I208 words
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"Hello farha, how are you doing" a disdain familiar voice greeted me. I turned back in response.

"Hello" I said even before looking at the person. Suddenly fear ran through my nerves. My throat ran dry, devoid of words to utter. Rahul.That face I cannot forget, even in my most blurred dreams. The room was croweded but still insecurity lingered in the back of my mind. My brains chanted the only name "Ayan". He wasn't around but his words shot my fragile brain at the nick of the time.

"Be brave, you are a superwoman." Those words amred the warriors inside my head and I didn't panic. I put up a stern look and turned away from him without another word. I scrurried my way to find Ayan among the crowd. I moved out of the room in the foyer. It was empty. I dialled Ayan's number several times. Just then I noticed someone following my footsteps. I halted. I inhaled a deep breath, clenched my fist and with a slow grunt I turned round, ready to punch.

"Hey, are you going to starve me to death. Lets have dinner." Ayan's velvet voice jingled in the silence. My nerves relaxed and I smoothered my brow. His presence meant blessing.

"I have been looking for you. Let us have the food. I need to rush back to my hostel." I clutched his arm in a firm grip and dragged him inside, trying to be jovial.

We were eating when Rahul made his abhoring appearence again. Dressed elegantly in suit and tie he did look handsome but none inside the room knew the beast residing beneath his masquerade. Ayan clenched his teeth keeping the plate away. His eyes radiating anger and his jaws tight enough to crack a walnut.

"Get yourself away before I smack your face right here." Ayan said without parting his lower jaw. Teeth clenched, lips merely tracing the words.

"Take it easy bro. I am sorry for what happened." Rahul voice seemed revengeful rather than apologetic.

"Nothing happened. Be sorry for what you did." Ayan roared. I tried to concentrate on my food but it was hard to shove it inside. I moved away to dispose off the food. Particularly giving them time to resolve the matter but then I saw a girl approaching them. Tall and skinny, her hair rounded in a buffet and neckpeice hanging lose round her neck. She wore a deep neck livid knee length frock and was beautiful. I rushed back in, consolidating my place next to Ayan. I passed a genial smile to the newly formed quatret.

"Hey, meet my girlfriend, Kaya. She hails from the same institution where Farha is persuing her graduation. " Rahul porposely gave the details.

Ayan raised one of his eyebrows. "Your girlfreind!"

"Do you think only you can have a pretty lady by your side." Rahul smirked, looking at me from the corner of his eyes. Kaya smiled gently. Her eyes gleamed with innocence. She was unaware of the cryptic comment by Rahul.

"Hello kaya. I am Farha. You are from which batch?" I tried to strike a conversation with a smile. My enmity was with Rahul. Kaya was just a simple girl to be scorned at.

"Hey farha, l am your senior."  She has a beautiful voice too.

"Its good to meet you. I hope to get some help in my studies." I laughed. Kaya joined me. Ayan and Rahul smiled at our girlish giggle but thier smile lost lusture when thier eyes met each other. Though the evening seemed light and joyful. Ayan eyed Rahul with suspicions but he didn't elaborate his shameless deed infront of Kaya.

"Kaya is a nice girl" I remarked walking down the hallway with Ayan.

"Yeah. An innocent lamb being led to slaughter. I think you should warn her about Rahul before it is too late." His knitted eyebrows added a deeper meaning to his words.

"Rahul apologized to us and I think you should stop doubting him." I said trying to convince my own petrified thoughts rather than his.

"His apologies were laden with revenge. Can't you see that? I fear that Kaya might not be her next toy. Please do warn her."

"What do you mean by Next. Just because he made mistake once, it doesn't mean that he is a womanizer. I forgive him and so should you." Few moments before I doubted Rahul but now i was defending him! I have some character understanding disorder.

Ayan didn't argue further. I didn't even pester for his opinions. I looked at him walking beside me. His half visible face seemed cataclysmic. His face hardening again. I didn't knew what he was thinking but whatever it was, it had to be calmed down now. The only thing that i ever feared about Ayan was his silence. I can take his angry words but not his sinister silence. I thwarted his way, standing in front of him suddenly. He stopped, trying not to bump his head with mine.

"This is insane, Farha. You should not turn..." he was unable to complete his line because I plunged him into my arms. Snapping his bones inside his coat. His colonge smelled better than my perfumed raiment. I didn't care about my creaseless gown. I wanted to melt and fade away in his arms. Of all the worlds best confinements its his arms that sets me free. He embraced me too. Though a little later but warmer indeed. He caressed my hair similarly as a mother would do to his child when he lies asleep. Smooth and gentle, unharmed and exclusive. I took the opportunity to wishper in his ears.

"I love you Ayan. Love your from the tip of my finger to the click of my teeth. From the cornea of my eye to the cage of my ribs, from the shine of my hairs to the lustre of my cheeks. Don't ever doubt that." I hugged him tighter. I was afraid to lose my perfect dwelling, his arms.

He chuckled and moved away. Placing his hands on my puppy face. He looked deeper in my eyes. His irises shone brightly in the tumult of evening lights.

"I dont doubt your love, farha. I doubt my capabilities. If something happens to you, god forbid, because of me or by anyway, I wont be able to survive." His choking voice pleaded for my consideration. "It is shameful that I work with such people as Rahul. I am sorry that I exposed you to such menace."

"Nothing is menacing than your bitter silence. Please don't you ever inflict that on me. I am yours and I give you the leisure to blast my ears with turbulent words but please dont be silent ever." I begged.

He nodded with a smile and grabbed my hand to trail me off.
"By the way, you should have proposed me with those verbose before." He archly hid his beautiful smile.

I would spend my life proposing him each morning and he be obliged to return the same in the evening. I set on planning my future but the best planner and the disposer of all affairs, the almighty firmly gripped his pen writing something different entirely.
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*Hello readers. Hope I am updating the story on time. If you want an early update. Let me know. Thank you for reading. Love you guys.*
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