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Hello, Lovelies! 

I have edited the last chapter so please do read it again if you haven't! <3

Also, the song I have attached to this chapter, I have mentioned it, and if you start listening to it at that point in the story, it's heaven ✨✨

I will try and give a double-double update today... Yes I mean I'll try updating 4 chapters because tbh the Iast update was a bit too much in the Josh and this chapter is basically half of the previous so yeah. 😁😁

I thought of replaying some scenes in Ekansh's POV... Idk I love to write some scenes in both the POV 🤷🏻‍♀️

Happy Reading and please please please for the love of god CoMmEnT! <3

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Author's POV Following Ekansh

Ekansh was very confused about his behavior. His mouth didn't have a mind of its own. It was his heart that spoke without his brain's judgment. He noticed how he'd let words slip off his tongue without a second thought.

Maybe it was because his family was so comfortable with the Rais that he too opened up? Maybe it was the Rais' genuine goodness that made a difference? Perhaps it was the Rais judge-free character.

But Akshita, oh boy, was she something else! There was something to her. Ekansh finally understood his family's words. Perhaps it was her way of talking, the way she ran across the house, the way she would always express herself with her hand gestures, and the way her shoulders, eyebrows, and eyes would move expressively with every word.

Ekansh was mesmerized by her beauty the first time he laid his eyes on her. He felt blessed to be an audience for her enrapturing beauty. Eternities together could be spent by him, staring at her eyes.

Ever since he had stepped into the Rai's house, he felt his heart talking. He didn't think twice and let his heart take over. He had locked this side of him for 4 years, but now his heart wasn't sacred anymore.

He didn't know why he replied to Anumita the way he did, saying he'd think about the rishta. He didn't know why he felt the need to give a good impression on the Rais. Being polite was not something Ekansh had to worry about.

Whether he respected others or not didn't matter. Everyone had to respect him and the same went for the Rais.

In fact, he was their chief guest, so why DID he feel this way? Why did his heart tingle when Akshita called him Bhaiya or when Animuta said that Akshita gets many rishtas anyway?

His thoughts were stopped as he heard the sweet addicting voice again. "Amma!" she came running again like a small chipmunk, her payal jingling, stopping at the door and showing the text messages on her phone. Ekansh too gets curious, looking for a name.

She blabbers something in Kannada and then continues to read the text in English, saying that a girl named Trishna is on her way to the party. The grin on her face and her excitement grew with each word she recited.

Anumita's eyes widen in happiness, "Are wah! Ye toh bahut Khushi ki baat he! Amarpaaalll!" she calls from the garden.

What is it with this family and shouting? He thought as Anumita yelled back in Kannada, the only word Ekansh could catch was the "Trishna" at the start of the sentence. Only for Amarpal to reply in Kannada, somewhat shocked.

Akshita asks something shouting back, so her voice can reach him.

Ugh. There is something about that Kannada accent that made him melt, as he leaned against the wall, staring at her.

Ekansh started questioning himself...was he a pervert for thinking her Kannada accent sounded sexy? She could be talking about something entirely different, while his brain would think of it as the dirtiest talk ever.

"ill vo nag illi kelsa ide, Kane!" (No dude, I have work here) her brother shouted back, as Akshita's knuckles turned while in anger. "Yavagle kelesane irratade avnige, Huccha-" (Mr is always busy in his oh-so-important work, Crazy man-) her mother grips her ear, scolding her. Ekansh could understand by the tone and her bua's reaction that she may have cursed her brother.

[Okay, start listening to the song I've attached to this chapter from here. I swear it'll be magical. ✨✨]

Akshita.

This girl, the way she talks, the way she laughs, the way small strands of curled hair would fall on the sides of her face, the way she would talk with her bua, the never-ending banter with Amarpal.

His heart said: Yes, Yes and Yes.

A small smile made its way to his lips, as he was too drunk on her beauty to stop himself. Just as he was admiring her laugh, which could light up the entire world, her bua twisted her ear further the laugh was replaced with a series of 'ow's in different pitches.

Her bua interrupted, making him a bit agitated, but his heart danced in happiness at what she said.

"Accha, toh tum Ekansh Beta ke sath chale jana." "Hmm?" he asked Anumita, coming out of his wonderland.

Akshita looks at him with wide eyes and a gaping mouth. "Amma! Nanu anna nige barlikke helidde, avun barta illa adre nane hogetene, hang en illa." (Amma! I asked my elder brother to come with me. If he's not coming, then I'll go on my own. It's not that big of a deal.) She says making hand gestures which Ekansh half understood.

"Ha Akshita, but what if you trip on a rock and fall on the road and a car runs over your head? Hm?" Anumita asks her hands over her hips.

Akshita sighs in defeat, a cute pout on her face, "Meri billi mujhe se hi meow." (My foot, my tutor) she says, barely above a whisper, but both Ekansh and Anumita catch it, slightly laughing.

"Chalo, chalo jao, ab tak paunch jayegi Trishna," (Go ahead/make haste Trishna should reach by now) she says as she places her hands behind their backs and pushes them. Ekansh more gently than Akshita to the front gate.

Ekansh understood his bua's intentions of sending him off to walk with Akshita, but he couldn't be happier.

Author's POV

"So, where are we heading exactly?" he asks, desperate to hear her voice. "Hmm..." she says, looking up from her phone after sending a message.

"Just down this road," she says, pointing to the roads where the Malhotras came by, "Past that cross, anddd... I don't know again, Ugh!" she groans, pulling out her phone from her kurti pocket and opening Google maps.

He looked at her kurti, remembering that they were both clad in yellow, and the people passing by would probably think they were a couple, which led to a smirk threatening to appear on his lips.

She sighs heavily, "I accept defeat," she says, turning and facing her back to his chest, almost touching, her head under his chin as she held, the phone in her hand raised so that he could see the screen. "We must reach here," she says, pointing at a highway that showed it was 470 meters away from where they were standing.

There were many roads, streets, and pathways intertwined, leading to the highway. It was pretty difficult to get there, he thought, not judging her, taking the phone from her hands. He zoomed in and looked closely.

Akshita spent those minutes admiring his features. He wore a yellow kurta that hugged his chest and arms, showing off his muscles.

Akshita wished she had arms like those. He was clad in traditional and she unknowingly bit her lips, thinking about how hot he'd look in a white or black shirt. Yeah, she was ready to give all the money she had and sell everything she owned for that.

Her admiration session was broken when Ekansh looked up, pointing at the street down the road, "Okay, so we go straight down this road, take the 3rd right, then the 2nd left, the 4th right, and then we must be able to see the highway." He concludes, looking at her.

She nods. "I did not understand a single word of what you just said, but I appreciate it and I'll follow you like a lost puppy." She says, ending with a tight smile.

Ekansh couldn't help but chuckle at her, "Chaliye, Chaliye, Mera masak baad mai udainye." (Move on/walk ahead, make fun of me later.) she said, gesturing him to walk forward, a small smile playing on her lips.

He walks ahead, looking at the map once in a while. And as Akshita said, she follows him like a lost puppy.

"You have been living here for at least 5 years now and you still aren't familiar with the roads?" He asks, "Nahi, yesi baat nahi hai, baas mujhe ye gallian pasand nahi, (No, It's nothing like that, I am not fond of these narrow streets and alleys,) All the streets look the same and I get lost easily... I still remember getting lost running away from..." she stopped abruptly as she noticed what she was speaking

Her heart beat rose as she remembered the darkest day of her life that changed it for the better. She had never let this slip off her tongue before. No one. 

Something about him was special... Something she couldn't pin point but it made her feel safe.

She felt the rough rope tighten against his wrists and the melting hot rod on her forearm. She heard her heartbeat in her ears. His screams echoed in her ears. 

"Sorry for the TMI," she says, shaking her head. "No, it's alright. There's our turn..." he says, pointing left.

The rest of the walk is spent in silence. His brain itched in ways to make her talk. He grew an obsession with her voice, while she was having a whole mental crisis inside her head.

~ 1,579 Words

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So guys! How was the chapter?

Did you like the Author's POV following Ekansh or Ekansh's POV better?

Please comment so I can make changes accordingly.

This is my first ever draft and honestly, no one expects me and you has read this.
I am a bit nervous, so that is why I am begging for you're thoughts.

Anyway, the following chapters are going to be hectic! So stay tuned!

Don't forget to add this book to your library cause I make changes in the chapters a lot and I don't want y'all to miss any updates! <3

Hope you have a great day/night! <3

Don't forget to Share and Vote!

Updates coming in soon! <3

 ~ 1,772 Words