They took their ice creams and searched for an empty table to settle down. Much to Sanyukta's bewilderment, Randhir held her out a chair to settle down before making himself comfortable in another one. They were eating their relishes in utter silence when Randhir thought to strike a conversation. Silence, being around her just irritates him till death! Was it just a Habit or something new, he couldn't think of.

"I dont think we would be able to practice today.. It's already heading to dusk.. And I think it's going to rain..." He spoke while looking outside the glass door.

Sanyukta simply hummed as her mind then, drifted off to her home, thinking about what her mom must be doing then. Rains always reminded of her childhood! Her dad would just take a day off from his work, when it rained heavily. They would leisurely curl up inside the same blanket with a huge bucket of pop corn and ice cream,just her favorites, Her mom, her dad and she, and watch HER favorite shows! They'd laugh, cuddle, love, and nourish those moments of their lives! Her mom-dad, with their princess. Those moments won't return back in her life, ever. Sanyukta had already made up her mind to accept the fact. But still the child in her heart , who had lost half of her childhood watching her parents' banters, wanted to feel the same homely warmth, wanted to cuddle up with her loved ones just like that, wanted to feel secure under those pairs of hands again.

A tear drop trickled down her left eye without her notice and she suddenly felt something warm on her cheeks. She looked up to find Randhir eyeing her with a soft gaze that could just melt her then and there and also felt his fingers brush over her cheeks, wiping out the tear drops that had drizzled down.

"You know.. You can share.. Pain halves out in sharing but happiness doubles..." His genuine voice almost made her forget the things that she was thinking about. Her lips broke out into a weary smile as he caressed her cheeks with the back of his palms.

"I know.." She wiped out the remaining tear drops from her eyes and smiled a bright one. He always reminded her that she wasn't a weak girl.

"Oh shit.. It's already raining.. Come on now.. We need to hurry up.." Saying so, Randhir almost gulped down the remaining ice cream from the cup and urged Sanyukta to do the same.

"Arree.. Wait.. Lemme just..." She was still half done with her sweet relish while he stood up from his seat towards the bill counter pulling her along with him. She almost choked while gobbling up the whole cup in a gulp. Randhir patted her back lightly as she coughed vigorously.

"Idiot.. Who asked you to gobble up in one breath... You can take this cup along..." He made her drink some water and kept on patting her back holding her against him as her breaths evened down.

"I'll.. I'll give my share..." She spoke between her ragged breath as Randhir almost hit his head on the wall. She and her galaxy sized self respect! Duh!

"You dont need to be so formal Sanyukta.. Just take it as a treat from my side..." He insisted her to keep her wallet inside but she just shoved him aside, took the bill and paid the half money before swinging it back to him. He sighed! She'll die but never let go her self-esteem!

"What did you achieve? Lets win the championship and you can give as many treats as you want to...!" Sanyukta made a poker face before turning back and tugging him along.

They stood by the verandah of the shop waiting for the downpour to halt a bit. Randhir had his hands buried in his pockets and he was leaning onto the pillar watching the rain but Sanyukta found herself oogling shamelessly at the sight of a handsome boy with a lean figure and attractive features and sharp, intense eyes in front of her. She looked at her own appearance and felt herself to a complete misfit standing in front of him. Her shabby outfit, hairs tied high up in a messy bun with locks of hairs scatterd hither and tither, her year old rubbed off sneakers, her unappealing body structure, and the most crucial one was her inexperience in attractions and affairs! She never ever thought that she'd have to think about all these someday!
Jolting out of her reverie, Sanyukta found Randhir smirking at her intensely. Shit?! Was she just checking him out since the past ten minutes, without blinking?! Oh great! This calls for a self-invited-insult!

"I could never believe that the nerd Sanyukta even took interest in checking out handsome guys during her spare time, till I got to see today.." He twisted his lips into a deadly grin while she flushed, chewing her lower lip.

"Lets get outta here..." She brushed past him, climbing the finite stairs down from the shop, finding it to be the best option to avoid furthur embarrassing situations that she could call for herself any time then. The rain had halted till then.

Randhir kick-started his bike as Sanyukta sat clutching his shoulders tightly. This guy's driving can surely rip out the hairs of many experienced bikers. Such a rash driver he was! She had already got the utmost privilege to literally put her life at stake by travelling with him on his bike quite a few times. Leave alone other aspects, she surely didn't trust him when it came to driving.

Upon reaching her apartment, Sanyukta wasn't on the part of getting him accompanied till her flat. She didn't forget the previous encounters with him in her flat. He had almost seen her half naked! He had almost tried to seduce her yet again! And she surely didn't trust her heart anymore! It had already caused her to experience several unusual and awkward situations around him. Hell! She then, just wished he didn't insist on accompanying her.

Much to her relief, he asked her to be ready the next morning for the practice and quickly chipped a bye. She awkwardly waved him a bye, till his bike went off her sight and severely banged on her head when she realised that she had been gawking at the path pursued by him even after minutes of his departure.

She returned to her room and closed the door behind with a sigh. Slopping down on her couch, Sanyukta let her head rest on it as she spread her hands apart in peace. The incidents of the day came gushing over her mind. She and Randhir had been growing a strong invisible bond with passing days. She had never felt this refreshing till then. She felt alienated from the outer world whenever he was around her. And the most surprising fact was that, she always felt such a homely connection with him. She recalled each and every moment of the day out, solely with HIM. Some made her cheeks redden terribly, some made her frown, some filled her with unknown turmoils, some just made her smile. He wasn't that bad as she had assumed. The images in her mind, slowly drifted apart as she fell into a deep slumber on the couch, with her dress still on and a contented smile pasted on her lips as she slept without any stress or tension probably after ages!

♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠♠

TBC