"Because this is the only place I can be with you. In my dreams. In the places between my imagination."

∞ ∞ ∞

CHAPTER TWO

THE ANTICIPATION

∞ ∞ ∞

RUDRA SHAH HAD JUST finished his nightshift. He had been in the ER for the past twenty-four hours. To say he was tired would be an understatement. He was exhausted. These days, he didn't know when he woke up or when he fell asleep. Life seemed to have taken a grey turn- he always running to get somewhere, anywhere. To save a life or attempt not to lose another. Tossing the whitecoat on his arm, he strode to the doctor lounge- hoping to catch a quick snack before heading out.

He was stopped by a fellow resident, Jacob Chen raced towards him. The dark haired man was rarely ever this excited. "Rudra, yo- have you seen new salesrep for Sunlit pharmaceutical. I swear she's just as lit as sunlight."

"Really now? Where is she?"

Jacob pointed to the main desk- where indeed a brunette beauty stood in a dark, velvet coat and tight skirt. Long strands of hair curled around her narrow waist. She stood with a clipboard and few files- waiting for the doctors.

Rudra swore under his breath. "Hot damn."

"Exactly. She's taking me out for lunch to discuss the benefits of their new anti-inflammatory drug. Wanna join?"

He checked his watch. It was close to three o'clock in the afternoon and he was absolutely famished. Casting one last look at the salesrep, he nodded. "Absolutely."

"Your girlfriend won't mind, right?"

At this thought, Rudra stopped. For a second, he thought of Adhira- her dark black hair and dusky skin. He didn't think much- his mind was too tired to think of their old memories. She wouldn't mind. Of-course, she wouldn't. It was only lunch, right?

"Nah, we'll be fine."

"But still- "Jacob suddenly hesitant- thinking of the lovely, kind Indian girl he had met few times before- how kindly she had helped his mother find him in the hospital. "You should atleast text her about it."

Irritated, Rudra ran a hand through his hair. "Dr. Chen, why do you care? It's not like she's your girlfriend."

"I wish she were though." He patted his back. "She's the type of beauty that doesn't fade over time."

At this, Rudra didn't respond. He simply shrugged his shoulders.

"I'll be in the car with the salesrep. Don't take too long." Jacob rushed back to the woman, leaving a numb Rudra. He didn't even know what he was doing anymore.

The feelings for Adhira seemed to be fading in his heart.

∞ ∞ ∞

ADHIRA STOOD INFRONT of the floor length mirror, admiring the beautiful Indian craftsmanship. The skirt was adorned with a peacock design- the embroidery went till her waist and fluttered near her toes. The blues, greens sparkled in the bathroom's light.

Her blouse was gold- weaved with silver thread at the sleeves and the scarf was a light white color and see-through, a perfectly pearly pink.

The waist high skirt was slightly tight near the stomach region. This was a custom made dress she had specially gotten made for the celebration tonight- it was too late for alterations at this point.

"Miss, how do you like the dress?" The designer spoke in her politest voice. She stood at the door- a measuring tape in her hand.

"It's breathtaking." Adhira answered when she found the voice. She would simply skip lunch today- that should make her bloated belly go away and make the skirt fit perfectly.

"Not as much as you are miss."

Adhira beamed at her. "I hope he likes it."

∞ ∞ ∞

"Aren't you gonna eat anything?" Clara asked Adhira who sat opposite to her, sipping on her iced tea.

Adhira shook her head. They were sitting in a comfy Mexican food joint. More than her research partner, Clara had become a friend. It was hard to make friends in university- especially for someone as naïve as Adhira. When she usually thought people were her genuine friends, they were just using her to get assignments done. She had given up on friends and stuck to being alone. That is until Clara came along, she broke all her walls without even trying to. She was honest and blunt.

And it was exactly what she needed.

"I'm not hungry. I had a big lunch."

"Liar." Clara watched her through narrowed eyes. "Let me guess, the dress was too tight."

"You know me too well." She smiled sheepishly.

Clara felt scared for Adhira. She loved Rudra so much. At times- it made her wonder what if her fears became a reality- how would Adhira cope. Did Adhira have the strength in her to deal with something like that? Clara didn't think so. She prayed with all her might that her fears never became a reality. Because Adhira was at a really fragile stage in life right now, the slightest blow might shatter her completely.

"Anyways, Clara- how are your tinder dates coming along?"

It was a poorly disguised attempt of changing the topic. "It's bleh - the guys usually are looking for an easy hook-up."

"Yikes. Haven't found any keepers yet?"

"Nope."

Adhira's phone buzzed- instantly there was a glow on her face Clara noted, her skin radiated pure happiness. It only meant one thing- Rudra had texted her.

Adhira bit her lower lip to contain the smile. Long, thick strands of hair curled around her heart-shaped face as her eyes scanned the contents of the text.

Rudra: Kapoor, I'm out with friends for lunch. Just wanted to remind you- be ready by six. I'll be picking you up for the celebration.

She still got butterflies every time she heard from him. It was silly how a small text could light a storm inside her. God, times like these made her feel worse than heroines of young adult novels her little sister read.

She quickly typed in a reply.

Adhira: I'll be ready by six. I can't wait to see you!

Rudra: Same. Am I still wearing black and gold?

Adhira: Yes, (:

Rudra: Great

Adhira: I love you <3

The wait was longer than she had expected. She could feel her hands getting slightly clammy. It was usually Rudra who said I love you first. This time she had said it first instead. She wondered if that had thrown him off.

Rudra: You know that I love you too. x.

It was all he needed to say and all of Adhira's fears vanished into thin air. She couldn't wait for tonight to see him. The anticipation was killing her. Stifling her smile, she took another sip of the watery iced tea.

Just Re-reading these chapters bring back so many memories. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. It's so sad that we only have 100 reads on this story so far but I am very thankful for all the support. (I read all the comments in the last couple of chapters... you guys are so sweet, what did I do to deserve such faithful readers :') )  BTW How cool are wattpad stars? have you guys heard of the wattpad stars program? Omg, it'd be a dream to become one. Also, I have added crash to Romance genre. I don't really have any hope of it ranking or anything. XD It's just something I wanted to do. Hope everyone is doing well, much love <3