"No, no, no Prachi. Not like that. You are not doing it correctly." Sahana sighed in exasperation as yet again Prachi tottered like a toddler on the high heels and grabbed the bedpost to steady herself.

Irritated, Prachi turned to her with a deadly glare.

"Really! If it's so easy then you do it. Come on. Show me your moves, Sahana the supermodel." Prachi frowned at her best friend.

"Prachi, the bookworm, it's not me who is going to participate in that fashion show and compete against that wicked witch of the west. So, I am not the one who should balance myself on these high heels. How are you going to walk on the ramp if you can't retain balance on high heels?" Sahana placed her hands on her hips and looked at Prachi impatiently.

"Hi girls, what are you fighting about?" Ranbir inquired as he and Aryan sauntered into Prachi and Sahana's room.

"Balance" Both Prachi and Sahana said simultaneously, then looked at each other, surprised.

"Balance?" Perplexed, Ranbir looked at Prachi.

"I won't be able to do this, Ranbir. I can't even balance myself on these stupid high heels. I have never done this before. How can I even walk on the ramp without tripping over? I am so clumsy." Prachi grimaced.

She took off the high heels and threw them in a corner. Stomping off to the bed, she sat down on it. She was looking so disappointed with herself and utterly adorable too.

Smiling, Ranbir walked over to her and knelt down in front of her. He took her hands in his and looked up. Prachi too looked down.

"Hey, calm down, chikchiki. You are not clumsy at all. In fact, you are naturally graceful. However, when we do something for the very first time in our life, we may not be able to do it perfectly. But if you give up trying, how can you overcome the difficulties and win over them? So, we should never give up. Right?" Ranbir smiled at her reassuringly.

"Right." Prachi smiled back at him.

"Come. Let's start again. No fear when Ranbir Kohli is here." Ranbir got to his feet and pulled his collars up with a smirk.

Giggling, Prachi too got to her feets and followed him back to the middle of the room.

"How adorable they look together! Isn't it, Aryan?" Sahana beamed at Aryan

"They look just perfect together." Aryan nodded with a smile.

Prachi had taken a step towards the high heels when Ranbir stopped her. Prachi looked at him quizzically.

"Prachi why don't you start practicing balance with books first. After you have mastered it, you can easily carry yourself on high heels." Ranbir suggested.

"Okay. What do I have to do?" Prachi stared at Ranbir, her eyes were ablaze with innocent hope.

She was looking so adorable that Ranbir felt like kissing her. He blinked and then shook his head to shake off the wayward thought.

Focus, Ranbir, focus.

Ranbir berated himself wordlessly.

"Ranbir? What happened?" Prachi was looking at him quizzically.

"Uh...nothing. I was just thinking. I will keep some books on your head and you will have to walk without dropping any of them. Ok?" Ranbir covered up his momentary lapse in attention.

"But Ranbir, it's not good to drop books. It's like disrespecting Goddess Saraswati." Prachi looked at him innocently.

Chuckling, Sahana walked over to Prachi and pulled her cheek.

"Olelele! My cute, little baby!" Sahana laughed.

However, her laughter soon turned into groan as Prachi twisted her ear.

"Still think I am a baby?" Prachi glared at Sahana.

"No, no, you are my grandmother. Now leave my ear, Prachi. It's hurting." Sahana pleaded.

"What did you say? Seems like it's not hurting enough." Prachi twisted Sahana's ear a bit more.

"Ranbir! Aryan! Save me! Please!" Sahana whined.

Laughing, Ranbir and Aryan walked over to the fighting besties. Ranbir disentangled Prachi's fingers from Sahana's ear while Aryan pulled Sahana away.

"Now if you are done fighting, let's get back to work." Ranbir urged.

Walking over to Prachi's study table, Ranbir picked up two books. Then he walked back to Prachi and placed the books on her head.

"But Ranbir, will this work?" Prachi was still doubtful.

"Of course it will. I am surer of it now." Ranbir smiled confidently.

"Why?" Prachi looked at Ranbir, bemused.

"Because you believe it's disrespectful to Goddess Saraswati if we drop books. So, you will try your best not to do so. And thus our work will be done." Ranbir smirked.

"Not bad. Not bad at all. You really are intelligent." Prachi smiled at him.

Her compliment made him grin happily.

"It's because of your company, Prachi. As they say intelligent company can induce intelligence in dumb people too. You know." Aryan nodded wisely and then jumped out of Ranbir's reach, chuckling.

Soon, Prachi began practicing balance with books. However, she was afraid of falling and couldn't take a few steps before placing her hands on the books.

Sahana sighed exasperatedly. Even Aryan wondered how Prachi was going to win the competition if she can't manage her balance.

Ranbir was the only one who realized that she was afraid of falling and dropping the books and that this fear had to go before she could concentrate on her balance.

"Prachi, stop." Ranbir walked over to her.

"Prachi, you don't need to be afraid of falling or dropping the books as I am here and will always be there to save you from every fall. Do you trust me? Do you trust that I will protect you?" Ranbir's steady gaze met Prachi's eyes.

"Yes. I do." Prachi looked at him, there was immense trust in her eyes for him.

"Then leave the worry on me and concentrate on the task at hand. I am beside you in every step that you will take." Ranbir smiled.

Prachi knew he didn't mean just then. She knew it was a lifelong vow that he had taken, a lifelong commitment that he had made. She nodded as she knew he would never let her down.

This time when she walked without worry and full concentration, she succeeded in maintaining her balance. His words and her faith on them worked  their magic.

Sahana and Aryan cheered at her success. Prachi grinned happily and turned to Ranbir.

His silent smile of exhilaration was more than enough reward for her for the efforts she had put in the conquest of her weakness.

He walked over to where the high heels were lying abandoned on the ground and picking them up, walked back to her.

He placed them in front of her and extended a hand towards her. She placed her hand on him and wore the sandals.

When she began to walk, he still didn't let go of her hand. Only after she had gained enough confidence, he slowly left her hand and this time she didn't totter. She walked gracefully.

Finally, Prachi had managed to do what had appeared to be an insurmountable task till then with the help and encouragement of her love.

"Ranbir is a miracle worker." Sahana gushed.

"It's his love for her and her faith in that love that worked the miracle." Aryan remarked, staring at the couple who had always been there for each other in all difficulties and would always be.

"Love is wonderful, isn't it?" Sahana turned to look at Aryan.

"Yes, it is." Aryan looked back at her.

For the first time they felt a strange connection, strange bond. And for the first time they lost themselves in each other's eyes.

Someone's voice brought them out of theirreverie. They turned towards the source of the voice. 

Let's end it here. ;)

I am back with cliffhangers. LOL

Now, who is this person whose voice brought Arhana out of their trance? Socho socho ;)

I have written in a hurry guys. So, don't know how the part has turned out. Tell me if you like it or not. Waiting eagerly for your feedbacks. 

P.S – I am so sorry buddies, I didn't get time to reply to your comments. I will reply tonight. And thank you so much for voting and commenting on the previous part. It means so much to me. :)