Mridhula

After the interrogation session with Karishma at Coffee Zone, where she questioned what the scene in the clinic was all about, we both left the place, our stomachs full and our hearts content.

According to her, I had shied away from guys for too long and this was my time to go for it. She knew about my silly fantasies when it came to romance and told me that if I wanted it to work that way, I needed to be the one to show the guy that I was interested and make the first move.

I honestly wasn't the type of girl to be embarrassed when it came to relationships. It wasn't that I had a fair share of them. It was just the fact that I was naturally bold and had no fear or inhibitions when it came to displaying my feelings out to someone. Her suggestion, rather than making me feel all jittery, excited me. I was going to take this as a challenge and make him fall for me.

Smiling inwardly, I bid a goodbye to my friend who had approached her street, which was a little away from mine, and skipped all the way home.

Time for the first step, I thought.

I had to put my plan into action before he returned after a week. That way, he would know that I was interested. And that was my intention.

"Karishma!" I called, a little breathless as I ran to catch up with her. "By any chance did he leave his name?"

"No unfortunately, but he left a girl's name and a house phone number."

My face momentarily paled, then came back to its original colour.

The only thought that went in my head at that moment was.. was he married? It wasn't an impossible thing. It just made me feel a little down. Or maybe he had a girlfriend and the dog was hers? Yeah that seemed more plausible. If he had been married, he would have left his name right??? My thoughts were getting completely jumbled but I pushed them to the back of my mind and brought myself back to the present.

She watched me closely for a change in my expression, but I remained impassive.

"Oh I see," I said retracing my steps in a daze. "Ok, I will see you around!"

"Wait!" she called. " If you want the number, ask Maitreyi since she was the one at the front desk."

"Sure sure!"

I donned a smile on my face and walked away, mixed emotions building up inside me.

As soon as I reached home, I plopped myself on the sofa with a sigh. My dog Skittles came bounding up to me and jumped on me, licking me all over. I grinned and my mood lifted a little. Skittles was the only one who could brighten up my day when I was feeling down. I scratched her underneath her belly and laughed when she licked my face. She was such an adorable little puppy and I still remembered the day I bought her. She had looked at me with those cute, longing eyes in the pet shop and I knew I had to have her.

I spent the next half hour cuddled up on the couch with my puppy, snuggling myself into her fur. She made me feel calm. She made all my woes go away. She was my good luck charm. And I loved her even more than my family.

I was immersed in my thoughts when I heard a slight knock on the door.

Who could it be? I thought. As far as I knew, I lived alone. This seemed strange. It wasn't like I was expecting anybody either.

I quietly tiptoed to the door, trying not to alert the person on the other side, of my presence. I peeked through the cubby hole and got the shock of my life. A very familiar face looked back at me. I squealed in excitement before opening the door.

"Oh my god, oh my god don't tell me you're actually here? In my house? What? This is so unbelievable. How how how??"

I almost jumped on him when he chuckled. His husky voice made all the hairs stand out in the back of my neck.

"Calm down fairy, aren't you going to welcome me in?"

He was the only one who was allowed to call me that. It felt so good to hear that nickname, considering that it had been more than a year since I had last seen him.

I blushed and gave him a sheepish grin.

"Well of course."

I pulled his hand, and literally dragged him in out of excitement.

" Come, come! I need to show you around the house." I said, starting to jump around.

I know, I know, I am 24, I can't afford to behave like a kid. But at that moment, all those thoughts flew out of my head.

The only thought that was blaring like a sound horn in my head was that he was here.
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After a few hours we were sitting across the coffee table, enjoying the comfortable silence that had settled around us.

" So how come you didn't bother to mention that you're coming to India the last time I called?" I asked faking an annoyed expression.

" Then it wouldn't have been a surprise fairy and I wanted to surprise you."

" Awwww," I said playfully pinching his cheeks and he swatted it away.

" So how is everything with you?" He asked and that's when I remembered that I still hadn't asked Maitreyi for the number I wanted.

I let it slide for the moment.

" Everything's good. I am really enjoying my work in the clinic. Life's going on," I ended with a grin and I heard him release a breath he was holding. He looked relieved like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

"Good to know that nothing much changed since I left," He said looking right at me.

I was caught in his gaze for a moment. He didn't avert his eyes and neither did I.

"It didn't since I could always talk to you or Skype you when I wanted. But it's surely better now," I said winking at him.

He laughed. " You surely haven't changed. And I like that," he replied, whispering the last part huskily and I burst out laughing. I couldn't control it anymore.

The whole evening went by, exchanging conversation with each other about his life in Reading and mine in India. I asked him about his friends there and I told him about mine. When it was time for dinner, we ordered pizza and hogged it to our heart's content.

He decided to sleep on a mattress in my room and I set it up for him before yawning and getting into my bed.

" Goodnight fairy," he whispered closing his eyes.

I slept with a smile on my face and a slight dust of red brushed across my cheeks.

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Hello!

Sorry sorry don't kill me. I know you all want to know who the mystery man is and you will. Just wait for the next chapter...

So any guesses? :D

Brother, ex boyfriend, crush, lover, friend, cousin?

Haha I am being totally evil right now huh?

Did you like Skittles? Honestly, I am in love with her and I am not fond of dogs.

Sooo? How do you think Mridhu was planning to make Navneet fall for her?

And now that someone was back, do you think she will forget??

Do leave your votes and comments :)

Hope you're liking it :)

Adios,
Harshini <3