Part 26

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I had my time seeing the comments when you fell for my prank that the story has come to an end.
Happy New Year Friends, may this year bring us joy and happiness, may we can stay healthy and fight all the evil spirits around us.
High Five my friend! You survived a whole year 2023! Lets move on to 2024 with the same spirit!
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"But what shall Abhishek do now? Would you shift to Mumbai, Abhishek?" Mr. Rao asked him.

There was a moment of silence. Abhishek had grown up in the soil of this village near Hyderabad. He has known every people like his family, his tea stall bringa life to many boring mornings.
Now that he has found a family, he wouldn't want to feel lonely. He wants to get loved and pampered by Vibha, he wants to scold Siddharth every morning and then seek for forgiveness with a chocolate, he wants to see Vaishnavi's smile while talking with Avneet and Vibha, he wants to protect Avneet more than a brother can ever do.
But all these cannot be achieved. Either, he needs to sacrifice the village or the family.

"I-I dont know uncle ji..." Abhishek muttered.
"It's fine, we will surely come up with a better way, for now, lets just enjoy rather thinking about the future which is holding mystery for us," Avneet said which made Siddharth choke the gulp of water.

"Wait, I am not over hearing, am I?" Vaishnavi said though her eyes were still widened.

Avneet passed a shy smile.
"In our college we were asked to  write a paragraph when I read some books, and I really loved this quote, so I thought to use it here," she said.

"The more I get to know you, the more I get amused Avneet," Siddharth thought.

The squad enjoyed their meal while laughing and cherishing every second of the happy moment.
_____
Vaishnavi's home was a small and cozy house. There weren't enough space for every individual to sleep but they wanted to sleep altogether, not wanting to let go any single moment after the happy reunion.

Thus, Abhishek, Siddharth, Vaishnavi and Avneet decided to share the same room.
Vibha slept with dadi and Mr. Rao with Mrs. Rao.

They four young adults spread sheets of fabric on the ground above a cusion.

"Now, who will sleep where?" Abhishek asked.
"We will sleep here, and they will sleep on the bed, simple!" Siddharth rolled his eyes.

"Uh, no! I will sleep with Vaishnavi," Abhishek finally split it out.

"Chill brother, me and Avneet are still present in the room. Calm your horny ass down!" Siddharth shook his head in disbelief but soon frowned when Vaishnavi gripped his ear and twitched it.

"I'm sorry," Siddharth whined.
"You better be!" Vaishnavi glared.

"Then, me and Vaishnavi will take the floor bed, you take-" Avneet didn't let Abhishek complete his words.

"We will sleep on the ground!" She said.

Then they began, with the prolonged arguement, where to sleep, and who will be their partners.

"Let us all sleep on the floor!" Avneet suggested, which was accepted by all.

There wasn't sufficient cusion left, so they brought the cusion from the bed and merged it.
Siddharth and Avneet didn't get to sleep together as Abhishek wanted the middle and Vaishnavi wanted the middle spot as well.
They four heads stayed up long, until it was almost dusk, when they finally went to sleep.
________
The next morning was brighter and it appeared as if the atmosphere was brought out after gloomy days.

Siddharth, Avneet and Vibha decided to head back to Mumbai. Siddharth had a lot of work to do, Avneet needed to go to her college.
Abhishek was left there to think about how he would settle. He was free to choose anything.

"Mom, I know your situation," Abhishek said while having a personal talk with Vibha.
"I would like to send some of my earnings to you, please mom, you cannot deny! As you said, I am a part of your family too!" Abhishek looked at Vibha with pleading eyes.

"I don't really know how to react, but..." Vibha paused which had the answer.
She was feeling guilty to take the financial help from her long lost son whom she had just found.

"Abhishek, you help Siddharth with your earnings. And for Avneet and me, I can manage that," Vibha said.

"If he is stubborn then I am his elder brother. I know you are suffering financially Siddharth. You have shared it with me. Those days, you denied my helping hand but now I am officially your brother. So you won't be able to refuse and disobey me," Abhishek thought and smirked.

Travelling by the train, Siddharth, Vibha and Avneet reached Mumbai. The last time, Avneet's experience while travelling on train was hillairous. This time, she enjoyed every single moment of the journey.

It was almost the dinner time when they stepped on the premises of their small, broken yet cozy home.
Avneet helped Vibha arrange the dinner table. 
They had their dinner and went to their respective rooms. The next day would be a busy day. Siddharth has applied for an interview as a side job besides his studies and Avneet will be rejoining her college.

Siddharth stared lovingly at Avneet when she was braiding her hair.

"We didn't get to talk these days," Siddharth broke the silence.

"You're braver than I thought," he said.
"I wanted them to get punished, especially for what the old man has done to you," Avneet replied.

"But what if he escapes?" Her voice was sweet and calm but they had the fear of the mysterious future.

"We will fight them," Siddharth said. "Once again!"

"Thank you for doing all these for me," Avneet kept the comb on the table and walked towards the bed while gazing at the floor.

"Avneet..." he said as he caged her between his legs and held her hands.

"You're my responsibility. It's a part of my life to keep you safe," he said while looking into her eyes.

She was standing while he was sitting. She couldn't divert her gaze from his eyes.

"T-thank you," was all she could say.
"Don't thank me," he said.

Oh how badly he wanted to pull her closer and kiss her passionately until she runs out of breathe. How badly he wanted to say that he didn't pity her rather saved his lifeline.

The sudden tik-tik-tik of the lizard broke the silence.

Siddharth loosed his grip and she took a few step back. She turned towards the other direction to hide her blush.

The bed was already prepared. She laid beside him.

He wanted to hug her. But he resisted himself from hugging her, because he knew that if he did, he might confess her tonight, which he didn't want.

Avneet passed a fake smile in the darkness. She wanted to sleep into his embrace. Was he angry because Asmit had seen her?

"C-can I ask just one question?" She asked.

"You can ask more than one," he chuckled.

"You aren't really disappointed because Asmit saw me in my inner garments, are you?" She asked.

"I have already told it Avneet... why would I be angry when it isn't your fault?" Siddharth said.

"What made you think so?" He asked.
"N-nah... its fine," she bit her tongue out of embarrassment.

"Is it because I didn't hug you?" He thought.

He pulled her into his embrace when she gasped.
"Are we fine?" His voice was hoarse which made her feel a shiver running through her spinar cord.

He traced her waistline with his hand and pulled her closer.
"I asked a question, Avneet."

She hugged him back tightly and hid her face into his chest not trusting the darkness. She feared if he saw how red her face was.
He smiled and closed his eyes.

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