Anu

 After the ceremony, we talked for a while. He was very happy for me. He wanted to spend some more time but, he needs to practice for finals so he left. I am currently feeling so much content not only because I won but because of the concern shown by Surya. He was seemed to be changed a lot like, taking good care of me, encouraging me to do what I wish, giving me company in everything, not leaving me alone. But, the walls I built around my heart were not that much easy to break and actually afraid to go through pain again. After today, I felt very grateful to him but am really going to get a happily ever after with him??!

With all those thoughts, I headed to my home. My pace was interrupted by my intruder, Nandu. Its been long time, after several days, I'm seeing him. He was not at all changed, the same charming teenage youth star. He was waving his hand in front of my face, while I am in my self talk. I smiled at him and was in search of words to reply him. He showed so much enthusiasm to talk to me. He asked me my hows and whats. Like that, we talked for a while. I felt guilty for avoiding him for all these days, in spite of how much he helped me earlier. 

"I am sorry, really sorry for avoiding you, you don't deserve all that." I blurted out.

He was astonished for a second, then recovered to his normal self,

 "Indeed a great mistake, a sorry is not enough." He looked at me evilly.

 I was confused.

 He continued, "a treat should accompany that." 

 Then laughed boisterously. 

I sighed in relief but, kept pout.

 "Come on now, I want to bankrupt you, lets to the near by cafe if you are okay?!" he cooed.

"Okay, and I have another good news to give a treat." 

We both entered the cafe, 'Brewing Love'. He chose a table at the left side facing the side children's park. He ordered cold milk shakes for both of us. We were completely immersed in catching up with each other. He probed about my condition after the incident with Nandana and Surya. I tried to hide the details because  I don't to want to show how vulnerable I can be, I am tired of the pity. He might have understood what was brewing in my mind, he changed the topic. 

"So what's the good news, you are saying?  Is it about winning the drawing competition?!"

I was surprised, "How do you know that!!!!?"

" A sparrow came and whistled the news in my ears" he said with a smirk.

"What?"

"I am just joking, I am also there in audience since I saw your name in participaters list, so I came to encourage my friend and that's how I got to witness such a historical moment."

"Stop joking, actually,.......I want to tell you something but I am afraid being judged."

"Have I ever done anything to make you feel like that, don't think about all that nonsense, aren't we good friends to share everything and anything?"

I Hmmed.

"Then tell me what is bothering you, even if you wanted to murder anyone, I will help you to hide the body"  he said with so much confidence in his voice and smug on his face.

I small laugh escaped from lips involuntarily. I cleared my throat after processing in my mind for sometime, "Surya said sorry for the fiasco happened and asked me to forgive him. I am not a one to hold grudges so I am speaking to him normally. He was putting so much effort to be with me, even today he was the one, the driving force behind my participation. This was so much confusing, I am so much flustered."

"What's there to confuse?"

"Because with his every effort, I am falling for him deeply. I am afraid, oneday I may not be able to rise when he left"

"When he left? Why will he? does he said like that?" he was seemed to be angered, looking at me questioningly.

"No, he hasn't said, but I know, at the end, I will be left alone."

"You are surely a mad girl, why do you think like that? You are never alone, you have your parents, Naren, Surya and me. Even if all these people left, I am promising, I won't leave you, I will be there to make you strong."

I was astonished with his promise. I sat straight looking blankly at him. He sensed my thoughts and waved his hand before my face. I smiled, "Thank you, Nan...... Nand....Nandu, That means a lot to me."

"I think my name was bothering you, am I right?"

"Not completely, but... its.....its ok"

"No, no its not ok, I want you to feel comfortable around me, not with baggage. So, we should think about it. What about Kishore,  but its too formal, hmmmm Kishu, my mom calls me that, though its childish, you can call me that, OK??!! "

I grinned at that name, "Double ok, anyway you behave childish sometimes."

"Since, I am childish, I want play in the children's park, care to join me!? "

"Oh no, I don't, its not my cup of tea, you can go, anyway it was for children not for us"

"So what? I am going and you are coming, come now don't act as an adult, behave like a child"

He dragged me to the park. Though, it was dusk, there were still some people. Nandu, no Kishu, climbed a swing and asked me to do the same. We tried all the games there, actually he played and so I have to!

After an hour or two, we both were drained of all the energy. He bought us some energy drinks and since I haven't argued and drank it. We both left to home laughing. My mom was very happy to know that I won the drawing competition. I am full tired and slept early.

Next morning

Surya

Today was our finals. I am very nervous and excited. I waited for Anu for a long time but there was no sight of her.

I want her, here to encourage me. I was annoyed of her absence especially, I don't know the reason of her absence. I called her at last but she was not answering.

But why???

To be continued.........

Want to know what happened next.....wait for my next update. If you like the story, vote for me. Comment your opinions

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