ll Anki SS: A New Encounter ll Updated-Special Part - Page 15

Part Eight

I was amazed and...confused.

I stood by the doorway, out of view, as I watch Kittu talking to my mom while she quietly and patiently listened.

Kittu was sitting on top of the bed, her back towards me, while my mom was busy sitting in a chair that wasn't there before.

Perhaps Kittu placed it by her bed for her...

I folded my arms and I walked backward a few steps to be out of the doorway but to still listen and observe what was going on.

"So that is pretty much how we met." Kittu said.

My mom was silent and I scrunched up my eyebrow in confusion as to what they were talking about but I literally jumped out of my skin when I felt something land on my shoulder.

I turned to the left and noticed my father standing over me staring at me in confusion.

I calmed down and leveled my expression as neutral as possible.

"Papa." I said.

"Are you done packing?" he said.

"Yes." I said.

He looked past me to inside the room and around but he couldn't find whatever he was looking for.

"Where is Shraddha?" He said while looking around.

"She is outside by the car." I said.

He cut me a stern glance, his lips pressing further into a tight line.

"You shouldn't have done that. You can't just leave your sister outside by herself. Go find her and bring her back here." He said.

I wanted to argue but instead I nodded and apologized.

I reluctantly looked at the room with mama suddenly laughing at whatever Kittu said but I turned around to walk away to bring Shraddha back but she was languidly strolling down the hall to make our way towards us.

"Papa?" Shraddha said grinning ear to ear.

My father's expression softened.

"Didn't I tell you to not go off by yourself?" Papa said.

"Oh come on papa, I'm not a kid anymore. I can handle myself." She said smiling.

"What are you talking about you are still a kid. Your only 14!" Papa said and despite himself he began smiling again.

"I'm a young adult...not a kid." She said pouting

Papa smiled and he looked up at me.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

I hesistated and looked inside the room where mama was still chatting with Kittu but she noticed papa and stopped talking.

I looked at Kittu who turned around and our gaze collided with one another.

I looked at my father quickly and nodded.

"Yes, I'm ready to go." I said while sneaking a quick glance towards Kittu where disappointment crossed over her face but she gave a small smile and I wanted to give her one back but I wasn't sure how my father my react so instead I turned away.

Before I could say anything my mother was saying goodbye to Kittu and she said the same to my mother and soon my mother was grabbing my father's hand.

"We should get going don't you think?" my mother said smiling at my father.

He nodded at her and his hand slackened against Shraddha as he touched my mothers hands.

"You're right. Shall we get going madam?" he said smiling at her.

She smiled and nodded.

"Come on Shraddha, Anand, let's go." Papa said.

I nodded but I stared back at Kittu who looked conflicted and she gripped her hands on her dress.

I wanted to give her a hug but it would be inappropriate to do so in front of everyone and more so in front of my father.

I smiled at her longingly and my foot felt stuck, almost rooted to the ground and I didn't want to leave.

Kittu raised her hand and she waved at me.

"Anand." My father's voice cut into my concentration.

I turned to stare at my dad whose hands were linked up with my mother who was staring at me with a blank expression.

"Are you coming along or did you forget something?" He asked.

I shook my head but I couldn't move but I knew I should before my father pry and that wouldn't be good.

Although my mother was obsess for me to meet a girl, my father was cautious on the type of girl that I was talking to or would eventually meet.

He said in no unrestricted terms that he understands that I'm becoming an adult and won't pry too much into my life but always be mindful of the type of background I come from and understand that things play a larger scheme in things than just my feelings and perspective.

So I turned my gaze away and was going to walk forward until my mother's voice broke through the silence.

"Its okay. Anand has something he needs to do before he leaves. He probably have some people he need to say goodbye to. You know there probably was a nurse or someone else that was more helpful to him during his stay here." Mama said.

I looked instantly at her and she had a knowing smile but it quickly disappeared as soon as my father got out of his thoughts.

"You might be right..." He said.

My father turned to me and out-stretched his hands where the palm of his hands was exposed.

"Five minutes. We have to seriously meet your bua ji. It seems your fufa ji has done something to her to make her go off the deep end to the point she is spending the weekend at our home." Papa said.

I nodded quickly and looked at my mom and silently thanked her.

She smiled and she linked her hands with my father.

"We should wait in the car. Come on Shraddha." My mother said.

Shraddha looked at me and tossed her hair aside and walked behind my parents as they drifted towards the end of the hall pass a group of doctors and nurses.

I looked at Kittu who was still facing me but she looked nervous.

I quickly walked into the room, closing the room door, and without Kittu really knowing my next intentions, nor me really knowing my next intentions as well, as I scooped her up from the bed and into a tight hug.

It caught her by surprise but I felt her hands wrap her hands around my neck as I carefully made sure her feet touched the floor, but never losing my grip as my hands rested fully against her waist.

I could feel myself sucking fully into her warmth and the scent that was wafting out of her body.

I continued to hug her, gripping my hands around her waist even tighter feeling as if I stopped hugging her she might slip from my grasp.

We remained in the tight embrace for a few seconds that soon stretched into a minute or two.

I redrew from her grasp and she whimpered in disappointment.

I stared into her eyes when I drew away and she stared right back at me.

I tried to open my mouth to say goodbye but she leaned up and kissed my lips.

I was shocked but it took a good five seconds for my brain to kick in and I felt myself responding to the kiss as I took control as I lifted my hands through her hair that was so soft and I could feel myself running my hands through before I gripped her head to have her stop moving.

I continued to kiss her and I could feel her tongue trying to make its way through my mouth and I would have laughed if it wasn't for the fact that my heart was pumping rapidly through my chest, knowing that I didn't have enough time to say goodbye nor enough time to say something concrete for her to understand, to know, to make sure she didn't forget me or forget us.

But also to reassure myself that this was real, that this wasn't a dream, that she existed, and this wasn't just an illusion.

Her tongue connected with mine and before the kiss carried away like last time I released my lips away from hers.

She whimpered again and she tried to lean back up to kiss me but I cupped her cheek in my hands and tried to stare at her and have her stare at me so she could understand.

I didn't speak as I was afraid as it wouldn't be sufficient enough to express how I felt.

I stared into her eyes and she stopped moving and trying to reach my lips and instead she was staring back into my eyes as I searched through hers.

"I don't have much time but remember everything I said. I'm not forgetting you Kittu...you understand? Do you understand? I won't ever forget you Kittu do you understand?" I said.

She nodded.

"I won't forget you Kittu. I promise you." I said.

She smiled.

"I won't forget you Anand as well. I really, really, really, really, like you..." she said while dipping her head while blushing.

I smiled and kissed her forhead and drew back to stare at her.

"I love you Kittu." I said with a more serious expression.

She stared back at me and she blushed and she lowered her eyes to the floor and smiled.

"I love you too." She whispered silently.

I smiled at that and I kissed her forehead for one last time, making sure my lips lingered on her skin before I drew away.

"Goodbye Kittu." I said.

She looked up and she grabbed my shirt.

I twisted to look at her and she stared at me despite the blush spreading throughout her face.

"Its not a goodbye...please don't say that...I have heard it too many times already." She said sadly.

I gave a half-smile.

"I mean until we meet again Kittu." I said.

At that she smiled but she never released my shirt from her grasp.

"Kritika I got to go." I said softly.

She stared at her hands on my shirt and she stared at me and she drew her hands away.

"So sorry." She said.

I smiled at that and I wanted to go back and give her another kiss but knew if I did I would scoop her into another hug, this time not letting go.

I stiffened up and I gave a final look to Kittu before I walked towards the door, grabbing the door handle before I opened it.

The last thing I saw before I walked out the room was Kittu's face that was pinched but was trying to form a lop-sided smile as she waved goodbye.

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

I tried to remain as calm as possible but it was becoming impossible as he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into a hug.

Once he did that, any shred of control and rationality was lost and I kissed him.

It was just as warm and sweet as the first kiss he gave me but this time it felt so bittersweet and there was a rang of finality and desperation in it compared to the first time.

I had to wobble back towards the chair that auntie ji was sitting in and I felt my legs give in and slackened as I fell down into the chair.

I covered my face with my hands as I could feel the pinpricks of tears tug along my eyes and I tried everything in my power to blink it back, to have it stay back, but I could feel a few tears slip past and down my cheeks.

This is not like you Kittu. You shouldn't be crying...

But I couldn't help it.

I was on such a high the past two weeks and now I could feel the loneliness and darkness to start cave under me.

The helplessness that I was able to push away, the darkness that tried to lure me in could never do so as I was completely happy and positive.

But now after having a taste of having someone that actually cared for me aside from being a family member, having someone that looked at me like that...it was too much knowing that I might not be able to fulfill the promise that was in his eyes, the promise that went unspoken as he kissed me or stared at me.

Especially after meeting Auntie ji..someone so nice, caring, loving, and just enthusiastic all around...

It was a continuous reminder on how bad my situation was.

How bad I was...

I was not a whole person...

I was broken...

At any moment I could break and it wouldn't be fair to Auntie ji and to Anand.

Nothing is going to happen to you? You hear me? Who said you have to always smile? When something is worrying just let it show. If you are scared just say it. If you have doubts don't hide them." He said.

"But to who? Who is going to hear all of that? Every single person I've gotten close to have either left here or have died. So who am I suppose to tell it to?" I said.

"To me." He said.

I smiled remembering the talk we had days ago after the whole mishap with the transplant.

His conviction, his surness, his passion...it was all amazing to see someone respond as such and have it directed towards myself.

Most of the time he was so calm or just teasing but that was one of the first time I saw him riled up in trying to convince me.

But then my thoughts strayed...

His father...

I saw a glimpse of him when he was talking to Anand and although he looked at Shraddha with such a loving glance, the gaze shifted completely crumbled when he gazed at Anand.

Similar to Anand's stance as his body radiated tension and more so he lost all emotion on his face as soon as he addressed his father.

What type of person must you be to impress him?

There is no way I could ever impress him...

He was really tall, really tall, and it was a very tell-tale sign as to where Anand and Shraddha received their height from.

He had black hair that had a mixture of salt and pepper strands as well that was starting to take over.

His overall presence felt intimidating and I was hesitant in Anand or Auntie ji in introducing me to him and was thankful when they didn't.

There was a knock at the door and I looked up and saw Anna staring at me in concern.

I wiped away the tears and tried to give her a smile so she wouldn't have to worry.

"Kritika..." She said.

I shook my head.

"None of that Anna. I'm okay. I'm perfect...I promise...it's going to take me a while before I get used to things again but I knew this already." I said smiling.

She gave me a soft smile and she entered the room with a bundle of sheets in her hands.

"So soon?" I questioned.

"No choice. As soon as it comes to being vacant we have to immediately change it. I'm sorry Kittu it seems by the evening itself you will have another roommate." She said slowly.

I smiled.

"Its okay Anna but please keep my curtain closed...I'm not ready to meet anyone new today." I said.

Anna nodded and she walked over to Anand's side of the room, or what used to be his side, and slowly draw the curtain closed.

Night came by really fast and true to her word, there was another roommate and based on the voice it was a male voice and it sounded almost like a teenager around my age but might be slightly younger as it didn't sound as if they went into puberty.

I went through the process in self-consciously braiding my hair into one thick plait.

"But you are especially too beautiful and too cute with your hair down, you look amazing like this and I love seeing your hair down like this...but I have a small request." I said looking at her.

She slowly nodded as she stared at me and her face became even brighter.

"Don't let any other guy see you like this am I afraid that they might snatch you away if they see how beautiful you look like this."

I blushed at the memory and I subconsciously ran my hand through my hair as I remembered what Anand said.

I missed him already...

I sighed and I used a small bow to tie the end of my plait so the braid wouldn't unravel.

I quickly scurried out of my side of the room to head towards the bathroom to wash up and change into my pajamas for the evening.

Once I got out the bathroom I heard a voice calling me.

"Hello." A soft voice said.

I looked up and saw a boy that seemed no older than 15 at most stare at me with a gummy smile on his face.

His chest was exposed as he had bandages wrapped completely around his abdomen.

He had jet-black hair and light hazel eyes and his mouth was spread into a smile and looked friendly.

I sighed.

He was going to be here for a good two-three weeks depending if he doesn't catch an infection it might persist towards another good week or two.

No point...

But didn't mean I had to be impolite.

"Hello." I said back with a small smile.

"I'm Kumar what is your name?" he asked with a smile.

"I'm Kritika." I said.

"That is a very beautiful name." He said while blushing.

Everything about it felt wrong.

He wasn't tall enough, he didn't have enough muscles, his hair wasn't brown nor did it curl at the ends, his eyes weren't the dark brown pools I loved staring at to really understand what was racing in his mind, he didn't have the same smile that came out lop-sided, sometimes like a lost cute puppy, but sometimes entirely sexy.

He wasn't Anand.

Not at all.

And it was just a haunting reminder on how much he was fidgeting and lowering his head.

Anand was shy at times but it was a mixture of radiating a stone-cold facade at first glance but it easily melted once he smiled or laughed.

The boy...Kumar seemed more unsure, more insecure, and too young.

He wasn't Anand and I hate comparing them and I hate mistaken him as such but it was much so as I didn't receive a text nor a call from Anand since he left late in the morning.

"Thank you. Good night." I said smiling and without giving him the time to respond, I walked to my side of the room to put my stuff away.

I crawled into my bed but not forgetting to put my phone on loud to make sure I could hear it, in case it rang.

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

(One month later...)

"No...ugh...no it cannot go there!" I yelled.

They turned to stare at me confused but only Shreya spoke.

"Oh come on Anand it makes no difference, they should be able to see it no matter how we hang it!" she shouted back to me.

"It's not if they can see it or not...It has to be perfect. Do you know how many people are going to be here? What if it fell on someone?" Jas yelled in my place.

I was busy making sure a group of students carefully was placing the right tables in the right section before everything turn into full swing.

Our college was having a school fair that was going to be opened to the whole community.

There was going to be activities, games, foods, and an overall fundraiser to help with rebuilding a school that was badly damaged during a flood two weeks ago.

It was going to be a big project and I had everything planned to the tee but if my other board members weren't here to help me put the plans into action...things would have never gotten this far.

One moment when I was free I was crowded with a group of other students about some haunted house they wanted to make and they needed one of the classrooms and I had to double-check with the principal to make sure it was okay to do so.

I felt someone tapped on my shoulder and I looked to my side to Jas.

"What's wrong?" I said.

"Big problem. The costumes you know the one for the kids section hasn't come yet." Jas said.

I groaned.

"What happened?" I said.

She went into detail and I cursed at the stupidity and instead had to fix it myself.

By the end of the day I was a burnt mess that was not even running on the breakfast I had in the morning.

I was tired and it was an understatement.

I gripped the stupid clipboard that had more things I needed to get approve and more tasks that I needed to complete before the fair opened in less than three days.

I felt something cold press against my forehead and I looked up to see Jas smiling down at me.

I scrunched up my eyebrow and she showed me a can of Sprite.

"Here. You need the sugar...you look burned out." She said laughing.

I smiled and took the can from her grasp.

I placed my clipboard on the side of the bench I was sitting on before I took a large gulp of the liquid.

Feeling myself unwind as the cool liquid hit the back of my throat as the bubbles began to fizz on my tongue.

It felt entirely refreshing and I could feel some type of energy being restored.

"Thanks Jas." I said.

I felt the buckle of the chains on her chins clink as it landed against the bench.

"No problem. There would be no use for you to get burned out. Then I would have to take over." She said.

I looked at her and lifted my eyebrow.

She stared at me and laughed.

"I'm completely horrible but I'm honest. I can't handle the things you do. You are level-headed and more rationale. I'm more put into action type of person." She said while taking a swig from her drink.

I smiled at that and took another gulp of soda from my can.

"You're being honest. But I need you as well as I need someone to put things into action." I said being grateful.

She paused.

"Thank you." She said quietly.

"Anand I know you don't like dancing but I was wondering that the dance that was going to.."

My cell phone started to ring and I groaned.

"So sorry Jas but I need to get it as it might be someone else having problems trying to set up." I said.

She stared at me and she nodded and looked away as she took another gulp from her can of soda.

I looked at my phone and saw Kittu's name flash on my phone and I smiled.

"Sorry Jas but this is a personal call I will be right back." I said.

She nodded and I walked away to a more quiet area.

As soon as I did I quickly swiped across the green button my phone but my fingers were wet and it wasn't working.

"S***!" I cursed.

I quickly rubbed my hand against my jeans and tried to swipe the button and it was finally a success when I was able to answer the phone.

I tried to calm my breathing, trying to make sure my voice didn't sound neither too excited nor too hoarse.

Its been a good four days since we last talk as she had to go to another round of treatment and tests.

"Hello." I said but my heart was beating so hard that it felt almost as if it was in my throat.

"Hello yourself." Laughter that sounded so light and musical.

I smiled despite myself and despite the day of agonizing hard work, it felt as it all washed away just to hear her voice.

"Seems like someone sound so happy today." I said smiling.

"Of course. How can I not knowing that I'm finally going to see you since..." She stopped.

"I know...I'm sorry Kittu I just been so busy with school. I'm sorry Kittu." I said.

"Its okay Anand. I understand. But since I'm going to see you in three days...you have to treat me...completely." she said.

"Of course." I agreed.

"I get to eat whatever, do whatever, and I get to play whichever I like" she said.

I knew she was smiling at that and that had me smiling.

"It's a promise. Whatever you want to I will full-fill it." I said bowing acting as if she was in front of me.

"It's a date then." She said.

At that I paused and I blinked.

In a large sense it was.

A date...

I never actually had a date before...

"Anand? Anand? I was just playing. I tell you I'm not talking as much and now when I'm speaking up I'm saying whatever out of my mouth." She said.

I shook my head.

"No, no, no, no Kittu its not that...its just...just that...just that..." I trailed off nervously.

"What's wrong?" Kittu said.

"Nothing. It's a date Kittu and don't forget it." I said smiling.

"Really?" she said with excitement layered in her voice.

"Completely." I said while grinning.

"Perfect. See you in three days!" she said.

I pouted.

"So you are going to ignore me for the past three days?" I said.

She laughed.

"Patience is a virtue." She said.

I was puzzled at that but smiled despite myself.

"Really? Says the one who didn't talk to me for four days for not calling when I got home after I left the hospital." I said.

"Because I thought you were ignoring me or forgot me." She said while pouting.

"Impossible." I said in a serious voice.

She paused and if I knew better she probably was flustered and blushing.

"I miss you." She said.

I blinked and it was my turn to blush and my heart was pounding like crazy.

"I miss you too Kittu." I said.

"I'm sorry Anand...I got to go. I called you when I ran away fromAnna when she was trying to give me my medicine. She found me and is now yelling at me." She said.

"That is bad Kittu! You cannot miss your medication at all." I said scolding her.

"I know, I know but please don't scold as she is about to do the same to me. Bye Anand." She said.

I smiled and shook my head.

"Bye Kittu." I said before the line dropped.

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

(Three Days Later...)

"A-N-N-A!!!!!!!" I groaned.

"Kritika!" she said right back.

We stared at one another in the new room that I was able to pressure my dad into request the hospital in making.

I was tired of the endless new "roommates" and I just wanted to at least be able to have my "own" room.

I still found time to play with the children in the pediatric ward and sometimes talk to some of the patients that were my age but I put them at a distance.

"Don't Kritika me...I seriously don't know." I said frustrated.

"Come on Kritika...Anand is going to be here..."

"That is my point. He is going to be here and you still haven't helped me figure out what I'm going to wear." I said while pouting.

"This isn't my job Kittu..." she said.

"But you said you would help." I said.

"Because you kept on annoying me about it." She said.

"But you said..."

"Come on decide already." She said annoyed.

"But I don't know if I want to wear a more conservative attire or more open and flirty. Maybe a little bit more modern or traditional. Would it be completely crazy to wear a saree?" I said confused.

"Why would you wear a saree if it's a school fair? Knowing you, you will go absolutely bananas and just trip on your dress." She said.

"Hey..." I pouted.

She smiled.

"I'm just kidding Kittu. Wear something that is more comfortable for you...there is no need to get all extraordinary. Anand likes you the way you are for who you are...it doesn't matter how you look as long as you are there." She said.

At her mention of Anand...I blushed even more.

I shook my head.

No Kittu.

Concentrate!

I pointed at Anna.

"Stop distracting me. I need to decide what to wear." I said more determined.

Anna just shook her head and lifted up another pair of dresses.

I looked between the two and saw one that caught my eye.

"Give me that one...what about that one?" I said pointing at one that was in her right hand.

She dropped the other dress on the bed and lifted up the blue one and eyed it with interest.

"It looks really pretty. It's not that overly cutsie pink nor is it so bright to the point you look like a neon sign so I would say it looks pretty." She said smiling.

I shook my head and more so I was attracted by the pattern that was at the end of the dress.

I smiled and knew Anand would like it when he saw it but more importantly I liked the dress and felt I would feel comfortable in it especially when I would meet his peers.

I smiled even more to myself.

"I like this...I'm going to wear this." I said with more confidence.

Anna smiled and she sighed.

"Thank God." She said completely relieved.

"But if I wear this...how should I style my hair?" I said dumbfounded.

Anna groaned in frustration.

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

Your writing is always super brilliant just like you!!👏😳

AnKi scenes were heavenly magical!! I'm lost in their beautiful dreamland!!

Loved the part where Zor spoke about his Sister & Fufaji!!😆

AnKi phone call & their blushing left me speechless!! How cute can they get!!❤️😃☺️

Many many loves & hugs to you!!🤗❤️🤗❤️🤗❤️🤗❤️🤗❤️

Perfect..perfect..perfect!👏👏👏

U hv no idea how happy u makes me with ur updates!!⭐️⭐️

Lovely update!😃

Many hugs & much love!!🤗🤗🤗🤗

cant wait for the next encounter when they meet after long.. KIttu in a dress going to school fair... will she meet jas? how will anand react.?? already waiting...

one of the biggest gains of joining this forum besides meeting all wonderful people is I got to read your writing... alwayzzz loved it.. will alwaysss love it...

thanks a bunch girl you make me cry n smile at the same time... howww???????🤗🤗🤗

continue soon

thanks for the pm