Arakshi SS - Between the Pages of a Book - *Complete* pg 50 - Epilogue - Page 15

Originally posted by: Aisha.Vashishth

Do you even knw miss wat damn gud of a writer u are!
u knw wat...u made me feel myself as a character of their story...

i always wanted to b free like her...to run along th marine drive at night with holding his hands...

their dance...cute it ws...they didnt' care who all r watching thm...wat will they think...hell with it...it ws their moment...they owned it...they made th best of it...! nd i loved it...

is London really this mch beautiful at night?
never visited bt nw i sure want to..all thnx to u!

Originally posted by: Aisha.Vashishth

And then their silent connection of thougts...loved their conversation on th bridge...

their cute moments on th top of bus...reminds me of DD buses of mumbai...
such double deckers are only available for 'Mumbai Darshan' here! would soon get a ride in thm :p

glad dat they didnt' let th story and abrubtly here...
some stories r too gud to b even bookmarked...bt will wait..!

continue soon ritu!

love
Aisha

Originally posted by: Humairaa

Wow awsm update

Loved it

It was nust so beautifully written

Arakshi were just super fab

Continue soon

Originally posted by: _Nikita_

Awwsssmmm
loved it
Just WOW!
Amazing...
cont sooon
thanks for PM

Originally posted by: ugababe

Ritu! Speechless again...I don't know what I'd do if I could write like you.

So wonderfully intertwined...their relationship and the way they explore London. Makes me want to go back to that amazing city...it's been too long.

Loved how they realized how connected they both are to each other.

Can't wait until the next part...

Khushi

Originally posted by: ...Maha-Srk...

same n thanx 4 pm

Originally posted by: EashaYousufzai

Diii tumi prottekbari ei kaj koro.

Atto awesome awesome heart touching lovely update die bolo valo hoy nai.

Not fair.

Btw awesome update.

Each time I felt like living the moment.

As if I was in her place.

Enjoyed it very much.

A big wala hug..

Plz plz con soon.

And where is my FF?? (hands in hips)..

Originally posted by: sakshiarjun

You know what dear, you've literally written my dreams in this update...

Walking away from this World's hustle and bustle... in complete silence and sometimes in few words... To be with someone who can understand u without any words... An unfulfilled dream of mine...

Thanks dear... Thank you very much...

Originally posted by: manurocks

how can u say this is boring updae...????????///

such a lovely update...

u described the city night very well...

fantastic...

Originally posted by: shreya09

Rituuu 🤗 🤗

it was beautiful yaar 👍🏼

really enjoyed it a lot 😊

& this is for you : 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏

👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏

& now let me read the update again to enjoy this beautiful freedom

Originally posted by: sweetpari4u97

wonderful update.

really enjoyed it and its not boring.

just loved it.

thankx for pm.

Originally posted by: ll-Farheen-ll

This update reminded me of a quote by Paulo Coelho which slates "You taught me something of the universal language and the Soul of the World. Because of that, I have become a part of you" 😃
Being a stranger, she gave him something he came looking miles away & that being Peace of mind & to let go of the past.

" Let this be a bookmark then. Not an ending." In all, this was my favorite conversation line between the two😃
Double Decker at london sounds blissful which any individual would love to travel once but here at Mumbai, one has to b thankful once we get down in one piece with an expression" Husshh!!!**Relieved expression** this was a safe journey but that's fun at times as well😉😆
P.S: Why r u so skeptical every time you update. Don't get judgmental about your writings my dear. Let others decide about it. Next time no self criticizing note neither at end or at the beginning. Ok?😉

Originally posted by: misakiscarlet

love ur update as always..
it was well written...
the whole convo was awesome
contd. soon
thnx for pm

Originally posted by: Anjali.Mital

It was just awesome Ritu...

Thanks for the pm dear...

Originally posted by: jia03

Awesome update👏

it was beautiful❤️

Originally posted by: sisodia_shefali

nice update

such a nice way to spend a night with someone who u r comfortable with

so now sakshi knows his name so what will be her reaction

this story is also good but still it lacks the beauty charm of ur first 2 stories chalte chalte and through ur eyes ⭐️

may be after arjun sakshi bond is formed this one will also become very good 😊

thanks for pm

Originally posted by: skrafty

Awesome update

Loved it

It was magical

I have no words to describe it

Beautifully written

Waiting for the next part

Continue soon

Originally posted by: anu91

read both parts in one go...
ritu if u ever asked"is this update was bored,or it slow bla bla bla..."then i will give u big SYS...
there walk and talk as stranger was awesome!!!!they danced and they roamed like anything ...the way u described was fantastic dr...
waiting for next updates...
thanks for pm...

Originally posted by: coolRD

1st of ol.. it ws not at ol boring.. i really enjoed readng dis prt.. trust me on dis.. it ws fabulously writn.. specially dis idea of their adventure.. jst luvd it.. i cud really feel dem njoyng on d streets..

their carefree dance.. d calmnes dey flt in each othrs cmpny.. their bus trip.. wre ol really vry beautiful

not 2 4gt d disapointmnt dey flt wen d reality of getng sepratd hit dem hard.. bt we ol knw dat its jst d begning of their stry.. nd i flt really gud wen dey said dat dey do nt wnt 2 end their stry there nd bcame frnds.. instead of keepng it ol inside thnkng abt their stil being strangers

evrythng in it ws jst perfct.. nd plzzz its my hearty requst.. stop undrestimatng urslf.. cz u r 1 of d bst writrs on dis forum.. nd dis is not my prsnal view only bt many of us feel so

ab itni taarif ki hai to retrn me jaldi upd8 krna.. wil b waitng..

thnx 4 d pm

Originally posted by: kunchu

it was freedom indeed

wow how I wish to have such a free night with me

be it with anyone or alone

hmm

no chance in near future

it was indeed a beautiful trip

and now they know the name, and here you stopped

continue soon

Originally posted by: -Beth-

I just read it all in one go! I know I am supposed to gived big long feedbacks, but I am still in the feel of that story! Being a bookworm myself, I could understand Sakshi much better! Believe me, one day I would see a novel; that you have written!

Chapter 5 - The Inexplicable

Her heart stopped as he uttered his name. Arjun. ACP Arjun Rawte.

But then, no. It couldn't be. This is just a coincidence, she thought. Or could it be him?

"So, I will see you, Sakshi." He said with a smile.

She opened her mouth to ask him what his full name was, but no words would come out.

She realised then, as she looked into his smiling eyes, that she didn't want to ask that question. Perhaps, she didn't want to know.

She smiled back and said, "I will see you, Arjun."

The name somehow felt right on her lips.

***

"Where were you? I was worried sick! At least you could have informed either of us where you were going. Like, seriously Sakshi!" Aisha burst out at her as soon as she opened the door.

"Aish, calm down! I am ok. I had the best night of my life!" She said, excitedly.

Aisha looked at her friend's flushed face and said, "What?"

"I had the best night of my life! This is so strange, Aish. I just spent a few hours with a complete stranger and I just felt so free, so happy. It felt as if I was somehow connected to him! As if he has stepped out of my favourite book and into my life!"

Aisha stared at her friend as she described her night, her eyes beholding this distant expression that she had never seen before. Her eyes were sparkling as if she had entered her world of fiction, the world of her stories, except this time she was talking about reality. Aisha smiled as Sakshi blabbered on and on, gazing into the distance out of the window. It occurred to Aisha then that perhaps, she was searching for the silhouette of the stranger in the golden glow of the streetlights below.

The stranger seemed to have made quite an impact on her, she thought.

When she finished, Aisha asked, "What is his name?"

Sakshi turned around and replied in an expressionless voice, "Arjun."

"What?"

"Yeah."

"You mean...was it..."

"I don't know. I mean, come on. ACP Arjun Rawte can't be the only Arjun in this world right?"

"Well yeah, but... didn't you ask?"

"I didn't want to." Sakshi's gaze moved to the dark sky above.

Aisha moved closer to her friend and asked, "Two days ago you were completely obsessed with this name. And now, you don't want to know?"

"No."

"And why is that?" Aisha knew what the answer was, but it all seemed so surreal to her.

"Because ACP Arjun Rawte feels like fiction to me. He is part of another story Aisha, and I think I want to let that remain a mystery. But this stranger...he is very much real. I have never felt so connected to someone before. And I don't even know him properly yet."

"You like him."

Sakshi's cheeks coloured as she turned away from the window and said, "Come on, Aisha! I have only just met him. This isn't fiction. It is real life. There is no such thing as love at first sight. Besides, I don't even know him."

Aisha smiled teasingly and said, "Your eyes reveal something else."

Sakshi threw a nearby pillow at her friend and said, "That's not true! I have only known him for a few hours!"

Aisha caught the pillow as she laughed and replied, "My dear, you know what they say. Sometimes a few hours are enough, whereas sometimes a whole lifetime isn't."

***

He couldn't sleep. Memories of the night before kept playing through his mind. He hadn't been able to forget her laugh. Her carefree laugh that felt like warm sunshine on his skin on a cold winter's day. He smiled as he remembered their dance in the square. He wondered why he had done something like that. He hadn't been so impulsive before. What had happened to him? Why did she bring out this other person in him that he didn't even know existed?

He rested his head on his arm and looked out the window of his room towards the silver moon that shone in the dark night sky. It was a cloudy night. But they were white clouds which appeared haunting; their light puffy bodies drifting through the sky, sometimes obscuring and sometimes revealing the moon. He watched the ghostly clouds glide through the sky, their silvery silhouettes glowing in the darkness as the moon crossed their path.

The sudden vibration of his phone on the bedside table made him jump and sit upright on the bed. He glanced briefly at the digital clock that glowed eerily in the dark on his bedside table. It was 3 o' clock at night. Who on earth could be calling at this hour?

He smiled when he reached out and saw the name blinking on his phone screen.

Sakshi.

"Hey, stranger!" Her lively voice almost threw him jump off the bed.

He wondered how her voice was always so full of life. Even halfway through the night.

"You're awake?" He asked, his voice failing to disguise the shock.

"What, no hello? How rude!"

"You didn't answer my question."

He could almost imagine her smiling face as she replied, "Yeah, so I was reading this book and I came across this amazing quote that I had to share with you."

"At 3 o' clock in the night?" He laughed.

"Well, time shouldn't matter for calling friends, right? And you are a friend now. So whatever, you want to listen to it or what?"

He smiled and said, "Go on. Now I am awake because of you anyway."

"Yeah, right! As if you were sleeping."

His eyes shot up in surprise at her response. She didn't pause. "So, anyway. I was reading this book by Sarah Addison Allen and came across it. Listen."

She spoke, slowly, her voice soft and soothing like the moonlight that streamed into his room, "Happiness is a risk. If you're not a little scared, then you're not doing it right."

The quote immediately reminded him of the night he had decided to go out with a strange girl in a strange city and he smiled.

"That's nice. Shouldn't you be studying?"

"Here I am talking about books and you mention studying. Spoilsport!"

"Put the book down and get back to studying."
"Fine." He heard her subdued voice and chuckled to himself.

"Goodnight, bookworm."

He could almost see her smile when she replied, "Goodnight, stranger."

***

"I don't even know why I am here."

"Well, it's not like I asked you to come here." She grinned as she saw his teasing expression.

"Yeah, whatever. Shall we?"
"You won't regret it, stranger. If you like books, you'll love this. Take a deep breath and welcome to my favourite library."

He heard the faint creak of the massive wooden door echo through the halls as she pushed it open. And he gasped at the sight before him. The heavy doors opened into a large oak-panelled hall whose floors were covered in a red and gold carpet, old and worn with time. Tall glass windows stretched from the floor to the ceiling on either sides of the room. Tiny dust particles danced in the rays of the sunshine that streamed into the library, forming a criss-cross pattern of light rays in the centre of the hall. Through the windows, he could see miles and miles of open, green fields that sloped down gently into the city.

And then, there were the shelves of books.

Tall, dark wooden bookcases towered around them on either sides of the passage, filled with books of all sorts - old, new, paperbacks, hardbacks, anything and everything. He felt himself standing at the door for a good few minutes, absorbing the beauty and serenity of the place. He had been to libraries before, but never had he felt like this.

"This is..." he tried to find the right words.

"No words right? It had the same effect on me when I came in here for the first time."

She gently tugged at his arm and pulled him through the passage that wound in and out of the labyrinth of bookcases. He walked along, still under the spell of the place.

She dragged him to the corner of the library, just near a window and settled down on the carpet, resting her back against the walls.

"I always come here when I am upset. It makes me happy, just being around all these books. All these stories."
He slowly settled down beside her, his head resting against the wooden panelling behind.

"Ok," she sat upright, "Shall we start?"

He glanced towards her and said, "Why am I doing this again?"

She grinned and replied, "Firstly because you have nothing better to do at home. Secondly because you love books, so you obviously love literature. So you would love working on this literature. And finally, why are you complaining when you have so many books around you."

"What about the closing time of the library?"

"It is open 24 hours. And that's what I love most about it." She grinned mischievously.

"Fine. And what do I get after I have helped you complete your assignment?"

He failed to read her eyes when she answered, "A day you'll never forget."

***

He watched her as she sat leaning against the glass, chewing on her pen and flicking through the several books that lay open around them. Her dark hair gleamed golden in the sunlight that streamed in through the tall glass windows. As he gazed into her eyes which were buried in the book in front of her, he was suddenly struck by how beautiful she was. He watched her play with her pen absently, her eyes silently moving over the lines of the book. Her dark and intriguing eyes which confessed a thousand stories to him whenever he looked into them. Stories that always pulled him into another world. Somehow, watching her read made him feel calm. At peace.

She probably felt his intense gaze on her, because she suddenly looked up, chewing on her blue pen and said, "What?"

He lowered his gaze, picked up a book beside him and said, "Nothing."

***

She didn't know why he was helping her. But something told her, that he was helping her for the same reason that made her ask him for help in the first place. That strange connection she had felt every time she had met him. It was as if there was an invisible mesh of wires that bound them together.

She blushed every time he leaned towards her, his head so unnervingly close to hers that she could feel his warm breath on her exposed neck. She flinched every time his fingers brushed against hers as they flicked through the same book. Looking for answers. Always looking for answers. Her mind felt like a whirlpool of emotions that kept swirling around in circles. Questions arose; a new one every time. But no answers. What was it that she was feeling? Why did she become more conscious of herself every time he inched closer to her? Why did his presence make her feel warm and comforted?

He was only a friend she had met just a few days ago. Then why did he feel so much more than that?

***

"You are too fussy."

"I want it to look nice!"

"You should be thankful that I am helping you. I mean, I could have gone out. The sun was out today!"

"Hey even I sacrificed my sunny day! Hurry up, we have 5 minutes left for the deadline!"

"We would have been done ages ago if you hadn't been so fussy."

She glared at him and moved her laptop towards herself. The last few hours had been full of rapid typing and loud whispers that had attracted a good many glares from the other book lovers around them. But that didn't stop them. They sat huddled close to each other, not caring about anything else other than typing the assignment that had somehow become his as well.

It was nearly midnight.

11:56 p.m.

"Do it!!"

"One last edit." She bit her nails and snatched away the laptop from his fingers.

11.57 p.m.

"Sakshi!" He could no longer keep his voice down.

"One minute!" She kept on typing.

11.58 p.m.

He snatched away her laptop and entered the website to do her submission.

He felt her nails dig into his shoulder as she leaned onto him.
"Do it do it do it!" She shouted in his ears.

"I am doing it! Your nails are hurting me!"

11.59 p.m.

"Click submit click submit!"

He finally felt her nails relax on his shoulder when the submission went through.

It was midnight.

They looked into each other's eyes and suddenly, the laughter broke out.

She rolled on the floor holding on to her sides as she laughed uncontrollably. He laughed along with her, as if he had never laughed before. They laughed as if there was no tomorrow. And the passers-by just stared at the two friends lying amongst the books, not caring about a thing in the world. Just laughing at practically nothing.

Just content to be with each other.

**********************

Uh, I know you were probably expecting her to know his name in this chapter itself. But I think it is so much better if she fell in love with the real Arjun and not the name 😳 if that makes sense!

Oh and the library doesnt really exist - it was a figment of my imagination and ...it was inspired by a library I heard about from my bestie ❤️ This one was for you BHarateee 🤗

Anyhooo, do leave your comments and hope you will enjoy the next bit😳

P.S - Some magical moments amongst nature coming up😉 (main story likhoon aur nature na ho aisa kabhi ho sakta hai?)😆