"Welcome to deep love talks with Suhana."

_________________________

Meera woke up, feeling the sunrays graze her face. She yawned and stretched only to get startled, looking at her surroundings for a second before remembering the previous night's events.

Oh god.

She really did run away. And took the wrong bus. And is now on the way to an unknown city when no one there. She sighed heavily. She suddenly felt like crying. But she couldn't. Not here, at least.

She looked around for the man sitting in front but couldn't find him anywhere. That's when she realised she didn't even ask what his name was. Did he left? No, he said he was going to Agra, right?

Argh, now Meera was hungry. Wait, what was the time? She checked her watch.

8:28 am.

The train was still moving. Meera sighed, she didn't even know how much time more she'll need to get there.

She was lost in thoughts when she felt a presense infront of her. She looked ahead to see that man back on his seat. Meera felt a strange relief. At least she wasn't alone in this journey.

"Where were you?" She asked out of the blue. She hit her forehead for asking that. She didn't know why she did that, it just came out instinctly.

Dhruv raised an eyebrow. "Why are you so curious?" He asked skeptically.

Meera shrugged. "I was just asking. Don't answer if you don't want to." She said, trying to play it off cool. Dhruv shook his head. Both of them sat there in silence.

For one, it was peaceful. But for another one it was itching.  And I think it's clear who the said specific ones are.

Meera cleared her thought again. "Waise aap kuch kaam-wagera karte hai, Blue ji?" She asked.

[So, do you work or what, Mr. Blue?]

"Pardon?" Dhruv asked, fixing his specs on his nose. "Of course, I work. Do I look like umemployed to you?" He said, giving her half-hearted pointed look, there wasn't really any real bite there.

Meera bit the inside of her cheek. Did her question came off as something offensive? She didn't mean it like that though. She just wanted to have a conversation to make the long journey less boring.

She chuckled awkwardly. "Of course, you work. I didn't mean to offend you, though. I mean, everyone does." She tried to clear, in case, he thought her comment was offensive. I could swear it wasn't. "I don't but that's fine, right?"

Dhruv gave her an amused look. This girl was weird. He thought. "And what about this 'Blue ji?'" He asked.

"Your clothes." She said. He glanced down at his blue hoodie, getting her point."Besides, I never got your name." Meera muttered.

"So, you decided to call me that?" Dhruv tried to sound firm. Something about her flustered reactions made him want to tease her more. He kept his face expressionless, crossing his arms, raising an eyebrow.

"You called me gulabo first." Meera quickly defended herself. What kind of hypocrite was this man?

Ugh, first this ridiculously long journey, and on top of that, guess who I get stuck with? This grump. No idea why he’s acting so moody. I was just trying to make conversation — it’s not like I was asking for his property or anything. Huh, such a grump. She thought.

Gods, couldn't you have given me a better, nicer, friendlier person to spend this journey with?

"I called you Gulabo first, does that mean you get to call me Blue?" Dhruv countered breaking her chain of thoughts.

Meera exhaled before stubbornly stating, "Yes, I do. Kaise dogale insaan hai aap. Matlab khud karo toh sahi, aur dusre kare toh galat? Ye kya nainsafi huyi bhala?" She blurted out in annoyance.

[What kind of double standards are these? I mean, when you do it, it’s perfectly fine, but when someone else does the same, suddenly it’s wrong? How is that even fair?]

Dhruv's lips twitched, the smile he tried so hard to hide threathing to unravel. But he maintained his stern expressions. "Are you a lawyer?" He asked. Who was she to talk about what is fair or not? Nainsafi, He scoffed. [Unfairness]

Meera gasped. "How do you know that?" Meera asked, astonished. Her eyes wide in amusement. "Are you a fortune teller? I am indeed an aspiring lawyer." She stated proudly with a mix of amusement.

Oh. Dhruv's mouth pressed in a thin line. He had blurted it out just like that. He didn't really mean that. He shook his head. "No, I am not a fortune teller."

"Then who are you?" The question came almost instinctly.

"That's none of your concern." Dhruv pressed his lips together in a line, causing Meera to scowl. Meera didn't get a single straight answer to any of her questions. At this point, why was she even trying? But she can't help it!

"Are you always like this?" Meera asked.

"Like what?"

"Like you're in a crime documentary." She deadpanned.

Dhruv gave her a look. "Only with strangers who don't know when to shut up." He deadpanned.

Meera gasped. "That was so mean." She muttered, eyeing him. She looked out the window. At least, the scenery was better than the man in front of her. People have the tendency to be unnecessarily rude nowadays.

Meera thought for a while, again turned to him. "Can I tell you something, Sir?" She asked, looking at him expecting a clear answer.

Dhruv raised an eyebrow. It's clear this girl was one heck of a chatterbox. He didn't intend to be rude. But he also didn't want to share his personal information with a stranger. That'd be downright stupid considering his lane of work.

Also, for a man of few words, he didn't know how to reply. So, he just blurted what came to his mouth. Blame his up-tight introvert nature, not him.

"What?" He asked.

"Kindness doesn't hurt." She answered.

"Might hurt." He retorted.

"Might's overrated." She retorted back.

Dhruv was indeed momentarily speechless for a while at that. He blinked as if trying to register how she’d just turned his own words back at him so smoothly. And unapologetically.

Her gaze remained fixed on him, steady, like she was daring him to disagree. Meera couldn't help but feel smug about it. Yes! Victory!

Meera: 01     The man: 00

Meera smirked and looked out the window, biting back a smile. Dhruv looked at her intendly. The girl who was now looking out the window.

"Might's overrated." He muttered, repeating her words under his breath. "You sure do talk a lot." He stated the obvious.

Meera half shrugged. "Amma bhi yahi bolti hai." Her face fell a little, but it was quickly masked. She looked at him. "Lekin bina sir-pair ki baate toh nhi karte na."

[Amma says the same/ At least I don't talk without subtance.]

"That's debatable." Dhruv muttered under his breath, but loud enough for her to hear.

"Everything is, Sir." Meera said, as if she is some great philosopher. Dhruv couldn't help but find her antics amusing.

"Ab ye 'sir' kya hai?" Dhruv asked, throwing his hand up. He looked at her with a done expression.

[Now, what's with this 'sir' thing?]

"Ajeeb aadmi hai aap." Meera frowned, narrowing her eyes at him. "Ek toh aapna naam nhi bataya. Phir jab mai Blue ji bulao, toh aapko problem, Sir bulao, toh problem. Why are you so problematic?"

[First, you didn't tell me your name, and now when I am calling you names as I wish, you're having a problem.]

Dhruv sighed. "Fine. Call me whatever you want." She was definitely the weirdest girl Dhruv's ever met. All of their encounters from the ticket counters till now were all weird. No, actually, they were WEIRD. In upppercase.

Meera pressed her lips in a line. He sure was the grumpiest man she's ever met. But then again, it's not like she's met a lot of people. Most of life was spent in her haveli.

A few moments passed.

Meera cleared her throat. "Suniye," She called him again, her voice soft. Dhruv looked up at her, raising an eyebrow. "Are you hungry?"

[Listen,]

"No." Dhruv answered, shaking his head.

"I am." Meera admitted in a low voice. She was embarrassed, yes. But she couldn't handle hunger. She felt like she might faint any moment, low iron issues. She didn't bring anything to eat in the hurry to run away without getting caught.

"Do you have something to eat?" Dhruv shook his head, making Meera sigh in defeat. Dhruv looked at his watch. "The next station should be 30 minutes. You'll get something to eat there." He told her, nodding towards his watch.

Bravo! First, straight answer from this man. Meera mentally clapped and celebrated.

___________________________

Yug and Veer sat in front of the TV. Their focus solely fixed on the upcoming scene. The main plot of the whole movie.

It was early morning. Their house was quiet, aside from noises coming from the TV. Everyone was busy in their own morning routine. Except for the two sons of the house, who seemed to have the time of the world.

Tea cups and biscuit plate in front of them, legs crossed over the tea table, and eyes fixed on the TV scene.

The perfect monday morning for both of them.

One, who skipped school due to 'headache' and the other who doesn't have any work.

The door opened, and Suhana walked in. She was dressed in a black shirt and beige trousers. A perfect formal and professional attire completely contrasting the man sprawled on the couch in his tee and joggers.

Yug was the first one to notice her. "Good morning, Suhana didi." Yug smiled and greeted her. Suhana returned the gesture. "Good morning, Yug."

Veer's attention went towards her, hearing their exchange. He cleared his throat dramatically. "Yug, is this what we teach you in this household?" He asked Yug, with a stern expression. Yug frowned, confused.

"Did we not teach you to respect elders, huh?" Veer nagged him again with the same stern expression.

"What's with you so suddenly, bhaiya? And I do respect elders." Yug mumbled the last part, narrowing his eyes at the sudden nagging.

Veer's expression turned into sonething mocking. "Toh dhyan se dekho, beta, woh didi nhi, aunty hai. How dare you disrespect her by calling her 'didi', huh?" Veer scolded Yug, making him press his lips in a straight line.

[Look carefully, kid, she's not a young lady, that's an aunty.]

Suhana, who was watching the conversation, narrowed her eyes, biting her inner cheek. Her lips twitched. If only he wasn't my boss's son. She thought, cursing him in her mind.

"Am I right, Suhana ji?" He turned towards Suhana and asked, smiling innocently. Suhana returned the gesture with a sarcastic smile of her own.

Yug looked back and forth between the two before deciding to focus on the TV again, sighing.

Suhana inhaled, remembering that she had to be the bigger person here. Yeah, because she's the eldest in the room—shut up! "Where is Sir?" She asked, her eyes on Yug.

Yug shrugged. "Bade papa must be in his room or something. Come sit, we were just watching this movie. It's so cool." Yug beamed as he talked about the movie. Suhana chuckled at the younger boy's enthusiasm. It was no secret to anyone how much of a big movie fan Yug was. That little 10 year old must've watched more movies than any of them.

Suhana sat on the single couch. If she was going to wait, why not make the wait interesting. She turned towards the television. 

Main Tera Hero.

The movie that was playing on the TV. Yug sighed dreamily, too dreamily for a 10 year old boy. Hearing his sigh, he got two stares. One weird and one amused.

Veer narrowed his eyes at him, giving him a weird look, "What was that?" He asked suspiciously. This little boy, did he already have a girl in mind? Geez, kids these days!

That would've surely hurt his pride, knowing his brother, who is barely 10, got more game than him.

"Bhaiya, will god ring the bells for me too when I see my soulmate?" He asked, nodding towards the movie scene, looking up at Veer with his big hopeful eyes that were beaming with excitement.

Suhana chuckled at his innocent question. Veer gave him a look. "Don't you think you're thinking too ahead of your age? 8 ka table toh aata nhi bada aaya soulmate ke aage ghanti bhakane." Veer scoffed, smacking Yug's head slightly.

Yug grimaced, scowling at the older man. "Aapse se toh baat karna hi bekar hai." He muttered and turned towards Suhana. "Aap bataona, will it happen for me too?" He asked hopefully.

Suhana mentally cooed at his cuteness. Who would dare act rude towards this cutie? She could never. "Of course, it would." She assured him, smiling brightly.

Veer scoffed, earning glares from the other two people. He glanced between them. "What?" He asked before turning towards Suhana. "And what delusion are you feeding him?"

"I was just trying to keep his hope intact." Suhana answered in the same tone as him. Her eyes dared him to say something disrespectful once again. Who did he think she was for him to talk to her like that? Why did her presence bugged him so much?

"By giving him false hope?" Veer retorted, raising his eyebrow and crossing his arms.

"Why do you think it's false?" She frowned.

"Because movies are fictional for a reason. Nothing such happens in real life." He deadpanned, as if stating a universal fact.

Suhana bit her tongue. "Maybe the bell part doesn't, but love does." She said with surety, holding her ground.

"Love? You are saying as if it has happened to you. Has it, Suhana ji? Kabhi pyaar hai?" Veer said in cocky tone. Well, love.. was an unknown concept to Veer.

[Have you ever been in love?]

It's not like he hasn't been in a relationship before. He has.. once. But soon, he figured out that it was just out of curiosity, thrill of a new feeling, no hard feelings were involved. She was his good friend and when she proposed the idea, he decided why not give it a chance. So, that was that.

She paused. She blinked, looking straight into his eyes. No words escaped either of them. "Hua hai. Abhi bhi hai." She said, her voice heavy with something Veer couldn't decipher. He was taken aback by the intensity of her gaze and depth of her words.

[I have. I still am.]

She must really love that guy. Veer thought, sensing the seriousness in her words. Suhana looked away, clearing her throat.

Yug glanced back and forth between the two of them, the movie now long forgotten. Ye toh bilkull movie jaisa lag raha hai. Lekin ye log ghanti se pyaar tak kaise pohoch gaye? Yug thought, pouting.

[This feels exactly like a movie. But how did they go from ringing the bells to falling in love?]

Veer smirked again. "You never told us you have a boyfriend. Aap toh badi chupi rustom nikli." He teased out of his usual nature.

[Well, well… you were full of surprises, weren’t you?]

Suhana looked down on her lap."I don't have a boyfriend." She denied calmly.

Veer raised an eyebrow. “Oh?” he asked, the cockiness in his voice softening ever so slightly. “But you just said—”

“I said I’ve been in love,” Suhana interrupted, her tone quiet but resolute. She wasn’t smiling. “There’s a difference.” Veer's pressed his lips. There indeed was a difference.

For a second, even the ever-charming Veer didn’t know what to say. That wasn’t the answer he had expected. He leaned back a little, his smirk fading into something more thoughtful.

Yug, who had by now paused the movie with the remote still in his hand, looked from Suhana to Veer and back. "Wait, wait, hold on. So you're telling me there was love but no relationship?" he asked as he looked at Suhana, frowning, clearly trying to understand but also extremely intrigued.

Suhana gave a small nod, her eyes still on her lap. “Sometimes... love doesn’t come with labels. And sometimes, it’s not returned.”

Silence followed.

Yug’s mouth parted as if he wanted to say something, but then he thought better of it and just quietly sat back, eyebrows still raised. He didn't really know what to say to that.

"Relationship without love and love without relationship?" Yug asked, blinking. "Is that even possible?"

Suhana nodded. "Yes, kiddo. That's how love is." She said, smiling softly.

"Why is it so complicated?" Yug frowned grumpily, clearly not liking the fact that love was so complicated. They show love as something so beautiful in movies. Is that not a case in real life?

Suhana chuckled, seeing his expression. "Love is complicated. That's the specialty of it. Waise bhi simple mein kya maza hai, haina?" Her tone was light-hearted, trying to uplift his mood.

[Where's the fun in simple?]

Yug nodded. “That sounds painful,” Veer middled quietly, more to himself than to her. His usual flair of mischief was gone, replaced by a rare seriousness.

"It is. But it's beautifully painful." Suhana stated.

Veer and Yug both frowned, looking genuinely puzzled and curious. Veer leaned back in his seat, sighing heavily. "Wow, look at us... 'Welcome to deep love talks with Suhana.'" Veer said. His usual demeanor returning.

Suhana pressed her lips together but couldn't help the smile that graced on her face.

Yug dramatically fell back on the couch. “Arey yaar, aap dono toh full-on sad romantic movie ban gaye ho. Mujhe popcorn chahiye.”

[Oh man, you two have turned into a full-on sad romantic movie. I need popcorn for this.]

Veer chuckled softly, the heaviness between them dissolving a little. “Popcorn toh main bhi loonga. Emotional damage ka kuch toh compensation chahiye.”

[I’m getting popcorn too. I deserve some compensation for all this emotional damage.]

Suhana smiled faintly, not saying anything, but her eyes held a quiet strength. Veer watched her for a moment longer. Something about her words lingered in his mind.

Love. Real love. It existed... even if it didn’t always end with a happily ever after.

Or maybe these were just dramatic talks.

Before another round of playful bickering could begin, the sound of footsteps echoed down the hall. All three turned their heads. A tall figure appeared at the end of the corridor — stern, composed, dressed sharply even at home. Yug immediately straightened, whispering, “Bade papa…”

Suhana stood up instinctively, brushing down her shirt. The air shifted. She had almost forgotten why she was here — almost. Veer's back straightened as if he were in some military training.

Tarun approached, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on her. His expression was still hardened. “Suhana,” he greeted, his voice calm but authoritative. “You’re early.”

She offered a polite smile. “I hope that’s not a problem, Sir.” Even after working with him for 2 years, this man was damn scary.

He shook his head. “Not at all.” Then his gaze flickered to Veer, who was now pretending to inspect the ceiling. He shot him a disappointing look. "Janab, sikho kuch Suhana se. Subah, subah ready hokar, kaam karne bhi aa gayi. Aur khud ko dekh. Abhi tak ghar pe pada hua hai." He nagged. Veer internally groaned.

[Sir, learn something from Suhana. She got ready early in the morning and came to work. And look at yourself — still lazing around at home.]

Was it so wrong to wish for a peaceful morning this usual nagging? There he goes again, nagging me, comparing me to people, without understanding my side. Now, if I say something, they'll create a new drama. Veer thought.

Shook his head and turned to Suhana. "Let's go. We have to deal with the Zaveri case, right?" Suhana nodded, standing up and following him outside.

________________________

The train finally came to a stop, making Meera almost squeal. Key word—almost. Vendors started roaming through the train compartments.

She sat up straighter, craning her neck to peek out of the window. Her face lit up, not because she had almost reached her destination—she hadn’t—but because motion, any motion, gave her the illusion of progress. And right now, progress was all she needed to hold on to.

Outside, the platform was dimly lit, buzzing with quiet chaos. Vendors began filing through the train compartments with practiced ease, calling out their wares in hoarse, sleepy voices.

“Chai, chai! Garam chai!”

“Samosa! Bread pakoda! Aloo patties! Mirchi bhajiya!”

“Bottled water, biscuit, namkeen, orange candy!”

The stale scent of platform samosas and greasy food began to drift in through the windows, mixing with the slightly metallic scent of the train itself.

Meera’s eyes immediately sparkled. “Finally, some food.” she whispered like a secret revelation.

Dhruv, still calmly seated across from her, raised a brow but said nothing. Instead, he took out a book. It was strange seeing someone get this excited over food. Especially these oily street food and packets.

He stared at her for two full seconds, the edges of his lips twitching just barely—then he buried himself in his book again.

Meera, however, had already half-stood, craning toward the aisle to catch the eye of a chai vendor. She waved him over like she was hailing a cab.

The vendor approached her, passing through the crowd with practiced ease. "Boliye, madam, kya lengi? Apne paas samosa hai, chai hai, pani bottle, orange candy aur ye masala chana." He listed out the items that he had.

[Tell me, madam, what would you like? We have samosas, tea, bottled water, orange candy, and this spiced roasted gram.]

"Ek cup chai de dijiye, do samosa, aur ek packet ye." She pointed towards the packet of orange candy as she told him what she'd like.

[A cup tea, two samosas and this.]

Meera briefly glanced towards Dhruv, who was still engrossed in his book. "Aap kuch nhi lenge?" She called out to him.

[Won't you take anything?]

"No."

Meera shrugged, turning towards the vendor again. "That's all." The vendor nodded and handed her the items. "Water bottle, madam ji?" He asked her.

Meera nodded, asking him to give her one water bottle as well. He handed it to her. "Aapka total pura pachiyassi rupaiye hua."

[Your total is Rs. 85.]

Meera's brow furrowed in confusion. "Ji kitna hua?" She asked again.

[How much again?]

"Pachiyassi, madam." The vendor told her again, looking around for other customers.

[85, madam.]

Meera gulped. Not that. She was hoping he'd say the number in english. Her hindi numbers were not so good. Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment. Should she ask to tell her that in english? No, what will the man think that even after living in India, she doesn't know hindi numbers.

"Madam, be quick. I have to go to others, too. Sirf pachiyassi hi toh hua hai." The vendor asked again. Meera nodded. You don't have anything to lose, Meera. Go for it. She gave herself a little mental pep talk.

[It's only a matter of 85 Rs.]

"Bhaiya, woh aap jara english mein bataiye na kitna hua hai?" She asked, in a low voice.

The vendor frowned, "Huh?"

"85." Her head turned towards Dhruv, as he answered nonchalantly, without even looking up from his book.

Meera quickly took out a solid Rs. 500 from her bag and handed it to him.

"What's this, madam? Don't you have change? Because I don't. Itni subah-subah 500 ka khulla thodi rahega." Vendor searched his pocket for change. He patted his shirt pocket, checked the pouch on his hip, and even looked under the lid of the flask like he might find ₹470 tucked under it.

"No, I only have this." Meera said softly and apologetically. Garv had only given her these Rs. 500 notes that he had freshly withdrawn from the bank.

The vendor clicked his tongue. "I don't have any chane either. Wait, let me ask someone else." He said and started looking for other vendors.

Dhruv, who had been trying—and failing—to ignore the commotion, glanced up. He gave a Rs. 100 note to the man. “Keep the change,” he said to the vendor, who looked like he’d just been granted parole.

The man took it with grateful speed, handed Dhruv the receipt, and disappeared into the next compartment.

Meera blinked, turning to him. "I don't have any change. Here," She held her Rs. 500 note forward towards him. "Keep the change." She repeated his words from before.

"Excuse me? Who do you take me for? I don't need this." He downright refused in a gruff tone.

"No, I don't take favors from strangers." Meera insisted, stretching her hand, moving the note more towards him.

Dhruv closed his book and gave her a deadpanned look. "Tum pagal ho kya? Tum mujhe 100 rupe ke badle 500 de rahi ho."

[Are you mad? You're giving 500 for a 100.]

"Ab jo hai woh hai. Humare paas sirf yahi hai. Ek 100 ka note tha par woh humne ticket ke liye istemaal kar diya. Le lijiye." Meera insisted again, her arm still extended stubbornly across the narrow gap between their seats, the ₹500 note fluttering slightly in the stale morning breeze that crept in through the half-cracked train window.

[Now it is what it is. This is all we have. We had a 100-rupee note, but we used it for the ticket. Here, please take this.]

Dhruv stared at her like she’d just offered him a ticking bomb.

“Tch. I don't need your money. I helped you out of humanity. Let it be, forget it.” he said, slower this time, emphasizing each word like she was a five-year-old. “Especially not five times the amount.”

Meera scoffed. "I told you, I don't like taking favors from strangers. Ajnabiyo ke udhaar nhi rakhte hum. Le lijiye na, kyu zid kar rahe hai?" She frowned, slight annoyance creeping in.

[Just take it. Why are you being stubborn?]

Dhruv crossed his arms. "Oh, mai zidd kar raha hu? Aur tumhara kya? Ek 100 rupe ke liye itna drama kar rahi ho." He shook his head.

[Oh, I'm being stubborn? What about you? You're being dramatic over a mere 100.]

"So, you'll not take it?" She asked again, huffing.

He didn’t move. Just stared at her. "No."

There was a beat of silence. A full, pregnant pause where even the background cries of the vendors had moved on with the train, leaving just them in the slightly sunlit cabin of second-class AC.

Finally, Meera drew her hand back with a dramatic sigh, shoved the note back into her bag, and muttered under her breath, "Pata nhi kya maza aaraha hai inko khudko hi 100 rupe ka chuna lagwa kar. Acche khase 400 mil rahe, lekin nhi."

[God knows why they’re enjoying getting themselves fooled out of 100 rupees. They were easily getting 400, but no—of course not.]

Dhruv raised his eyebrow. "What did you say?" Though, he knew and had heard all too well what she had muttered a few seconds ago.

"What did you hear?" Meera never the first the back down, retorted, titling her gead innocently.

"I know, I heard something." He said with light challenge in his tone, raising an eyebrow.

"That's because I said something." She said in a matter-of-factly sass.

"And what was that something?" He asked with mock curiosity and exagerrated seriousness.

Meera rolled her eyes. "Why should I tell you that?"

"Because I asked." He deadpanned.

"Why did you ask?"

"You're seriously doing this?"

"I think I am, yeah."

"You're impossible."

"You're worse."

_________________________

Adios, Mariposas🦋