Chapter ~22: Shreya

“I am home!” shouted and ran towards my room.

I shut the door behind me.

I looked at the flowers in my hand, bind in a beautiful bouquet.

I returned back at the café to get them back.

It was first time he gave me bouquet of flowers. It was the best day of my life, seeing my boyfriend all jealous for me, was the best part.

I wish his sister to accept me, as his girlfriend and they both bond once again. I kept bouquets safely and came out to room to kitchen.

“Hey dad!” I side hugged my dad.

“Soo, how was your date?” He asked.

I broke the hug and took few steps back, “T-th-that wasn’t a date. I went to discuss a group project.” I explained.

“OHH!” He put his one hand on his waist and the spatula, which his was holding on another had up in air, dramatically moving while saying, “Ya! Ya! A girl wearing a beautiful dress, no makeup- makeup look along with matching purse went to a café, only to discuss about a project, with her boyfriend.”

A sheepish smile came on my lips, I scratched my scalp and said “Uhh! Dad, it was just-” but couldn’t complete sentence fully.

“So, what happen today, tell me?” she stops and then said intensely “In details!”

Dads on duty!

I told him everything what happen today along except the sudden run out thing in café.

He just hummed.

“Dad!” I called him “I want to ask something.” I spoke.

“Ask.” He spoke.

“Do you or mom have any problem with me being in a relationship, with Akshay?” I asked.

This question was in my mind for a long time. I wanted to ask it for so long.

“Actually!” He paused, so do my heart, then she spoke “NO!”

No?

“Why?” I asked back.

“Because we trust you.” he gave me a simple four words reply which filled warmth in my heart.

They trust me this much. Many parents are opposed with the idea of boyfriend and girlfriend but my parents they are different.

I don’t know why but my eyes filled with water little bit.

He turns the stove off, washed his hands, removed his apron then hugged me while caressing my head he said “We trust you so much not only because you are our daughter but also for your transparency. When you liked that boy rather than being in a secret relationship, you told us instantly knowing that we might oppose it, you told us each and every info about him, about you both. You even show us the chats. You never hide anything.” He paused “Your actions made us believe you, ironically the fact of you being our daughter also played a tincy-wincey role.”

We laughed a little. Then only mom entered in kitchen and said “My-My, father and daughter moment. Include your mother too.” Then we three hugged each other.

After few minutes we parted and then I told them about the plan, they agreed and I ran back to my room to message Akshay.

“Hey!” I wrote.

He saw the message and was typing…

Damn, he is a fast replier.

“Hello!” He replied.

“So, did you talk?” I asked.

He replied instantly “Let’s go!”

“YAAAAAAA!” I shouted sudden.

He and I will go on a trip, along with her sister.

Our first trip!

Yes!

Yes!

Yes!

I threw the phone on the bed and hugged the pillow.

I am so excited. This trip will be definitely memorable.

What the hell!

This trip is definitely a memorable one.

Messy-memorable trip!

“Did you find her?” Akshay asked all in panic.

He was anxious and tensed.

I shook my head and ask to the house care takers “Did you guys find her?”

“No mam!” They all said together.

Where would she be?

When Akshay told everything to Shrutika she ran away.

But why?

It wasn’t his fault. It was all the situation and their parents’ fault. Such a toxic people they are!

He is also a child. He is also scared of his parents’ reaction.

I told her, it’s dangerous to be out at night alone. The area is wild here. Then also!

“Calm down Akshaya!” I rubbed my palm on his back, to make him relax a bit but, no effect.

“Camera!” He spoke out of sudden, “I saw a camera outside, we can see the recording.” He spoke and the looked at me.

“KAKA!” I shouted, why hadn’t the caretaker had told us about camera.

“Sorry Beitia!” He apologised and took us to the surveillance room.

We didn’t saw Shrutika in any video captured.

That means she is in the house, but where is she?

“Everyone! Check each and every corner of this house. Find her!” I ordered and they all scattered to find her.

Akshay too went along them to search her.

I sat on sofa, rubbing my face thinking all about today.

Due to travelling I was tired and slept, in that time Akshay told everything to Shrutika.

Worst she was angry and heartbroken and she ran away.

I wish, wherever she is, she be fine.

“FOUND HER!” someone shouted.

I ran towards that direction and saw her laying on the floor, with a bump in her forehead.

Oh god!

Akshay too came there, pick her up, put her on the bed where doctor came in front to check her up.

Dad send doctor along with me, I thought it was useless until…

“Nothing to worry, just a head bump.” He hands over an ointment to me and said “Apply this! She would be fine.”

Akshay took the ointment, slowly applied on her head, delicately and softly.

I put my hand on his shoulder.

“I was so scared.” He said in sobby voice.

He loves his sister a lot.

“I am here, you go and rest.” I spoke.

He is too exhausted to think anything right now.

He gets up and went out straight.

I sat on chair and scrolled reel. I don’t know when time passed and she woke up.

“Ahh!” She hissed while putting her hand on her head.

I helped her to get up, “How are you feeling now?” I asked.

She gives me a small smile and replied “Good!”

“How did all this happen?” I asked.

She looked at me for a moment and said “I just slipped and fainted.”

Silence spread around.

An awkward silence.

I cleared my throat then said “Listen,” She looked at me, while tilting her head a little, “It wasn’t his fault.” I told her.

I don’t want to med the brother-sister affair but he is much worried.

“He too was scared!” I told her.

“Then what about me?” she paused, look at me and said, “Wasn’t I scared too. Till now, I am hearing the taunts of all this, even it was not my fault.” She spoke.

I don’t know how its feel like to be in her shoes, nor do I want to feel it.

I out my hand in her head “Cry or complain as much you want. It will be in between you and me. I promise!”

When Akshay told me about the letter and school incident, I noticed that she didn’t cry, complained or reacted. She just shredded few tears and went silent.

she narrows her eyes and said, “I don’t wanna sound mean but, my emotions are none of your business. And don’t interfere.”

“Sorry!” I apologised and came out in balcony.

Ya! She is right. I should not interfere. But when she said this, it hurts!