Her crush, Aarnik
Sunlight filtered through the window where Manya sat. Her brown hair catching the light and dancing in air.
A slight smile playing on her lips, eyes stuck on the window of the house next to her, filled with admiration and fondness.
A young man, in his early twenties, doing workout. Shirtless, his skin glistening with sweat as sunlight fell on him through window.
As he finished a set of push ups, he stood up, glancing out and catching Manya's eyes.
She was caught off guard. But then he smiled, waving at her.
She felt a flush creeping her neck, and warmth spreading through her chest. Not quite embarrassment, but a feeling of affection and admiration for the boy she is in love with since childhood.
She waved back, smiling at him.
He waved one last time before disappearing in his room.
Arnik, the boy in her neighbourhood. He moved in when she was three, and he was six. And ever since, she has written his name on her heart. Every day begins with seeing him through the window, doing workout, sitting quietly in his room and sipping his coffee.
He would look back at her, giving her hope. He would smile at her, talk to her, laugh with her and even come for dinner with her family.
And more importantly, he was single.
That was the biggest reason she thought she have a chance. They know each other since childhood and he always treats her well.
"Spying again?" A voice asked.
She sighed and turned to look at the person who is sprawled on her bed like he owns it. Tavish, her best friend since preschool.
"It's called admiring." She corrected with a fake offence.
He chuckled, propping himself up on one elbow "Is that so? Staring at his empty window is called admiring? Admiring him or window?"
She grabbed the nearby pillow and threw it at him. "Shut up, Tavi… why are you here so early?"
He caught the pillow and placed It aside, sitting up. "I was getting bored sitting in my house. So I thought to come here. to learn how to spy on people by you."
She just rolled her eyes and walked towards him, fixing the bed. "You are crazy. Get out of my house."
"NO." he laid down again, ruining the bed.
She was about to scold him for ruining her bed but stopped when the door creaked open. Her mother stepped in.
Tavish immediately sat up, slipping in his good boy image. "Good morning, aunty."
Qiana, Manya's mother, looked at him surprised to see him here in early morning but smiled. "Good morning, Tavish. How are you? Did you have your breakfast?"
He nod immediately "I did. But I won't protest if you offer."
Qiana chuckled "Fine. Come downstairs. I will serve the breakfast."
Tavish's smile only grew in victory "Thank you, aunty!"
Manya sighed with a slight smile at his behaviour and her mother spoke.
"Manya, Naira is coming here to stay with us for a month for vacations."
Manya looked at her surprised "Naira? She is coming to stay with us?"
"Yes. she want to spend her vacation with you. I hope you will treat her well. You will have to share your room with her."
Manya's smile dropped "What? But she is annoying! She steals my things!-"
But Qiana gave her a sharp look that silenced her immediately.
Tavish looked between them cluelessly.
"You will share room with her. That's final. She is coming tomorrow. Clean your room." Qiana then looked at Tavish and turned to leave "Tavish, come downstairs for breakfast." She said kindly.
Tavish smiled in response "Ok, aunty. I will be there shortly."
She nod and walked out.
Manya sat down on bed with a heavy sigh.
He sat down beside her, asking curiously "Who is Naira? Is she the girl you used to complain about in middle school? The one who stole your snacks and toys?"
"Yes!" Manya answered in annoyance, feeling helpless. "She is the one. Whenever I used to visit her house, she would take my snacks and dolls. After middle school, I stopped meeting her. We only talk on call or social media. And now I have to share my room with her." Her eyes lit up with an idea and she looked at him.
"Tavi! Can you keep my stuff in your house for a month? Just some make up products and some jewellery and few dresses. She will surely go through my closet and if she liked something, my mother would ask me to give it to her."
Tavish nod simply "Fine. Pack a bag with the stuff you want me to keep at my house before I come back from breakfast." He stood up, walking towards door "You have twenty minutes, be fast."
She nod with determination and grabbed a duffle bag, filling it with expensive dresses, jewellery and make up products she begged her parents to buy for her. She can't let Naira steal it.
After having breakfast, Tavish came and took the bag. He went back home to place it securely in his room.
In the evening, as every Sunday over the years, Manya baked cookies for Aarnik.
She went to his house next door and pressed the doorbell. Her heart beating fast, palms sweating and a nervous smile plastered on her face.
Few seconds later, he opened the door, welcoming her with the same easy charming smile.
"Manya. You are back. Cookies again." he stepped aside, letting her in.
