CHAPTER 14 - THE HUG

प्यार के लिए ‘नज़दीक’ होना ज़रूरी नहीं है,

नज़दीकियां होना ज़रूरी है !!!

DATE 12.08.2023

TIME -9AM

~•Dhruv's POV•~

"Dhruv beta, kuch din aur ruk jaate na! Ye toh galat hai ki tum do din ke liye aaye aur Waps jaa rahe ho. 2 din aur ruk jaate"her mother insisted and the rest of them joined her.

(Please stay for some more days. It's wrong that you stayed only for two days and returning again. At Least stay for two more days)

"Wahi toh Dhruv, ye toh galat hai. Aapko aur kuch din rehna chahiye "Avantika complained ,placing a paratha on my plate.

(That's true. It's really bad. You should stay some more days with us)

"Actually mera match hai 2 week baad and college k lectures bhi miss nahi kar sakta" I clarified the reason .

(Actually  I have a match after two weeks and I can't even miss my college lectures)

Rainbow was eating her breakfast without giving any attention to us. I know she wanted to say so many things but was controlling herself.

I have to catch my flight at 3pm. I was done with my packing. I have no idea how these three days in Hyderabad passed so quickly. I really want to stay with her  but it's not possible for me .She has been avoiding me since morning. Forget about talking, she is not even looking at me.

***Time skip***

Time - 11 am

It was decided that she would be dropping me at the Airport. It is going to be really tough for me as I won't be able to see her standing in the airport and saying goodbye. My heartbeat was fast enough to beat the light . I felt like  someone was snatching my life out of my body. To be precise, the pain is equivalent to a knife being stabbed on my body.

Before I could think more, Kavya handed me something in my hand.

"This is for Vihaan Bhaiya! ", she informed me, making me surprised.  How did she know him?

I noticed Avantika and Rainbow coming out of her room.

"Who is Vihaan? " Avanti asked ,surprisingly looking at her.

"Let me explain to you all. Actually, yesterday morning, when you were taking a shower, I heard your phone ringing continuously. It was from him. I thought it must be an urgent call so I thought of answering it. I got to know he is your friend. When we were talking, he said that he wished to have a sister like me. Then I found out he doesn't have any siblings. So I asked him to be our brother and we three will be his sisters. He was so happy to hear it and he told me to send rakhis for him through you." she replied innocently.

"I would definitely give it to him. Finally he got three sisters. And you both, don't worry,Vihaan is a good guy and he won't let you three down. He is my friend, Trust me " I said looking at the remaining shaktawat sisters who were doubtful after hearing what their little sister just did.

"Mr. Cricketer, give me your number. So I will make a video call everytime when I miss you"..

Kavya gave her phone and I saved my  number.

~•GEET's POV•~

I tried my best to not be bothered as he was going back to his place. But as each moment passed by,  I was in a dilemma how I should handle it. There was a battle between my heart and mind. I am his friend, I totally accept it but the feeling of emptiness was enough to make me restless.

Mumma informed me that I would be the one who would drop him off at the airport. How could I make her understand that I won't be able to see him going away from me.  Avanti and Kavya won't be joining us as they are busy with their project work. Aapsa had an important meeting to attend. The whole responsibility was entrusted to me.

In the cab

We left home and we decided to go by cab. We were sitting in the backseat. The closer we were to the airport , the more I was trying not to cry. The airport is still 1 hour away. The cab stopped suddenly , making his hand touch mine. I felt a 440 volt electric shock from his touch.

He removed his hand quickly "Sorry, I didn't mean to do that"

Please,there is no need to say sorry every time. " I said, looking outside of the window, hiding my tears.

"If I have ever hurted you unintentionally or intentionally, I am really sorry" he apologized  and also he was rubbing his hands.

"Nervous?" I asked as soon as I noticed it.

He nodded. What if he is in the same situation as me? I wish I had an option now to stop him from going. Better I could pause the time. Or rewind it to the day when he arrived here. I pointed towards his hands and asked him to give it to me. He refused but I grabbed his hand ,neglecting his words.

His hands were so cold as if they were straight out of the refrigerator. I hold his hands in mine.

He was shocked looking at me.

"Garv banna is not here, At Least i could do this for you " I explained  because I can't let him feel more nervous.

"Rainbow, thank-you for everything .I couldn't have done without you. " he said emotionally.

"That's my duty. You are my friend. There is no need of saying this thankyou " I said, swallowing a gulp in my throat.

"Make sure you have your food  on time and please whenever you feel you need someone to listen to you .Always remember, I am always there for you no matter what the time is! I am just one call away" saying this, he removed his hands from mine.

I nodded and I thought of changing the topic as that was the only way to lighten up our mood.

"Well, I was so surprised when you sang a song during the event. When did you learn to play the guitar?  Why did you hide this from me? " I smirked ,asking these questions without a pause.

~•Dhruv's POV•~

I was feeling low but her questions, oops never ending questions. She just needs to find a topic and  she is ready with her limitless questions.

" I learnt it during my school days. And nobody knows I can sing and play a guitar except Garv. But now the whole country including you knows it. My secret is out. What should I do? " I replied in a funny way and she chuckled.

"And that book which was actually mine 10 years ago. Why did you carry along with you while coming here? tell me " she asked, placing her hands on her waist and raising her eyebrows.

First of all,  I had no idea that book belonged to you. I wanted you to know how I started my reading journey .So I brought along with me. But the plot twist was so surprising, like a story written by O. Henry" I answered like an innocent child. Well I had no clue the tomato is no-one but Rainbow.

Suddenly the cab stopped and the realization hit me that we had reached the airport . I don't want to go away from her. I was cursing myself in my mind why I made her so attached to me in these three days .

Then I looked at her and she was staring outside with no expression on her face . I was numb seeing her sad because of me. Why did I come to Hyderabad? I could have said a clear cut No to my department. I could have given a reason and sent someone else here.

I know what's going on in her mind. We got outside of the cab and took the luggage out. The cab left and we entered the airport. The time was 1.00pm. She was trying to hide her pain behind a forceful smile.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"Yeah! " She replied with a smile but I could see the reality displayed by her eyes.

DHRUV, ASK HER TO LEAVE. OTHERWISE IT WOULD BE CHALLENGING FOR YOU BOTH AFTER A WHILE.

"I think you should leave now" I said, making her more miserable.

Without a second, she nodded and turned towards the exit.  I was not able to see her. I wish I could ask her to stay with me forever.

I turned in the opposite direction and headed towards the boarding gate . I walked a few steps and I felt someone touching my hand and turning me.

"Rainbow, what are you doing? Haven't you left?"

Without answering,  she hugged me and her head snuggled into my chest. I was clueless as if it was a dream.

"Please don't go," I heard her saying.

"Rainbow  what happened?" I asked , hugging her back and placing my chin on her head.

"Don't go, please. '' she wept and made her grip tighter on my shirt .

"Are you crying? Why? " I lifted her head up and I was sure  she was crying. The tears were rolling down without any control. I reminded myself that I shouldn't get carried away with my feelings. Not because it will be against my male ego but it would be hard for her to go back home.

"Don't cry,  I will come back soon. Promise" I consoled her by wiping her tears.

"You are lying, and please don't come back. I don't want to cry again " she said crying, hugging me back.

What  should I do ? I can't let her go alone in the cab now.

"Rainbow. Listen to me. We live in the 21st century, whenever you feel you can call me or send me a message. I will reply to it as soon as possible in spite of being busy or caught with some work .I will let you know every detail  but please don't cry. I would feel guilty all the way for leaving you!"

Everyone in the airport was watching us and I didn't give them attention because right now the only person who matters to me is Rainbow.

"Please don't go. I will miss you "

I felt a tear coming out of my eyes and the final announcement was made for the Jaipur flight. She looked at me and I couldn't see her crying.

I tried my best to hide my tears. I failed at it.

"I will miss you too. Now please I have to go! "

saying this I hugged her last time tightly and my shirt soaked due to her tears.

She released herself and asked me to go.

"Happy journey. Let me know once you reach Jaipur !"

saying this she walked out of the sight even without turning back.

I don't know how to express myself but I felt I committed a sin by hurting her.

***Time skip***

~•GEET's POV•~

I reached home and reported to mumma that I had dropped him safely. I went to my room and laid on my bed. I was staring at the teddy bear placed near my study table. Suddenly I felt something unusual on my hand when I placed it on the pillow. Is there something inside of the pillow cover?

I looked into it and found a letter. There was something written top of it

"To Rainbow from Book magnet"

Then I checked my phone and there was a text from him before the flight took off .

There is a letter for you inside the pillow cover.

Thank God , my sisters have been out since we left. If they would have found out about this, it would have turned into a family drama.

I opened the letter without wasting a second.

"Rainbow, Thankyou for making my stay at Hyderabad an incredible one. From making your passenger seat prince to taking me on a friends date, you have made me feel as if I am the most special person in this world.You are the most beautiful girl I have ever met in my life.  BTW I must be careful with my words otherwise you can break my teeth or snatch my eyes. Well, I was unaware about your "Look at him and you die side " .I was surprised for a moment. Is this the same girl who won't speak much at home and now look at her, protecting me from the evil eyes of the girls? jokes apart, don't think distance will create a rift between us. Distance will make our friendship stronger. I promise I will meet you soon only if you agree with my conditions:

1.Never ever skip your food and stay hydrated.

2. Don't stress so much otherwise you fall ill. I know you are afraid of injections. Better you take care of yourself

3. Keep smiling no matter what the situation is.

Last but not the least, check the table near your bed there is something for you!

Take care and meet me soon  ,

From your Book Magnet !"

I checked my table and there was a box. I opened it and was a little confused when I saw it. It was a rainbow themed bracelet .

So cute. I must admit that his choice is just above the world.

Again there was a paper. I started reading it

"If you can give me a watch to remind me of so many things, here is a bracelet for you which will remind you to follow my conditions. Before you ask me when I bought it, I bought it on the day when we went to the mall and you were busy buying heels for my sister. I know it looks childish but you are not less than a child in the form of a 20 year old girl. Let me know when you wear it"

I wore it and send him the Photo of my hand and texted

"Book magnet , your wife will be so lucky to have you as her partner. BTW evil eyes off from my friend"

"Keep me updating when you reach your hostel"

***Time skip***

~•Dhruv's POV•~

Back to my place and it was a really difficult journey for me. I checked my phone and I found a photo and text sent by her.

She got it.  I read the text written below.

I was blushing like a ripe tomato and replied

"On my way to the hostel. BTW I will invite you to attend my wedding and convey this message to my wife by yourself"

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Thank-you everyone for giving me and my story so much love from the past few days. I have received messages from you all and I am so grateful for your support. I don't know why I feel that I don't deserve this because when I read other author's books. I realized their writing skills are way beyond the explanation. Still everyone is appreciating my story in spite of so many mistakes and lack of presentation. I am running short of words but I will try to improve myself each day and once again I am blessed to have you all in my life. A big thank-you to my author friends who are my biggest cheerleaders. ❤

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VOTE TARGET - 30??

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You can follow me on instagram @avinaphile for more updates and spoilers.

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Hope you enjoy reading it and don't forget to vote and comment down below.

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Take care and lots of love ❤

See you soon in the next chapter

Avina,

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THANK-YOU FOR READING 🌼🎊🐣