ll Anki SS: A New Encounter ll Updated-Special Part - Page 17

Final Part (A)

I kept on trying to smooth my hands down my pants as sweat kept on beading on my palms and it continuously felt clammy.

If I wasn't doing that, I kept on trying to adjust my shirt and if not that I was keeping busy by trying to check on my phone to see anyone texted or called me about any assistance or any help they needed.

It was a Saturday and we kicked started the school fair a day earlier, but it was still just as busy, even then some since everyone was out of school.

There were children, parents, and teenagers alike that were busy laughing, talking, and just walking around eating, taking pictures, and looking at the different attractions that everyone set up. Some people were doing the haunted house, plays, and in most case one of the seniors were known to be great in giving out tarot card readings.

I dug my phone out my pocket to see if there was a message or anything, but still there was nothing.

I sighed.

"Anand!"

I quickly turned around in concern and on alert but calmed down when I saw that it was just Jas, staring back at me.

I nodded and she smiled.

"Why are you staying out in the front of the school? Why are you not taking time to enjoy? There isn't anything that needs to be done so take your time to relax...unless...are you waiting for auntie and Shraddha?" she said looking back at me in confusion.

I grimaced.

Mama was too nosy for her own good and Shraddha was a horrible blabber mouth. After I slipped that I was trying to find an outfit to wear because I invited Kittu along, soon I had mama pocking around my room trying to pick an outfit that was suppose to "impress" Kittu. Worse yet her and Shraddha was able "to make way in their schedule" to come to the school fair.

"Wear this...you will look completely handsome." Mama said while cupping my cheeks.

I tried to avoid her hands but it caught on to my cheeks.

"Ma..." I groaned out.

"Don't ma me! I really like Kittu...she is adorable and so cute. Plus she seems to have caught your interest and tamed you all in one go." She said while squeezing my cheeks.

I groaned.

"I'm not a dog mama." I said.

She smiled and she released her hold on my cheeks.

"I didn't mean it like that beta...its just that I'm glad that you finally have a girlfriend..." She said smiling brightly.

"You are not coming to spy on us." I said while turning around and dumping the clothes she gave me on my bed.

She sputtered and she walked over to me.

"Beta...beta...beta...what on Earth do you mean...It's just that Shraddha and I was going to buy some dresses and bracelets but it seems we can just do it next week so I decided that we can come with you to support you and your..." she trailed on.

I turned around and looked at my mom and she looked back at me.

We kept on staring at one another silently and I could see her expression start to twist into sadness and hurt.

I sighed.

"Sorry mama. I will wear the outfit on the bed. I'm sorry. You and Shraddha can come along and if you want to...but who will watch Ishaan and Ashish?" I said clinging on to my last bit of hope.

She waved her hand in the air as if to dismiss what I said.

"Don't worry. They are spending the day with Colonel so don't worry about that. I wonder which camera I should bring? I wonder what I should wear?" she said starting to get excited.

"Mama you don't have to bring a camera, I'm the only one that is hanging out with Kittu...alone. Without you sneaking around and trying to film us." I said.

My mom turned around before she leaned on the bed to pick up the clothing.

"What are you talking about? I want to film Shraddha and I as we go around the fair. Can't a mother and daughter have some fun together?" she said innocently.

"Mama I already know what you are going to do so you don't have to lie. You did that with Jas...remember?" I said.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." She said and continued with what she was doing earlier.

I stared at her as she went to my bed picked up the clothing, placed it in my hand, and then drifted off out of the room before I could say anything.

I sighed.

"Mama and Shraddha are already inside walking around. I'm waiting for someone else. Don't worry about me Jas go and have fun with your friends. There is no need to hang around me today. You're always hanging over me and always assisting me with everything that needs to get done...there is no need. You deserve a break for once." I said while smiling softly.

She lost her smile but stared at me and I looked at her confused.

"What's wrong?" I asked confused.

She shook her head and she formed a smile on her face but looked away.

"Nothing. It's just...I never knew...I mean I thought you rarely noticed that I was always..." She trailed off.

"I noticed. Everyone that helps me in looking good as President for our class, I noticed all you guys hard work. Especially you Jas." I said smiling.

She looked at me and she smiled and saw a blush starting to form on her cheeks.

"Plus...you are a good friend of mine...there is not many friends that I have or trust like you." I said smiling.

Her smile slowly waned and I looked at her confused.

"What's wrong Jas?" I said confused.

Before she could respond I heard someone call my name and this time it was a familiar voice that was low, soft, and musical in its essence.

I didn't have to turn around to know who it was but my heart started pumping faster and once again my hands started to become clammy.

I looked away from Jas and paid attention to the soft pair of familiar brown eyes that I haven't been able to see face-to-face in over a good month or so.

She had her hands cupped around her mouth and when she noticed I was staring, she lowered her hands from her mouth and gave a shy smile and lowered her eyes.

She lifted her hands again and she moved it to cup a tendril of hair behind her ear that became loose.

Her hair was tied in a braid with a blue and white ribbon, a small headband as well.

I lowered my gaze and was shocked at her outfit.

She was wearing a small white lace jacket, a blue dress that stopped just barely above her knees, along with a pair or flats with cute little black bows on the top.

I continued to stare at her legs that were exposed and she began moving them and I looked up at her to see her face a bright red.

I coughed to make it less awkward but I could feel my face flaming in embarrassment.

She looked up and she started walking forward until another familiar voice had her halt.

I groaned and noticed Anna peering out of the rickshaw after she finished paying the driver.

She was not dressed in her usual white dress but instead in a regular tee shirt, pair of jeans, and shoes.

Her hair was always tied back away from her face, was now loose and hanging down her waist.

She was looking at me with a smirk on her face and I gave her a smile and it turned into a frown.

I felt someone tap on the end of my shirt that I was wearing and turned and noticed Jas was standing next to me and looking at me with a confused expression.

I was going to answer until Anna's voice broke into the silence.

"Well, well, well, well...don't we meet once again Mr. Shergill...oops I meanAnand. Its nice meeting you." Anna said.

I turned to Anna who was staring at me.

"I can't say the feeling is mutual." I said but more so with a smile.

"Come on play nice you two." Kittu chastised.

Anna turned her expression to Kittu.

"Who's the one that said you should play nice when you saw those two and said you were going to snatch..."

"AAAHHH!!!!! I was going to snatch any food I see. Geee!!!! I'm incredibly hungry." Kittu broke out in nervous laughter.

I chuckled and I looked at Jas and noticed she was staring at Kittu intently and Kittu gaze flickered towards her, assessing her in mute silence.

"Kittu, this is my best friend Jaspreet or Jas for short. While this is Kritika, or Kittu for short...my girlfriend.." I blushed at the last part.

"Girlfriend?" Jas said.

I looked at her and if my eyes were playing tricks on me I could have sworn that I saw shock and hurt cross her vision before her eyes became blank of emotion.

Before I could say anything Jas moved forward and she walked towards Kittu, extending her hand.

"Hello Kittu, I hope its okay if I can call you that. You can call me Jas." She said.

Kittu looked at the offered hand and smile and she took the hand in hers.

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

I stared at the girl that was allegedly Anand's girlfriend.

She looked like she was a good foot or so shorter than Anand, yet compared to me she was just a few inches.

She was a really pretty girl, very feminine, and it wasn't completely oblivious as to why she might have caught his eye.

Compared to her, I was a pale comparison.

I wasn't into the whole girly look and stuck to my shirts and long pants and shorts with a death grip.

My hair got in my way so I tried cutting it.

But after almost having my mother being sent to the hospital with heart attacks which were nothing but panic attacks, I finally decided to just tie it back, where it was out of my way.

But I wasn't too concerned about her.

Sure it was unusual that Anand even talked to a girl, more so just ignore the female species, but this girl was just like any other.

They chased after his looks.

They didn't know Anand like I did, didn't know the responsibilities he had to shoulder, the pressure he constantly was under, nothing.

She didn't know and knowing Anand, he didn't tell her.

No need.

No threat.

I sighed and offered my hand even further towards hers.

She smiled and she offered her hand and she enveloped her hand in mine.

"Its not meeting you...Anand never mentioned you." I said confused.

She blinked and she smiled instead of frowning like I expected.

"It's okay. Anand is not one to talk about people as much but he told me a lot about you." She said smiling.

There was nothing malicious behind her words and I wanted to dislike her, maybe it would be easier to believe it wasn't anything serious.

"He did?" I said looking at Anand with a confused expression.

"What did he say about me?" I said confused.

She pouted.

"I have to admit something." She said.

I looked at her confused and she drew her hands away from mine.

"What is it?"I asked confused.

"I was envious of you." She said while pouting.

That had me take aback.

She was jealous...why?

"Why?" I said confused.

"Because the way you two seem so close. I wish I had a best friend." She said sadly.

I looked at and I didn't know what to say about that but Anand came over and before I knew it, he had his hand linked in hers.

"I thought we were friends..." Anand said while pouting?

He was pouting?

He was pouting and there was even a hint of mischievousness in his eyes.

I never saw him like that...never...ever before.

"But now we are more...we are...we are...more than friends." She said while looking down at his hand.

I could feel myself almost puke and instead I backed away.

"Jas?"

I looked up and saw Anand staring at me.

"Yes?" I said, trying as hard as I could to emote as little emotion as I could.

"Is there something you wanted me for?" he asked with concern.

I looked at him and saw the way his hands were linked against Kittu who was busy arguing with the woman that came with her.

I did want him for something...

I wanted to see if he wanted to spend the day together instead of by himself but it seemed like he wasn't doing that either way.

I propped up a fake smile.

"I just wanted to make sure you enjoyed yourself. You're always so uptight and busy. I see you later...I have to meet up with my some of my friends." I said.

"You enjoy yourself too. All the times you have to save my a**, you deserve a break as well." He said while smiling.

"Darn right you know I save you're a**. Don't you forget it neither during next elections." I said while pouting.

"Are you scared you aren't going to be my running mate?" he said.

"Nope. Who else is better covering you're a** then me?" I said while answering back.

Before he could respond I gave him a smile, turned around, waved off before I walked away.

As I slowly walked away amid the throng of people, my smile slowly turned into a frown and soon I could feel the pinpricks of tears in my eyes but I batted my eyelashes and talked to myself to hold it in like I always do.

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

"Here...be careful." Anand said.

"I'm not a baby." I said while pouting but taking the delicious treat he offered.

It was gola and the syrup was starting to drip and I tried to catch it.

It was a success and I smiled in smugness and took a huge bite from the delicious sugary sweetness and I felt the sting from my teeth and pulled it out of my mouth.

I heard Anand chuckled next to me.

I looked at him in accusation.

"Are you laughing at my discomfort?" I said.

"No. I'm laughing at your reactions and expressions. First you go from excitement, then happiness, then you turn serious, and then your face turns in disappointment. Quite cute. Really cute." He said.

I stared at him and instead was distracted when I saw him suck on the treat and I looked away, my face starting to blush, feeling like I caught him making some type of innuendo but knowing he couldn't possibly have...

What are you thinking about Kittu?

Have you completely gone mad?

Maybe it was after seeing Jas with Anand.

I didn't know who she was at first and I was this close feeling doing to her with all the dolls my dad kept on buying me when I was younger: ripping of her head.

I sighed.

It was childish and in more realistic situation I could be persecuted for it but I was more prone in acting than letting my mind fully process it.

But she seemed like a really nice person.

Confident and truly gorgeous.

More so compared to me and it was confusing as to why and how Anand never saw her as a girl...well in Auntie ji's words.

"Hey...Anand...have you noticed that Jas is a girl?" I asked curiously.

He was halfway done in finishing his treat and looked at me in confusion.

"I know she is a girl..." He drawled out confused.

"But then how come..." I said confused.

Anand sighed.

"Please whatever my mother said to you in the hospital. Ignore please. It will help for your sanity and for mine." He sighed.

"I can't. She said that Jas is the first girl you brought home..."

"Not for the reasons you think. Jas was or rather is a friend. A best friend. I met her starting college and she was neither chasing after me for me to go out with her, nor was she trying to sabotage me along the way from jealousy." He said counting off from his hands.

"But Auntie ji said you didn't notice that she was a girl..." I said again.

"It's no point. I just notice people based on whether they are of some use to me or if they being genuine." He said.

I looked at him confused.

"Some use as if benefits you?" I said confused.

"It's because..."he started but instead I jumped in to finish his train of thought.

"Because either way if they are after you for whatever reason you still need to make some use of it." I said.

"You're right but you make it sound so cruel and vindictive." He said.

I was silent for a while and sucked on my treat and thought for a while before I answered.

"It's not cruel per say, I see it as a fact of life. Its either you know someone is using you and take advantage or you go along as a fool and people use you as a punching bag." I said.

Anand paused and I could feel his free hand link towards mine and looked down at it and looked back up at him.

"You know too much than I think you are supposed to know for someone that has been in the hospital for so long. How do you know this?" he said staring at me with soft eyes that were empathetic.

"I told you a little bit about my family...in time I will tell you more...but I don't want to ruin today by telling you that now...OOOHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" I said in excitement.

Anand eyes bulged out in alarm.

"What's wrong?!" he said alarmed and turning me towards me and we stopped in the vast of people that were moving and bustling along from each attraction that the students had set up.

I looked at him and smiled.

"There is a haunted house. I want to go in it!" I said while kneeling up and kissing him on his cheeks and before he could say anything I ran forward towards the haunted house.

"Kittu!" Anand's voice could be heard as he chased after me.

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

I stared at her as she looked at the skeleton that popped out of nowhere.

She raised her hand towards it and began shaking the skeleton's hand and began messing with the hat, which was for some reason, on its head.

She then moved along and there was the sudden howling of pain and voices of suppose monsters and horror creatures alike.

The next corner we turned on was with a guy that his head in his hands and eyes popping out.

Something about this was not romantic...

Instead of screaming, jumping out, or even trying to latch onto my hands or arms in being scared like the other girls were doing to their boyfriends, Kittu...Kittu...

She was busy analyzing the props instead, poking at it in interest, or was laughing,oohing, and awwwing.

She was having more fun and instead of feeling crept out when I was left in the dark, I felt calm, although my heart was pumping like crazy.

I felt myself pause as there was a sudden black out of the lights and there was a sudden rush of warm air down my back.

There was screams, mingled with some male voices, and I could feel my anxiety start to hitch up but instead I felt soft hands fold into mine and involuntarily looked to my side.

Although I couldn't see her, I could feel her near me and I tried to calm down as much as I could or as much as my heart and anxiety would allow me to.

We continued walking and felt like we were caught under some weird cloth thingy that was suppose to resemble cobwebs and soon the lights came back on and we were outside towards the throng of students that were smiling.

"Hope you enjoyed our haunted house...please if you wouldn't mind in joining in with our tarot card reading."

I smiled but declined and for a while we walked for a while and then I looked at Kittu who was busily smiling and her eyes was lighting up every time we passed someone selling food.

"You weren't scared?" I said with amusement.

She turned towards me confused.

"Of...oh...the haunted house? No way! I forgot to tell you I love horror and thriller movies...so...it will take a lot more to scare me." She said.

"But don't worry Anand. I will protect you. Even if you are scared of stuff I will clear it away from you."She said with her fist folded.

I smiled and shook my head.

"So you know I was scared?" I said intrigued and in awe.

"Your body tensed up and I could hear your breathing change. If not anything I noticed that. I had to be careful of noticing the change in my breathing so I could hear when you were breathing became shallow." She said

"You are truly amazing." I said completely just staring at her and I could feel my heart start to pick up in its rhythm.

"Thank you." She said while blushing and then she lifted her head. "But the same should be said for you. You are amazing. You are afraid of the dark but still went inside because of me." She said.

"Well technically you ran off." I said in amusement.

"But you still came inside. You could have called Anna and have her come instead." She said.

"Anna is too far away...she is probably divulging all our moments to my mom." I groaned.

Somehow, in some way my mom caught up with us and she was able to coerce Anna into staying with them.

"Don't worry too much, knowing Anna she probably steered the conversation towards you." Kittu said.

"That's even worse!" I said alarmed.

Kittu laughed and soon I lost her as she began drooling at something else.

I shook my head and grabbed her hand into mines and stared into her eyes.

"Instead of drooling, let's eat." I said while laughing as I tried to lead the way but it was more so that she was dragging me along.

After an hour or so later we went on a complete overhaul of filling ourselves up with whatever attracted Kittu's eye.

To the point where both of us couldn't handle anything else nor was too lazy on moving that we crashed a small bench that was in the back of the school and luckily there wasn't any activities going on out here.

"No..."

"More..."

"FFFOOODDD..."Kittu drawled out.

I clutched my hands around her waist even tighter and she snuggled even closer and she passed right back out.

I smiled and shook my head but instead kissed the top of her head.

"You are really cute Kittu."

She sighed.

"How come you are puzzling but completely obvious at the same time with your intentions?" I said pouting while she began to softly snore.

I smiled despite myself and nestled my lips once again on her forehead and drew away and cupped her cheek gently.

"Thanks for the wonderful day today. I never had as much fun as I did today with anyone. Thank you Kittu...I love you." I said and Kittu grumbled and twisted her body closer, while she leaned her head closer towards my chest.

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

(Three weeks later...)

I was busily whistling and staring at the picture that I took when Anand and I went to the park two weeks ago.

I kept on smiling, grinning, and laughing to myself as I stared at Anand as he was smiling back at me from the photo.

He had his lips sticking out in mid stride as he was trying to kiss me and I snapped a photo before he could come close.

I smiled and laughed even more to myself until I heard the door open and I looked up and smiled when I saw Anna had entered the room.

"Seems like someone is enjoying themselves...a little bit too much." She said with a knowing smile.

I smiled even more and showed her the picture.

"Ah of course it has to do with him." She said while shaking her head.

"By the way, how is your leg feeling?" Anna asked.

In a bit of a minor accident a few days ago, I broke my left leg...really bad...and had no choice but to have it in a cast.

It was cool since everyone was worried and wanted to sign it, but troublesome and boring since I couldn't move off my bed and was stuck in taking a bed bath...once again.

I sighed but pouted.

"It is driving me nuts! I had to really itch and I tried using one of my pens...let's just say it's stuck in there for now." I said.

Anna shook her head.

"I will try to get it out Kittu but you have to leave the cast alone. Your leg has to full heal and you keep on losing your pencils, forks, straws, and other stuff in there will not allow it to heal." Anna scolded.

"But it iiitttccchhheeesss..." I said while pouting and whining.

"Kritika." She said with a warning.

"Anna...it really itches. Plus I have no one else to help me...you're the only nurse that will help me...everyone gets annoyed when I keep on hitting the call light." I said feeling like tears were starting to fall into my vision.

"Okay...okay...sheesh Kittu." She said and she sighed and she placed the charts she was carrying on the chair and walked over by my leg, stuck her finger into my cast, and began digging around for the pen.

I flinched and was beginning to feel uncomfortable as it felt as if the pen was digging further into my skin and further along my leg in my cast.

She continued to jingle further inside until the pen slowly was dragging against my skin but this time upward and out of the cast.

"Ah-ha! I got it...hey isn't this your favorite pen?" Anna said looking at me in confusion.

"I was writing earlier and the urge became unbearable so all good things must be sacrificed. Anyway, thank you Anna. You are my best best friend!" I said trying to get up to give her a hug but of course couldn't move as much as my arm was attached to an IV drip and couldn't move because of my leg

"You can stop with all the praises now. I'm here for a quick check up and after I'm done...Anand is outside to visit you." She said.

I settled down back in the bed and was going to get ready for her to begin until I caught on to her last sentence.

"Anand is here?!!!" I said almost bolting out of my bed and almost on the floor.

"Kritika! Are you insane! You already broke your leg and are you trying to further the damage it even more?!"

"Screw that! I'm an absolute mess! He can't see me like this!" I said while pouting and wailing.

Anna stared at me in aghast.

"Sometimes Kittu...sometimes..."

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

"Hi Anand!"

I smiled when I entered the room and saw Kittu smiling back at me from her bed.

She was sitting up in bed with a hospital gown, her hair down, and I was going to wave back and say hello until I noticed her foot that was in a cast.

I rushed forward to the bed and Kittu was alarmed at my sudden movement.

"What's wrong?" She said in confusion.

"What happened to your leg?" I said ignoring her question.

"I had a minor accident and fell down the stairs...on my leg." She said laughing nervously.

I stared at her and shook my head.

"You have to be careful Kittu. How bad is it?" I asked turning to Anna, knowing Kittu was going to lie about what happened.

She was close to opening the front door and looked back at me.

"The bone was shattered against one another, painful yes, but thanks to her fall she blacked out for a couple of hours and the doctors were able to operate on it. She has to be in that cast for another three to five weeks but I'm sure she will be fine if she stops sticking stuff in there." Anna said while glowering at Kittu before she opened the door and left the room.

I turned to Kittu and she was smiling and looking at me with puppy eyes.

"You can stop you know. It's not going to work. I have three younger siblings that tries that every day and a mother whose too privy in my personal life." I said smiling despite myself.

She pouted.

"Don't lecture me please. Anna does it all the time and if it's not her my father called to lecture me as well." She said.

I looked at her confused.

"Your father? I thought..." I said drawling on...not really knowing what I thought about her father.

Her brief conversation about her family wasn't so happy or bright but it seemed she loved her father and just wished that he would visit more often.

"Papa visited me a week ago and I was in fine health...well aside from the whole heart thing, so understand the panic he has when they call him out of the blue that I was knocked unconscious, in surgery, but with a broken leg for my carelessness. He wasn't too happy so please try to understand as to why I don't want another lecture for not being careful." She said sadly.

I nodded and instead gripped her hand as I sat down next to the chair that was by her bed.

There was a lot she was saying and not saying so I left it alone, knowing there was still enough time for her to finally confess.

"I won't lecture you...but please be more careful." I said with a serious expression.

"I will...try to. Sorry." She said and she gripped her ears pulling it apologetically.

"But why are you here?" she said confused.

"Free time. Plus I missed you." I said staring at her.

She smiled but looked down at her lap.

"I missed you too...but what about school?" she asked confused.

"Nope. Classes were cancelled so I have free time today so I came to visit and brought you something as well." I said.

"You didn't have to get me anything at all. I missed you and you being here is enough." She blurted out.

I looked up at her and she blushed and looked away.

"I mean...I mean..." she tried but instead I just laughed and continued to search for what I brought along and pulled it out and placed it on her lap.

She looked at me confused and I smiled and looked away.

"My mother...once again...found out I was visiting and made sure she made something for you to eat." I said.

"Awww Auntie ji is really nice. She is really, really nice." She said and I heard her remove the cover from the tiffin can.

"Oh my mother is really nice but I hope you will be able to handle three more of it." I said pulling out the other tiffin cans I had in the bag with me.

She looked amazed and she didn't know what to do.

"So many...so many for me?" she said looking up.

I looked at her confused as she wasn't frazzled or surprise but was in more of awe and wonderment.

I smiled as she looked between the cans and uncovered and must have liked whatever she found as her eyes became brighter in excitement.

I shook my head and just stared at her as she continued to be enthused.

"Its all for you. I tried sneaking a peek inside but my mom nearly throttled me." I said while smiling.

She looked at me and smiled and covered them and placed the slowly by the nightstand.

"You're not hungry?" I asked confused.

She shook her head.

"Not at the moment. I had lunch earlier...but tell Auntie ji..it would be better if I was able to tell her myself..." she sighed and then continued. "But tell her thank you for the effort and hardwork. I cannot nearly tell her how much I appreciate her effort." She said sadly.

I gripped her hand and squeezed it and she looked at me confused.

"I have something else as well for you." I said smiling.

She stared at me and she smiled.

"You don't have to..." she trailed on.

"I wanted to so its not a problem." I said and released my hands from hers and went inside the bag and saw the small red box.

I pulled it out and smiled and handed it to her and she looked at me confused.

"Instead of staring at me, why don't you look at what's inside first?" I said to her.

She smiled and nodded and paid attention in releasing the small ribbon that was encased around the box.

She pulled it away and it fell down on her lap and she popped the box open and stared inside and gasped.

"How?" she said looking at me in happiness as a smile spread over her face.

I just smiled and she continued to stare at what was inside and she placed the box on her lap and she picked up the bracelet.

"Really? You didn't..."

"Want me to help you put it on?" I said while interrupting her.

She blinked at me and she smiled and then nodded.

I smiled and took the bracelet out of her hand and she stuck out her arm for me.

I smiled at her and slowly unhook the chain on the bracelet, put it underneath her arm, brought it closer to her wrist, then hooked the chain back together.

The bracelet was large compared to her wrist but when I looked up she was smiling at me and I felt myself blush as I looked away.

"Thank you...how did you...I was just staring at it, you didn't have to go out of your way." She said.

"It was no big deal. I went to buy it when you went to buy some gol gappe's to eat when we were at the park two weeks ago." I said.

"Plus you really liked it. It caught your eye and plus I wanted to get something for you." I said.

Before I knew it I felt her lips against my cheek and just as quickly pulled away.

"Thank you Anand. Thank you. I really love it...thank you." She said.

I looked at her and she was smiling at me and she brought her wrist on upwards and began twisting her wrists, left to right causing the charms on the bracelets to begin to jingle and she continued.

"It's really cute and the sound...I love it." She said and she continued to twist her wrist to jingle it even further.

I smiled and I gripped her hand and she looked at me.

"I know I won't be here as much as I would like...so I hope this could at least remind you of me." I said shyly hoping I didn't sound like a total idiot.

"I might not be here for a while but don't think that I have forgotten you Kittu...I will never forget you." I said while folding her hand in mine.

"I love you Kittu." I said while staring into her eyes.

She stared at mine and she smiled.

"I love you too Anand." She said smiling and lowering her eyes but I used my free hand to lift her chin upward so I could still look into her eyes.

"I think I deserve another kiss." I said.

Her mouth opened and her face turned a full bright red.

"I don't think so..." she mumbled.

"But you look so cute right now." I said twisting my head slightly to the side.

She looked at me and she blushed even more.

I thought she was going to argue some more but instead she leaned forward and her lips came closer to mine and it was my turn to feel shy as I could feel my heart start to pump even faster and I could feel myself holding onto my breath with a death grip, trying to figure out her next movement.

She came closer and her lips were a hair breath from mine but all she did was give a small peck against my lips, barely a gentle touch, and she drew away.

"I'm sorry Anand but I still have to reserve my dignity." She said shyly and with more implication than I think she really knows or understand.

I looked at her confused.

"Huh?" and disappointment and confusion were sharp in my stomach at the lackluster kiss.

"I feel like with you...when...when we kiss...I really, really, really, really, really,really like it." She said mumbled out while looking at her lap.

At that I just stared at her as she continued.

"I feel at times when I like it too much...I might go over board and might actually...pounce on you." She said still staring at her lap and twisting her fingers together.

I stared at her and out of nowhere, I felt myself start to laugh.

I could feel my laughter fill the room and I felt Kittu's hand start to smack my arm and start to become disgruntle.

I continued my laughter fit until I saw Kittu was sulking.

I tried to control my laughter and was able to settle down and compose myself.

I tapped on her shoulder and she grunted.

"Kittu...I'm sorry. I was laughing because I feel the same way...even more so." I said.

Kittu slowly twist around and shyly looked at me.

"You do?" she said.

I nodded.

"But you don't have to worry about maintain your dignity...but I will never cross that line with you." I said.

"I respect you Kittu and foremost I will never destroy that trust that you have for me." I said.

Kittu stared at me and she smiled and she lowered her eyes.

"I know you respect me and I completely trust you...I do." She said and then looked up.

"I know you won't do anything to do so." She said staring at me.

"But that doesn't mean it will last forever. There will come a time when that will change." I said slowly, gauging Kittu's reaction.

She looked up sharply.

"Huh...why so?" she said.

I smiled and instead rested my head on my hand.

"I'm not prone on having to being celibate towards my wife." I said watching her reaction.

Kittu gasped and she slapped my hand.

"Why are you teasing me like this?" she said blushing a bright red.

"I wasn't teasing you." I said seriously.

She looked at me and she stared at me and whatever she was going to say probably died once she saw that I was not playing around.

"I told you Anand... I'm a dead girl...you need someone who doesn't have a questionable time span." She said.

Before she could say anything I got up from my seat and wrapped my hands around her shoulders, pulling her in closer towards me into a tight hug.

"I told you before Kittu, you will live. You are not going to die. I know I can't make promises but you will live. When we get older, when I become a better person and a man that can actually support you on my own two feet...I will approach your family for marriage." I said.

I could feel Kittu stiffen underneath me and she didn't say a word.

"I know you are going to say that I shouldn't but I don't make statements I don't keep. I want to make you my wife someday...only with your permission." I said and pulled myself out of her grasp.

She stared at me and there were small hints of tears lingering in her eyes but she lifted her hand upward and wiped away her tears.

"Do I have your permission?" I said softly.

"So basically you are informally proposing to me?" she said with amusement.

"Yes." I said smiling.

That caught her by surprise and she left her mouth hanging opened in shock.

"If you are kidding it's not nice. Especially to joke about things such as that, that is not funny." She said with a serious expression.

"I don't joke about something as serious as this." I said meeting her expression with the same expression as well that showed I wasn't playing around.

She then took a deep sigh.

"Even if I said something...you won't listen to me." She said while cracking out a soft smile on her lips.

I smiled right back and leaned forward to kiss her forehead and drew away to stare at her face.

"Because you wouldn't really mean it." I said with a knowing smile.

"You think you know me so well?" she said while slightly pouting.

I brought my lips closer to hers and I could feel her breath hitch but she stared at my lips instead of backing away.

"Not as much as I want to but we have a long time to clear that up, now don't we?" I said raising my eyebrow and leaning our heads together.

She stared at my lips and looked at me in my eyes.

"You might be pushing it on the amount of time that we might have..." she said.

"Even then it will still be enough to figure everything out about you." I said smiling at her.

"You think you are so smart." She said while smiling.

"I'm not prone on boasting, but I would like to think I'm pretty more than just smart." I said rubbing our noses slightly together.

She smiled but didn't pull away.

"You just boasted just now." She said.

"I said I'm not prone to." I said right back.

"You love fighting with me don't you and purposely pick fights with me don't you?" she said.

I smiled and pulled her closer towards me.

"As long as you know." I said while lowering my head, letting my lips softly glide down her cheek and close to her lips before sealing our lips together.

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