Having sleepless night, Preeta  was sleeping till late hours of morning. “Janki, today Preeta hasn’t woken up yet. Could you go and check if she is fine or not. I’m little worried, she looked disturb yesterday and after that fiasco in the farmhouse I’m sure must be little hurt.” Janki goes to wake both Preeta and Shristi. “Preeta, common get up it’s quite late now? What has happened, you never sleep till this hour. It’s usually Shristi's job.” Preeta wakes up groggily checking the time and blabbered in astonishment. “Oh my God, I’m late for Luthra house. He will be waiting for me.”

“Who is waiting for you Preeta at Luthra house?”

“Nothing Janki aunty, I had to take Bani daadi for check up to hospital, so Rishabh ji said he will accompany both of us so that daadi doesn’t throw tantrums in hospital. It becomes too difficult to handle her in hospital, so Rishabh ji must be waiting. Where is my mobile?” She picks up her mobile and checks for any missed call or messages. On seeing nothing she sighs in relief wondering Bajarbattu must also be sleeping. He too left late.

“Janki aunty I’ll get ready quickly, you please wake up Shristi, she too had to go to her manager’s office for some work. She asked me to wake up but I myself didn’t wake up today. I’ll take quick bath and be back.” Saying this she took her clothes and towel from cupboard and ran towards washroom.

In Luthra house Karan was wide awake as he didn’t sleep at all and waiting eagerly for Preeta, roaming in the hall and gazing at door more often then required. Entire family was shocked to see Karan awake this early and full ready.

Karan was talking to himself. “Where the hell is this girl!! The day she should be here on time she is late. May be I should call her and ask if she is in trouble. No no, I’m the Karan Luthra I can’t seem too desperate. But I’m desperate to talk to her and settle this matter. I have developed feelings for her and I know she too feels something for me but I need to confirm it with her. Also, that goat face will come in between us, she wouldn’t accept her feelings easily. I will have to take her away from home then only I can pressurize her to come clean.”

Thinking this he devised a plan to take Preeta away as soon as she arrives. “yes I’ll take her to my apartment on pretext of going to academy.”

Rakhi calls him, “sunny boy breakfast is ready come” But there was no response from Karan. Rakhi felt everything very strange and went towards him. “Putter are you waiting for someone, I’m calling you from a long time.” “Yeah mom, I’m waiting for Preeta she hasn’t come yet.” He realized late what he said in flow and quickly changed his stance. “I’ve pain in my shoulders and I was not able to sleep properly because of pain so I thought she can give me treatment but look she hasn’t come yet.”

Rakhi got worried and started checking his shoulder and blabbering – “Puttar why didn’t you say so at night or when you were having pain.  Come I’ll give you warm water bag to keep on shoulder until Preeta comes.”
She dragged Karan to dining table and made him sit there. “Girish please bring hot water bag for Karan and Rishabh please call Preeta if she is late.”

Rishabh came towards Karan being furious asking “How did this happen, did you use weights? I have asked you not to do weights, your shoulders already sprained couple of weeks before and now this. How can you be so careless Karan.” Meanwhile Girish came with water bag and Rishabh kept that on Karan’s shoulder. “Everyone have your breakfast, don’t worry he will be fine in some time Preeta ji is on the way."

First time in his life Karan was getting irritated for the attention he was getting that too for wrong reasons. He faked a shoulder pain to cover his lie and now entire family is sitting on his head.
Preeta has come..Rakhi exclaimed. “Come puttar, please check Karan first. He is having pain since night and he didn’t tell anyone. You go to his room and give him treatment. Take this hot water bag too with you. You might need it.”

“How did the sprain come, did you do weights? No this is due to your excessive enthusiasm of playing cricket in lonavla. Come let’s go to your room so that I can do your treatment properly.” She was worried and angry at him for not calling her.

Once inside Karan locks his room at speed of light and bombards Preeta with questions. “How are you late today, I had been waiting for you for so long. Is there some problem, are you not well or did someone say anything to you? Tell me why aren’t you speaking?”

Preeta was surprised to see his energy and was constantly looking at his shoulders. She calmed herself and asked him to remove his t-shirt so that she can treat him. “Karan relax, I know you are in pain but I’ll quickly press few points and you will be alright in no time. If you had pain why didn’t you call me, I would have woken up and come. I woke up late and hence got late in coming.”

Karan hugged her muttering “I’m all right, nothing has happened to me. My entire family was suspicious that I woke up early and was waiting at door for you so I lied that I have pain.”

Preeta extracted herself and asks Karan to open the door. Anyone would come and it wouldn’t be  be good after yesterday. “Please Karan…” She urged him.

Karan opened the door and asked her to accompany him so that they can talk peacefully without any disturbance and pretension. “Lemme give massage to Dadi after that we can go. Is that fine?” Karan nodded and Preeta left his room to go to Dadi.

“Preeta puttar, is Karan ok now? I’m absolutely fine today, you stay with him Rishabh said he has done weights and had sprain in shoulder couple of weeks back.”
"Relax dadi, I have given him the treatment and he is resting now. I’ll again check him after finishing your exercise and massage. Now no excuses and let’s start with your exercise. I know you must be having pain due to travelling yesterday. First we will do the exercise and then massage.” Preeta finished daadi's treatment and right on time Karan arrived. “Daadi can I take Preeta to academy? I have to go and it will be better if she is there with me.”

“Ofcourse puttar..” Dadi responded.

Karan dragged Preeta away from the room and took her outside the house. “Come sit in the car, we won’t be able to talk here. Please Preeta sit.” He pleaded her to come along with him and after thinking for couple of minutes, Preeta sat inside.

The drive was silent and Karan stopped car in front of a tall building. He came out and opened the door for Preeta. He took her hand and walked inside escorting her to his thinking pad. He clicked open the door of his top floor penthouse apartment.

“Welcome babydoll to my thinking pad, my sukoon ghar.”

She was admiring the interior, the apartment was simple yet elegant with white and purple combination with tinge of grey at places. Before she can explore more, Karan drags her towards a room which looked like his room. Walls covered in Karan’s photographs and a section of room was dedicated to his cricket kit. She knew this is not the time to explore this apartment. Both were silent hoping the other to start speaking.

“Karan why have you brought me here we could have talked in your home too and what’s this place?” Karan went towards the balcony and stood there facing his back towards Preeta. She went behind and was surprised to see entire city from top of this building. Mumbai city looked magnificent from here.

“We needed to talk and I don’t think your home or my room was right place for this topic. So I brought you here, this is my sukoon ghar. Whenever I’m stressed or feel sad or need to just be alone I come here. I bought this of my own earning, so apart from Sammy no one knows about it and now you know. So Preeta today I want to ask you same question that I asked you on the day of my haldi with Monisha.”

Preeta was stunned as today she has no place to run to, she is alone with Karan and he looked determined.

Karan held her hands “Babydoll tell me why were you so uncomfortable when I was about to get married to Monisha, why it was so important to you that I get away from her? You fought with Sarla aunty to get me justice, you took blames on yourself to protect me. Why babydoll? Is this really only friendship?”

Preeta stiffened at this question. There were millions of thoughts running in her mind but she couldn’t utter a world. She knew she feels something for Karan but she is engaged to Prithvi and she can’t cheat her fiance.

Preeta was looking at her feet and saying – “Karan we are best friends, I care for you and will always do. I fought with Maa because you were not wrong and I was an eye witness to it. How can I let an innocent man go to jail for crime he didn’t commit. I did what my conscious asked me to do.”

“So you mean to say you don’t feel anything for me. Then tell me Miss Preeta Aroroa why did you hug me when I was shattered after Rishabh went to jail? Why did you panic when I was not awake after coming out of fire on your engagement day? Why did you let me kiss yesterday and most important why did you kiss me back? You can’t run away eveytime Preeta. Today you have to tell me."

Preeta stammered – I…I…

“You can’t deny it Preeta because you too feel for me! (Cupping her face) Preeta! Look into my eyes, do you not see something more than friendship for you? Tell me you don’t care if I marry someone else who might be perfect in every sense but isn’t you. Tell me you don’t get jealous when my fan girls surround me for selfies. Tell me you don’t care if I die tomorrow..” Karan!!(Preeta interrupted)

“What is it to you Preeta if I live or die!! How does it matter to you? You don’t feel anything for me right?”

Preeta holding his collar in frustration – “why don’t you understand Karan! It means nothing now what I feel. I’m engaged to Prithvi ji and I’m about to get married to him. This marriage means everything to maa and I can’t disappoint her.”

Both were breathing heavily due to their closeness as Preeta was holding his jacket collar. Karan tried to keep away every thought but unconsciously started admiring her, looking deep into her eyes having brief eye lock. Preeta realised their position and tried to get away from him loosening her hold on his collar. When she says SORRY her lips touched his due to their closeness making both shocked.

Preeta looked up shocked into his eyes and they just stand there staring at each other. When Preeta came to sense she parted herself and maintained a comfortable distance between them. She wanted to leave immediately but Karan held her wrist and yanked her closer. Her body pressed against his and her hand on his shoulder. Karan was controlling himself but after the accidental kiss his eyes were rooted on her eyes and lips. Preeta found it difficult to withdraw from his intoxicating gaze.

“Preeta loot at me, I’ll fix everything. Prithvi is not good for you and even if he is will you be happy with him knowing you feel for me! My blood boils when he hold your hands. Will you be able to accept him as your husband and give him all the rights a husband has?” Preeta was aghast and terrified of the deed. She couldn’t fathom anyone else touching her apart from Karan. She doesn’t feel awkward at all with Karan's closeness.

Karan understood everything running in her head and he started trailing his index finger from her temple to chin, she felt him caressing her cheek. The little distance between their cheek was reducing every passing second. She closed her eyes not wanting to miss any feelings he was making her experience. Preeta stopped struggling and snaked her arms around his shoulders and next second Karan slammed his lips on her.

As soon as their lips met, their hearts vibrated in sync and ignited the passion that was buried deep within themselves. Her senses turned hysteric as he invoked a stranger feeling  in her which she never knew. His lips moved aggressively over her feeling their softness and savouring their sensual sweetness. He kissed, sucked and nibbled her lips making it difficult for her to match his pace. He pinned her to the pillar for support sensing her weakening legs. When he bit her lips slightly harder, she gasped and his tongue dived into her to explore the unknown. Her hands clasped into him tighter for support when he was ravishing her. His tongue found hers and caressed in manner which made her moan his name. He licked her swollen lips in a sensual gentleness which made her whimper. She was salivating when his teeth plucked her lower lip into his mouth and his tongue caressed it which made her gasp and moan  'Karan…' in pleasure and breathlessness.

He left her almost plump lips when air became the most important need for both of them, reluctantly. Karan held her close when her chest heaved in to take as much air as possible. Burying his face in the crook of her neck, he kissed her there softly.
Preeta’s hooded eyes also looked at his swollen lips and then all her senses return, she realised what just transpired between them.

They have kissed again!!

Karan cupped her face in his palms to finally let out all his feelings ' Babydoll I have strong….’ But he was cut short by Preeta “This is all wrong, I’ve wronged Prithvi ji and I have betrayed my maa.” She breathed heavily, tears formed in her eyes. She can’t be a cheater.

“Preeta listen, I…he took a step towards her.” “Stay away from me Karan. I can’t be a cheater like Sherlyn. I’m engaged to a man and I need to be loyal to him otherwise what’s difference between me and Sherlyn!”

Karan was aghast listening her comparison and held her arms tightly. “Don’t you dare compare yourself with her. She is doing all this intentionally with evil thoughts.”

He took her hand and kept it on his heart and cupped her face tenderly “babydoll can you hear my heartbeat? It was very happy a moment ago and now it’s running a marathon scared that you will leave me. Look into my eyes and tell me you  don’t feel anything for me. Whatever I see in your eyes are wrongly interpreted. Forget about Prithvi and tell me do you not feel anything for me? Is there only friendship between us because I have moved one step ahead of  just being friends. I have started feeling for you Preeta, I like you and my blood boils when Prithvi eyes you with bad intensions. Tell me Preeta a loveless life or me? Because no matter what I won’t let you destroy your life by marrying that goat face who doesn’t has an ounce of faith and respect for you.”

Preeta was overwhelmed listening his proposal and without saying anything hugged him tightly and Karan got his reply without a word. “Karan I don’t know what this feeling is but I feel happy with you, you make me feel alive as if I can accomplish anything as you are there supporting me. But I’m scared what if someone finds out and like yesterday my reputation will be at stake. Yesterday we were not wrong but now if we take this step we will be. I’ll not be able to live after that, I’ll die of embarrassment ” and she started sobbing.

Karan was taken aback with her perspective and thought how to deal with her. He caressed her hairs got a glass of water for her. He made her sit on couch and drink water. When he found her little calm he took her palms in his hand and made her look into his eyes. “Preeta I want to ask you few questions please answer them with pure honesty. Don’t put any logic in the answer, just answer what your heart says.

Do you agree?”

Preeta nodded.

“Firstly do you like Prithvi? Do you have any sort of feelings for him?”

Preeta was tongue tied at his question but gathering courage she denied “I feel uncomfortable with him and don’t like him. I said yes for marriage because maa was happy with it.”

“You know I have had many girl friends but I was never serious with anyone. But I seriously feel for you and want to explore our relationship. Do you feel more than a friend for me?”

Preeta was looking down and unknowingly there was little blush on her cheeks. “Karan I told you, I  don’t know what I feel for you but there is something very strong that makes me happy when I’m with you. I haven’t had any relationship ever, it was always decided that whoever my parents choose I’ll marry that man. So I don’t know how it feels to be in love. But after knowing you, seeing your care I started falling for you, I felt jealous when you kissed Monisha on her cheeks, it pricked my heart and I realised that day I have crossed the boundary of friendship.”

Karan was smiling ear to ear listening her response and wanted to crash his lips on her but he had to take slow with her. So he moved to next important question. “If Sarla aunty herself breaks your marriage with Prithvi, will you be happy or sad?”

“Obviously Bajarbattu I’ll be glad and on seventh heaven.” Her answer was so quick that Karan missed a heartbeat and was himself on cloud nine imaging themselves together.

“wow babydoll, I didn’t know you are so desperate to be with me.  I’m impressed.” Preeta pouted and Karan chuckled seeing her cute expressions.

“You remember you told me about Sherlyn but you didn’t have any proof but I still believed you and helped you to find proof against her. Preeta nodded. So can I ask the same favor from you to trust me when I say Prithvi is not like what he portrays. He has hidden his  actual face behind his goody goody appearance. I didn’t get a positive vibe from him from day one. Will you?
Preeta wasn’t able to decide what to say as if she trusts Karan she will go against her mother but still she decide to fight for herself this time. “Karan I know now you will not find anyone suitable for me but I want to believe you that he isn’t what he portrays not because I want to prove anyone but to be with you. Once we prove that he is wrong for me, I’ll be at peace in my heart that I didn’t go against my mother and I’ll be able to be with you without any guilt.” And she hugged him burying her face into his chest.

Karan was hugging her back conveying all the love he had for her. He brought her face in front of him and sat down on his knees, taking her asking his last question. “Babydoll I never believed in love but mom used to say that there will come a day when I’ll fall in love. I used to hate your sight but gradually we became friends. You didn’t bow down to me because I’m a star. Every girl I met till date values me because I’m famous, handsome and rich but you don’t(Preeta chuckled) You don’t care if I’m famous, you praise me when you want, you care for me when I need, you criticize me when you should and that makes you unique and attractive and fell for my Dr Dumbo. Will you like to date your Karela and get to know him better to decide your future with him?”

Preeta was in fix and was staring Karan without blinking, she was surprised and shocked to see Karan proposing her on his knees. Tears weren’t stopping and she heard – Common Preeta say something my knees are hurting.. Preeta bend at his level and hugged him tightly saying “I would love to date you Karan but I’m scared. Our families, the economic difference, Kareena Bua will it ever let us be together?”

Sshhh...Karan tried to calm Preeta..

“I’m really scared Karan I’ll not be able to live without you now. Earlier I didn’t have any expectations from life, I didn’t know what love is but now I do.” Saying this Preeta started crying like a child.

“Hey Sshhh… I’ll always be there for you babydoll. Anyone who tries to harm you or your self respect will have to go through me first. I promise I’ll protect you and stand with you in every step of our life.” Preeta feels happy seeing Karan’s love for her and they have an intense eye lock.

Karan cups her cheeks and leans towards her rubbing her lips with his thumb. Preeta feels butterflies in her stomach with anticipation and exhilaration. She closes her eyes and Karan captures her lips with his, the slow kiss slowly turning into a  passionate one. He pulls her more close to him. She kisses him on his cheeks, eyes and then forehead.
Holding his hands Preeta reminds him that they are very late and should go home now. He checks the time and decides to leave now. Both come out of room and Karan picks a key from a drawer and gives it to Preeta. “It’s a spare key of this apartment, you can always come here whenever you want.” Handing over the key they come out of apartment. Karan locks the apartment and they head for the escalator.
Karan drops Preeta home and himself goes to Luthra house.

“I have reached home babydoll Good night!! See you tomorrow 💗❤️”

Preeta smiled seeing the message. “Good night Bajarbattu 😘😘”

“Di maa is calling for dinner.. wait a minute why are you smiling so much and where were you in the entire evening?” Shristi was curious sensing a  change in her sister's behavior.

“Nothing Shristi, let’s go eat. I’m really tired and want to sleep. I have lots of work tomorrow.” Both the sisters had their dinner with their family. Preeta slept thinking about Karan and her new found love for him.

In Luthra house Karan was hyper active and playing pranks with everyone in the home. He had dinner with his family teasing everyone and finally retired to his room to drift into a peaceful sleep after a sleepless night.

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- Granger Mind