NOVEL NEXT Chapter 17: Her name
Nitya knew for a fact that she really couldn't change the decision made by her brother now, so she better accept it and run for her life as she was going to be late. She showed up downstairs in exactly ten minutes, surprising Surbhi and Mehul as always, who were left wondering how this girl managed to get ready so quickly.
Mehul stood up, pulling his sister to the dining table, while Surbhi stood up to serve her breakfast. Then they both sat next to her on either side, as they knew that she tended to skip meals when she was in a hurry, and always over-ate in anger.
"I am getting late-" she had just opened her mouth to complain, when Mehul stuffed a butter toast in her mouth and Surbhi passed her a glass of milk. "Hmm, here drink this as well and listen carefully. I have handed one of the spare keys to Mehul bhaiya and you already have yours. Your midnight snacks are in the left compartment of the kitchen, and I have kept the ice cream in the freezer- don't binge on it! I know you won't listen, but now I am relaxed as Mehul bhaiya will be living here."
"Now I understand why my brothers were so eager to buy this house; because half the time, the two of them are hovering here only! Are you guys my brothers, or my personal bodyguards?" Nitya asked Mehul while sulking.
"I am everything for my little sister: a brother when you need guidance, a friend when you want to share a secret, a professor when you have any confusion, a cook when you need food, a driver when you want to go somewhere, a clown when you are sad, a karaoke singer when you can't sleep, a bodyguard when-"
"Arasseo! Arasseo! ('Okay! Okay!') Ije uli neuj-eoss eo, gaja ppalli. ('Now we're late, let's go fast.')" Nitya had switched her language once again and Surbhi picked up the cue that she was anxious about something. That was one of the reasons she used to switch between languages on auto-pilot, when she wasn't able to express her fear; as if she felt it was not the correct time to reveal it, or the correct time was yet to come when the reason of her being scared could be further justified.
She picked up her phone and texted her "I am just a text away- not even a call, so all you have to do is text or call me. And I will always be there, now tell me what happened."
"Nothing, I am just panicking that I am going to be late for the presentation and everybody will be looking at me only. :|"
A smile formed on Surbhi's face as her best friend was a different breed entirely! She was not afraid of delivering her thoughts on stage, where she would definitely be the centre of attraction; but she sure was afraid of the possibility of getting late and getting stared at by people. She replied with a laughing emoticon and sent her "Good luck <3" text to conclude the conversation.
As Mehul and Nitya left, Surbhi also went to check if she had missed anything by chance, even after having cross-checked everything about 348 times already!
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"Why do you love me?" The girl asked, looking directly in his eyes. "I am not even beautiful! Then why-"
He interrupted her by putting his finger on her lips. "I don't love you because you are beautiful. But, let me tell you this as well- you are the most beautiful girl in this entire world; but even that doesn't matter for me. You know what, when I look at you, I don't care whether you are looking good or bad at that moment; every time I look, I just think 'That girl is mine'. As if you are meant for me, like we are meant to be, every single time. When I am not near you, I remain afraid of the possibility that you might not like me anymore, as I have taken so long to find you in this life…"
This was when the girl put her finger on his lips this time round. "Hush! You know, I have never loved someone before meeting you; and I can't love anyone after meeting you. So you don't have to fear anymore: I am not going to leave you J, I promise."
"Pinky promise? You are not allowed to leave, because now I can't live without you, as you are one of the reasons for my life."
"I know, baby; and I feel the exact same way about you."
Ji-hun smiled and hugged her…
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"Ji-hun, wake up!" Dae Jung tried to pull him up by his arm once again, when Ji-hun reached up and hugged him, dragging him onto the bed. "Ji-hun, wake up", Dae Jung raised his voice. "We are going to be late, wake up already!!"
Ho-jin was now standing in front of the two best friends, who were still in bed, sleeping- well at least Ji-hun was sleeping, holding DJ like a pillow. He managed to control his laughter and asked Dae Jung to go and get ready as he would try to wake him up now. Dae Jung accepted the proposal with a grateful smile, and managed to come out from his grip with the help of Ho-jin.
Just after DJ had left, Ho-jin lowered his mouth to Ji-hun's ears and said "Hyung, don't you want to know the girl's name? Wake up, I have something really important to tell you!" He shook his brother once again.
Ji-hun tried to pry open his sleepy eyes and look at his brother's face. Struggling to open them fully, he said irritably "What is it, Ho-jin? Why can't you let me sleep peacefully for one day...just for one day! Is it too much to ask for?"
"No, it isn't; but don't you want to know about the girl about whom you were talking about, throughout the night…" He let his voice trail-off in a teasing whisper.
"Girl!? Who-" Ji-hun was still asking him sleepily when the dream quickly flashed in front of his eyes. Abruptly being brought face-to-face with that dream sequence caused his senses to be jolted awake, now he was completely sure that Ho-jin had met this girl and he was definitely forgetting something! But what?
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