EMBER TO MY FLAME

CH 8 || Unexpected Friend

Note: Antakshri -> It's a game of songs played in India between two or more teams. The first team has to sing two complete lines and then s/he may stop at the end of those or following lines. The last letter of the last word sung is then used by the next singer to sing another song, starting with that letter.

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Saavi

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"Just one day, please, I promise I won't demand anything after this," Riddhi said pouting at me.

"But I just can't."

"Fine, But I will miss you."

"Me too," I said and hugged her.

"Saavi Beta, let's go." Rana Uncle said.

"Ji Uncle, just 10 more minutes," I said to him and he went out saying that he will be waiting outside in the car.

I am leaving today, and everyone wanted me to stay for one more day but I can't, because I didn't want to get indebted anymore.

There is one more reason for me to not stay here any longer, I have grown closer to each and everyone here and I don't want that, because then, it will be difficult for me to leave all of them behind to go to chase my dream.

I have not seen Dhruv since morning and I can't leave without thanking him, after all, he had done a lot for me in the last few days.

"Where is Dhruv?" I asked Riddhi, but I felt that she was in some kind of confusion.

"Chubby cheeks, if you don't mind can I ask you for a favour?" Namit asked.

"What favor?"

"Can you please stay for today?"

"Namit, me and Riddhi already talked about it and...." Cutting me off in mid, Arjun said, "Please Chubby cheeks, it's urgent."

I could sense the seriousness in his voice and everyone looked worried. I couldn't help myself so I asked,

"What's going on? Why do you guys look worried?" They were fine till I mentioned Dhruv.

"Dhruv is not fine," said Rohit clearing my confusion.

"What do you mean he is not fine?"

"Ah, Saavi, the thing is...." he started but stopped. It looked like he was having some kind of inner turmoil.

"Saavi, it's not our place to tell you anything. I think you should ask Dhruv." Riddhi said but I had to leave in 10 minutes which was already reduced to 2 minutes.

I stood there thinking about what should I do. Whether should I leave or stay? It's not like I and Dhruv are best of friends and he can't be fine without me. But still, I was feeling weird ever since Rohit said he was not fine.

I was curious to know what happened to him, but I was feeling something in my heart, and I had no idea why. I heard the honking sound which was probably Rana Uncle and I had to decide fast. My mind was warning me not to stay but my heart was saying otherwise.

Telling Arjun to keep my bag back in my room, I went towards Dhruv's room. So yeah, I listened to my heart and I don't know why I did that.

I knocked on the door but no reply came. I knew he was inside, I thought something happened to him so I opened the door and went inside without waiting for his answer.