We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.
- Mridula
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Mridula's POV

07:57AM IST
MUMBAI - LAVASA

Currently I am pouting on the fact that Yuvraj shut the windows just cause I sneezed once.

Damn you nose! If not you then I'd have been enjoying the cold breeze and the view outside.

I leaned back on my seat and sighed when Yuvraj played some songs. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the melody whilst Abhi dada caressed my hairs in a soothing manner making me fall asleep.

After sometime

I was in deep slumber when someone intended to cut my sleep short and shook me gently. I opened my eyes to see Abhi dada.

"Wake up Princess! You haven't eat anything. Come on we're going to have our breakfast here! And I can't wait to eat the dishes made by my Princess!" He said.

I smiled and came out of the car with Abhi dada and Sam. As Yuvraj and Varun were already outside. I saw a beautiful temple outside and the guards taking the tiffins and packets inside the temple.

"Yo girl! Come on let's go! I'm famished to eat your handmade Quesadillas. It's been ages since I had those!" Sam said coming to my side.

"Hey guys! Let's take some selfies before that." Shraddha said coming to my next.

We took some selfies with everyone and then went inside the temple. I saw a beautiful idol of Maa Durga so I bowed my head and joined my head in front of her. Then joined everyone behind the temple where the guards had made arrangements for our seats.

Soon shraddha, Sam and i served everyone. Shraddha has made the gujrati delicacy Theplas & Eggs Benedict for breakfast and whilst Sam brought crepes and empanadas. We all ate our breakfast with everyone praising the delicious food. I washed my hand and went inside the temple again.

The idol was so mesmerising that it pulled me towards it again and again. I again stood their gazing at the beautiful Avatar of Maa Durga. I joined my hands and closed my eyes with a bowed head in front of the goddess. It's not been so long when I felt someone beside me. I opened my eyes and glanced at my side to see Yuvraj mimicking my act. A smile ghostly made it's way to my lips.

I saw a beautiful butterfly with rare colours.

It was glass winged. I tried to touch but it flew away outside. I followed it trying to catch and have a proper glimpse but no it isn't stopping. After sometime of running behind, it finally stopped on a branch. I smiled and tried to catch but again it flee away. That's when I noticed I was in the woods.

Damn! Where am I exactly?

I took out my phone and saw there was no signal!

Wow! Great!! Note the sarcasm!

I put my phone back inside my pants pocket and tried to find my way out. But instead I found someone else. Three person to be exact. I was about to ask them the way back to temple when I noticed beer bottles and their red eyes.

Damn! They're drunk!!

I shook my head and turned around to leave before they notice. But looks like my fate is against me today. I felt a rough hand grabbing my arm tightly and pulled me back. I hissed cos of his grip.

"Hey! What are you doing?" I asked whilst trying to get out of his grip but it only made him tighten his grip.

"Shh! Sweetheart! We'll have fun!" One of them said.

My eyes widened as saucers. I struggled more and finally made it out of his grip. I glared at them and kicked the one who was holding me where sun doesn't shine. He fell on the ground holding it and groaning in pain.

"You Bitch!" He exclaimed in pain. His two friends again held me whilst I struggled more.

What did I get myself into?! Oh god! Please help!

The man whom I hit got up from the ground and tried to take off my jacket.

"NOO! DAAAD! HELLP!"

But someone kicked him and he flew away then dropped to the ground with a crack!

Ouch!

The other two holding me too fell on the ground holding their punched nose and jaw. I turned to see Yuvraj.

That's when I noticed my tears! He came in front of me and towered over me in a protective manner. I clutched his arm tightly whilst shaking in fear. The drunk men were about attach again but our guards came from nowhere and hold them back. Then they took those three away. Yuvraj turned around to face me with a worried expression. I didn't waste a second and jumped in his arms clutching his torso tight. His hard body was pressed tight to my soft one. He encircled his arms around me making me sob in relief. Then he nuzzled his nose in the crook of my neck and whispered sweet words to me. He pulled back and wiped my tears with his thumb and pecked my forehead. And soon I relaxed in his arms and went limp.

11:12AM IST
Lavasa, Pune
Maharashtra, 412107

Someone shook me gently and whispered.

"Mia! Wake up sweetheart! We're here!"

I opened my eyes to see it was Yuvraj. He's holding me on his chest. I have my head on his heart and I can clearly hear the beats. His one arm is wrapped around me whilst I was still seated inside the car. His face from this close looked divine. He looks like a Greek god. I wonder if he is in a relationship with someone.

Of course he must be! Look at him! He has got the looks and money too which will make girls throw themselves at him!!

I don't know why but I felt a bit hurt! I then remembered the accident earlier in the woods! He helped me. He saved me. I can't thank him enough for that!

His big rough hand rubbed my arm making me snap out of my thoughts. When I noticed our closeness, I blushed and moved back from his chest. He smiled making me smile in return and asked me to wake the sleeping Abhi dada and Sam up. I nodded and he went back. Then I sighed and shook Abhi dada.

"Dada! Wake up! We are here!" He took some time then opened his eyes and nodded at me.

"You okay Princess?" He asked then I realised he must be talking about the accident in the woods.

"Yes dada! Don't worry! I am perfectly fine!" I said. He kissed my forehead.

I went out and come to the other side. Opening the other side door, I shook Sam up.

"Sam! Wake up girl. We are here!"

She groaned and opened her eyes. She looked at me concerned just like Abhi dada did.

"Are you okay Ree?" She asked.

"Yup. Don't worry. I am all good. Thanks to Yuvraj!"

I bit my tongue when I realised I didn't even say a thank you to him. How foolish!

Damn Mia!

"Okay if you say so!" She said and come out of the car.

We made our way towards everyone who were admiring the view from the top. And man! It was breathtaking!!

Dad came by my side and hugged me tight.

"I was so tensed when you called for me to help! I am so sorry princess! You are okay now right?" He whispering asked.

"Yes dad! Don't worry I'm fine!" I said reassuring him.

"You better be young lady! What the hell were you doing in the woods by the way?" Mum asked from behind.

I pulled back from dad and sheepishly smiled at mum.

"Actually mum! There was a beautiful rare butterfly you see and i-" I was cut short by Mum.

"What? Just for a butterfly?! Mridula Roy! How many times do I need to tell you to stop your childish acts! It will put you in danger! And that's what happened today! Will you ever listen to me?" She asked with concern.

I lowered my gaze in guilt.

She said the truth. I've almost been went to coma when I was 15. Just cause I tried to save a calf from the truck. And today I was almost got robbed or worst raped!!

"I am sorry mumma!" I said in a low voice.

Mum shook her head and hugged me tight and pecked my face thousand times. She pulled back and then I saw everyone. I mean EVERYONE were gazing at us with adoration. My face flushed up and I hide my face in my dad's chest making him chuckle.

"She doesn't like much attention!" He said making everyone chuckle again.

"Daaaadd!" I whined.

"Sorry baby!" Dad said controlling his chuckles. I groaned loud.

After sometime

The weather was good. It was cloudy and windy. So it became more cold then expected. Currently the elders are doing BBQ whilst we all are sitting by the camps under a huge tree. I had my scarf wrapped around my neck and we were sitting on a mat.

"Hey guys! Let's play! We aren't here to sit and discuss Business!" Shraddha said eyeing Sid and Yuvraj who were talking about work.

I controlled my laugh seeing Shree glare at Sid & Yuvraj who visibly gulped. Someone jumped on my lap making me shocked for a quarter of second. Then I visibly relaxed when I saw Alia. I gave her a peck on cheek and smiled.

"Alia! How many times do I have to tell you not to jump on someone like that?" Priyanka bhabhi asked in stern voice.

"It's all right Bhabhi! I was missing my angel!" I said bhabhi and then looked at Alia and continued, "Hello Angel! How was the your beauty sleep?"

Yeah she was sleeping till now!

"It was good! I heard about games so I came here! I can also play right?" She asked with puppy dog eyes.

Awwh how cute!!

"Of course you can Princess!" I said making her squeal and clap her hands.

"Yes yes so what are we going to play?" She asked excitedly.

"Hey! How about scavenger hunt? We'll make some groups and hunt down the whole place and then one group will will at last. The group will get a surprise gift from the groups who lost the game?! How's it?!" Shraddha asked enthusiastically.

"I agree! That's a great idea Shree!" I said.

"Yep! It will be fun!" Maan and Sam exclaimed together.

Everyone agreed on our plan so we called Priyanka bhabi and Duggu bhaiya too.

Yeah I got to know about the nickname of Hrithik bhaiya! But let me tell you when I heard about his nickname I burst out laughing. I laughed like a maniac whilst Hrithik bhiaya groaned and cursed Sam for calling him that in front of everyone. I mean he is all tall and muscular and the name Duggu seems so weird to be honest.

"Okay so - Me, Sid and Shree a team. Priyanka bhabhi, Hrithik bhaiya and Sam another. Yuvi, Mia and Alia another with Abhi Bhaiya! Cool?" Varun asked.

We agreed and the teams were finalised.

1. Yuvraj, Mia, Abhi & Alia - TEAM A
2. Priyanka, Hrithik & Samaira - TEAM B
3. Varun, Sid, Shraddha - TEAM C

We decided on different routes the groups will follow. And Mahira aunty helped us by making the clues to next locations. Mahira aunty planned the whole game and then she instructed the guards to place the clue envelopes and more.

During that, we all went to our tents and changed into something comfortable.

Tying my hair in a pony, I went outside with Shraddha & Sam. I saw all the boys ready in their workout clothes too. We stood in groups.

"Okay guys! Here's your first clues! Go a bit away from eachother and then open them! All the best!" Mahira aunty gave all three groups a yellow envelope and then me, Abhi dada, Alia and Yuvraj went a bit away towards the woods and opened it.

#1st clue

"People climb me, cut me and burn me, they show me no respect! My rings are not of gold, but they do tell my age! My size is large and the name human gave me starts with a 'O'. FIND ME!"

"People climb me, cut me and burn me without showing any respect? What could that be?" Abhi dada said and I bit my lips whilst thinking.

I heard a groan and looked at Yuvraj. The sound came from him. I raised an eyebrow.

"What happened to you?" I asked.

"Ah nothing! Let's focus now!" He said and again read the riddle.

"Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god!" I squealed when the answer hit me.

"Did you get the answer princess!" Abhi dada asked to which I nodded .y head and grinned widely.

"It's a tree. To be exact a Oak tree!" I said and they thought about sometime.

"Awesome! You're correct. Let's go and find it!" Yuvraj said.

"Let's go! Let's go!" Alia jumped up and down in excitement.

Looks like someone is more excited than me!!!!

We went inside the woods and tried to find an oak tree. After 2 or 3 minutes we spotted one and rushed towards the tree.

There we saw a yellow envelope glued to the trunk. Yuvraj yanked it off and opened the envelope.

#2nd Clue
"Ah! First of all congratulations for your first win! Now Feeling cold? Then don't forget me! Throw me on before you go. I'm nothing special, everyone has me. People wear me when the temperature's low."

"It's a jacket! But I am not wearing one!" Yuvraj said.

Then he looked at me. I shook my head.

"Me too!" I said.

Then we looked at Alia and Abhi dada. They both were wearing jackets.

"Dada! Take off your jacket!" I said. He nodded and unzipped it.

"Here!" He said and handed me his jacket.

We searched it thoroughly but it was empty. Then we looked at Alia. She opened her jacket and gave it to us.

I searched through it and find another yellow little envelope inside its material. I brought the envelope out and gave it to Yuvraj then helped Alia to put the jacket back on.

#3rd clue
"A clever team I see! Here's the next one- Though I'm not an elephant
I am something with a trunk
If I get old and rusty
You might sell me off as junk. My colour is red, I look gorgeous drop dead."

What the actual fuck!! This rhyme was eh..weird!!

"What's this?! I didn't get a single word!" I said.

"This is too tricky!" Abhi dada said rubbing his face.

Yuvraj clutched his hairs in frustration when we were out of ideas and nothing struck our mind.

After 5 minutes

"Oh yes! It's my Red land rover! It's a car so obviously it has a trunk. And when the cars become old and rusty we sell them off just as a junk. It's red and gorgeous too!" Abhi dada said.

"But it is so away from here. Even it's far from our tent site!" Yuvraj said.

"That's why we have to go now! Come on we have to win!" I said.

They nodded and we ran to our destination with Alia.

After 25 minutes

Heavy breathings are the only thing heard. But we finally made it.

I saw a yellow envelope on it's windshield. I took it out and opened the envelope.

#4th clue
"What an awesome team! Congratulations!! Here's the next one! Good luck & sorry!
This old one runs forever, but never moves at all he has not lungs nor throat, but still a mighty roaring call.
Bright as diamonds
Loud as thunder
Never still, always falling
A thing of wonder.
Come in close
Smaller me is fun
Bigger is danger!!"

"It's a waterfall!" Alia exclaimed.

Wet thought about it for a moment then agreed with Alia.

"I have heard some noises like the waterfall does in the woods." I said.

"What?! Woods again?!" Abhi dada said with wide eyes.

Oh god! We've to go there again! That's why the envelope had a sorry in it!!

"Let's go guys! We don't have a choice!" I said. Yuvraj nodded and we again went towards the woods with a whining Abhi dada behind.

After 30 minutes

"O..h my..g..god!" I panted and dropped my hands on my knees bending my body to relax. We all were breathing heavily instead of Alia who got a piggy back ride by his chachu.

Abhi dada dropped to the ground huffing. I can heard the faint roaring sound of the waterfall.

"I can hear the sound. I'll go and bring the envelope here. You guys can wait here for me!" I said.

Yuvraj shook his head in denial.

"No! I'm coming with you. Don't forget we're in a forest. There could be some wild animals to hunt you down. So I am not going to let you go alone. Abhi can wait here with Alia." He suggested.

Abhi dada nodded not trusting his voice.

"Okay fine! Dada take care of yourself and Alia okay! We will be back in 30 minutes!" I said.

"Okay! B..but take care of yourself okay! And come soon. I'll watch Alia here!" He said controlling his breaths.

I nodded. Then me and Yuvraj followed the faint voice of the waterfall.

"You sure you want to come? You seem a bit tired and flushed!" Yuvraj asked in his masculine voice.

"I am fine. Don't worry!" I said.

We both were making our way on the bumpy path when my leg slipped a bit making me yelp out loud. I waited for the pain to spread throughout my body but instead I felt warm. Opening my eyes, I saw the most intimating eyes looking down at me. Yuvraj was holding me to his chest with his arms wrapped tightly around me.

I felt so safe and homely in his arms. I haven't been ever this close to any male except dad, Maan and Abhi dada. But their holds were different. So different from Yuvraj's. 

"Are you okay Mia?" He asked snapping me out of my thoughts.

I nodded and gave him a smile. Then I remembered I have something to tell him. I cleared my throat and slowly pulled away from him. He balanced me on my feets and when he was sure that I wouldn't fall he took his arms off me.

"Come on!" He said and put his hand forward for me to take.

I gave my hand in his which fitted perfectly together. Then he guided me through the bumpy path.

"Yuvraj! I want to say something!" I said nervously.

For a second he stopped and looked at me but soon nodded and went back to walking whilst dragging me with him gently.

"I..I actually want to say thank you. Thank you for saving me there in Lonavala. From the drunkards. I don't know how can I thank you enough for saving me. And my pride. I don't know what would have happened if you didn't come at right time. So thank you so much Yuvraj. Thanks a lot. I owe you." I finally confessed but my voice shook a little.

He stopped and sighed. Then turning back to me, he hold my both hands in his and looked right into my eyes.

"I won't let anyone harm you Mia! I won't let you fall ever. You can trust on me. I will be always there." He said.

I saw sincerity and truth in his eyes. And I knew at that moment, I can trust on him with my closed eyes too. He gave me a small smile making my heart flutter in happiness. I smiled back.

I don't know what's happening! But I know something is happening to my heart. And i have a feeling that it will be the best thing of my life.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Author's Note

🌼 B O N J O U R 🌼

3376 words without any song lyrics! And I think the waiting will be worth it with two long chapters.

So
E N J O Y

Hey! Ishika Sehgal, your author here! Some of you texted me asking if I have an Instagram ID!

Sorry sweethearts! Actually I had one! But currently I don't as I deleted my ID. Because of personal reasons.

And someone asked me to share my daily life bits when I update!

So here it's 6:10PM BST.

And currently i am outside in a cafe to be exact. Waiting for my order. So I thought to write the author's note and update it rn.

Ah the order is here!
Wanna have a look!!??

Here you go!

That's all! See y'all soon! Xx