Chapter ~21: Akshay

“So, what’s next?” Shreya asked, wiggling her eyebrows and sipping her cold coffee.

We were in café to complete our project, but I don’t know when it became a date.

She is really something. She knew how to get things done by me.

“What do you want to do next?” I asked back.

She put her coffee down licked her lips and whispered, “We can do many things.” A silly smile came on her lips.

I slapped lightly on her head and said “I think we need to complete our project, madam.”

She scowled, and get up from her place and went out with her purse.

She is mad at me.

I paid the bill and pick my bag up and start walking behind her.

She was walking in her high heel boots. I bet her feet will be sore at the end of the day.

After few minutes of walking, she stopped in front of a flower shop.

Few roses along with lilies and some other flowers. She slowly bends towards the rose and softly touch its petals.

I was far enough for her to notice. I took out my phone and took few picks for her. She was looking more beautiful than that rose.

Her cute chubby pink cheeks, auff, I just want to pull them.

She is so-so-soooo beautiful.

Then only a boy came out of shop and startled her.

She put her hand on her chest, while taking a deep breath.

Suddenly they both start laughing and chatting.

Who the hell is that boy and why the hell is he talking to my girlfriend?

I can’t even hear what they are talking about.

Then they start laughing loudly, she playfully hit on his shoulder.

I wonder what’s funny going on there.

She never laughs like this with me.

I walked towards them, put my hand on Shreya’s shoulder and asked “I wonder, what’s so funny that my girlfriend is laughing to cheerfully, share it with me too.”

I stretched ‘my girlfriend’ a little too much.

“Ohww, by the way please give me a bouquet of lily, I want to give it to my girlfriend, as my girlfriend love lily.” I don’t know, but something was itching in my heart.

He raised his eyebrow and said “So, you are her boyfriend?”

“Yes, I am! Any doubt?” I paused “If your investigation is over, give me the bouquet as I want to give it to my girlfriend.” I spoke, with nice decent smile on my face and pulling her towards me.

He nodded and went inside.

Huhh!
“Uhhh, I think something is burning.” Shreya said while sniffing here and there, then at me. “Ohh, smell is coming from you.” She said in amusement then started giggling.

I rolled my eyes. Seriously, this girl knows very well, how to provoke me.

She gives me a side hug and we both start laughing.

I love to spend time with her. Her naughtiness is too cute.

That boy came of the shop and said “Here you go, Enjoy Guyz!”

Hai!
Wait a min!

Is he?

Is he, what I am thinking!

“You are gay!” I spoke loudly.

Shreya crushed my toe with her heels.

Oouch! I smiled forcefully!

“Duhh! I won’t take your ‘girlfriend’, Loverboy” he spoke.

He gave flower to me and winked.

I just smiled back.

I took Shreya’s hand in mine and start walking, far, away from this shop.

I don’t know about Shreya, but I won’t come to this shop ever again.

We were just, walking and walking, then she let go my hand and stood in front of me.

“Were you following me?” She asked.

“Was I?” I said and walk towards her, snaked my hand around her waist and pull her towards myself looked at her to see if she was comfortable enough.

She was all red and shocked, in few minutes she regained her consciousness and put he hand on my chest and said shyly, “What are you doing? Koi dekh lega!”

Luckly no one was around us, street was empty, I wonder how that person’s shop sell.

I released her, give her both bouquets, due to my action flower got crushed a little.

She took them and said, “I should head back.” And start walking away.

I hold her hand, to stop her and asked “Will you go on a date with me?”

I was a little nervous, its first time I had asked her for a date.

We met online on Instagram. We don’t know when friendship turn into this.

After 2 years we met in this school and I officially proposed her, on my first day of school.

“So?” I want to know her answer badly.

Though, it was a ‘yes’. But I want to hear it from her mouth.

“Let me think.” She closed her eyes, acting like she is thinking something deeply.

Adorable!

“Of-course!” She chirped and jumped at me.

We went to the nearest café.

I pulled her chair and signed her to sit.

Just gentleman’s thing!

We both sat, placed our order.

She was talking about this and that’s of school. But my focus was more on her face than her words.

She has doe eyes, chubby cheeks and bunny teeth. Though, she wholly looks like a bunny of pet’s secret life.

What was his name, er, umm?

What was it?

.

.

.

.

.

SNOWBALL!

Yes, it was snowball. She looks like snowball.

But her eyes were different. It was mix of hazel and green.

I wonder on whom she is gone, her dad or her mom.

One thing hit my mind, I asked “Bunny, tell me something about your family.”

Today, I notice that I know nothing about her family. I never asked. I always tell her about me, my family, my problems.

But today I want her to share things to me.

She paused, looked me with her sharp narrow eyes and spoke, “Don’t call me that!”

A wicked smile came on my face, but I manage to hide it.

“What Bunny?” I spoke innocently, and give her a smile showing my all teeth.

She rolled her eyes in irritation and said “My mother runs a hotel name ‘luxury stay’ and my dad owns a restaurant beside the hotel name ‘taste’.”

“O, now I know, from where those profit ideas comes from.” I said a laughed. She just slapped on my shoulders.

But I chocked when I saw my dad on another table.

“What the-” I hid under the table, “What is he doing here?” I whispered.

“Who?” Shreya asked confusingly and came under the table.

“My dad!” I exclaimed.

Why is he here?

Shit!

“Then let’s meet him. What are you hiding?” she spoke innocently.

Ya, she knows nothing.

“I haven’t told anything about us, to my parents.” I pause, “If he saw us then it will me a great mess.” I explained her.

“Now?” She asked.

“We need to get out from here!” I spoke.

We both were under the table, whispering each other.

Then only a waiter and asked “Any problem sir, mam?”

I signed him to look under the table and said “Actually, we want the bill. Fast!” he and Shreya both nodded.

Waiter brought the bill, and we paid little but extra, and ran out of café.

Shreya was so happy and excited, I don’t know the ‘why?’ part.

Though, I ruined the date!

“I am sorry!” I paused, “Because of me our first date ru-” I was about to complete the sentence then only she cut me in and said “Don’t talk nonsense. I loved it. It was so adventurous, yrr.”

Eeh?

Adventurous?

“How are you this positive, bunny.” I asked and she just smiled in response.

I promise, I will take her to the best date next time.

We were walking towards her home.

“So, does Shruthika like me?” She asked nervously.

“Actually, I don’t know.” I paused, “After that day a lot had happen. I didn’t get the chance to talk with her and-” I shut my mouth.

I don’t want to drag her into family mess.

“But what?” She asked.

I shook my head and said “Nothing yrr.” I pointed my index finger towards park and said “Look there is a park. Let’s go there.”

She understood, that I was diverting the topic but she was not in mood to let it go.

She stood in front of me and said “Hey!” She put her palms softly on my cheeks, “Let it out.” She said softly.

I don’t know what to say, it’s just…

“Everything is messed up.” I took a deep breath and continue, “Dad tore Shruthika’s letter, from her favourite singer and she is quite disturbed.” I said in worry.

She was acting strange. Though, I am happy but scared as well that she is happy and smiling a lot.

But that day when she said that she wants her to be…. No!

I was scared for her and disappointed from me.

Why I had not done anything?

What an incapable brother I am!
I ashamed of myself. I should have protected her, her feelings. I should have stand up for her.

“AKSHAYA!” Shreya shouted, holding my shoulders.

I shook my thoughts off and looked at her.

“Relax Ookh!” She spoke.

 It wasn’t that easy. But I just nodded.

“Umm, I have one proposal.” She said, hesitantly “Why don’t you, Shrutika and I go on picnic?” she paused, to see my expression, “You both will have good time their and she will also get to know me and also-” she gulped, “You can tell her about that!”

“Nice idea, there I might talk to her, what’s in her mind and can tell her about everything, why had I done that?’.” I spoke excitedly.

“Tomorrow then!” I spoke.

I nodded in return and walked her to her home.

Hope so everything goes well!
I will tell her everything!