❝ Coincidence means only a connection that's not seen. Roots meet underground...❞

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Every time the mild, cold wind hits her, goosebumps arouses across her skin. She can feel the pleasant, earthly smell already. The dark clouds hovering over the night sky, covering the stars with their darkness. The sound of the gusty wind hitting the trees and the rustling of leaves flowing in the air was enchanting. Some leaves crunched under her feets as her naked feets roamed freely in the garden, feeling the cold and calm atmosphere.

Cool, calm and dark, a perfect place for her, to find peace within herself. This gives her solace, and relaxation from the turmoil going on in her life, from years.

The sky grew darker and the thundering of the clouds sent shivers in her body. Slowly-slowly the downpour of raindrops started. At starting it was too gentle for her to hear the rain drops falling. She halted in her steps and set on the bench, hugging her own self, closing her eyes and leaning her head back.

A raindrop fell on her upper eyelid, tickling it's way down to her cheek, as if a tear is rolling down. Soon the pitter-patter of the rain was audible. Puddles began plinking with water as the rainfall became heavier. Cold rain was beating down on the bench she was sitting. The sky was leaden. The wind was icy and frigid, giving chills, goosebumps and shivers all over her body. It was a sight to see the trees drenched in rain, Swaying along with the wind.

She was fully soaked, sitting on that bench, feeling the raindrops, which washed away the sorrows from her heart for a while. A thousand feelings inside her yet there she was sitting there, still and silent.

**Haseena POV~

Suddenly I wasn't feeling those raindrops on my skin anymore, but I can still feel them on my feets. I can still hear the sound of that pittering around me. Wondering why, I quickly opened my eyes. And there she was, my Sweetie, standing with an umbrella, behind the bench I was sitting on, covering herself and me too from the heavy downpour. I could feel the pinch of guilt building up inside me.

"Oye khotteya" she called in her low voice filled with silent anger.

Looking down, she stared directly into my eyes as my head was leaned back on the bench and I was looking in her direction. Get ready for the silent treatment Haseena.

"Bee-" I tried to say something but she abruptly cut me off.

"Andar chall" saying so she shifted her eyes from me to the house.

I know she wasn't asking or requesting, neither was she telling me, that was a strict order, that should be followed or else she won't let me in for the rest of the night. I better obey her becuase the anger and worry was clearly evident in her eyes. Why am I so careless? Not only me but she too is worried right now. And I forget this all the time. That news was a big blow to both of us... Nevermind, I'll pacify her.**

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27 July, 2023.

3 : 11 A.M.

"I hate you!!"

"Stop behaving like a maniac"

"I think she isn't fine"

"Leave me.. please!! Don't!!"

"Ahhhhhhh!!!"

Haseena woke up with a jerk, huffing, sweating badly, frightened. In the middle of the night. And the reason, a nightmare.

It took her some time to calm herself. She lifted her trembling hands and filled the glass with water from the jug kept on the side table of her bed. Gulping it down, she got up from the bed and moved towards the bathroom.

After being successful in stealing her apartment's key from her beeji's room, she quietly came out of the house, wearing a white tank top under her sap green tracksuit.

she has been having nightmares from a long time and now she had her own ways to deal with it. And certainly, her beeji doesn't like those 'ways'.

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4 : 26 A.M.

After roaming around the farming fields with her bicycle and some other places that aren't too far from her house, the upcoming rain finally stopped her.

A steady drizzle of rain begins to descend from the somber clouds. In a hurry to save herself from the rain, she accelerates her bicycle to find the nearest shelter and stopped near a bus stand. Till she was in, she was a bit drenched and disheveled.

Someone ran inside the bus stop and stood beside her. He was busy ruffling his wet hairs, when she noticed it was him, Anubhav. She squinted her eyes to check if it was really him or if she's hallucinating. But it was really him. All drenched and holding a half filled water bottle in his hand. Till then he too noticed her and his expression were kinda obvious but he still tried to look surprised.

"yahan bhi?" She whispered to herself out of confusion.

"Aap har jagah kaise aa jati hain?"

"Ye sawaal ham bhi aapse pooch skte hain" she said wrapping her hands around herself, feeling cold.

"Kintu hamne pehle pooch liya na"

"Point kya hai is baat ka?!" She said irritated.

"Kuch bhi toh nhi" he mumbled, nervously scratching the nape of the neck.

"Huh?!" She asked unable to hear him.

"Kuch nhi"

After that for some time, there was an awkward silence. The rain grew heavier giving birth to the enchanting earthly smell. She was looking here and there, while he was squeezing the water out of his jacket. Soon the silence wasn't awkward but peaceful.. but it was still worrying Haseena. The pitter-patter of rain, the rustling of trees, the whistling of winds, and the chirping of the birds added to the beautiful atmosphere creating a heavenly feeling.

"Waise aapko yaad dila de ham..aapke pass hamara-"

"Hamare pass aapki jacket hai, i know.. aapko jab time mile aap lene aa skte hain, saaf ho chuka hai" she said hastily while scratching the back of her left hand, in an attempt to avoid any eye contact.

"Aap har samay Ghar pr rahengi kya?"

She gave him a look whilst he looked away out of embarrassment.

"Aap har samay free rahenge kya?"

"Nhi..matlab... ham kisi or ko bhi toh bhej skte hain na"

"Toh Ghar pr jacket Dene koi or bhi toh ho skta hai na"

"Jii ye bhi hai" he whispered almost inaudible.

"Ek kaam krte hain abhi chalte hain.."

"Kahan?" He asked innocently.

She stared at him for a while then again avoided looking at him.

"Aapki jacket lene"

"Kintu abhi itni teevra varsha ho rhi hai"

"Kya fark padta hai.. aap already itne bheege hain, thoda or bheeg jayenge or kya.."

"Jii kintu-" before he could oppose, she already stepped out.

"Ye aap.." he looked at her in disbelief, "ham bheege huye the kintu aap toh nhi bheegi thi na" he shouted in an attempt to grab her attention.

"doesn't matter" ignoring him, she whispered and started moving along with her cycle.

He too followed her unwillingly, staring her continuously.

Walking in heavy rain, getting drenched in rainwater.. he seems to be enjoying it.. As for her, it's all okay until or unless there's no thundering.

After he finished admiring the nature and enjoying the blissful rain he looked at her to find her a little lost.

"Miss..Haseena?"

"Hmm?"

She looked at him and found him looking at her.

"Nhi kuch nhi" he shook his head and continued walking.

She too followed after a few seconds of silence. They continued walking under the heavy rain pour with Haseena behaving a little aloof.

Before the rain started Anubhav saw her from a distance while jogging and followed her after that. It hasn't even been 24 hours and so many coincidences. Sure a thing to wonder about.

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26 July, Night.

"Ye kya haal bana rakha h apne kaksh ka..apne samaan ko vyavasthit rakhna kab seekhogi tum?!" Anubhav scolded khanak while arranging her closet.

"Yaar pakao mat n.." she said while folding her clothes.

"Seekho kuch Aaru se tum, choti h tumse parantu kitna vyavasthit rehti hai"

"Choti my foot!"

Anubhav glared her and she too did the same.

"Nhi karna na aapko toh chale jao"

"Jaa skte toh kabka chale jate" he mumbled.

"3-4 mahine baad paida hone se koi chota nhi ho jata" (😒)

"Kintu, 12-13 varsh paschat janm lene se jaroor chote ho jate hain" he said with a tight lipped smile.

"Bas yahi dhons jamate rehte ho.."

"Dhons jamana bhi vyarth hai agar tum jaise log ho saamne toh"

"Toh kyun time waste krte ho"

He gave her a heart trembling look and that's when she realised, that she's speaking more than she can handle.

"Tum sab ne nischit kr hi liya hai na ki hame shaanti se nhi rehne doge!?"

"Aapne bhi toh Kasam kha rakhi h ki hame chain se nhi jeene doge.."

"Pehle apni harkatein sudhariye fir ye kahiyega mohtarma"

"Ughh!! Chodo ye baat... Aap ye batao ki aap dado-sa ki baat kyun nhi Maan lete??" She questioned and looked at him intently.

He suddenly stopped and turned to look at her. Only if he could tell her.

"Waise hi mastishk kam hai tumhare paas.. adhik zor na dalo uspar.." he said in a serious tone.

Frustrated, she threw a pillow at his face, which he cought effortlessly and kept it back on the bed. He was throwing daggers at her with his eyes.

Suddenly someone knocked on the door. He opened it to see his mother standing there with a tray in her hands having two glass of turmeric milk. He smiled brightly at her and she too reciprocated.

Meet Pushpa Singh...

Khanak peeked to see who it was and her eyes went wide. Her day can't be more messy than this.

Pushpaji came inside and kept the tray on the table.

"Jaldi khattam karo taki ham glass wapas le jaa sake" she said while handling both the glasses to both her kids.

Khanak looked at Anubhav with pleading eyes, which he ignored.

"Mili! Ye sab kya hai beta?" Pushpaji asked in astonishment as she scanned her whole room.

All her clothes were scattered all over her room, on chair, on tables, on bed. Her footwears were not in place. Half of the books on the book shelf were disorganised and half were lying on the table and bed. Her opened backpack was lying on the bed. The bedsheet and pillows were not in place. Some packets of chips were kept open on her study table.

Khanak focused on drinking milk and trying to ignore her glare. When she didn't answered Pushpaji looked at Anubhav who shrugged his shoulders in response.

And then started her tongue-lashing, which didn't ended even after they finished their milk and started arranging the room.

"Matee shant ho jaiye" he requested folding his hands cutely.

"Tum toh kuch bolo hi mat, samajh rhe hain ham Mili ka room kyun saaf Kiya Jaa raha hai" Pushpaji said turning towards Anubhav, "Or dopahar ko joh hua-"

"Boh bhool jaiye" Anubhav interrupted her.

"Kyun bhool jaiye?! Kaise bhool jaiye?! Nhi matlab jarurat kya hai bhoolne ki.. koi jarurat nhi hai" Khanak lashed out at him, "Lemme tell you badi maa..!"

"Hmm?" Pushpaji turned towards her.

"Aapke priye putra, mere priye bhratashree.. jisne Aaj Tak school ki kisi female teacher ke saath handshake nhi kiya unhone Haseena mam ke saath handshake kiya, joh insaan din me ginti ke char baar smile krta ho boh Aaj subah se Haseena mam ke samne Kam se kam 10-12 baar muskura chuka hai, inhone Aaj Tak Monalika mam ko chod kisi or young teacher ko galti se bhi haath nhi lagaya, or aaj Haseena mam ka haath almost char minute tak pakde rakha.. School me popularly Khadus ke naam se Jane Jane Wale insaan hain ye, or aaj Haseena mam ke first day par unhe har cheez me guide Kiya.." she said and turned towards Anubhav, "aapko kya lagta hai main kuch notice nhi karti, bhale hi dadisa se kuch na kaha ho maine but jitna main aapko notice krti hoon sayad hi koi or karta hoga.." she huffed and left the room thudding the room door behind her.

He too sighed and left the room. Pushpaji sadly shook her head and left after picking up both the glasses.

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Dhanyewad...🤍