Srishti was sitting in bed. Gulping down the water from the bottle. Her eyes were still widened in shock. Her body was shivering. And palms drenched in sweat.

He hugged her.

She couldn't believe that few seconds ago she was in his arms. He'd hugged her warmly. She felt so safe within him that. She never wanted leave. But it also frightened her. She was worried about this new feelings. Earlier what she had was pure admiration and craziness towards him. But today when they hugged. It made her loose her sense. Lots of thoughts ran through her.

The door opened. Srishti looked up and saw bhoomi. Who excitedly ran towards her.

"So did he talk to you?"she asked.

Srishti frowned and hit her with a pillow.

"Ah akka...what?"bhoomi winced.

"You left me alone with him. Seriously bhoomi?"srishti asked. Making her grin.

"Yeah so what? You were ignoring him and he wanted to talk. No big deal. You should thank me instead"

"Thank you? Do you know what happened? Oh god. I can't deal with this right now. I really can't"srishti ducked her face. In her palms.

"Whats wrong akka?"bhoomi asked. Getting tensed. Srishti looked at her and sighed.

"He hugged me"

"What?"bhoomi jumped up. Her mouth opened in surprise.

"Tell me you saw a dream"

"I didn't. He hugged me. And it wasn't a formal hug. It was a real hug. A real one. Oh god"srishti lay back on bed.

"Did you hug him back?"bhoomi climbed next to her. Srishti recalled how she put her arms around him. And hugged him back. She felt embarassed.

"Ye..ah I did"

"Really?"bhoomi asked excitedly.

"I don't know why I did it. But he was hugging me and suddenly...I felt all..I felt...I don't know what I felt"srishti fake cried.

"You felt good"bhoomi finished.

"What will he think of me?"srishti asked.

"What do you mean? He hugged you first. And what's a big deal. Its just a hug"

"Its a big deal"srishti said.

"Yes. For you it's a big deal. He's a celebrity and it's common that they would hug. But still god. He hugged you"bhoomi said.

"Bhoomi. But I just ran away from there. I didn't even say a proper good bye to him. I just ran away"srishti said.

"This is exactly you're problem akka. God made you beautiful but he didn't give you a brain. Now he'll be sitting in his room. Thinking that you might have felt uncomfortable. And that's why you just ran away without saying anything after you freaking hugged"bhoomi sighed and srishti felt worse.

"What should I do bhoomi? Should I call him and tell him that I'm okay?"srishti asked.

"You have to make it clear. But not now. Let us see if he tries to reach out to you by his own. If he doesn't. That means hes completely okay and is not feeling bad. Then everything will be okay right?"bhoomi asked. Srishti fell silent for few minutes. And then nodded.

She recalled their hug again. Again and again. And sleep didn't occupy her a bit.

The next day. Bhoomi skipped school as she was completely exhausted after hanging around. And needed a proper sleep. Srishti went to her college. As she knew the more she's sitting idle. The more she's gonna think about him.

"Good morning ma"bhoomi yawned. Coming downstairs.

"Morning? It's almost noon madam. Why did you skip school today?"radhika asked. Making bhoomi frown.

"Come on. I'm in high school. I do what I want okay"she said. Radhika twisted her ears. Bhoomi whined in pain.

"Your akka was looking so lost in the morning. Does she have a boyfriend?"

Bhoomi looked at her puzzled.

"I thought you have much more modern thoughts. Than this Amma. This is too much"she shaked her head

"Ever since those rumours. With that actor I'm just worried for her. So is your father"radhika said. Bhoomi gulped down some water. As she knew they'll be doomed if her parents get to know about their little adventure yesterday.

Radhika got a call. Distracting her. A little later bhoomi saw her mother collapsing into the couch. She rushed towards her.

"Ma..what happened? Are you okay? Talk to me"bhoomi shaked her.

"It's your...father. He met with an accident"
.
.
Jai was moving restlessly in his room. He couldn't sleep a wink yesterday night. Recalling how he hugged srishti. And how he felt while she was in his arms. He tried to calm himself down. Saying it was just a mere hug. And he would always hug his friends and co-stars. But it was srishti. She's different. He wondered if she hated him now for hugging her. Without her permission. A lot of thoughts clouded inside him. Giving him a hard time.

He was surprised how much effect srishti had on him. There was nothing else he could think about right now. Only her.

"Why the hell did I hug her without asking her? And she just ran away. I'm pretty sure she didn't like what I did. What should I do. Oh god"he massaged his temples.

It was his day off. And he had decided earlier to spend his time with family. But he couldn't do anything. Srishti roamed around his head.

He walked downstairs and saw Ganesh. Sitting along with his uncle and seriously discussing something.

"Good morning sir"Ganesh wished him. As soon as he saw him.

"Good morning ganesh"

"Raju there's a small problem"Krishna said.

"What's it pedanana? Is everything okay?"jai asked. Sitting next to his uncle.

"There's a downfall in the business. It had affected us so much. I think someone is clearly working against us. This has been happening frequently"Krishna said. Ganesh and jai looked at each other. Krishna said how much money they lost over the one week. This has never happened before. Seeing him all worried. Jai assured his uncle that everything will be fine.

A little later Krishna walked upstairs. Leaving jai and ganesh alone.

"What do you think it is sir?"Ganesh asked.

"I don't know if it has to do something with that person. Who is responsible for my accident. But I know he's somewhere around. Any news from the inspector?"

"No sir. I talked to them this morning. They said they're trying. Still no other news"

Jai nodded.

"Don't worry sir. We'll figure it out soon"Ganesh said.

"Yeah sure. Do I have any other meeting or appointments for today?"jai asked and ganesh shook his head.

"Why sir?"

"Um..I..I have to meet srishti and talk to her"he said. Ganesh smiled at him.

"Why are you smiling like that?"Jai asked. Ganesh shook his head and laughed

"Come on ganesh. What's it?"he frowned.

"Nothing sir. When shruthi madam said that you really like Srishti madam. I thought she's just making fun of you"Ganesh said.

"Oh yeah. And you believe that now?" Jai asked

"Yeah..I mean yes"

Jai gave him a surprised look.

"You aren't denying that as well. You like her isn't it sir?"Ganesh asked.

"What made you think so?" Jai asked formally. Even though he wanted to hear more of it.

"Sir I've been with you for years. Till now I haven't seen you getting involved with anything other than cinema. Now you're worried about a girl. Did she reach back home safe and how everything related to you would affect her life. So it must be something else. And clearly I don't think it's just friendship"Ganesh said. Jai looked at him surprised. He wondered how much Ganesh knew so much about him. Everything he said was true. And he knew it. But something inside him. Didn't let him accept that.

"I think you should leave my assistant job. And try script writing Ganesh"jai said. Making ganesh grin.

"I'll call the driver sir. When do you have to leave?"

"I have to make a call to her first. Then I'll tell you"
.
.
Srishti was in middle of the class. When her phone started buzzing under the table. She was startled and tried to put it on silent mode. Wondering who was calling her at this time.

The call ended and her phone buzzed again. She switched her phone off and went back to the class. As the professor was still there.

A little later the class ended. And she came outside. She switched her phone on. There was so many missed calls from bhoomi. She called her back quickly.

"Akka?"

"I've told you a thousand times. Not to call me in between my class bhoomi. What's it?"srishti asked.

"Akka...where are..you?"bhoomi asked. Srishti realised that something is not right. Bhoomis voice was shaking.

"Bhoomi. Is everything okay?"

"Appa met with an accident. He's admitted in the city hospital"bhoomi said. Srishti froze and her breath quickened. She felt her heart heaving.

"What? What are you talking about? How's he now? Is he okay?"

"We don't know akka. The doctors are checking on him. Amma is with me. Come soon"

"I..I'm coming"

Srishti rushed outside the college. After informing her friends about her emergency. Tears rolled down her eyes. She was worried about her father. Praying to all the gods to keep him safe.

"Srishti?"she heard someone's voice behind. As she was about to start her scooter.

"Arjun?"

"Hey...where are you going?"arjun asked. Walking closer to her. She bit her lips to control her sobs. He noticed that.

"What happened srishti? Are you okay?"he asked. Concerned.

"No. Appa..he met with an accident. And he's admitted in the city hospital. I don't know..if he's okay. I'm so worried about him arjun"she cried. He stepped closer and hugged her. She hugged him back tightly.

"He'll be okay. Relax. I'm coming with you. You can't ride in this condition. Move"

Srishti nodded. She needed someone right now. Arjun sat in front while srishti sat behind him. He started the scooty. While she held him tight.

In fifteen minutes they reached the hospital. Srishti called bhoomi again. And she told her that they've taken preyansh into the emergency ward.

She rushed. Along with Arjun and found her mother and sister waiting outside.

"Amma. How's he? Did doctor say anything?"srishti asked holding radhikas hand. Who jerked it off.

"Why do you care? You're the reason why he's here in this condition srishti"radhika said. Making srishti shocked.

"What are saying ma? I didn't do anything"srishti said. Controlling her tears.

"I don't want to deal with you right now srishti. Just leave me alone"radhika said and walked away, wiping her tears. Sristi stood there frozen

"Akka..."bhoomis voice startled her.

"Bhoomi..appa is gonna be okay right? Did doctor say anything?"srishti asked in single breath.

"The doctor said that he's gonna be fine. Wounds aren't deep at all. It was just a minor accident. We don't know how it happened. We have to wait until appa regains his consciousness"bhoomi said. Srishti felt a huge wave of relief. When she heard that her father is gonna be okay.

"Why didn't you tell me this over the phone idiot"

"The doctors just told this now akka"bhoomi said. Srishti nodded and looked at arjun who smiled at her

"I told you. He's gonna be okay. Just relax"arjun said. Holding Srishtis shoulder. Srishti nodded. And then looked at her mother who was sitting silently in a corner.

"Why is Amma angry at me? I didn't do anything"srishti whispered softly. Holding her pain.

"Akka...Amma kind of got to know that we went to jai sirs house yesterday"bhoomi said. Giving a minor heartattack to srishti.

"What?"

"You went to his house?"arjun looked at srishti. Unbelievably. She didn't knew what to say. She felt being exposed. Arjun's presence made it more difficult for her.

"How?"srishti asked to bhoomi.

"Appa had left a voice message for Amma in whatsapp. Saying that people in his office had been asking about you and Jai sir. Some pictures of you with him. Clicked yesterday had gone into social media again. The rumours has heated up again. Appa said he was feeling uneasy thinking about your future so he wanted to come right away back home to talk to you"bhoomi said. Srishti stood still. Absorbing everything she heard.

"Amma said appa must have been so worried thinking about you that. He got distracted when he was riding the bike and that's how the accident happened. But trust me. She's just overthinking akka. Appa is alright and we can see him after some time"bhoomi said. Srishti fell all deaf to hear it.

"I think you need to be with your parents now srishti. I'll leave now"arjun said. Making her come back to sense

"Excuse me"

He walked away before she can protest.

"Arjun wait. Please listen to me"srishti went behind him.

"There's nothing I want to hear srishti"he said and continued walking.

"It's not what you think"she said. And he stopped.

"It is exactly what I think. Have you gone mad srishti? You were the one who kept saying that you do not want to run behind a celebrity and ruin your peace and happiness. And you're doing the exact opposite. What's wrong with you? And you went to his house....I don't know what to say"arjun said.

Tears rolled down her eyes. So many emotions ran through her.

"Now see people had been talking about you and him again. Assuming that you really have to do something with him. And no wonder your father is worried about you. If you want to run behind him then just do it. Don't drag your family in between"

"Arjun stop"srishti almost yelled

"I'm in so much mess right now. And I want you to know that I can't handle with you. My father is sick. He needs me. I don't care what people are talking about me and him. And I really think I don't need to explain everything to you. I didn't do anything wrong. So please just go. And thanks for dropping me"she said and walked away. Leaving him guilty. He felt bad that he took her the wrong way. But also knew that she needed time. So he left without saying anything.

Srishti spent rest of her day in silence. Praying to keep her father healthy. Bhoomi was guilty too. As she was the one who forced srishti to go and visit Jay.

Bhoomi was getting two cups of coffee from the canteen when her phone started ringing. She ignored it first as it was from a unknown number. But it rang twice so decided to pick it up.

"Hello?"

"Hello...Bhoomi?"a familiar male voice came from the other end.

"Yeah? Who is this?"

"Hey its jay"he said. Leaving her shocked for more than ten seconds.

"Bhoomi are you there?"jai asked. Hearing no response from her side.

"Um-yeah sir. How-how are you?"bhoomi asked nervously. She wondered how he had her number. But then she remembered srishti calling from her number. When she had lost her phone in jais house. Jai had saved bhoomis number. In case if something urgent comes up.

"I'm fine. I'm sorry I freaked you out. I just called to ask you about srishti. I've been trying to call her from noon. I hope you saw the pictures going viral again. I need to talk to srishti. I'm gonna be out of town tomorrow so...can I talk to her now?"jai asked in a single stretch.

"Sir..I..I don't think akka is in a situation to talk right now"bhoomi said. Composing herself.

"Why? Is she alright?"jai asked.

"Appa..he met with an accident today. And he's admitted in the hospital"bhoomi said.

"What? Is he okay now?"Jai asked. Concerned.

"Yes sir. The doctor said it was just a minor accident but. They haven't let us inside now. Amma and akka. Is so worried. Akka said she needs to be alone. She's so disturbed right now sir. I'm sorry"bhoomi said. She wanted Jai to talk to srishti. Knowing that she would feel better. After talking to him. But she also knew she was upset after knowing about her father's condition and how radhika has blamed her. Made bhoomi brush off the thoughts.

Bhoomi told him how srishti was upset. With her mother's words. Jai felt guilty after hearing her.

"He's gonna be okay bhoomi. Are you in the hospital right now with srishti?"jai asked.

"Yes sir"bhoomi replied.

"Which hospital?"

"City hospital sir"

"Okay. Don't worry he'll be fine bhoomi. I'm coming there"jai said. Making bhoomi shocked.

"But...sir you don't...need to come"bhoomi said.

"I have to. I need to talk to srishti and also your parents. If this keeps going on its gonna affect all of your lives. I'm the one who forced you to both to come to my house yesterday. It's not fair that srishti is getting blamed by your mother. Trust me bhoomi. I need to be there for srishti. I'll see you in an hour. Bye"

The call dropped and bhoomi sighed. She recalled what he said. He needs to be there for srishti. And she knew he's right.

A little later bhoomi took radhika to the canteen. She hadn't eaten anything all day and her health was getting all weak again. She didn't inform sristi that jai was gonna come. She just waited.

Sristi continued to sit outside the emergency room. After sometime she was allowed inside to meet her father.

"Appa..."

"Srishti?"

Tears rolled down her eyes. Seeing her father in a bed. With bandage over his head and palm

"Are you a small child? Why don't you stay at home if you don't know how to drive"she said hugging her father. Making him smile.

"I'm alright darling"

"Appa I'm really sorry. I know i was the reason behind all your tension. I know you're worried about my future. And how all these rumours are gonna affect it. But I don't care whatever they say. I have you. I have my family. That's all enough for me"srishti cried holding her father's hand.

"You're my daughter sristi. Its natural I feel worried for you. But you didn't do anything wrong. Okay?"preyansh said. Making her nod.

"I know Amma must have scolded you. But I know her. She's sensitive. Whatever attention our family had been getting. She's learning to adjust with that. Do you know what all questions people are asking about you and Jai? We're your parents srishti. Some day you'll go to someone else's house and we don't want you to face any problems because of this"preyansh said. Srishti felt guilt covering her up. She shouldn't have gone to his house. The rumours sparkled up only because of that.

"Im sorry appa"

"It's okay. I understand you sweety"preyansh caressed her hairs.

"Where's your mother and bhoomi?"

"They went to canteen. Amma haven't eaten all day"she said. Making him nod.

Sristi sat besides her father and didn't move an inch from him. A litter later a nurse walked in.

"Mam we're shifting your father to the room. So you need to fill out some forms. Can you come with me?"the nurse asked. Srishti looked at preyansh.

"Appa I'll right back. Don't strain yourself okay?"srishti said.

"Okay madam. As you say"

She smiled and walked outside followed by the nurse. Preyansh was shifted to room. After filling out the forms srishti walked back. To the room. She opened the door wide to see her father resting on bed. Besides him. Sat a tall man. All covered in black. He wore a surgical mask, covering half of his face. He was busy talking to her father.

Srishti let out a feared shriek. Seeing him. Both their eyes fell on her.

"Who are you?"she almost shouted. Seeing him all in black. She thought he was some dangerous man. She took the nearby flower vase and aimed at the man.

"Back off from my father"she said.

He got up in his feets and calmly removed his mask. Revealing his face. Making her gasp.

"Jai?"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Precap : Jai and Srishti gets questioned about marriage

♡ Nila ♡