Lover's Paradise"-India's honeymoon capital.

She was supposed to reach Trivandrum today, but due to weather, all flights got canceled, so she had to take the train instead.

Her cousin's wedding was three days away, and she had to attend it. But first, she had to join her best friend's promotion party.

The train would reach in the afternoon the day after tomorrow. She'd go to her friend's party before attending her cousin's wedding the next day. This was her plan, and she was concerned about making it on time.

When Aadrita was stressed about making it to her cousin's wedding on time, Arjun was unconcerned about his wedding, which was meant to be in three days. He intends to arrive the day before the wedding, rest, and then attend the following day's ceremony.

Arjun had gone to the Snow and Avalanche Research Institute in Manali (SARIM) for his new project. It was a success, and he got the project. He was in a great mood as everything was going according to his plan. Even though his flight got canceled, his major plans wouldn't be messed up.

Aadrita texted her whereabouts to her mother, friends, and relatives. Even though she was far away, she constantly attempted to stay in touch with them.

She felt empty after finishing everything. She always had something to keep her engaged, so she wouldn't let her mind wander about here and there.

It was getting close to November. She'll be depressed, especially around this time of year...her father died in November. She missed him so much. As her mind began to stray, her phone rang, interrupting her thoughts.

"Hey hi, Aryan baby..." Aadrita took the call in a cheerful tone.

"Hi, Ritu...When are you reaching TVM? Don't you dare cancel again? This time she is also coming. "

"Oh, since she is coming, I should not cancel aa...Where did this rule come from? Since she is more important, you can celebrate with her... I am not coming. " Now also, your first sentence will be about her.

"Ritu, you know, na... it's not what I mean... Anyhow, just tell me the time when you reach and I will come to pick you up. "

"Ya...ya... I know... I'll be there by the afternoon of the day after tomorrow."

"Just give me a call. I will be near the railway station, I will pick you up. By the way, even Madhu is getting married... when are you getting married? "

"Why, do you also want to say that once I see some handsome, nice guy, I should get married? Even when we go to malls, there will be many things that we may like, and we will also have money, but that doesn't mean we have to buy them right. We can enjoy sightseeing. Why do we need to buy them?

Similarly, I am single, but that does not mean I have to mingle...When I see some handsome guy, I can appreciate that, but once I get married, I can't appreciate anyone else. Why go through such trouble? "

"Right right right, all you do is appreciate... you and your theories."

"By the way, tomorrow I want a big treat. I won't settle for something common. You have to..."

Before Aadrita could continue, Aryan interrupted her, "Ritu, I will call you back. Anu is calling me... bye..take care... " Without waiting for her reply, Aryan ended the call.

Aadrita looked at her phone, getting ended...As always, Anu will be your priority.

From best friend to crush to brother, having a crush on someone is not an option for her... she has better things to do... He will always be her brother...

Coming back to reality, she realized she was talking on her phone with a loud voice... Aadrita tried to apologize to Arjun, "Hey Arjun, I'm sorry. I didn't realize that I was talking in a loud voice. It won't happen again. "

Arjun looked up from his book "It's OK... "

"By the way, are you returning to your home? "

"Ah yes, I am returning home."

"Oh... OK... Same here...I am also going back to my home... You know, I went to Manali for a short trip. It's such a heavenly place...Such a beauty...Everyone says that it's a honeymoon place... it's not like singles can't go... how can they despise singles like me ha... "

She went on and on about how beautiful Manali looked...

Though Aadrita was talking in her cheerful tone something was telling him that she is not happy...this all was a facade...Finally, Arjun couldn't bear it and interrupted her, "If you are feeling low, you don't need to talk and distract yourself. You are free to cry and express yourself. You don't have to talk as if you were forced to do so. "

Aadrita was characterized by everyone as a bright, cheerful, lively, upbeat person. Only she knew what volcano she had kept inside herself. She sometimes wondered if there was any point in showing such a facade to others, but she knew she was not doing this for the world but for her mother. In Aadritas's life, no one has pinpointed her facade, though some knew that she was acting out to be lively and cheerful.

It would be an understatement to say she was surprised when Arjun advised her not to talk as if she was forced.

Aadrita laughed off, "What are you talking about... I am totally fine and why do I need to cry?" With that, she turned to the window, not wanting to continue the conversation.

It's just that I have always shown my cheerful side outside, so nobody noticed that I also have a heart... That I have been hurting inside all along, that I don't want to talk, that I am fed up with everything...And now I don't want anyone to see through it...