• ISHAAN •

2 MONTHS LATER...

It was a Sunday morning with zero blueprints to plan for my clients, hence I went through my second comfort zone in my life after my notice board: [email protected].

And, it all started with the reply I received after me ignoring her five emails for one month.

From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]

Subject: Carrot halwa

My favourite sweet is Carrot halwa. Surprisingly, the only Indian dessert I prefer.

Advika B...

From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]

Subject: Only Indian dessert?

What do you mean? I thought Indians are fond of their desserts and dishes more than anyone else.

I

From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]

Subject: Fortunately, no.

I prefer Italian cuisine more. *wink wink*

Advika B...

A tremor of pinkness exploded in my cheeks as I read the *wink wink* thing. I never realised that I had 30 teeth— two of which had fallen while munching down cheese-loaded pizza— until that moment when the *wink wink* was looking back at me.

I skipped a few emails and read another set of my favourite emails we shared.

It was about her boyfriend Harsh, who she claims to be a "red flag".

From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]

Subject: Why not?

Now that you don't want to continue the relationship with Harsh, why not end it?

I

From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]

Subject: Fuck my maturity!

Harsh is a red universe. But, I am a red flag as well.

I should tell him that I want to end things. But, being an extreme coward, I am afraid of ending things at the wrong time. Because, he wanted to keep this relationship intact, despite everything that was between us. If I tell him that I don't want to continue it, he would somehow convince me back into the relationship by saying things like, "I'm making efforts as well," or "Just give me some time, and I will turn our mundane lives into magic," and so on. It feels like I'm too immature to have THIS relationship.

I must have ended things with him when I found out that he cheated on me with Smita. It was my fault. I was obsessed with being in a relationship and badly wanted it.

Before ending things with him, I think I must stabilise mentally. But once I end it, there's no looking back.

Advika B...

From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]

Subject: Your maturity *chef's kiss*

You know what, Advika? You may not have the clarity on when to end it, but at least, you are aware of your flaws. And don't worry. There will be a man for you who will accept you as a balanced diet: without avoiding any carbs or fats, proteins or vitamins and minerals.

I

From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]

Subject: What if...?

I was just wondering: what if you were "the man"? God, I would be more than happy if I had you. I think I must have you by my side and search for boys like buying a trending modelled dress.

Advika B...

From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]

Subject: Cheap copies' masterpiece.

Why look for cheap copies when your masterpiece is at your service?

I

From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]

Subject: God of Flirting

I wish I could see this God of Flirting and fall at His feet as His slave. What say, Mr God of Flirting?

Advika B...

I felt the heat intensifying. And no, it wasn't my laptop, the cherry blossoms-covered Milan, or my 16°C room.

From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]

Subject: Serious business

I don't flirt until I mean it, Miss.

I

As I scrolled down further, I read one of the earliest emails I received from her.

From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]

Subject: Famous

Replying to your P.S., Ishaan, let me tell you that you're quite famous here.

Advika B...

This mail was the most complex puzzle that has kept me zoned out no matter what. What does she mean by "famous"? Why does she even behave like I'm some celebrity?

Yet, I brushed that thought away from my head and continued to live in my simping slump.

While being busy with painting my cheeks in shades of red and grinning at my discreet proposals, I saw my mobile flashing Ved's Instagram ID and picked up the next instant. He must be jittery, back from a crucial discussion between his family and Mehak's.

"Hey, Ved!" I waved my hand at the guy whose eyes were sparkling like champagne.

"Bro..." I sensed the huge lump blocking his throat and waited for him to speak up. "Mehak and I..." As he spilt down his first tear, I could no longer see his face but a fan. Yet, I heard the sounds of sobbing and sniffing.

"Ved? Are you there or what?" I raised my voice, my mind imagining him facing the same fate as mine.

Then, I saw another familiar face: a face where one can spot sunshine even during tough storms.

"Hi, Ishaan!" Mehak's brown orbs crystalled the way Ved's eyes did as she waved at me. "Ved and I are getting married next month."

Now, it was my turn to have my eyes sparkle. That was the moment I felt like flying after receiving emails from Advika. The corners of my eyes softened at how my tough best friend turned into a baby at the good news.

"Congratulations, Mehak!" I placed my hand on my mouth while laughing between gasps. "Oh my God! It finally happened! I can't believe that he was ready for it." After a few seconds of letting the euphoria drift off a little, I asked, "Where are you guys getting hitched?"

"Destination wedding at Amalfi Coast," Mehak informed while flaunting her toothy smile.

"Oh." The mention of Amalfi Coast carried me to the conversation where Maahi and I debated whether to get married there or in Rome; it was she who chose Amalfi Coast.

Ved, after completing his crying duties, flaunted his groom-worthy face to the screen. "Hi." He covered his face with his hands and peeked at the screen through the gaps between his fingers.

"Oye! Stop shying away. Give me the highlights of the event now." I snapped my fingers and leaned on the wall while stretching my legs.

"Well, Mehak's parents wanted her to get married since she is yet to turn 28 this December," he narrated the provoking point of the discussion, which sparked a question in me.

"Bro, but you are only twenty five! Why so soon?"

"Who cares? Her parents care about her. And, my parents were initially hesitant to get me married at this age. But then, they agreed to it." He shrugged as if nothing significant had happened at all.

"Ummm... What about you and Mehak?" I don't know why, but I was jittery about this sudden news.

And yeah, it was me who celebrated it seconds ago.

"Mehak always wanted us to get married. And, me... I'm not sure, but I think I'm ready. Be it tornadoes or rapid currents, nothing can stop me from swimming in the sea of my evermore."

"Ved. Let me tell you this. I know I'm not a married man to advise you, yet this is what I strongly believe and feel. We men think that marriages are another set of commitments on board. But, for women, it is another voyage in their lives. They know that there will be goodness, badness, euphoria, heartbreaks, disappointments, and whatnot. Hence, no matter what, don't treat her like another task on your checklist. Treat her like the childhood scrapbook that you have kept with for ages. Don't keep her like a promise. Keep her like an oath."

As I was done saying things from the core of my heart, my mind flashed to the day my mom advised me when I told her about my plans to marry Maahi.

"Wow! Good shit, bro! Never have I ever expected you to advice like a Zen. I think your mirror deserves some more." I rolled my eyes at his pun while he laughed and added, "Fine. I'm sorry, dude. But otherwise, it's a promise that I will treat Mehak like an oath." A few seconds passed while he looked away from the screen. Then, as he looked back at me, he said, "Ummm... Ishaan. Mehak needs me right now. So, I think I have to go. I'll text you later. Bye!"

The moment he disconnected the call and I placed my laptop on my lap, an idea sprung from the delusional corner of my medulla oblongata. The switched-off screen of my laptop told me how capable I am of glowing my eyes at the thought of her. "What if I invite Advika to his wedding?" I asked myself and chuckled at the thought of it.

But what if she wasn't okay with coming here? What if she's uncomfortable with Italy and Milan?

I switched on my laptop and went to my solace space.

From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]

Subject: Your thoughts?

Hi! I know you must be pretty busy. But, I have a question.

What are your thoughts on my country? On Milan? If, by any chance, are there possibilities for you to visit Italy? Not exactly Milan, but anywhere in Italy.

I

***

Ahem, ahem! We know where you are up to, Ishaan. You are in love.

So, I guess, the most awaited moment for us will be here very soon. Very soon, as in, the very next chapter.

Yes, peeps! I have a double update for you all. So, enjoy the next chapter.