After about 15 minutes, Rey stopped in front of a huge house. He looked at her for a reaction that was somewhat similar to, "This is your house?!" But that wasn't what he got. Instead, she asked him, "Are you going to take me inside or am I going to have to drag myself in?"
She never failed to surprise him! Again, normally, a girl would be bewildered seeing the huge house that was his. She showed least bit of an interest in the size of the house. Frankly, she showed no surprised expression at all.
He then wondered and was a bit jealous too. Of course, she's from U.K. She probably has a bigger house than me. Shaking his head, he walked to the other side of the car and opened the door. She held her hands out so it'd be easier for him to pick her up.
In the fifteen minute ride home, she had talked nonstop to them and had told them many interesting stories. But she didn't reveal anything about her life in U.K. Truth was - she had stayed away from any relationship with anyone other than Karan. He was her everything for her. She didn't need anyone else and she never felt the need for it either. She could share anything and everything with him without any hesitation.
Finding such friends made her happy in a way she never felt before. It made her feel different. She told herself; maybe this is what having friends feel like'
***
Swayam opened the front door with the set of keys he had and moved aside for Rey to come in. He placed Kriya on the couch; rest followed and Swayam locked the door. A woman came out from the kitchen, "Aa gaye sab?"
She stopped to see a girl in Rey's hands. This was when he was putting her down. Now that wasn't a scene she would see every day; her son carrying some girl bridal style! Rey explained, "Mom, this is Kriya. Kriya, my mom."
"Hello aunty." She greeted sweetly.
Aarti, Rey's mom, replied back with the same sweetness in her tone. She immediately guessed that she wasn't born here, hearing the accent.
Swayam explained, "Aunty, you see, we were out and some goons attacked us. She was there and helped us out but also got hurt. So we insisted she come with us."
She got worried hearing 'goons' but was glad to see them all safe and sound. Going to Kriya, she thanked her. "Thank you so much beta." She saw the wound on her hand and told Rey, "Rey, take her to Sharon's room for now. I'll get the first aid box."
Swayam interrupted, "And we'll leave. It's late as it is. Mom will be worried too."
"Oh of course." Aarti replied and bid bye to the boys as they left. Swayam told Kriya, "See you soon. Get well soon."
She smiled gratefully in return and both, her and Rey, watched all three of them leave. He turned back and said, "Come on. More carrying for me."
"Why Sharon's room? There must be a guest room. I can walk that much I'm sure."
Rey replied, "Ah' if only! The thing is both of them are occupied. One: with my father's guests who are staying the night and the other is being renovated. So, if you don't mind'"
"Fine." She gritted and held out her hands, just like she had done before. He picked her up again in his arms and made his way towards the stairs.
He taunted, "You know, I should get an award for carrying you! I mean imagine, Reyansh Singhania! Who never carries a girl! And here he is. Carrying you for 'who knows what' time."
"Ha-ha. And did someone tell you that you crack poor jokes?" she taunted back.
He gave her a sarcastic look and continued climbing the stairs without retorting back or looking at her. On the contrary, she was gazing at his face. He looked different than what he did in the photograph. She didn't know what else was coming her way, but at the moment, she knew was going to enjoy each and every second that she could. After all, what could a bit of fun hurt, right? Or so she was her thinking.
***
She was in a bit of a cranky mood, considering that she had always been on her own and not being able to walk around was frustrating. She didn't mind the help offered by Rey, but she wasn't used to depending on someone either.
He placed her on the bed carefully. She looked around at the room that would be hers for the night. It was quite comfortable actually. The bed was very soft as well. But nothing she hadn't seen before. A few paintings here and there around the room caught her attention, but that was about it.
"Where's Sharon?" she asked.
Rey replied, "At her house obviously.
Here, Kriya was a bit confused. "This is her room so this'll be her house'?"
Rey cleared the confusion. "No, no. This is her room but this isn't her house. She's not my sister or anything. Well, in a sense she is but she's more like my best friend. She just sometimes stays the night when we have a night out. Right now, she's like the only girl in our group so she got her own room."
She understood and he continued, "There are some of Sharon's clothes in the closet. You can change into them if you like. Both of you are same size and I'm sure you'll like her sense of fashion too."
"OK! And only girl now meaning?" she inquired further.
He didn't find that invading personal space and answered calmly, "Yea. Neha is here but her parents are strict. No hanging out with boys and all and Rinni and Simmi had to move to USA for studies."
She nodded understanding it all. He sat on the bed besides her and whispered, "I'll let you in on a secret. But you have to promise to not tell anyone and in case someone finds out that you know; you didn't hear it from me? 'Kay?"
She nodded again before he continued. "Swayam has a thing for Sharon and as far as my ability on guesses goes, she does too. But no one knows and even I had to trap Swayam into telling me. Currently, the secret love stage is on. Secret?" he asked holding his palm out for a handshake.
Both laughed at first. Then, they shook hands and she replied, "Secret. You know, your friends are quite interesting. Like all very different but still together'!"
Rey laughed. "You have no idea how different! We all find our way to an agreement though."
"It must be good to have such friends'" she replied. He found it confusing and could see a glimpse of sadness in her eyes. He wanted to ask why she said that but they were interrupted.
Aarti came in with the first-aid box. "Rey, make sure she changes into something and I'll get her purse. Your dad's here so you come down for dinner soon and Kriya, I'll send a plate for you here itself."
Rey nodded and Kriya pleaded, "Please aunty. Can't I have dinner with you all? It'll make me feel better knowing that I am not just sitting here in a room. Please?"
"Sure if that makes you happy." She replied gently and patted her cheek.
Kriya was happy and Rey said, "That means I have to carry her back down and again up!"
Both the girls replied together with a stern look, "Shut up Rey!"
It was like both of them had ganged up on Rey and he had no choice but to listen to them. Aarti left with a ruffle on Rey's hair. He opened the box and took out a piece of cotton, Dettol, cream and white strip of bandage.
Taking her injured arm, he carefully removed his handkerchief and looked at the wound. It was getting bad, but that showed no effect on Kriya. She was least bothered with how bad it looked. He cleaned it with the cotton making sure to not press it hard so as to give her any sort of pain.
She complained, "You're taking so much time. Here, let me do it."
He wouldn't agree. "Shut up and sit quietly."
She made a pouting face and sat back. The only wince that came on her face was when he applied the cream. The moment it touched her skin, she winced. The next second: the wince was gone and it was as if she hadn't winced at all.
Yet again, he was surprised by her ability to hold back her pain. Some part of the reason was that she had gotten lost in his care. The way he was applying the cream had taken possession of her emotions. It was the first time her heart was giving feelings like this.
***
Downstairs, Rey put Kriya on her legs and she sat on the chair and waited. Rey sat next to her and Aarti came out with the dinner. Minutes later, a middle aged person came out. No doubt she knew who he was.
He was Rey's father. As dinner was served, Aarti told him about Kriya and how she helped them. The couple shared a worried look when the part of 'goons' came out. But putting that aside, he thanked Kriya and said, "We should get your knee checked the first thing in the morning."
All she did was politely nodded. She made a silent face seeing the dinner. She wasn't a big fan of green peas. But as Karan had threatened, she ate it quietly. Rey once caught her making a face as she ate. He giggled silently. She only ate a little.
She was starving so much that she fought with me to bring her home fast and now, she's making faces! Rey thought to himself.
Adithya, Rey's father, asked Kriya in middle of dinner, "So you're new in town?"
"No uncle. New in the country." She replied for the first time since the dinner started. He hadn't heard the accent and now that he did, he realized it was a silly question to ask. Anyone would know that after hearing her talk.
"You're here by yourself then? Where are your parents?"
She replied quietly, playing with her spoon. "They died when I was 12 year old. Car accident."
Everyone grew quiet. They could only feel sorry for her. But she replied cheerfully, "But see, Karan raised me like his own child. He's only 7 years older than me but he is my best friend, my mother, father, everything. He never made me feel their absence."
They smiled at the way she looked at the positives. The truth was: her parents didn't die from a car accident. They were agents as well, on a mission, just like she was right now. She couldn't share that with them though. Some part of her wanted to, not knowing why she would share her feelings with them, but she wanted to. She stayed mum knowing better than to talk about it. They were killed during the mission and no one could do anything to save them. Everyone had accepted that as fate's decision and misfortune of destiny.
***
Thanks a bunch everyone for the lovely detailed comments. Really makes me happy! Now here's the next update and hope you all like this as well. It's a bit short but only because next chapter is super long. đ Me waiting for your comments and likes đ Hope they increase more this time... They do mean a lot to me and encourages me to continue writing đł
Next update in a week's time if possible... someone take responsibility of nagging me till I update. Warna I might get lazy or forget đ Next update will obviously be in next thread now. You guys know that to do.
-Khushi.
Next : Thread 2 [Link page150 and in Index]
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Arjun
Cricket
