Hi everyone Did you guys miss me? 😉 I hope you guys enjoy this episode as well. Please don’t hesitate to let me know your views so that I can work on it and improve myself. I was asked to add a precap as well but I liked it without the precap, mostly for the suspense. So I hope you still like it and don’t forget to drop in your comments.
This episode is written with Anika’s point of view, and I’ve tried to explore the innocent side to her character more than the fun part.
Episode 3: Precious
Pain shot through my hand as I rolled over in my sleep. A gasp escaped my lips the instant someone held my shoulders to hold me back. I turned and opened my eyes slightly to see light green eyes flecked with golden. Slowly I examined my surroundings and then my own body, and my mind was filled with questions. How did I reach here? What is this bandage doing on my hand? Why is ‘scruffy Billuji’ looking at me so funnily? I tried getting up, only to feel dizzy and sit back again. His hands reached out to hold me and when I sat back, he left his hands dangling in the air. I would have laughed out loud if not for the pain in my hand and head.
“What happened?” I asked innocently, only to receive an absolutely disbelieving look from him. Before he could launch into reproaching me, OmRu came to my rescue. “Didi, you woke up so soon?” Rudra asked handing me a glass of juice. “No, I don’t want it. What is all this?” I asked raising my left arm a bit.
Suddenly, Billuji thrust the glass under my nose and said, “Drink up”. I pouted and he glowered at me with narrowed eyes. I reluctantly took the glass from him and finished it in one gulp. “How are you feeling, Anika? Do you need pain killers?” Om asked. I made a face at the thought of having medicines. “I guess you’ll refuse”, Om said chuckling a little. I flushed a little and my eyes went back to Billuji. “What?” I asked. He looked away at once, fluttering his eyelashes a little. “What’s the time? I have to go back home.” All the O Bros looked at me as if I had lost it. “Didi you need complete rest. Although none of the major arteries were affected, but you lost a lot of blood. That’s why you’re so weak.” Rudra explained. “And they can also try to hurt you again. Oberoi Mansion is the safest place for you to be now.” Om added. “Rudra, I can take care of myself, don’t worry about me. And Om why would they try again? And I can’t leave Sahil at home with Bua ji. So tension not”, I said smiling a little to reassure them.
“Why are you guys wasting your breath? Don’t you know? Miss Stubborn won’t listen to anyone. Are you out of your mind Anika? There’s a mad woman on the loose and you haven’t even recovered properly. Why don’t you get it?” Billuji’s outburst surprised me. But I agreed with him on one thing, I was rather stubborn. And he was right that I won’t listen to anyone. “Billuji, I have to go home.” I tried the soft and gentle treatment. And it worked! They looked at each other and shook their heads as I looked at the three of them standing over my head, while I quietly sat there being an image of absolute innocence. Om and Rudra shared a quiet smile while Billuji shook his head.
Soon enough we were on our way to my house. These quiet car rides were becoming a habit now, I had to strictly refuse him the next time he offered to drop me. The silence was punctuated by his occasional hmms and yeps murmured into the phone. I tried to decipher his mood to pass my time. The calm set of his eyes said that he wasn’t exactly angry right now. But he pursed his lips now and then, so maybe he was upset about today’s events. But his nostrils weren’t flared up, nor were his knuckles tensed, so I guess he ‘has it under control’, as he says. Wow! I was so aware of him! I don’t think I had noticed anything about anyone else besides Sahil the way I noticed everything about him. To say that this observation surprised me would be an understatement. I searched for a way to distract me before I go mad, and the first thing that came to my mind was the weird thing about those security guys today. And I decided to ask him straight away.
“How did you know I would be in danger?”
He looked at me as if judging whether to tell me the truth or not, and taking a slight breath he said, “I received a threat in the morning.” That’s short, I thought to myself. And then something struck me. “They were gonna kidnap you?!” I was angry and scared more than shocked. “Nope” was his short reply. The momentary relief was replaced by doubt and I raised my eyebrow at him. “It’s okay, Anika. You don’t have to worry. I have it un…” “Under control! I know that dialogue. But Billuji, I might be able to help”, I tried reasoning with him.
For a second it seemed as if he was going to tell me after all, but then he said something that made me feel like electricity in water. “How many people want revenge from you? Wherever you go, problems follow!” “Isn’t that from some ad?” I asked mischievously, sidetracked by his fun form. He got so surprised by my comment that the car jerked and I let out a small cry as the pain shot through my entire left arm again!
“Are you okay?” he asked, concern dripping from his face. I got an excuse to vent out my anger at him. “Do I look okay? It hurt so badly! Why can’t you drive properly?” I whined like a kid. “Why are you complaining? You’re the one who didn’t let me focus” he returned. “I’m so worried about you Billuji. What’ll become of you? Poor you! You don’t even know that you’re crazy!” his confused look changed into a narrow stare as he replied, “Look who’s talking!” Now my annoyance knew no boundaries. “I prefer walking than boiling my blood talking to you. You try to figure out all about your problems and threats. On. Your. Own. Good night.” I stepped out of the car and slammed the door shut, making him cringe. Somehow that delighted me a lot. I pulled out my hands-free out of Chikni and plugged it into my mobile. I’ll have to ask OmRu for the details after all.
My favourite song was playing in my ears as I reached the turn around my house, but I didn’t realize the pair of amused eyes following me from the black, expensive-looking car. Just as I was closing the door, I noticed the almost invisible car in the light from another vehicle passing by. And for some unknown reason, I felt as if someone… No, not someone. I felt as if it was him. ‘Didn’t he leave already?’ Unable to shake off the suspicion, I entered the house, took the back door and carefully hid myself behind the boundary wall to check up on the intruder who dared to spy on me. But surprise awaited me as I saw Khanna ji standing a little away and speaking with someone on his Bluetooth. I didn’t have a doubt about the person on the other end. As it often happened, just thinking about him brought a warm glow to my face. “Anika”. Although I was thinking about him, his soft voice startled me. “Billuji, I said I can take care of myself “, I said trying to be a little firm.
“And I heard you the first time. But this is not for you. It’s for me”, he replied with his usual cool confidence, or should I say arrogance! Before I could give it back to him, his eyes turned into dark liquid, and I gave in to his protectiveness just like that.
“Don’t worry, I have made sure that they won’t disturb you at all. They will just be keeping a watch on the surroundings. It’s just a precaution. I can’t put you in danger again.”
As I looked at him with a hint of smile around the corner of my eyes, he corrected himself. “I mean I can’t put anyone in danger. My family should be safe.” Yep, that’s why there are bodyguards stationed all around my house. Agreed, Billuji!
Pulling on an expression of utter tiredness, I said, “Why am I even trying to explain it to you?! Anyways, I’m so tired. I’m going to sleep. You should go back home too. After all, you too had a difficult day.” The reaction to the last few words lasted for seconds only, and then the poker face was back.
“Yeah, you should sleep. I’ll leave in a while.” And he went off in the direction where I thought I had seen him before.
As few people had asked me from where and how is the story progressing, I have included the prologue segment too. I guess you guys have got it now.
As you guys already know, I’m waiting for your comments. Thanks a ton for all your love and support. Wishing you all a very happy, safe and prosperous Diwali.