Happy Birthday nardhura! May god bless you and you always be happy, healthy and smiling! Live life to your fullest and enjoy every moment be it the biggest or the smallest!

***

Some smiles cannot be hidden, Some feelings cannot be forbidden!

Just what the two, Karan and Aditi experienced walking silently with feelings overwhelmed. The nervousness of being alone in the street, felt nothing but soothing being with one another, spreading a sense of calmness deep inside their hearts.

Peeking at each other tilting their head a bit, both exchanged a shy smile gazing back to the path ahead with eyes lowered clueless how to begin the conversation. Everytime their lips parted to speak it came back to rest without saying anything murmuring and nodding a slight 'No'.

The only noise in the environment being the cold gust of wind causing the dry leaves to let go of their branches, falling down from the tree canopies above their head, making slow float with the wind to the ground. The crunching of which below their feet, felt the melody to their ears.

The rustling of leaves, the swaying of trees in wind, the soft sussuration in the environment, enchanted the two nature lovers as they closed their eyes listening to every relaxing music of nature grinning the loveliest of smiles.

Facing up to look at the canopies Aditi grinned heartily while Karan grinned watching her expressions having a eyeful of it while taking off his black cardigan sweater putting it over her shoulder grabbing her attention by his gesture.

Looking into his eyes with her own mixed with raw feelings, she couldn't help but smile affectionately at him as he pressed a small smile shoving his hands in his pocket wandering his eyes around the street whispering

"This wind, this weather, everything is so calming about it, isn't it?"

"It absolutely is!", Aditi replied keeping her gazed fixed on his which finally lowered looking into her's. With heartbeats abnormally normal they grinned at each other, feeling an overwhelmed smile twitching their lips.

Setting their gaze apart Karan looked in the opposite direction letting out the breathe he had been holding within, while Aditi slipped her hands in the sweater wrapping her arms around herself as the cold wind left cooling sensation on her skin. Eyeing down for a brief while taking baby steps forward, Karan sucked in a deep breathe calling out to her

"Aditi!"

"Hmm?", Aditi hummed in response eyeing the trees alongside the road they walked, having her head turned towards the side which turns back abruptly towards him hearing

"Thank you! Thank you so much"

Eyeing Karan who had the brightest of smiles lurking on his face which made her lips form a smile naturally, she shook her head gently searching the reason in his gleaming eyes asking

"For?"

"For everything!", Karan sealed his lips. Gazing away from her appealing eyes, which were not letting him concentrate straight he glanced around the whole area, speaking the rest of his words grinning proudly to himself at each.

"For trusting me when probably nobody else in your place would have trusted., For understanding me even when you had all the reasons to be mad and... the most important", Karan took a pause letting his eyes rest on her face some time, admiring her beautiful entrancing smile for some brief moments before chuckling lightly to himself saying

"For still smiling this pretty at me, Thank you so much!", Aditi's heart skipped beats at his chuckle. A weird sensation running throughout her body enveloping her into its tender embrace, as she felt her voice dried out in her throat by his words.

With eyes twinkling a new shine, and lips forming a faint shy grin she uplifted her gaze to match up with his own, only to feel her cheeks flushing by his looks. There was something about that gaze of his, which made her blush naturally dropping down her gaze.

Not able to bring herself to speak or look back into his eyes, she bit her lip turning her head back straight walking with a smile not quitting her face, leaving behind a perplexed Karan who stood rooted in his place unsure how to react watching her leave.

Following her behind, quickly reaching up to her, he walked alongside matching her footsteps having his lips rolled inside his mouth eyeing around nervous

Have I said something I shouldn't have said?? Did she get angry? But she still smiles!

He thought to himself peeking at her from the corner of his eyes, shaking his head gently in denial just when a thought crept in his mind leaving his mouth hanging open in surprise

Will she not speak to me again!??

"Karan!"

Now, I an listening her speak! Great..

"Karan? You listening?"

No, I ain't listening!

Karan shook his head in negative, causing Aditi to eye him confused. Watching him murmur something to himself having his eyes closed, made her lips form a smile as she placed her hand flat on his bare arm calling out again

"Karaannnn?"

Wow, Now I can feel her hand! But gotta admit, even if it's just a hallucination her hand feels so soft.

His lips twitched a smile as he nodded his head with the thought making her chuckle noiselessly as suddenly lines of confusion formed on his forehead

WAITTTT!! HANDD???

Just when his eyes flung open turning to face Aditi who was chuckling at him making his hand travel to the back of his neck automatically resting there for few seconds stroking it while chewing on his lips mentally facepalming himself posing a nervous grin at Aditi who spoke shaking her head laughing

"Where were you lost?"

"I--umm, was just--talking to myself?", Karan blurted out taking pauses making Aditi laugh as she commented shrugging her shoulders at him

"When you have me, why will you even talk to yourself?", her words left his heart leaping in a weird joy as his lips went numb for some seconds watching her bewitching smile having his eyes fixed on her face while she eyed the view around clutching on to the jacket hugging it tighter muttering

"You know when you left from the class even after me telling you not to, I didn't wanna trust you, but still I couldn't bring myself to believe that you did it for a selfish reason. Something kept repeating that you didn't wanna do it, you didn't wanna hurt me or any of us", Aditi spoke out being honest with her words sighting Karan who beamed a smile at her saying

"I can never think of hurting you Aditi, not even in my wildest dreams"

A teary sparkle shining in his eyes as he muttered looking into her gazing eyes blinking it before dropping down his gaze turning his head straight muttering the rest

"But that moment when you told me to stop I couldn't stop. I just couldn't leave Aman alone that moment, he needed me the most. He loses his control over his senses when he gets angry, doesn't think twice before hurting himself. And at such moments, I can't afford to leave him alone. Neither have I left in the past, nor will I leave in the future no matter what"

He looked up to gaze into her eyes stating it all honestly, who returned a grin asking

"You love him a lot, don't you?"

"A lot! I've seen him grow!! From a kid who didn't know how to be bold, to actually grow coldest of cold. From someone who came to me speaking his each and every fears, to fight it all alone himself drinking up all his tears. Someone who couldn't hide a thing giving it all up from his face, to have it all locked up behind his dark menace. I've seen everything"

Tears pooled up in his eyes running down his cheeks as he turned his head elsewhere biting on his lips staring at nothing in particular, controlling his tears, which didn't go unnoticed from Aditi. Pausing her steps turning to face him who had his head turned away, she held his hand making him pause looking into her caring eyes which looked deep into his teary ones saying

"It's okay, please don't cry! He will change! I'm sure he'll change, he just needs some more time. Very soon you'll have your old friend back trust me, but until then you have to stay strong like you've been till now! I'm there with you!", she smiled a confident little smile pressing his hand softly in assurance, bringing a wide overwhelmed grin on his face as he felt the care for him in her eyes.

Blinking his tears back he nodded, and the two took slow steps forward. While Karan grinned wide as his mind repeated her words 'I'm there with you!!', Aditi seemed lost in her thoughts having her head bent. Gazing around for a while she suddenly turned towards Karan stopping the walking, looking at him exclaiming

"Let's make one promise!"

"Promise? But what promise?", Asked Karan halting his footsteps looking into her blue oceanic eyes which twinkled as she answered

"Promise that we'll never hide any thing from each other! Never lie to each other! And must importantly, always trust each other!", She put forth her right hand telling it eyeing him straight into his eyes who didn't waste a moment in placing his palm above her's grinning the brightest of smiles

"I promise! I promise that I'll never hide anything from you! Never lie to you and that I'll always trust you!", His eyes speaking the genuinity behind his words as he framed a big smile across his face lighting her own with a broader one as she blurted out

"I promise it too!"

Their eyes fixated on each other and so were their hands which made no possible movement, staying intact while their fingers found their own partner in from of the other. The motions of life surrounding them suddenly turning one of slow motion as they found themselves deeply engaged to notice the falling drops around them.

It was only when the water came down pouring, the sweet visit of the world within their eyes came to an end making them turn around their head to sight the path which was wet already of the large droplets.

Karan's hand which rested motionlessly on her's before, now got hold of it interlocking his fingers with her own establishing a firm yet gentle grip, looking into her eyes muttering quick

"Let's run, find some cover beneath some tree before we get all drenched!"

Saying it not waiting for her reply he instantly turned pulling her hand taking hurried steps ahead, only to halt as her hand didn't respond to his request not letting him drag her along. Pulling his hand back she stood rooted keeping her head straight watching him who turned mumbling out confused

"Come on! We're getting wet!"

"Let's get wet!", Her words left his mouth hanging open in surprise. Uplifting his eyes matching up with her's, his lips which were about to form up to utter an 'what?', was left quivering at the expressions on her face.

Her eyes strikingly small, replicating her appealing smile, blinking slow and beautiful at his eyes with an enchanting sparkle shining like a pearl shines in it's shell leaving him spellbounded as she whispered again

"Let's get wet"

A little smile twitched his lips, as he gave up in front of the request being made by her irresistible eyes. Blinking his eyes and nodding his head in affirmation he let go her hand grinning at her self while she stretched her arms wide facing up letting the fresh droplets land on her face.

Her eyes closed at the refreshing feeling of the tender raindrops and the sweet petrichor mixed in the air filling the environment and so her nostrils, beaming her face with rejoice.

Smiling at the overwhelmed feeling, as her heart felt extremely light she twirled around, at the sight of which Karan chuckled heartily before warning trying to grab her hand

"Aditi, you can slip down! Easyyy!", And just when this words left his mouth, Aditi's leg slipped and was about to kiss the ground when Karan's hand wrapped around her back holding one of her hand preventing her from falling.

"Told you!", Karan grinned at her looking down to meet her eyes which blinked back reciprocating his smile as if she had no fear of falling down speaking in a hushed tone

"I knew you would catch me", the words left his heart pounding and his breathing accelerating as he nodded quietly making her stand on her legs who spoke letting out a chuckle looking at him who had his eyes lowered

"You saved me again! You will never let me fall, will you?"

Uplifting his gaze up to look at her face, his eyes fell on her wet tresses of hair which came lying down on her forehead when he made her stand on her legs raising a smile on his face.

Stretching his hand to push the tresses of hair off her face, helping it behind her ear with a content grin on his face, he lowered his gaze to meet with her blushed yet steady ones muttering

"Never!", She suddenly felt awkward under his gaze, a feeling of coy rushed up her face spreading all over her lips as she gazed down feeling her heartbeats accelerating. The one gesture of his had her cheeks turning rosy, the blush searing through it, making the feel of that of a burning fire. Though the raindrops were icy it weren't enough to warm her face which suddenly felt really hot that moment.

Setting his gaze apart feeling his own heartbeat going crazy against his chest, Karan gazed around for a while before asking

"Shall we continue walking?"

"Yeah sure!", Saying that Aditi took steps ahead while Karan stood catching his breathe, taking some deep inhales before joining her for the walk ahead.

No words were exchanged between the two for a while, as they walked listening to the drumming of rainwater on the canopies above their head which echoed throughout the path calming down their hearts and running thoughts effortlessly.

Looking at the trees alongside Karan smiled spotting two little sparrows taking shelter under the branch having their feathers fluffed up, one of which almost leaned on the other noticing which a large smile craved his lips.

But before he could admire them a little more, his attention shifted to Aditi who suddenly held his forearm exclaiming

"Karan! Look there!!"

Turning to focus on her face which was lit up with a sudden craving Karan snickered following the direction of her pointed finger which was towards the misted path ahead, from where approached a street corn vendor towards their way. Sighting whom Karan shook his head gently asking

"You like that?"

"I love that!", Came the quick response from Aditi hearing which Karan passed her a grin

"Let's go get it then!"

"Really?? Thank yoooouuuu", saying that she quickly wrapped her arms around Karan's neck who was taken aback by her sudden hug having his mouth agape and his heart overspeeding at the feeling of her body so close to his. A feeling which disturbed, yet soothed his heart.

The soft touch of her cheeks on his own as her head rested on his right shoulder, set his eyes close sending shivers running throughout his skin fluttering his stomach at the feel of her body pressed against his.

An unknown feeling drawing his nose closer nuzzling in her hair sniffing the scent of it. There was something so warm about it, something that felt right, something that smelt right. A sudden desire of pulling her closer hugging her back, aroused in his heart but he kept his hand folded behind his back not making any move keeping a check on his soaring high heart.

The hug didn't last long, as the realization which didn't fall upon Aditi at that heat of the moment, finally drew upon her, making her pull away from him instantly dropping her gaze to her shoes.

Gnawing on her cheeks inside, unable to meet his face feeling extremely shy to even look at him, she bent her head hiding her flushed red face which didn't go unhidden from Karan.

Biting his lips wandering his eyes around he gulped his saliva clearing his throat audibly grabbing her attention, whispering in soft nervous tone pointing at the vendor from his index finger

"I--I'll go g-get corn for us!"

Earning a nod in response from Aditi who still didn't gaze up, he quickly ran towards the vendor giving her some space alone who let out a heavy sigh hitting her hand on her forehead lightly

Superb Aditi! Well done!! Falling on his arms wasn't enough, so you instead hugged him to embarrass yourself even further!! Gooooood!! Keep it up!!!

She shook her head, quickly pulling her hand behind her back spotting Karan return with two roasted corns in his hand. Coming running to her, Karan passed her the corn placed on the husk saying

"Eat it before it gets wet and the taste of spices rubbed on top of it washes away!"

Gazing up at Karan who was now taking bites on his corn signalling her from his eyebrows to start eating, a smile escaped her lips nonchalantly as she obliged blinking her eyes at him in affirmation taking bites on her own corn.

The two ate in silence taking slow steps ahead while enjoying the rich spicy taste of the roasted corn stealing glances of each other grinning ear to ear.

"Will you really not be coming for the school trip?", asked Karan out of the blue eyeing Aditi who chewed the corn delighted shifting her gaze to look at Karan's eyes which were looking at her expectingly

"Umm... I don't know! I didn't decide yet!", Aditi spoke out honestly causing Karan's smile to drop as he let out a sad sigh mumbling out

"Not even one is ready to come!"

"Sorry? But who else isn't ready?", asked Aditi surprised at his low yet audible words making him turn giving her a disappointed look answering

"Aman! Says he doesn't like being with our 'fit for nothing' classmates!", Karan rolled his eyes letting out a chuckle getting reminded of Aman's words when he asked him the reason behind not coming to the trip. Aditi chuckled too shaking her head, which faded away hearing the light whispers

"Looks like now I'll have to drop my plan of going too!"

"Why??", asked Aditi taking Karan by surprise who watched her confused shrugging his shoulders at her

"What why?"

"Why will you drop your plan of going?", Hearing her Karan squeezed his eyes closed biting his lips mentally facepalming himself for saying that aloud. Opening his eyes feeling her spontaneous gaze directed towards his face he heaved a sigh stating honestly

"What's the point of going, when none of my friends are there with me!?", his eyes turning to meet her's with a smile which clearly displayed how enthusiastic was he for the trip causing her gaze to drop down feeling really bad for him

Walking the rest of the path silently, while Karan enjoyed the view around, Aditi fidgeted with her hands caught in her own thoughts, coming out of it only when she realized her house was just some metres far turning to face Karan telling impatiently

"I'll come!"

"What!? Where!??", questioned Karan shaking his head baffled at Aditi who answered with a small soft smile

"To the trip!!", Hearing the words Karan eyed her amazed looking into her smiling eyes with his confused yet glad ones murmuring

"Really?"

"Yeah! But-", Aditi paused noticing his facial expressions which yelled her to continue speaking, as his eyebrows raised in question making her smile speaking the rest of the words

"You have to come too!", a wide grin tucked Karan's lips as the words left her mouth and was about to form in to say an 'Of course' when it paused mid air coming to rest next moment as thought of Aman crept in his mind. Noticing his smile drop all of a sudeen, forming thin lines of worry on his forehead Aditi smiled

"Thinking about Aman? Aren't ya?", as karan nodded Aditi played a small smile thinking for a while before saying

"Yeah! That's one lock whose key only Kanishka has! On whom he is currently angry with!", Aditi's lips craved into a thin line of disappointment while Karan replied instantly

"I don't think so he's angry!"

"What do you mean? He's not angry?", Asked she surprised questioning Karan with wide eyes who answered nodding his head averting his gaze to the path ahead

"He is disappointed! He isn't someone who can stay angry for long, one honest sorry and he lets it go instantly. It's that easy! He might look very brutal and tough from outside, but he's very gentle and soft inside! He must've forgiven her too", said Karan letting out a soft chuckle sighting Aditi who grins a content smile back at him

"Then, leave the rest to Kanishka! She'll handle it with ease!"

"Well, hope so! I've some tricks up my sleeves too!", Winked Karan at Aditi who giggled raising her hand for a hi-five which was completed immediately by him. Grinning ear to ear they looked into each other's eye which reflected their smiles, and a feeling which was new to their hearts.

The trance which gets broken when a dog comes running jumping on Aditi keeping it's front paws on her sweater licking her face wildly making her giggle saying

"Awwww lucky, you missed me?", The dog barked as if to singal her an 'yes' continuing to lick her face who now bent herself on her knees letting the paws down gently rubbing his chest hair and the back of the neck saying

"I missed you too! But why did you wait for me out in the rain, I was coming right?", Aditi asked scratching under his chin who just licked her face in response barking twice making her smile shaking her head feathering a kiss on his head

"Okay okay I get it! I love you too!"

"You understand what he says?", asked Karan wondering bending down to her level who smiled in return gently massaging her fingers on his back

"OF COURSE, I do! I understand his eyes more than his barking or any gestures!", Aditi grinned turning to see Karan who had a wide smile twitching his lips as he looked into her eyes murmuring

"Eyes speak more than words at last!", she felt something captivating about his gaze which left her speechless as she gazed down for a moment sucking in a deep breathe while his voice rang again in her ears

"Is that your dog?"

"Oops I forgot to introduce you to him! Meet Lucky, my golden retriever!!", she scratched behind lucky's ears who was busy sniffing the sweater she wore. Getting done with which, he sniffed Karan moving towards him licking his face taking him by surprise who looked at Aditi unsure how to react, making her chuckle

"He figured it out it's your sweater! It's his way of telling thank you!", Listening to her, Karan eyed him with a wide grin on his face while Aditi moved near them patting Lucky's back

"Lucky, this is Karan! My schoolmate!-- My best friend!", Aditi muttered with a grin creeping up her lips as she eyed Karan in his eyes which went wide hearing the words 'my best friend', tucking a wide winsome smile on his own as he eyed her back into her blue oceanic charismatic ones.

The trance which comes to an end when Lucky showered his face with affectionate licks making him chuckle holding his face gently trying to stop him, looking at the adorable scene Aditi snickered commenting

"He likes you already!"

"He's so adorable! No wonder he's your dog", the words escaped his lips absent minded as he played with Lucky massaging the back of his ear and neck, just when his hands paused as he bit his tongue inside his mouth realising what he muttered out.

Peeking at Aditi slightly who had her eyes fixed on him after his comment, he rolled his lips inside chewing on the upper lip, reasoning up his earlier words

"I mean to say is, owners are just the reflection of their dogs!", His comment earned him a 'what?' kinda look from Aditi, causing his eyes which were already scrunched up at his words to go narrowed further as he mentally facepalmed rephrasing his words

"I mean, dogs are just the reflection of their dogs--no not dogs--their owners!!!", Karan corrected turning to pass her a sheepish smile but watching her have her lips rolled in, in order to try control her laughter from escaping, swept away his smile from his face as he gulped in the saliva gazing down embarrassed.

Looking at his pale flushed expressions, Aditi couldn't control her laughter anymore. Laughing aloud covering her mouth with the back of her hand she spoke

"You look so funny when you try to cover up!!"

Karan who had his tongue bitten under his front teeth finally slipped out, as a faint chuckle escaped his lips looking at her laughing self. Stroking the back of his neck nervous, he watched her laugh who shook her head at him asking

"Would you mind waiting some time inside, until rain stops?", Offered Aditi pointing towards her home, hearing whom Karan played a tight zipped smile while Lucky pulled on his sleeves as if to invite him in causing him to gently pat his face blinking his eyes shaking his head at him in denial

"I don't mind, but actually right now I'm getting late! I gotta go meet Aman, he must be waiting for me in the park, I told him to stay there until I return! So I can't stay! Sorry, but surely next time!"

"It's okay! I understand!", flashed Aditi a smile at Karan getting back on her legs while Lucky ran away entering inside the door leaving the two puzzled

"Did he get angry?"

"Maybe, I don't know! He doesn't do that usually", Aditi shrugged her shoulders in response looking behind him while Karan took off her bag he had been hanging on his shoulder all this while giving it to her who murmured a 'thank you', taking it from his hands as he said

"Shall I leave then?", Karan asked eyeing Aditi who just lowered her gaze nodding her head in approval. Smiling at her whispering an 'Bye', he was about to turn when both of their attention gets grabbed by Lucky who comes running out of the door pulling an umbrella along with him having its handle strap in his mouth dropping it near Karan's feet.

While Aditi grinned, Karan bent himself squatting down gently holding him by his face scratching on his head asking

"You went to get me an umbrella?", As lucky barked once in response licking his face, Karan grinned feathering a light kiss on his muzzle rubbing his furry cheeks saying

"I'll surely come to meet you again!", Getting up after grabbing the umbrella to look at Aditi who was all smiles Karan let out a light chuckle speaking

"You've got one of the sweetest dogs I've ever met!"

"I know! But I also know he isn't this sweet with everyone, he definitely loves you!!", Lucky barked again as if to answer an 'yes' making the two chuckle, while Karan replied

"I love him too! By the way, can I know when do you take him out for the walk if you do?"

"I surely do take him out everyday for walk, there's a park down this street, we go there for a walk during morning between 5:30 a.m to 6:30 a.m", Karan's smile which maintained throughout on his face while she spoke, faded away instantly at the mention of the time as he recalled his sleeping timings which were way off than this.

His attention shifting back to Aditi hearing her further words which only made him groan inwardly forcing a smile

"You can join sometime, we won't mind!"

"Sure! I'll keep that in my mind! But by any chance do you go out for walking during evening as well?", questioned Karan looking at her waiting expectantly for her answer, only to smile and then frown disappointed hearing it.

"Yes, Lucky goes out for walking twice a day! Evening my brother takes him for walk between 5 p.m to 6 p.m! You can come that time as well! My brother won't mind for sure!"

No Thanks!

"Sorry? Did you say something?", asked Aditi growing confused at his words narrowing her eyes at him whose own grew wide as he quickly answered

"Thanks! I said Thanks! I'll definitely come some day in the morning!", said Karan the last part to himself glancing at his shoulder before gazing at her smiling who returned the smile

"Okay then! See ya", She waved her hand at him who blinked waving his hand back nodding at her and then lucky before turning to leave holding the umbrella to take cover from rain which had already drenched him top to bottom.

Forgetting his sweater completely he walked with a smile which didn't leave his face as his mind recalled her words

MY BEST FRIEND!!

My Best Friend!!, Aditi smiled to herself looking at his disappearing figure clutching on the sweater tighter folding her hands across it and just then her mouth fell open as she eyed down looking at his sweater facepalming

"Oops I forgot to give him this Lucky!"

"Bow-wow wow!!", Came the response from lucky making her roll her eyes looking down at him

"You didn't give me any reminding signals shut up!! But do you think he'll come tomorrow morning?", Looked she confused at lucky who just let his tongue out at her earlier words and then barked once making her smile ruffling his wet furs saying

"I also think! Come on let's go in!", saying that Aditi pat lucky's back who shook his body vigorously getting rid of the water from his fur, before making his way towards the door making Aditi snicker.

Looking to follow him behind she turned only to turn back with an unknown feeling building up her heart eyeing the rain washed roads from where Karan just left playing an hopeful smile murmuring to himself before entering inside with a blush

Hope you come tomorrow!

***

Hello everyone...!!

How was the update?? Hope you enjoyed!

Didn't expect such an early update? Neither me! But it was my dear reader nardhura birthday! So yeah had to update!

It was Karan and Aditi's first hug! How many of you felt those shivers of the first proper hug? Cuz I did!

There were many small cute moments, among them which one was your favourite?

And what's this 'trip' thing all about? Any idea where it can be??

And will Aman agree?

To know answer of all these, stay tuned for a month UNFORTUNATELY! Yes, I'm not kidding! I've FINAL exams starting next week which will last until 14th Jan! So yeah hopefully I'll update within a week after that time!

Happy advance Christmas and New Year wishes from my side! Cheers to all of you out there who made it out of 2020 safely!! You guys are CHAMPIONS! I REPEAT CHAMPIONS!!!

Meet you all next year, hopefully a virus-free year, and Until then!

<Bye,Tc🤍,Stay Safe✨>