"All day long I can hear
People talking out loud (ooh)
But when you hold me near (you hold me near)
You drown out the crowd (drown out the crowd)
Try as they may they can never define
What's being said between your heart and mine
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me wherever I fall
You say it best (you say it best)
When you say nothing at all"

Dancing in the rain with her childhood sweetheart singing for her, Swarnima could not stop herself from singing along. The heavy downpour also could not stop their feet. Doing crazy steps, twirling, twisting and laughing all along. Swarnima's happiness knew no bounds. Not only her body but her heart, her soul and her entire existence was dancing to Abhedya's tunes.

Abhedya twirled Swarnima and pulled her with force. Her hands were on his chest and his hand was on her back. The game of eye lock resumed. The only sound was that of the raindrops hitting the floor. Involuntarily Abhedya's free hand trailed down Swarnima's forehead-eyes-cheeks-corner of lips-chin-neck- but before it could go any further Swarnima caught his hand and whispered, "stop!"
Abhedya felt as if he was asked to step out of a wondrous dream. Swarnima stepped back and said, "The rain is getting heavy... let's go inside."
Abhedya followed her like a lost puppy. He had no clue what just happened. They came inside and went to their rooms without exchanging any words.

A long relaxing shower was taken to soothe desires. Swarnima cried in the shower and rubbed her eyes furiously. She had several people to share her feelings with. But, could not.
Nandini, was like her mother, but how could she tell her that she was madly in love with her son.
Maan, was like her brother, but he already felt loaded with guilt because he could not ease the restrictions she was under. Telling him about her love-story would make him feel more helpless.
Arya was her buddy, but he was more close to Abhedya and she feared his big mouth.

So, the last resort, cry to yourself. Be your healer. She remembered what the Queen taught her.
She cried hard and confessed to herself aloud, "I LOVE YOU ABY!! I LOVE YOU VERY VERY VERY MUCH! Just don't leave me."

It must have been an hour she was in the shower. She realised when she heard someone banging her room's door. She quickly stepped out of the shower and answered the door.

"Nim, are you okay? What took you so long? How long were you in the shower, you have any idea? Your eyes are swollen." Tara was worried.

"Tara, I am fine. But, I won't come out and have my dinner in the room. Umm... my hair is all wet and I can't tie them. You know the rule." Swarnima thanked the baseless rules for once.

"God! You and your rules. Trust me the day you claim the throne, just make a new rule, NO RULE!" Tara requested her and Swarnima just smiled. Swarnima knew the power didn't vest in her hands.

Tara broke the news to the gang and Swarnima could hear their objections, criticisms and curses to the rule-makers. Maan was silent. He was in the council as her representative but he could never get his sister the freedom she deserved and he felt extremely guilty about it.

Gene brought Swarnima's dinner into the room. She received a video call request from Arya and she received it. "Princess lets eat together." Arya placed his phone on a stand from where the whole gang was visible.
Swarnima was happy. They respected her rules at the same time found a loophole, so that their friend could also enjoy.
The fun at the dinner was not missed. Swarnima was quiet as usual? No! But unusually. The shine and spark she had, vanished. Her smile didn't reach her intriguingly beautiful eyes.

Post dinner, Aadya gave Abhedya his present... A wind chime that created music and emitted positive vibes.
"He is an angry man, the music might help him calm," Aadya commented. She was a twin version of Arya.
Abhedya loved the gift but Aadya's comment got her cheeks pulled hard, instead of thankyou!

Everyone retired to their rooms and called it a night. Abhedya wanted to speak to Swarnima so he messaged her to come to the terrace.

'Sorry! But I am very tired. Tell me if it's really important.' Swarnima messaged him back.

'I could give you a massage.' Abhedya tried to ease the tension that developed between them.

Swarnima ignored his message. What could she reply to him? Abhedya called her. Swarnima's tears weren't stopping. How could she talk to him? She rejected the call. Abhedya called her again. Rejected. He called again... this time she picked up.
"Why are you rejecting  my calls?" Abhedya was angry.

"I am sleepy. I have no time or strength for your non-sensical talks." Swarnima was rude. Probably for the first time.

"Sorry! What? Non-sensical? When have I talked sensibly, Nim? It's you who is the sensible one. I am a fool. Who is trying hard to keep this relationship work? But, Miss, it's a two-way train here." Abhedya cut the call and threw his phone.

Swarnima's tears flowed freely now. She so wished to hide in her mother's embrace. There was no one to give her relationship advice. 'Why blame others when you choose to keep quiet'. Her brain scolded her.

It must have been around ten minutes her phone rang again. It was Abhedya, again. She picked up.
"Look, if you are annoyed with what happened at the basketball court. I am sorry for that okay. I got carried away. I won't repeat. I will stop all the flirting too... umm... I will try it." Abhedya ranted in one breath.

"I am not annoyed. Just tired. Please understand." Swarnima gathered herself to say a few words.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Goodnight." Swarnima hung the phone.
She decided to sleep. Crying was no option. Only the weak cry and she was not weak. The Queen surely taught her a lot, but not everything she taught was correct.

The following morning went smooth. Everyone was back to normal.

Abhedya and Swarnima were 'friends'. The sparks that were rising, came to a halt but didn't die. Abhedya thought she probably needed time and he was ready to wait for a lifetime. Swarnima was happily surprised to see a subtle version of Abhedya. Though she badly missed her 'bad boy' who was a self-defined 'A-class jerk.'

She reminisced about the moments she spent with Abhedya. Though they were together still but those special moments, with him were treasured.
What havoc the touch of your love creates in the pit of your stomach, the palpitations at the thought of his next move and for the first time she wanted to dress, look pretty and put efforts for her love. She loved his gaze. She wanted it only for herself. A few more days, then either her boat of love will sail or sink.

Days passed, Abhedya finally gave a party to his friends. He started hanging out again. He was also somewhere missing Swarnima but, he promised to give her time and he always kept his promise.
Abhedya kept getting gifts from his family each day. He got high-end brand watches, clothes and perfumes. None from Swarnima though.

So, two days before his birthday he questioned Swarnima while they were doing a project Rudra gave them. "Nim, you gave me gifts for all the years we weren't together. This year when everyone is giving me hefty presents, I am just curious to not receive anything from you, yet."

Swarnima giggled and Abhedya just loved the sound of it. "Dress, the best in the evening. You are about to receive your most awaited present."
Abhedya got confused. He knew Swarnima will not tell so there was no point in asking her.

It was evening and everyone was at the farmhouse. Abhedya didn't dress his best but he dressed well. To be true whatever he wore it suited him.
The entire clan was standing on the porch when a flashy Italian beast, Lamborghini entered the gates. Making everyone still.

It stopped where Abhedya was standing and Rudra stepped out. He threw the keys at Abhedya. "2 days to your 21st, son"
Abhedya was numb. Did Swarnima get him his dream car? Why?

"Wooohooooo!! Bro... this is sexy. Who needs a girlfriend when you have this beauty!" Arya admired and kissed the car.

"Can I agree?" Rudra winked at Nandini and received an air punch.

"Abhey!!! What are you waiting for? Go ride the beast." Nivi was super excited.
Randeep patted Abhedya's back and gestured him to go for the ride.

Abhedya sat in the car and turned the ignition on. He drove till the door of the farmhouse, then reversed in speed. He stopped in front of Swarnima and opened the gate for her to sit. She looked shocked. "Sit, we are going for a ride." Abhedya pushed her inside. She looked at Nandini for permission and she said, "just go. But, drive slow and come soon."

Swarnima sat in the car and Abhedya drove out of the gate. She was admiring the interiors when Abhedya took a sharp turn scaring her. He stopped the car midway and pulled her out.
She was puzzled.

He bent down and touched her feet. "I am so thankful to the princess. She is so generous to get a car for me? Who? Like who does that for a protector? It was kind enough you accepted my friendship. But this luxury machine, is a cherry on the cake." Abhedya got up and clapped for Swarnima.
"What are you doing? We are in the middle of the road. It's not safe and I have not..." Swarnima couldn't complete her sentence because Abhedya caged her between the car and himself. "I felt rich being your friend but I feel poor now. You know, that I would feel offended by such an expensive gift. Still, you got it for me. The princess, her treasure and her gift can 'fuck off' for all that I care!"
Abhedya gave her the key back.
Swarnima took the driving seat and said, "let's go home. I can't leave you in the middle of the road."
Abhedya kicked the car hard and sat inside. He didn't want to create a scene with the family who was so happy with the princess's generosity.
"You are impulsive. You didn't even bother looking around the car. You are so judgemental that you assume things which are not even true. This car is no act of generosity but an act of love." Swarnima was calm just like the one before the thunder.

Abhedya was mad in anger. But the words 'act of love' caught his attention. Did Swarnima love him? Is this that the reason, she got him this car. But whatever, the reason maybe, he wanted to earn his dream car and not get one, for free.
They reached the house and plastered smiles on their face.
Arya ran and asked, "So, how was the first ride with your 'best friend' in your dream car. I am happy the car is not damaged." Arya inspected the car.
"Freak!! dude! Abhey! Just come here." Arya dragged Abhedya and pointed at the steering wheel.
Abhedya saw a tag attached at the bottom of the wheel. He pulled it out and it read...
"to my beloved son, ABHEY! Godspeed!! Drive safe... watching you from above, CHACHU!"

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Dear Readers
Firstly, sorry for fast-forwarding the countdown to Abhedya's birthday. There were lots to write but restricting myself so that the story does not get stretched unnecessarily. Hope, it's not abrupt.
Secondly, Abhedya was impulsive but he wanted to earn his dream car. Well, in a world where everyone is up for easy ways, he chose the harder way.
The car was a gift from?.. how many of you can guess? ..
stay hooked!
Lots of love.