|ANURAG|

I caught a seat in the metro. Sana sat in between Aarav and me. We were finally headed home. The science museum visit was quite eventful. She kept chattering about everything that we did today and how excited she was to tell Mom and Dad about it. All the while she clutched the science kit that we had bought her to her chest like it was her most prized possession.

Just before coming on the metro, we had some food and little Miss demanded some ice cream. There was no way Aarav or I could have said no. Especially when she made those cute puppy eyes.

I ruffled her hair when she leaned her head against my arm. "Anurag Bhai! I like Priyanka Di. She's so sweet. What do you think about her?" She tilted her head and waited for me to answer.

"Yeah, Anurag! What did you think about Priyanka?" Aarav added with a smirk on his face. I gave him a blank look and glanced outside as the buildings passed us. "She seemed nice," I answered.

Sana squealed and nodded. "Yes, she's so nice. I want her to be my best friend." Sana declared and went back to discussing something else. I wanted to sigh in relief when she stopped talking about Priyanka.

Priyanka was different. She was so cheery and full of life. She barely reached my shoulders but her brown eyes were fierce yet soft and gleamed with love. When she entered a room it was as if she lit the room with her presence. I frowned shaking my head. This is the exact sort of thing that I needed to avoid. Why did it matter? It's not like I was going to meet or see her again.

I can't think about someone like this. Boxing came first and that's what mattered the most. Then why am I thinking about her? She had caught my attention, no other woman had ever caught my attention like she had.

I had one relationship and it was a disaster. Asha my former classmate and girlfriend wasn't happy with me. She wanted all my attention and wanted me to sideline boxing. She wanted me to claim her publicly and was constantly demanding physical touch. I wasn't comfortable with what she wanted. It didn't work out and since then I haven't been in a relationship.

To be honest I don't even consider that a relationship. I could never open up with her. She tried everything to get me to share things with her but I could never. Then one fine day she did not want to be with me anymore.

No hard feelings though. The break-up was mutual. I was relieved that I didn't have to deal with drama. Also relieved that I didn't have to deal with a hundred texts and phone calls in a day. Unlike Aarav who has dealt with some pretty intense drama in the past.

Priyanka was different. Everything about her was different. I snapped out of my thoughts when the announcement said that we were about to reach our destination. I can't get distracted. I have things that I need to focus on. I can't get sidetracked. Besides I don't think I could ever fall for someone. If I do then I would destroy them, and I would never drag someone else down that path.

Sana grabbed both our hands as we exited the train and walked onto the platform. Mom had texted us that she was waiting for us in Aarav's flat. So we went to his flat.

Most of the days Aarav and I crashed in each other's flats. We could have just lived together but we also wanted our own space that's the reason why we have two different flats.

"Mommy!!!" Sana squealed and hugged her tightly. "Look look! Anurag and Aarav Bhai bought me a science kit! We can build so many things with this!" She rushed towards Dad who was in the kitchen no doubt trying to make some weird dessert. His hobby is to recreate desserts and add his touch to them. Mom chuckled and greeted us each with a hug. I hesitated but hugged her.

I gulped when images flashed before my eyes. The scars burned. Memories that I did not want to deal with. I took deep breaths and counted backwards trying to control the anger and pain that was beginning to boil inside me.

"Hey, are you okay?" Aarav whispered standing next to me. Thankfully Mom's attention was now on Sana who was already ripping apart the box and had sprawled the items of the kit on the living room's floor.

"Yes, I'm fine." I fisted my hand tighter if that was possible. "I don't believe you," Aarav whispered discretely glancing at my fists.

I breathed through my nose and gritted my teeth. There was no point in hiding things from him. We could practically read each other's minds.

"It's nothing, I don't want to talk about it right now." I glanced at Mom to make sure she was occupied. I don't want to look at her guilty face. She will know that the hug triggered some unpleasant memories for me. She didn't deserve that from me. She deserved a better son.

Over the years I was able to get over these memories and my aversion for hugs. But once in a while, the memories and the pain surfaced back. That's when I wanted to destroy things. This is why I can never be in a normal relationship.

Aarav was about to say something when Dad made his appearance from the kitchen. "Hello, my boys!" He slapped our shoulders and we sat on the couch together.

"How's training going?" He passed some red-looking dessert. I'm guessing it's strawberry flavored or at least hoping it's some berry flavored. It looked like jelly but had a more solid texture to it. I held it in my hand and examined it.

"It's going good." Aarav and I answered together. "That's great! I'm so proud of you both. Now stop looking at it like that and eat it! It's a raspberry-flavored biscuit."

Aarav took a bite and gave a forceful smile. He shook his head and gulped down some water. I'm not going to try this dessert. I placed it back on the plate discretely when my Dad was distracted talking about his cute kid patient.

Sana noticed what I did and giggled loudly. I silently warned her to keep quiet. She placed her palms against her lips but couldn't stop laughing.

"Oh no! These aren't biscuits. Throw them out." Mom barged inside and placed some edible, tasty, and healthy snacks on the table.

"I told you not to serve them these! My kids will not be eating any of your so-called desserts." Dad glared at Mom and was about to argue but one look from her was enough to shut his mouth. Aarav and Sana laughed. I shook my head.

"Throw them away! They were pasty Ram! How can we possibly eat raw dessert? You didn't cook them enough!"

"I did! But you wanted the oven so you asked me to be quick. So I removed them a bit earlier than required. Which is technically your fault!" Dad argued but removed the plate from the table.

"Stop arguing like children!" Aarav said and helped mom in setting up the dining table. They rolled their eyes and that was the end of the discussion.

We ate dinner and spoke about some general things. Sana took the spotlight. She chatted about everything she was going to do at school this week and also how she couldn't wait to tell her friends about her science museum visit. Dad glanced at the wound on my forearm. I pulled the sleeves of my shirt to cover them and averted my gaze.

Once dinner was over he cornered me. I opened the balcony door, walked towards the railing, and glanced at the sky. "How are you, Anurag?" I sighed and tightened my grip around the railing. I hated whenever he asked me that question with that concerned tone. It made me feel like I had disappointed him.

"Good." I gritted out. "Are you still playing those underground matches?" He asked and glanced at the sky.

I sighed, I could never lie to him. Just like I could never lie to Aarav. "Yes, and if you are here to lecture me about its dangers much like Aarav does all the time then I refuse to be a part of this conversation."

Dad sighed and smiled at me slightly. "I'm not going to lecture you. I trust you to make the right decision. I am concerned, but you are strong and I know you will never disappoint me. You have never disappointed me. I want you to be careful that's all."

I sighed, no matter how many times he assured me that I always felt that I had disappointed him. I could never change my mind from thinking this way, no matter how many times he assured me. I shut my eyes for a few seconds and looked at the sky again. "You do know that he can never hurt you and Aarav anymore right? He's gone, Anurag. I know that he didn't get punished but god would never let go of someone who did such cruel things. Nature might have already punished him."

I scoffed, I had stopped believing in God a long time ago. "It's not for sure Dad. It's never for sure until I see it with my very own eyes." Dad sighed and patted my back lightly.

"It doesn't matter Anurag. Just let it go. It isn't worth holding on to." I know he's right but my conscience would never agree to that. Even now I can see and feel the anguish on Ma's face. The pain she felt. Her blood was everywhere. I won't rest until I know for sure that he'll be punished for what he did. He will be sent to the depths of hell.

"I'm trying," I replied. Dad nodded and patted my shoulder before leaving the balcony. An hour later Mom, Dad, and Sana said their goodbyes and went home.

Since we did not go to the National Sports Center today for our training. Aarav and I decided to practice some of our techniques at the apartment gym. It was almost 8 pm. The gym was usually empty at that time. It was a perfect time.

I decided to run on the treadmill for a few minutes, while Aarav went on to do some cycling. I did my warm-up and climbed on the treadmill. I began jogging, I usually listen to some music while I'm on the treadmill but today I wanted to focus on controlling my thoughts. It is usually a hit or a miss.

I channel all my thoughts toward all the practice techniques, the mistakes I have made, and how I should correct them. An image of my Ma lying in a pool of blood appeared. I ran faster. I need to control my thoughts. "Focus!" I heard Amit Sir's voice.

Ma's bloody face disappeared, instead her happy face flashed in my mind. I sucked in a breath. I miss her so much. I slowed down the speed. I jogged slowly cooling down my body. I slowly set the pace to a walking pace.

I saw someone stumble next to me and curse under their breath through my peripheral vision. "Ouch! Damn it!" I wiped the sweat from my forehead and neck with my hand towel. I frowned and turned toward the voice. A woman wearing a simple t-shirt and yoga pants was hunched over holding her ankle.

She placed her ankle slowly on the ground and glanced up. It was Priyanka. Her eyes widened when she recognized me. "Am I seeing things? Is my head injured because I stumbled across the machine? But it's my leg that hurts." She whispered. Did she ever realize that she was voicing out her thoughts? I had a sudden urge to smile, but I maintained a stoic expression.

What is she doing here? This is the third time I have run into her today. I knelt before her. "What happened?" I asked. Priyanka blinked her brown eyes several times again. As if she was making sure that I was there standing in front of her.

"I asked you something." I raised my brows and waited for her to reply.

She pinched herself and grimaced. "You are really here?" She whispered. I raised my brows. "Yes, I'm here. Now tell me what happened?"

She swallowed and fluttered her eyes again. "I think it's a slight twist."

"Sit on the edge of the treadmill." She nodded slowly and hopped a couple of steps on her right leg. With the help of the handle, she sat at the edge.

"Now stretch your leg," I instructed. She stretched her left leg. I held her ankle and she sucked in a breath. Heat radiated through my hand. I have never had this foreign feeling before.

I ignored the feeling and rotated her leg slightly. She grimaced and then there was a slight cracking sound and a tug. She sighed, I could already tell that she felt better.

A smile spread across her face. She nodded enthusiastically. "Thank you! It doesn't hurt anymore." I ignored her thank you.

I stood up and extended my hand to her. Why was I doing this? I should just walk away now. But my stupid involuntary mind was active. I was doing things that I wasn't supposed to do.

She held my palm and I pulled her on her feet. Her soft palm against mine felt sort of soothing. I frowned, what am I even thinking? I let go of her hand and turned to find Aarav and her friend I think her name was Nyra gaping at us.

My face was stoic as usual. Aarav raised his brows at me. I shrugged my shoulders, sipped my water, and walked toward the training room. What was the big fucking deal? I helped her what's so wrong about that?

I entered the training room and put on my boxing gloves. I began punching the bag. "Well, well, that was interesting." I heard Aarav's voice behind me.

I rolled my eyes and panted. "What? I just helped her."

"Really? You only helped her? Are you sure that's all it's with her? You were kind of sweet with her. I never seen you be so tender with anyone besides Sana." I sighed and stopped punching the bag to look at him.

"Seriously shut up Aarav. Or I don't have a problem punching you. Let me focus."

He ignored my commands and chuckled. "Anurag, do you like Priyanka?" What sort of a question was that? He knew I didn't do relationships. I did once and it was not nice. Therefore he knew that I wouldn't even think about anyone in such a way. Crushes, love, and all of those things didn't exist for me. They were just a hassle.

"What a stupid question. Will you shut up and start practicing?"

Instead, Aarav laughed loudly and shook his head. "At last, the day has arrived when the esteemed Anurag Khatri finds himself captivated by a woman. God bless this day. This day shall go in the history books."

I let out a sigh of frustration and stopped punching once again. "I'm not captivated by her. Shut up, Aarav! Get practice!"

Aarav chuckled again and shook his head. He raised his arms in the air and walked to wear his gloves. "Denial won't get you anywhere. Also, I'm your twin. Did you forget that? I can practically read you. Even though you try to shadow your feelings behind that stupid wall you have built."

"Whatever," I muttered, and we continued practicing. Aarav was just bluffing and teasing me like he always does. I'm not affected by her in any way and I'll show him that.

"Are you sure about that?" Something inside me voiced out. I frowned and punched the bag harder. Fuck you! I screamed at my subconscious mind.

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A/N: Ahem! What do we have here? Another interaction between Anurag and Priyanka hehe. Do you think Anurag will acknowledge his feelings for Priyanka soon?

I'm loving these moments between them!

How are you guys liking them so farr?? Do tell me?

Hope you liked this chapter! If you did please do vote and comment I would love to know what you guys think!