[33]
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As Siya and Shashwat walked towards the gathering, Siya couldn't help but notice how their hands were still intertwined.
She felt a mix of embarrassment and warmth.
Gently, she tried to free her hand, quickening her pace slightly to walk ahead.
But Shashwat tightened his grip, pulling her back towards him.
Her eyes widened in surprise, and she looked up at him.
"Hath kab chhorenge?" she asked, her voice a blend of shyness.
["When will you let go of my hand?"]
"Kabhi nahi," he replied, his eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that made her cheeks flush a deeper shade of red.
[Never.]
"Chhodiye!" she insisted, attempting once more to free her hand, but his hold remained firm and secure.
"Chhudha lijiye," he challenged with a playful shrug, a teasing smile spreading across his face. His eyes sparkled with mischief, enjoying her struggle.
Siya huffed softly, determination shining in her eyes as she continued to try and pull her hand away. After a few moments, Shashwat suddenly let go, and she stumbled slightly, caught off guard. She looked up at him, her face a mix of relief and confusion.
He gestured towards the path ahead with a nod. "Aage badho," he said softly, his voice gentle now.
Blushing furiously, Siya turned and began to walk away, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks. She could sense his gaze on her back, and it made her heart race. Shashwat followed her, his hands now clasped behind his back, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.
As they neared the group, Siya took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. She glanced back briefly to see Shashwat still smiling, and despite herself, a small smile tugged at her own lips.
It was time to return to the hotel, and the students filed onto the bus.
The ride back was filled with chatter and laughter, but Siya remained unusually quiet, lost in her thoughts.
She still couldn't fully grasp the reality that she was now in a relationship with Shashwat.
As they walked back to their rooms, she found herself trailing behind him, her eyes fixed on his back.
Walking alongside her were Arushi and Richa, while Shashwat walked ahead with Akash and Reyansh.
When they reached their rooms, Arushi and Richa stopped, but Siya continued to follow Shashwat, her mind elsewhere. Shashwat turned around, noticing her absent-mindedness, and raised his eyebrows.
"Tumhara room aa gaya," he said, breaking her trance. She blinked, momentarily confused.
[Your room has arrived.]
"Huh?" she asked, still dazed.
"Room," he repeated, pointing towards the room she had passed by. Trying to suppress a smile, he asked, "Dhyan kahan tha?"
[Where are you lost?]
She shook her head slightly, attempting to clear her thoughts.
"Siya, jab se hum Bhandirvan se vapas aaye hain, tu aise ajeeb harkatein kyun kar rahi hai? Abhi thodi der pehle bus mein bhi ek jagah khadi ho ke apni duniya mein chali jaa rahi thi," Reyansh remarked, noticing her unusual behaviour.
["Siya, ever since we returned from Bhandirvan, why are you behaving so strangely? Just a while ago, you stood in one place on the bus and seemed lost in your own world."]
"Haan haan, batao," Shashwat added, his eyebrows raised with a knowing smirk. Siya shot him a glare, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks.
[Ohh yes tell us.]
"Kuch nahi... I am feeling sleepy, that's why," she said hurriedly and rushed back to her room, her heart pounding.
As Shashwat, Reyansh, and Akash entered their room, Akash switched on the TV and began flipping through the channels until he landed on the Pogo channel. He turned to Reyansh with a teasing smile.
"Reyansh, ye tere liye," Akash said, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
[For you Reyansh.]
"Kya?? Main koi baccha hun jo ye sab dekhunga?" Reyansh retorted, raising his eyebrows in disbelief.
["What?? Am I a child that I'll watch all this?"]
"Bakwas karta rehta hai!" Shashwat chimed in, pinching Akash's hand playfully. Akash let out a hiss of pain, rubbing his hand.
As Siya entered the room, she jumped and hugged Arushi and Richa, startling them.
"Kya hai?" Arushi asked, shocked.
"Your bhaiya proposed to me!!" Siya exclaimed, making their eyes widen.
"Kya????" Arushi asked, her voice full of astonishment.
[What?]
"Kaise?" Richa asked, leaning forward.
[How?]
"Matlab kahan?" Arushi added quickly.
[Where?]
"Kya kaha?" Richa pressed.
"Kaise kaha?" Arushi echoed, her curiosity boundless.
"Wo..." Siya began, but before she could continue, Arushi interrupted her.
"Wait, wait... pehle change kar lete hain phir aram se batana... details ke sath aur ek ek dialogue batana!" Arushi insisted.
[Wait let's change dress first, then tell us comfortably... with details and each dialogue!]
Siya nodded eagerly. After they had all changed into comfortable clothes, they gathered with a bag of chips, ready to hear every detail. Siya recounted the entire story, from the setting to Shashwat's exact words.
"Hayyeeee!! This was too unique!" Richa said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Bhaii, sach me... kitna divine tha," Arushi added with dreamy eyes.
"I never imagined bhaiya to be so romantic... matlab unko dekh ke lagta nahi tha ki wo pyar me aise girenge," Richa remarked, still processing the news.
"To tu ab single nahi rahi," Arushi teased.
"Chup raho ab... mujhe sharam aa rahi hai," Siya said, covering her face with a pillow, her cheeks burning red.
[Shut up! I am feeling shy?]
"Arre, why are we sitting like this? We should celebrate this!!" Richa said, jumping up and heading to the speaker.
"Shhh! Dheere chalana song... I don't want to be embarrassed on the first day of my relationship," Siya pleaded.
Richa laughed and instead played the music on her phone. They started dancing, celebrating the joyous news in their own little party.
Meanwhile, Shashwat was lying on his bed, watching a video of Siya that he had captured. Her words, "I have found my devotion in you," echoed in his mind. He rolled over and buried his face in the pillow, a grin spreading across his face.
"Ye kya paglon jaisi harkatein kar raha hai tu kabse?" Reyansh asked, noticing Shashwat's odd behavior while scrolling through his phone from a nearby chair.
[Why are you behaving like a mad?]
"Kuch nahi... mujhe bas neend aa rahi hai," Shashwat replied, his face still buried in the pillow.
[Nothing! I am feeling sleepy.]
"Ma'am is calling everyone for dinner. Let's go," Akash said, prompting them to get up and head downstairs.
As Shashwat and his friends descended, his eyes immediately sought out Siya, who was also looking for him.
"Bhaiya," Darsh called out to them, sitting with Siya, Arushi, Richa, and Divya, and gestured for them to join. Shashwat took a seat directly across from Siya. Reyansh noticed Arushi deliberately avoiding his gaze, engrossed in conversation with Divya.
"Tum sab baitho... Mai aur Darsh will bring dinner," Akash said, dragging a reluctant Darsh with him.
"Har koi ghaseet ke le jata hai mujhe!" Darsh muttered, making the group chuckle.
[Everyone just drags me along.]
They returned with food, and Shashwat, Reyansh, Siya, and Arushi helped to arrange the plates.
As Shashwat held a plate, Siya suddenly placed her hand over his.
His stomach flipped, and he looked at her.
She quickly withdrew her hand, looking down shyly.
Shashwat smiled and set the plate in front of her.
They began eating while chatting animatedly. Meanwhile, Siya and Shashwat continued their silent conversation through their eyes. As Shashwat began to fill his glass with water, his gaze was fixed on Siya. He didn't notice when the water started overflowing from the glass.
"Oyee!! Kya kar raha hai!" Akash exclaimed, snapping Shashwat out of his trance. He looked at the glass with wide eyes.
[What are you doing?]
"Shit!! Sorry... Mai saaf kar deta hun," Shashwat said, grabbing a few tissues to clean up the spill. Siya looked down, trying to control her laughter.
[I will clean this.]
"Dhyan kahan tha?" Siya asked, her face innocent but her eyes twinkling with amusement. Shashwat glared at her, masking his own amusement.
[Where were you lost?]
He took out his phone and messaged her on Instagram: "Accha ji? Mere hi tricks mujhpe azmaye jaa rahe hain." He glanced at her as she opened her phone to read the message and then typed back.
[ My own tricks are being tested on me.]
"Usse badla lena kehte hain??." She typed, and he read the message with a smirk.
[It's called revenge.]
"Accha ji?" he replied.
"Haan ji," she typed back, her smile barely contained.
"Vaise after dinner I will go to the backside garden of the hotel for some fresh air," he typed, indirectly inviting her.
Before she could respond, Akash noticed them engrossed in their phones. "Where are you both busy? For a few minutes, keep your phones aside and talk to us," Akash said.
They both placed their mobiles on the table, hiding their smiles as they joined the group conversation.
After some time, everyone gathered in the front hall of the hotel, chatting and enjoying each other's company.
Shashwat sat on a sofa with Akash and Reyansh, his eyes frequently drifting towards Siya.
She was sitting with her classmates and friends, engaged in a lively game.
Shashwat caught her eye and subtly gestured towards the entrance with his thumb, indicating he wanted her to come with him.
Siya nodded, showing her palm and mouthing "five minutes. "
Shashwat leaned back, trying to appear relaxed, but his impatience was evident. He watched as Siya continued playing, occasionally glancing at him with an apologetic smile. The minutes seemed to drag on.
Finally, Siya stood up and began making her way towards him, making him smile widely, but just as she was about to reach Shashwat, Arushi called out, "Siya, come here for a second! We need you for this round."
Siya turned, giving Shashwat an apologetic look, and joined her friends once more. Shashwat sighed, feeling his annoyance grow. He waited, tapping his foot impatiently.
A few minutes later, Siya managed to slip away again. This time, she almost made it to Shashwat when Divya intercepted her, "Siya didi can you help me guessing this movie? You're so good at these!"
Shashwat watched with a frustrated expression as Siya was pulled back into the group. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to keep his cool. He knew they needed to be patient, but it was getting harder by the minute.
After a while, Shashwat left the bustling hall and headed towards the garden. Once he found a quiet spot, he sat down on the grass and messaged Siya, "I am waiting for you."
Siya saw the message and sighed, eager to finally have a moment alone with him.
Meanwhile, Shashwat cleaned the grass beside him, preparing a spot for Siya to sit.
He listened intently, hoping to hear her approaching footsteps.
When he did hear someone, he grinned and turned around, only to be disappointed when he saw Kanak approaching with a smile.
"What are you doing here, Kanak?" he asked, trying his best to smile despite his visible irritation.
"I saw you heading towards the garden, so I thought I'd join you," she said, settling beside him. Shashwat gave her a forced smile and nodded, his patience wearing thin.
Just then, Siya arrived and saw Kanak sitting beside Shashwat. Her face fell at the sight, her excitement turning into disappointment.
"Siya," Kanak called out, noticing her.
Shashwat looked up and saw Siya's crestfallen expression. "Siya, we want some time alone... can you please excuse us?" Kanak said, making Shashwat frown. Siya's hands clenched into fists at her sides, her emotions bubbling up.
"Siya..." Shashwat called, rushing towards her. He reached out and held her wrist, stopping her from leaving. "Where are you going?" he asked, his voice filled with concern. He turned to Kanak.
"Kanak, can you please excuse us?" he asked, his tone polite but firm.
Kanak gave him a fake smile, clearly disappointed. "Sure, Shashwat. Enjoy," she said before standing up and leaving reluctantly.
"Why were you leaving, Siya?" he asked softly. "I invited you here. I wanted to be with you, not anyone else."
"When Kanak asked me to leave, she spoke with such authority." She replied, looking down.
"Bharosa nahi hai mujhpe?" He asked softly.
[Don't you trust me?]
" I trust you," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's just... Usne itne haq se kaha.."
[She said with such right.]
He shook his head, his expression earnest. "Mujhpar bas tumhara haq hai .Not Kanak or anyone. I want you to claim that right."
[Only you have right on me.]
A small smile tugged at Siya's lips as she nodded her head.
Shashwat smiled back, relieved. They both sat down on the grass, the space beside him now occupied by her. Silence settled over them, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Instead, it was filled with a quiet understanding and mutual affection.
Shy smiles played on their lips, each feeling the flutter of nerves that came with being alone together for the first time since their relationship began.They stole shy glances at each other, their hearts pounding with anticipation.
"Ahmm..." Shashwat cleared his throat, breaking the silence.
"Dinner accha tha aaj," Siya nodded, her gaze fixed on the ground.
[Dinner was nice.]
"Hmm," he responded, also avoiding direct eye contact.
Shashwat noticed Siya shivering and rubbing her hands together. He mentally cursed himself for not wearing a jacket, wishing he could cover her like the heroes in Bollywood movies.
Siya absentmindedly placed her hand on the grass, and it brushed against Shashwat's hand. Their eyes met for a brief moment before they both looked away, their cheeks tinged with a shy smile.
He tentatively reached out and lightly touched her small finger, sending a jolt of electricity through both of them. Siya's stomach fluttered with butterflies as she met his gaze, her heart racing.
Suddenly feeling self-conscious, Shashwat quickly withdrew his hand and clasped them together, trying to klconceal his nervousness.
Siya took a deep breath, gathering her courage. She placed her hand above his and slowly slipped her warm palms into his cold one. Shashwat's eyes widened in surprise as her touch sent a warm rush through his body. A blush crept onto his cheeks as he gazed at her, his heart skipping a beat.
Siya, feeling flustered by his intense gaze and her own bold move, was about to retract her hand when he held it tightly.
"Once you hold my hand, it's impossible to let go," he said softly, his voice filled with sincerity.
Siya's heart melted at his words, and a smile spread across her face. She squeezed his hand gently, silently conveying her agreement.
"Suniye," she called him softly.
"Sunaiye," he responded, turning his attention to her.
"Wo..." she started, clearing her throat nervously. "Ab ham... ham sach me... relationship me hain?" She asked, looking down, her voice barely above a whisper.
["Now we... are we really... in a relationship?"]
"Tumhe kya lagta hai?" He asked, his gaze gentle as he looked at her.
[What do you think?]
"I mean... I am not able to process this... hamare liye sab ye sab sapne jaisa lag raha hai... I had many dreams like this."" she confessed, her words tinged with uncertainty.
"I promise you that I will make your reality more beautiful than your dreams," he reassured her, his voice filled with sincerity. She looked up at him, her eyes wide with emotion.
They sat there, lost in each other's gaze, a silent understanding passing between them.
He noticed a few strands of hair falling across her face and hesitantly extended his hand.
Trying his best not to touch her, he gently brushed the strands behind her ear, his fingers barely grazing her temple.
He quickly withdrew his hand, both of them feeling flustered by the brief contact, and they turned their attention back to the sky, a comfortable silence settling between them.
After a few moments, he couldn't resist stealing another glance at her, only to find her covering her face with one palm, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. He chuckled softly at her reaction, finding her endearing.
Just then, Akash, Richa, Divya, Darsh, and Arushi came strolling into the garden. Shashwat closed his eyes in frustration.
"Do minute shanti se akele baithne nahi denge ye log!" he muttered under his breath, making Siya giggle. The group approached with mischievous smirks on their faces.
[They won't let us sit in peace for two minutes.]
"What's going on here?" Akash asked, raising his eyebrows.
"Arre bhaiya, ab naye naye couples ke beech jo hota hai wohi ho raha hoga!" Arushi said, shrugging her shoulders nonchalantly.
["Bhaiya whatever happens between new couples must be happening."]
"Couples? Who? Shashwat, you proposed her? When? How?" Akash yelled in shock, and Shashwat rubbed the back of his neck, nodding with a smile.
"Sale dhokebaaz! Tune bataya nahi mujhe," Akash accused, playfully punching Shashwat's shoulder.
["You traitor! You didn't tell me."]
"Arre, aaj hi hua sab... I was about to tell you," Shashwat explained, trying to calm his friend.
"Accha? Kab? Shadi ke baad?" Akash retorted.
[When? After your wedding?]
"Arre... raat me batane vala tha na... Reyansh was in the room, that's why I didn't tell you," Shashwat said defensively.
"Bechare Reyansh bhaiya... unko to kuch idea bhi nahi hai... akele reh jate hain wo to," Richa chimed in sympathetically.
["Poor Reyansh brother... he has no idea about anything... he ends up alone."]
"Haan, to kya ab jaa ke ye bataye ki Sale sahab mai aapki behen pe line marta hun!" Akash exclaimed, earning a smack on the forehead from Shashwat as he stood up.
["Yeah, so should he go and tell him that, 'Sir, I'm hitting on your sister'?"]
"Mujhe waise hi guilt ho raha hai... After the trip, I will talk to him... kyunki kisi aur se pata chalega to jyada hurt hota. Mai bataunga to bas gussa karega," Shashwat said earnestly.
["I'm already feeling guilty... After the trip, I will talk to him... because if he finds out from someone else, it will hurt more. If I tell him, he'll just be angry."]
"Arre wo nahi karega, tum dono ek hi naav pe sawar ho," Akash said confidently.
[He won't. You both are sailing on same boat.]
"Hein?" Everyone frowned in confusion except Arushi, who giggled.
"I... I mean wo ham jab boating pe jayenge to ek hi naav pe sawar honge," Akash stammered, smiling nervously.
["I mean when we go boating, we'll be riding in the same boat."]
"Kya paglon jaisi baatein karta hai!" Shashwat scolded, shaking his head.
"Everyone is here?" Reyansh asked, joining the group.
"Why are you all standing here? Wo bhi itni thand me... dimag kharab hai kya? You all will catch cold. Sab rooms me jao," Reyansh scolded, his voice filled with concern.
"Ok Dadaji," Akash teased, prompting a round of laughter.
They all started walking towards their rooms. As they reached the hallway, everyone entered their respective rooms except for Siya and Shashwat, who were walking at the back, lingering for a moment longer.
Before Siya could enter her room, Shashwat gently held her hand, stopping her in her tracks. She turned to look at him, her heart racing at the touch. He stepped closer, his presence causing her pulse to quicken. She looked down, feeling shy under his intense gaze.
He studied her face for a few moments, taking in every detail. The way her hair framed her face, the soft curve of her lips, and the way her eyes sparkled even in the dim light of the hallway.
"Good night," he whispered, his voice tender and filled with affection.
She looked up at him, a shy smile playing on her lips. "Good night," she replied softly.
For a brief moment, they stood there, their hands still clasped together, lost in the silent communication that spoke volumes.
With a final squeeze of her hand, Shashwat released her, and she entered her room, her heart fluttering with a mix of excitement and contentment. Shashwat stood there for a moment longer, a smile on his face, before turning and heading to his own room.
Inside, Siya leaned against the door, her thoughts filled with Shashwat. She could still feel the warmth of his hand in hers and the soft murmur of his voice wishing her good night. Her friends, Arushi and Richa, immediately noticed her dazed expression.
"Kya hua?" Arushi asked, a teasing glint in her eye.
Siya just shook her head, unable to wipe the smile from her face. "Kuch nahi...bas sab kuch kitna accha lag raha hai!" she replied, her voice dreamy as she threw herself on bed with a grin.
Meanwhile, in his room, Shashwat couldn't stop smiling. He replayed the evening's events in his mind, each moment with Siya etched into his memory. Akash noticed his friend's unusually cheerful demeanour.
"Jyada daant mat dikha.. phir apne saale ko khud hi jawab dena." Akash whispered and he hit on his shoulder.
["Don't show too many teeth... then you'll have to answer your brother-in-law yourself."]
As he closed his eyes, he couldn't help but think of Siya. The way her eyes sparkled, the sound of her laughter, and the warmth of her hand in his. His heart swelled with affection and a sense of determination to cherish and nurture their relationship.
He decided to check his Instagram. He noticed that Siya had posted a new story. He clicked on it and saw a picture of the moon, accompanied by the song "Ishq Hua." A smile spread across his face as he watched the serene image.
He quickly typed a reply, "Mujhe bhi." and sent it.
[Me too.]
Siya, who was also unable to sleep, saw the message pop up on her screen. She chuckled softly and typed back, "Soye nahi aap?"
[You haven't slept?]
Shashwat read her message and typed back, "Tumhara khayal sone nahi de raha."
["Your thoughts isn't letting me .]
Siya buried her face in her pillow, her cheeks flushing pink. She took a deep breath and replied, "Kuch jyada hi filmy nahi ho rahe hain?"
[You are being too much filmy.]
Shashwat grinned at her response and quickly typed, "Tumne kar diya hai."
[You made me.]
Siya read his message and couldn't help but smile, her heart fluttering. "So jaiye.. toppers ko itni raat tak jagna nahi chahiye," she typed back, trying to sound practical despite her own racing heart.
["Go to sleep... Toppers shouldn't stay up so late."]
He chuckled and typed, "Whatever my Mishti says."
She read his message and felt butterflies in her stomach. The term "Mishti" made her blush deeply. She typed back, "Byy." still smiling.
As he closed his eyes , his mind buzzed with excitement and anticipation. He grabbed his phone and opened Google, typing in,
"What to do after stepping in a relationship?" The screen lit up with a plethora of articles, tips, and advice.
He started reading each article carefully, his eyes scanning through the words with keen interest. "Communicate openly," one article advised.
He took a screenshot. "Make time for each other," suggested another.
Another screenshot. He kept reading, absorbing every bit of information, eager to ensure he could be the best man for Siya.
Hours passed unnoticed as he delved deeper into relationship advice, his thumb scrolling continuously. Articles on trust, maintaining individuality, and the importance of small gestures filled his screen. He found himself smiling at the thought of all the little things he could do for Siya.
Occasionally, he'd come across a particularly meaningful sentence and would pause to reflect on it.
"Surprise her with little gifts," one article said.
He imagined Siya's face lighting up with joy at receiving a thoughtful surprise.
"Respect her space and support her dreams," another advised.
He made a mental note, knowing how important it was to be supportive.
As he continued reading, his excitement only grew. He wanted to make sure their relationship was built on a solid foundation of trust, love, and mutual respect. He was determined to make their reality even more beautiful than her dreams, just as he had promised.
Finally, he checked the time and his eyes went wide with surprise. It was 3 am. He had spent hours reading and preparing himself for this new chapter in his life. He quickly closed his phone and set it on the nightstand, a satisfied smile on his face.
The morning sunlight seeped through the curtains, gently nudging the students from their slumber as the teacher knocked on their doors, signaling the start of another day.
"Students, come down for breakfast within the next hour, otherwise you won't get it," the teacher's voice echoed through the hallway before she disappeared down the corridor.
Richa, still half-asleep, rubbed her eyes and reluctantly dragged herself out of bed. "Utho dono, ma'am ne kaha ek ghante mein neeche aane ko," she mumbled, patting Arushi and Siya's cheeks to rouse them.
["Get up both of you, ma'am said to come downstairs in an hour."]
Arushi, yawning and stretching, slowly came to her senses. "Iss kumbhakaran ko utha, mai brush karke naha ke aati hoon, phir tum dono jana," Richa instructed before heading to the bathroom.
["Wake up this Kumbhakaran, I'll go brush and take a shower, then you both can go."]
"Uth Siya... ma'am ne ek ghante mein neeche jaane ko kaha hai," Arushi urged, trying to wake Siya up.
[Wake up Siya!! Ma'am said to come downstairs in an hour.]
"Let me sleep there is still so much time left," Siya murmured in her sleep.
"Ham teen log hain, time lagega ready hone mein, uth ab," Arushi insisted, shaking Siya gently.
["We are three people, it will take time to get ready, so wake up now."]
"Mummaayyy!!" Siya replied groggily, still half-asleep.
"Thik hai, breakfast nahi milega tab 'Mummay mummay' karna," Arushi teased, using Siya's own tactic to wake her up.
["Alright, if we don't get breakfast, then you will do'mummay mummay'."]
"Kya? Breakfast nahi milega?" Siya asked, suddenly more alert.
[What? We won't get breakfast?]
"Haan, ek ghante mein neeche nahi gaye to... Richa ke baad mai jaungi, samjhi? Last mein tu uthi, to last mein jana," Arushi explained, trying to motivate Siya to get out of bed.
["Yes, if we don't go downstairs in an hour... after Richa, I'll go. Got it? You wake up last, so you go last."]
"Vaise bhi, konsa mujhe jaldi hai, tab tak thoda aur let jati hoon," Siya said, conceding and lying back down on her bed, reaching for her phone.
["Anyway, it's not like I'm in a hurry, so I'll sleep a little longer."]
She unlocked her phone and opened Instagram, mindlessly scrolling through reels until she stumbled upon one that caught her attention.
"Yadi aap gali ke kutte ko seb khilayenge apne hathon se to aapka pyaar aur badhega aur aapke aur aapke sathi ke beech kabhi ladai nahi hogi."
["If you feed an apple to a street dog with your own hands, your love will increase and there will never be a fight between you and your partner."]
"Ye sach me hota hoga kya?" Siya wondered aloud to herself.
[Is it true?]
Intrigued, she decided to share the reel with Akash, curious to hear his thoughts on the matter.
"Wow, if this actually works, let's give it a try," Akash replied eagerly.
"Yeah, even though they don't usually fight with me, I'm the troublemaker, so maybe this will keep us from arguing," Siya responded with a smirk.
"But they shouldn't find out, or it'll be embarrassing in front of everyone," Akash cautioned.
"Agreed. Let's go to the park after breakfast; there will be plenty of dogs there," Siya suggested.
"Okay," Akash replied, nodding in agreement.
The morning sun filtered through the large windows of the dining area, casting a warm glow over the room. The students, still groggy from sleep, slowly gathered around the breakfast tables. The aroma of freshly prepared food filled the air, but it did little to energize some of them.
Siya, rubbing her eyes and yawning, led the way. "Bahot tired feel ho raha hai," she said, her voice heavy with fatigue.
[I am feeling tired.]
"Ye konsi nayi baat hai, wo to tumhe hamesha hota hai," Richa responded with a smirk, her tone laced with playful sarcasm.
["What's new about that? You always have that ability."]
"Neend aa rahi yaar, itne subah kaun breakfast karta hai," Siya muttered, her steps dragging.
[I am feeling sleepy who eats breakfast so early in the morning?]
"Insaan," Reyansh quipped, walking up behind them with Shashwat and Akash, a teasing grin on his face.
[Human being.]
Siya spun around, eyes narrowed. "Chup kar, kutte.
Abhi saari bade bhai wali izzat mitti mein mila dungi, phir jitni ladkiyon ka crush ban ke ghoom raha hoga, wahi sara crush utar jayega," she threatened, her voice filled with mock severity.
Shashwat and Akash burst into laughter, making Siya blush slightly at her outburst in front of Shashwat.
[Shut up. I'll ruin all the respect of being a big brother now, then whoever roams around as the crush of girls, all those crushes will vanish.]
"Alright, let's sit here," Richa said, trying to defuse the situation.
"Arre, saath baithte hain na," Akash suggested, pointing to a cluster of eight tables nearby. "Wahan dekho, sab saath baithte hain. Divya aur Darsh ko bhi bula lenge."
[We should sit togather at that seat. We can call Darsh and Divya too.]
"Haan, kyun nahin, baith jate hain. Phir teacher jhapad maar ke bhagayegi," Richa said, rolling her eyes dramatically.
[Sure, why not, let's sit down. Then the teacher will come and chase us away with a slap.]
"Arre kyun? Siya-Reyansh, Divya-Darsh bhai behan hain, aur Shashwat-Aru bhai behan. Mai aur tum bhai behan... sorry, sorry... I mean ma'am ko to pata hai na ki ye sab bhai behan hain, to kuch nahi bolne wali," Akash explained, trying to justify the plan.
[Why? Siya-Reyansh, Divya-Darsh are siblings, and Shashwat-Aru are siblings. You and I are siblings... sorry, sorry... I mean, ma'am knows that they are all siblings, so she won't say anything.]
"Ab chalo bhai, baithna hai ya nahi? Hame alas aa rahi hai khade khade aur zyada," Siya said, rubbing her eyes again.
[Now come on,do you want to sit or not? I am feeling lazy standing here for too long.]
Everyone finally settled into their chairs, the usual morning banter and laughter filling the air.
"Divya aur Darsh ko aamne samne nahi baithayenge, varna khana phek denge ek dusre pe," Shashwat remarked, causing another ripple of laughter among the group.
[We won't seat Divya and Darsh opposite each other, otherwise, they'll throw food at each other.]
"Nahi, Divya aur Darsh ko iss se acha yaha baithao hi mat... kuch ladai hogi, ham sab embarrass honge," she suggested, shaking her head.
[No brother, it's better not to seat Divya and Darsh here... there will be some fight, we'll all be embarrassed.]
"Haan, wo bhi hai, aur dono apne friends ke saath hain. Kyun jabardasti unki privacy kharab karna," Reyansh added, agreeing with her.
[Yes, that's true, and both of them are with their friends. Why forcefully ruin their privacy?]
Arushi turned to Siya, an unamused look on her face. "Tu nahai bhi hai ya aise bathroom mein jaa ke pani gira ke chali aayi? Kabse aalsi ki tarah soi jaa rahi hai, seedhe se baith," she said, her tone critical.
[Have you even showered or did you just go to the bathroom to splash some water and come back? You've been sleeping like a lazy person for so long, sit properly.]
Siya, with her head down, muttered, "Ek jhapad denge, ham proper naha ke aaye hain .Ab thakaan lag rahi hai to kya Karen!"
[I will slap you! I took bath properly. Now, if I'm feeling tired, what can I do?]
As the conversation buzzed around her, Shashwat discreetly sent a message to Siya: "Are you ok? Tabiyat kharab to nahi tumhari?" His concern was evident.
[Are you ok?]
Siya's phone beeped, and she quickly checked the message. She replied, "Arre nahi, ham thik hain. Bas thoda zyada tired ho rahi."
[I am fine.. just feeling tired.]
"Ohh ok!! Tum ache se soi thi na? Phone to nahi chalate reh gayi thi ki neend hi nahi poori hui ho," Shashwat asked, still worried.
[Ohh okay!! Did you sleep well? Or were you still using your phone that your sleep didn't get complete?]
"Hehe, wo actually ??ek series dekh rahi thi. Kal ye dono jaldi so gaye the, mujhe neend nahi aa rahi thi isliye. Par dekhte dekhte kab 2 baj gaye, pata nahi chala ??," Siya confessed.
[Hehe, actually ?? I was watching a series. These two went to bed early yesterday, so I wasn't feeling sleepy. But before I knew it, it was already 2 AM while watching, didn't realize ??.]
"Tum ajeeb ho... You're strange... you could have watched it at home. What's the need to watch it here? We're going out again today, I hope your health doesn't get affected," Shashwat responded with concern.
"Arre, don't worry, nahi hogi. Ham bahut takatwar hain aur didi ki shaadi mein bhi to 2 din lagataar jaage the. Tab kuch nahi hua to abhi kya hoga," Siya reassured him.
[Oh, don't worry, it won't. I am very strong, and even during sister's wedding, sI tayed awake for two days straight. Nothing happened then, so nothing will happen now.]
At that moment, Reyansh interrupted, "Bhai, breakfast aa gaya hai. Kha le, phone mein kya ghusa hai. Aur Siya, tu kya dekh rahi? Tujhe khana nahi kya?"
[Bhai breakfast is here. Eat, why are you so engrossed in your phone? And Siya, what are you looking at? Don't you want to eat?]
Both quickly kept their phones on the table, by interruption. Akash, sitting nearby, gave Shashwat a teasing smile, causing Shashwat to roll his eyes in response.
After having breakfast, Shashwat noticed Akash and Siya taking apples from the table.
"Tum dono ye kyu le rahe, ache se khaya nahi breakfast kya?" Shashwat asked, curiously.
[Why are you both taking these apples? Didn't you eat breakfast properly?]
"A...wo nahi, bas man kiya mera." Akash said stammering.
"Aur tu?" Reyansh, asked to Siya.
[And you?]
"Wo Akash bhaiya le rahe the, unhe dekh ke hamara bhi man karne laga, hehe." Siya, admitted with a sheepish grin.
[Akash bhaiya was taking them, seeing him I also felt like having some.]
Reyansh and Shashwat exchanged amused glances, both raising their eyebrows in disbelief at the explanation.
"Let's to!" Akash, sensing the need to change the subject, suggested.
The morning sun cast a golden hue over the park, where families and friends gathered to enjoy the tranquil setting.
Laughter filled the air as children ran around, their energy seemingly boundless.
Siya's eyes sparkled with excitement as she bounded toward the swing set, her voice rising above the chatter.
"Jhoola jhoolne chlte hain!" Siya's excitement bubbled over as she exclaimed.
[Let's go to that swing.]
"Arre par wo bas..." Shashwat tried to interrupt but Siya, Arushi, and Richa were already off to the swings, paying little heed to his words.
"10 saal tak ke bacho ke liye tha wo bas," Shashwat muttered, watching as Reyansh and Akash examined the instructions nearby.
[That was just for kids under 10 years old.]
"Pehle mujhe koi peeche se push karo na." Undeterred, Siya settled herself on the swing and eagerly requested,
[Someone push me from behind.]
As the guard approached them, he inquired, "Aap log 10 saal ki hain?"
[Are you 10 years old.]
"Nahi uncle, hum bas shakl se bache lagte hain, hum 17 ke hain," Arushi replied with a hint of defiance.
[No uncle, we just look young, we're 17.]
"To yaha kya kar rahe hain?" The guard persisted.
[So what are you doing here!]
"Jhoole pe baithe hain to wahi karenge na?" Siya retorted
[We are sitting on swing so we will do that only.]
With a stern tone, the guard pointed out, "Wo instructions dekhiye, 10 saal ke bacho tak ke liye hai bas ye... abhi toot jayega to fine lagega aap log ka... chaliye uthiye yaha se."
[Look at the instructions, it's only for children up to 10 years old... if it breaks now, you all will be fined... come on, get up from here.]
Disgruntled, they returned to the boys, and Akash inquired, "Ho gaya? Karwa Li insult," prompting the trio to exchange looks and make faces in response.
"Ek selfie lete hain na... Shashwat, apna phone de, tera camera jada acha hai," Akash suggest, excited.
[Let's take a selfie.. shashwat give me your phone, your camera is more better.]
Handing over his phone, Shashwat agreed, and Akash quickly opened the camera, capturing their moments together.
As Akash scrolled through the gallery, he stumbled upon a particular photo. "Tu yaha bhi padhai hi karta hai kya?" he asked Shashwat, amusement evident in his tone.
[You were studying here also.]
"Huh?" Shashwat responded confused.
Reading aloud from the screen, Akash revealed, "What to do after proposing her and how to behave in front of her?
Always maintain a smile on your face... be positive in front of her.
.. gift her small things like earrings, bangles.
.. always maintain eye contact while talking with her.
Praise her little things." Akash paused, realizing what he had stumbled upon, and stopped reading.
Shashwat refrained from reacting, not wanting to give away anything in front of Siya.
"Bhaiya, ye aapne kyun search kiya?" Arushi asked innocently, receiving a glare from Shashwat.
[Bhaiya why did you searched this?]
"Haww, bhaiya, aap ye sab kabse aur kyun search kar rahe?" Richa teased, joining in.
[Bhaiya since when you started searching these things?]
"Ye kya hai Shashwat? Tu relationship me hai aur tune bataya bhi nahi?" Reyansh, shocked, questioned,
[What's this Shashwat? You're in a relationship and you didn't even tell us.]
"Nahi....ye... ye actually wo ek friend hai to usne pucha mereko, isliye maine Google karke screenshot send kar diya," Shashwat lied, sighing heavily as he managed to make an excuse.
[No... this... actually, there is a friend who asked me, so I googled it and sent her a screenshot.]
"Sahi hai bhai, khud single ho ke dusro ko relationship advice de," Reyansh chuckled, unaware that Shashwat's girlfriend was none other than his own sister.
[That's right, being single yourself and giving relationship advice to others.]
Shashwat felt a twinge of guilt for lying to his best friend, but he knew he needed the right time to tell Reyansh about his relationship with his sister.
Shashwat noticed Siya laughing secretly, her eyes filled with mirth. A flush of embarrassment washed over him, especially since this situation was unfolding in front of Siya. He had hoped to keep things smooth and impress her, but now he felt exposed and slightly foolish.
Just then, Arushi's friend Manav approached her. "Hey Arushi... you're here, I've been looking for you in the hotel " he said, slightly out of breath.
Arushi turned to him, smiling. "Haan yaar, wo apni friends ke sath aayi thi," she replied.
[I came with my friends.]
Manav chuckled, "Mai bhi to tumhara friend hun, mujhe bhi le aati."
[I am also your friend. You should have call me]
Seeing the new arrival, Shashwat asked, "Ye banda kon hai?"
[Who is he?]
"Arre, Manav hai. Arushi ka friend," Siya replied casually.
[He is manav, Arushi's friend.]
"Aur tum dono ka?" Shashwat probed further, curiosity piqued.
[You both?]
Siya shrugged, "Arre he is from another section and they are friends from class 10th, ham dono ignore karte hain. Wo section B ka hai. Section A aur B walon me chattis ka aakda chalta hai, to isliye ham dono apne section ko lekar loyal hai. Arushi gaddari kar rahi."
[ He is from another section, they are friends from class 10th, we both ignore him. He's from section B. There's a kind of rivalry between sections A and B, so that's why we both are loyal to our section. Arushi is betraying us.]
Reyansh, noticing the interaction, felt a pang of jealousy. "Shashwat, tu pagal hai kya? Jaa ke apni behan ko bol na, aise kisi bhi ladke se baat kar rahi," he said, trying to mask his jealousy with concern.
[Shashwat are you mad! Go and tell your sister to not to talk to strangers .]
"Arre, uska friend hai. Baat kar rahi to karne de na. Tereko kya problem hai?" Shashwat replied, trying to diffuse the situation.
[He's her friend. Let her talk if she wants to. What's your problem with it?]
Akash, noticing Reyansh's jealousy towards Manav, struggled to contain his laughter.
"Thoda creepy nahi lag raha?" Reyansh muttered.
[He is looking creepy.]
"Why?" Shashwat asked, puzzled.
"Arre, inn dono pe dhyan nahi de raha. Ussi se baat kar raha, wo bhi akele me," Reyansh replied, his jealousy evident.
[See he is not paying attention to these two. He's talking to her, that too alone.]
Shashwat shook his head, "Ye dono ki alag hi dushmani chal rahi hai. Uss bechare ki kya galti? Abhi suna nahi inhone kya kaha? Ki usko ignore karti hai... Tu bhi na, jabardasti ka shaq kar raha bechare par."
[These two have their own enmity going on. What's that poor guy's fault? Did you not hear what he just said? That she ignores him... You're just unnecessarily suspicious of that poor guy.]
Siya interjected playfully, "Arushi ka ghanishth mitra unlocked." Richa chuckled at the remark.
[Arushi's new friend unlocked.]
Suddenly, Siya spotted a dog nearby and exclaimed, "Akash bhaiya, kutta!"
[Akash bhaiya, Dog.]
"Arre, maine kya kiya? Gali kyun de rahi?" Akash asked, taken aback.
[Why are you cursing me!]
Siya laughed, "Arre, kutta aap nahi, wo baitha hua hai," pointing towards the dog.
[Not you...it is sitting there.]
"Tum log usko dekh kar itne khush kyun ho rahe?" Richa asked, looking puzzled.
[Why are you so excited?]
Akash replied without thinking, "Arre, wo na ham isse apple khilayenge."
[We will feed him apple.]
"What? Kyun?" Shashwat, baffled, asked.
"Arre, if you feed the dog an apple with your own hands, you get good marks." Siya quickly explained.
Shashwat rolled his eyes, irritated, "Pagal ho kya dono? First of all, ye sab bakwas baatein hain. Mehnat karo aur dog ko apple khila kar pass ho jao, wow. And second thing, dogs apple nahi khate."
[Are you both crazy? First of all, these are all nonsense talks. Work hard and pass by feeding the dog an apple, wow. And second thing, dogs don't eat apples.]
Siya insisted, "Arre hota hai aapko nahi pata. Aap chaliye bhaiya." She and Akash headed towards the dog, determined.
[It works, you don't know anything.]
Unable to let them wander off alone, Shashwat and Richa followed closely behind, shaking their heads in disbelief at the bizarre plan.
Reyansh couldn't contain his jealousy and marched up to Arushi and Manav. "Arushi, wo sab wahan chale gaye. Hame bhi chalna chahiye," he said, completely ignoring Manav.
[Arushi, everyone is there. We should also leave.]
"Who is he, Arushi?" Manav asked, looking slightly bewildered.
"Ye mere... he is my brother's best friend ," Arushi replied, trying to keep the situation light.
"Bhaiya, you go ahead we will talk for some more time," Manav said to Reyansh, attempting to maintain his composure.
"Tumhe chalna hai ya nahi?" Reyansh asked Arushi, his frustration evident.
[Are you coming or not?]
"Aap kyun nahi gaye unke sath? Aap jaiye, mai aa jaungi," she replied, making Reyansh even more angry.
[Why didn't you left with them? I will come, you should leave.]
"Fine," he snapped, storming off in a huff.
"Ye bhaiya itna gussa kyun ho gaye?" Manav asked, clearly puzzled.
[Why was he angry?]
"Acha Manav, bye. Milte hain baad me. Meri dono friends gussa ho jayengi agar unke sath nahi rahi to," Arushi said, smiling apologetically.
[Okay Manav, bye. See you later. Both my friends will get angry if I don't stay with them.]
"Okay, bye," Manav said, waving as he left.
Arushi walked over to her friends and was taken aback by what she saw. "Ye kya kar rahe dono? Pagal ho gaye kya?" she asked, shocked to see Siya and Akash trying to feed an apple to a dog.
[What you both are doing?]
"Exam me ache marks aisa lagta hai inhe," Richa replied, shaking her head in disbelief.
[They think by this they will get good marks in exams.]
"Le kha le, Tommy. Hamara bhala ho jayega," Akash coaxed the dog.
[Take it and eat, Tommy. It will do us good.]
"Kha le re Tommy baba, kha le," Siya pleaded with the dog.
[Eat this Tommy.]
The dog stood up, making them hopeful. "Ab khayega," Siya said.
"Haan, khayega, par apple nahi, tum dono ko," Shashwat said, rolling his eyes.
[Yes he will eat, but not the apple.]
"Hatoge tum dono wahan se? Apple khila ke tumhara bhala na sahi, tum dono ko kha ke uska bhala ho jayega pakka," Reyansh added, his tone laced with sarcasm.
[Will you move from there? Even if feeding you apples won't do any good, eating you two will surely benefit him for sure.]
"Siya, Akash, please yaar, hato," Shashwat now said with genuine concern.
[Siya akash get away from it.]
"Wo gussa ho raha hai," Arushi warned them.
[It is getting angry.]
Just then, the dog started barking loudly. "Wahi khade raho, bhagna bilkul mat-" Shashwat tried to instruct them, but Siya and Akash bolted, with the dog chasing after them.
[Stand there only, don't run.]
"Mummaaaaa, bachaoooooo," Siya screamed while running.
"Tumhara hi idea tha na ye, ab lo," Akash said breathlessly.
[This was your idea.]
"Jada mat boliye. Aap bhi sath de rahe the. Aap to bade hain na? Mana kar dete to mai maan jate ham." Siya argued back while still running.
[Don't say too much. You were also supporting them. You're elder, right? If you had refused, I would have agreed.]
"Wo dono ko kaat na le bhaiya, kuch karte hain," Richa said, genuinely worried.
[Bhaiya do anything before it bites them.]
Shashwat quickly picked up a stone and threw it near the dog, scaring it away. Siya and Akash stopped, panting heavily.
"Thak gaye," Siya said, catching her breath.
The rest of the group approached them. "Bola tha aise bewakoofi mat karo," Shashwat said, rolling his eyes again.
[I told you not to do such foolishness.]
"Akash tu kisi din apni harkaton ke wajah se Akash me pahoch jayega." Reyansh said , smacking his head.
"Tum dono hi aisi harkat kyun karte ho ajeeb ajeeb... pehle neebu kaantne wali baat, ab ye," Richa said, exasperated.
[Why do both of you do such strange things... first the lemon cutting thing, now this.]
"Ho gaya natak, ab chalen hotel wapas. Thoda rest kar lo, bhag bhag ke thak gaye honge dono, phir jana bhi hai ghoomne," Reyansh suggested.
[The drama's over, let's go back to the hotel. Take some rest, both of you must be tired from running around, then we also have to go out for a stroll.]
Nodding in agreement, everyone headed back to the hotel, ready to rest and recharge for the rest of their day.
As Ritika entered the classroom, her eyes darted around, searching for Arav.
Not finding him, she frowned and took her seat, tapping her feet impatiently.
She swiftly pulled out her phone and sent him a message: "Swami, kahan reh gaye aap!
" The teacher arrived, but Arav was still absent, prompting Ritika to decide to call him after class.
[Where are you swami?]
After the lecture, she dialed his number, but there was no answer. Trying again, her heart sank when he finally picked up, his voice weak. "Hello, Swami, kahan hain aap? Aaj ka pehla lecture miss kar diya!" she exclaimed.
"Sorry, Ritika... I was not feeling well and was sleeping, so I didn't pick up your call earlier," he replied, his voice barely audible over a cough.
"Arav, kya hua? Fever hai? Dawa li tumne?" Ritika asked, concern evident in her voice.
[What happened? Did you take medicine?]
"Calm down... thoda fever hi hai. I will be fine," he reassured her.
"Aise kaise fine! Medicine li?" she pressed.
"Nahi... Medicine khatam ho gayi... Yesterday night only one tablet was left, so I took it, thinking I would be fine," he confessed.
"To inform someone and ask them to bring medicine," Ritika scolded gently.
"No one is at home... they went to a function," he explained.
"Are you mad? You should have informed them," she chided.
"Arre, it's nothing... I will be okay," he insisted, but then coughed again.
"Mai lekar aa rahi hun medicine," Ritika declared determinedly.
[I will bring medicines.]
"Ritika, please, there is no need... I am..." Before he could finish, Ritika interrupted firmly,
"Shut up!" and disconnected the call, leaving him sighing on the other end.
After a few minutes, as Arav drifted in and out of sleep, he was startled by a knock on his window. Frowning, he pulled back the curtains and found Ritika outside, waving at him with a mischievous grin. He shook his head incredulously and opened the window.
"Main door se aane me kya problem thi? Ya tumhe aisi tedhi medhi harkaton me hi maza aata hai," he remarked as she climbed in through the window.
[What was the problem with coming through the door? Or do you enjoy these twisted antics?]
"Arre, you are not well na, so tumhe chal ke jana padta na gate kholne. And your room is on the ground floor, to khudki se aaram se aa jaa sakte hain," she reasoned.
[Arre you are not well, so you had to walk to open the gate. And your room is on the ground floor, so you could have easily come by yourself.]
"I am not paralyzed... bas thoda fever hi hua hai," he defended himself weakly as she touched his forehead.
"Arav...ye thoda fever hai?? Have you checked the temperature?" Ritika asked, concern etched on her face, as she placed the polythene bag on the table. He nodded in the negative, and she sighed in exasperation.
"Where is the thermometer?" she asked, and he pointed towards the first aid box. Retrieving it, she instructed him to sit down, and he complied, perching on the edge of the bed. After checking his temperature, her eyes widened in alarm.
"Arav, you are having a high fever... and your body is burning... tumhara dimag kharab hai kya? Pehle to let jao," she scolded gently, and he obediently lay down.
"I have brought soup for you...wo kha ke medicine khao," she instructed, her tone firm yet caring.
"Ritika, in sab ki..." he began to protest, but she silenced him with a glare.
"Chup rehne ka kitna paisa loge?" she retorted, and he sighed in defeat. She then went to the kitchen to serve the soup.
[How much will you charge of keeping quite.]
After some time, she returned with a steaming bowl of soup and sat beside him.
"Take this," she said softly as he sat up on the bed. He reached for the bowl, but his hands trembled slightly due to weakness.
As Ritika took the bowl from his hand, Arav watched her with a mix of confusion and gratitude. Her actions were unexpected, yet they touched him deeply. Bringing the spoon to his lips, she fed him the soup with gentle care, her eyes filled with concern as she tended to him.
As the last spoonful of soup disappeared, she set aside the bowl and handed him the medicine and a glass of water.
He swallowed the medicine obediently, grateful for her attentiveness.
She then gently guided him to lie down properly, covering him with a blanket, her touch soothing against his feverish skin.
But when she touched his forehead again and murmured, "Wait," before rushing outside, leaving him slightly puzzled. His curiosity piqued, he waited anxiously for her return.
Moments later, she reappeared, carrying a bowl of water and a cloth. Sitting beside him, she spoke softly, "Mai patti rakh deti hun... temperature kam hoga."
As Ritika returned with the bowl of water and cloth, Arav's heart swelled with a mixture of gratitude and guilt.
He couldn't shake the feeling that he didn't deserve her care, especially after all the times he had pushed her away.
Yet, here she was, still by his side, still willing to go the extra mile to ease his discomfort.
"Please don't bother yourself... itna kiya bahot hai wo," he protested weakly, his voice laced with a sense of unworthiness. But his words seemed to fall on deaf ears as she began her task, her focus solely on alleviating his suffering.
He watched her closely as she worked, taking in every detail of her face as if seeing her for the first time.
Her features, illuminated by the soft glow of the lamp beside them, held a serene beauty that captivated him.
The furrow of her brows in concentration, the gentle curve of her lips as she hummed softly to herself, the way her eyes sparkled with determination - all of it filled him with a sense of wonder.
Despite his reluctance to accept her love, he couldn't deny the warmth that blossomed in his chest at the sight of her unwavering care.
It was moments like these that made him question why he had been so blind to her affections for so long.
She had always been there for him, always willing to lend a helping hand, even when he had pushed her away time and time again.
As he lay there, watching her tend to him with such tenderness, he couldn't help but feel a pang of regret for not realising sooner the depth of her feelings for him. And though he may not have accepted her love yet, he couldn't deny the admiration and respect he felt for her.
After some time, Ritika checked Arav's forehead, finding it now at a normal temperature. She ran her hand through his hair, offering him some comfort, and sighed in relief. But just as she began to relax, her phone rang.
"Haan mumma," she answered, picking up the call.
"Ritika, are you still in college? Mai aur tere papa vapas aa gaye hain ghar to tu jaldi se aa ke ghar ke keys de de," her mother Tara said.
[Your father and I have returned home, so quickly come and hand over the house keys.]
"Mummy, you both were about to come by evening na?" Ritika inquired.
"Haan, but the ceremony finished early so we returned back. If there is any class, I can come to college," Tara suggested.
"Nahi... actually, I am at Arav's home... he took my notes and got absent today, so wahi lene gayi thi. I am coming in a few minutes," Ritika explained, already planning her departure. She glanced at Arav, who was watching her intently.
"I should leave... ghar ke keys mere paas hain," she informed him, and he nodded in acknowledgment.
She hesitated for a moment, her gaze lingering on him, before she gathered the courage to ask,
"Arav... can I kiss your forehead?" Her lips trembled slightly as she bit them nervously, regretting her impulsiveness.
Arav met her gaze without blinking, his expression unreadable. Ritika immediately regretted her request, feeling embarrassed for crossing a line.
"Sorry... I should leave now," she said, offering him a small smile, but internally cursing herself for her boldness.
However, before she could make her exit, she felt a gentle tug on her wrist.
Surprised, she turned to look at Arav, her eyes wide with astonishment.
As Arav got up slightly and leaned his forehead towards her, a rush of emotions flooded through him. He felt a mixture of gratitude, tenderness, and a hint of something deeper stirring within him as he offered himself to her gesture.
Ritika's smile widened as she leaned in, her lips gentle as they made contact with his forehead. The warmth of her kiss sent a shiver down his spine, igniting a spark of warmth in his chest. It was a simple gesture, yet it spoke volumes of her care and affection for him.
For a moment, time seemed to stand still as he savoured the sensation of her lips against his skin. It was a fleeting moment, but one that he would treasure in his heart forever.
"Okay bye... Take care," Ritika said, her voice slightly flustered as she withdrew from the kiss. With a final wave, she turned and made her way outside through the window, closing it behind her.
Arav remained seated on the bed, his forehead still tingling from her touch, a smile playing on his lips. In that moment, he realised that perhaps, just perhaps, there was more to their relationship than he had ever dared to imagine.
As Arav closed the curtains, shutting out the outside world, he couldn't shake the lingering warmth that Ritika's kiss had left on his forehead. He lay back down on the bed, his fingers gently tracing the spot where her lips had touched, a shy smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
Pulling the blanket up to his chin, he snuggled into its comforting embrace. Despite the uncertainty that was still in his mind, he couldn't help but feel a sense of happiness settle within him. With a soft smile lingering on his lips, he drifted off into a peaceful slumber.
Meanwhile, at a hotel, Akash was sitting in the garden, scrolling through his phone and enjoying the sunny winter day.
The crisp air and the warmth of the sun provided a stark contrast to the storm brewing inside him.
His fingers moved absentmindedly over the screen until a post on his Instagram feed caught his eye.
It was a small article featuring a picture of his father, stepmother, and stepbrother, all hugging each other and laughing in a cheerful selfie.
The article highlighted the "famous businessman found in a hotel with his family happily.
" Akash chuckled dryly, the bitterness evident in his expression as he opened the comments section.
One comment stood out: "But I heard that he has one more son... why does he never post anything with him?"
Several replies followed:
"I don't think so... he has clearly mentioned that he doesn't have any other son. Maybe he is someone related to him."
Akash's grip tightened on his phone as he closed the app and massaged his temples. The familiar sting of his father's harsh words echoed in his mind: "You don't deserve any love!"
He tried to shake off the gloom that settled over him, but the memories clung stubbornly. Just as he was sinking deeper into his thoughts, a bright, colorful dupatta flew down from a nearby window and landed on his face, startling him.
Taking the dupatta in his hand, Akash glanced around, trying to determine where it had come from. Just then, he heard a voice and looked up to see Richa standing at a window above.
"Akash, this is mine... please hold it for me... I am coming." she called out, and he gave her a thumbs-up in response. Richa rushed off, while her friends watched and shook their heads, smiling at the situation.
Akash looked down at the dupatta and smiled, feeling a sense of amusement and curiosity. Moments later, Richa appeared, slightly out of breath, and extended her hand to retrieve her dupatta. She grasped the edge, but Akash didn't let go, causing her to look up at him in surprise.
He smirked mischievously and gave the dupatta a gentle tug, pulling her closer. Her eyes widened in shock, and she glanced around nervously, checking if anyone was watching.
"Akash... leave the dupatta," she demanded, glaring at him. Instead of complying, he slowly draped the dupatta over her shoulders, his movements deliberate and tender.
She looked up at him, her heart pounding as his fingers grazed her cheek, sending a shiver down her spine.
Her cheeks flushed with heat as he caressed her skin with the back of his fingers, the intimate gesture making her heart race. She struggled to maintain her composure under his intense gaze.
Just then, they heard the voices of teachers approaching the garden. Both of them quickly stepped back, putting a safe distance between each other. Richa shot him a quick, flustered glance before hurrying away, her heart still pounding.
Akash watched her go, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling a mix of excitement and amusement. Without wasting any more time, he followed her, their brief but electrifying encounter replaying in his mind.
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