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Annika reached home. Her parents who were seated in the living room discussing about something worriedly instantly stopped their conversation and remained silent seeing her there.

A - papa?

Raghav(annika's father)- annika ,come.

He made her sit beside him.

A- is there any problem papa?your voice seems to be worried ?

R- vo beta ,just now I spoke with Rahul's parents. They were apologizing to me,and they were very much concerned about you .

A- apology?

R- yeah ,they felt very sorry on behalf of Rahul for him leaving the school without meeting you today.

A -what?(shocked )

R- he had come to school to meet you ,but ...(he hesitated)

A- but what papa?

R- but ,after knowing that you ...you are ....I mean he left from there .(he spoke while holding her hands tightly supporting her )

Annika's eyes widened listening to her father's words .Rahul's rejection didn't hurt her, Rather the question that whom did she meet today,if it wasn't Rahul? was pricking the hell out of her .

Noticing her reaction Keerthi (annika's mother )spoke.

K- chodo annika ,he isn't lucky enough to marry my baby (cupping her face )

A- I'm fine maa, it's ok.I was accepting this actually (she leaned on keerthi's shoulders)

K- tum dekhna ek din,tera enchanting prince zaroor aayega tumhe lene.(pulling annika into her embrace )

While annika let out a chuckle ,listening to her mother's ever so fresh yet old theory.

A- maa ,I'm starving. Give me something,I'll just change and come.

K- teek hai.

Annika left to her room while her parents looked at each other and passed on an assuring smile.

Entering her room ,soon she took her mobile and ordered "call rahul" .She was too desperate for him to pick the call ,that she didn't realize but she was actually whispering "pick up "continuously.

S- hello.

A- hello ,mein annika bol rahi hoon.

S- haa haan ,annika! Hi...(he stammered)

A- I want to meet you ,are you free tomorrow?(she spoke seriously )

S- is there any problem annika?

A- no ,nothing .Meet me at xyz bus stop tomorrow.

S - ok.

The next day

Annika was waiting in the bus stop being seated at the corner of the seat located there .Shivaay who arrived just now,silently went and sat beside her .

A- hi

He was surprised by her intelligence,like it was not even a minute since he had sat near her but she had already found him there .

S - hey annika .

A- look,I don't want to beat around the bush. So let me be straight....who are you ?(she spoke looking towards his side )

He was thrilled the second her words reached his ears.His nerves stood straight not knowing how to respond to her question. Feeling his nervousness and silence ,she spoke.

A- kya huwa? You must be shocked right?(she smiled faintly )

S- annika mein...

A- I know that you aren't Rahul ,so just tell me who are you ?and why did you lie to me?

S- ok,(taking a deep breath) I'm Rahul's friend .I came with him to your school yesterday .

A- and why did you lie ?You felt pity on me ?(she questioned him angrily )

S- no no ,(he responded immediately) I didn't pity on you or it wasn't due to sympathy either.

A- then ?

S- the way you were excited yesterday,your expectations...your happiness .I didn't want them to fade away ,to be very frank...I didn't want to see you being hurt.(he admitted confidently)I don't know why I did it ,but trust me, I never wanted fool you or I never wanted to take advantage of your disability. It's just that,I did it to prolong your joy but indeed I failed .But anyhow ,whatever I did cannot be justified ,I know that. (after a long pause )I'm sorry ...sorry.

A- why would you do that to a person whom you hardly knew ? I'm happy ,I'm sad ...why does it bother you ?

S- I don't know (he nodded)

Suddenly they both heard the crowd screaming and shouting ,

A- what ?what happened ?(she asked standing up )

S- I guess ,there's a riot of some political people protesting against something.

It soon turned into a violent event ,as they started burning buses and it grew even more terribler. Shivaay who saw this ,without wasting a second  pulled her hand at once and started running .

A- hey you ,whatever your name is .Where are you taking me ?(she shouted while running )

S- just stay quite .It isn't safe here ,

While running he saw some people approaching their way with weapons .They were hitting the public on their way .Witnessing this ,shivaay instantly hid behind a car with her by his side .One of the goons who noticed this ,tried attacking them from behind which was soon known to shivaay .He pulled him and hit his head on the bonnet making him go unconscious while annika shrieked listening to the sound.

He took her with him and hid behind a small building .He was peeping out slightly to find if there is anyone there ,when he felt her grip on his hand strengthening .He looked at her to find her trying to hide her face inside his chest .He could feel her state of mind in that situation.We people struggle to keep a step forward in darkness fearing for an obstacle which might hurt us ,and here this girl is fighting her whole life in darkness .And now ,she must be extremely scared because she definitely knew that there's some problem but with what emotion will she be able to move forward without witnessing her surroundings. She felt worst and helpless ,the fact that she couldn't help herself now made her go weaker and she leaned more on his chest .Feeling this ,

S- hey ...hey annika (placing his palm on her face and lifted her chin ) I'm here with you ,don't be scared .Kuch nahi hoga (he assured )

Though she couldn't see him ,she could feel his assurance and care from his voice.And soon she had somewhere developed trust on him which was immediately expressed by her nod.

S- If you don't mistake me shall I tell something?

A- yeah .

S- my house is not very far from here .And now we really have to find a safe place soon ,so if you don't mind ...will you come with me?

She thought for sometime and blinked her eyes indicating her acceptance.

Entering inside his house ,she walked in slowly not aware of the chair which was placed on her way .Shivaay who saw this immediately held her hand making her halt and moved the chair away from her side .

A- it's ok. First time aa rahi hoon na ,isliye muje pata nahi ki aapka ghar kaise hoga .(while tracing the couch and taking her seat on it)

S- so ,will you visit me often to get used to this place ?(he asked raising his eyebrows)

Her lips curved up listening to him witnessing which he smiled even more.

Suddenly she heard a barking sound ,

A- what was it?

S- (chuckling )Tom...(he called out )

And soon a golden retriever doggie came rushing from inside but to his surprise rather than moving towards him it climbed the couch and started licking annika's ears feeling which she giggled.

S - arey! I think he likes you very much !

A- aww ,he must be so cute .(she tried to hold Tom)Who else is here from your family ?(she asked causally)

Hearing this the smile from his face faded .

S- sirf Tom hai mere saath aur koi nahi hai mere liye.(he spoke in a low voice )

A- sit here (she indicated the place beside her )

S- hmm ?

A- yahan...(she moved to give him place)

He sat there silently.

A- iss duniya mei koi akela nahi hai .Situations aise hote hain kabhi dard dete hain ...aur kabhi der saare kushiyaan .Everything happens for a reason.So don't ever say like that ,hmm?

S- hmm,aren't you angry on me?

A- I was ....but ab pata nahi kya hogaya muje .I know that I'm stubborn but I think I can forgive you.Itna bhi bura nahi ho tum....(realizing something)ek minute !!

S- kya huwa?

A- what is your name man ?matlab itna sab kiya tumne ,par tera naam nahi bathaya muje ?

S- I'm shivaay ...Shivaay Singh Oberoi .

Without speaking anything ,she gently traced her palm on his face feeling his each features through her fingers while he closed his eyes going weak on her touch.

A- you must be handsome, good looking ....and charming as well .Am I right shivaay ?(she smiled )

S- pata nahi (he blushed )

A- don't tell me ! Are you blushing ?

S- aur kya kartha ?Angel jaisi girl muje handsome bol rahi hai ,aur mein chup kaise ho saktha hoon.

A- angel?

S- muje annika se jyada angel hi pasand hai.(he spoke with a tenderly voice )

A- (she chuckled) friends?(forwarding her hand)

S- sure !(shaking hands with her)

A- muje bhi ,Rahul se jyada Shivaay pasand hai.

His face bloomed with a wide smile listening to her .

So how was the chapter?

Sorry if it wasn't good.

Want honest reviews plss ,negative comments are also accepted.

Chapter dedicated to dharhugha  and flikeringlights  ❤

Plss vote and comment if you like my story 🤗