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Hello my lovelies <3

How's life? I have been hitting the road and fun fact I am in a moving vehicle while I am writing this so yeah... Hehe

Hope you enjoy this chapter and good luck for this year's Wattpad Awards! <3

Hope you enjoy the chapter and a huge shout out to 1Suyash1 for the insane support! <3
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Akshita's POV

"Look who wants some fresh air to cool their checks down now?!" I shouted from the bottom of the stairs. I couldn't help but chuckle at his attempts to get the blush off his cheeks.

We set up the carpet, opened all the dishes and served ourselves. Ekansh pointed out dishes I'd like and placed some bits here and there on my plate.

"Soo..." I started, "Is it true that guys are never pampered in relationships?" I asked, placing the plate on my lap and taking a bite.

"Well...depends on what you mean by 'Pamper' " he answers in a diplomatic way. "You know, flowers, cute gifts, cards, random words of affirmation all that kind of stuff."

"Well... That depends on the girl," he said not wanting to answer the question. "Oh my- You don't wanna answer that do you?" I asked, narrowing my eyes. He nods like a child.

I shook my head at his antics, just as I was about to ask another question, my phone buzzed. I took the phone out of my pocket, It was Amarpal.

I looked at the time, it was 10:30 already.

Oh shit, Satte! (Literally meaning- I am dead)

"Hello," I answered slowly, keeping the phone in the speaker.

"Yel idiya? Sari age outa tintidiya?" (Where are you? Are you enjoying the food?) he asks, surprisingly calmly. He's out in public for sure.

I hear some clatter in the background, sounds that I'd only hear if his phone was on speaker. He never puts his phone on speaker, not even when he's with Rasika. He's not at home, a crowded place perhaps?

"Yeah, Non-veg outa tintayidene..." (Yeah, I am having a non-veg meal) I reply before I stuff a delicious piece of chicken in my mouth. "Hmm," he hums in reply, as I place the phone speakers near my ear.

I heard the flick of laminated paper, probably a fancy menu, as I could hear a lady in distant order "One Honey Chilli Potato... One Mix Veg..." Ah-ha! He's out on a date with Bhabhi! What a mood spoiler.

"Abey, Apni biwi ke sath date night par apni behen ko kon call karta hai?" (Who calls their sister on a date night with their wife?) I ask, changing the language.

Just a wierd trilingual thing.

"How did you even-" before he could finish, "I am fine, I am having dinner, I am doing well, will come back home before midnight, goodnight, enjoy with Bhabhi- Do anything but order lemon coriander soup! No matter how much you love it, she hates it. BYE!" I say all in one go as I cut the call.

"Amarpal?" Ekansh asked as I kept the phone down on the carpet, "Umhm, just asking about my whereabouts, by the way, we must be back before 11 alright? I'll catch a cold here..." I say looking around.

I am feeling a bit cold since I came here but I didn't let it show. He has done so much, it would spoil his mood.

Ugh, but it's better if I tell him about it-

"Are you cold?" He asked, his voice laced with concern as I heard him curse himself.
"Just a bit not gonna lie, but it's worth the food and the scene and especially the conversations," I end, stuffing another piece of chicken.

The barbecue sauce was hitting just the right places.

I noticed his eating pace fasten a bit as he looked up at me more often and was paying more attention to my movements.

"You don't need to worry so much... If I sneeze four times in a row, I have a cold. Till then, I am great don't eat so fast, you'll choke on it." I say truthfully.

Ekansh's POV

I still couldn't help but pay attention, it was a little cold, I didn't want her to catch a cold because of me.
I served her the last spoon of rice, she refused but I made her eat it nonetheless. I noticed her right shoulder shudder as her left eye twitched.

I took it as a sign to take her back home. As much as I want to be with her and spend time with her, her health was more important.

Rushing her back to the car, I noticed she didn't refuse which made me more concerned. I opened the door, wrapped in my jacket, she sat in the seat without any protest and buckled her seatbelt till I got over to the driver's seat.

Lowering the air conditioning, I quickly turned the car around, "Watch it!" She pointed at the ground. I looked over, my chin over the steering wheel. Nothing.

I panicked as she rushed out the car, unbuckling her seatbelt in a haste and coughing my jacket as she ran and bent infront of the bonnet.

I went out and saw a small kitten on the road.

Aww, so cute.

Akshita's POV

It was a small kitten, her fur snow white and her eyes green. Her nose was pink as she shivered in the cold.

My heart broke as it meowed in the most shivering voice, "Shh shh it's alright, I'm here..." I soothed it even though I knew she couldn't understand me.

I took it in my hands as I felt it shivering. It clutched my clothes forearm as it climbed on my shoulder and hugged me.

My heart melted, I am definitely taking her home.

I looked over at Ekansh who was looking at the cat, a smile on his lips.

He looked gorgeous.

"I'm taking her home..." I say looking at the cat. "And I'm taking you home" he stated as he got up and gave me a hand. Even though I didn't need one, I took it.

"She's soo cute..." I said as I looked at it close it's eyes in my palms. It was so small that it fit in both of my palms. So cute.

"Umhm," he replied his eyes were on the road.

"What do you think we should name her?" I asked, looking at the cat.

"We?" He asked, and turned his head to me, "Umhm, We..." I replied firmly.

"Lemme think..." He said as I turned the AC on my side down too.

"How about Lemmitty?" He asks.

"Seriously? Lemme think - Lemmitty?" I ask looking at him narrow eyed.

"It means 'Beloved' check it!" He challenges. I take my phone out and search it up on Goggle.

"A boy's name usually, meaning: Beloved. A rare Finnish name used for both genders..." I read off surprised. "Seriously? How did you know this?" I ask, genuinely surprised.

He shrugged, "Lemmitty, it is then!" I ended, looking at the small kitten.

Ekansh's POV

She petted the kitten whispering sweet nothing to him. The whole scene just made my heart flutter. Wrapped in my jacket, she took care of the kitten.

The smile on my face would have a hard time leaving but as soon as she sneezed, I pulled over to the other side of the road, driving slow.

She sneezed four times in a row, taking out the tissues and blowing her nose. Good god! She caught a cold.

She tried to stop the fourth sneeze but she failed.

'Oh my god, why did I even bring her here?' I cursed myself as I honked the car ahead. 'Fuck you traffic!'

Akshita's POV

He honked at the cars ahead that were stopped due to the traffic, "Dude chill...calm down..." I say waving my hand up and down, "I am sorry..." He said in the most disappointing voice.

"Aree, let it be, I enjoyed it, anyways I catch a cold every month it's not a big deal." I lie, I catch one more often than that.

"Good god, even your voice changed..." He said, placing his palm in my forehead.

"You're burning Akshita! You-" He started panicking, "Are re re chill down dude, chillll... I took the medicines I don't have a fever because of the date, it's just the wound on my shoulders went unnoticed, it got infected and all that shit, I am fine! Don't worry..." I said explaining as he calmed down a bit.

Lemmitty meowed as my attention shifted towards her, "Yen iyitu Lemmitty? Hm?" (what happened Lemmitty? Hm?) I asked pitching my voice higher as I felt a hand on the side of my neck.

I heard his screams again, the grip of the ropes, the fire on my skin. It flashes in front of my eyes as I feel his hand burning my neck.

I gripped the hand by the wrist, turning my head just as I was about to twist it.

Ekansh. Akshita! It's Ekansh! Not that foul piece of shit.

I closed my eyes, turning forward to the road, "Hey, what was that- Akshita are you alright?" He asked as I just nodded.

"That's it!" He pulled over. Here we go again.

"I am fine, I really am, I just- just have a really strong reflex." I lied. He looked at me not convinced but before he could say something I cut him off.

"The more you talk and stay here the more I'll catch a cold." I say convincing him to move forward.

"Fuck you Ekansh, you had to mess everything up!" He mumbled.

"You didn't mess anything up, you're great. This date was awesome." I say reassuringly. The drive back home was silent until I decided to break it about a few minutes before we reached home.

"The next date, on me." I say looking at him. He rolled his eyes playfully, "Pleasee..." He dragged as he rode off a circle.

"Um... How about Gree- Another surprise!"

"Well... What's the dress code, my lady?" He asked teasingly, his eyes on the road.

"Western, formal something fancy you know..." I informed, thinking about the place.

"It applies to you too doesn't it?" He asked, his tone was teasing but I didn't understand what he was implying.

"Yeah, why?" I ask, breaking the vibe. "Nothing..." He says smiling smugly.

Ekansh POV

She sneezed again.

'Why did you bring her out in the middle of the forest late night Ekansh, what the actual fuck is a wrong with you?' my inner consciousness asked as I honked at the car ahead.

"Are re hogli avanu..." (Are re let him go...) She said holding her arms across my torso and looking out of my window at the car that was trying to overtake me.

We reached her home soon, the lights in her house were off.

"Is everyone asleep?" I asked, opening my door. "Umhm, they had dinner before I left," she chuckled slightly, "Early to bed, early to rise!" She said dramatically, her voice heavy, as I opened her door.

"Take care of yourself for me, will ya?" I asked, holding her hands looking into her beautiful eyes. She nodded her lips pressed up. She let the kitten down, letting it lay near the doormat.

"Can I hug you?" She asked, giving me those innocent dove eyes, as if I would say no.

'Your down bad Ekansh, down-fucking-bad.' Were my last thoughts as I stepped closer and wrapped my arms around her shoulders.

She stood up on her tip-toes deepening the hug, her one hand on my back and another combing my hair while my arms clasped on to her waist as if we were moulded to fit each other's embrace perfectly.

She was warm, but not in a good way. She's got a fever and waves of guilt wash over me like a tsunami.

"You should go back Akshita, you have caught a high feve-" I heard a loud honk and a headlight beam behind my back.

I turned around to find a Rang Rover, and on the driver's seat was an annoying looking Amarpal and Rasika on the passengers seat, flashing an apologetic smile.

~ 1981 Words

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Hello again my lovelies! <3

Hope your enjoyed the chapters and please tell me all your thoughts and suggestions!

Very sorry for the irregular updates, will be back from June!!

Thank you for the support and love you have given this book!

The only impulsive decision I don't regret <3

Until next time lovelies! <3
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~ 2105 Words