Swarnima told Nandini she didn't find anything suitable and will wear whatever Nandini decides for her.
Pink was her favourite colour and honestly, the dress Abhedya picked for her she loved it. She was a rock but deep inside she was also a girl. A girl who had to forgo all her choices and desires for the throne.

They paid the hefty bill and left. Nandini had some other work so she left from there and Abhedya and Swarnima left for home.

While they were in the crowded elevator a sexy and hot blonde girl entered. She stood next to Abhedya and the quick exchange of glances proceeded to them standing close and in a few seconds almost in each other's arms. Abhedya just wanted to show Swarnima it was casual flirting and that's normal with the youth.

A group of boys entered the elevator adding to more crowd. One of the boys stood behind Swarnima, a little too close to her comfort. Swarnima kept shifting in the front but the lack of space made it difficult for her to escape the indecency. She shifted towards Abhedya who thought she was getting jealous (finally because of his closeness to someone else.) So, he turned his back and stood face to face with the other girl, leaving Swarnima to face the problem alone.
Swarnima felt something poking behind her. A boy was poking his hardened manhood purposely. Swarnima kept shifting but bumped in other people. The feeling was disgusting.

"Stay away! Keep distance." Swarnima shouted at her highest pitch. The elevator stopped and most of the people got down.
Abhedya's diverted focus now shifted back to Swarnima.

"Ooo Madam! The lift was crowded. Have you come for the first time? Everyone was stuck." The boy smirked stating his reason.

Abhedya took Swarnima to a side and said, "Relax! The elevator was crowded. Standing close is the only option."

Swarnima was shocked by Abhedya's reaction. She pushed Abhedya back and slapped the boy who behaved indecently. He was shocked. How could a girl slap? He felt insulted and his friends charged on Swarnima. Abhedya came to the scene and hit them. The war was won but the police came.
The boys who lay on the floor by the punches that Swarnima and Abhedya gave them ran to the police and narrated the way they were slaughtered.

The police questioned Swarnima and Abhedya, "You can be arrested for this Miss, it was a crowded place and the touching was not intentional but the way you beat the boys is a criminal offence and no act of self-defence. So, I will have to take you to the police station. Please co-operate."

"Look officer, before you side with those boys because they were beaten, please care to check the CCTV footage. I am sure it will give you enough proof whether it was intentional or accidental." Swarnima ordered the police with so much authority and conviction in her voice that they all went to the CCTV room to check the footage.

"Nim relax!! The elevator was crowded you need to understand such things happen. There was no need to enter into a fight. Now, see the police is involved." Abhedya tried to explain Swarnima.

"Mistake? Seriously!! His manhood was poking me! You call that a 'mistake'?" Swarnima told Abhedya in a tone that was full of anger and disgust.

Abhedya widened his eyes and fumed, "What did you say? What did he do? Why didn't you tell me in the lift? I was right there and you didn't tell me? These rascals are so dead now!"

"You were busy." Swarnima looked straight into Abhedya's eyes and accused him in a calm tone which was scary.

"Busy? I was just..." Abhedya tried to reason.

But Swarnima cut him and explained to him, "When I shifted towards you... you turned your back to me. I kept shifting here and there. You were oblivious."

Abhedya just lowered his eyes listening to what Swarnima said. He knew he had done a big mistake. In his attempt to explain Swarnima silly things like 'casual flirting' he ignored the major problems most girls have to go through in crowded places. How could he not see her shifting towards him was not because of jealousy.

Abhedya thumped his hand hard on the table.

"Miss we checked the footage it can be seen that he was standing close to you but it is not clear from the footage of the crime you are charging him for. So, I am afraid in the absence of concrete proof, we will have to take you and you too Mr. to the police station." The police officer told them.

"Really officer? Do you think this girl is lying? Why will a girl lie about such a thing? At least she stood up for what she went through, unlike other girls who don't stand up." Abhedya lashed out at the officer.

"Look Mr. we are doing our duty and something which cannot be proved holds no meaning to us. We are ready for further investigation but for that, you will have to come to the police station." The police officer was firm in his statement.

"Sir, I did what this girl is saying. I am guilty. Please arrest me. I accept my mistake." The boy came and surrendered all of a sudden making everyone shocked except for Swarnima.

The police officer slapped him hard and took him to the station. A constable was instructed to note down Swarnima's statement.

"What happened suddenly? How did that pervert accept his heinous act? My mind is blown." Abhedya sat down at a bench in the mall.

Swarnima sat beside him and said, "EKLAVYA-THE ROYAL GUARD. He has eyes that hypnotise. He must have been here. He is here to protect. I wonder how did he leave the boy? Good, he surrendered else Eklavya would have eaten him raw."

"He is the protector? The queen's protector? How did he know? Does he keep following you?" Abhedya released the series of questions his brain had.

"The queen's protector and now, the state's. The Royal guard. He is always around us. The time we were attacked in the morning he was there at that time too. He didn't come, you may ask why? Because according to him it was a minor attack that could be tackled with the left hand. But what happened now, is unacceptable to him too. So, he must have told the boy to accept his mistake and he did. He is a magician."
Swarnima answered Abhedya's questions and left.

"Hey! Where are you going?"
Abhedya followed her.

"I am drained out. I am going home." Swarnima told him.

"Okay! Come I will leave you." Abhedya said taking out the car keys.

"You already did. Now, don't bother." Swarnima took a taxi and left.

Abhedya just stood there. He had no answer. No justification. No more scope for apologies.
His claim for standing up for his friends went into the Ganges. When Swarnima actually needed him today he was busy proving unimportant things.

He reached his home and video called Swarnima.

Swarnima: hello!
Abhedya: hi! I just called to confirm you reached home?
Swarnima: yes! I did.
Abhedya: Umm... can we meet?
Swarnima: honestly, not today, please. I don't have the energy. But if it's really important then you can come over whenever you want.
Abhedya: not that important. Just... anyways. See you tomorrow then. Bye.
Swarnima: bye and don't think too much.

The call was cut. Both souls didn't have peace. Abhedya just wanted to be with Swarnima. The guilt was killing him.
Swarnima knew how Abhedya must be feeling. She did not like what he was going through. After all, she prayed and lived only for his happiness. She cannot see him guilt-stricken not because of her. But, he needs to learn to be aware of his surroundings and stop his extra flirty attitude. It took a lot of restraint for Swarnima to not call Abhedya and cheer him up. Not, this time.

By the evening, everyone came to know about what happened at the mall and the whole clan reached Swarnima's house. Abhedya joined them. He just wanted to see her.
Rudra and Randeep were fuming. And Maan made sure the boy was 'strictly' taken care of at the police station. He was all charged to deal with the boy himself. But on seeing the boy's pictures he was satisfied with the drawings Swarnima and Abhedya made on his face and his body. Nandini hugged Swarnima and started to cry.

"Don't be such a cry baby Nandini. She is fine. She dealt with the boy like a tigress. Stop making her weak." Pri scolded Nandini.

Nandini wiped her tears and said, "I am proud of my daughter. But such hooligans should be hanged. You know when a foreign touch invades your body the feeling is pathetic. I see this all the time at Gharonda. The ladies describe their horrifying experiences and all I wish is, that no girl should ever go through this. But, my daughter had to go through it, I cannot bear it." Nandini hugged Swarnima tighter.

Abhedya sat next to his mother and patted her back to relax her. He was always taught it's incorrect to touch someone against their wish and raise your voice if someone does it.

"Glad Abhey was there too. Swarnima had support." Pri ruffled Abhedya's hair out of love. But, that made him feel more guilty.

"Bhui I..."

"Yes! Bhui! Thank God he was there. He helped me deal with the boys and yes, emotionally too." Swarnima cut Abhedya from saying anything and appreciated him.

"What did the magician do?" Randeep asked Swarnima.

"What he always does... magic! The boy confessed else it would have been difficult to prove him guilty." Swarnima lowered her head.

Rudra sat in front of Swarnima and said, "Look up! Till the time I am here no one will harm you or any girl. I am trying to set up a system which can track such activities and an app will soon be launched to ensure the girls' safety."

"Yes, chachu! Now relax! I am over it and you all also forget it." Swarnima ensured Rudra.

"Okay! I am hungry. What's the robot girl cooking?" Pri asked to lighten the tension.

Gene got the diner to the living room and everyone ate and discussed the event tomorrow. The tense atmosphere subsided with Pri and Rudra's banter. Abhedya was unusually silent.
Swarnima knew it wasn't her fault but she was feeling guilty because he was not smiling.

"People listen! I have something to tell you. I have decided that from now on... for a few months we friends, all four of us... Maan, Arya, Nim and myself will stay at the farmhouse. We have lost our childhood because of your norms and mandates and safety issues etcetera. Now, till she claimes the throne we will live together and enjoy every moment while it lasts." Abhedya declared and everyone was zapped.

They were still thinking about the idea he proposed when Randeep got up and exclaimed, "I am proud of you Abhey. The idea you proposed is brilliant. You kids deserve it."

"But, the council won't agree. Nim is a girl and her living with three boys alone will not be acceptable to them." Maan raised his doubt.

"I think Maan has a valid point. We know our kids and their pure friendship but how will you prove them?" Nandini agreed to Maan's question.

"Don't challenge us!" Rudra said buddy shaking his hand with Randeep.

"Can I join you guys at your bachelor pad, please!!  Take me!! I am bugged with these oldies." Pri requested in an excited tone.

Swarnima was silent. She didn't know what Abhedya was thinking while proposing to them living together.

"Nim!! Aren't you excited sister? We shall again live together. This time under the same roof too." Maan asked side hugging her.

Swarnima just nodded her head in yes. She had heard dreams turn to reality with hard work and dedication. But, fantasies? Can they also turn into realities? Yes! She always fantasised to live under the same roof with her friends because in reality it was impossible but Abhedya just turned it into reality.

The entire house was happy with Abhedya's suggestion and plans were made. Nandini took the responsibility to get the house ready in two days.
At about midnight Nivi's continuous calls reminded everyone to depart and byes were exchanged.

Abhedya also bid adieu to his parents and announced, "I am staying here, at Nim's place."

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Dear Readers
Crowded places and inappropriate touching is a common problem we all have gone through and often ignore it or don't raise our voices till the time it is extreme.
Swarnima did.
I suggest we all should. Anything that makes you uncomfortable should not be accepted and dealt with courage.
Why does Abhedya want to stay with Swarnima?
Stay hooked
Lots of love!