"RUHAAN!!" , Tapasya's muffled scream echoed in Ruhaan's ears. He quickly stumbled back before the curtain could fall on him. He was saved by an inch. Tapasya breathed a sigh of relief. But this relief did not last long. People were by now going absolutely crazy. They frantically paced and ran here and there in order to find an exit. Some people even got on the stage to get out through the back door of the hall. One man , in hurry, accidently brushed past Tapasya and she stumbled and fell on the stage. Ruhaan rushed to her as soon as he saw her.

Ruhaan: Tapasya, tum thik ho na? Tumhe kuch hua to nahi?!

But Tapasya was not in a state to say anything. She was asthmatic.She was having difficulty in breathing. Ruhaan noticed this and said,

Ruhaan: Oh shit! No! Adi!

Adi , who was trying get to the back exit, turned his head towards the direction in which his name was called. He rushed to Ruhaan and Tapasya.

Ruhaan: Adi, we need to get her out of here. She is having an asthma attack! 

Adi: Tappu, tera inhaler kaha hai?

Ruhaan: ADI! She is not being able to breathe. Voh tujhe kaise batayegi ki ki uska inhaler kaha hai?!

Adi didn't say anything. He had never seen Ruhaan this panicked, ever. To be honest, he was a little sacred.

Ruhaaan: ADI! 

Adi: Huh? Ha- ha.....um......main back exit khali karne ki koshish karta hu.

Saying that, he rushed backstage. Mitali, who was silently observing everything,  whilst trying to help others get out, rushed beside Ruhaan.

Mitali: Ruhaan, Tapasya ko uthao! Hamare pas utna waqt nahi hai ki hum back exit khali hone ka intezaar kare! Agar Tapasya ko jaldi inhaler nahi mila, to it can lead to something serious. Hume abhi use lekar nikal na hoga!

Ruhaan just nodded and then picked  Tapasya up in his arms. Mitali made way through the crowd for him. Adi was standing on the edge of the exit. Mitali and Ruhaan followed his gaze and saw that the exit was blocked by the furniture which was on fire.

Mitali: Adi! Ruhaan! Samne ke exit se try karte hai! Come on!

They rushed down the stage. Ruhaan looked at Tapasya who was on the verge of fainting. Her eyes were slowly closing. 

Ruhaan: Nahi! Nahi! Tapasya ! Aakhein mat bandh karna ! Mat bandh karna! Tapasya! Please!

Mitali could feel his helplessness. But she couldn't anything herself. The front exit was flogged with people.She looked all around her. It was a chaos.And , suddenly an idea struck her. She looked at Ruhaan, who was almost on the verge of crying. 

Mitali: Adi, mere sath chalo!

Adi: Kaha?

Mitali: Mere pas yaha se nikal ne ka idea hai. Par I need your help.

Adi:(nodding) Ha Ha bilkul!

Mitali:(Turning to Ruhaan) Ruhaan, tum yahi Tapasya ke sath raho. Aur kaise bhi karke uski aakhein khuli rakhne ki koshish karo! Mai aur Adi abhi aaye.

Ruhaan nodded, sweat and tears evident on his face.

Mitali held his shoulder and said,

Mitali: Kuch nahi hoga use......hm?

Ruhaan looked at and she nodded reassuringly. She left in the opposite direction with Adi following her.

Ruhaan knelt down on his knees and rested Tapasya on the floor. He cupped his hands on her face and said in a muffled up voice,

Ruhaan: Please! Tapasya! (Wiping his tears) Dekho, Mitali kuch na kuch karke tumhe yaha se bahar nikal hi legi! Bas thodi der aur! Just stay with me a little while longer! Just a little! Please! Agar tumhe kuch hogaya na, to main khud ko kabhi maaf nahi kar paunga.........Please.......

Tapasya's eyes opened a little more. She was looking exhausted.Ruhaan noticed that and started talking more.

Ruhaan: Tapasya , yaad hai......aise hi ek baar bachpan mein khelte khelte ........tujhe achanak asthma attack aa gaya tha.......aur mai aur Adi samajh hi pa rahe the ki kya kare.........phir.....phir........uncle ne.........help ki thi.......aur hum dono ko kitni dat padi thi.Jabki tujhe.....(laughing nervously).......tujhe icecream mili thi! 

Tapasya's lips curved into a smile. Ruhaan smiled through his tears.

Ruhaan: Uss din maine aur Adi ne ek dusre se promise kiya tha ki hum tujhe kabhi kuch hone nahi denge.......chahe uske liye......hume kuch bhi karna pare.....hum karenge.......Aur voh promise......aaj hum zaroor pura karenge. Mere hote huye mai tujhe kuch nahi hone dunga.......I promise......

Tapasya's eyes glistened. She still smiled.

Ruhaan: Bas....ab tu mujhse ek promise kar.........ki tu apni aakhein bandh nahi karegi......chahe kuch bhi ho jaye......Promise?

Tapasya nodded slightly and sat up slowly. She cupped his face with her hands and said in an almost chocked voice,

Tapasya: I.....lo....love......y....

" RUHAAN! ", a voice was heard screaming........

                                              ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Guys, sorry for the late update. Got a lot of assingnments piled up! Sorry!

Anyways, how did you like the chapter?

Which was the best part?

The next chapter is going to be a blast , I promise!

Till then, stay happy and awesome!

Love you,

Bosedisha. 

Oh, and yeah, please vote guys and do hit me up in the comments and tell me your suggestions!