Sandhya Pov

I woke up with the new set of goals in my life. From today onwards I am going to live my life fullest and enjoy each and every passing moments.

Yesterday's near death experience has shook my deepest core and made me understand the actual value of life.

I have understood one thing very clear nobody knows what future holds for them. So, drowning yourself in thinking about the possibilities of the future and not living in the present is the worst decision mostly made by us humans and I was also doing the same thing till now.

I am on the luckier side that Satvik and Akash reached on time and saved my life. What if they hadn't reached? What if I died? Then What's the use of my best academic performance? What's the use of all my certificates? All of them must be getting buried with my lifeless body.

Yesterday, I realised that while running in the race to build a perfect future for myself I entirely forget to live in my present. Not anymore. Future is uncertain whatever you have with you is your present nothing else.

I got ready for college. Today I made a little extra effort to get ready. I also applied some makeup which is very unusual for me. I visit nearby temple to thank God for giving me the second chance.

I entered inside the temple and hit the bell. I kneeled down infront of the idol and bend my head while joining my palms together.

"Thank you Kanha Ji.", I wishpered.

"My pleasure balike (Daughter).", Someone said.

I instantly turn my head to have a look on the intruder.

"Mahira!", I said shockingly.

"Thank God you still remember me.", She said surprisingly.

"Obviously I do idiot. How can I forget you?", I said excitedly.

"God Sandhya! It's been so long. How are you?", She enquired with equal excitement.

"You say how I look?", I said.

"Sexy.", She said teasingly while my eyes turned wide in shock.

"Idiot we are in temple. Control your mouth.", I warned her while she started giggling.

"So, how's life?", I enquired.

"Not so smooth but still going. Yours?", She replied.

"Same.", I answered.

Me and Mahira belongs to the same orphanage. No we are not best of friends just orphanage companions but we always behaved nicely with each other. Unlike me this girl is full of life and positivity.

"Where you staying now?", She enquired.

"Well I am adopted by Rahul uncle. You remember him. Right?", I said doubtfully.

"Oh yes yes, How can I forget him? He always used to bring chocolates and toys for us.", She said.

"Wow yaar! You are so lucky he adopted you I bet your room must be filled with lots and lots of chocolates and toys.", She said dreamily.

"You are such a kid.", I said while rolling my eyes.

"Dil tho bachha hai ji.", She said teasingly while I giggled.

"Heart is kid dear."

"Where are you staying?", I enquired.

"Right now, I am staying as paying guest but I am looking for an apartment. Whenever I will find one I will shift.", She informed.

I want to spend some more time with her but I have my college to attend. I have to leave now or else I will be late.

"Mahira I will catch up with you some other time right now I am getting late for my college. I have to go.", I said hesitantly.

"Oh shit! Thank God Sandhya you reminded me. I also have to reach somewhere urgently.", She said hurriedly.

Then she took out a piece of paper and a pen from her purse. She wrote some numerical digits on it and then handed it over to me.

"That's my number call me bye will see you later.", She said and ran out of the temple.

"Crazy girl.", I wishpered and shook my head amusedly.

Once again I joined my hands infront of the God idol and came out of the temple.
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I entered inside the college and found myself getting crushed between Pihu and Sonia.

Both of them hugged nope they squeezed me tightly as if soon I am going to disappear in the air if they won't hold me.

"Girls I can't breathe.", I said.

They loosened their grip around me and I sighed in relief. Thank God.

Suddenly, Sonia hit me hard on my left arm continued with Pihu hitting on my other arm.

"Ahh! Ouch!", I cried in pain.

But they didn't bear any mercy on me and continued to hit me.

"Ahh!"

Hit

"Ouch!"

Hit

"Girls!"

Hit

"Stop!"

Hit.

"Do you have any idea how scared we were?", Pihu shouted angrily.

"Sorry", I apologised.

A lone tear escaped from my eyes. No it's not because of the physical pain they're showering on me it's because of their immense care and concern towards me.

How did I end up being so lucky to have them in my life? I behaved so selfishly by ignoring them because of my insecurities.

"Hey why are you crying? Did we hit so hard?", Sonia enquired worriedly.

I shook my head and hugged them instantly.

"I am sorry. I love you both.", I wishpered hoarsly.

"We love you too Twinny. Never ever scared us like the way you did yesterday.", Sonia said emotionally.

"Yes or else we will be more merciless and beat you. Right Sonia?", Pihu said and broke the hug.

"No doubt.", Sonia replied.

Both of them highfived each other and I looked at them scaredly. They are dangerous but I love them.

We all together went to attend our classes while my eyes kept on searching him. Where is he?
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Its been two days neither Akash nor Satvik came to the college. I remembered when they dropped me home I had invited them to come inside the house but they said that they have some important business stuff to do. I guess they are still stuck with that work.

I desperately want to know about his whereabouts but how? Suddenly my eyes met with my mobile. Should I call him? But what will I say? Why I called?

I hesitantly picked up my cellphone and finally dialled his number. The moment I heard it's ringing I disconnected the call abruptly. Oh God! My heart is beating so fast.

Now what he will think? Why I gave him missed call? Shit! May be he will think that I ran out of balance! Or I guess he will think that I dialled his number by mistake and will simply ignore my call!

"Arrrr! It's so complicated.", I yelled irritatingly.

I kept on looking at my cellphone screen in the hope that he will call me back but it's been past twenty minutes since I had called him and still there is no sign of his call.

Now what to do? Yes, I can call Satvik. Silly me! Why didn't I get this idea before?

I instantly picked up my cellphone and dialled Satvik's number.

"Tring...Tring...Tring...Tring"

"Hello Butterfly.", He said cheerfully.

"Butterfly?", I enquired.

I would love to be called as Butterfly but since I got to know about Akash's Tittly I hate this name Butterfly it reminds me of my dreadful dream in which I had committed suicide.

"Umm! Yeah, as you know your name is Sandhya which means evening and when I was a kid my father used to took me to the park in the evening and there I loved to chase butterflies. So, you reminded me of those butterflies.", Satvik blabbed nervously.

"Satvik are you drunk?", I enquired.

"No absolutely not.", He replied.

"Well you seems like you are drunk. Leave it. Where are you? Why you and Akash are not attending college?", I enquired.

"Oh ho! Someone is being so impatient. What's the matter? Already missing Akash?", Satvik said teasingly.

I blushed on his comment but soon I covered it up and composed myself.

"It's nothing like that Mr Satvik. I just want to thank both of you in a proper way but you are not coming since last two days...", He didn't let me finish and interrupted.

"Ya ya, I can understand your feelings you are missing my best friend so much but you don't have the courage to call him directly that's why you choose me to know about his whereabouts and I am glad about that.

So Madame, for your kind information Akash went on some business trip and will return after two days while I am busy on handling the business here in his absence that's why we both are unable to attend the college.

Now, if all your doubts are cleared then may I resume my work?", Satvik said while I turned darker shade of red.

Oh God! He knows me so well.

"Yes, Thank you.", I said and disconnected the call.

So, he is out of town and will return after two days. Two days more without him. I pouted sadly.

I lie down on the bed and found ceiling most interesting thing to have a look on.

Why can't Akash understand my feelings the way Satvik do? Why Satvik doesn't feed some sense on his best friend's mind.

"Tring Tring", I heard my cellphone ringing.

I draw the mobile screen closer to my eyes to have a look who's calling? The moment I read the caller's name I stood up abruptly. It's Akash calling. Oh God!

I kept on staring at the screen. Should I pick up the call? Obviously I should. With each passing seconds my palms turned sweaty my heart began thumping. I inhale and exhale deeply to calm down myself.

Finally I picked up the call.

"Hello!", I answered.

"Hey! Sorry I was stuck in important meeting that's why I was unable to picked up your call.", Said Akash.

"Ohh!", I reacted.

He thinks that he missed my call. Well the truth is I gave him missed call but who's going to tell him the truth. Hehe.

"Why are you not coming to the college?", I enquired.

I already know the answer but I need some reason behind calling him. I don't want to sound desperate.

"Why? Are you missing me?", He asked teasingly.

Great! He already thinks I am desperate.

"Obviously not.", I denied abruptly.

"Don't lie sweetheart.", He said.

Sweetheart! I smiled shyly. I wish he meant it.

"I am not lying. I just wanted to thank you for saving me that day.", I protested.

"Mhmm! Trust me. I believe you.", He said sarcastically.

"Okay, I admit it. I do.", I accepted.

"You do?", He enquired amusedly.

"Nope! I was joking.", I said.

"Sandhya I will call you later.", He said and disconnected the call.

What was that? Did I said something because of which he got offended and disconnected my call? But he said he will call me back.

Once again I lie down on the bed. Why he cut the call so suddenly? Should I apologised him? May be I am not the reason behind his disconnecting the call! But what if I am?

I guess to get my answers I will have to wait for his call or for him to return from his trip.

My eyes started getting heavier and I fall asleep.
_______________________________________

Last two days was the longest days of my life. I kept on checking my cellphone in the hope that Akash will call me but he didn't called once.

Yesterday night Satvik called and informed that Akash's business trip has been extended for two days more. So, I guess upcoming two days are also going to be similar. I hope he calls me.

Well the good news is upcoming two days are weekends. I will convince my heart that because of the weekend I am unable to meet him.

I came to the living room in search of my family but no one is here. It's weird. I move towards my parents room and knocked once. Mom opened the door.

"Sandhya why are you still not ready?", She enquired.

"Ready! For what?", I enquired confusedly.

"Rahul didn't inform you?", she said.

"Inform what Mom?", I asked.

"Today we are going to meet your favourite Mahima Aunty(Akash's Mother).", She said happily.

"Why?", I enquired.

"She invited us for lunch.", Mom informed.

"Okay", I said.

"Now go get ready soon.", Mom said while pushing me slightly.

I want to divert my mind from Akash but it seems like my fate doesn't want me to succeed on it.
_______________________________________

Dad stopped the car infront of Goenka Mansion. I along with Grandma and Mom came out of the car and went inside.

Luv, Kush, Dad, Grandpa and Binod uncle(Akash Father) started playing carrom while Mom, Grandma and Mahima Aunty went inside the kitchen for preparing meal.

I am watching all the boys bickering over queen and laughing my gut out.

"Queen will be mine.", Dad said.

"In your dreams Dad.", Kush taunted.

"Huh! I have real queen in my life I don't want this fake one but still it's going to be mine.", Dad backfired.

"I won't let that happen young man.", Grandpa said.

Initially their silly talks seemed funny but now I am getting bored. I stood up from the couch in search of some entertainment.

I roamed around the house from one room to the other. I don't know which room belongs to him. I peeked into each and every room came in my way.

I entered inside another room and the first thing that I saw is Akash. No not in blood and flesh. There is a big poster of Akash hanging on the wall.

I abored his poster for few seconds. He is wearing a black hoodie on it and looking lavishly handsome.

Slowly I went closer to that poster and caressed his face. I wish you were really here.

I looked around his room. There are some more photo frames hanging on the wall. Most of it contains his childhood pictures along with his parents. I adored each and every frame amusedly.

Suddenly my eyes landed on a photo frame kept on the bed side table and it has my picture.

My picture! Why he has framed my photograph?

I picked up the frame in my hand. It seems old. Wait! Not only frame but my photo is also old. How did he got this picture? Did he clicked it without my knowledge?

On this photo I am wearing my receptionist uniform. The same hotel receptionist uniform where I met him for the very first time.

"Adhya", Mom Shouted.

"Coming Mom.", I replied.

I kept the frame back and went towards the living room where everyone is present.

I noticed that food has already been served. I sat down on one of the empty chair beside Mom & Luv and started eating.

"What happened beta? You look lost!", Mahima Aunty enquired me.

"No Aunty I am fine.", I lied.

My mind is still wondering about that photo frame in Akash's room. Come soon Akash now you have lot of explaining to do.
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