||Anya||

I woke up next morning to find Shubman sleeping beside in sitting position with palm placed on my forehead. He must not have been able to sleep whole night which made me feel guilty.

I carefully removed his hand from my forehead and got out of the bed.

"Shub" I said shaking him lightly. He woke up at once.

"Hmm?" He said not opening his eyes.

"Lie down. I'm going downstairs, you can sleep properly" I said. He just hummed and laid on the bed. I moved to the washroom after this and took a bath and wore a floral one piece which Myra lent me along with the one piece I wore last night.

I came out of the washroom and Shubman was sleeping peacefully on the bed. I took a bedsheet and covered him with it and closed the door with utmost silence and went downstairs.

"Good morning" Riya smiled at me.

"Good morning Riya" I smiled back.

"Thank God you're up, varna akele breakfast banana padta" she laughs.

"Myra kahan hai?" I asked.

"She's still sleeping" she said.

"Okay, so breakfast me kya bana rahe hum?" I ask her.

"Sandwiches" she replied.

"What should I do?" I ask.

"Potatoes vaha rakhe hai please boil kardo, tab tak I'll cut the vegetables" she instructed. I did what she said and meanwhile she chopped the vegetables. After the potatoes were properly boiled I took them out and placed them in a bowl.

"Abhay kahan hai?" I asked her while smashing the potatoes.

"Vo bhi so raha hai. What about Shub?" She asked me.

"He is also sleeping" I tell her. "I wanted to ask something" I added.

"Pucho" she said.

"Are you guys fine with me?" I asked nervously.

"What do you mean?" She asked confused.

"Am I like an intruder in your group? Shub won't tell me I know that's why I wanted to ask you" I said. Riya stopped her work and came to me and kept her hands on my shoulders.

"You're not. We're a family, you're with Shub which means you too are a part of this family" she said.

"Thanks" I smiled.

"What made you ask this? Didn't we treat you well?" She asked. "I'm sorry if we didn't" she added making an apologetic face.

"Nooo, it's not like that. I'm sorry I shouldn't have asked this, I really-"

"It's okay, chill" she cuts me off.

"Hey guys" I heard Myra.

"Good morning Myra" I wished her.

"Good morning Anya, what're you guys doing?" She asked.

"Preparing breakfast" Riya replied.

"Looks like you're almost done" Myra said.

"Almost, upar jaakr Abhay, Shub and Manjot ko utha do na. Hum tab tak breakfast table par laga denge" Riya told her.

"Sure" Myra said and went.

Riya and I started placing the breakfast on the table. We finished arranging it and soon after everyone arrived.

"Good morning baby" Abhay said kissing Riya's forehead.

"Subah subah shuru ho gaye" Manjot facepalms himself looking at them.

"Toh mat dekh na hume" Abhay frowned.

"Tum dono ka kuch nhi ho sakta" Shubman laughs at them.

"Let's have breakfast guys" Myra announced. Everyone sat at the table, Shubman and Abhay on my either sides, Riya beside Abhay followed by Manjot and Myra. Myra was sitting beside Shubman.

Since all of us slept late last night, all of us were still tired and barely talked during breakfast. All of us cleaned the table after breakfast and assembled in the hall.

"Chalte hai ab. Hamari practice hai and girls have to go to work" Abhay states.

"Right" Myra said.

"Let's go then" Riya said and all of us walked out of the house. Abhay locked the main door and the six of us went to the three cars we came in. We hugged each other before getting inside the car. Manjot and Myra went in his car, Abhay and Riya in Abhay's and, Shubman and I went to his car.

"I'm tired" Shubman yawned putting on his seatbelt.

"Shall I drive?" I offered.

"Are you sure?" He asked.

"I'm a fine driver" I state.

"Okay then" he said and we exchanged seats. I put on the seatbelt and started driving.

"Wake me up when we reach" he said leaning against the window and closed his eyes.

"Sure" I replied.

After a twenty minute drive I stopped the car in front of my house.

"Shub" I called shaking him a bit.

"Pohanch gaye?" He asked rubbing his eyes.

"Haan" I answered. We got out of the car and Shubman accompanied me till the the main gate.

"Should I come inside?" He asked.

"You don't have to, you can go home and sleep. I know you're tired" I said. I could figure it out from his slumped shoulders and heaviness in his eyes.

"I'll see you later then, bye" he said giving me a side hug.

"Bye" I said hugging him back.

We pulled apart and he went to his car after that. I went inside my house and ran upstairs 'cause I was getting late for office. I quickly changed my outfit and ran downstairs. I grabbed my keys and went to my car and drove to the office.

I went to my desk after reaching the office and started working on my laptop. It's going to be a hell tiring day!
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Office hours are over and finally I can go home now! I packed all my stuff and headed back home. Upon reaching home I found everyone sitting on the table waiting for me. They bombarded me with hell lot of questions about the stay at Abhay's farmhouse but I told them that I was tired and will answer them tomorrow morning. I finished dinner earlier than I usually do and went upstairs to my room. I immediately laid on my bed and drifted off to sleep.
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I was sleeping peacefully on my bed when suddenly a voice woke me up. I sat up on the bed and heard the sound again. It didn't come from the door but from the window instead. It's around midnight and I wondered who came at this hour. It was scary but I still got off and went towards it.

Whoever the person is, was knocking repeatedly. I was slowly taking off the curtains.

"Anya jaldi!" I heard a whisper and I immediately opened the curtains to reveal Shubman standing outside. Okay what the hell is he doing here right now?

"Shub? Tum yahan kya kar rahe ho?" I asked opening the window.

"Pehle andar toh aane do" he said and I realised he actually climbed up through the pipes. I immediately pulled him inside.

"Shub what is this? Tum main door se bhi aa sakte the" I said.

"Raat ke 12 baj rahe hai, ajeeb nhi lagta?" He said. He's right.

"Hmm. What brings you here at 12am?" I ask him.

"Chalo ghoomne chalte hai" he said.

"What?! Shub raat ke 12 baj rahe hai" I said.

"Kaha likha hai raat ke 12 baje ghoomne nhi ja sakte?" He laughs while asking.

"Itni raat ko kaha par?" I ask.

"Pehle chalo toh" he said taking my hand.

"Wait" I stopped him. "Agar ghar par kisiko ko pata chal gaya toh?" I ask in fear.

"Toh? Apne kisi loafer boyfriend ke saath nhi bhaag rahi tum. To be husband hu tumhara jise tumhare Dad ne choose kiya hai. Kuch nhi hoga" he giggles.

"But still" I said.

"Tum bohat boring ho" he rolls his eyes.

"I'm not!" I spat at him.

"Phir chalo mere saath" he said.

"Acha theek hai. Let's go" I said grabbing my hoodie. I was approaching towards the door but Shubman stopped me.

"Vahan kahan ja rahi ho?" He asked confused.

"Niche. Main door se baahar jayenge" I said.

"Tum pagal ho? Kisine dekh liya toh?" He asked.

"Abhi tum hi bol rahe the 'to be husband' and all, ab kya hua?" I asked.

"Tumhare Dad ne agar galti se mere Dad ko bata diya na ki mai tumhe raat ke 12 baje ghoomane lekar ja raha hu toh vo mujhe ghar se bahar phek denge" he said and I couldn't control my laughter.

"Aaj bhi apne Dad se darte ho?" I laugh at him.

"Dekho age kuch bhi ho, Dad toh Dad hi hote hai" he giggles.

"Toh aisa risk le kyun rahe ho?" I ask him.

"Life me adventure bhi hona chahiye na" he smirks.

"Bilkul" I laugh. "But jaaye kaise?" I ask him.

"Jaise mai aaya tha, pipe se" he said casually and I looked at him in shock. How will I do this?

"Tum mazak kar rahe ho na?" I ask in disbelief.

"Ye koi mazak karne ka time hai jo mazak karunga" he said.

"Mai pipe se nhi utar sakti, mujhe nhi aata" I said.

"Jaise mai toh Delhi me circus chalata hu" he said sarcastically and I rolled my eyes. "Mujhe bhi nhi aata par phir bhi aaya na, tum bhi kar sakti ho" he added.

"Par kaise?" I asked​.

"Samjho tumhara adventure shuru" he smirks and takes my hand.

He stood at the window and then held the pipe. He slid a little down after this.

"Chalo tum bhi aao" he said extending his hand.

"Mai gir gayi toh" I said in fear.

"Kitni darpok ho yaar" he rolls his eyes.

"Mai darpok nhi hu" I protest.

"Nhi girogi yaar. You're above me and don't worry I won't let you fall" he assured me. He did sound convincing so I took his hand and got on the pipe. He started climbing down the pipe and I did the same. It was scary and I was petrified but somehow managed to reach the ground.

"Maza aaya?" He giggles looking at my terrified state.

"Bilkul nhi! I'm​ never doing this again" I said.

"You need to climb up when we come back so you need to do this again" he laughs.

"Shit" I facepalm myself.

"Don't worry I'll help" he assured me and I just hummed in response.

"Let's go" he said. We started walking on the streets of my locality and had some random chats in between. The streets were empty and almost all the shops were closed. Shubman was walking like a free bird maybe 'cause it's the only time he gets to walk around freely as during daytime the roads are crowded and people will easily recognise him. He wasn't wearing his cap and goggles so he looked less weird today.

"Hum kahan ja rahe hai?" I ask him.

"Panipuri khane" he replied.

"Tumhe panipuri khana allowed hai?" I asked.

"Nhi hai isiliye toh chupkar aaya hu" he giggles.

"Roz aate ho?" I asked.

"Nhi, koi bhi series start hone se pehle aata hu hamesha" he replied.

"Kiske saath?" I asked 'cause I know he'll never roam in the streets like this alone at this hour.

"Mostly Abhay" he replied.

"Toh aaj mere saath kyun?" I asked curiously.

"Kyunki aaj vo apni Juliet ke saath busy hai" he laughs and I laughed along with him.

"Pohanch gye" he said pointing at a stall.

"Vo tumhe pehchaan lenge toh?" I asked.

"Arey he knows me and don't worry kisiko pata nhi chalega. Maine pehle se setting kar rakhi hai" he winked at me.

"Bohat smart ho" I say sarcastically.

"Vo toh mai hoon" he laughs. We went to him and he handed us two leaf plates and started us serving us panipuris. I ate the first one and damn! It was delicious. Shubman has a great taste I must say.

"This is so yummy Shub! I have never had such delicious panipuri in Delhi" I say.

"Thanks" he smiled. "And don't start eating like a monstress now" he teases me.

"Shut up" I laugh hitting his shoulder lightly. We had few more panipuris after which Shubman paid him the money and we started walking on our way back.

"Maza aaya?" He asked while walking.

"Bohat" I smiled.

"Kal free ho kya tum?" He asked.

"Phirse koi plan hai kya?" I ask.

"Pehle batao ho ya nhi" he said.

"Haan hoon" I replied.

"Great! Kal mai tumhe apne ghar lekar chalunga" he squealed happily.

"What?! Nooo!" I almost yell.

"Par kyun?" He asked in confusion.

"Vahan tumhari family hogi" I answered.

"So?" He asked. "I'm not ready" I tell him.

"Nervous?" he asked​ and I hummed.

"They won't eat you" he laughs and I glare at him.

"They love you Anya" he says wrapping his right arm around my shoulders.

"Okay" I reply in a 'not so sure' voice.

"I'll pick you up at 10am tomorrow. Okay?" He asks.

"Yeah" I reply. I'm already nervous about tomorrow. I know they like me 'cause if they didn't, they would have never asked me and Shubman to meet. I was just praying for everything to go well tomorrow.

We walked back to my house and slowly opened the main gate and slid inside. Luckily no one in the neighbourhood was awake and they didn't see both of us sneak outside.

"Ready girl?" Shubman asks pointing at the pipe. I managed to climb down the pipe but to climb up is going to be really tough.

"Koi aur tareeka nhi hai?" I ask him.

"Tumse nhi hoga?" He asks me. I shook my head in negation. I'm not some athlete like Shubman, it's still easy for him but for me it's like climbing a mountain.

"Please Shub" I say with pleading eyes.

"Acha theek hai let me find another way" he said and started looking around probably searching for a ladder. He went to the boundary wall of my house and started sneaking at my neighbour's garden.

"Anya!" He called out. "Idhar aao" he said. I went to him and asked what happened.

"Look it's a ladder there" he said pointing at a ladder in my neighbour's house.

"But hum layenge kaise?" I ask him.

"I'll jump to the other side. Just make sure no one sees me" he tells me.

"Are you sure?" I ask. "Yes" he said and went a little back. He came sprinting towards the wall and jumped to the other.

"Careful Shubman!" I whisper yell in concern.

"I'm fine" he replied from the other side. Honestly I was really impressed by his physical skills.

He picked up the ladder with utmost silence and passed it to me. He again jumped over and came to our side. He carried the ladder and placed it near my window.

"Mai niche se ladder pakadta hun, tum upar jao" he instructed.

"Okay" I said climbing up the ladder and reached my room. I waved at him to indicate that I reached and he can remove the ladder now. He removed the ladder and kept it back from where he took it.

"Done" he said in a low voice looking up.

"You going now?" I asked slowly. He shook his head in affirmation.

"Bye, tomorrow 10am" he mouthed.

"Sure, bye" I smiled. He gave a big grin and left after this. I went to my bed smiling to myself thinking about him and felt asleep soon.

Sorry for the late update!