Dedicated to @shreeeee12

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"Handwritten assignment?" Ehan raised his eyebrows as Ira told him about the assignment she was given by Mr. James.

"Yeah! That old man is very mean" Ira whined, taking out some papers to begin writing.

"Should I copy this?" She showed him her mobile, a PDF file about the topic she downloaded. Ehan took that from her and read the points mentioned.

"Copying it as such wouldn't be sufficient. Copy this introduction, I'll look for some different and relevant points" he replied, handing her mobile back. She took that from his hand, nodding and started writing, whilst he googled for some more points in his mobile.

As soon as she reached the point he asked her to write, he handed her his mobile instructing what to write further. She suppressed a yawn, taking his mobile from him.

"Are your employers making you work more than you are suppose to?" He questioned, looking at her sleepy eyes.

"Yeah! They are being cruel nowadays" she replied, rubbing her eyes. She looked sleep deprived and tired.

"How long are you going to let this happen? Exams aren't far. You need more time to study"

"I'll quit once I find a suitable job. But the problem is, I don't have time to look for a new job" she reasoned, slumping.

Ehan lowered his eyes, thinking of a way. She continued writing, letting him think of a solution.

More she was trying to concentrate on writing, more she was feeling sleepy. As her eyelids began to droop, she kept her head on the table, closing her eyes for a moment.

After a couple of minutes, Ehan noticed her asleep, resting her head on the table with eyes closed. His hand made his way to wake her up but he stopped himself, knowing how tired she must be feeling. He didn't feel like disturbing her sleep. Soon, she dropped the pen she was holding, her body relaxed as a peaceful sleep took over senses.

He again thought of waking her up but didn't. She looked so peaceful while asleep. He looked around to know if someone was noticing them. He don't know why he was being concious all of the sudden.

His eyes travelled back to her face, looking so calm. For the first time, he carefully looked at her features. Her long eyelashes touching her cheekbones, he sharp nose stand like a mountain and her plump lips looked naturally pink. Her cheeks looked like marshmallows. Since she has properly pulled her hair strands behind her ear, her face was all clear to for him to get lost at.

He don't know what got into him but he kept both his hands on the table and rest his chin over them, staring at the sleeping beauty infront of him. She was sound asleep and he was lost looking at her.

As someone stood beside her, Ehan's trance broke. He sat up straight, looking at the person who happened to be Honey.

"Ir..."

"Shhh" Ehan stopped him before he could shake her to wake up.

Throwing a glare at Ehan, Honey hit the table making loud noise. Ira woke up with a jolt, her eyes wide and confused.

"Mary" she gasped, standing straight.

"Are you crazy?" Ehan yelled. Both Ira and Honey at Ehan.

"What happened?" She asked, looking between them both as things registered in her mind that it wasn't Mary.

"It's time for you to leave for work. Didn't you say, you were asked to be there earlier" Honey said, his eyes boring holes into Ehan.

"Oh! Yeah" Ira gathered her things and shoved them in her bag. "I'll write the rest of it tomorrow" she said to Ehan, giving him back his mobile. He nodded, taking it back. She left like a flash, not noticing the challenging looks Ehan and Honey was giving eachother.

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Days were passing, with Ehan helping Ira study despite of her struggle to manage things between job and studies. Her employers were turning cruel day by day, making her worn out by the end of the day. Ehan was trying to think of a way to help her get rid of that tiring job and find an easy one.

There was one more problem for Ehan whose name was Honey. Ehan was developing a strong hate towards him. The way he looks at Ira, the way he tries to grab her attention all the time was disturbing Ehan. Still, he kept his cool and didn't say a word to Ira about anything, not wanting to look like a fool again. He embarrassed himself enough the previous time.

Ira was being her usual cheerful self. Despite working for hours and tiring herself, she never forgets to smile, which Ehan found adorable. She usually calls him on her way back home and they'd discuss about the next day. Ehan keeps his words short for sure and Ira is the one talking non stop. As soon as she tells him that she has reached her apartment, he would hang up, not wanting to create any problem between Ira and her Hunny bunny.

That night after dinner, Ehan came to his room. It was 10.16 when he checked the time. Ira usually calls him by that time and to his surprise, he didn't get her call then. He kept his mobile beside him, sitting by the window. Minutes passed but there was no call from her. He rubbed his fingers together in anticipation.

He checked his wrist watch again and it showed 10.33. Taking his mobile, he dialled her number. He could hear it ring but there was no response from her side. He kept waiting, hoping she would answer but the line went dead. He instantly called again, too many thoughts occupying his mind. Still, there was no response and the line went dead.

A strange of kind of fear, which he would have never experienced till now, started to develop. He grabbed his jacket from the couch and made his way out of the house. He was taking hasty steps to the restuarant she works. All he wanted then was to see Ira safe.

When he reached the place, he stopped looking at the closed board hanging on the glass doors. He doubtfully pushed the door and thankfully, it opened. He went in, only to find the place almost empty. A woman in her late forties was mopping the floor and a girl was arranging chairs.

"Excuse me, is Ira still here?" He asked the woman, who seemed too engrossed in her work.

"Excuse me, Ma'am" he called again but she didn't respond. He bent his head to her level and realised she had her ear phones on, listening music.

Can't she see me? He wondered.

He turned to the girl who was arranging the chairs, only to find her gone.

"Ehan" he heard Ira's voice behind him. A sense of relief washed through his heart. He turned back to find the place empty.

"Ira" he called, not spotting her anywhere.

"Ehan" he heard her again, very close.

"Ira, where are you?" He yelled.

"Here" something poked on his head and he looked up, to find Ira sitting on about 15 to 20 chairs arranged one over another. She was grinning widely, as if she was sitting in a helicopter.

"What are you doing there?" He asked looking up, letting out a sigh of relief.

"I'm the Queen of this Kingdom" she said, sitting like a royal highness. She giggled at the face Ehan made. He noticed her holding some bills, a note with a pen.

"Get down, Ira. You might hurt yourself" he said, stepping back to let her get down.

"Don't worry, I'm fine here. Besides, I always wanted to do this" she gave him a cheeky smile, leaning back on the chair.

"Did you notice the time? And where's your mobile?" He asked, folding his hands across his chest.

"I forgot my mobile at home. And I know it's late but I couldn't leave before clearing these bills" she showed him the things she was working on.

"It's not your work" he stated the fact, getting angry on her employer.

"I spilled water on the keyboard and it's not working. So...." She curled her lips, pointing at the counter where a computer was placed.

"This is too much" he shook his head, "Get down" he pulled her hand, making her scream in fear of falling down.

"Calm down, Ehan. It was my fault" she tried to justify but his angry face made her keep quiet.

"I'm almost done" she said in a pleading tone, looking at him with those innocent eyes which would melt anyone's heart.

He left her hand and stood in a corner, waiting for her to complete the work.

"I'm done" she declared after a few minutes. Ehan stood straight, ready to leave with her. She extended the things she was holding, asking him to hold it for her. He held the things and almost dropped when she jumped from the chairs.

"Careful" he yelled. She skillfully landed on the floor and dusted her hands. She flashed him a smile, taking the things from him and went inside the cabin to submit them.

She was back in a couple of minutes. He held the door open for her, who was struggling with her baby pink coat. They both walked out, Ehan still angry and Ira playing with all the imaginary stones on the way.

"When are you going to quit?" He asked, breaking the silence.

"Quit? What are you talking about?" She asked turning to him.

"You know what I'm talking about, Ira. You are tiring yourself beyond your limits. Besides, they are not treating you good" he reasoned.

"They are treating me much better than the way I was treated back in orphanage. I'm thankful about that"

He gave her a look, a look mixed with anger, disappointment and sadness.

"Ok, ok, ok. Don't get mad. What do you want me to do? Quit? It'll be done within a snap of a finger. But what about finding another one?" She sighed.

"I'll help you with it. Trust me" he said with all his honesty. He don't know what he was going to do but he sure was gonna find a way out.

"Fine. I'll quit as soon as I get my pay. Okay?" She smiled, bending her head to her right.

"You sure?" He asked, unsure of her answer.

"100%" she confirmed with her signature smile.

Her infectious smile was doing some assualts to his heart. He tore his gaze from her face, nodding with determination to find a solution for her problem.

"Ok, bye" she said, stopping at the point where they had to part their ways. He looked between the road ahead of him and Ira, "It's quite late, I'll walk with you to your apartment"

What happened next made his eyes go wide. "You are soooooo sweet" Ira stood on her tip toes and pinched both his cheeks, pulling them right and left.

"Let's go" she released his cheeks and turned walking ahead. He could feel his face heating and turning crimson. He touched the spot her gentle finger lingered just a moment ago.

She was speaking nonstop like always but he couldn't hear a thing. He was just walking behind her with a throbbing heart.

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I'm sorry again my dear new readers. I'm trying to update consistently.

Kindly comment your views. I'd love to hear from you.

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Assalamualaikum everyone,

How was the chapter?

Have you ever done that sitting on multiple chairs thing?

Any job suggestions for Ira?