Bound by Blood: A Tale of Mafia and Medicine

11.

SOYRA'S POV

After a long exhausting day, I returned home, slumping myself on the bed. My eyes fell on a packet, lying on the edge of the bed. Who left it here? Radhika? She was my first guess, as my parents never gifted me anything. I quickly opened the grey-coloured packaging and found an elegant, silk, off-white coloured scarf, with intricate carvings lining its edge. It also had my initials engraved on the corner.

White was my favourite colour. And she knew it. So it was she who bought me such a beautiful scarf. As I unfolded the cloth, a short white piece of paper fell out of it. My eyebrows drew closer as I held the note and started reading it.

'Besharam nahi hu, isliye khudki galti sudhar raha hu. Aapne Jo humare liye kiya, uske samne ye kuch bhi nahi, bas humari taraf se chota sa tohfa, humari dosti ka pehla izhar.' ~Adi.

"Aggabaiiiiiiiiiii" (Oh my) I screamed as my heart started pumping so loudly against my chest. I re-read the words, not believing that HE sent it to me. His choice was amazing, and I was truly amazed. A red hue crept to my cheeks and there were butterflies in my stomach. I felt emotional, as receiving gifts was never my thing. Clutching the scarf close to my heart, I closed my eyes and took deep breaths, adjusting to this new feeling.

Why is he so generous? Does he have feelings for me? Is he attempting to flirt? I couldn't help but blush. I grabbed my phone and instantly looked for his number, deciding to thank him. To my amazement, he had already delivered a message that was waiting to be seen by me.

AM
Toh, Ms. Gaikwad, Dosti pakki samjhe?

SG
Mr. Malhotra, this is the most beautiful present I have ever got in my life. I couldn't thank you enough. Aur haa baat rahi dosti ki, voh toh shayad ho chuki thi?

AM
Kar di na choti baat, dost kehti ho, aur aise Thanks bolke sharminda kar rahi ho?

SG
Ab se hakk banta hai mera, tumhe thankyou kehne ka

AM
Tum nahi sudhrogi, acha suno..

SG
Ji, Kaho?

AM
Kal subhe Raj ko dekhne ke baad mere sath chalogi? Mujhe Maa ke liye saari leni hai, Muskan ko leke jaa nahi sakta, usko koi knowledge nahi hai saariyo ka. Will you?

SG

Zaroor, Aditya. I would love to. Mai subhe toh nahi aa sakti, lekin tum mujhe sham 4 baje miloge?

AM
Aapka hukum sarakhon par.. See you tomorrow ;)

SG
Alright, Good night!!

I was blushing uncontrollably, looking at our chats. It was sure, that he kinda liked me. I mean, he was giving me visible hints. I sent screenshots to Radhika, and she went crazy looking at them. After talking to her for almost an hour, I drifted to sleep.

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AUTHOR'S POV

The morning unfolds as Soyra prepares to make her way to the Malhotras. Her so-called bodyguard, Kabir, was there to pick her up. Enveloped in a new feeling, she found everything around her to be enchanting and paid close attention to every detail as she made her way to Aditya's house in the car. She was glowing, all covered up in white Anarkali, and with the white scarf her 'friend' gifted her.

On reaching the Malhotra Mansion, she made her way inside the house. Expecting Aditya to come and greet her like yesterday. But to her amazement, Aditya was nowhere to be seen. Her heart sank, not feeling him around her. Out of curiosity, she asked Raj about his whereabouts.

"Aapke bhaiya aaj kahi dikh nahi rahe? So rahe hai kya?" Soyra interrogated playfully, trying not to sound more desperate.

"Kyu? Bhaiyya ko bhi check karna hai kya?" Raj teased, making her blush on hearing his reference.

"Oye Raj, tu chup kar, chedho mat use. Waise Soyra, ye jo scarf hai....voh kaha se liya tumne? Mujhe bahut pasand aaya, look at the colour, it suits you so well, you're glowing like a goddess." Muskan added her words to Raj's, eyeing Soyra.

"Aww thank you so much, It is a gift, from...from a friend," She tried to cover up her blush and spoke remembering the small note Aditya gave her.

"Hmm dekh rahe ho, aisa kaunsa friend hai jiski yaad me aap itna sharma rahe hai?" Raj couldn't stop teasing her. Their morning banter continued for a few good minutes and she took leave from them, addressing that she had to go to the hospital. But little did they know, she was escaping their teasings and was in a hurry to finish her work, to meet him. To meet Aditya.

Soyra finished her shift at 4:15 pm. Realizing she had to go shopping with Aditya, she quickly wrapped up her work and made her way towards the main entrance, hoping that he would be there already to pick her up. Standing at the edge of the road, she heard a car honking and saw it pull up right next to her, almost touching her knees. She frowned looking at the glass and saw a familiar face. It was Aditya's.

"Can we please stop meeting like this? It scares the shit out of me." She whined towards him, who was chuckling, and stepping out of the car.

"Jaisi aapki marzi, doctor Sahiba" he forwarded his hand towards her. She glimpsed at his hand, and then squinting her gaze into his eyes.

"Kidnap nahi kar rahe hai hum, apne dost pe bharosa kar sakti ho,"

He said raising his eyebrows at her and observing her keenly. He was mesmerized by her, her pink lips in a pout turned into a big smile as he let out those words. She had a dimple on her left cheek. He was devouring the view in front of him, she was looking no less than a goddess. She ascended her hand in his, while a big grin stayed on her face.

"Lekin, Kidnapper jaisi harkate zaroor karte ho" She let out a sweet laugh, as they both headed towards the other side of the car. Aditya cackled hearing her response and opened the door for her. She muttered a 'thank you' to him after he made her sit inside the car and closed the door for her. Her eyes lovingly gazed at him, who was seating himself in the driver's seat.

"Chalein Madam?"
"Ji chaliye" She reciprocated his tone and couldn't help but blush at his words, she looked down at her hands, trying to hide her cheeks.
"Soyra.."
"Hmm?"
"Pehle seatbelt laga lo, phir baith ke sharmana" He nudged her stance and she quickly pulled the seatbelt over her chest.
"Kamine ho tum" he chuckled hearing her words, and started the car.