SAANCHI
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I was praying in my heart when he said
'Awww my princess! I am so proud of you! But remember no playing with strangers!!!' he said sweetly when it pricked me yet another time.

'But teddy is my friend!!! She is also out neighbour na Pa!!!' she said with a cute pout.

She's an angel!!!

'Not everyone is good Kayu! And we are not supposed to be friends with everybody!!!'. It hurt again.

'But Pa...teddy is nice!!! And above all she played with me unlike Cynthia Di' she said innocently earning a glare from their househelp. But I was glad she spoke up. It wasn't right for their househelp to ignore a four year old.

'Cynthia!!! I expect you to play with Kayu from tomorrow onwards and also not let her play with random strangers. I don't like it!!!' he said with a firm tone and I bit insides of my mouth. I was getting angry.

'That is what I was explaining this lady Praji (brother). But she sounded like she knows you!!!' she said and that's when Nischay said

'No I don't know her!!! So next time onwards careful!!!' saying he hugged Kyra closer and walked upstairs. Their househelp smirked at me and left from there.

I was humiliated but above all I was hurt. That's it! I had decided to never interfere into his personal space again but then my eyes fell on the ball I held in my hands. It belonged to Kyra.

This kid! I don't know why she is pulling me towards her like a magnet.

✨

I couldn't stop thinking about the time I spent with Kyra not even when I was having my dinner.

'You really love kids don't you?' Riya Pacchi asked and I looked at her with an questionable expression.

'I saw you playing with Nishchay's daughter. You looked so happy. I just so can't wait to see you marry and have your own miniature versions Gondi (sweetie)!!!' she said and I rolled my eyes.

'Pacchi please!!! You really think a lot'

'No I don't and you also shouldn't and must simply meet up Karry. Mrs Lota said he will be coming home before Diwali. So I have invited him to our apartment Diwali party.' she said and I gulped.

'Here???' and she smiled nodding her head.

'Pacchi please.. I really need some time more... the mother is so annoying...I don't have much hope from son you see!' I said and she chuckled.

'Mrs Lota is a little over the top about her son but I heard Karry is a nice guy! You really must meet him atleast once baby!!!' Pacchi said and I nodded a ok.

Just then the calling bell rang and I opened the door only to almost have my jaws hitting the ground. Nishchay was standing at the door. I kept blinking while he cleared his throat saying

'I have an appointment with Riya Mam!!!' and I was shocked

'Appp... appointment? Now???' and he simply showed me a message from Bindia and I nodded.

'May I?' he asked and I nodded.

He walked inside the apartment and while closing the door. His proximity made me nervous. His musk fragrance hit my nose hard. That cinammon spicy cologne. Damn!!! I gulped gripping the knob of the door almost whitening my knuckles. This man affects me like a fucking drug.

✨

'I am extremely sorry Mam!!! I didn't know you were having dinner. I wi-'

Before he could complete his statement my Pacchi said

'Nishchay you don't need to be so formal! Relax!!! And who's mam here...call me aunty!!! And sit down... I have made your favourite Paneer Makhni .. remember when you both were teens you both almost use to tear each other apart for my Paneer Makhni and my Butter Kulcha!!!' she reminded and I felt his strong gaze on me and said

'I don't eat Paneer Makhni now aunty...It is too fattening!!!' and I was pissed.

'Well atleast it is better than people having cigarettes early in the morning in their balcony!!!' I spoke up rolling my eyes earning a deadly glare from him.

I didn't care. I would see him smoking 4-5 cigarettes everyday early in the morning in the balcony while he read his newspaper while here I would do my yoga. Imagine what a start to the day!!!

'Well aunty... Atleast it helps me relieve my stress...face my responsibilities!!! unlike people who run away from responsibilities!!!' he taunted and I had enough of it.

I did not run away. I just left so I didn't step over his happiness but he...he simply blames without knowing.

'Well...People must know they are not the only responsibility I have aunty and no I didn't run away. It was a decision for my career. I had got an opportunity for higher studies with the best hospital in Sydney how would I let go!!!' I shouted

'Well people open their mouths! Tell! And don't run away like loosers!!!' he said and I shot him a direct glare.

'I didn't run away Nishchay! You must know that I also had a life of my own!!!"

'You only had your own life Saanchi. So you know what just let it be!!!'

'Why is it always about you Nishchay??? You know Sudeshna didn't like me attend your marriage. So be happy. I wasn't there!!!"

'But I wanted you...then...later ..but you weren't th-'

'Guys!!!! Stop!!!' pacchi interrupted us both.

'This is my house and you both can either behave like civilized educated individuals if not I will kick you both out from here. Silently. Eat your dinner.'

She said leaving us both numb.

✨

'Thank you aunty!!! I will send over the papers tomorrow' he said and Pacchi smiled as she approved to hire new folks.

'And I am sorry for my misbehaviour with you and your neice!' he said and Pacchi raised an eyebrow saying

'My neice is first your friend Nishchay. Sooner you understand this logic is better for you both!!!' saying aunty went to her room to sleep while Nishchay shot me a death glare and left from there while I tried but couldn't stop myself

'Nishchay!!!' I called out but he didn't stop.

'Its about Kyra!!! Please' I said and his steps haulted.

'Cynthia doesnt give Kyra the required time and attention. I think you mus-'

'Stay away from my daughter and my life!' he gritted his teeth.

'But Nishcha-'

And before I could complete in one go he held my neck and I was slammed against the wall. His hot breath fanned my lips. His strong grip on my neck. His body almost pressed to mine. We both were heavily breathing into each other's face.

To others it may look romantic but all I could see in his eyes were rage and anger.

'Stay away from my daughter!!! And me!!!' he said boring his brown ones into my black ones. Mixed breaths scanning each other's eyes and lips suddenly made him realise he was too close to me and within the next second he barges out of the house.

The entire night I couldn't sleep but the next day morning to my surprise I didn't find him smoking in his balcony. A strange happiness warmed my heart.

Did he care??? Or was I too hopeful???

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I went to my apartment terrace to feel fresh wind. It was one of those days when I had no much of cases and I decided to have some fresh air. I looked around the terrace. So many memories this place had. I climbed the tank and decided to sit there when I saw Nishchay's daughter with a toy but what I saw next made me ball my fists.

The kid was hugging her soft toy when the househelp was threatening to slap her. The little baby was shaking and the witch was shouting and threatening her and my anger was on cloud nine.

I walked downstairs trying to listen what she was telling her ...

'You will complaint to your Pa about me? I will push you down from here!!! Should I??? Should I??? Why do you irritate me so much...can't you eat what I made??? Stupid girl!!! Ugly kid!!!'

'But I don't know how to eat noodles Di...Pa says kids don't eat that' she said innocently

'Your Pa is mad! Eat what I made. One day eating Maggi won't kill you.' she said and my anger was boiling up.

'But I want mango!!!' she said and she pinched her arm asking 'Want more??? Huhhh???' while the kid was crying and shaking in fear. And that's when it started to rain heavily. I couldn't see anymore and in one go I faced her and pushed her away. I wanted to slap her. But Kyra was too small. I didn't want her to see all that.

But next second Kyra hugged me tightly. The little child was shaking in fear. I pulled her into my chest and tried to warm her up but that's when I heard Nishchay's voice

'What the hell? What is happening here???'

And that's when the bitch changed her colors like a chamelion.

'Praji (brother).. this woman is trying to purposely spend time with Kyra baby...Kyra baby doesn't wanna come with me now. I don't know what this lady has taught her but now she doesn't want to be with me. She is jealous of me Praji (brother).' she said and I was shocked.

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Prologue

Rains...They bring so many memories...So many feelings alive!!!

It's like a box of emotions that was hidden deep inside your chest opens up. And you don't really know if you should embrace it or ignore it. Mix of bitter sweet emotions.

My eyes filled went moist just at the thought of how much things had changed. It was the same apartment where I spent the best and the worst time together. With whom I went to college, had my first of every memory...

From first fight to first kiss...
From first crush to first heartbreak...

This place had so many memories....

My legs literally shivered as I silently walked towards my balcony and spread my arms taking in the rains on my already wet white dripping Kurta.

I had sinus issues. I avoided getting wet in rain although I loved it so much. I knew this was foolish, Iam a doctor and I knew tomorrow I will end up sneezing during the society meeting but I didn't care a bit. I wanted to relax as my body was still shuddering under his touches. His words echoed again and again in my ears...

'Why are you here now??? Don't interfere in my personal space!!! My life...my habits...my daughter are all my headache! So it's simple...

1. Stay away from me
2. Stay away from Kyra!!! That's the most important!!!'

'But ...I wasn't...it's just that she was cryi...'

'I don't care she was crying...shouting or howling in pain... I don't want you anywhere around my daughter! Did you that Dr Sanchi Prabhu???' he yelled into my face.

'But Nischay...she wwww'

And before I could speak another word he had pinned me to the same wall on the terrace where he had pinned me for the first time.

The only difference was the set of emotions in his eyes. Then there was mischief and today there was HATRED!!!

Immense Hatred!!! I could smell alcohol. He was drunk AF!!!

'You should not CARE Saanchi! You weren't there when I needed you the most...why are you here now? Just...just leave!!!' saying he had pushed me away. Carrying his 4 year old who was a crying mess.

It pierced my chest whenever I heard those loud cries.

I closed my eyes to forget this horrible Nischay trying to recall a beautiful memory of the Nischay I knew...

Flashback begins...

'Im a Dracula nowwwww!!!' I said sticking the edges of the red Gulmohar flower to my nails.

He was still sitting with a dull face under the Gulmohar tree inside our society compound and I sat next to him asking...

'Ki Hogaya ... Das De (What happened? Say it)'

He turned around his face and looked at his books and pretended to read it.

I slowly took a petal of the red flower and tickled his ear.

'Sanuuuuu don't na!!!'

'Nishuu what is it!!! Why are you so pissed???'

And then he looked at me asking...
'Why are you going with Jassie to the Saturday party?? You know it is not good for you!!! They drink and smoke...'

I raised my eye asking...
'Oh really??? And you can attend such parties is it??? That too with that cheap dupe of Jenifer Lopez who doesn't even look like Jaspinder Lota!!!'

To which he chuckled and asked...
'Why??? Does it bother you?' and I twisted my face saying...

'Why should I care!!! Huhhh... go with whoever you want! I will also do whatever I like!!! If at all you had agreed to come to the picnic we had planned I wouldn't have said yes to Jassie!!! But nevermind...Jassie said post the party he would also take me to watch Hrithik Roshan's new movie K3G. Hrithik is sooooo hot na!!!'

'Enough!!!'

'Whattttt he is ok!!! Have you seen his green eyes...his sexy abs!!!'

'Sanuuuuu Shutup!!!'

'But Nishuuuu'

'Do you want me to come along with you to the picnic or not!!!'

'Say whatttttt...you are coming to the picnic??? Like really really????' I asked squealing and he smiled saying...

'Ofcourse!!! And anyways if ever your brother gets to know that I let his sister go to a booze party once he's back from Mangalore...he will slit my throat!!!' he said and I giggled and in one go pulled him into a bear hug.

He had frozen...

I don't know why he doesn't hug me back. We would hug each other since school days but I didn't know what changed overnight? Since I reached eleventh and he has started his twelfth he doesn't hug me. I wanted to kick Mehek for being the mess creator between us...it was her brain child which started making Nishu conscious

'Nishuuuuuu hug me na!!! Stop thinking about what Mehek said last time!!! She is crazy!!!' but I still didn't feel his arms around me.

'If you don't then I will go and hug Jassie!!!' I said and the next moment I felt his arms across me. He tightened his grip around me and the hug was pretty intense. Although we had hugged before he had never hugged me so tightly.

Now...I was feeling different...

Things were changing between us!!!'

Flashback ends...

'Are you not going to change your clothes??? You will catch cold.' Mehek's voice fell on my ears and I nodded saying 'I will'.

I was about the leave when she caught hold of my wrist and said ...

'I know Nishu's behaviour must have hurt you today!!! But... please understand Sanchi ..he has lost too much in his life!!! And his pain is unbearable... Please' she said and I smiled.

I had a quick hot shower, changed into a white shirt and cotton shorts and picked the cup of coffee Mehek kept in my room. I stood outside the balcony and that's when my eyes fell on the huge Gulmohar tree which had so many memories of mine and his. He would hold a branch of the same tree and shake it to make the flowers rain on me. Strangely I see him sitting under the tree in this pouring rain I dont know recalling what.

The shade of this Gulmohar tree which ones showered happiness upon us.. couldn't even protect him from the thundering clouds!!! Our lives had become the same mess.

Neither there was shade...nor was there enough sun...We...were a mess!!!

Waiting for the happiness to shower yet another time on us. I didn't know if it would ever happen again...

If the Gulmohar would ever shower again in our lives!!!