Next Day : Ayesha's PoV

"Ayesha, where are you?"
I heard mama shouting from the kitchen. She and her voice. I am sure. Not only me, but the entire Ayeshas in this city would have heard her.

"Here I am coming."
I rushed into the kitchen to see mama busy in some work. Others are also working there.

"Why didn't you go with your cousins?" Mama asked suspiciously.

Dont give me that look mama. Yes I was studying.

"I hope you remember. I have exam tomorrow. I need to go back today evening. So I had a quick revision. Also I had to pack my bags. I cant miss my train like last time."I said while leaning back to the wall.

Zain and Hanah wanted to see places since they are coming back to India after 6 years. So my cousins accompanied them. I didn't go with them because I had my packing left. Bapuji have booked a ticket for 4 pm train. I am going back to Bangalore to attend my last exam and with that I officially completed my course. I am gonna miss Bangalore. The land which taught me to be an independent Ayesha. The place which gifted me a lot of friends and memories with them. But it's ok. This cant be avoided. Distance towards my dream is gonna lessen. Nothing is permanent in this world. Sometimes we should let something go away from our life and be ready to embrace changes. Life must go on.

Most of my friends decided to start practicing in Bangalore. But my plans are different. I dont think Bangalore; such an amazing city is so keen to have another doctor. My dream is different and it relies here; in this land where my Baba grown up and died.

"When will you come back after the exam?"Jasmine aunty asked bringing me back to this world.

"Day after tomorrow."I replied.

"Ayesha. Thank god. You are here. I was searching for you." Zeenath aunty entered into the kitchen hearing my voice.

"Can you help me please?"Aunty asked.

Yes ofcourse. Because according to you people, I don't know how to say a NO.
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"Zain always first" Zain rushed into the sit out and sat down on the chair tiredly. He looked outside to see his cousins running to reach him.

"I am second" Hanah said sitting on the floor beside her brother.

Sana, Shahina and Hiba followed her and sat down laughing.

"If I didn't have gained weight after my delivery, I would have been reached first."Shahina said emptying a bottle of water completely into her mouth. The others laughed.

"Thank Allah. Ayesha Aapa is not here. If she was here, the first place would have been surely secured by her."Sana said gaining everyone's attention.

A moment of silence.

"Really?"Hanah asked confusely.

"Yes she is a real champion. Not only in studies but in sports too. Actually she was..."Sana stopped abruptly.

Zain gestured her to continue and Hanah too wanted to know.

"During her school days there is no count how much trophies and certificates she got for sports tournaments. Noone in this family can reach near her if she is running."Sana continued making them amazed.

"Wow. A real fighter." Hanah commented.

"But she doesn't seem to be a sports girl. I mean her body language."Zain said interrupting.

"Dont know what happened to her. It's been long time she participated in any competition. Her certificates are also missing." Hiba said sadly.

"Its because of her baba's death. She didn't want anything that distracts her from studies. I must say she is really hardworking."Shahina may be for the first time appreciated Ayesha. That made Hiba and Sana wonder.

Zain felt interested and he was about to ask something when they heard loud wails of Hayaan. Shahina stood up to take her son but before that Zahra appeared infront of them with a crying Hayaan. She took her son and consoled him. But he was not stopping.

"Zain can you please help me?"Shahina asked while patting her son.

"Anything for you."he smiled.

"Yesterday Hayaan threw some of his toys into the store room while we were cleaning there. It's his favorite. Can you get me that back? I dont think anything else can console him now." Shahina said in a requesting tone.

Zain interrupted her before she completes.
"I will bring it soon."he rushed inside.

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Zain went towards the store room area in hurry.  The store room was already open and he entered into it. Since it's the darkest corner of the house far away from all rooms, the day time is also dark inside the store room. He started searching for the toys. After trying for more than 5 minutes, he finally got hold of some of the scattered toys. He stood up and was about to go back when he heard an anklet sound from the other corner of the room. He stopped on his track and went on to find the source of the sound. He didn't make any noise and walked slowly. He was shocked seeing a girl standing at the corner with her back facing him.

"Ghost..."he shouted and that's when the girl turned back to see him.

"Ayesha..."
He was instantly relieved realizing that it's not a ghost. But because of his loud yell, the bottle in her hand fell down. She looked at him angrily after seeing the bottle in it's broken state.

"See what have you done? Why are you shouting? And what made you think that even if you shouts someone outside the store room will hear it? Dont you know how closed this area is. Blessed you are." She sighed.

"And you too."he said making her glare at him.

"Ok. I am sorry. I scared you. Isn't it?"he asked.

"Not at all. I didn't. I already saw you entering inside when I noticed the door moving slightly."she said making him amazed.

"But look yourself. You got scared the most. What was that even? From which angle did I feel like a ghost for you?"she raised her eyebrows.

He felt embarrassed and looked away. She giggled and then stop abruptly realizing that she have talked a lot. This is not usual for her.

"What are you doing here?"he asked.

"Zeenath aunty asked me to bring some kerosene since the kitchen stock is over. I was taking it."

She smiled and knelt down to remove the broken pieces of the glass.

"Ahhh...."she screamed when one of the glass piece pierced into her skin. He immediately knelt down beside her taking her bleeding hand into his arm. He showed a worried face. She felt confused.

"What happened?"she said looking into his scared eyes.

"This blood....isn't it hurting?"he asked anxiously.

"It's ok I am half a doctor. This is nothing for me."she said pulling her hand away.

He looked around and saw an old cloth lying on one of the shelves. He quickly took it and tore it into small pieces. He tied her hand with that. She smiled.

"Are you afraid of blood? I mean a phobia." She asked hesitantly after battling with her mind for a minute whether to ask or not. Not everyone will be comfortable with such questions. At least she wont be.

He didn't reply. He looked down as if she embarrassed him.

"I am sorry Zain. Its ok. I dealt with few of such cases during my studies. It's common."she said and he looked straight into her eyes. He felt some sort of comfortabilty in her eyes. That assured him nothing is wrong in this.

"Four years back one of my friend died in an accident infront of my eyes. After that I am scared of blood."he said in a low tone.

"Sorry I didn't know that."

He smiled faintly.
A moment of silence between them.

"Did you take enough kerosene? I think we should go back."he spoke.

"Just a minute."she took another bottle and filled it with kerosene.

"By the way why did you come here?"she asked.

"To collect toys for Hayaan."he replied showing the toys in his hand.

She looked at his hand carefully.

"Wait. Hayaan dont like these toys. He hates this. He usually threw it somewhere whenever he get it into his hand. That Shahina also didn't understand it till now. His favourite toys are lying in my room. I will give him that."she said while making her way out along with him.

They stopped at the door only to see the door locked from outside. She was shocked while he was confused. He tried to open it forcely.

"Anyone is there. Please help us."she shouted for help.

He looked at her in surprise.

"As if someone will hear if you shouts. Such a blessed area this is."he said making her pout.

"Dont worry. I am here. Count upto 10. I can open it without anyone's help."he assured.

"Are you sure?"she asked.

"100%. One of my friend owns a gymnasium and I am the only one regular there." he replied with pride.

1,2,3,.......7,8,9,10.

Nothing happened.

"Didn't open?"she asked seeing him still trying to break the lock.

"Ayesha, you counted 8 after 6. Count once more. Dont worry I am here."he said.

She again counted.
1,2,3,.....10...20.....30...40...50....
Nothing happened except that she lost all hope.

"Water..."he sat down on floor completely drenched in sweat.

"As if I am carrying water with me. How can I get water here? Have this kerosene instead."she said and he denied with a horrified face.

"Dont worry. We will try once again. But it's too dark here."he said.

She moved towards the window side and opened all windows. Light entered inside the room lightening the floors and walls. He sighed in relief. He stood up and tried to break the lock.

"Should I count again?"she asked teasing him.

He glared at her and gestured her to keep quiet.

One hour passed and nothing worked out. He became tired. He sat leaning back to the door and she sat down beside him.

"What will we do now? Who locked us?" she asked getting irritated.

"How do I know? I forgot to take the phone too."he cursed himself.

"I hope someone will come enquire for you. That's the last hope."she said more to herself.

"Why? Won't anyone come for you?"he asked back.

"I doubt whether anyone will notice my absence. " she said.

"It's because you are silent."he said and she turned her face away.

"I wanted to ask you many times. Why are you so quiet? I mean. You are talking very nice with me. But you are always silent infront of others."
He continued.

It irritated her.

"Not again please. I am really fed up with this question. I am talking to you because I feel comfortable talking to you. It's been only a day we met. But you started talking to me as if you knows me for a long time. I liked that. I mean the way you are talking. I like to listen to you more. You are flawless when comes to talking. May be that's the reason. But when I see you with our cousins, I prefer to be silent because they are totally making me not interested in their conversation."she confessed.

He felt happy hearing her.

"Wow Ayesha. You may be the first one ever existing on this earth who likes my talking. Usually people shouts at me to shut my mouth for a while."he laughed.

"I don't think it's bad. It's actually good when you have the divine power to make people attentive to you."she remarked.

"Didn't I tell you? You are not even a human Ayesha. May be from some other planet. Usually no one listens to me for a long time. They will leave when they get bored. And I can't shut my mouth for a minute. If anyone interrupts me while I am talking, there is nothing more irritating for me than it. But you are so good and you haven't done it till now."

"Its not your problem Zain. May be they also want to talk. But when you are talking non stop, they are not getting a chance for it. That's why they leave in the middle. It occurs when two talkative people starts talking to each other. "

"Yes the conversation should be between a person who loves to talk and the other one who loves to listen.  Just like us. Isnt it?"he asked and she was stunned.

"You are very different Ayesha. You have such strong viewpoints. Not like your cousins. They are actually blabbering around me. But you talks the point even if most of the time you are silent. Such a special person."he said making her chuckle.

"If everyone are similar, why the need for millions and zillions of people on this earth? Only one is enough."she said making him smile.

She looked at him and the same time his eyes met her. They didn't look away until she hears a sound.

"Ahhh..."she yelled and hugged him tightly.

"What happened?"he looked around and she pointed her finger to the back side of an old cupboard. There was a rat running there and he chuckled.

"It's a small rat. Now you are really scared Ayesha."he said and it was then she realized her position. She moved back.

"Sorry."she said and he raised his eyebrows at her.

"Let me check is there any way to get out of here."he stood up searching the entire room.

A few minutes later he came back with a disappointed face.

"I am really sorry. Our ancestors built this store room in such a way that no one will go out if they gets stucked here. Must be a jail in the olden days to punish people who commits bad deeds."

She laughed loudly and then stopped shockingly when she remembered something.

"What happened?"he sat down worriedly seeing her sobbing.

"What is the time now?"she asked.

"Must be lunch time. I am already hungry"

She again started sobbing covering her face with her hands.

"Hey Ayesha. Why are you crying? Hey please tell me."he was confused and forcely removed her hands from her face.

"I have exam tomorrow. Should leave this evening. What if no one finds us here before my train time?"

"Oh god. This is for what you cried. I got scared. You must be happy Ayesha."he sighed in relief.

"What if I couldn't attend the exam tomorrow?"she asked glaring at him.

"No one will hang you. You can try again next year. Second chances are always the best. Believe me."

With that she lost control over her tears and she started crying aloud. He was shocked.

"Hey Ayesha. Listen to me. I was just joking. See...no one would snatch away the rank from you. It's only for you."he tried hard to console her.

She cried more louder. And he held his head with his hands.

"Ayesha, please stop crying. What if someone see us like this? What would they think about me seeing a crying you beside me?"he asked and she looked at him with remorse.

"Sorry."she said wiping her tears and he got relaxed.

"Ayesha, don't worry. Even if you miss your train I will drop you at Bangalore before your exam starts. Or else I will call your university exam commissioner and inform him to postpone the exam since their future rank holder is locked inside the store room."he said and she looked at him with an opened mouth only to burst into a laughter next moment.

He smiled seeing her laughing. He felt relieved inwardly.

It was summer and they started sweating. She removed the shawl from her neck and started fanning it to relieve from the heat.

"I am also sweating."he said looking at her hopefully. She fanned the shawl on him for sometime. He smiled.

"You are looking more beautiful when you covers your head."he remarked and she felt embarrassed.

She immediately placed the shawl back on her neck and covered her head. He chuckled seeing how much nervous she is.

"Can you get me out from here?"she asked.

"Yes ofcourse. I know magic. Definitely I will help you. Close your eyes and let me do my magic. Before you open your eyes, the door will be opened....."he said pointing towards the door.

But before he do the magic the door opened infront of them. Ayesha felt relieved and he was confused.

"Ayesha.."she heard her mama's voice and rushed towards the door. The entire family was present there. They were relieved seeing them.

Ayesha hugged her mama and then Bapu ji.
"Are you ok dear?"Bapu ji asked.
She nodded smilingly.

Haneef uncle came forward and hugged Ayesha tightly.

"Sorry Ayesha. It was my mistake. I locked the door without checking anyone is inside."Haneef uncle was sad.

He is the one who is caring most for Ayesha after her baba's death. She smiled.

"I am perfectly fine uncle. Dont worry."she said reassuring everyone.

"Someone please ask me whether I am ok."Zain said trying to gain attention.

Asiya; his mom slightly slapped his arms playfully.

"Can't you shut your mouth atleast now?"

Everyone chuckled.

"Dear, are you sure that you are ok?"Bapu ji once again asked her.

"Why everyone is worrying unnecessary? After all I was there to protect her."Zain announced.

"That was our biggest worry."Hanah said letting everyone burst into laughter. He glared at her and then looked back to see Ayesha's smiling face. He felt a strange happiness inside. Something that melts his heart.
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Ayesha's POV

"Stop there. Dont run away this time" I followed him until he stops near by a lakeside.

He didn't turn to look at me. But I am happy. Atleast he stopped for me unlike all other times.

"Who are you?" I asked trying to figure out why he is smiling.

Wait. This smile. I saw it somewhere else. I dont remember.

"You know me Ayesha."he said making me feel strange.

"No. I dont know you. Tell me who are you?"I pleaded this time.

"Your prince."he told and with that he turned his face little towards me.

I could only see a side of his face. But I instantly recognized him.

ZAIN.....

With that, I was brought back to the world from my dreamy sleep. I looked around. All passengers are looking at me. They were wondered seeing me shouting in sleep.

Finally I am going back to Bangalore. Right now I am inside the train. And who the hell thought that I will be sleeping inside this train?

Wait. What was I even dreaming?

Did I lost my sense?

Zain. He is that prince who haunts me every night.

No. How could that be possible?

What the hell I am thinking?

Yes. The time that I spent with him in store room. It's really precious. I didn't interact with a man like I did with him till now. Except Shamz. Without any embarrassment.  Without nervousness.  But that doesn't mean he should be the prince I was waiting for.

Or may be I got mad.

I am totally mad thinking about my cousin when I have an important exam tomorrow.  This is not my normal self. What happened to you Ayesha?
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Here is the third chapter. Looking forward to hear from my readers.