AKANSHA POV:

I perched myself down on the usual seat where my gang used to have their lunch in the canteen. I looked at my watch to see that I came a little early. Since the last class was a free period, I spent my time in the library, slept a little in the middle and then walked straight here, feeling a little tired from reading the books.

It has been one whole week since I have rejected Parth. But he was not one bit disturbed by my rejection. He speaks nicely; helps me during the class hours whenever I have trouble in my work assigned by the teacher. At times, he walks beside me; orders my favorite food and places it on my table. He smiles at me whenever our eyes meet and throws a wink in my direction. He gives a cold shoulder to any girl who tries to come closer except me. He spent the entire evening in the Green World, whose stare would burn me throughout my working time.

I am in utter shock to see him doing all these kinds of stuff. I am extremely surprised. He is a man who has his own pride. He won't do these kinds of things if he is faking it. But why is he damn trying? Can't he see that I am not having the strength to love anyone? I have no more hate in my heart but I don't have the strength to give him a second chance. I am not a saint or God to forgive if they apologized. I have a small, delicate heart to take care of which has been played and destroyed by him. And I am not willing to give him another opportunity to hurt me. The trust I had in him is shaken totally to the core. I have heard a saying, 'Trust is like a mirror; once it's broken it's never the same', I perfectly understand it's meaning deeply now.

The coach called both Harry and Parth to discuss some sports events. That's the only reason why he is not near me. Or else he used to sit opposite of me, in the library. staring at me as if scrutinizing me in detail. Deep down in my heart, I felt warmed with his determined look, trying to pursue me. I got the angry, jealous stares from almost all the girls around me; only because of him; only him. They all think that I did some black magic on him. But I ignored their disgusting glances.

I told Kryz about the education trip. She asked me not to miss this amazing offer which was a gift of my hard work and dedication. So, as a result, I decided to go for the trip. I was in deep thought; as a result, I failed to notice the shadow falling over me. Suddenly, a pair of hands encircled my waist making me shriek in fear. But the hand gripped me tight, pulled me up and twirled me in the air laughing in excitement while I was shouting to let me down. After twirling me in the air for two full rounds, he placed me down.

I turned towards his direction to shout at him for invading my privacy. I was wrong! How can he change? He somehow managed to keep a little distance from me this whole week. But then, he is showing his true colors again by being a jerk. He can't just hold me and circle me in the air as if there is nothing wrong between us. But when I turned to see the person, I was appalled.

I was shocked.

I was dumbstruck.

Am I dreaming? How come he?

"Surprise!!! ",the person in front of me said with a big smile plastered on his handsome face. His eyes sparkled with happiness and joy seeing me. Am I hallucinating him? What the hell is happening here? I blinked my eyes expecting him to disappear the next second. But nothing sort of that thing happened. He was still in the flesh with usual charming smile.

"Sam??!! ",I whispered, confused.

"Finally! I thought you forgot me. Thank the lord for not making you forget me! "

This is definitely Sam! No one else can speak this way other than him.

"Sam ",I cried, his name. "Oh my God!! It's really you ",I whispered seeing him in real life. My eyes filled with tears staring at him.

"Hey! Why are you cryi-- ", but he didn't finish as I hugged him tight, placing my face on his chest and my arms around him. The familiar scent of him reached my noise. So, he is really here. I kept weeping in his arms.

"What happened to you? Are you okay? ",he asked, patting my back. But I didn't speak a word but hugged him tight, still weeping, staining his shirt with my tears, but I didn't mind it as it's his shirt; and it's not a big deal.

He then made me look at him and slowly wiped my tears with his fingers.

"Are you really okay? It seems like you are suffering a lot here. Is everything fine? ",he asked, looking at me concerned.

How does he manage to look into my soul and know whether I am happy or sad just by looking at me? But this is not the appropriate time for me to talk about Parth to him. That's when I remembered that I was in the canteen. I turned to look at the canteen to see every student inside the canteen was looking at me and Sam. Oh god! I hugged him in front of all, providing myself with a big gossip for them to speak about. I felt a deep, penetrating, warm gaze on me. I looked at the entrance to see Harry and Parth looking shocked. Parth's face flashed with anger and hurt.

"I just missed you Sam ",I whispered, turning to look at him.

"It seems you have missed me so much that you forgot your surroundings. Am I right? ",Sam asked amused.

"Is this funny to you? ",I glared at him. "You should have warned me that we were in the canteen. Why didn't you stop me? ",I asked him. It was not at all his fault because it was me who threw myself on him a few minutes before.

"Who are you? ",a cold voice rang behind me.

A hand gripped my waist and pulled me towards his direction.

"Parth, What are you doing? ",I asked. shocked.

But then I noticed Sam with an angry face moving near me to help me. Oh no!

"Sam ",I called him and nodded my head in a no. "I can handle this. "

He gritted his teeth and clenched his fists, staring at the hand on my waist.

"Is he troubling you? Just tell me. I can show him his place ",Sam gritted.

"First tell me who are you? ",Parth asked him coldly.

"I am Samuel Winston ",he said, causing a gasp from the canteen.

"Is he from the Winston's family, a multimillionaire family just like the Saxton's who have their own branches in almost every country? "

"He must be. Just look at his handsome face. "

"He is my crush now. "

"I am in love with him. "

"How come she is able to have control on both of them? "

The voice of the student's whispers rang inside the canteen.

"If you harm my baby--- ", "Sam!! ",I shouted the next moment, before he could slip his words out. I warned him with my eyes not to speak about it; about us.

"Parth, Leave me ",I said sternly.

His eyes were cold but he slowly loosened his hands on my waist reluctantly.

"You are not my boyfriend to control me. So be in your limits ",I said sternly.

"So, then who is he? Does he have the right to hug you tight? Is he your boyfriend? ",Parth asked angrily, spitting venom in his words.

"I--- I was just excited to see him after one whole year ",I defended myself. "He is m-- my friend. And you have no right to ask me about him. "

Parth was a little taken aback by my reply. His lips were pressed in a thin line gritting his teeth, trying to control his anger.

"What are you doing here? How did the security let you in? ",I asked Sam, confused.

"Why won't they let me in? Will they not allow the students inside the college? ",he asked with an amused face.

"Are you a student here? ", I asked, a little shocked.

"I am. I just joined for higher studies today ",he said, winking at me.

What? Out of all colleges in the country, why did he come here to study?. And this is not a coincidence, right?

As if sensing my thoughts, "I found you. And I decided to come here since you won't return to your hometown for some reason ",Sam said, making me shocked.

I looked around to see that the people were still looking at us curiously.

"Let's speak somewhere else ",I said and walked out of the canteen.

But the next second, I ran into Kryz, Andy and Theo.

"What happened? ",Kryz asked looking at my scornful face.

"You said that you don't know where bae was. Is this a coincidence that you are studying here and you both ran into each other just today? ",I heard Sam's voice, asking Kryz from behind me.

Kryz's mouth went agape seeing him.

"How come you--- here? ",Kryz stammered looking at him and then me.

"It's been one whole year and she still hasn't come home to meet her family. They are very worried for her. When I asked about bae to your family, they didn't know where she was. But when I contacted you, you straightly declined that you don't know where bae was which made me suspicious of you. And you didn't ask me to inform you if I got any info about her. That made me think that something was wrong there. So, when I looked into your college, her name was enrolled there making me confirm my doubts", he said looking at Kryz.

"If she is not willing to go to her house, then she won't go. I won't let you compel her ",Parth growled.

Kryz looked at both Sam and Parth who were glaring at each other and then looked at me with a look as if saying 'what are we supposed to do now?'

On one side, there is an overprotective Sam. On the other side, there is a jealous-looking Parth.

"Sam, Let's speak in the evening ",I said to Sam, pleading with my eyes.

"Is he troubling you? ",Sam asked glaring at Parth.

"No, I shall handle this. You go. "

"Fine. I shall get my timetable and go to class. I will see you in the evening bae ",he said, ruffling my hair and glared at Parth and took brisk steps away from us.

Before I could turn to look at Parth, his hand gripped me tight and pulled me towards some direction.

"Parth ",I shouted at him and resisted going with him as we both came to an isolated corridor.

"What the hell are you doing? Leave me ",I shouted.

He left my hand much to my surprise but he, being the arrogant self he is, bent down and carried me like a baby in his hands. I shouted at him to leave me but there was no response, except for him walking forward, with me in his hands.

Once we reached the Willow tree, Parth placed me down and pushed me to the Willow tree and leaned towards me.

"Parth, What are you doing? ", I asked, confused.

He then suddenly hugged me tight, nuzzling his face in my neck.

"Parth ",I whispered but he still hugged me tight.

"Please-- let me hold you for sometime ",he pleaded.

My hands were still in the air, not able to push him away since I missed him too. My hands, instead, went naturally around him. I felt him stiffen a bit but then he hugged me more tightly than before. We stood there in each other's embrace for quite a long time.

He then slowly moved, staring at my eyes with so much emotion in his eyes.

"Thanks ",he whispered, with a small smile playing on his lips.

It's like I am transfixed in his own world. I can't think of anything but him.

"Is he your boyfriend? ",he asked in a vulnerable tone, breaking my thoughts.

"What? No! ",I denied. Where did he get that idea from?

"If you say so, then I trust you ",he whispered.

"Oh really! Even if I have a boyfriend, you need not worry about it because it's none of your concern. "

"Kansha, I shall wait for you because I know that you love only me. And I shall give your heart the time to heal. But get this point very, very clear. 'You are mine like I am yours' ",he said and brushed his lips on my forehead and walked away.

I stood there dumbfounded staring at his retreating figure.

*******

Later in the evening,

"You need to go back ",I said sternly, folding my hands in front of me.

"I came here with so much difficulty. I can't return back without you", Sam said coolly and sat on the sofa.

"By the way, the home is small yet beautiful and lovely ",Sam complimented the home.

"Thanks Sam."

"Now, tell me the reason. What happened to you? ",Sam asked, giving me a stern look not to hide anything from him.

"I failed ",I whispered softly, lowering my head in shame.

"When did my bae become weak? Aren't you the strong one who always fights with me? ",Sam asked sitting beside me holding my shoulders.

I just hugged him as I couldn't stop the tears that rolled out of my eyes.

"Kryz, What happened? ",he asked Kryz, as he thought that I won't be able to explain to him.

Kryz sat opposite of us and explained everything in detail. And Sam listened to her silently and keenly but I could feel him trembling with anger.

After Kryz had finished explaining, the atmosphere became silent.

"Was he the one who took hold of you when I spoke to you in the canteen?"

"Yes ",I nodded my head.

"So, he is now running behind you like a lost puppy? "

"Sam ",I whined.

"I could feel his love for you. But I respect your decision. If you want, I can warn him for you bae. "

"That's not necessary. I can handle this. "

"Does Mr. and Mrs. Winston know about me? ",I asked him. He must have understood that he needs to keep my identity a secret.

"Luckily I didn't say anything yet. I thought of confirming it by seeing you in person and then thought of informing them through a phone call ",he said, taking his phone from his pocket.

But I stopped him. "No, don't. Don't inform them ",I pleaded with him.

"I just thought to take my phone out and keep it on the table. Why is your mind thinking a lot? Is any extra person living inside? ",he asked, knocking my head with his knuckles as if waiting for someone to come from my head.

He has started his ways again. Ugh! I threw the nearby cushion pillow on him and walked inside my room to freshen up.

*******

"What? ",I asked, astonished.

"Yes. You are going to be my roommate from now on ",Sam said in a cool tone.

"I just freshened up and came. How did you both come up with this thought? "

"You are coming with me. The main reason why I am here is because of you. And if you reject this, I will also stay here. "

"But there is no space for you ",I tried to make him change his mind.

"Yeah. In that way I will invade your privacy. I will share the room with you. It's so simple. "

Argh! "Sam ", I whined.

"Bae ",he whined, mimicking me.

"Don't you always call her by a different name? ",Kryz asked.

"What can I do? She is asking me to keep mum about my connection with her. So if I call her bab-- ", "Sam ",I shouted.

"See, She is not even allowing me to say that. So, I shortened that name into bae. This is cute too. But I am eagerly waiting for her permission to call her that way. "

I just rolled my eyes seeing his tantrums.

"So tell me bae, Have you decided to stay with me or me to stay with you?", he asked with a mischievous smile, as if already guessing my answer.

"Do I really need to go, Kryz? ",I frowned.

"He has taken so much effort to find you. So, you must consider it, don't you? And I know that you missed him too. "

"No! Not at all. Why will I miss him? ",I asked angrily.

"Then why did you hug me so tight, in front of all and whimpered in my arms like a cute. little baby ",Sam chuckled while saying so.

"I --- dust--- Yeah-- the dust went into my eyes when you twirled me in the air. Don't overthink with your overgrown brain. "

"Um-- answer? ",Sam asked, not allowing me to change the topic.

Ugh! "Fine. I am coming ",I whispered.

"But I have one condition. "

"What's it? ",Sam asked.

I took a deep breath. "No one should know about me ",I said, staring at his eyes.

"I understand. I shall accept it. But I hope that you will throw that condition away very soon as it's already a year. And your parents will find you soon with or without my help. "

"You shouldn't tell them about me. "

"My mouth is closed for now ",Sam said, zipping his mouth in action.

"Let me pack my things ",I said and walked inside my room.

*****

"I will miss you very, very much ",I hugged Kryz tight, after keeping my luggage in Sam's car.

"Me too. But we will meet everyday at college. That's a relief ",Kryz encouraged me, from my sullen mood.

"Yeah ",I chuckled and hugged her one last time and got inside his car.

"Have you both finished your dramas? ",Sam asked in a teasing tone.

"You are making me regret my decision ",I said glaring at him.

"Okay. Okay. I surrender ",he said, raising his hands.

"Bye ",we both waved at Kryz and then Sam started the car.

"Do you really think that I won't disturb you if I stay with you? "

"I just need a distraction from the stresses I would get. I missed seeing your ugly, duckling face ",Sam said in a teasing tone.

"Please God! Why did I accept his offer? I was living in peace with Kryz. Why did I decide to go with him? Ugh! I really made a bad decision in my life ",I sulked.

"Hello bae, You need not act. There is no auction going on. Save these acting skills for later", Sam said laughing hard, seeing my reaction.

This year will surely go like a roller-coaster for me, with him beside me.

*************************************************************************************

Hello my dear readers!! I hope you liked this chapter.

If so, then please do vote for this chapter, do pen down your thoughts in the comment section and do share this story to your friends if you liked this book.

So, did anyone expect Sam to come at this point in Akansha's life? What's the secret about Akansha? What will be Parth's reaction when he hears that Akansha is now staying with Sam?

Stay tuned to know what will happen next!

With love,

S.M. Skyler.