If anyone asks me

"What is hell?

I would answer

"Distance between

two people who love

each other."

The first thought that came to me when I left the room was that

I messed up!

Being the receiving end of the disapproving and disappointed glances of your family is not a good feeling. Cherry on top the lady which I vowed to protect till the end of time is crying because of me.

The pain and regret was literally killing me.

I directly went to my study. Work is the only thing that can distract me now. It has always been my escape from reality. But,

Oh Boy! How wrong was I?

I have been sitting here in this hell hole for over 4 hours now.

But guess what??

I read one paragraph.

That too I didn't understand a word of.

I leaned back on my chair, resting my head over the comfotable seat may I add once comfortable.

I need her.

What the heck am I even doing in this hell hole.

I manipulated her, I did every bloody thing for being with her.

And then how did I end up in the middle of these stacks of papers?

Arh...

I have to be with her. I looked over the wall clock. 6am

Seriously I was so immersed in my thoughts that I didn't even feel the time passing. I was going to get up when the door clicked making me settle back on my seat.

There stood the beauty who have been disturbing my sole existence since she entered my life. Not that I'm complaining.

She looked at me with those hazel eyes. I immediately averted my gaze to the file kept in front of me. Not looking at her.

I could feel her gaze on me. Moments passed not hearing any sound I looked up and saw her going through the books in the shelf.

After taking out a book she came and sat on the chair placed in front of my desk, it really doesn't feel like it's her first time here, it is always like she was part of my life, with me all along.

She started reading the book and I started staring at her.

She spoke without looking up

" I didn't know you can read files upside down."

I immediately looked down, indeed the file was placed upside down.

I just kept the file correctly and started reading, more like started acting like reading.

After couple of moments she spoke again

"The word starts with S, ends with Y and has 5 letters"

I heaved a sigh

I looked up, our eyes collided. In this errie silence it felt I was seeing those hazel galaxies for the first time.

Suddenly my mind went back to that morning when I went to get a glimpse of her in the campus.

That same peace and solace was what I was feeling.

"Yesterday you told me this is not how it works and what are you doing now Abhimanyu? You are running away.

Let's talk this out."

I can't tell her now how I manipulated her. How I selfishly weaved a web of lies around her universe to blend it the way I want.

I will tell her that's for sure but not now, I am just asking for one week.

"One week." I told in 'the' tone.

She heaved a sigh and looked away.

Then after a long time she stated

"Okay one week and Mr Abhimanyu Shikhawat that's all you get are we clear?"

"Crystal" and for the first time I felt fear, as a matter if fact from the time she entered my life I feel this of losing her. I don't think I can endure the pain of losing yet another one I feel so close to.

Silence enveloped us, more of a comfortable silence.

She started reading the book and I finally started working with a clear mind.

"Mama, Dad and Ananya are staying in our room."

Oh God Dad is gonna kill me!

"Hmm" I hummed to that without looking up.

"I need your black card"

now that got my attention. I looked up, she was still reading the book.

"Are you sure? "

Just because of a fight I don't want to force her to do anything.

"Are you afraid that I'll make you go bankrupt?" She asked amusingly

"Mama have been trying her level best to do that for like 24 years nothing happened but yeah, you can always try." I explained with a huff.

Why is these ladies want us to go bankrupt?

"Mama uses Dad's card?" She told rather bewildered.

I kind of expected this. I took a deep breath and started

"Adi...It's not Dad's, it's their card. Human beings live for their loved ones, a greedy life alone will get tiring in a small time. And in a relationship that's how it works."

"I don't want this relationship between us Abhimanyu"

That hurts. I felt my heart squeezing. The pain I feel now is totally unbearable. I knew it'll take time, but hearing it so barely was really not sitting well with me.

But she continued "Atleast not yet"

I felt a sudden rush of relief wash over me. You know the feeling when water slides down your parched throat after a walk in the road in summer. That same relief which spreads around you.

I felt a goofy grin spread over my lips.

Seeing my grin she told amused but I will never misunderstand the seriousness underlaying in those words.

"Aren't you a bit too happy?

What did you think I'll leave??

Then you don't know something about me, I am as stubborn as a geek. I just won't give up and I truly value this"

She completed pointing to the Mangalsutra.

We both knew at that moment something changed when our gazes met, something new, something so strong yet so beautiful just like my Queen and at that moment I knew whatever happens I am gonna protect this bond.

We are gonna protect this bond. And I'll never let go of this Angel from my life.

After sometime maybe due to the intensity of the moment she averted her eyes.

I cleared my throat and started working.

"The flight is at around 6.45am"

That smile which she had at that moment. Eventhough that smile is not because of me but still I was happy.

"Roger will pick them."

"Don't you trust Roger very much."

Of course, that's why I always send him to protect you, my world.

I wanted to say that but I held back.

I took out the card from my drawer and gave her.

"Here. The password is 104216. No limit"

"What's that number?"

Is she asking me to tell her about my personal things. Is our relationship really starting.

She want to know me?

"Ananya's DOB is 10-04-2000 and our patents' wedding date is 21-06-1996"

She smiled a full blown smile, I don't know why.

Did she realise it?

I gulped sending a pray.

"I'll be leaving at around 9am. Me, Annu, Leah"

This is one of the qualities which I have grown to like in her. She tells me everything whatever the difference between us.

"Roger coming with you guys. If you lose your patience to wait for them just tell Roger" I knew how much she hated shopping.

"I think I'll really lose it this time."

Seeing the helplessness that came over her face I just couldn't stop myself from laughing.

Later she too joined me. Her laugh was music to my ears.

Is there any flaws for this lady in front of me?

Isn't she just perfect and she is mine.

We heard a knock, when we looked up there stood our family all three of them with a sweet smile.

They three strode in.

But suddenly all the goofiness of the situation turned into thickness of tension.

They three went sat in the couch placed in the side and beckoned us.

We both went and sat in front of them.

"Do you want us to intrude in this relationship?"

Dad asked looking at me I knew way too well what he was hinting at.

But before I could speak Adi beat me to it

"No, we will figure this out ourselves"

Little did she know she saved herself from becoming an young widow.

"We won't but children you guys need to talk. Abhimanyu you should not walk out like that. You guys have to speak to each other and never leave each other's side thats how this works."

Mama told.

We both nodded to that.

They both heaved a sigh and went away after kissing our foreheads.

"Is that Bhai's black card?"

Of course that's all she noticed.

With that she snatched away the card and went away. Adi started laughing seeing her childishness.

My baby sister.

"I think I should go. Abhimanyu come and catch some sleep you look like a Panda"

Panda???

"A handsome panda?" Never in my life I felt conscious about my looks and even I was a bit sassy about my looks. But now....

She just huffed and turned back to leave.

As if I'll let her go.

Hey guys,

So that was how they met in the middle after a fight.

STAY HEALTHY

Leah😉