The flow of tears slowed; the warmth of his hug was pleasing and calming for her. All those years of bearing pain seemed to melt away, and Aanya felt content in his embrace.
"Isn't this…over yet?"
His voice suggested he wasn't suited for this kind of intimacy. Unsure about the affection, he wanted to calm her down and met her sorrowful eyes.
"Why, do you hate this?"
Her voice was muffled as her face was pressed into his chest. Her cheeks were squished against his shirt, and her frizzy hair brushed against it. His arms remained behind her, and her palms lay gently on his back instead of clenching tightly.
"No, it's not that... I've just... never been hugged like this before."
"Why are you talking like a rusty robot?"
She realised he had never experienced such comfort from someone, especially at his age. Taking a deep breath, she opened her eyes and noticed the buttons of his shirt staring back at her. She pulled back her arms and let them rest freely.
She slowly stepped back twice, positioning herself in front of him. He was watching her, but she looked away, glancing into the distance. After taking four more steps back, she tucked her hair behind her ears, brushing it away from her face.
She lifted her right arm and felt a sensation as the air passed through her elbow. To calm her mind, she rubbed her left elbow and felt at ease.
Vansh's mind was still; he could see those red eyes, still unsure of what to think.
"Want to have a seat over there?" he asked, pointing to the other side of the roof, near the fence.
The bench looked old. The cleanly carved wood rested on green-painted metal legs, with some edges exposing the bark beneath. Yet it felt welcoming and comfortable. Few people visited the roof, but the bench seemed to be waiting for someone's presence.
She turned to the seat, a soft smile curving on her lips.
"Yeah, sure," she replied.
Vansh felt satisfied with her agreement. They both walked over to the bench and slowly took their places.
Vansh sat a little away from her, maintaining a safe distance. She stared ahead, unaware of how far apart they were.
"It's really peaceful and calm here," she remarked.
Vansh agreed, gazing across the fence. While he was lost in thought, she turned her head to look at him and tilted it slightly.
"You really love your own space, rejecting everyone and everything that disturbs your mind. No matter who it is, you were cold before and still are now. I hate seeing you like this; I wish I had never left."
Her thoughts were a punishment of old memories, trying to bring comfort, yet falling short. It was just the two of them in that small world atop the roof.
"Yeah, al--"
Vansh turned to her, surprised by her gaze locked onto him. To break the unnatural tension, he reached over and touched her cheeks, gently turning her face to look forward.
"What are you doing?" She was puzzled by his actions.
"That would be my question: what were you doing?"
She tried to struggle against his grip, but he was strong enough to hold her in place.
"Aanya, it's not a good idea to watch a guy like this, you know that, right?"
"Huh?"
Her response was limited as she had no choice but to relent. She pouted her cheeks, the small balloons of her face pushing against his hands.
Vansh rested his other hand on his palm, with his elbows on his thighs, forming a right angle. He watched her intently, taking in her stubbornness.
"You've been well taught by someone."
"Well, that someone is pouting like a 5-year-old."
She smiled slowly, more of a smug grin, and prepared to retort.
"But Vansh, that someone also forgot to mention that it's not good to touch a girl without her consent."
"Well, someone just had a hug with a guy—with consent, and that permission is still valid."
"Oh, really?" Her voice was playfully exaggerated.
She lifted her arm and positioned her palm at his arm's side. In a swift move, he pulled his hands back, keeping her cheek away from him.
"Oh, and the permission ends here; I think it's better now."
Before she could make a move, he announced the victory.
"Verbal interactions are good, right?" he said, turning to her side.
"Sturdy fool," she huffed at him.
He let out a laugh that was inaudible to her, admiring her demeanour. But then something struck him; he could point it out. What was it?
"Oh, wait! Where is she?"
Aanya saw him pointing. She was baffled, thinking, " Who is she now? Did someone enter before? Is there another girl she was unaware of?
"She?"
"Yeah, your bodyguard."
"Bodyguard?" The word piqued her interest, and she tilted her head, her eyes narrowing in thought. "She?" "Bodyguard?" It suddenly hit her; she recognised him again.
"It's Miku! Not just any bodyguard; she has a name, Vansh."
"Yeah, yeah, I know, but it's best to have one. So where is she?"
Before she could respond, her expression shifted to distress. She realised something she shouldn't have. Reaching into her pockets, she touched and felt something. Pulling it out, she revealed a long white envelope.
It was a long white envelope, glued at the top and slightly creased from being kept in her pocket. Vansh reached for it, took it from her hands, and asked if it was for him. She nodded in affirmation.
He slowly examined the front and back and then focused on the top. He tore it open, exposing another sheet of paper inside. Tilting the envelope, he tried to pull the paper out.
He saw the folded note and glanced at Aanya, noticing she was equally unaware of its content. She didn't try to peek at it or provide any explanation.
Vansh unfolded the letter, revealing intricate handwriting in ink. The letters were clean and beautifully written. He began to read it himself.
"Hey, Vansh.
This is Mika writing. I'm sending this letter because I don't have any of your contact information, so I hope you don't get the wrong idea as a confession about the purpose of this letter."
As Vansh read this, he wondered, "What is this all about? What's a confession here?"
"I wanted to let you know that I am leaving the country. As you know, my mother is living abroad, and she wants me to continue my studies there and spend more time with her. It all happened suddenly, and I'm still trying to process it.
"My request may seem small, but it is very important to me. It's about Aanya. We had planned to attend the same institution, but due to the current circumstances, that can't happen now. Since you're the only person I know who is in her area and can help me with this, please look after her. When I say "look after," I mean keep her from doing anything reckless. Just make sure she's okay.
Additionally, if I ever receive a call from her and she sounds sad, I will come back immediately, no questions asked, and hold you to death."
"Don't threaten someone while making a request; this bodyguard is the real deal." Vansh was uncertain but aware of her thoughts.
" Also, don't try to do anything funny with her; any kind of relationship is prohibited. Now, let's move on. I want to emphasise that she is my friend and is important to me, so please take care of her. I know she gave you this letter a bit late, but that's okay. Also, take care of yourself and enjoy your time."
"I never thought someone's friendship could be this deep. Who are these two people? But surely, she is the lucky one," Vansh said as he held the paper down, lost in thought. She was enjoying the view, watching students running around.
"It's finished," he announced to her.
"It was about me, wasn't it?" She already knew the answer; her eyes slowly turned toward him as she shifted her head.
"Yeah, it seems that way. Always worried about me, never thinking of herself. Doesn't she realise how much I've grown? I'm not a kid anymore." She was still complaining like a young child.
"She makes sure you don't have to worry; having someone like that in your life is truly a blessing. Just appreciate it."
He looked at her, knowing he had to say the right things. She was upset about her friend's departure but seemed to be grieving for another reason altogether. Vansh tried to connect the dots; he sensed she was sad about this situation, but he understood it wasn't the real cause of her sorrow. It was as if one emotional thread connected to another, leading him to another conclusion.
He was sure that the inquiry would only make her sadder, so he tried to change the subject. He called her by name.
"Aanya, aren't you hungry?"
She slowly turned toward him. He noticed that other students were carrying tiffins, and some had buns and bread. Others were pulling juices from the vending machine and forming a lunch group.
"Yeah, let me have some," she replied.
She stretched her arms up in the air, letting out a sigh of relief. As she began to move forward, he could read the expression on her face and decided he wouldn't let her be alone. He was anxious about the situation, fearing that he might be a burden for her.
"Vansh?" A soft voice called out to him. He had been watching from the fence and turned his head to look at her.
"Yeah?"
"Do you want to have lunch together?"
He was momentarily taken aback, not fully aware of her question at first. It was the same invitation he had wanted to extend to her, but he feared she would decline, preferring to make new friends and enjoy time with them instead. He felt selfish for even considering that she might be lonely. He looked down for a moment.
"Yeah, come on, let's go," he finally said.
He lifted his head and met her gaze. She wore a soft smile, with her hands clasped behind her back and her head slightly tilted. The warmth of her request made him feel delighted, adorable, and soothed.
"Okay, let's go," he repeated to himself in his mind.
"Come on, hurry up! Let's have some lunch," she urged.
Just then, the roof door opened, and both of them turned toward it.