It had been five weeks since that day at Mia’s. Yet, it continued to bother Armaan that she was suffering alone. He cut the call and walked into her house. Warm and cozy, just like the owner, he thought to himself with a smile. Her living room had a love seat, a blanket thrown over it. The room also boasted of a huge TV and an equally big bookshelf. He noticed self-help books, cookbooks, thrillers, and romance lined up. The open kitchen exuded warmth and a delicious aroma. She also had a guest room that looked sparse and unused.
In these five weeks, Armaan had researched her condition and had spoken to two specialists. The summary was the same. She might have to undergo surgery if things went downhill. Armaan absently rubbed his chest as if it pained him. His heart twisted unpleasantly when he realized it had taken only one day for them to fall back into their friendship. Although, this time, there was some hesitancy. Well, that was expected after the abrupt ending to their friendship five years back. He didn’t understand what was happening when it came to her, and it did not bother him at the moment. No labels, no expectations, and no headaches, he told himself.
“Hi!” Mia called out softly, seeing him standing by her bookshelf. She’d just made his favorites for dinner - au gratin, bruschetta, and her special apple pie, of course. Her pulse rose when she saw the handsome man, who was quite unaware of the turmoil he caused her. She bit her lip in worry even as she acknowledged they were meeting almost every evening at her place. None of their friends were aware of what was going on. At times, she saw a flicker of...something in his eyes. Desire, was it? But she didn’t have the nerve to find out more. Not with her track record with men and his with women.
Armaan stood at the threshold, drinking her beauty all over again. Perhaps all the work was muddling his brain, he thought. That could be the only explanation why his body responded only to this stubborn woman even after receiving two booty calls in the last hour from his regulars; calls that he completely ignored. He cleared his throat and replied, “Hey”.
“I made your favorites. The crowd wasn’t the usual at the restaurant today and Tom was able to handle it.” She smiled, her eyes twinkling along with her smile.
“I already know that.” He gave an appreciative whiff and sat down by the island after pulling out two plates. He directly dug into the pie using a fork.
“You do know that’s dessert, right?” She teased him, looking fondly at his face drenched in joy.
“Hmm hmm. You do know I am a person who likes instant gratification, right?” He countered right back at her with a grin.
Mia blinked at him at his choice of words and wondered if it was true in other...aspects of his life as well. Her face took on a rosy hue to the amusement of the man sitting in front of her. “Are you wondering about something, Sugar? You can ask me, you know?” He smirked, exactly knowing what caused the blush.
She visibly flustered at his flirtation before blinking the sexual fog away. This was Armaan. This was how he spoke to every single woman. Taking a deep breath, she turned away to take the dishes from the counter. When she sat down for dinner, she asked him that one thing that had always been in her mind. “As a matter of fact, I do want to ask you something.”
“Go ahead.” He continued to eat.
“Why do you call me Sugar? I mean, you usually use endearments like darling, sweetheart…”
He gave a faint smile. “Because you are sweet, and whenever I thought about you all these years, I’ve always remembered the aroma of pies, cookies. Home.”
She was dumbstruck.Really? He thought of her? And, she felt like...home?Mia tried not to gape. Some of her thoughts must have shown on her face because his smile became bitter.
“What, Mia? You thought I just forget about my friends and move out of their lives in a single day?”
She knew he meant her abrupt departure from his life, but she’d been forced to do it. Else, it would have led to heartbreak. And, instinctively, she knew it would have been far, far worse compared to Peter. At the thought of her late husband, Mia’s face closed. Honing a carefully blank expression, she addressed him directly. “I’m sorry, Armaan. There were reasons. Someday, when I have the strength, I will talk about it.”
“Save it. I don’t need your explanations now. Whatever you say now, it’s too little and too late.” He was saved from saying anything further, when both their phones chimed with a ping. Armaan unlocked his phone to see Arjun’s message in WhatsApp.
“Oh, it’s Arjun. Is he inviting us to a surprise party? At their place, huh?” She looked at him as if asking what he was going to reply to.
“Yep! It’s Natasha’s birthday tomorrow.”
Understanding dawned on Mia’s face. “Oh, is he organizing a surprise party for her? That’s so romantic.” Her eyes turned dreamy.
Armaan almost rolled his eyes. What was it with women and romance? He simply typed he’d be there and locked his phone. “You are coming, right?” When she nodded yes, he stood up and spoke to her while simultaneously placing the soiled dishes in the sink. “I will pick you up at seven. Be ready.”
“But...” When he raised his brow, she retracted. “Okay, thank you.”
∞∞∞
Mia carefully placed the bag that contained the cake in the back seat and then came forward. “Thank you for picking me up. Do you think she will like my pineapple cake?” She looked at Armaan with worry.
He looked at her after she got in. Dressed in a baby-blue colored sundress and her shiny curls falling well below her shoulders, she looked sexy in an understated way. He noticed she was wearing some kind of makeup; something that enhanced her big eyes and that sinful pout. Shoving those thoughts away, he frowned at her question. “What? Of course, they’re gonna love it. If anyone has a problem, they are never going to get something from you ever again. No cookies, no pies, nothing!”
Mia giggled at his serious declaration. “Yeah, right! Now, come on, let’s get there already.” Suddenly it struck her that she was smiling and laughing after ages.After five years, a voice inside whispered. She looked at the stunning man who had no clue how much he affected her. Looking stylish in dark denim and a white shirt, he gave off a confident, come-what-may vibe.
Thirty minutes later, Armaan parked his car inside the beautiful apartment where Natasha lived with her husband. As soon as they got out, they saw Tanya by the visitor parking. She waved at them and asked them to wait. Neil followed his wife leisurely, his long steps easily matching her pace. “Heya, you two! We were just waiting for you. We can now go up. She doesn’t know, of course.” The tiny woman grinned, bringing out a beautiful dimple.
Mia hugged her and Neil, before smiling back. “I am excited too. This is so romantic.”
“I know.” Tanya sighed.
Neil and Armaan exchanged knowing looks as the women gushed about Arjun’s ‘thoughtfulness’.
