After Nitya leaves for the office, Ishika sits still in the living room. Her eyes fell on the photo frame placed on the side table. It's her picture with Nitya, where she's hugging her best friend. Nitya and Ishika are childhood buddies, and they share anything and everything with each other.

When Ishika first discovered the mark, Nitya was the first one to know about it, and since then, she calms her down by either holding her arm tightly or caressing her mark. If not for Nitya, Ishika might have done something grave with herself. She caresses Nitya's picture.

"Thanks, Nitya! If not for you, I'd have done something with myself. Tum meri zindagi mein vo khalipan bharti ho jo shayad main kabhi samjha nahi paungi. Pata nahi, agar tu na hoti, toh mera kya hota? You surely deserve a treat"

Ishika smiles as she thinks of her best friend. She takes out her phone and sends her a text on Whatsapp, saying thanks, with a lot of hugs and kiss emojis. She further sends a voice note and asks her to be on time in the evening.

She smiles to herself and then heads to freshen up. She has one more person to meet, and she doesn't want to face her anger. She quickly gets ready and after locking the door, she walks out of the apartment building.

The BlueMoon Society is quite big and it has house for both bungalows and flats. There are playing areas for kids of all ages, there's a library and a hall where people can sit and spend time. There's a cafe too, owned by an inmate, and you can spend time therein. It's a huge and beautiful place.

Ishika runs through the garden as she has to visit someone on the other side. The side opposite to her building has villas adorning the place. She looks around the garden when someone hugs her by her waist, taking her by surprise. She turns around to look at the person and it's a fifteen-year-old girl, beaming at her.

"Ishu Dii!! Where were you? You didn't reply to my messages as well. Pata nahi Kahan gayab ho jati ho?? Ek message toh kiya karo." The girl scoffs at her.

"Shant meri jaan, main iss hafte thoda busy thi, isliye milne nahi aa paayi. I am sorry!" Ishika holds her ears and looks at the girl.

"Sab busy rehte hai. Mere Bhai bhi aur ab aap bhi!" The girl makes a face.

"I am sorry na, I missed you too, but I was so busy. Mujhe message karne ka bhi time nahi mila." Ishika looks at her girl.

"Aap log aise hi mujhe Princess bolte ho, Di. Kisi ke paas mere liye time hi nahi hai. Sab busy rehte hain." She frowns again and Ishika laughs.

She's Anamika Shekhawat, Ishika's good friend. The former takes her as a shield. Ishika protects her like her own sister, and often gets in banter with her brothers. After Nitya, if Ishika trusts anyone, it is Anamika.

"Don't laugh, Ms Ishika Mehra! Aapko saza milegi. Aap mujhe Pani puri khilaaogi, abhi ke abhi." Anamika declares.

"Subah subah? Anu, shaam ko khayenge. Vo meri dost hain na, Nitya, wo bhi aa jayegi, usko bhi Pani puri pasand hain, toh hum teenon jaayenge." Ishika says.

"Nahi nahi, Nitya Didi ke sath dobara chale jayenge, aap abhi chalo." Anamika says, pulling her hand.

Since the society harbours everything, there's a pani puri stall too. It's a part of the restaurant in the society and it opens early. It's around ten in the morning, and you'd find the stall open. Ishika gives up and follows her with a smile. They have Pani Puri and then they turn towards Anamika's home. Anamika is a happy soul to find Ishika's company, and now the pani puri treat has cheered her up. She's running through the path and so she loses her balance and fell down hurting her knees.

"Anu, kaha tha na mat bhaago, par tu sunti nahi hain kisii ki. Lag gai na! Ab wo tera bhai , wo Ash! Wo mujhe pareshan karega ki tu mere sath thi isliye lag gayi." Ishika scoffs.

"Unki toh aadat hain, aap kyun daant rahi ho? Chalo na, dard ho raha hain. Ankle twist ho gaya." Anamika makes a face.

Ishika helps her get up and the two girls walk towards Anamika's home. They own a bungalow in the society and have a good name in the neighbourhood. Ishika and Anamika reach home and the latter plops down on the couch. A young guy watches them, and then he finds Anamika whining. He rushes by her side.

"Anu, kya hua? Ro kyun rahi hain? Uss Rocky ke bache ne phir se pareshan kiya tujhe?" He asks, he's Ashwin, Anamika's elder brother, he's the middle one among the three brothers.

"Nahi, aapne usko danta, tabse wo mere pas bhi nahi aata, par mujhe lag gai. Dekho." She shows him the bruise on her knee.

"Aur leg sprain bhi hain, Ash, tum first aid box leke aao." Ishika glances at Ashwin.

"Kitni baar kaha hain, Anu, dhyan se chala kar, par tu sunti nahi hain. Lag gai na ab!" Ash aka Ashwin scolds his sister in concern.

"Arey,ab daanto toh mat." Anamika frowns at his brother.

"Kaun daant Raha hai meri behen ko!" Another guy comes out of the kitchen and and his eyes settle on his younger sister.

" Dekho na bade bhaiya, ye dono dost mujhe dant rahe hai." Anamika complains while looking at Ishika and Ashwin.

"Iski baaton mein mat aao, Bhai. Roz nayi shaitani Karti hai aapki laadli, itni sheh mat do." Ashwin says, teasingly, while cleaning her wound.

"Arey usko chot lagi hai.Aur tu aise bol raha hai, Ashwin. Bahut galat hain ye, mujhe ointment de." The other guy gets on his knees and begins to massage her foot.

He's Mahesh Shekhawat, the eldest of four siblings. He's far more concerned for Anamika than the other two. He gently rubs the ointment on her ankle while Anamika cries in pain. Meanwhile, another lad enters the scene. He takes a few seconds to process what happened. It's Kabir, the youngest of three brothers. He glances at his sister.

"Kya ho gaya isko? Kyun ro Rahi hai ?" He asks.

"Chot lagva li hain madam ne! Kabhi tum toh kabhi ye! Tum dono humko satana kab band karoge?" Ashwin glares at Kabir.

"Arey, mujhpe kyun bhadakte ho? Choti behen Ka khayal karo." Kabir says as he holds Anamika's hand, to make her calm.

Anamika is a bubbly and strong girl. She speaks straight if anyone goes beyond their limit. But when she's hurt, she becomes vulnerable. She's hurt now, and her three brothers are surrounding her. Mahesh is tying the bandage around her sprained leg , while Ashwin has finished dressing her wound, and Kabir is consoling her.

Ishika is watching the scenario unfold in front of her and her eyes are teary suddenly. She feels a warm touch on her shoulder. It's Mamta, and Ishika calls her Maa.

"Kya Dekh rahi hai?" Mamta asks.

" Kuch Nahi,Maa. Bas Soch Rahi hoon ki kaash mera bhi koi Bhai hota." She says, her eyes fixed on the four siblings.

Anamika is now laughing at some joke cracked by Kabir. She's blessed with the best, Ishika thinks. Ishika's mom, Vinita is Mamta's friend and so, they're family friends. Ishika clears her tears when Kabir pokes her arm.

"Hamare hote hue tujhe kisi aur ki kya zarurat hain?"

"Chal Chal! Khud ko hero mat samjho. Mujhe Nahi chahiye tere jaisa Bhai. Tu toh mujhe problem mein daal dega, tumhara koi bharosa nahi." Ishika glares at him.

"Oh hello! Tumhari problems ke solutions main hi nikalta hoon, samjhi!" Kabir retorts.

" Haan Haan!! Tu rehne de, Kabir. Pehle problem mein fasata hai fir kehta solution deta hoon main." Ishika makes a face.

"Tujhse ache toh Mahesh Bhai hai. Seedhi baat krte Hain. Aur ek tu Hain, ghuma fira ke baat karta hai. Ye saare paintre tum apni girlfriends pe lagao, mujhpe nahi, samjhe! " Ishika slaps on his arm.

Mahesh and Ashwin smile at her as Ishika settles beside Anamika and Mamta gets cold coffee for them. Mahesh smears her head, as their eyes meet, Ishika finds some love and warmth, as if he's trying to say that he's there for her always. She doesn't need to feel left out.

Ishika smiles. These four siblings form a beautiful part of her life, despite not being related by blood. Then there's Nitya, whom she tags as her soulmate, for, she knows everything about her. Ishika is certainly blessed to have them in her life.

To be Continued.