Ananya’s Pov:

Tonight, I’m sharing the bed with mom. She is already slept because of tiring day with lots of stress, I guess. A message from Shiv pop up in my phone.

“Are you awake?” send text from other side of the house to know if I’m awake, I chuckled soundlessly thinking of it.

“No”

“You’re Ananya’s ghost?”

“Yup.”

“Come to my room. I am not feeling sleepy. Please”

“I’m not coming.” How can I go when mom is sleeping beside me?

“Why?” Uff! this guy.

“What if mom woken up and find out that I’m not on the bed?”

“We’re not going to do any crime, Love. So, are you coming?”

“ok, coming”

He is in the balcony of his room, sitting on the cosy swing. I went there and sit beside him.

“What are you thinking?”

“Us. I’m thinking about us. How lucky I’m that I have you in my life. But I’m the selfish one who still not ask about your life how it is going here. So, how’s Delhi treating you?”

“I’m good. I think Delhi is treating me well enough so far.”

“So, how is your internship going on?”

“Amazing. Actually, we’re doing far better than other interns. Our seniors even appreciated us because of our hard work. And Neeraj is a good guy, very hard working and helping me a lot with my works. He...”

“Wait, who is Neeraj?” Shiv didn’t let me complete my sentence and asked about Neeraj.

“Oh! I forgot to tell you, they assign us to do the project in a group and Neeraj is my project partner.”

“Ok. I’m sleepy.” What happen to him so suddenly? Sometimes ago he wasn’t sleepy but now? I’m overthinking it. It’s because of the journey, I guess.

He kept his head on my lap and closed his eyes. He holds my hand and kept on his chest. I can feel his heartbeat. I put the other hand on his head and start to stroking his hair. He is looking so attractive in the moonlight. So calm and peaceful.

“Truthfully speaking, right now I’m feeling jealous of this Neeraj guy.” He opened his eyes and looking at me intensely.

“Wh…Why?” why he is jealous of Neeraj?

“Because he spends more time with you than me and there must be something special about this guy that you spoke so highly of him in front of me. So, I’m literally jealous of him.”

“You know I only love you, Shiv?”

“Yes, I have no doubt about this but you know I don’t like his name in your mouth.”

“You’re overthinking it.”

“Maybe I’m.” if he is feeling jealous of Neeraj, it’s my responsibility to show him that I really love him. I don’t want anyone to come between us and I don’t want Shiv to feel insecure because of someone. So, I kissed him on his lips. It’s my only way to show him that I really love him.

“I’m spending more time with him because we’re doing a project. Yes, we became good friends but there is nothing between us. There is no space in my heart, because my heart is already with you and my soul also.”

*****

I left early because I needed to change my cloth for office. Neeraj didn’t asked me why I left yesterday so, I didn’t tell him anything yet.

“Hey, are you coming with me or you’re going to vanish just like yesterday? Tell me now so that I don’t have to worry about you.” he asked me. With his tone I know he just teased me. But I felt terrible because I left him yesterday without telling him and he was worried, again all thanks to me.

“Neeraj, I’m really sorry for yesterday. I made you worried abo…” The ringtone of my mobile didn’t make me complete my sentence. It’s Shiv.

“Sorry, I’ve to take it.”

“You talk. I’m here only.”

I received the call.

“When are you coming home? I’m bored and I’m missing you terribly.”

“Me too but I can’t go today. I’ve lots of work to do. And, I didn’t even tell mummy that I stayed over in your place yesterday.”

“I thought you’re going to stay with us until I’m here and if you want, I will ask Aunty about it. I know I can’t force you to stay with us before marriage, but when it comes to you, I become a selfish person. All I want is you to stay with me all the time. I know it’s not possible for you because of your internship. And this made me realise something.”

“Realise What?”

“I think I’m going to confess about us to Sir after I fully recovered. I know you don’t like hiding anything from them. Is it okay with you?”

“Yeah! I guess, I’m ready.” I don’t want to hide it from papa anymore. Mom also wanted me to tell Papa by myself. So, I’m ready to face the consequence. Whatever Papa will say we’ll face it and accept it.

“Ready for marriage, love?” here, he starts his teasing.

“NO! I meant I’m ready to tell Papa that we’re in love and I can’t live without you.”

“I know I was just teasing you. So, you won’t come today?”

“You know I really want to go but I have works to do and you distract me from work.”

“I thought it’s a good thing that I can distract you but here I’m in lose because of this. But I promise if you come today, I won’t distract you.”

“Ok, I’ll think about it and will let you know soon. I love you. Bye for now.”

“I’m waiting for a positive answer and I love you so much.”

The whole distract thing isn’t completely lie but I wanted to ask to mummy about the staying over at Shiv’s place.

“Good evening, Ani. How was your day at office?”

“Evening mummy. It was good. How’s everything at home?”

“Everything is good. You sound like you want to ask something. All good?”

“Mummy it’s about Shiv...” I told her everything like Shiv said to me. “…and mom is alone and it’s become really hard for her to handle everything on her own. Shiv isn’t able to eat by right hand because of the injury. So, is it okay with you if I stay over at their place for some days?”

“It’s fine with me. I’m not that old and conservative that I’ll oppose you. We really trust you and know that you won’t cross the line. I know it would be a great comfort for Shiv’s mom if you stay there. So, you go. Don’t worry about anything here. I’ll pray for his speedy recovery. Give my blessing to him and tell his mom that I said Namaste, ok?”

“Sure, mom and thank you for understanding. I love you.”

“Hey, everything all right?” Neeraj came and asked me.

“Yeah, sorry I have kept you waiting.”

“It’s totally fine. So, let’s go.”

“Neeraj, if you don’t mind can you drop me somewhere? Actually, it’s on the way to your home.”

“Why not. Sure.”

“But you have to wait for me because I have to take my clothes from my apartment. It’s minimum ten minutes. No, five minutes. I’ll take max to max five minutes. Is it okay for you?”

“Okay. I don’t have any problem, take your time.”

I didn’t inform Shiv that I’m coming to stay with them. It’s a surprise. I know he’ll be very happy.

I invited Neeraj to have a glass of water in my apartment but he refused and stayed in the outside for me. So, I hurriedly packed my things.

“So, here you reached your destination madam.”

“Thank you.”

“Ok, I’m going. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“No! you’re coming inside with me because I want you meet someone, who is very special to me and because of whom I left you there yesterday. So, you have to come.” I wanted to introduce Shiv and Neeraj. Yes, it’s because of yesterday conversation. I want Shiv to know that he doesn’t need to feel jealous of Neeraj. I’m sure Neeraj would be happy to meet him. And I already owe him an explanation. So, why not to introduce them.

“I would like to meet the person who is very special to you.”

*****