Gauravi's POV

We reached the house in about ten minutes but none of us said anything.

He had stocked the stove with wood and had taken out food items and placed them on the table.

" What shall we have today?? I can only boil water, make tea, coffee, and boiled rice, and at the most can manage to make Maggi. So if you want anything else, then... " He was saying.

" I will cook the food. I am not as good as Mom and Tami but I can cook. Let's have a real hot and fresh meal." I said and he nodded. Somehow I realized that he was not even looking at me.

What was wrong with him now??

Anyway, I cooked some fresh daal and rice for us, which we had found on the plane along with the spices.

He had found some utensils and laid them on the table and lit a few candles, and just then I saw something that brought a big smile to my face....there were 6 big mangoes on the table.

" Wow!!! Where did you get them from?? " I asked.

" From the supermarket... " He replied.

" Oh, please!! "

" I saw an old orchard on the way while coming here, "

" But I didn't see any. "

" That's because you were hanging over my shoulder. " He said and I made a face, recalling his fabulous and strong back.

" Most of the trees were dead but three of them were left. There are mangoes and sweet lime. We can have the mangoes as dessert and sweet lime juice along with the breakfast." He said and served the food on his plate.

" Not bad... In fact, it is the best meal I have had since we got lost. Thanks. " He said after tasting the food but still was not looking at me. He kept eating the food as if he had been starving for a week.

I had taken only a small serving as I wanted to enjoy the mangoes.

As soon as he finished the food on his plate, I asked him to take the rest of the food from the cooking pots as whatever was on my plate was enough for me.

" Are you sure?? You have served so little on your plate. "

" I am absolutely sure, I want to have the mangoes...if I eat more food, I would not be able to enjoy them. Take as much as you want. "

" Okay, thanks... And sorry that I ate like a starved person but I actually felt starved, not eating any freshly cooked meal for almost a week now. Thanks for cooking. " He said and I started eating with him and after finishing the food, I picked up a mango and inhaled its heavy scent.

" Ummmm.. My favorite fruit. " I said.

" Yes, remember you telling me that. " He said drily. And I recalled what he said after that my cheeks got hot and they started gaining color. I set the mango back I didn't want to say or do anything that could create a misunderstanding or any awkward moment.

" Have your favorite fruit, what are you waiting for... You have not eaten enough food, at least have your mango. " He said.

I didn't want to enjoy my mangoes in front of him and let him judge me...

" I am not very hungry, will eat later on," I said.

" Nonsense!! You didn't even eat the food, and even I can have some of the sweet fruit as dessert to finish the awesome dinner. You finish your food, I will cut them. " He got up to wash and get a knife and plate to cut them. I kept looking at his hands while he peeled them. His lean strong fingers were holding the mango delicately and it reminded me of him saying that I was like a mango.

How would it feel to have his hands on ...

Shit!!!!! I was going insane... No!! I need to change the topic to distract my mind.

" We can pack the leftover mangoes so that we can have them tomorrow as well, we don't know if we get some chance to eat some fresh fruits or have to eat one of those tinned foods," I said.

" No, have as many as you want, I will get some more for you tomorrow, and you can pack as many as we can carry on the day after tomorrow, when we will leave from here. So enjoy them, the stream, and the house for one more day. " He said.

What??

" WHAT?? We will stay here for one more day?? " I confirmed.

" Yes!! Why not? We have covered a long way, and..." He smiled.

He smiled??

" But why?? " I asked before he could even finish his sentence as being alone with him all the time was having its effect on me. I was thinking of him all the time... It was not right for me to think of him in such an intimate way...when I was engaged to Mihir. I tried to take away that morning image of this man sitting in front of me, out of my mind, and think of my ever-sweet friend and fiance, Mihir but, somehow his picture was not coming to my mind.

Shit!!

" We are just two days away from reaching the border of the jungle and to the nearest road." He said.

" But then why shall we stay here for one more day?? In fact, we shall try to cover the distance tomorrow itself. " I said.

He gulped and said, " Oh Honey, I know you are excited to get out of the jungle but you can't be more anxious than I am. But I don't want you to collapse of exhaustion on me. I can't carry you to the rest of the way. " he said looking a bit uncomfortable or tense.

" I don't want you to carry me, either. And you don't have to, because I am fine, absolutely fine. " I said immediately as just the thought of him carrying me again was enough to bring other images back to my mind.

" I saw how exhausted you were that you slipped into slumber for hours near the stream today. And the way ahead is going to be even more difficult and tiring, I can't take the risk of going ahead in the condition. Since we have found a place to live in, we can take some rest here. "

" And if I do want to go ahead tomorrow itself?? " I asked.

" Then you know where the door is, I can't keep you here without your consent. " He said with a shrug.

He said as if he was totally indifferent. My heartbeat had increased when he said that he wanted us to stay here for one more night... It was like that forbidden apple which I knew was tempting, but I was very much aware that it was going to be fatal. I was getting attracted to him like a magnet to get attracted to the other one with opposite poles pulling at it.

But at the same time, I was scared to be around him for long... We were together all the time and it was getting difficult for me to stay away from him for too long, the problem was that I was engaged and yet was attracted to him but he never showed any sign of attraction towards me. He just said once that he can't share the bed with me because he was also a human and might get carried away... But that could be because he was celibate ever since he joined the trip, and seemed to be a big deal for a casanova like him, who was famous for his one-night stands.

He didn't feel anything for me so I didn't want to make a fool of myself for falling for a man who believes in loving them and leaving them... I wanted to get away but when he said that he could not carry my burden if I collapsed and that I might go if I really wanted to, I wanted to tell him right in his face and say that I couldn't stand him for one more day, so I need to finish this.

I really wanted to go but couldn't, I knew I could not. I just kept looking at him with a shocked expression on my face as I still could not believe that he said that to me so bluntly. I think I must try once again, nicely this time.

" Please let's get it over with, I am absolutely fine after taking that nap... I swear, I am good."

" Don't try that innocent, wide eyes look one, it might work on your... Mihir, but would be wasted on me. " He said.

" Fine!! " I got up and went away from him.

" Have your fruit!! " He called after me.

" Thanks!! I am not hungry. " I said without turning to look at him.

" Have it! You will faint if you don't eat well. " He reminded me.

" So what?? How does that matter to you?? Don't worry, even If I faint, I will not expect you to carry me to the border, thanks a lot for helping me get out of there, but do me a last favor, this time please don't do me any more favors, if I faint or land in any more problem, please let me be there and you go ahead. I might survive the jungle but would definitely die of the burden of your favours. " I said and went out of the back door but froze...

Oh, my God!!

😔😔😔😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😘😘😘😍😍❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️😍😍😍

Good morning friends 🌅

Here is my chapter today. I hope  you liked it, please let me know.

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Take good care of yourself and have a nice day ahead.

Thanks
Chhavi❤️❤️❤️