CHAPTER 3: Part 3 (MY LITTLE RABBIT)
Recap:
"Hamne aise toh nhi kaha. (I never said that.)" She replied, her voice soft and sweet.
A gentle smile played on her lips, dispelling the earlier tension.
I steadied her, my arms a comforting brace.
Her breath was rapid, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and embarrassment. There was an undeniable vulnerability about her that tugged at something deep within me.
~ MRITYUNJAY (POV) ~
"v.. vo a.. aapki sh.. shirt (Y.. your sh.. shirt.)" She stammered, her voice barely audible. Panic flickered in her eyes as she struggled to keep the tears at bay.
"Hey, hey, it's just a shirt," I managed to soothe, my voice gentle. My hand found its way to her cheek, a clumsy attempt at comfort.
I'd never been good with people, but at this moment, all I wanted was to ease her distress.
"You give it to me, I'll clean it for you." She showed her hands to me for me to give her my shirt.
"Right now?" I asked, surprised by her offer.
"Ji, haan. (ah, yes.)" she replied, her voice a soft whisper. "No! no, come to my home I'll clean it there." She told me.
There is no way she knows who I am, otherwise she would have hid in her burrow the moment she saw me.
"Are you sure?" I asked her.
*Pika pee pika pee pikachu* what the hell is that?
Her eyes widened. She looked at me with puppy eyes. Looking more like a sad rabbit rather than a puppy.
"What happen?" I looked at her with serious eyes.
"Mobile pocket main hai. (Mobile is in the pocket.) will.. you please take it out." She asked in a soft voice.
How the hell do I always end up in such situations with her?
Why am I acting so timid around her, it never happened before, if it had been someone else even I don't know what would have happened.
Our eyes met in a silent challenge. She gestured towards her skirt, a silent plea for help. With a swift movement, I reached into the pocket she indicated, retrieving her phone, I showed it to her.
"Utha bhi dijiye na (Please pick up the call too)" She pleaded, her eyes wide with desperation. I sighed, resigned to my fate.
Picking up the call, I held the phone to her ear, the cool metal contrasting with the warmth of her skin.
"Ji mumma... (Yes, mumma.) Haan ho gaya hai... (Yes, it's all done.) Bus aati hu... (I am on my way.) Ok." She replied into the phone, her voice as smooth as velvet, it is also perfect just like her.
Midway through the conversation, her gaze met mine, a silent plea for understanding. She nodded subtly, indicating it was time to end the call.
"Ji aap yahaan thodi der rukenge, main hath dho loo phir chalte hai.... Aap chal rahe hai na? (Will, you stay here for a while, I will wash my hands and then we will leave.... You are coming with me, right?)" She asked, her voice soft yet assertive.
"Do whatever you want, I'm right here," I replied, I tried to sound indifferent.
"Okay," she replied, walking towards the bucket full of water. The afternoon sun casts long shadows as she washed her hands, a simple act filled with a quiet grace.
"Shall we?" she asked, her voice soft, a question hanging in the air.
"Aap aage aage hum peeche peeche. (Right behind you.)" I told her, hearing me she nodded.
~ ISHIKA (POV) ~
I was so startled to see him right behind me when I turned around, I know I was talking to the god about wanting to meet him but how the hell did he listened to me so soon?
And why do I always end up in such situations with him. What must he think of me.
My heart pounded in my chest as I turned to face him. His proximity was unnerving, his intensity captivating.
I couldn't look away, my gaze locked on his. There was an undeniable pull, a magnetic force that drew me closer.
I cannot get enough of him no matter how much I stare at him.
I really wanna know his name, should I just, ask him right now or not? 'Bhagwan ji puch loo kya? (God should I just ask him?)' I thought to myself, a surge of courage battling with a wave of shyness.
"A.. Aap ka naam Kya... (W.. What is your nam...)" I began, my voice barely a whisper, my heart pounding in my chest.
But before I could finish, a familiar voice interrupted me.
"Ishika Di! Ishika Di! Let me carry the tray," Rudransh's voice cut through my question, his eager hands reaching for the tray.
I handed it over, my mind still reeling from the interrupted question.
"Tujhe kyu bulaya tha? (Why did they call you?)" I asked Rudransh, my voice barely audible over the pounding in my ears.
My gaze involuntarily drifted back to the spot where the mysterious man is standing.
"Nothing much, just some groceries." Rudransh replied casually.
*Ring Ring*
Hearing his phone ring, I turned on my heels to look at the person whose name I still didn't know because of this stupid little brother of mine.
He was staring intently at me, his gaze unwavering and mesmerising, as if hypnotized.
His phone rang again, its insistent vibration breaking the spell. For a moment, he seemed oblivious to the interruption, his eyes still locked on mine.
"Your phone," I prompted softly, my voice barely a whisper.
"What?" he asked, still staring at me.
"It's ringing, your mobile phone," I pointed out, my voice barely audible, he has that effect on me. His intense gaze finally broke as he glanced down at the insistent vibration.
A flicker of irritation crossed his face before he answered the call.
"Ye kaun hai, Di? (who is he, Sis?)" Rudransh whispered, his voice filled with curiosity.
"Toone inhe abhi notice kiya. (You just noticed him.)" I retorted, a hint of amusement in my voice.
"I thought he was going to go the other way at some time," Rudransh muttered, his voice filled with a mix of curiosity and confusion.
"Ek minute inki ye durdasha kahi aapki mehrbani se toh nahi? Mujhe pata tha ek din aap hamari naak jarur katwainge. (Wait a minute, is this mess perhaps due to your kindness? I knew one day you would definitely get us into trouble.)" He said playfully.
"Chup kar chote, ghar chal teri durdasha inse bhi achchi karungi. (Shut up, little one, let's go home, I'll make your situation even worse.)" I wishpered into his ears threating him.
To Be Continued...