It was 6'O clock early in the morning. Fragrance of night flourished jasmines from the garden backside of our rooms was filled all over the room.

I woke up hugging my pillow lazily like a sloth bear. I noticed Karthik sitting next to me on my bed. I lost my breath for a couple of seconds. "Is he real?", I surprised.

"Hey! Good morning", Keerthi said coming in from balcony checking her mobile.

"Good morning", I said turning back to Karthik and he was not there.

What!!!! Was that my imagination?

"Are you okay? What are you dreaming about early in the morning", Keerthi teased.

I threw the pillow at her which was in my hand and got down from bed heading to finish my morning routine.

I couldn't believe myself that I'm not able to come out of Karthik thoughts

Since it was raining heavily outside, we decided to be home for the day and rest.

People are sitting around and chitchatting after finishing breakfast.

Arun, Nancy, Keerthi and Sameera grouped together playing caromms.

I was sitting along with Rahul and Rupa on dining table discussing about the match that I got recently.

"Hey guys! Can I join with you?", Karthik grabbed a chair next to Rahul facing me.

His presence always makes me feel suffocating at the same time wishing for more. Doesn't it sound strange?

"So, what are you talking about", Karthik asked resting his arms on dinning table.

"It's about Ishi's match", can't keep anything inside Rupa replied on a rush.

"Well, that's an interesting topic then. May I know about it Ishitha?", Karthik as excitedly as Rupa

"Uh.. I got a match from my father's friends circle just before I'm starting for this holiday trip", I said playing with a fork

"That's nice! Who is that guy", Karthik asked with the same excitement.

"Intentionally she didn't look at his photos or go through the details just to not spoil her holiday mood. She will once we go back", Rupa replied grabbing the fork from my hands and putting it back to it's place.

"Do people still believe in arrange marriages and stuff", Karthik was taking the topic to another level.

"It's not about arranged or love. It's about how they build up the relationship with trust and honesty. If those are not in place, even a love marriage won't last for long", I replied not giving a chance for another question.

"Wow! I agree to that point. So what if you like somebody else before you reach home", Karthik twisted it this time.

I know that he was asking about himself.

"It's not that I hate love marriages. It's just that I don't believe they really happen. If it really happens, checking that match would become a real waste of time", I replied confidently as it is happening already.

"Is this you Ishi? I think this is the first time I ever heard something positive about love from you", Rupa pinched herself to tease me.

That smile in Karthik's eyes said many things to me already.

"I wish you will never need to check who that guy is Ishitha", Karthik shook my hands.

And I know what he meant exactly.

"So when do you guys getting married", I changed the topic in a gap

"Mostly the coming year", Rahul looked for Rupa's opinion as well.

"Yeah, Next year not so far away though", Rupa smiled at Rahul.

"Hey!! Karthik", Sameera came all of a sudden from her game landing her hands on Karthik's shoulders from back of his chair

"Hey", Karthik replied not as excitedly as Sameera.

"Do you want some coffee", She asked leaning towards Karthik from side.

"No, I'm fine", Karthik uncomfortable sliding her hands down.

"Okay I go catch up some reading in library. You guys carry on"

She grabbed some chocolate bars from freezer and left.

"Why don't you just tell her that you have no feelings on her", Rahul asked Karthik in a low tone.

"You know what psychiatrist told. She is not in a right state of mind to handle such things", Karthik replied looking down.

"Psychiatrist? What is it about?", Rupa asked what exactly was in my mind.

Rahul explained the whole story which Karthik explained me about Sameera's betrayal the other day.

I heard everything again like I have no idea about it.

Rahul continued, "She went to depression after all of this. And she has been treated by a psychiatrist for months to get better. Now she is slowly getting out of her guilt at the the same time building up hopes on Karthik again"

What if she has changed and truly wants to be with him?

"Yeah, true. she wants to be with him until....she finds someone better", Rahul replied aggressively.

"Yes she is capable of doing it", Rupa rolling her eyes.

"It's better to tell her the truth before she gets too much into it", Rahul suggested again.

"Soon I will", Karthik replied in a same low tone.

"Shall we watch Netflix?", Kamal shouted as if he was miles away from us.

"Network is not on our side dude. chill", Rahul with a sad smile.

"I have some downloaded movies. We can watch offline", Kamal with same excitement.

"Let's do this", Rupa stood up pulling me excitedly.

We went to call Sameera as well but she denied that she found an interesting book Wich she want to continue reading.

I was able to see a part of the book's cover page. Though it seemed familiar to me I couldn't guess it as Rupa pulled me upstairs in a rush.

****************************************

We didn't realize that was two in the afternoon until our stomachs started growling.

As usual our MasterChefs served us a delicious spicy cheese pasta in minutes.

God, these two souls should blessed with everything in their lives for not letting us starve to death.

We all headed to our rooms after lunch to take a nap.

****************************************

It was five thirty in the evening. People are still in their so called nap. I don't blame them because it was the cozy climate who made that.

It's been a while I danced. Breezy climate with a music of rain drops falling in a rythm tempted me to move my body and soul together.

I went down the stairs tip toed wearing my favorite scarf one end flowing from my right shoulder down till the waist and another end securing it with a knot around my waist. I didn't find a better place than our lounge to dance and enjoy the climate at the same time.

I quickly looked around to ensure nobody was peeking at me. And then my body started floating to the music that I was getting from every object around me as well as mother nature.

After dancing for twenty minutes or so, I fell on the couch which was another side to the lounge taking deep breaths with utmost happiness.

Later I rested my head back to the couch keeping my partially wet feet on Tea-table holding both the hands together relaxing my body

I felt a tickling sensation on my foot which brought a smile on my face but I didn't open my eyes until I felt it again.

It was Karthik sitting on opposite seat holding my feet in both of his hands.

Karthik!!

I tried to pull back my feet from table but he didn't let me.

"That was a mind blowing dance!", He complimented.

"Wait, what? Where were you watching it from", I asked still in a shock

"I was actually in library reading a book. I heard some footsteps coming from stairs and came out to see who it is. I didn't find anyone. So I went back to continue reading my book. This time sounds were louder like somebody tapping the floor continuously. Intially I was scared thinking it's some ghost or so", He laughed still holding my feet.

He continued, "I slowly came out just like in movies following the sounds. And it's this pretty lady who is beautifully dancing. Every move of her's flattered me more and more to it"

"Thanks but now I'm feeling so awkward", I said adjusting my bangs to the earlobe.

"Why! Somebody watched you who shouldn't"

No it's that I was out of my mind and control during the dance.

"And that's what made it even more natural and beautiful"

His words has some magic which comforts me even in awkward situations.

He suddenly unhooked his leather bracelet which has some ancient symbol on a metal pendant from his right hand.

"Will you let me tie this to your ankle", He asked with his as usual puppy face which melts me more than anything.

"But why is it for?"

"A token of compliment for what you have done", he said confidently.

Yes, please!

With a smile he tied it to my right ankle leaving an unexpected kiss on my feet at the end.

My heart started beating more than it supposed to by looking at his act.

"Thank you Karthik", I mumbled something.

"Is that for bracelet or kiss?", He winked

"For your compliment", I replied pulling down my feet from table.

"Hmm.... You are not an easy women"

"When did you start learning dance by the way? That looks like an years of practice in it"

I learned it in my childhood. And now I dance whenever I feel like.

"Great, would you like teaching me few moves someday ma'am"

"Sure, I would love to dear student"

Haha.....

I think I fell to this guy already..............

Hey readers.......

Isn't this an interesting chapter?

Let me know in comments

Love you loads ❤️

Sana Dreamer