*******

Finally!

I fell on the ground straight.

We were now done with the 17th wheel.

It was such a difficult task.

Once we got attacked by mermaids then shikhu uncle and then that kid I met for the first time.
Of course, they were impostors but that was truly haunting.

They were so near to us, they could practically kill us. Once one of the evil creatures caught Gracious but somehow we managed to save Gracious, she fell unconscious for a long time.
I got hurt on my forehead, my arms, and legs quite a few times but Bela healed me.

It was getting more and more horrific. I wondered what would happen on the 24th wheel.

Drenched in sweat, I closed my eyes trying to breathe. It drained out all of my energy.

Climate was getting a lot better. It was turning brighter and brighter. I was amused by the fact that the forest which was dead, the land that was barren was turning green. Like how I saw the first time I entered the place.

It was turning into a serene beauty. The beautiful, magical trees I saw, in the beginning, were slowly back.

That was not a dream, I realized.
It was all true.

I looked beside me, Bela was breathing heavily. Gracious laid on my chest, not moving even a half muscle.

I sighed in relaxation.

I had grown attracted to Bela. I didn't know what would happen in the future. I wanted to go back to my family but I was also scared of the fact that I would have to leave Bela and gracious.

What I would do without them?

I wanted them to be an addition to my family but I guess that was not possible.

I didn't understand why the wheel moved by just our hands being kept together on it. Bela refused to answer my every question.

I was still waiting for the 'right time'.

I had so many questions but no answer.

I was lost in my own theories when I felt soft cotton touching my forehead.
I looked at the source to find Bela near to my face. Her face was inches apart from mine, her slow warm, even breaths were fanning on my cheeks.

Every time I looked at her, I just found adoration for me in her pretty eyes and that would fill me up with bliss.
That would make my heart go crazy.

My attraction for her was slowly deepening. Her intoxicating fragrance, her smile, her blush, her touch, every single thing about her was slowly getting engraved in my heart.

Her presence near was solace.

The realization just put me in an emotionally vulnerable state. How would I be able to go leaving her here all alone?

I got up, carefully removing her hold on mine and putting gracious on her palm tenaciously. I glanced at her saddened face which pained my heart.

She was shy, she was nervous, it took her so much time to come closer to me and now when she was slowly coming closer, I was pushing her away.

It was better for both of us to just kill that sweet feeling at that budding moment only. I didn't want it to hurt her later.

Turning around, I started walking towards our next destination. She followed me quietly.

Before I could move further, she held my wrist.

I didn't want to talk about it.

"Mahir Ji" She called me innocently.

"Bela let's just get going okay? We have a task to follow"I replied without turning back.

" But... Mahir Ji... "

"Please Bela" I took out my wrist from her hold swiftly.

"Mahir Ji that's the... "

"Shut up Bela. I don't want to discuss anything right now " I voiced out urgently, moving ahead.

Suddenly, she said something which halted my steps then and there. "Okay but Mahir Ji I was just saying you are going the wrong way".

Oh

~ yes yes go on aur thoda hero banle.

Embarrassment was a small word for the situation.

~should I ask gracious to dig a hole for you or you would prefer burning yourself alive?

I turned around looking at my newfound interest; green grass.

I never knew they were so beautiful.

I slowly passed by Bela, walking like a penguin, still looking down which resulted in me failing to notice a tree before me, and like every time I collided with the tree hurting my forehead.

From my peripheral view, I could see Bela biting her lips, trying hard to stop herself from laughing while Gracious was guffawing, rolling on Bela's shoulder.

~ how about some poison?

Why do I have to embarrass myself in front of her every time?.

~ Even a spoon filled with water would be enough for you.

I turned away from both of their gaze(s).

After what felt like a minute, Bela came towards me.

I was dying of embarrassment.

I felt soft arms encircling my chest from behind. Putting her head on my back "why do you get so nervous Mahir Ji? " She chuckled.

"You are also making fun of me, right? " I pouted turning my head away, trying to get away from her grip.

But she tightened the grip, engulfing me in a tight hug.

"Did I say that I don't like a cute, clumsy Mahir Ji? " She whispered but I heard it.

And that made clear, our feelings were mutual.

"Even if I tell you everything Mahir Ji, you will forget once you leave this place. " I felt my shirt getting wet.

Turning in her soft embrace, I cupped her tear striking face.

"Why are you crying, Bela? "I panicked seeing her tears.

" I don't know Mahir ji . I just want you to be safe. I don't want you to get stabbed again. I can't see you getting away from me again." Her voice croaked.

I kept wiping her face and tears kept falling on her pinkish cheeks.

" As...As the 24th...w...wheel is getting closer...Y...You are getting away from me. " She hiccupped with her quivering lips.

"I...I want to be selfish for once Mahir Ji. I want to keep all of you to me. I am losing my senses. I can't control anymore Mahir Ji. "
She hugged me tightly, not letting the air pass.

My hands involuntarily encircled around her waist.

"Relax Bela. I am here with you " I tried to calm her down but she kept clinging to me as if I will vanish from her sight.

"I don't want to lose you again " She whispered unconsciously.

"Calm down Bela. Please Relax. Take a deep breath " I rubbed her back, kissing her hair.

Her continuous crying was bringing tears to my eyes as well.

Gracious too had tears watching us from her sitting place on the ground.

There was an eerie silence in the atmosphere.

She stopped crying suddenly.

"Don't you feel the same, Mahir Ji? "

She asked with so much hope in her eyes that it scared me to no end.

My heart was beating rapidly.

I didn't know what should I answer.
I was tongue-tied.

She shook me and I looked into her hopeful eyes.

"No" A mere whisper left my lips.

The hope in her eyes was crushed before me, her hold on my arms loosened.

It pained my heart.

She moved back, carrying tears in her eyes again.

It hurt me equally.

I had a strong urge to take her in my arms and wipe her tears.

My heart loathed me.

I crushed our budding feelings at that very moment.
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Hanji, so everyone wants Gracious's pov🤭🤭.

Trust me I am very glad to know you all love Gracious so much.

[ BG:- Gracious performing curtsy and waving her rainbow tail while behir is sitting on a rock watching her take away all the attention, huffing and puffing.

Gracious looks at them smirking, twirls around squealing in joy ]

So Phase 1 of the story is going to end in 5-6 chapters and then I will post a One-shot or two-shot on Gracious's pov separately as a thankyou gift for you all🤗🤗❤❤

Till then you can mention if you want gracious's pov for a particular scene🤭

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love❤

You all are shining stars 🌟🌟

Please ignore grammatical mistakes.

Thanks for reading❤.