Shakshi's Pov

I felt secured after a long time. I just want to be in his arms all my life. He is the one! I don't know how it all happened. The man whom I hate most turned to be my destiny.Once, his presence made all the air in my lung to rush out, but now, his presence make me feel safe!

I expect a dramatic proposal like that of movies but he said it just like that. Kinda simple but he was sincere in it. He loves me! I knew it but he confessed it finally. I love him too. But I don't feel to say it. I don't know!

I closed my eyes and leaned on him. His warmth neutralizing the chillness around. I placed my hand on his hand which is snaked around my waist.

Out on nowhere, disturbing my peaceful self, he started! The Typical Pratvik!

"Shakshi!" he boomed.

"Mmm... Wh-What?" I blinked my eyes, irritated.

"I said, I love you."

"Okay!" I chuckled lightly after knowing what he is upto!

"What Okay? Don't play with me Shakshi!" he warned.

"I'm not playing." I teased him.

He took a deep breath as if calming himself.

"Easy, easy, huh? Lets start again! Okay?"

I turned my head and looked at him.

"Shakshi... I love you!" his eyes eagerly looking at my mouth. Not for kiss but for words! Nice try Pratvik! Ha ha, I won't say!!

"Okay! I got it!" said with a most innocent face.

"Shakshi..." he whined. How cute!?

I unwind his hands around me and walked to the car.

"I'm feeling cold. Lets go."

His face! OMG! I should have taken a picture! He ran his fingers into his hair and walked towards me as if a five year kid lost his candy!

He unlocked the car and we got in. He neither look at me nor said a word after that. He grabbed a towel from the back seat and handed to me, without seeing me! Are you hurt?

I took it and dried my hair. He drove silently. I was looking at him the whole time.

"Pratvik?" I called him slowly.

No response.

I poked his shoulder.

"Pttshh.." he sounded frustrated.

I used my finger to trace from his temple to his neck and further down.

"Shakshi! Don't!"

"Why? Shouldn't I touch you?"

"Don't start a game when you hate to play!"

"Get to the point. I hate riddles."

"I want you to confess!"

"You can't force me like that, Pratvik!"

"So, You don't love me. Then what am I to you, A time pass? wallet? driver?"

A tear slipped from me!

He noticed me and pulled the car to the side.

"Shit! Sorry, sorry sweetpie! Please don't cry! I got mad when you didn't respect my feelings and throw me just like a trash."

"I respect your feelings. You never know how much you are important in my life. I - I can't imagine a life without you..." my voice was shaken.

"Shakshi.." he reached for my face, which I ducked.

"You are everything to me! Everything! Do you understand? But you knew that I got trust issues. And it doesn't mean that I doubt you! I am just afraid..." I sobbed.

"Shakshi! I'm sorry! Please don't cry!" he pulled me and hugged tight.

"I need some... some time!" I mummbled.

"But I can tell as much I want to. I love you! I love you! I love you sooo much!" he kissed my forehead.

I wiped my nose at the back of my hand and smiled at him.

He switched on the music. It played tamil songs. I love tamil songs! I mean , who don't love the songs of their mother tongue!

"You hungry?"

I just nodded.

"Then I will stop at some restaurant."

"Uhmm... Not this time. Actually... Restaurants are good, hygiene... But I love to eat on road side stalls some times. Its so tasty. Yummmm... What about you?"

"I don't eat there usually. But let me try there. For you..."

He pulled over near a 'a not so small but some good looking stall'.

"Stay here. I will get you a plate."

"I can come."

"No! Its crowded with men."

"But..."

"Shakshi! Don't argue when I refuse." he cut me off.

I stick my tongue out at him. When did I started to be like this with him?

He chuckled and came back with a plate of hot rotis and butter piece melting on it.

"I miss dosa and sambar."I said stuffing a mouthful of roti dipped in butter.

He chuckled.

"And... Poori, Kichadi, Appam,..." stuffed another one again.

"Vadai, Payasam, and my meals on banana leaf." I continued.

"The food here is not that bad, Shakshi."

"I didn't say I hate north foods. I love them but miss my south indian meals too." I winked at him.

"Do you know to cook?"

"I love to. Not a full buffet but a meal for two."

"Thats more than enough."

"Why? Won't you help me cooking after marriage? Is it only wife's job?" I blurted out without giving a thought.

He scoffed and choked on the food he ate.

"I mean..." damn Shakshi! I handed him the water.

"The rotis are so hot here! Ha ha!" I sounded like a fool.

"Just like you!" he smirked.

I blushed.

"I will return the plates. Just wash your hand here."

"Hmm Mmmm."

He left.

His phone pinged with a message, which was charging in the car.

Should I read it? No it will be like spying. But I can. I am his lover, uhmm... His girlfriend or his... Whatever. I have the right! I took his phone and smiled when I see my pic in his wallpaper.

He didn't have a passcode. Might no one is dare to take his phone. I opened his inbox. It was from Dr. Sharath.

'Arica George is alright now. Varun had handled the situation well. He is staying by her side. She is fine now and can be discharged in a week. I'm going home.'

Why it is 'Alright now?' , What is Varun doing there? Did Pratvik know this already? I checked other texts from Dr. Sharath!

Dang!

How could Pratvik do this to me? He took me out even after knowing this! Why didn't he care to inform me? I shouldn't have trusted him. He is just like all men! Selfish. I hate him!

I get off from the car and wiped my tears. Why am I crying? Actually I am hell mad! He defy me too! I hate myself.

I walked on the street without looking back at him and get into a cab. The drive to the hospital was so hard as I am fighting with myself on him.

I ran to Ari as fast as I could. What a bad friend am I? I was enjoying the proposal with my man, when my friend needs me the most! Shit! Hot tears sprang out of my eyes.

I bursted the door open. I was shocked when Ari was sleeping peacefully lying her head on

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.

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.

.

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.

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Varun's shoulder!!!!

What's going on??

Varun held her with his arm extended and circled around her protectively. Other hand was showing 'Ssshhh', silencing me! He carefully placed her back on bed supporting her head with a pillow and adjusted her blanket.

He walked out grabbing my hand with him. I was frozen completely.  My eyes are popping out of its socket. My mouth is dry and I feel like nauseating.

"Hey Shakshi! Ari is fine now. Don't stress about her. How was your trip with him?"

His last sentence made my blood boil in my veins. I want to punch Pratvik right in his face. Right now!

"How did you know?"

"He called for my help. He asked me take care Arica when you are out. Don't you know this? Your Lover is being the master in all games." he rolled his eyes.

Darn! Darn! Darn!

"Ho- How is she now?"

"Fine." his mouth formed into a thin line.

"Did she asked about me?"

"She is not like you, Shakshi. She asked for you." and murmurred, "Throwing the old friends for the new!"

Yet I could hear him.

"Don't do this to me, Varun!"

"You disappointed me."

I felt ashammed.

"I don't want to talk about this anymore. I'm tired..."

"Yes. You might be!" he turned his face away.

"Enough Varun. Thank you for taking care of Ari in my absence. You can leave."

"Actually, Ari asked me to stay... So..." he gestured his hand towards the exit signaling me to leave.

"Really?" I hissed.

"Go home Shakshi. Good night." he didn't wait for my response but slammed the door at me.

I was standing there, stoned. Such a bad day. What would Ari think about me? And why Varun is reacting this way? He is always soft and cheering to me!

'PRATVIKKKK' I yelled in my mind.

I took out my phone to found 53 missed calls and 87 messages filling my inbox.

Varun opened the door suddenly and relieved when he found I was still there.

"Did you ran away from him? Did he hurt you? You okay?" he look concerned reaching for me.

"Its none of your buisness!" I reflected my anger.

Seriously what's with all these men?

"It won't, till your boyfriend called me to ask about your safety!"

You are going to be a dead meat, Pratvik. Wait till we meet!!!

My phone started ringing again. None other than him.

"Attend the call."

"I know." I turned my heels at him and walked far away. I don't know! I am just mad at everyone! Every single one! Especially.... Pratvik!

"SHAKSHI!" he yelled when I held the phone against my ear.

"Shakshi? You there?"

I want to slap him badly.

"Shakshi? Baby? You okay?"

"Don't call me like that!" I hissed.

"Why did you left suddenly? I was so much panicked. I searched for you. Why didn't you picked up my calls?"

"Why do you care anyways!"

There was a silence. He might not expect this from me. Atleast not the same day he proposed me!

"Where are you now, Shakshi?"

"Who the hell are you to ask?"

"Stay in the hospital. I'm on my way. Let me explain. Don't be mad!"

"Who are you to order me by the way?"

"Stop this already, Shakshi. Just stay there. You will surely regret it if you don't!" he warned.

"Your threatenings are not going to work anymore. We are done!"

"Shakshi! No!"

"You fu*ked it up already, Pratvik!"

"Please Shakshi! Please! Lets talk on this. Just one last time. Please wait there. I'm almost there."

I cut the call. I want to go somewhere. Anywhere but not here. I don't want to wait here. But a little of my heart begged me to stay there and wait for him to prove his point.

I impatiently tapped my foot on the floor sitting on a chair at reception.

He came running and paused once he saw me. His clothes, hair, everypart of him was all drenched. Sweat? Rain? Why do I care?

"Shakshi..." he came to hug me.

I signaled him to stop.

"What do you want to say?"

The receptionst looked at us.

"Can we discuss this in private?"

"What to do with you in private? Ooppss...Your dirty games don't work on me. Atleast have some modesty to this profession." I mimicked him.

"Enough Shakshi! Come with me."

I rolled my eyes and followed him as I don't want to create a scene.

We drove somewhere only hecknows where!

To his apartment! Wherelse?!

I neither said a word nor looked at him!

I stood at his door without entering in. Won't he apologize even? So adamant huh?!

He turned around and looked me.

"Shakshi. Come in! I will explain. But refresh yourself and take some rest before that. You look exhausted."

"You know what? I am so frustrated! And I am leaving if you have nothing to say!" I crossed my arms.

"Don't make me repeat, Shakshi. Just get in. Orelse..."

"What? Orelse what? What will you do?" I shouted at him.

"Do you wanna fight with me baby?" he rised his eyebrow smirking at me.

I turned my face to my side.

"Let's fight then!" he said it slowly and seductively.

What is he upto? I turbed my head and yelped when he suddenly lift me and put me over his shoulder as if I weigh nothing.

And it all happened in a second. His action was too fast for me to recognise.

He locked the door and walked to his bedroom with me beating his back. It doesn't affect him.

I wriggled and twisted myself which made him loosen his grip on me.

"Shakshi! Stop!" he warned.

"You pervet! Put me down!" I cried.

"Watch your mouth, Shakshi!" he spanked me once at my back with his hand.

What???

I was like a dead log!

I need some air! God! Please take me from this man.

I was really hell mad at him. But he is doing.... romance?

He made me sit on the edge of his bed. He tried to lift my chin.

"Don't! Don't you dare to touch me!"

"I- I hate you, Pratvik!" a tear slipped from my eye.

*****
Hi guysssss...

Hope you are all doing good!

Its been a long time seeing you! Sorry for no update last week.

And how is the story going?

Will Pratvik succeed in consoling her?

Why Arica is being close with Varun?

Any guess on Stephan's story?

Please feel free to comment your thoughts, reviews, suggestions, appreciations and disappointments!!!

It really helps me a lot to continue writting🤗🤗🤗

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All love from my heart😘😘😘😘

See you again with an interesting update❤❤❤