Aditi's point of view

People says when you love someone, You want be with your partner in his ups and downs. You want to be the one who hold his hands in every phase of life. You take all his pain and sorrow and give your happiness but why someone take a slap which was meant to be you? Why someone protect you when he wasn't in love with you?

These are the questions which I want to ask Dhruv. Why he stood like a wall between me and my mother and save me from mummy's slap? Why he took that slap which was meant to me. Other than just a neighbor and her sister's friend, I am nothing to him then why every time I looked into his eyes, I saw concern in his eyes for me? Why his eyes always fill with pain and when he looked at me with concern why I feel like he can understand my pain and can feel it like he was going through the same pain as me?

Why is he so complicated to understand?

After Dhruv left that day, mummy scold me when we go inside the house. She blamed me that because of me Dhruv got the slap mistakenly. Papa also scolded me for that. That day, mummy didn't gave me dinner and I cried till sleep engulfed in it's warm embrace.

Next day when I woke up, my whole mind was fill with Dhruv's thoughts and his unexpected action. Many questions are buzzing inside my head and I know, I never get the answers of my questions.

I decided to apologize to Dhruv for mummy's behavior. He must feel hurt. I know the feeling when an adult kid get the slap from elders and the feeling was worse when the elder was from outsider. I decided to make macaroni, his favorite dish from my hand and will ask him his forgiveness.

I came out from my thoughts when the boiling tea sound reached my ears . I looked down into the tea pot and tea was ready to come out from the pot. I turned the stove knob and switched off the gas. I severed the tea in four cups along with few snacks and walked towards livingroom with tray in my hand.

I greeted the guests and severed the tea and snacks to our guests and my parents. After I reached home after school, I saw the car parked, infront of our house. Mummy came to me and asked me to prepare some snacks and tea for the guests. Papa's sister, my bua ji, Shital bua ji and her husband came to our house to give the invitation card for her daughter's marriage.

When I gave the cup to bua ji she looked at me with disgust like I have plague and took the cup from me without looking at me. She lives in Luckhnow with her family and visits us thrice in the year. Bua ji doesn't like me because of mummy and papa. She knows how mummy and papa wants another son but they have me instead. I also don't like Bua ji because she is money hungry woman. She always took expensive gifts from my parents and mummy papa also gave her thousands of money whenever she visits us.

My bua ji and my uncle are not financially stable like us and for that she is jealous from my mother and taunts mummy whenever she gets the chance. I don't like her behavior towards my parents. If it's in my hand I never allowed her inside my house. But as I say 'if'.

As bua ji take a sip she make a face like she tasted a poison.

"Is that you call a tea? My maid make better tea than you. Bhiya your daughter is worthless." Bua ji said while glaring at me. I looked at mummy for help but mummy and papa are already glaring at me.

"Well.. Bhiya, I agree with Sheetal, even the snacks are extra salty." My uncle said looking at Papa whuch earn me murderous look from papa.

My uncle are not less that my bua ji. He is worst than her wife. I must not say but my bua ji and her husband are pretty much gold diggers.

"I tasted the tea and as well as snacks. They are perfectly fine." I fire back but politely.

"See bhiya, how she is talking back to her elders. She didn't have manners to talk to her elders. Girls in our family didn't even look into eyes of their elders but look at her, shameless girl." Bua ji said while looking at me with disgust.

"Say sorry to your bua ji." Papa said through his greeted teeth while glaring at me.

"But papa.."

"Apologize now.." I flinched when papa shouted on me from the highest peach.

"Sorry bua ji.." I apologize to bua ji, looking down while cantroling my tears.

I took the tray from table and walked outside from livingroom.

"I pitty your fate bhiya that you got such daughter. I wonder who will marry such girl." I stop on my track hearing bua ji's word. Wall of livingroom hiding me behind it, but they don't know I could hear them.

"I pitty that boy who will marry that girl. Otherwise in our society, no boy will marry Aditi in his sences. She didn't even look beautiful." A lone tear slipped from my eyes when I heard my uncle's hatred words for me.

Why everyone hates me?

Do I not deserve anyone's love?

"I will get her marry when she turn 18. I don't know how we will find a suitable boy for her." Mummy said in her concern voice but it wasn't a concern of my well future. She want to get rid of me as soon as possible.

There is only one question which buzzed inside my head.

Why my family hates me. Is it really because I am girl or there is another story behind it.

Why I always feel unwanted in my family?

This is the question which I asked myself again and again. I don't have courage to ask this question direct to mummy but I tried many times.

I don't have a heart to hear their further talks. So I wiped the only tear in my eyes and walked to kitchen to make a favorite dish for my handsome neighbor to ask him forgiveness.

******

I made the macroni for Dhruv and packed in a tiffin box along with some besan ladoo which I made for mummy. I took the permission from mummy and went to his house. Mummy papa and my bua ji and uncle are going outside for dinner and as usual I am not invited. I also don't want to go with them because I don't want to hear bua ji continously taunting and making me feel how worthless I am.

I rang the bell but no one open the main gate so I removed the upper latch of main gate and went inside. I crossed the gallery and open the door which directly open in the livingroom of Divya's house. But as I open the door I stop in my track.

My handsome neighbor was sitting in the livingroom, on the couch and studying. Books were scattered on the table and he was making notes from one of the books. My heart was bitting faster and I didn't expect him here. He always study in his room then why he is studying here and where is everyone. Why his home looking empty?

With a racing heart I step forward unconsciously but he sensed my presence because of the tinkling of my anklets and raised his head from his books. His chocolatey brown eyes meet with my coffee brown eyes and I forgot to beath. This is not the first time we looked at eachother but this time I feel everything has stopped surrend me and clock stopped ticking.
A pen fell from his hand and I came out from my dreamland.

"Hii.." He said in his angelic yet masculine voice.

"Hii.." I said shyly, looking down while tucking a loose strand behind my ear.

I can feel the hotness on my cheeks. I looked up to him and he has a grin on his face. I clutched the tiffin box tightly when I feel the butterflies in my stomach because of his grin.

"I am sorry to disturb you. I don't know that you are here." I said looking at him.

"It's okey. I am almost done. I will do the rest later." He said while clossing his books and bent down to pick his pen. His eyes went from my head to toe like he was taking in my appearance. I was wearing a simole blue suit along with my long silver earings and bangles. I was looking average then whey he is looking at me like that.

At the end his eyes stopped on the tiffin box which I was holding for my life.

"No one is at home. Mummy Papa and Divya went to market for shopping." He said politely while looking into my eyes. He must guess, I came here to meet Divya and bring this tiffin for Divya but how I tell her that I came here for him and this is the small gift from me to apologize to him and thanks for saving me that day.

I gave him a nod while looking down and turn to go outside But I can't go like this. I can't chicken out every time whenever he come infront of me. I came here to apologizes and thank him for his help. So I turn back and say.

"Actually, I came here to meet you." Finally with a lots of courage I tell him that I came here to meet him not Divya.

But still I didn't tell him the reason behind it. He was looking at me with confusion but didn't say anything. But latter he gave me a warming and welcoming smile. I smiled back and walked to him. He collected his books from the single sofa and out them on the table. I set on the couch and looked down on the tiffin in my lap. I was fledging with my dupatta with nervousness, don't know where to start.

"Do you want to say something?" I raised my head and looked at him when he asked me in his soft voice.

I nodded my head while tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. My cheeks get warm and I can imagine the pink blush on my cheeks.

Why am I blushing so much?

"Actually..wo..I..I came.." I was struggling with words.

I don't how to put my thoughts in words. It wasn't a tough task for me to apologize someone and this is nit the first time also but yes, this is the first time for me to apologize to my crush. When that day, I hugged him because I was affraid, I didn't realize I was hugging my handsome neighbor. That time I just wanted to hold something tightly but when I came back to my senses I realized what I had done. I was so embarrassed and wanted to run away but at the same time I want him to be with me and he didn't leave me there alone. He was with me all the time and comfort me with his soothing words.

"Is this for me?" I looked at him and he was pointing towards the tiffin box in my hand.

I smiled and nodded my head as yes.

"I made this for you." I said with smile while forwarding the tiffin box to him. He took the box from me and looked at it curiously.

"What's inside it?" He asked looking at the tiffin box and then me.

"Open it..you will know." I said with smile.

He open the tiffin box excitedly. Aroma of hot macaroni spread in the air. When he finally open the tiffin box he chuckled softly looking at the hot macaroni.

"Now you don't have to eat Divya's macaroni, hiding from her." I said with amusement. He looked at me and we both broke into soft laugh.

"You got me."

"Yes.." I nodded my head as yes.

"Please don't tell Divya. She will eat me alive." He pleaded cutely.

"Don't worry your secret is safe with me." I said and we both chuckled while shaking our heads.

I never saw Dhruv laughing like this. He talks in limit but today he was laughing with me. I also feel fresh after having an episode with my family. My mind immediately calms spending some time with me. Sometimes I really think, I am really lucky that Dhruv lives in my neighborhood otherwise where will I find my solace? Who will be the light in my dark life. I hope he also enjoy my company as much as I enjoy his company.

"Have you had your dinner?" He asked me suddenly and I shake my head as 'no'.

"No, why?" I looked at him confusingly.

"Then today have your dinner with me." He said while looking deep into my eyes and I looked at him with love and shock too because my parents never asked me to have dinner with them. Even they left me at home when they went outside to have dinner with hua ji and uncle. Then why Dhruv wants to have dinner with me. There is some unknown emotions in his eyes which I can't read but I like when his eyes fill with concern for me. It reminds me that there is someone who cares for me.

He was the first one who broke the gaze. I blinked my eyes many time to clear my head.

"I'll bring the plates." Before he could stop me I got up and walked towards the kitchen. If I stay there for a minute I might kiss him.

Aaddiitttiiii...clear your head girl. He never gonna kiss you.

******

I took out two plates and spoon from dish rack and was about to go back when I remind something. Divya like macaroni with oregano and chili flicks, maybe Dhruv also like macroni with them.

I started searching in the lower drawers for oregano and chili flicks. I Divya's home I feel free to use kitchen. Anuradha aunty never mind when I work in her kitchen. Sometimes Divya insist me to cook her favorite food. So I never fell that I intruding someone's personal space.

When I didn't find both the spices I opened the uper rack with the help of tong because kitchen's rack are way too much higher from my hight. I am not short but I am not grown up to my full hight yet.

I found the bottle of oregano and chili flicks in the third shelf from the left but my hand wasn't reached there.

"Uugghh..." I groaned in irritation when my hands were not reaching there.

I tried many times but at the end I decided to climb up on the slap and pick up the bottle. I remove my sandals and climbed up on the kitchen counter. I was about to grab the both the bottles but before I grab them my leg slipped on a greasy liquid.

"Aditi..."

I gasped loudly and tried to grab the rack but it didn't get the hold of it. I ckised my eyes in fear and was readdy to fell on my butt and hurt my back but before I could meet the floor, I fell on someone's hands. My hands automatically went around the person's neck to hold it tightly.

I open my eyes slowly and my eyes meet the most beautiful black eyes. I allow myself to lost in the deepness of his eyes. His one arm is around my waist and another one was under my knees. I can feel his long finger on my waist which are causing the center of sparks in my whole body. I only imagine myself in his arms in my dreams but today he is holding me in real.

I want to thank the person who spilled the oil on kitchen counter. He was the reason that I am in my handsome neighbor's arms. No matter what was the reason but my dream comes true.

Isn't it a great day for me?

He was looking down at me with concern but I was looking at him with my dreamy eyes.

I know it's creepy but I can't help myself to adore this beautiful creature who was holding me in his arms securely. I can't hold his gaze for long so I looked down. Realization hits him also and he make me stand on my both legs. I looked down and tuck a strand behind my hair in embarrassment and in shyness also. My heart was beating fast and my cheeks turn into hot red. My stomach is churning in excitement and I can still feel his strong arms around me.

"You Okay...?" He was looking at me with concern.

I nodded my head as yes because again I lost my voice infront of him.

"You should have call me to pick them. If I didn't come on time, you might hurt yourself." He said while looking at me with anger.

Why he is getting angery on me? I don't want to come on his bed list. I don't want another person in my life who hates me, especially Dhruv. My quota is already full in that department. My shyness turn into nervousness and fear, getting scold by the person whome I am madly in love with.

"I'm sorry..I don't know there was oil on counter." I whispered while looking down.

Mummy trained me well how to behave when someone is scolding you.

"Be careful next time. I don't want you to hurt yourself." I looked at him when I heared the softness in his voice instead of harsh words. I looked into his eyes and there was softnes was filling in them. When I didn't say anything amd keep looking at him, he ignored me completely, took the oregano and chili flicks bottle and walked out from the kitchen.

When I came back to my sences, I took the plates and spoons and walked towards the livingroom where my devil was sitting.

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I hope you like the chapter.

Sirry for the late update. I was busy in my studies but next time I will try to give you update soon because I am already starting working on my next update.

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