"Why do you decide to tell me this today?" Abhedya asked without any expressions.

"Last night, you went straight to your room. No lame jokes, no stupid comments, no questions that is so not you. So, I tried to figure out what could have caused the alteration in your behaviour.
I thought the whole night and finally concluded that maybe you might have felt that to divert you from asking me about the picture I showed you the cupboard and so, you were annoyed.
Trust me, I had already planned to show you the gifts on mumma's birthday but then that challenge between us happened. So, it got delayed.
I did not want you to think I manipulated you. Because I never will. I didn't want to start our friendship with any sort of misjudgments, so, I preferred to clear it out." Swarnima was nervous while putting her side of the story.

Abhedya was numb. What he thought and what the truth was. All the plans and schemes he made last night were trash worthy. Swarnima was innocent. She was pure. She was far away from any negativity.
He once again was guilty of accusing her of something which was not her fault. Abhedya came close to Swarnima. He could not look into her eyes so, he pressed his lips on her forehead. Swarnima froze. Abhedya's lips lingered for a few seconds on her forehead. He left without saying anything to her.
Swarnima recovered after she heard the sound of the door shutting. She touched her forehead. The feel of his lips was imprinted not on her forehead but her soul. She noted the date, time and place in her mind, heart and her soul.

What actually happened? What did she say or do to receive such a beautiful reward? Probably her mother blessed her by giving her the best birthday present.
She ran to her room and did a little happy dance. She saw her reflection in the mirror, and realised, 'aunty was right, he is the reason for my shine. My shining star... All of me loves all of you.' Swarnima blushed. She confessed her feelings to herself in the closed doors of her room and turned scarlet. God knows, what will happen if she ever confessed her feelings to him face to face. She hid her face with her palms.

'Anulom vilom'
'Deep breathing
'Aum chanting'
Nothing helped to calm her. So, the last resort. WORK! She opened the files and started typing on her laptop only to realise she made a programme which generated hearts...
'God!! Please help!! Nim you are so stupid. Calm down!!' Swarnima told herself.
She took a deep breath and again started working. This time she was doing the right thing, most probably.

Meanwhile, Gene was busy multitasking. She was making 'chicken' as per Abhedya's demand. Cleaning the house, arranging the crockery and laying the table.
At around 11:30 Swarnima came out of her room. She was calm but was still not prepared to face Abhedya.
She checked the lunch preparations. All was set. There was still time for Abhedya to get up so she continued with her work. She was finally through with the design. Abhedya just needed to approve it.
The door of Abhedya's room opened. Abhedya came to the kitchen and was lost in the aroma.
"Hungry honey?" Gene spoke from behind Abhedya.
"Gosh!! Are you also programmed to scare me?" Abhedya asked Gene.
"Scare you?!! Nah!! I would do better things than scaring you." Gene winked with the reply.
Abhedya gave her an animated reply.

Abhedya knocked at Swarnima's door and she took a deep breath before opening the door.
"Hey! Slept well?" Swarnima asked him.

"The house was quiet and I found my peace, so yeah I did," Abhedya replied honestly.

"You want to have lunch first?" Swarnima asked suddenly feeling awkward with his reply.

"Yes, I came to call you for that only." Abhedya went and sat at the dining table.
Salad, pickle, curd was already there so he started munching it. Swarnima instructed Gene to get the lunch.
Abhedya's eyes sparkled seeing 'chicken'. "You actually prepared chicken?" Abhedya teased Swarnima.
"Gene made the lunch today. Besides, that is what you wanted to have, right?" Swarnima replied and sat on the chair.

Abhedya chuckled and teased further saying "Yes, I did! I did want to have chicken for lunch. I just love it. I can have it for all the meals in a day."

"Really? You like it that much? Masi never told me." Swarnima was amused to know his love for 'chicken'.

"And you wanted to know my choices in food? Why?" Abhedya wanted to trap her but Swarnima the innocent soul she was, replied "I know about everyone's choices. But, strangely masi never told me you liked it so much."

"Don't bother honey. She won't get your joke." Gene intervened and Abhedya laughed.

"What joke?" Swarnima asked.

"Don't bother, you killed it. Now have your food before it gets cold." Gene told Swarnima.

The rest of the lunch was quiet. They just appreciated the delicious food and discussed the project. Swarnima informed Abhedya that she did the designing he needs to check it.

Both sat in the living room and Gene helped them with data analysis. She could do the work in seconds. The task which would have taken them hours or days maybe, with the help of Gene was now, done quickly and without any errors.

"Where were you till now? Gene, you are such a help!!" Abhedya said while working.

"My heart broke. So, I went to get it replaced." Gene informed him.

"I wished we humans could also replace our hearts if ever they broke. Life would be so simple." Abhedya said in low voice.

"Why do you say that? Is something wrong?" Swarnima asked with concern in her eyes.

Abhedya lowered his eyes. The girl who was so concerned about him, he had made plans to dupe her.
"I am sorry! Don't ask me the reason, just accept my apology." Abhedya said without looking at Swarnima.
Swarnima could not think of any reason. Abhedya had been more than decent, sweet and everything nice.
Was Abhedya sorry for the kiss he gave? It was pure and blissful for her but Abhedya is regretting it and thinking it was inappropriate therefore apologising. She could never think Abhedya would ever think of tricking or trapping her. So, the kiss was the only thing she thought was the reason for his apology.
She just nodded her head. The lump that formed in her throat was gulped down with water.
They continued working and by the evening their work was almost done. Continuous working made their eyes tired and their bodies lethargic. They needed a break. Abhedya got up and made green tea for them.
A steaming hot cup of green tea soothed their bodies.
They had a quiet diner after a while and retired to their rooms.

Till last night Abhedya had plans to make the day interesting and do stuff that would strengthen the friendship between Swarnima and him. But that he was doing to get answers to his questions and 'even' the game he thought she was playing.
Today morning, the honest confession of Swarnima changed the plan of action. He was filled with guilt of miss judging an unadulterated girl.

Abhedya may mean 'diamond, rare' but it was Swarnima who was rare and special.
His parents were right, she was a treasure. She needs to be protected and kept safe. She is not meant for this world and definitely not him. His eyes filled up with that thought.
'I swear to always to protect you Nim. From the world and me.' Abhedya made a promise to himself.

Swarnima on the other hand went to the apartment above for a rigorous session of aerobics. If your body pains physically you won't feel the mental pain. Swarnima was always taught. She danced till her legs gave up and breathing troubled her. She was so tired that she could not walk. Gene came and helped her to get to her room and tuck her to bed.
The pain made her sleep. Peace for far away.
Two souls who were about to start their journey of friendship and beyond were now separated by walls of guilt and misunderstandings.

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Dear Readers
A kiss on the forehead is soulful and lust free. It is pure and bliss.
What happens next?
Stay hooked!
Lots of love