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Apeksha's pov
My steps halted, eyes craned up to the familiar gate of the Somani Residence. The same gate I had stepped through a million times. Nevertheless every time it still mocks on my face, a retorting reminder that even if I was able to step into his world, I could never be a part of it.

In a world where we aren't even allowed to address each other as friends openly, my stupid heart was leaping on an unattainable path. But it's okay. I will be fine as long as I manage to keep them buried in the faraway corner of my heart.

Shoving those intrusive thoughts away, I made my way inside the main house through the kitchen back door.

After spending most of my day in college and then my shift in the convenience store, my body wants nothing but to embrace the mattress. However it doesn't stop my greedy heart.

Halfway through the dining area, the loud yelling made me flinch. Tiptoeing, my body crouched on the pillar as I peeked inside the living hall.

It was nothing different from the typical Somani family's daily routine whenever they were under the same roof.

Mr. Viren Somani, Om sir's father and the head of the family and business, was still enraged by the fact that his son dropped out of business school to study law. That too in secret, without letting anyone from the family know. Come on, it's been years already.

Whereas his mother, Amisha Somani, looked pretty unfazed and bored from this usual clash between the father and son duo. Even her expensive tea got more of her attention than her own children.

Om sir let out a loud breath before stomping out of the mansion. His family's lack of support has edged him to opt for staying away from the house, even from the city most of the time.

I contemplated whether to follow him or not ? It's been ten months since I last saw him in person. The last time he was here was on my twenty-first birthday, which we celebrated together and no one is aware of that.

Silently, I slipped out from the same route I've been inside.

"Om sir," my voice reverberated in a hushed screech, "Vyom sir." This time I was louder, not too afraid.

I heaved since I practically jogged to him after he paused and turned to my vociferation.

My heart swelled as he breathed out, "Little swan."

The sight of him-- polished and all gentleman-ly in his three piece, had me enamored. I'm seeing him after 10 months in person. And dare I admit it feels like it has been over a century of having a sight of the man, who owns my heart and has no idea of it.

"Are you not eating properly these days ? It seems you've lost weight." A smile broke on my lips, his concern felt like returning to your safe place.

Paranoia has gripped me so bashfully that my appetite keeps extinguishing. But hey, that's fine hence it makes my round face look less chubbier. And damn the tummy roll, it's still the same.

His gaze remained lingering on my face, scrutinising, and I strive not to stir, "What have you done to those adorable cheeks ?"

His hands reached out for my cheeks, apparently to pull on them like he usually does. My breath hitched even though it's nothing new. Nonetheless disappointment grips my heart when he abruptly retreats his hands.

With calculating eyes, he did a quick analysis of our surroundings before holding my forearm and ushering us both to his car.

I couldn't help but bounce with sheer temptation. The plate of sizzling aloo paratha with sweet and cold dahi approaching closer, practically had me drooling.

Desi household is incomplete without aloo paratha.

(stuffed potato bread with curd)

"You're eating so little." I chided when he picked one from his plate and put it in mine.

"I'm fine. Don't have an appetite."

A frown stretches across my face, my gaze rounding his face. "You look pale. Are you okay ?"

He lets out a low chuckle, the mere sound surging tingles throughout me, "Don't stress that chhotu-sa brain of yours, little one."

(pea-sized)

I gasped, feigning offence. However eyes stayed put on his face; the reason for my stolen sleep and beautiful dreams.

Simultaneously my heart dithered. Does he still look at me as the same little girl who grew up beside him? Whom he helped in homework and protected after every recklessness ?

I don't want that. I'm grown up now and I want him to see me beyond all that. Like a person he could confide in. If not love.

My late grandfather served as the butler for the Somani's for all his life, and so did my father until his last breath. I know I'm being stupid and crushing my heart with my own hands. His world is a forbidden realm, where I would never belong. Nonetheless I can't help but be in love with him.

His attention shifted back from the paratha to me and I was forced to look away. Afraid that he will realise my gaze lingered longer than required. Afraid that he will read the emotions in my eyes and decode the secrets of my heart.

~
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Smacking my tongue across the roof of my mouth, I tried to savour the remaining lingering taste of spicy and tangy panipuri.

I cluelessly scrolled through social media, my mind wandering back to how little time I've. The months are slipping away and it's only shoving me further and further to the whirlwind of overthinking.

I gasped, my entire self jolting out of trance when someone pulled on my phone with abrupt force. My eyes widened at the sight of the two men on a motorcycle, their faces concealed with helmets.

The guy gripping my phone pulled harder and the instinct to counter back roared in as I tried to snatch my phone out of his clutch. Meanwhile my other hand clawed at his collar desperately, making sure my nails do some job. Got some dirty DNA in there.

With a painful hiss, the guy shoved me off, making me stumble and almost lose my footing. Taking the cue, the motorcycle roared with mirth whereas me, on my two feet, tried to catch on it

"Suar ki aulad. Bahan ke_" Panting profusely, I helplessly watched the motorcycle turn to round the crossroads.

(You hog's genes. Son of a bit_)

My anger skyrocketed when the guy pulled down his helmet, waving my phone at me. Without giving much thought, I pulled out my wedges and threw it at him with all my might.

Despite my phone being stolen, I let out a loud squeal when the wedges surprisingly hit across the guy's face, before the motorcycle zoomed out of my sight.

"Why are you walking like that ?" That was the first question Om sir shot at me when I loitered back to him almost balancing myself on a single leg.

With a wobble of my lower lips, I yapped it all to him. I wailed for my second hand phone which I managed to afford after months of saving. And then I wailed a little more for my precious dhai sau ki chappal.

(Two-fifty costing slippers)

His head shook with a low chuckle, thumb brushing across the corner of my eyes. Until then I didn't even realise about the gathered moisture.

"Trouble and you are basically soulmates."

My face countered in distaste, eyes narrowing at his remark. However, with his softening features and unforeseen words, a smile blossomed on my face, "But isn't my troublemaker a feisty fighter ?"

I don't think he realised about the 'my'. My heart began drumming, not only because of that 'my' but also when he suddenly knelt, signalling me to step out of the other wedges. And then it was his shoes placed in front of me.

My questioning eyes, with the thought of protest met with his obstinate ones. I had to give in since he was not even close to taking a 'no'. Next he helped me step into his shoes as he stood back holding my wedges. And inside my ribs, my heart did an ecstatic Lavani.

As we fell back in steps, I tried to take the wedges back from him but cowered back with his pinning gaze.

"Didn't you say your phone got stolen ?" My eyebrows quirked up as I nod. "Then whose phone is that ?"

I followed his line of sight which paused at the unfamiliar phone gripped in my palm and a full blown mischievous smile danced across my lips, "The pickpocket's."

Amidst the fiasco to get my phone back, I had managed to get my hands on the guy's phone who stole mine. Fucker.

My trance wavered as a warm, large hand softly patted on my head. Courtesy to the almost a foot height difference, I always had to crane my neck to look at him.

The sun shone above his head, spotlighting his enigmatic presence and damn when he smiled, he appeared too otherworldly. And I was transfixed, frozen.

"You're capable of doing wonders, little swan," and I was too captivated to decipher anything.

Chapter Words- 1545

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Signing off
~T.R