His hand plays with mine as I continue, “We moved city to city because my dad’s work required him to relocate often. It was hard for me in terms of school because just when I had adjusted to a new school and new friends, it was time to move again. Then one day, when I was in grade five, I think, I insisted to remain in my current school. I refused to keep relocating and restarting my life. The school I was going to had a boarding as well and Jasmine was there too.”

“Jasmine?”

“Oh yeah, Jasmine. She’s my cousin, but more like a sister or a best friend. She was in the same class as me and we refused to be parted because we had grown so close. My mother wanted to stay back with me, but I knew she’d be miserable without Dad. So, I convinced her to go. My parents left for another city and I stayed with Jasmine at the boarding school.”

He smiles, breathing my hair, kissing the side of my head. “So stubborn even when so young.”

I roll my eyes at him.

“Tell me more,” he says.

“Well, my Dad had an accident in-flight. His jet caught fire but he managed to eject with a parachute. He broke his leg while landing and that was the unfortunate end of his air force career. My parents returned to Mumbai, our home city. My dad’s always enjoyed carving wood and when I was younger, he’d make wooden toys for me in his free time. His love for carving made him start a furniture store in Mumbai. He was one of the first people to liaise with a foreign furniture brand and bring them to India at a time when none existed. My mom helped him out for several years but now she works for an NGO that helps underprivileged women get jobs. Dad still plays a major role in ASD, our furniture store, though.”

“That sounds amazing.”

“Yes!” I nod thinking about my parents and Jasmine. They’ve given me their unending support by looking after my son for me while I’m here treading new waters with my husband. “They are quite amazing.”

“So, you found your love for architecture and design from your Dad?”

I nod. Damien’s arm snakes around my shoulder. I rub his palm with mine, loving this closeness between us.

Damien

I STAY SILENT PROCESSING what Aaliya’s shared with me about herself and her life. It just makes me think how different our worlds are and yet here we are, together, as if bound by fate.

“Damien,” Aaliya soft voice interrupts my thoughts. I link my hand with hers, unable to stop touching her. “Tell me why you pushed me away, why you thought we shouldn’t be together.”

She gazes at me with eyes that shine with innocence and I begin to speak.