《Written In My Heart.》 Chapter l: Nice to meet you.! Chapter l: Nice to meet you.! A new day, fresh start and azy girl. The perfect setup for a story to start. As she dreamed away in her dreand she had no idea what trouble she was going to be in the moment she wakes up. The rm buzzed breaking her peaceful slumber. As she moves around in her bed grabbing the clock that broke her serene fantasy and smash the close button wishing for it to break in pieces. But she wasn¡¯t so strong was she..? She turned over and looked at the time. 8:00 am. Is there anything important? She wondered. Why else would she want to get up so early even during holidays? Not remembering anything she decided to go back to sleep only for her phone to beep. She picked it up and checked it. Can¡¯t say no to a phone notification can you..? The notification said shopping. Who has a notification for shopping? You ask. Well she does. As she nced at the notification rms went off in her head like a fire brigade. She bolts up in her bed throwing away the phone and running to the bathroom as she heard a voice calling out ¡°Sofiaa" Sofia pov Yes.. Yes it happened again. I overslept again. And now I¡¯m gonna be dooomed. Why you ask? Well me and my friends were supposed to go shopping and we were gonna meet at 8 for breakfast at my home. And now I¡¯mte for a breakfast at my home for me. Oh yes. I¡¯m the big reason for all this fuss.. You know why. because it''s my birthday. No no not today it tomorrow.. but you see we kind of have a tradition that me and all my friends go on a shopping one or two days before the birthday. And now it¡¯s my turn. So today we¡¯re going on shopping and we¡¯ll buy our dresses for the party and they¡¯ll buy their gifts for meee... yeee. Oh o. Yaa the sound you heard calling my Name that was my bestie Kiara. And now she¡¯s gonna st me. As Sofia tries to rush to the bathroom before her best friendes in the room but just as she reached the bathroom the door of the room smacked open and she froze in her spot. She knew that now she was going to Receive a big lecture. K:Soooo.. I knew I¡¯d find something simr in here. S:Look... I can exin... K:So can i.. You werezy as always. And you overslept as always. You forgot about our shopping and ns and arete... As Always. Am i right? S:I wasn¡¯t gonna say that...... But... It¡¯s true! Kiara red at her S:I¡¯m sorry. You know how I am. K:Forget about it. Just go and freshen up Every body¡¯s here and waiting On the breakfast table for you. S:Thank you so much. She ran off into the bathroom. Kiara waited there for her friend to return. After awhile she was all freshen up and came out she saw her friend chatting with another really good looking and smart guy. Sofia POV That everybody is my Other best friend Ryan Who is also my very best brother. he really takes me as his sister and he¡¯s like the brother I never had. He¡¯s always there when I need someone like a brother to talk to. I¡¯m always d to have him around. And another thing I really like them both together. Don¡¯t you think they look so adorable. I don¡¯t know about you guys. But I ship them So much. Ryan looks at Sofia Andes and ahead. Ryan: Sleepy headste as always. He said ruffling her hair. Sofia smacked his hand away. S:Don¡¯t do that. And it was unintentional. R:Who would intentionally sleepte for her own birthday shopping any way.? S:No one. That¡¯s what I said. R:Ya Ya.. lets get going.. Everybody¡¯s waiting down there. And were HUNGRY!! S:I didn¡¯t ask you to starve yourself. Why did you have to wait for me anyway? R:Oh I don¡¯t know maybe Because it¡¯s your breakfast at your home for you. They kept bickering on their way down when Sofia bumped into a girl. She looked up and smiled. Sofia POV That is my next bestie Aliza. She¡¯s the quiet one. She doesn¡¯t always speak much but you¡¯ll know she¡¯s always there. But you should see her when it¡¯s just the Three of us. She talks like a chatterbox. She¡¯s just a little shy around boys I guess. Or maybe specially around... The guy behind her Who is Nick. Another guy of our Striking Six. That¡¯s our group name by the way. He is not actually a fully brother but ya a very good friend indeed. And yes. I do ship my friends with each other. Don¡¯t mind me bute on Doesn¡¯t that happen in all friends. Picking out favourites. Teasing them and shipping them together. But know what. I¡¯m damn sure she likes him. Look at her shy and blush in front of him. She stops and looks at both of them. N:Sooo... You finally show up. We wereing to you. S:Ya ya say it. Everyone¡¯s been screaming by now. Can we just go and eat. I¡¯m really hungry.!! R:Says the one who made Everyone wait till now. He teased moving down the stairs from beside her. They all moved on towards the dinning hall bickering and teasing. They finally reached the hall. Sofia Pov That everyone sitting on the table is the most important man of my life. (See a very handsome and good looking guy staring at her with a smirk on his face). Oh no no. Not him. He¡¯s the jerkface. Or as everyone calls him Ayaan. But I do call him jerkface. Cause you see the face he¡¯s making. That clearly shows that he¡¯s gonna make any idiotic snarky remarks. That i sure don''t wanna hear. The important man I was talking about is the one next to him. Thatdies and gentlemen is my Dad Mr. Jones Smith. The bestest and sweetest person on earth and the sweetest and awesomest dad ever. I love him a lot and of course he does too. He took a lot care of me after my mom. He¡¯s my dad and my mom now. Yeh! You heard it right. I was very young when she passed. I don¡¯t remember much just some memories but I do remember how hard it was for me and dad. He was really broken and sad. I had thought that i lost my dad too. But he recovered from it. And it was all for me. He did it for me. He became more stronger for me. To take care of me. And that day onwards he was always there from me. Not just as my dad. But as my mother too. I owe my life to him. Whatever I am today. Its all because if him. I guess that¡¯s another reason why we all get along so greatly. We are all orphans. We understand each others pain. We know what we are missing and what weck. And we are making up to it by each other. Well you see kiara Ryan and aliza lived here in an orphanage that my and Nick¡¯s dad used to fund. That¡¯s how we met and became bestfriends. We used to visit the orphanage a lot. and jerkface I mean Ayaan.. he lost both his parents in a car crash when he was 11. He and Nick are cousins. His All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. dad was Nick¡¯s dads ( Edward Adams) big brother. So after that he came and started living here. With his cousin. So that¡¯s how we all came together and became friends and a group. And that¡¯s the reason we all get along so well. Well some of us do. Ok ok I know I¡¯ve been talking on and on. Sorry if I bored you guys. Let¡¯s get back to thee breakfast shall we.. So here on my table-as I¡¯ve told you- i have my dad , my friends.. Kiara, Ryan, Aliza, Nick and of course thest and the very least Ayaan. That¡¯s our small little family here. *End* -Zareen. Chapter 2 : Why Do You Care.? Chapter 2 : Why Do You Care.? Sofia pov Another new day. Just that this is a bit more special. You know.. cause it¡¯s my birthday. Now all my friends are joining us for breakfast. And by us I mean me and my dad. Were here and the breakfast is about to start when Ayaan jerkface makes ament. Ayaan: Soooo.. her highness finally graces us with her presence. I thought we¡¯ll be going hungry on a shopping today Sofia: Oh. How i wish you would. But you see I¡¯m not such a heartless princess. Can¡¯t take the servant empty-stomach can I..? A:Ooooh. I¡¯m just soo ttered. Her majesty cares. I¡¯m filled with...... yes Gratitude. Thank you your highness And this is why I hate this guy. You see we just never get along. No matter what. This is how every get together turns up. Both of us bickering endlessly. Kiara: Alright guys. Now lets not start with that shall we. It¡¯s her special week. A: That¡¯s what I¡¯m doing right. Special treatment. K:Right.... As if we all don¡¯t know.. Everyone chuckled. As the sarcastic banter continue until we all have breakfast. After that we all gather to clean the table and wash dishes. This is another habit we all picked over years of having breakfasts or lunches or dinners together. The boys mostly worked on cleaning and putting away from the table while girls did the dishes and cleaned the kitchen and all work is done in almost 15 minutes. We all now gather around in hall to leave and tell my dad goodbye D:Alright Everyone. Have lots of fun. And you two (sofia and Ayaan) Behave yourself and don¡¯t trouble the others. A:What.. we..? S:We would Never do that.!! A:Yaa... we are as innocent as children.. They both replies batting their eyshes and big eyes. Ryan: Atleast they both finally agree on something. K:Yaaaa... Good start guys. Maybe they can get along. They both eye each other and give a disgusted look as if the idea is disgusting in itself. They all S:Alright. So who¡¯s taking us any way K:Guess whoo.? S:I don¡¯t think I want to. So just say it. K:Ooh.. your no fun. Welll... you¡¯ll be surprised it¡¯s Ayaan.. S:I surely am surprised. Ay: You shouldn¡¯t be. Not after what happenedst time. Sofia giggled remembering it Sofia pov Well.... You couldn¡¯t really say it was my fault. He was equally responsible. What actually happened was 1 year ago on my birthday Let''s say we had a fight. He was obviously being a jerk. And c¡¯mon it was my birthday. He annoyed me to tears on my birthday. So, I took my revenge. Well... I didn''t really do much except for smashing the cake on his face In front of everyone and ofcourse ruined his Extra expensive, extra show-off suit. That seems to teach him quiet a lesson for this year. S: looks like someone learnt their lesson. A: ofcourse I have. so now lets go. They all walk To the car And get in and Ayaan being a gentlemen grabs the front door for sofia as she raises her brows giving an amused look to him while climbing in & sitting in the car He just chuckles and get to the other side and sits in the driving seat. They all reach the mall as all of them go ahead and Ayaan went to park the car. They all walked in together. Kiara: So, where do we go first? S: I''d say dress shopping. Then we can go buy matching shoes and essories. And then Lunch and... Aliza: And then we can go gift shopping s: alright. so that sounds good. Ryan: Alright then dress shopping it is !! S:(looking back at him) You wanna buy dress toooo... Sofia trips on some stones and falls down as her foot twists... Her friends rush to pick her up. She tries to stand but couldn''t as she Whimpers in pain.. K& Al: sofi are you ok?? Can you get up.? Ryan: Yah. try to getup. S: I... I... can''t. It hurts aw... They help her to sit on a near by bench. Nick(looking at her foot): I think you need to rest for a while.. S: Ya.. I think that too... You guys go along. I¡¯ll just rest I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll be better. A: But.. How can we go dress shopping without you. K: exactly R: I guess we could go for gift shopping now. K: That''s a good idea.. N: We can get The dressester.. You sit here we¡¯ll be back in some time and then we can all go... K: Ya.. And if you need anything... Ry: remember, You''re sitting in a mall K: No... I was gonna say call us. R: But I wasn''t wrong. She would get anything she wants here. Sofia stick out her tongue teasing him back. S: Its ok guys and Kiara I¡¯m not a Baby so just go. K: Yes. But you''ll be alright.. S: Yes mama... now go! K: shut up! and be careful. S: Alright. now go shu!! They all go ahead into the gift section to look for gift as she is Left alone.. She looks around for a bit looking lost. Then decides to take her phone out and sits down scrolling through it. After a while Ayaan came in the mall and looked around. A: Huh... Where do I find them now. I''m sure they''ve gone for dress shopping first as always.. But let¡¯s just call and find out where they are right now. He takes out his phone and looks through his contacts for calling his friends while looking around. He suddenly spots someone and pauses. A: Is it ... who I think it is? He looks carefully.. And then dials her number. He looks at her as she gives a weird look at her phone and frowns looking at it. He chuckles looking at her expression. she finally picks up his call and talks in a bored voice. S:Hello. A:HI..!! He says happily to irritate her more. S:What.?? A:Nothing.. Why the long face.. Any problem. S:None of your concern.. Why did you call..? A:Just wanted to know where you are... ? Where should I go.? S:where are you now.? A:On the gate. And where are you guy¡¯s. S:I don¡¯t know. A:You don¡¯t know where you are.? S:I don¡¯t know where they are.. A:Why..? He stands behind her while talking. Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. S:Just like that.. A:But any reason. S:Look I don¡¯t know where they are.. just call one of them you¡¯ll know alright. He sits beside her on the chair. A:Why should I..? She listens to his voice and looks on the side shocked. S:You..?? A:Me.!! Yes. S:What are you doing here.? He looks at him self and looks at her. A:Sitting. S:Why here..?? A:Just like that... What are you doing here? S:Nothing.!! A:I¡¯m sure it¡¯s not nothing. S:Why do you care..? A:Where are the others..?? S:Shopping.!! A:What else would you do in a mall?? I meant where are they now?? And why are you here. S: I got hurt. So they went ahead. A: Just like that?? leaving you here... Alone? S: Noo. I asked them too.. A(crouching in front of her):What happened to you. S(with sad face): I twisted my ankle. And I can¡¯t walk now. A: Wait let me see... S (moving her foot away): No!! A: C''mon don''t you trust me.?? S: No! A(standing up): Alright then. If you want to sit here alone and wallow in despair. Then be my guest. I''ll go do my own shopping. Goodbye! He starts walking away. Sofia looks at him shocked... She thinks to either call him or not. opening and closing her mouth a couple of times. she didn''t want that jerk¡¯s help. But if he was kind enough to offer it then maybe she can be kind and ept it too... After all he was the only person here. S: wait!! He halts in his steps and smirks a little But decides to act normal. He turns and looks at her. A: Yes?? S: so what...? Your just gonna leave just like everyone else?? A: A...!! Yes! She res at him as he chuckles. A: You don''t want my help what do you want me to do?? S(grumpily): fine! A: Fine what.? He teases. As she res more. S: Fine... You can help me!!... But be careful please.. A: of course I¡¯ll be. He kneels near her she moves forward her right foot he check it. She looked around and saw people looking at them. she felt shy so she moved back her foot. He looks ar her questioningly. S: I... I think it''s ok! A: What?? Oh C''mon.! He starts rechecking her foot. A: soo Why do you hate me so much? S: That¡¯s a bit harsh. I don''t hate you. A: You don''t!? S: You... just annoy me alot. A: Oh ... I see... Then why didn¡¯t you want my help? S: I don¡¯t need your help!! A: Right!! S: Aw!! A: I¡¯m sorry!! S: A little careful!! A: It¡¯s Ok... You don¡¯t need to be a cry baby. S: It hurts. He chuckles lightly. A: There! now try to stand. He forwards his hand but she gives him a look and stands on her own. It didn''t hurt as much as before. she takes a few steps but loses her bnce and as it aches her foot and falls as Ayaan grabs her by her waist and she grabs his shoulders. she looks up at him but then moves up and back. She couldn¡¯t ce the fuzzy feeling in her heart that she felt. A: See.. Again? S: There''s nothing like that I told you.. A: Yeah?(Making a sad faces). I just wanted to help. Anyways is it better? S: Yeah... Its better now.. And je- Ayaan... Look! Whatever I said. I... I didn''t mean to... to hurt you. I''m sorry . I really don''t hate you there''s nothing like that. I''m really sorry if you felt that way. I didn''t mean it. I just never thou- She hears him snickering and looks up to see him holding hisugh. He bursts inughter when she looks him. A: I''m... I''m... so sorry He says between hisughs. He continuesughing as she gives him a look. He sits on the bench to catch his breath. S: You know what...? I do hate you.!! Listening to her he startsughing again. As she huffs and sits beside him. A:A... Ofcourse you don''t. I just annoy you a lot, remember.!! I can''t believe you really fell for that. S: unbelievable!! A: Yeah! Definitely unbelievable. I thought getting an apology out of you would be way harder. I can''t believe it was soo easy. Someone has a soft heart! He nudges her. S: stop it! Your an idiot. And unlike you... I''m not made of rock. A: Aww.. That''s a bit harsh.. They sit there silently for a while. He looks at her and realised she is very upset. maybe it wasn''t such a good idea he wonders. He finally speaks up. A: Hey... He tries to talk to her. He nudges her but she turns away while huffing... A: Ok ... Look I was just kidding. It was just a joke don''t be so mad about it now. I was just messing with you... S: That''s what you always do... mess with me. This time you just went too far. A: A... C''mon. Alright look I''m sorry. I really didn''t think you''d get serious. I thought you¡¯d just make a snark remark about it andugh it off. I didn''t think you''d fall for that! I¡¯m sorry... really. I just ¨C He looks up at her and sees her giving a smug smile. A(rolling his eyes): Oh... C''mon S( Chuckling): who¡¯s the idiot now?! A: Are you kidding me? S: You thought only you could do it han.?! A: Fiine... I fell for it too. She Laughs as he makes a huff face. A: well.. we are even now. I trick you.. you do it back. Revenge ispleted! S: Yes it is.! A: Alright so no hard feelings... friends? He forwards this hand. But she smacks it away. S: Get Lost! A: Oh C''mon. You know we have a special connection... He chuckled while she rolls her eyes. *End* -Zareen. Chapter 3: Lets Go Shopping! Chapter 3: Let''s Go Shopping! S: so what do we do until theye back. A: We can go... shopping! S: Noo... I told them we''d go after theye. A: so What do we do? S: I don''t know! He looks at something and gets an idea. A: Just a min. I¡¯d be right back. S: Wait. But where are you going?? He rushes off without answering. she looks after him as he vanishes into the crowd. S: Oh great! he''s gone too.! She huffs raising her hand and sits down rolling her eyes. She sits there getting bored and looking here and there. Ayaan P.0.V Alright I''ve got a pretty good idea to make this day better. Oh c''mon it''s her birthday her most Special All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. day. And I know she is pretty annoyed because of her n getting ruined already just want to cheer her up. Yeah even I don''t know why it really matters so much to me suddenly but you know that feeling we have when it feels like we can feel their every emotion. It''s like its happening to you. Ya exactly how i feel. I don¡¯t know why but since awhile I feel things between us have changed. I don¡¯t know whether she feels the same way. I don¡¯t even know what I feel. But its like I love to see her smile, and when I look at her she¡¯s like the most beautiful girl I¡¯ve... I''ve ever seen. You know and all the stuff like feeling your heartbeat rise and everything. I find it kind of weird. Idiotic movie stuff. But whatever it is. I guess I¡¯ll figure it outter. Right now my ice cream is ready to go! Yeah! That¡¯s my great n. She loves ice cream. And this will definitely cheer her up. He takes the ice creams and makes his way towards sofia.Sofia was sitting on the beach with her face in her hands. He finally shows up in front of her. A(offering her ice cream): Here! S: There you are! Whe- Ice Cream!! A: Yeah! Your favourite- chocte. S: Thanks! She smiles brightly at him as he passes it to her and he smiles back. He sits down beside her on the bench. S: so which one did you get. A: Guess! He hides its behind him as she tries to peak. But he moves away. A: C''mon. you''d atleast know my favourite. S: humm... let me think... She acts like thinking. He gives her a pointed look raising his eyebrow. she giggles. S: Alright! Alright... butter scotch! Am I right? A: Well... maybe you are. She smacks him, as heughs. They both eat while talking and teasing and also biting from each others ice creams a little. They had almost finished their ice creams when there friends arrived there. Kiara: Well someone¡¯s having a party and didn''t bother to invite us! S: Oh c''mon its just an ice cream. K:Ya ya that¡¯s what you¡¯d say when your caught. S:What ever. You guys finished your shopping.? K:Yup. S:What did you bring.? K:Lots of things. You know a cute te- Aliza(cutting her while keeping a hand on her shoulder):Nice try but your not getting anything out of us. Not just yet. S:Aw c¡¯mon.. K:Aah.. she almost had me over there..!! Ryan: Any way... how¡¯s your leg now. K:Ya.. I almost forgot about it. Are you ok.? S(eyeing ayaan):Yaa I¡¯m ok... K: Great..!! Nick: Alright so.. should we all go ahead for shopping.. S:Yes we shall.!! She stands as everyone looks at her feet.. S:Oh god.. I told you guys I¡¯m ok now..!! K:Alright then.. lets go!! They all go ahead towards the dress section as girls went ahead and boys obviously followed. 1st it was the dress shopping.. they all reached there chit chatting as the girls go around looking for dresses and all boys sat at a ce and waited for them to be back. Once in a while one of them would show up to ask the opinion from them. And then vanish into the hall covered in dresses. Ayaan finally getting bored wandered off in there.. He saw Kiara and Aliza squealing about a dress and then sofia was looking in the racks for dresses . He walked around until his eyes fell on a blue dress. A beautiful fairy frock in sky blue colour. With a little design of white colour and full of sparkles. Like a princess dress.. it reminded him of someone or the only one.. A:Sopia.. He called as she looked up from the dresses at him. Ae here. S:what.? She walks to him. As he points to the look. She looks in that direction and gets amazed. S:Wow.. How did I miss this.? A:Maybe you were so busy looking on the inside you missed what was in in sight. S:What.? A:Nothing...! Go on try it. S:Ya! She walks to the mannequin and asks a salesman there for that dress.. She goes to the changing room as he waits outside looking here and there. After a while she walks out in the dress. S:So..? He looks up and is astounded by her beauty. He keeps staring at her withrge eyes and mouth open. Sofia looks around feeling nervous and looks back at him. They both were staring at each other. Then kiaraes there with aliza as they both look at sofia in the dress and gets shocked. They both rush to her. K:Oh. My. God. A:Wooow... Where did you get this.? K:It is beautiful.!! S:Is it.? You like it.!! K:Like it.? A:We love it.!! S:Thanks.. She looks at ayaan then as he was still looking at her. S:So... what do you think.? Ay:Huh.. She raised his eyebrows.. as Ryan and Nick walk in too. Ryan: Wow... You look like a princess. S:What do you mean look like.. I am a princess.!! N:That you are. S:Thanks.!! She again looks at Ayaan while he smiles looking at her. S:What.? A:It¡¯s.... Ok S:Ok.?? Really.. Your soo... A:Charming.? S(ring):Don¡¯t make me say it.! A:So you¡¯re gonna take it. S: yes of course A: of course it''s my choice after all. S: you have nothing to do with this. R: here we go again. A: of course it does after all I picked it. S: only because you saw it first. A: yeah I did ¨C K: okay guys let¡¯s not do this here it¡¯s a mall. Come on now Sofia go and change. And please Ayaan not now. Sofia goes back into the changing room. All the friends wait there for her toe back. After awhile shees out with the dress in her hand.. The other girls also select their dresses in sometime and the rest of them then leave for jewellery shopping in the next shop. After a while they were done with jewellery shopping while the boy sat there giving their opinion once in awhile about what would match with who¡¯s dresses. Right after jewellery shopping they decide to go to buy their shoe All the girls sat on one of the stools and the salesman¡¯s started showing them fancy different sandals, heels and many other different kind of shoes. After awhile the boys got tired of sitting in one ce and doing nothing so decided to do something. R:e on guys aren''t you bored. N: what do you propose we do? A: why don¡¯t we go for our own shopping. R: that''s actually a pretty good idea. I am so tired of this girl shopping. It¡¯s like I¡¯ll dream about girly stuff now. NI: I actually agree with him. Maybe even I would be dreaming about all the girly stuff tonight. A: alright then shopping for us it is!! The boy started to leave when the girls saw them leaving and decided to ask. K: wait where are you guys going? R:since you girls are still busy we decided to do our own shopping ourselves. S:ohe on. You can¡¯t leave us like that. So girl what do you say. Should we go shopping for boys first. K: I guess I agree with the idea. Al: yeah and then we cane for our shoe shoppingter. S:Alright then let¡¯s go! The girls then followed the boys to the boys section. And then it was their turn to sit down while the boys went around looking for the new outfits to wear in the party once in awhile popping out to take their opinion from the girls. After awhile Both kiara and Aliza Wandered away in the shop looking for anything that they can help the boys with. Sofia was sitting there just resting her leg making sure it doesn''t start paining her coz she had a whole party to enjoy tomorrow. After awhile Ayaan showed up Holding two suits in his hands. He looked around and saw the two girls missing. He looked at sofia with a questioning gaze. A: Where are they.? S: Around(motioning by her hand). A: Then what are you doing. S: Just resting my leg. A: Is it paining again?? S: No... Just don''t wanna over-burden it. Tomorrow I have a party to enjoy. A: Well, that¡¯s a good idea. S: well, Yeah. And what are you doing here? A(remembering): Oh! (raising both suits) Well since they aren''t here. You can help me Choose... So, Brown or Navy Blue?? S: Umm... She signs him as he puts both suits in front of himself one by one. She looks at both. S: Navy Blue ! A: Ok! He keeps the brown suits aside and goes to buy. Sofia looks at him with amazement. S: just like that!? A: Yeah. S: Even if I said it. A: Only because you said it. S: You do look quite handsome in it. A: Thank you! She stands and moves towards her friend but stops right beside him, lean a little back, and says... S: And this is how you give apliment. She flicks her hair and goes ahead as Ayaan chuckles and Whispers to himself. A: Should''ve seen thating. He smiles and goes to the counter to purchase. And gives to the Counter person. A: I''ll take this.! C: Excellent choice sir. You''re girlfriend there has a great choice. He looks up startled and his eyes move sofia -who was nowughing on something her friends- and ofcourse he didn''t pay attention to his raised heart beats. He looked back at the Counter person as he spoke. A: Oh no. She isn''t my... C: Oh I''ve seen that Look a too many times sir. One of the perks of working in a shopping mall one might say. He justughed as he took the cover and left. He didn''t know why he didn¡¯t correct the counter person. Why he couldn¡¯t just speak it out that she wasn''t his girl friend. Hell, she wasn¡¯t even a proper friend.- But maybe he just saw something that none of them were acknowledging or were not ready to ept or maybe just ignoring it. What ever it was, was supposed to be resolvedter. Ayaan goes to check on the boys and saw they had already seen and selected their suits. They get them and go around buying shoes, cufflinks, ties, etc. Sofia: I¡¯m getting bored standing here alone as kiara and Aliza are suggesting Ryan shoes, more-over making fun of him. Nick had wandered off no idea where. Ayaan was just attending a call, probably a business call. Well, as I mentioned his father was elder brother he was had the business going on. And after that it passed on to Ayaan next. Even though he''s uncle takes care of major parts but he''s still the heir and has to pitch in at times. She walks around and her eyes fell on a shop. She moved forward and was looking at the things. She picked a tie of navy blue colour. She looked over at Ayaan. He seems to have finished his call. She called out to him. S: Ayaan! He turned and walks to her. A: Yes? S: see. How''s this? A: You want a tie? S: for you! A(giving a cheeky smile): for me? S(smacking the tie in his hand): It matches your suit, Idiot. A: But, It¡¯s a tuxedo. S: soo?... Does it look good or not? A: Not so great. S: You don''t like it? A: No! She huffs as she res at him as she kiara¡®s annoyed voice calling her. K: could you help here a moment.?? Seems like Ryan was giving them a hard time. Well the boys in this group sure were picky. She turned to go. A: What happened? S: I''m going somewhere where my opinion is appreciated.! He chuckles as she leaves making a face. Counter person: can I help you, sir? A: Yes, I¡¯ll take this one. He forwards his hand holding The Tie. He nces towards sofia who was now smacking Ryan on his head- I''m guessing for being picky- while the other girls enjoyed the scenario. Even Nick was back now. He took his tie and walked towards. R: Ayaan. Bro... help me. Save me from her. A: Now, Now who''s troubling my bro. N: Brother... I''d suggest you stay aside. A: Now, why would you say that?? S: I am. What are you gonna do.? Hees between Ryan & sofia and stand in front of her. A: I''ll save him! They look at each other Challengingly. Kiara Comes in between and pushes them away. K: why do I always babysit you both!( To Ryan) and you. Just take one! It''s just a shoe no one''s gonna be looking at it!! R: But- K: Now!! R: Alright! He finally selects one. They take that one and leave to the girls section as girls still needed to buy their shoes. The three girls sat one on each stool and started selecting shoes. And seeing for themselves and each other. S: You know I wanna try on a heel. All of them look at her with shocked looks. S: What! Ay: Do you wanna Sprain your ankle even more?? S: C''mon... it¡¯s not that bad! K: Thest time you wore it you tripped and fell 3 times the same day. R: And before that You broke your foot! Al: And before that you broke you sandal. S: But how¡¯s that my fault. N: And the list goes on and on... S: But I really like that one. She points towards the long pencil heeled sandal. All 5 of them: No!!!!! She huffs and selects another one and all the other girls also selects their matching sandals. They start leaving when Ayaan see''s something. He likes it a lot. He thinks for a moment and also remembers that he was yet to buy a gift for Sofia. He goes towards it but Ryan calls for him. R: Hey. Ayaan, where are you going? All of them look at him. A: I... Need to... take a... Call! Yeah I need to take a call(waving his phone) Yeah! You guys go on! I''m right behind you. They all go on while rolling their eyes as he smiles sheepishly putting the phone on his ear and pretending to talk. As soon as they walk out the shop he goes to it. And tells the man to give it to him. A(To himself): Perfect! She''ll love it! I hope so. He takes it and leaves the shop. He walks towards them and stops for answering a call. Atleast it turned my lie into truth- he wondered! On the other side The girls had seen a cosmetic shop and decided toplete their shopping here! as the boys sat listening to their banter and carrying all the shopping bags. R(in a squeaky girly voice): Wow do you See that!! N (In same voice): Yes, sooo Cool in red. R: No! it''s magenta. N: Oh no... its baby pink. R: No, no it''s purple...(in exasperated voice) why does it even matter? N: I agree!! It¡¯s like multiple names for one colour! R: Tell me about it! N: Why do we have to undergo this torture!! R: I have not a single idea! N: Can''t we just Sneak away. You know! R: I love that idea of your. Let''s proceed! N: But what about the girls. R: They shall followter. He looks at him weirdly. Ayaan alsoes. R:e, we shall leave friend of mine. A: Where are you going.? And what''s wrong with him?? R: Am I speaking weirdly. I''m speaking weirdly! Their getting to my head. Save me Ayaan. He says dramatically erging his eyes. And iling his hands. A: Enough with the over-acting Ray.. And where are the girls now? The both answer in a Squealing voice. R+N: Shopping!! He chuckles at them. A: Alright. You guy''s wait here. I¡¯ll go call them. R: Oh yes, please... Oh saviour of our¡¯s. A(mumbling): Drama! He goes in and sees the girls were almost done. All of them came out together. S: Alright so home now. They turn to see the boys and saw that they were sitting on a bench parting while Ayaan stood aside raising his hands with an I-have-nothing-to-do-with-this face. K: I suppose we should go to eat something first! Both Ryan and Nick stood up happily listening to food. R: Yes we should! Al: Nothing like food to cheer our boys up. S:Yeah They all go to the shop and sit down. Ayaan decides to go order for them. A: Alright everyone,3 pizza''s,6 burgers right? All:Yep! He starts to leave. S: Oh And don''t forget our cokes. A: Oh what would I have done without you. S: I know right! She chuckles as all of themugh and Ayaan goes rolling his eyes. After a while he brings their orders. They all eat togetherughing and teasing each other and have a lot of fun *END* -Zareen. Chapter 4:Get Ready to party/rock! Chapter 4:Get Ready to party/rock! They had finished their shopping and then had some snacks. Then everyone left for home. It was almost evening by the time they reached their homes. All of them were really tired. Sofia entered her house and threw all the bags on the sofa and fell on other one feeling veeery tired! Sheyed down closing her eyes until she heard some noises from the kitchen. She opened her eyes and sat up right. she knew her father woulde hometer and would be at his Office probably. She stood up and started walking towards the kitchen. She grabbed a vase off the table in her way. Yeah, it might be really expensive. But if what she thought was in the kitchen. Her life would be much more of importance for saving than a stupid-very expensive but still stupid-vase. She went up to the Kitchen in full spy mode. She lifted her vase and jumped into the kitchen ready to hit. But the sight in front of her stopped her as she lowered her vase and as she took a deep breath. S:Dad..??? She said as she saw her dad making lunch with no care in the world. Obviously oblivious to his daughter almost tearing his head. Her dad eyed the vase and looked at her. As she smiled sheepishly and kept down the vase thinking that the stupidly expensive vase didn¡¯t need breaking after all.!! S:Dad.. What are you doing home.. aren¡¯t you supposed to be at the office. Dad: I was. But i just took a day off.! S:Why.??? Are you ok..?? Are you sick or something..?? D:Oh no dear! I just thought to have lunch with you today. It¡¯s your birthday tomorrow. The most important day of my life. S:Aww.. She smiles brightly at him as her dad pats her head lovingly. D:See.. I made lunch.!! He puts a te of sandwiches in front. S:Woww... Sandwiches.!! D:Yes. Lets eat.. S:I¡¯m starving.. D:You didn¡¯t have anything at the mall.? S:Ya we did. Some snacks. But I¡¯ll always be hungry for sandwiches. They went and put the sandwiches on the table. and sat beside each other. D: So... How was the shopping? S: soo Awesome! We bought soo many things... Jewellery, shoes and dresses. And we had so much fun. D: un huh.!! What did you buy for yourself.? S: lots of things! And you know my dress. It¡¯s soo pretty!! Like a princess! D: really! You can show me after we eat! S: Yes! I loved it soo much the moment I saw it. Well It was actually Ayaan who saw it first. But still, That jer- She bites her tongue realising what she said. Her dad didn''t like name-calling so... D: Unhun... S: I... meant... He just annoys me a lot! D:Maybe, You should give him a chance. S: I don''t know we just don''t get along. Sometimes I even wonder how we are even friends until now! D: Well... You do remember what you did for him right! S (thinking for a while): Yeah... I do. D: You know.. when your mother and I first met we hated each other! S (smiling): You did? Her father nodded as she chuckled and shifted closure to him directing all her attention to him. It was at rare asions when her father talked about her mother. and she definitely didn''t want to miss a word! She sat close as he spoke. D: Yes. You know we used to work at the same ce. S:Yes. D: We used to fight soo much. and even when we became friends. we used to argue about each and every thing! Even after getting married. But you know... That''s how life works. We don¡¯t always have to agree. We differ, we fight. but we respect each others decision. each others experience and ideas. That''s how you can always go on. It''s never like you don''t fight. But when you do. you should always let the other person have a say too. You have to listen to resolve. and always try to makeup It could be your mistake just as much as their''s. You should always remember. It helped in my marriage it might even help yours. S: I''m sure it will. And you''ll be there to give me more of these wonderful advises! D: Maybe... But who knows. No body is permanent in this world. S: Argh! dad C''mon! D: I know princess ... But we must always be ready to let go! I let go of your mother too. we all have our times limited. Nobody wouldst for ever! life is all about moving on and smiling through every sadness. So we have to always be ready. and there would always be memories to guide you through your life. No matter where they are they would always stay here... in Your heart. S: It will be... one day... But that day is not today. She stands up and hugs him and then drags him up to the sitting area as they sat down and unpacked all the stuff that she bought. After a long time of talking, looking at things she bought, cooking and finally having dinner. Here she was finally in her room by night time right after dinner keeping her stuff in check for her to wear tomorrow. She finally couldn''t believe that it was the party day already. It was her birthday tomorrow! She sat on the bed thinking about what her dad said. S(P.O.V): Whatever he said today. It''s not like he never mentioned it before. It''s just everytime he does, I just can''t take it. I was very young when mama left me. But dad... he was always there. Whenever I needed him. he took care of me just like a mother. so well that I never missed her. He read me stories to bed, woke up before me to make breakfast and lunch. Got me ready for school dropped me off, picked me up. made dinner. he worked soo hard juggling between job and me that he often got sick. when i started growing up I realised how much of a trouble it was to him. Well, what I mean is I¡¯ve always hand him by my side, all the days, all the nights. Now I can¡¯t even imagine my life without him. And when ever he talk all like that. I don''t know what to do. i feel like heart broken. and scared. She wipes some of the tears that had flown out. And decided to go to sleep. She stood up as her eyes fell on the dress as she got reminded of Ayaan. she chuckled remembering their day at the mall. she smiled remembering what her father said thinking maybe even they could get along someday. If only she knew it was gonna be sooner than she thought. She sat down as she remembered the conversation she had with kiara at the mall about him. All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. *shback* Aliza, kiara and sofia were going ahead in the mall. The boys were way behind having a conversation of their own. sofia nced back and say Ayaan ncing amusingly at Nick doing something as Ryan eyes met. she felt different but also a little embarrassed maybe. she breathed in and kept on going. She suddenly had a thought. she didn''t know how to resolve if so she took help from her both besties by her side. S: kiara, Aliza look. I... I wanted to ask something. K: Yeah! Sure.. S:well.. I wanted to know.. if.. you know... A: Just say it already.. S:Do you think I treat Ayaan too rudely.. ? They both stop abruptly and look at her shockingly... K:Wait.. Your asking.? A:Yeah... I mean.. Are you ok S:It¡¯s just something he said.. That got me wondering. A: what about!? S: Nothing much.. I was just wondering if i¡¯m being too mean or rude. K(keeping her hand on her should): There''s nothing like mean and rude between friends especially you two. And you both are like the perfect-most ideal- example for it. S: really...? A: Yeah! exactly. And even if he said something, I¡¯m sure it was just to tease you. You know how much he loves to mess with you. K: Yeah, and you should know, even if you ever did say something it''s not like he''d mind. A: Yes, he''d rather say something even more meaner. S: so... that means I''m not a jerk like him. A: ofcourse not... K: I mean You both ... kind''ve are.. like to each other though. S: Hey! They allugh as the boyse closer. Ay: What are you girls up to? S: None of your concern..! Ay: As if I care! S: As if you should! Everyone chuckles as Sofia winks at the girls chuckling and the girls go ahead with the boys again following them. *Fb End* She chuckles as she recalls his face. Even she had fun messing with him. She stood from her bed and went to the dress now hanging on her cupboard. she felt the soft fabric and smiled. She went back and S(P.O.V):What could he have bought for me this time. Was it something nice. Maybe something special like thest time. Well he has been getting me the best of presenttely. Last year he got me a bracelet with a craving of my name. And before that he got me a heart picture pendant. But the best part was that he had gone as far to get both my parents pictures in it too. That is still the best of all. I always wear it. And the year before that he got me a show piece of swan making a heart in a beautifulke. That was one of my favourite scene from a Disney movie. I was just ecstatic to have it in front of me! So.. I''m pretty sure you got the understanding of it right. they are always the best. And I guess I''m a lot excited about what he¡¯ll bring now. I guess I¡¯ll find out tomorrow. She closes her eyes as she drifts into deep slumber while thinking about it all...! *End* -Zareen. Chapter 5 : Happy Birthday to me. Chapter 5 : Happy Birthday to me. Sofia P.O.V I woke up in the morning to the ring of my rm. Turning around ncing at the phone I picked it up and turned off the rm. I slided on her phone to see a long list of notifications. I smiled clicking on it. All of the messages were on our Chat group. I chuckled reading them. Those were Birthday wishes from my friends. And the First one was -not so shockingly- from Ayaan. Yeah, he always is the first one to wish. just at 12¡¯o clock. And is closely followed by kiara, Nick and Aliza. and ofcourse Ryan forgot like usual sleeping nicely. And he calls me a sleepy head. She chuckles and replies all messages with thank you¡¯s. Just in time for Ryan to finally Wake up and wish her. And all the other also happen to wake up at the right time. As she taunts Ryan with a sleepy head taunt along with a sweet angel face thankyou. They all chat, taunt and tease each other for awhile and then all of them go to have breakfast or freshen up. She keeps the phone aside and sits up on her bed side moving away theforter. She goes to freshen up. Aftering from the washroom she puts on a nice pony tail and went down to prepare something for break fast. she walks down the stairs and sees her dad sitting on the sofa with a news paper in his hand. Shees to him and greets him with a kiss on his check. S: Good morning dad.! D: Good morning sofi. Happy Birthday to my princess.!! S: Thankyou. She smiles and hugs him and then goes to prepare breakfast for both of them. She goes into the kitchen and starts working. Well when your the onlydy of the house there''s no holiday from home chores. She starts taking out ingredients for her meal when the door bell rings. "Oh great" she thinks as she makes her way towards the door while wondering who it could be at this time of the day. she opens the door as her bestie storm inside entering the house. she looks on as all her friends go by her muttering hi''s and hello''s as she looks on puzzled at what is going on. S: Wait. Wait. Wait... what''s going on here? She asks while Looking around questioningly as all of them go to sit on the dining table as both the girls go off into the kitchen. Sofia follows them into the kitchen and sees them getting the tes to the table. S: kiara...? Aliza...? K: What...? You didn''t think we''d leave you on kitchen duty on your birthday, did you? S: What... She asks smiling confusedly. While kiara and Aliza set the table she looks as the boys take out the food from the packs and set the table. In about 5 minutes the table was all ready and breakfast was served in front of her. She smiled looking amazed at her friends. Ay: Breakfast Ahooo!! S: really guys. I definitly didn''t see thating. Ry: If that was a thank you I think you can do better than that? S: That wasn''t, This is: Thankyou everyone for all of this! K: You know who''s n it was? S: Nope. K: Ayaan! S: Really...?( looking at him) Thank you. K(whispering to Ryan): They seem to be getting along. Ay(smiling at sofia): I can''t believe my ear''s. S: I didn''t either. She smirks as he rolls his eyes. R(To kiara): And there goes everything! They both also Chuckle as they watch sofia and Ayaan banter on the table. They all have breakfast realising how they may have lost all what people call family. But no one could take away what they had between them. These weren¡¯t just friends they were family. For her and for each other. And no one could take them away from each other. No body could ever change this feeling of belonging here and together. She smiled as a tear slipped by and she wiped it off.. Soon she too got involved in all the banter going on when Ayaan made a snark remark as both started arguing again as always. What she didn¡¯t notice was how the whole time there was someone whose gaze lingered on just her. Who noticed her tear and her happines.. the one who had nned all this. Ayaan... He might still be dealing with all the new fuzzyness but he knew what to do to keep that pretty smile on her beautiful face. He smiled knowing his n worked perfectly. They all had breakfast together. Soon after the food was over they all left as there was lot of party business they had to attend. She bid her friends goodbye and then went inside and sat with her father. It was her special day and she was happy she spent it with the most special people of her life. They talked for some time talking but then he got a call from the office. he went promising toe in the party. She went and ironed his suit for the party that he would wear. She readied her dress too. She nced at the clock and got shocked looking at the time. Sofia P.O.V My... Time sure flies. I mean it was like just now we had breakfast and Sat talking to dad. Now I do some chores and it''s almost evening. The girls will be here any moment. This is another of our birthday traditions. We all get ready together.. All girls at my ce and the boys at Ayan and Nicks. we girls helping eachother in makeup. Yeah... The birthday girl is treated almost like a bride. So now they''re gonna be doing my makeup. I would help them a little with theirs. but Only if i''m ready by that time. I don''t wanna bete for my own party. They''ll be here with there dresses anytime. She grabs a pretty dress from her closet and rushes to the bathroom. She baths and gets changed. She leaves the bathroom while tying her hair in the towel. She sits on her bed Leaning back. And stretches her feet on the bed. she closes her eyes feeling the peace and quiet. If there was one thing she had gotten used to due to living alone that was quiet. She loved her time with her friends but these moments had their own magic. The peace was soo soothing to her ears. Sheys for awhile relishing the moment when the door bell rings breaking her revive. So much for peace- she though as she stands and removes the towel while rubbing the hair a little. She walks to the door screaming a ing¡± on the way. But then the bell started ringing continuously. She huffs running to the door. She had gotten a pretty good idea who it might be on the door. She opened the door and red at him. As he smirked looking at her. She angrily smacked his head. S:Idiot.!! Ay: Hi idiot... I¡¯m Ayaan. She hit him again on his arms. S:You are an idiot.! K:Alright you two... we don¡¯t have time for this. And Ayaan thanks for dropping us. You can go now.!! Both Aliza and Kiara walk past him and get into the house. And shu Ayaan away. He huffs and goes away pouting a little. Ay: Alright I''ll be back by 8 to pick everyone up. The girls all go to her room. And start getting their things out. K: So Everyone... Is everything ready? A: Yeah! I¡¯ve got everything. S: Me too. K: So is the birthday girl ready.? A: Yeah its your special day. S: I¡¯m perfectly ready. They all started getting ready. The girls went and changed one by one. And then They started with doing each other''s hair. and finally makeup. After almost 2 hours they were all done and ready. By the end of it sofia way sitting on the chair in front of the dressing table But ofcourse not facing it. Both kiara and Aliza we¡¯re standing on her sides looking- more like grinning- on their master piece-who was actually sofia. They both high-fived each other while grinning at her. K: Now that''s what I¡¯m talking about. A: It''s so perfect. K: Yeah. The colour, makeup everything suits perfectly. S: Alright guys enough squealing at me. You''ve been doing this for thest 30 minutes! Now, can I look at my self.? A: Yes- K: No.!! Sofia looks at them with big eyes shockingly As they both were screaming. S: what are you doing.? You both haven''t messed with my make up have you.? A: Noo... we¡¯d never do that.. would we...? K: Nooo! They bothugh as sofia rolls her eyes. S: so what now.?? K: I said no because there''s still something left. S: what? K (picking something from the drawer): This! S: Noo... I think that''ll be a little too much. A: No it''s perfect. Put it on! Put it on! S: But... It''s just a birthday party. K: So what? A: It''s perfect! K: Yeah! A: C''mon. Put it on! Finally giving in to her friends she bowed her head a little allowing her friend to put The pretty tiara on her head. She stand up right for her friends to see her as they both start squealing again. S: Girls!! Now can I look.? A+k: Yes! They both squeal. Sofia jumps a little at their voice and then turns around shaking her head at their childishness. she looks at the mirror and gets shocked looking at herself. Even she couldn''t believe her eyes. she looked no less then a princess. There wasn''t much makeup just simple foundation and powder. Some blue sparkle eye- shadow, A little eye liner, mascara, light red lipstick. It all matched perfectly with her sky blue princess frock. She smiled and looked at her friends. K+ A: sooo? S: Beautiful. Thanks you two. A: I know right! k: Really very pretty! S: Well you guy look pretty spectacr yourself. K: Oh your just saying for formality. Your the princess here. S: Oh C''mon we''re all gonna rock the party. On the other side the boys were all together too getting ready at Ayaan and Nick''s house. All of them hurdled in Nick''s room. Fighting and smacking each other while screaming at the top of their voices! Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Ry(yelling at the bathroom door): You idiot get out of there. A(yelling Back): Can''t you wait. Get lost from here! Ry: Why couldn''t you gost. Ay (ing out): cause I have to go pick the girls. And I amte because of you. Ry: Because of me?? I didn¡¯t ask you to show upte at the preparation or go off to drop the girls. You''re the one who wanted to go. How¡¯s any of that my fault? Ay: well... Kiara asked me to and I couldn''t just say no! And I had important work to do! They were arguing when Nick entered the room dressed in his suit. N: You two are so childish. R+A: What? N: What? You dont know, This house is big enough to have more then 1 room. And you both are fighting over a bathroom. Ry: Yeah whatever, I''m going in now. He says ring at Ayaan and going to the bathroom. As Ayaan rolls his Eyes. He walks to the dressing table where Nick was standing pushing him a little to the side snatching theb from him chuckling. N(pushing him again): Hey! I came first. And give me that! He said trying to snatch back theb. But he moves back pushing Nick again trying to take the mirror as they fought each other. Ryan looks at them and chuckles entering the bathroom not before muttering a loud "you two are so childish¡± to them to which they reply with a "get lost¡±. After a while Ryan walked out of the bathroom to see Nick sitting on the sofa with an annoyed face as he saw Ayaan rushing in front of the mirror. He turns to see him out of Bathroom. Ay: Oh good your out! I¡¯ve got a n. I am ready and going to go pick the girls now. I am alreadyte. You guys go directly to the party the guest would being. I''d be there with the girls ok?! He looks up after perfuming himself and saw both of them looking at him with raised eye brows. He gave them a questioning look. They both stood next to each other giving him an amusing look. A: What? Ry: Well... someone has overdone themselves?! A: What do you mean? There''s nothing overdone here! N: You know it''s Sofia''s birthday. A: Exactly.. So you shouldn''t be focusing on me. N: Yeah. but what I meant is what are you so dressed for? Ry: or in better words, WHO are you so dressed for? Ay: first of all, There is nothing- or no one- like that. and Secondly I''m not overdressed. How does this look overdressed to both of you.?? They both shrug looking at each other and then chuckle high-fiving each other. A: Really, I don''t have time for you guys messing around. I''m going to pick them. You guys get ready and get to the party. I''m leaving. Bye! He says going out of the room as theyugh and get ready. Ayaan rushes to the car and leaves to pick the girls. On the other side the girls were ready too and waiting for Ayaan. S: There!te as always. I can¡¯t believe I''m going to bete for my own birthday. A: Rx... It isn''t sote now either. We still have time. K: Yeah! I''m sure he¡¯ll be here any moment! S: Yeah right! She rolled her eyes. As they sit for a while. Aliza goes to washroom as they were waiting for him. Just then the bell rang as she breathes out muttering a ¡°finally¡±. she stood up as the bell started ringing continuously. S: Argh!! He knows how much I hate it. K (chuckling): You go ahead. I''lle with Aliza. S: ok! She runs to the door and opens it. She makes an annoyed face. S: what.? Why are you so annoying! Ayaan looks up at her chuckling but his smile drops the moment he looks her and he gets mesmerized Looking at her. He keeps staring at her from down to up. They keep staring at each other. Ayaan smiles a little. After a while kiara and Alizae down stairs. K:Alright guys let¡¯s go! She calls as they both look up at them. K: You both are still standing here? Ay: A... Waiting for you! K: Alright what do you think.? She asks putting her hand around sofia''s shoulder. As he looks at her and raises his brows in a thinking manner. A: Umm... I don''t know.. OK I guess. K: Ok? really...?! She asks as Sofia just res at him rolling her eyes. Heugh, a little and says looking directly at her. A: You look... beautiful ! Sofia looks up at him. she smiles a little feeling her face heat up. maybe something about his gaze or the way he said it, But she felt different, shy or was she blushing. she looks away feeling much more than she couldprehend. Kiara answered in her ce. K: Isn''t she?!! A: Yeah! S: Thanks! You don''t look so bad yourself! A: Thank you I''m humbled by yourpliment. They all chuckles. Then Ayaan leads thedies to the car. He opens the back door for sofia but kiara beats her to it muttering a "thanks¡± To him. He nces at sofia and kiara-who was giving an over sweet smile-. He gives an awkward smile and shuts the door. as they walk to the other side kiara winks at Aliza and signals to get inside. when he opens the other door where Aliza climbs in saying Thank you. They both were left there standing awkwardly. Ayaan eyes the passenger seat in the front. He walks a few steps backward and opens the door and holds it while looking at her. She walks ahead and sits in the car as Ayaan smiles a little and then shuts the door softly. He jogs to the other side and sits inside. He nces at her sitting beside him. Then after a little pause he starts the car and drives off. *END* -Zareen. Chapter 21: Whats In It.? Chapter 21: What''s In It.? They reached home and saw their friends were sitting in the room. They joined them as they all sat there talking for a while and then everyone moved to the kitchen cooking together while joking around.. Later they all had dinner and left to their rooms.. Aliza, Ryan and Kiara decided to go back to their hostel since they couldn''t stay out for long.. Ayaan, Nick and Sofia also returned to their room.. Sofia copsed on her bed as soon as she went to her room and fell a sleep.. Next morning was also busy until after breakfast when they all left for work and Sofia was left alone in the house.. She went to her room looking for her phone.. She hadn''t seen it sincest night.. She saw her purse on the sofa and remembered putting it in at her home.. She grabbed her purse and opened it as her eyes fell on the ss bottle.. Her face fell as she remembered about it.. She read the name carefully and observed the bottle trying to Remember if she had seen it ever before.. It didn''t have much information written on it.. Just some chemical names.. She tried to figure how to find about the bottle as the thought of her phone came in her mind.. She took It out of her purse and opened the inte searching the name.. She read about it for a while and then kept the phone aside covering her face trying toprehend what she found out.. She turned her face as her eyes fell on a photo frame kept on the side table... of her and her dad.. She walked upto it as tears sprung in her eyes.. She picked the frame up sitting on the bed with tears flowing from her eyes.. She clutched the frame to her chest and began crying frantically.. After a while sheyed on the bed with her eyes fixed on the picture.. Her dad had his hand around her shoulder with a proud smile as she smiled at the camera with a medal around her neck and a certificate in her hand.. She hugged the photo again and didn''t realise when she fell a sleep.. After a few hours Ayaan had rushed home when Sofia hadn''t picked up his call since thest hour.. He ran to her room opening the door. He breathed in relief as he saw her sleeping peacefully on the bed.. He walked upto her as he saw her holding a frame to her chest he nced at the table stand and understood it was the frame they had bought for her.. He sat on his knees beside the bed slowly holding the photo but saw her hold tighten so let it go.. He grabbed the nket covering her with it.. He heard a slight nk sound and saw a little bottle fall from the bed.. He picked it up and looked at it questioningly.. Deciding to ask her when she got up he left the room putting it in his pocket and went to his room.. After an hour Sofia woke up feeling her head ache.. She sat up and kept the frame on the side table gently and left to the washroom to freshen up.. She came out as she remembered about the bottle and started looking for it.. She dusted the nket folding it while looking around.. She looked under the bed and around the room but she still didn''t find it anywhere.. She couldn''t figure out what to do.. She was thinking when the door opened and Ayaan entered.. A: You''re awake..? S: Yeah.. Just woke up.. You''re home early..? A: Yeah I called you but You didn''t answer so I decided toe and check up on you.! S:ooh.. I''m OK.! A: I was just going for lunch.. Youing.? S:Yeah.. I.. I''lle in a moment..! A:Alright.. He said as he turned to leave but stopped as he remembered something.. A:sofia.. I had to ask something to you.. S: Yes..? He takes out the bottle from his pocket and keeps in his palm.. A: I found this in your room.. But it''s not yours so.. Whose is it.? She grabs the bottle from his hand and breaths out.. S: It was with you..? A: Yeah.. It was lying on the ground.. S: ooh.. A: Whose bottle is it.?? This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. S: Actually... She paused trying to figure if she should tell Ayaan about the bottle.. She did trust him so hiding it from him didn''t really make sense but she was still reluctant to tell anyone else.. Finally after a bit of thinking she decided to tell him everything and also that she wouldn''t be telling anyone else about it.. She couldn''t really hide it from him even if she wanted to.. Because she didn''t know how but there was something.. Someway he always knew when she lied.. And she didn''t like lying to him either.. There was this strange guilt she felt.. So finally deciding to go with her conscious she prepared to tell him the truth.. S:Yeah it''s not mine.. I actually found it at home.. A: Home.?? S: Yeah.. when we went there yesterday.? A: So is it uncle''s..? S: That''s.. the problem.. its not dad''s either.. A: Then.?.. Its not your or his.. then what was it doing over there..? S:I don''t know.. She said as Ayaan nced at the bottle furrowing his brows as Sofia hesitated to speak the rest of what was in her head.. she finaly took a deep breath and continued.. S: There''s something else.. A:What..? S: You see the name on the bottle.. I did a bit of.. research.. on that name.. and.... A: And.? S: It read that... it can cause heart attacks.! A: What.?? But uncle already has a heart condition.. Why would he have a medicine that causes it and not cure it..? S: It''s not dad''s.. I know all his medications.. I''m the one who brings them and I know he didn''t bring any other recently.. So if it''s in the house and Dad and I didn''t bring it.. it has to be someone else.. And if it is.. Then it means.... She pauses in her sentence as he looks at her puzzled as her words sink in.. he realises what she''s trying to say.. A: Are you trying to say uncle was murdered..?? S: I don''t know but.... Maybe.. Yes. A: That''s insane.. Why would anybody try to kill him..?? S: What if someone did...?? It clearly says heart attack or sudden death.. and his was pretty sudden to me... I mean He was perfectly fine the previous day.. A: I understand what you''re trying to say but.. S: No buts.. I don''t know who did this but if they did.. I need to find them.. A: Ok wait wait wait.. Let''s take this slowly.. It''s a medicine bottle.. She tries to protest again but he stops her by putting a hand on her shoulder.. A: maybe.. maybe someone has brought it.. like you say.. but maybe it was just there.. maybe uncle did bring it and forgot to tell you.. S:But.. A:Look.. There are many drugs or medications that can cause the disease they''re supposed to cure when taken continously or inrge quantity... And maybe whatever you read about today meant the same thing.. You know how inte is... S: Then what do you wanna do.. just let it go.. A: No.. ofcourse not... Look I have an old friend who works at a pharmaceuticalpany.. He knows a lot about drugs and medications.. So I''ll just contact him and see what he has to say about this.. He says looking expectantly at Sofia as she quietly considers the idea in her head.. S: Alright if you think soo.. A: Great... I promise.. I''ll handle it perfectly.. You don''t have to worry.. You trust me right..? S: Of course.. it''s not about trust but.. I just.. All this seems too much.. I don''t know what to do.. How to react.. A: I know.. He keeps aforting hand on her shoulder.. A:How about.. You get this off your head.. Leave it on me.. and I promise you.. as soon as I find anything about it.. I''ll tell you.. S: Ok.. and Ayaan.. please don''t let anyone else know about it.. A: I know.. I''ll take care of it.. They won''t know anything.. S: Ok.. A: Let''s go out for lunch.. S: Lunch.? A: Yeah.. your favourite restaurant.. wherever you say.. whatever you say.. S: Really..? A: Yeah.. a treat from me.. S: Treat for what..? A: Nothing special.. just you and me on lunch... He says in a flirty manner staring directly into her eyes while fluttering his eyshes.. She looks back at him feeling her breath hitch with a small smile on her lips.. She tried to reply but couldn''t form any words.. He gave a big smile making her blush further as she nces away.. He chuckles at her red face.. A: Get changed.. I''ll wait for you in the car.. He says walking backwards towards the door while still having his eyes struck on her.. She smiles in reply.. He turns exiting the room leaving her smiling to herself.. *End* -Zareen. Chapter 22: You and Me. Chapter 22: You and Me. After a while Sofia came downstairs and saw Ayaan pacing in the hall way.. she came down and stood in front of him.. S:I thought you were in the car..? A: Just waiting for you.. Let''s go... Sofia Walked ahead as Ayaan followed.. They reached the car as Ayaan opened the car door for her.. Sofia smiled entering as Ayaan closed the door and say in the drivers seat.. They drove away as Ayaan asked her where she wanted to go.. After a few moments of thinking she mentioned a hotel as Ayaan drove towards it.. In a few minutes they reached the hotel as Sofia looked at the building as her fears resurfaced.. After THE incident she had developed these fears.. To talk to someone.. To go public ces.. And now she might have agreed toe but she still wasn¡¯t ready to face the fears.. She kept thinking trying to figure out a way to escape the situation with out denying to Ayaan.. Ayaan stopped the car ncing towards Sofia.. Single nce was enough for him to know she wasn¡¯t himself.. A:I¡¯ll be back in a moment.. He said rushing out of the car without even listening to Sofia as she tried to ask him where he was going.. She frowned sitting back in her seat looking at her watch and then or the window.. After about 15 minutes Ayaan was finally back as Sofia breathed out in relief seeing him.. She saw a few polythene bags in his hand and frowned.. Ayaan came and sat in the car and starts it.. Sofia looked confused at him.. S: what¡¯s all this..? A:food..!! Lunch for us.. S: we¡¯re not going in? A: Nah.. I ordered a take away.. S: why..? A: I figured this isn''t the ideal ce for lunch today.. Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. He said starting the car and left the parking lot.. Sofia smiled a little while breathing out in relief.. Ayaan drove the car in the other direction.. Sofia observed the road trying to figure where they were going.. S: So where are we going now..? A: To have lunch.. S: Where..? A: Somewhere special.. He said not revealing anything.. He stopped the car near a park after a few minutes.. They climbed down the car.. Sofia looked around and realized where they were.. She smiled as all the memories rushed to get.. Ayaan turned to see her standing in her position smiling and smiled back.. Sofia looked at him as her smile grew.. They both walked in the park as Ayaan held all the bags and Sofia followed.. They walked in the park and sat on the grass where there weren¡¯t many around.. Some kids were ying on the swings and slides near by but it was mostly empty¡­ They say down facing each other while keeping the food between them.. Ayaan opened the boxesying them in front of them.. They began eating together.. A: remember..? S: How can I forget.. They chuckled remembering the past memories.. S: We all used to y here soo much.. A: Yeah¡­ so many memories.. S: Foot ball and cricket and tennis.. Before you came.. We used to tease those two soo much.. A: Yeah¡­ they used toin every time I came.. S: But they always won.. A: Nick was the champion in foot ball right.. S: Yes¡­ and Ryan in tennis.. But the girls gave him a strongpetition.. A: The girls were always awesome in tennis.. S: But you didn¡¯t y any one of them right.. A: Yeaa¡­ I wasn¡¯t really a¡­. Sports person.. S: That¡¯s what you always say.. A: I don¡¯t like sports¡­ but. I did give you a toughpetition in studies.. S: That.. I remember clearly.. A: you remember that one match I yed.. S: It was hrious¡­ You were ying like you were in the girls team.. and¡­.. They both sat talking and remembering the moments while having their food.. After a long conversation they both got up throwing the packets in the dustbin And decided to take a walk around the park.. Sofia was smiling looking around the park when her eyes fell on the swing.. Her smile fell as different memories shed through her mind.. Her eyes moisten as she stopped in her way.. Ayaan also stopped in his way looking at her.. A: Sofia¡­ are you ok. She looked at him and then took a deep breath calming herself.. S: Can we go home..? A: But why.? We were having soo much fun. S: I just wanna go home.. A: Sofia are you ok.? S: I¡¯m fine.. I just¡­ don¡¯t feel.. Good. Please let¡¯s go home.. A: Alright.. Let¡¯s go. They both walk back to the car and then leave for home. They reach home as Sofia goes to her room directly.. Ayaan looks confused behind her.. He parks the car and runs to her room. He enters to see her sitting on the bed with her face down.. He slowly walks up to her putting a hand on her shoulder.. A: Sofia.. She looks up and then looks away.. A: What is it.? S: Noting.. I just wanna be alone.. A: Sofia.. You don¡¯t look ok.. Wh- S: I said I just wanna be alone.. She says loudly startling him.. She stands up from her ce walking away.. She breathes bit. S: Ayaan¡­ please just leave.. I really don¡¯t want to talk.. A: Alright.. But if you need anything.. I¡¯m right next door.. He says assuring her while giving a concerned look.. Sofia doesn¡¯t turn so he walks away closing the door behind him.. Sofia hears the door close and turns to look at the door.. She breathes deeply and sits on the bed with her head in her hands.. Her friends weren¡¯t the only one she had memories with in the park.. And some of those had been remembered again.. She remembered the slides as the memories of her father shed through her eye.. She felt her breath stop as she lifted her head trying to breath.. Her head started to spin.. The scenes was running in front of her eyes.. Theughter ringing in her ears.. She slipped from the bed copsing on the ground as tears rushed from her eyes.. She looked up as her eyes started getting darker.. She felt her head spinning as she cried harder.. But nothing was able to stop her.. She started breathing heavily as she felt the room closing in on her.. Like the walls were gonna squeeze her.. She held her neck as she felt like someone was holding it.. She couldn¡¯t feel her breath as she tried harder to breath.. She saw a shadow in the darkness who was trying to choke her.. Her eyes grewrge as she tried harder to breath.. The white eyes shone in the dark like a monster.. She was about to copse on the floor when she felt two hands around her shoulder shaking her.. She shut her eyes tightly as she heard a voice calling for her.. After a few moments she recognized it to be Ayaan¡¯s voice as she opened her eyes.. She looked around as she saw Ayaan sitting in front of her looking worried and she looked down to see her hands around her neck.. She moved them and took a deep breath in.. She blinked repeatedly trying to sink in what ever happened.. Ayaan held her by her shoulder helping her on her bed¡­ she sat up finally calming little.. Ayaan was still shocked after seeing Sofia¡¯s condition.. He held her hand in his.. A: Sofia.. What is it..? You can¡¯t keep all of it in.. You have to let it out.. please talk.. What happened over there..? Sofia sniffed as a tear slides down her cheeks.. S: I just.. Dad.. Today at the park.. We used to go their every weekend.. On that swing.. He used to push me from behind.. And today all those memories.. I just couldn¡¯t .. You know I¡¯m trying¡­ I¡¯m trying not to think about it¡­ To forget about him.. But.. I can¡¯t .. I don¡¯t know what to do.. I.. A: You don¡¯t need to forget him.. He¡¯s your dad.. You will always remember him.. But you have to learn to smile when you remember him not cry.. That¡¯s just gonna hurt even more.. S: I know.. But.. I can''t live without him Ayaan. I don''t know how I will. I just... I love him so much.. And. I...I already miss him... I don¡¯t know what to do.. She said as tears flowed from her eyes. she looked up with her eyes blurred from tears that kept flowing.. She leaned down as Ayaan came closer.. She rested her head on his shoulder as he wrapped his arms around her.. She slowly let the tears flow drenching his shirt with tears.. He kept a hand on her head and whispered a soft "It''s ok" As she calmed her self down.. The End. -Zareen. Chapter 23: The Trip. Chapter 23: The Trip. After a few seconds she had calmed down as Ayaan moved her away wiping her tears.. He kept his hand on hers as she looked down.. A: Are you ok..? S: Yeah¡­ I¡¯m sorry I.. A: You don¡¯t need to apologize.. I care about you.. And I just want you to be ok.. If you have a problem.. Share it.. I know all this is too much for you.. So you can¡¯t keep all of it in.. You have to- He was interrupted when they heard somemotion in the living room.. S: I think they¡¯re home.. She says as gave a nod.. they both got up from their ce and went downstairs towards their friends.. Sofia stepped down as she felt someone rushing to her as she was pushed backward with the force but then bnced herself.. She recognized it was Kiara and Saw Ryan standing there too.. K: Sofi sofi sofi¡­. I¡¯m soo happy.. S: Well that¡¯s nice.. What¡¯s the special reason..?? K: We¡¯ve got a new photography contact.. There¡¯s this new magazine and they hired us to do some seasonal photographs.. And guess what..? S: What.? K: We need to go to the nearest hill station for that.. It¡¯s gonna be soo cool.. Literally.. We¡¯re gonna have soo much fun.. S: Yeah..?!! congrattions.. K: Yes.. Yes.. Yes. She squeals happily hugging Sofia again while hooping around.. Ayaanughed and then nced back towards Ryan who was having a bored expression on his face.. He lifted his brows questioningly at him as he rolled his eyes pointing towards Kiara.. R: I¡¯ve been going through this the whole ride home.. R+A: Girls¡­ They say togetherughing as the girls roll their eyes at them.. S: It¡¯s great news.. You guys can have a lot of fun.. K: You.?? No no no.. Not you.. We.. We are gonna have a lot of fun.. S: We.? K: Yeah.. Do you think I¡¯m gonna leave you here..? S: You mean we all are going.? K: Yes.. I mean thepany is gonna give tickets for us both and you guys cane along.. We can have a lot of fun.. S: That¡¯s not such a great idea Kiara.. K: Why not.. It¡¯s a wonderful idea.. S: I really don¡¯t wanna go any where.. K: Oh c¡¯mon sofi please.. There¡¯s soo much we can do there.. Please please.. S: Kiara- K: Please please please¡­ S: Kiara stop it.! I said no.. She says loudly out of irritation startling them all.. She rushed up the stairs stomping her feet.. As they all stared after her still shocked by her behavior.. R: Whoa¡­ what just happened here..? K: she just.. Screamed at me.. She squeaked sadly.. R: What happened to her..?? She never reacted like this before.. A: don¡¯t worry.. She¡¯s just worried.. She¡¯ll be fine.. K: But.. would she agree.. to go on the trip.? A: Don¡¯t worry.. I¡¯ll convince her.. K: And it will also be better for her.. A change in the surrounding.. A: Yeah.. I was thinking the same thing.. She needs to get out of this ce.. Everything here has soo many memories.. As long as she stays here I don¡¯t think she can get out of this pain.. R: Yeah.. It¡¯s ok.. We¡¯ll all convince her to go.. Somehow.. K: Yes.!! They all decide as Kiara gives an excited nod.. They all then sit on couch talking as Nick and Aliza join them as well.. On the other side Sofia rushed up to the room and shut the door close.. She moved to her bed and fell on it.. She stared at the ceiling as whatever happened downstairs came in her mind.. She sat up on the bed while holding her head in her hands.. She looked up and around the room while wiping face.. She didn¡¯t understand what was happening with her and why she used to get so upset suddenly.. She knew she overreacted down stairs and shouldn¡¯t have screamed at Kiara.. But she suddenly felt so angry that she couldn¡¯t keep it in.. She was feeling more and more disturbed everyday.. As much as she tried to let go she just couldn¡¯t.. She stood from her bed and paced around the room as the whole day passes in front of her eyes.. After a few moments she felt suffocated in the room and walked out to the balcony that was on the right of the bed.. She walked out of the door as the cool breeze brushed past her as she breathed in feeling herself calm in the fresh air.. She kept her hands on the railing while leaning on it and started at the green nts and colorful flowers in the back yard.. She smiled at them and continued with her thoughts.. In the hall all of them were sitting on the couch.. After a while Aliza volunteered to cook and Ryan to This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. help her.. They left to the kitchen as the three of them were left sitting on the couch.. Ayaan was worried about Sofia after she left angrily.. He kept thinking as his eyes wandered towards the stairs and his mind to Sofia.. He waited hoping for her toe down but when she didn¡¯t return after all this time his tension increased as he decided to go check himself.. He stood up suddenly making them both look at him.. K: What happened Ayaan..? R: You going somewhere..? A: I¡­ I wanna go to¡­ The bathroom.. I¡¯ll be back in a moment¡­ He said leaving from there as they both started after him puzzled.. He ran up the stairs and straight to her room.. He paused in front of the room and breathed in pushing the door open.. The room was empty so he assumed her to be in the bathroom.. As his eyes feel on the bathroom door and saw it locked from the outside he realized she wasn''t there.. Then if she wasn¡¯t in the bathroom there was only one other ce for her to be.. He walked towards the balcony door that was covered by thin white and purple satin curtains.. He walked in to see her standing with her arms resting on the railing.. He stood beside her while keeping his arms on it too.. She didn¡¯t turn but he knew she was aware of his presence as he saw her stiffen for a moment and then rx.. They both stood there in silence for a while which was then broken by Sofia.. S: You Know I won''t- A: Come with us..?? S: If you know then why are you here..?? A: I will persuade you.. I''m quite persuasive you know.. S: And what are you nning to do exactly..?? A: Talk you into going.. Maybe ckmail or threaten you.. I can even kidnap you on the day of the trip.. She chukled listening to his options.. As he raised his brow giving a questioning look while smiling.. S: Really..?? A: Yeah.. Well your lucky you get to choose which one.. S: And what if I choose none..?? A: Then I''d have to choose on your behalf.. He says as they bothugh.. She looks down as her smile drops.. S: Ayaan I... I.. don''t think I should... A: Ok wait... Wait for a moment.. Listen to me first... I know you don''t wanna go anywhere.. you''re scared what happened today will happen again.. But you can''t let it control you.. your past.. it''s gone.. You have to focus on the future now.. I''m not asking much but please just give it a chance.. Maybe you will feel better.. Maybe this is the thing you need.. To move on.. I don''t want to force you.. but I don''t want you to stay here locked up in this room forever.. Just give it a chance.. S: What if it all happens again..?? I wanna move on.. To let go.. But.. These nightmare.. I can''t control any of this.. And.. I don''t want them to See Me like this.. They already have a lot to deal with.. I don''t wanna put mine too.. What if all this happens there too.. These nightmares.. These sudden attacks...?? She says looking away as Ayaan moved a few steps closer keeping his hand on hers that was on the railing.. A: I''ll be there.. with you.. whatever it is.. we''ll deal with it.. Together.. You don''t have to worry about it.. I promised to take care of you and I will.. And look.. If you don''t like it there.. I''ll bring you home myself.. I promise.. You don''t have deal with it alone.. I''ll always be with you by your side.. no matter what.. He said staring into her eyes.. She looked at him as she felt a different peace in her heart.. She knew he meant what he said every word of it.. she could see it in his eyes.. His words made her believe.. She believed on his trust.. Cause she knew.. He was always there.. To hold her.. Pick her when she fell.. Take care of her.. Bring her out of the darkness when she felt it would consume her.. He was always there and will be.. She trusted him.. And hearing him say it made her feel stronger.. She still wasn''t sure about the trip but being with him she knew she didn''t have to worry.. She stared in his eyes that held soo many emotions that she couldn''t think of anything else.. and got lost in them.. Their little moment was broken as Nick came calling for Sofia.. N: C''mon Sofi dinner''s- He paused when he saw them together as they both saw him and moved a few steps back as Ayaan took his hand off.. N:Ayaan... What are you doing here..?? A:I.. Just came by to check up on her.. And was trying to convince her toe along with us.. N: Soo.. did she agree..?? He shrugged and signed towards Sofia telling him to ask her himself.. Nick looked at her who was still avoiding their eyes.. N: You shoulde it would be nice.. A change in the surrounding.. A:Yeah.. I was telling her the same thing.. Anyway you were saying something.. when you came.. N:Oh yeah.. I came to call you both for dinner.. It''s ready.. A:Yeah.. Well that''s nice.. I''m starving.. Let''s go then.. S:Yeah let''s go.. She said as Ayaan signed her to go first.. She smiled walking ahead and the boys followed.. They came out of the balcony and were leaving the room when Kiara barged in.. K: How long does it take..?? I''m starving... A: It''s been hardly a minute.. K: For you.. She said sarcastically making them chuckle.. Her eyes fell on Sofia as her face became neutral.. K:Lets go.. She told them and turned to leave.. S:Kiara.. She called making Kiara stop in her ce.. She walked upto Kiara and kept her hand on Kiara''s shoulder turning her around.. S:I... I wanted to apologize to you.. For whatever happened earlier.. I overreacted down stairs and.. I shouldn''t have screamed.. But.. I don''t know what came over me.. I just felt so angry and it all came out on you.. I''mso sorry.. K: It''s OK sofi.. I''m not mad at you.. I just thought everyone could get their minds off of it.. We all could have fun.. But it''s ok.. I know it''s difficult for you.. what you''re going through.. I don''t wanna force you.. It''s entirely your choice.. If you wannae.. S:I.. I''ll.... She hesitates a bit thinking about it as she turned her head towards Ayaan who was looking at her expectantly.. She took a deep breath and decided to agree just for her friends.. S: I''lle with you guys.. K: Really..?? S: Yes.. After all you''re not going to go leaving me here all alone.. So it''s better I tag along.. K:Ofcourse I won''t.. Yayyyy..!!! She eximed happily jumping and hugged her while twirling her around.. Sofia also smiled seeing her friends happy.. It didn''t matter anymore if she was wrong or right.. But what mattered is that her friends were happy.. They had done a lot for her and now this is the least she could do.. Kiara let her go still cheering happily.. Sofia lifted her head as her eyes met with Ayaan who had a proud smile on his face.. Her smile brightened looking at him as he gave a tight blink at her indicating that what she did was right.. She felt at ease as they stared at each other but she was suddenly dragged by her over excited bestie downstairs to give every one the good new.. They stumbled down the stairs in a hurry as the boys followed behind them.. *The End* -Zareen. Chapter 24: Winter Shopping. Chapter 24: Winter Shopping. Kiara dragged her downstairs as Ryan and Aliza were sitting on the table by that time and were waiting for them all.. They stood up as Kiara paused in front of the table While trying to catch her breath.. K:She.. Is... she''s........ing R: m down... Breath first talkter... He said as Kiara paused and took a deep breath in.. K: Sofi ising with us on the trip..!!!! R: Really..?? How did this magic happen..?? K: Ask her yourself.. R: So you areing..?? S: I sure am..!! Al: Aww sofi.. this is so great..!! Aliza eims hughing sofia as Kiara also joins.. Ryanughs looking at them but rushes beside them childishly hugging them.. Nick and Ayaan were standing at a distance and chuckled looking at the girls.. As they saw Ryan hug them they nced at each other and thenughed running to join in the hug.. S: Alright guys.. I..Can''t..... breathe.. She chokes out as they all move awayughing.. S: Alright can we have dinner.. I''m actually starving now.. She says smiling as they all nod excitedly sitting on the table as Ayaan holds the chair for Sofia as she sits down giving a smile to him.. He takes the seat beside her as Nick was seated beside him and Aliza Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. across with Ryan on her right followed by Kiara.. the middle seat was left empty where Nick''s dad used to sit.. They were about to start eating when the bell rang.. Nick went to open the door as His dad came home.. They all looked at him as he entered the hall.. They all greeted him as he greeted them back.. He was leaving for his room when Ayaan called him.. A: Uncle.. Come have dinner.. U: No.. I already had at office.. You guys continue... R: Uncle.. You know.. We are going on a trip... U: Is it... where..?? R: The closest hill station.. Me and Kiara got a new project for photography.. U: That''s really nice.. Are you all going..?? A: Yes.. And we even convinced Sofi to join us.. U: Nice.. A: Uncle.. You shoulde too.. its been a long time since we all went on a vacation together.. N: Yeah dad..!! U: Oh no.. you guys go and enjoy... And besides some one has to be here to manage the office too... A: Thank you soo much uncle.. it''s my responsibility but you are always managing it for me.. U: You don''t need to thank me for that.. It''s my duty.. Now you guys have dinner.. I''ll go freshen up.. and sleep.. Good night.. He wishes as they all wish him back.. They all have dinner and then go off to their rooms.. Ayaan entered his room and went to freshen up.. heter sat on the bed as his hand went to his shirts pocket as he took out the ss bottle.. Whatever happened throughout the day passed through his head.. He knew this had been bothering sofia a lot.. but he was scared to find out about it too.. he had been procrastinating the thing this whole day.. but now at night he couldn''t deny it further.. He was scared if he might find something that would disturb sofia further.. but he couldn''t ignore her.. and didn''t know what he''ll answer if she asked about it.. So finally gathering all the courage he could find.. he took out the phone and dialed his friend.. After a while his friend picked it up.. F: Hello Ayaan.. How did you remember your friend today..?? S: Hey Ben.. How are you...? B: Fine.. What about you..?? S: I''m perfectly fine.. Just needed a little favour from you...?? B: Sure.. what is it..?? S: I''m sending you a picture.. There''s this drug named.. dextoamphetamine.. I needed some information about it.. B: Amphetamine.. yes.. I''ve read a few things.. but I''ll need some time to gather everything and tell you.. S: Yeah no worries.. there''s no hurry.. B: Alright.. I''ll send you in a day or two.. S: Great thanks a lot.. B: Not a problem buddy.. Look I''ll call youter.. just a little busy.. S: Yeah sure.. Talk to youter.. Bye.. B: Bye... He ends the call throwing the phone back on the bed.. He takes a long breath wiping his face.. He shook his head clearing his thought and jumped on his bed covering himself with a nket.. He stared at the ceiling as the thoughts of sofia ran through his mind.. He didn''t realise as his eyes began getting heavy and sleep took over.. The next morning he was woken up by the loud squealing voice of Kiara ringing throughout the house.. Kiara who had woken up before the sun was now parading the whole house trying to wake the inhabitants to drag them all to the tortuous shopping mall- ording to Ayaan.. He closed his ears with the pillow which was very soon snached from him as he sat up grumpily on the bed.. His hair disheveled as he red at Kiara and then at the clock.. K: C''mon we''ll gette.. A: It''s 7 in the morning.. K: So..?? Come already.. hurry hurry hurry... She rushes dragging and pushes him into the bathroom.. He looks in the mirror yawning and wipes his face.. A: Crazy girl.. He mutters as he moves inside taking a shower and then brushes his teeth.. He wipes his head putting on his clothes and leaves the room.. He was walking towards the staircase as his eyes fell on Sofia''s room that was right before the staircase.. He paused in his ce and thought for a moment and knocked at the door.. He heard ae in and entered as he saw Sofia standing in front of the dressing table while she was putting on her earings.. She turned giving her a small smile as he smiled back.. He stared at her fresh serene face as she calmlybed her hair.. Her slightly wet hair appeared brown reflecting the sun rays.. He couldn''t help but stare at her.. He was lost in thoughts as he took a few steps towards her.. Shebed her hair putting on a ponytail.. He stood right behind her staring at her face.. She smiled at his reflection and continued putting on a little powder.. and then some lip gloss to chain trying to put it on as her eyes again fell on Ayaan who was still staring at her lost.. Their eyes met and she didn''t realise when the chain slipped from her hands.. Ayaan who was observing her carefully.. held it forwarding his hand as she came back to her senses.. She nced at his hand that was in front of her holding the chain and towards him who was standing close beside her.. He slowly lifted his hand holding the chain in his hand.. He looked back towards sofia as if asking permission.. she moved her hair at the side as He smiled a little putting it around her neck.. He put it together still not taking her eyes off of her... After putting it he lowered his hand but didn''t move from his ce as they still remained lost.. their trance was broken as they heard Kiara''s voice calling for them.. He finally moved a few steps back as she breathed in and turned towards the door as kiara enters.. K: How long..? Let''s go now.. A: What you''re starving again..?? K: I''m not a foodie like you.. A: Yeah.. the only thing you crave is shopping.. K: We need clothes to wear.. A: A few.. Not like hundreds... K: You might not.. but I do..!! A: Yeah you- S: Alright guy''s enough arguing.. And kiara.. aren''t you gettingte now..? K: Of course I am.. But this guys has no concern for anybody... A: anybody but you... S: Enough.!!!! She saysughing and then drags them both down to the stairs.. They reach there to see a sleepy Ryan and Nick seated on the table as Aliza was bringing food serving it on the table.. They sat on the table serving themselves.. Sofia chuckled looking at the swooning Ryan and Nick.. Ryan made a grumpy face rubbing his face and served himself.. S: Someone''s grumpy... Ry: Everyone''s grumpy.. Thanks to none other than Kiara herself.. S: Now don''t ne everything on her.. She''s just excited.. N: So what''s our fault in that..?? He asks making them allugh.. Theycontinue eating and finallyplete their food much to Kiara''s relief and the boy''s horror.. The girls help clear the table and the boys went up to grab their jackets and came downstairs.. The girls were ready as Nick picked the car keys.. They all sat in the car with nick and Ryan in the front.. And the girls sat back with Ayaan squeezed in.. They reached the mall and got out.. K:Finally.. I couldn''t breathe in there.. A:Yeah.. These girls are getting really fat.. Al+K+S: Excuse me..!!??! N: Woah.. A: Give a long speech and they won''t say a word.. Just call them fat and they''re ready for war.. Ry: You can''t call a girl fat.. You should know that.. A: I didn''t specify I was talking about them.. I just said girls.. If they take it upon themselves it''s their fault.. Sofia hit him walking ahead followed by Kiara and Aliza.. He rubs his arm after being hit by the three of them.. Nick and Ryanugh at them.. They enter the mall and walk ahead looking for what to buy.. They buy some warm clothes as the boys look for their typical shirts and pants and jackets.. After strolling around the mall for the whole morning they finally stopped at the ice cream parlour during afternoon to have some ice cream.. They all ordered their favourite and wait for it to arrive.. Soon enough theyolete eating and go looking for what else is left to buy.. After a few more excruciating hours at the mall they had finally finished their shopping and then returned back home.. The boys all copsed on the sofas throwing down the shopping bags around them.. The girls also came in and sat down.. Sofia then went to the kitchen to bring cold drinks for everyone as they all drank talking with each other.. K: Let''s see what we bought..?? R: Really..?? Buying wasn''t enough torture.. Now you wanna see it too.. N: You''re the one''s who bought it.. What''s the point in seeing it again.. K: Boys don''t even understand the simple logic behind things.. N(elbowing Ryan): Look who''s talking about logics.. They bothugh high-fiving each other as Kiara throws the cushion on Nicks face making everyone A: Alright boys.. Enough with the teasing.. Let them do what they want to.. They both nce at each other and thenugh while putting a finger on their lips childishly.. N+R:Yes Sir.!! Ayaan smacks Nicks head as he was the one sitting beside him.. Who inturn pped Ryan who was on the seat enjoying the boys fight.. After they all got quiet again Kiara opened the bags handing everyone their things.. As Sofia sat beside her and Aliza on the other side.. They were opening the bags and holding it on themselves while showing each other and the boys as they asionally dropped inpliments for all the three girls.. *The End* -Zareen. Chapter 25: Preparing for Fun. Chapter 25: Preparing for Fun. While the girls were unpacking everything Ayaan got a call and left to attend it.. He returned after taking the call.. A: Alright.. I''m going to the office since we''re leaving tomorrow.. I''ll just wrap up some of the work.. S: When will you be back..? A: I... I''ll be back before dinner.. S: OK.. A: And... Ryan.. we''re leaving tomorrow morning right.. I''ll get our reservation done.. R: Yeah and take our tickets as well.. Check the seats and timing.. A: Yeah.. Good idea.. He takes the tickets from Ryan and leaves to the office.. Soon the girls gather all the things taking their own as Kiara, Ryan and Aliza went back to the hostel to pack their bags and keep these clothes in as well.. Nick and Sofia were in the sitting area as she was separating her and Ayaan''s things putting them in separate shopping bags.. Nick had gathered his in a bag already.. Sofia was leaving to her room when he stopped her.. N: Sofi.. S: Yes.? N: Do you need any help with the packing..?? S: Don''t you have to do your own..? N: I.. I''m almost done.. S: No it''s alright.. I''ll do it myself.. N: Still.. S: It''s OK.. N: Alright.. But if you need anything you can tell me.. S: Yeah.. She walked to her room as he went to his.. She kept the bags near the bed and walked to the cupboard taking out a bag to keep her clothes.. She opened the bag keeping it on the bed and went to check the wardrobe.. After checking it she took out some of the dresses to take with her and kept them nicely in the bag along with the ones she bought today.. After an hour and a half she had finished the packing and cleaned her room keeping the leftover clothes back in the wardrobe.. She kept the bag aside as her eyes fell on the bags beside her bed.. She thought for a while and then picked them up and went to Ayaan''s room.. She entered the room while looking around.. She hadn''t visited this room ever since she hade here.. His room was a bit more darker than hersome with the walls of blue and ck colour.. And his furniture was of the same theme.. He had thin white and thick ck curtains on his balcony door.. She kept the bags on his bed and sat on it looking around it.. There was a few couch on the adjacent on the right.. There was a guitar hung on the wall behind the couch.. She walked to the guitar running her fingers on it slowly as she remembered the time when they bought it.. She had given it to him on his 20th birthday.. She still remembered his grinning face.. Sheughed remembering all those times.. Finally she was leaving when she had an idea.. She nced at the watch.. There were still few hours until dinner.. She walked upto his cupboard looking for a bag.. After a bit of looking she found it and kept it on the bed opening it.. She took out the clothes from the shopping bag and kept them in the bag.. She opened his wardrobe looking in..his suits were hanging on the right as his jeans and shirts were arranged on the left.. Unlike every other boy his cupboard was perfectly arranged.. Not a thing out of ce.. And now he was used to it soo much that even if one thing was misced he would get mad.. She remembered how she used to mess his wardrobe when ever she was mad at him or wanted to irritate him.. And it worked everytime.. Sheughed while taking out some of his clothes and putting them in the bag.. After a while she was almost done when Ayaan entered the room.. A: Sofia..?? S: You''re back..?? A: What are you doing here..?? S: Just.... He nced at the bag and smiled.. A: You packed my bag..?? S: I was free.. And came to keep these bags here. And thought I can help you.. A: Thanks a lot.. I was just wondering when would I pack.. S: d to help.. You''re free now..? A: Yeah... S: I thought you''d bete.. A: work was finished early.. So came home.. S: Oh.. You should go freshen up.. I''ll see what''s for dinner.. A: Ok. She smiled and walked out as Ayaan went to freshen up.. She went to the kitchen and saw Kiara already standing there.. S: Kay.. What are you doing here..? K: Dinner... S: You''re just standing.. K: I''m thinking what to make..? S: Let''s check the fridge.. They check the fridge and find some things.. After thinking for a whike they finally started with making macaroni and cheese for dinner along with grilled vegetables and some sd.. The dinner was almost ready when Ayaan walked in.. Kiara had just left to attend a call from Ryan concerning their contract.. Sofia was cutting the vegetables for the sd.. A: Can I help..? S: No it''s all done.. A: Then what are you doing.. S: Making sd.. She says as her eyes fell on the macaroni.. It was almost cooked as she left the knife and picked the spoon stiring in it.. Ayaan walked near her and started chopping in her ce.. She smiled at him as they quietly continued with their work.. After the work was over he helped her set up the table as they had light chats andughed.. They call their friends as they all had dinner and left to their rooms to sleep.. The next morning He woke up and got fresh and dressed in a nice outfit.. He was very happy and the house was buzzing with excitement.. He walked down the hall to see Kiara and Aliza rushing the whole house for breakfast.. Nick and Ryan were also busy checking the arrangement to leave.. He frowned as he didn''t see sofia anywhere.. He ran back upstairs and walked to her room opening the door slowly.. He saw that all the lights were off and there was darkness everywhere.. He stepped in as the door closed behind him filling it with total darkness.. He stretched his hand turning on the light as the light filled the room.. His eyes fell in the disheveled room as the things on the desk beside the bed were all on the floor.. He looked shocked as his eyes fell on sofia who was sitting on the floor beside the bed hugging her knees and her head was down.. He walked closer and saw her shivering in her ce.. He ran while sitting on his knees.. He hesitated while putting his hand on her shoulder.. She got startled and moved back lifting her head staring withrge eyes.. Her face was filled with tears and her eyes were red.. She breathed heavily while looking pale and horrified.. He tried to calm her down by putting his hands on both her shoulders.. She calmed a little as she saw it was Ayaan and then hugged him tightly while still shaking.. He hugged her back trying to calm her while rubbing her head.. After a few minutes she calmed down as he moved her asking what happened.. A: What is it sofia..?? Are you ok..?? S: I.... She was looking lost staring at the ground.. He held her face making her face him.. A: Did something happen..?? S: Th...T..They were here.... A: Who..?? Who was here..?? S: They.. They came here... There was darkness everywhere.. I..I couldn''t breath.. They were strangling me.. killing me.. I don''t know... A: Sofia... Sofia. There was no one here..!! It was just a dream... S: Dream..?? A: Yeah.. You had a nightmare.. S: No.!! I.. I saw it.. T..Tall and.. And ck.. A: Sofia.. You were hallucinating.. There''s nothing here.. Look around your self.. She slowly looks around herself.. Her eyes traveling from wall to wall in a terror as if something would pop up suddenly.. Her eyes finallynd back on Ayaan who was sitting in front of her.. S: I''m sorry.. I.. A: It''s ok... Calm down.. S: I don''t know what happened.. I woke up.. Everything was dark.. A: I think your phobia must have been triggered.. Now rx and go freshen up.. S: Ayaan.. I. She was cut when his phone rang.. He took it out to see Kiara''s name shing on it.. He picked it up... A: Yeah.. K: Where''d you go off to..?? A: A.. nothing.. Just got some work.. K: Alrigt.. Whatever it is finish it fast and also wake up Sofia on your way.. And bring her down.. Breakfast is ready and we have to leave.. A: Alright.. We''ll be there in a few minutes.. He keeps in the phone looking back at sofia.. He holds her hand and makes her stand up.. After they both stood up he keeps both his hands on her shoulder while giving a small smile.. A: Alright.. Now forget all this and go freshen up.. We''re ready to leave.. She breaths out feeling down.. She looks down and then back at him.. She moves forwards and hugs him wrapping her arms around his waist.. He looks down at her as his hands hung in the air.. He slowly rested them down behid her shoulder.. She stayed that way for a while just breathing in and calming herself.. He didn''t move either.. Just listening to her breathe calm slowly.. A: Sofi.. We''re gettingte.. He whispered as she nods slowly moving away stil looking down.. He looks at her still looking worried.. He cups her face making her look at him.. A: Everything''s gonna be ok.. I''m here with you.. She stared at him as he stared back.. He moved closer giving a smooth kiss on her forehead and moves back giving a smile to her and walked her to the bathroom while slightly pushing her in.. She gave a smile and went in and came out in a while after getting fresh.. She came out to see Ayaan still standing there and the room was all cleaned up as everythingyed in it''s ce.. She smiled looking at the room as the thought of his "always ready to clean" attitude came to her mind.. Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. A: Let''s go.. He signed her to go ahead.. She followed him downstairs where everyone was on the table.. They finished their meals and then gathered all the luggage and left to the bus stop.. *The End* -Zareen. Chapter 26: Let The Fun Begin. Chapter 26: Let The Fun Begin. They all board the bus and leave.. After an overnight journey they reached the ce.. They got down and looked arounding out from the bus stop as they stare at the green ins stretched out in front of them.. Ryan was stretching himself after climbing out.. R: I''m exhausted.. N: You''ve been sleeping for like.. The whole ride here.. R: That doesn''t mean a person can''t be tired.. Ay: Of what sleeping..? K: Stop arguing guys and look in front of you.. This is soo beautiful.. S: We didn''te all this way to hear you guys bicker.. They walk ahead as their eyes get stuck on the scenery ahead.. They take a few group photographs and then Kiara and Ryan take a few shots of the surrounding for their project.. After all the shooting was over they hired a taxi to the hotel.. They reached a hotels and enter one of them to book rooms for themselves.. They reach the reception as Ayaan asks them.. A: How many..? K: We''ll be fine in one.. A: So 2 rooms.. You guys..?? R: Ya.. It''s fine.. N: Ya.. A: Alright.. We''d like two double rooms.. He says to the receptionist as he enters something in hisputer and hands them two keys.. One of the helpers shows them the way to their rooms and helps with the luggage.. They enter their respective rooms that were beside each other and settle their things in.. Afterying down and freshening up they meet outside in the lounge.. A: Alright.. so what shall we do.?? K: Where shall we go first.. R: We''ll go sightseeingter.. but first lets get something for lunch.. I''m starving.. N: he''s right.. so am I.. Al: Me too... S: There should be a restaurant nearby.. Ay: Alright.. lets go have something first then.... They go to a restaurant closeby and have lunch.. After that they all go around strolling in the greend.. they reach a local market ce and start looking around.. Kiara and Aliza were jumping around happily dragging Ryan along with them who in turn dragged Nick with him too.. They took plenty of pictures in different hats and jewellery kept there.. Sofia was standing near a stall quietly looking at a few keychains.. Ayaan walked closer to her and stood beside her still looking at Kiara and Aliza... Ay: Don''t you wanna go jumping around with them.. S: not really.. Ay: What are you looking at now...?? He nces at the things and saw her looking at some keychains.. She picked one up that had "Best Dad" written on it.. The other side "I Love You Daddy" was engraved... He nced at her and kept his hand on her other hand that was on the stall.. she looked up at him and gave a small smile.. S: I always wanted to give one of these to him.. Never got a chance.. Ay: Yeah.. He surely was.. S: You felt the same for him didn''t you.. Ay: He was like my dad too.. After my parents.. He was the one I was closest too.. S: I''m sorry.. Ay: For..?? S: I never realized how much he meant for everyone else beside me.. You all had a bond with him too.. She said as he gave a small nod.. He holds her hand and drags her with him towards Kiara and Aliza.. He picks up a hat from the stall and puts it on her head giving a wide smile as she stared confused at him.. He pushed her towards them and Signed Ryan to click.. Kiara and Aliza dragged her in hugging her and posing for pictures.. After that Kiara took her own cam and pushed the boys forcefully taking their pictures now.. The girls put on various essories on the boys and made them forcefully pose crazily.. After a lot of fun they finally stop at a small hotel and had dinner.. They went back to their ce and rested for the night.. The next morning Kiara was already awake and had left the room while the girls were still asleep.. Sofia and Alizater woke up and didn''t find Kiara in the room.. They knocked on the next door as Ayaan opened it after a while.. He grumbled in sleep.. Ay: What do you want..?? S: Is Kiara here.. Ay: what.?? What would she be doing here soo early..? S: Ooh.. Ay: What happened..?? She isn''t there.. S: No... We woke up and she wasn''t here.. He nced in the room and saw Nick sprawled on the bed.. Ay: Ryan isn''t here either.. maybe they''re together.. S: Yeah maybe.. Ay: Rx.. She''ll be fine.. don''t worry... S: Yeah.. I''ll go freshen up.. Ay(Yawning): And I''m going back to sleep.. She smacks his arm as he scrunched his face at her.. S: Go freshen up.. and wake that sleepy head too.. She says as he frowns and goes back inside.. Sofia also goes back to her room chuckling.. She entered the room and saw Aliza walk out of the bathroom.. Sofia went after her and freshened up.. They both were getting ready as Kiara walked in.. S: Kay.. where were you..? K: I went on My job.. Al: Job..?? K: Some dazzling early morning shots.. Al: Really..?? S:Show us too.. They both rushed beside her as the three of them sat on the bed.. Kiara shows them all the pictures as they admire them all.. Some of the shots also included a sleepy Ryan as theyughed looking at him.. Later they all leave the rooms and knocked on the boys rooms.. They heard a bit of screaming and shouting in the room and then the door opened to reveal a disheaveled Nick and a messy room.. They stared withrge eyes as they saw Ayaan and Ryan were behind him pointing at him or maybe trying to stop him.. They huffed looking around themselves as the girls entered inside.. K: Woah.. Did a storme in here or something..?? S:What are you guys upto..?? R: We''re.... Aaa... Ay: Getting dressed... Al: Then why is everything.. Everywhere..?? They look around sheepishly as the girls roll their eyes helping them set up.. Sofia and Kiara start putting the clothes in the bag as Aliza arranges the bed sheets.. The boys get dressed quickly and the room was set in no time.. N: Wow.. Now this is magic.. K: No.. This is called girl power.. R: Yeah whatever.. Now can we go.. I''m starving.. K: Do you have like anything to do except eat and sleep..? R: Yeah... photography you should know.. Ay: Alright guys don''t start here too.. and.. he''s right.. even I''m starving.. lets go.. They leave the hotel room and went to get breakfast... *The End* Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. -Zareen Chapter 27 : Boating and Hiking. Chapter 27 : Boating and Hiking. After having breakfast they all leave to see the rest of the tourist destinations.. They were walking by a K: Hey look.. they''re boating.. Al: Wow.. I''ve never been on a boat before.. S: Yeah.. It''ll be fun lets go.. Ay: But our bus would be here anytime.. we gotta go for hiking.. K: Just for a little bit.. S: Yeah lets go... Ry: Yeah let''s go. Please... Ay: Ryan you too.. R: What..? Even I like boating.. Ay: Alright fine lets go.. Ayaan and Ryan go to talk to the vendor as the girls were jumping in happiness.. Sofia walked closer staring at theke as Nick walked upto her.. N: Hey.. S: Yeah... N: So.. How are you feeling..?? S: Good.. Why are you asking..?? N: Just wanted to know if you like our new surroundings..?? S: Yeah it''s.. It''s beautiful.. N: Yeah... I.. I wanted to ask you... S: What..?? N: If you''d.. You know.. Like to.... Go boa- Ay: Sofia... Ayaan screamed sitting in the boat.. Sofia turned to him and asked what as he signed her toe.. She nced past him and saw Ryan and Kiara already seated in the boat ahead of him.. Ay: C''mon hurry up.. S:Alright I''m Coming... She screamed from her ce signing him to wait.. She turned back to Nick.. S: Can we continue thister.. I have to go boating and He''s waiting.. And We''ll also kinda miss our bus.. And you know how cranky Ayaan can get.. N:Y..Yeah.. Of.. Of course.. She jogs towards Ayaan and gets in the boat as he holds out his hand seeing that the boat was shaking due to the movement... Sofia grabbed his hand and seated down as sheughed at something he said.. Nick stared at them from his ce as he saw them boat away.. He stood rooted in his ce when he heard a voice behind him.. He turned to see Aliza standing there.. Al: Why are you standing here.. Don''t you wanna go boating.. N: I... Aa.. Al: C''mon let''s go.. She says dragging him to a boat.. They go around boating for a while as the boats sh with each other.. They allugh and start running around hitting each others boat like in the electrical cars.. After a while of pushing around and some sshing of water by the girls they finally get down.. Ay: Alright.. Now done with the boating.. Can we go..?? K: Yes.!!! They all walk ahead as they reach a bus that would take them to the nearest hiking trail.. There were a few more people with them on the bus.. The bus stops as they all get down.. They all saw a shop with special hiking gears and clothes as they all were advised to change their shoes and check their clothes before going and could buy anything they needed.. The boys already wore shoes so they didn''t change except some of the girls who wore sandals or heels.. After they were ready they all left together looking around and admiring the nature.. The whole day went by the same walking , talking and admiring.. Ryan and Kiara got a lot of opportunities for clicking pictures.. The girls were walking together talking about something as Ayaan was walking ahead lost in his own thoughts.. Nick and Ryan were talking just behind him.. After a while Ryan''s eyes fell on Ayaan as he saw him lost and walking in front of them all.. He excused himself and walked upto Ayaan putting his arms around his shoulder.. R: Hey bro... Why you walkin'' alone..?? A: Nothing.. I was just.... Thinking.. R: About what..?? A: Something..!! R: You don''t wanna share..?? A: Nothing special.. Really... R: Is that soo... They walk silently for a while as Ayaan gets lost in his thoughts again.. After a while Ryan speaks again.. R: So you wanna talk about it... Ay: I told you it''s nothing... R: I wasn''t talking about this.. I meant what is going on between you two.. A: Between.... Who two..?? R: You and... Sofia.. A: There is nothing between us.. R: Oh C''mon.. You can''t lie to me.. You know that... A: I don''t know what you''re talking about... R: of course you do.. Look I''m not having this conversation along with Nick because I know.. You two had some argument and things haven''t been the same since.. But it''s the same between us.. And.. You don''t need to hide it from me.. A: I''m not hiding anything.. R: Don''t you care about her..?? A: of course I do.. She''s my best friend.. Even if we used to argue all the time.. We still had... Something.. R: Exactly.. Something.. Something else.. Some spark.. And its still there.. A: What do you mean..?? R: Look I''ve had this conversation with Kiara countless times.. The point is that everyone beside you two have noticed it.. You guys always had this bond between you two that none of us had.. And right now when she''s going through all this.. She needs that.. That bond.. You.. Now it''s your choice.. if you wanna ept it.. Give her the love she deserves.. or just.. bury it deep inside.. hide from it.. neglect it... Your wish.. But before tou choose.. Just think about her once.. There is nobody who can get throught her walls like you.. I''m sure there are things that she says to you.. that she doesn''t tell us.. me or Kiara.. That''s because.. The bond.. I''m talking about.. she knows it''s there.. And even if she manages to hide it from all of us.. She can''t hide it from you.. And you know that too.. Soooo.. Its your choice.. But.. if you wanna talk.. you know I''m here.. And yeah.. I know even at this moment.. you''re just thinking about her.. because you''re worried about something or the other.. Ryan stares at Ayaan waiting for his response as he looks away and exhales out.. A: Ok fine.. I am thinking about her.. Cause I''m worried.. I see her everday.. and how much she has changed.. A few months ago.. we couldn''t go a single day without arguing endlessly... but now.. She hardly speaks.. Before.. She used to be the heart of the event.. No matter where we go.. what we do.. But now she rarely smiles.. I don''t know how.. But I miss those things.. Us arguing.. fighting endlessly.. herugh.. her smiles... everything.. R: Yeah.. She has fully changed after that... A: Exactly.. and I just want her to be.. how she used to be.. and I don''t know how that''ll happen.. Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. R: I do.. He says as Ayaan looks at him questioningly.. A: How.?? R: I just told you like.. an hour long speech about that.. A: What.? R: YOU''RE THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN DO THAT.. You can bring the old sofi out of her.. Break the walls she has made.. You should talk to her.. A: I already did.. R: Then try harder.. Look all I want you to do is.. put your hand on your heart.. and do as it says.. It won''t lead you wrong.. Think about it... He says as he gave a pat on his shoulder and walked back towards Nick.. as they all were walking again.. Ayaans mind was stuck on what Ryan just said.. He was deep in thoughts as all the past memories yed in his mind.. He remembered all those moment when theyughed.. Fought together.. And also the moments they were there for each other.. shared their pain and hurt.. He always had a special ce for Sofia in his heart and he realised it more and more with each passing day... Herugh her arguments and their pointless quarrels all yed in his mind bringing a smile on his face.. And the moment he realised that her happines was the key for his happiness.. and there wasn''t one without the other.. His resume of bringing her back grew strong as did his faith in this unnamed feelings.. Later Sofia came by seeing him walk alone.. S: Hey... She looked at him still lost in his thoughts.. She spoke again a bit louder while shaking her hand in front of his face.. He came back to his senses looking around as he saw her.. S: Are you ok.. A: Ya.. I am.. fine.. S: Then why are you so lost.. What were you thinking about..? A: You. S: Huh.? A: Y..You know.. Just stuff.. S: Oh.. A: What about you..? S: What about me..? A: Are you ok..? S: Ofcourse I am.. Why does everybody keep asking me that..?? A: You like this ce.. S: Yeah.. It''s.. beautiful.. A: Then you should thank me.. S: Why would I thank you.. A: You didn''t wannae here... I convinced you.. so.. The credit goes to me.. S: You always need the credit for everything.. Don''t you.. A: I deserve it.. S: Yeah right.. She says as they both chuckle ncing at each other.. It was finally Night time and everybody had returned tired and crashed into their beds.. But Ayaanyed awake in his bed.. Ryan''s words troubled him.. He knew this woulde up but soo soon was what confused him.. It had been just a while when he had epted that he had some feelings for Sofia and now he realises that everyone knew it except himself.. He walks out the balcony as the green ins stretched far in front of him.. The soft wind blew past giving him slight shivers and goosebumps.. He breathed deeply the scented air around him as his eyes fell on the balcony beside his.. That was the girls room as a smile stretched on his face.. His mind went back to the memories of the day as he remembered her looking soo captivating in the beuty of Nature.. All he could think of these days was her.. Either he was very worried about her or just daydreaming about her.. Sometimes he just wanted to run to her.. While other times he just admired from afar.. Thinking about hisplicated feelings made himugh as he took out his phone.. The urge to see her grew every moment.. As he couldn''t just barge into the girls room like he would have at home he just filled his heart with a few picture.. Which were ofcourse not just a few.. But a few hundred.. After all they had actually spent years with eachother.. He browsed through their pictures.. Many were of them together.. Some of her singles that he had took not so gently without her consent.. Many made himugh loking at the stupid things they did.. He browsed through the childhood folder as a few of her crying pictures came up.. Heughed seeing her red nose and rosy cheeks.. Herrge ck eyes were lined with tears as he sat beside her being the reason to make her cry.. Heughed remembering their rivalry throughout the years making it even harder for him to believe that he actually fell for her.. But then again don''t opposites attract and they always had the hate chemistry between them maybe it did turn into attraction after a while.. Heughed ncing at the picture again as he nned how to tease her with this.. As of now he hadn''t had enough of this picture so he set it on his home screen wallpaper.. Heyed back on the bed putting his phone near his heart closing his eyes.. As the face in the phone reflected in his eyes.. Next morning sofia woke up as her phone started ringing.. Kiara hit her asking to pick it up.. She groaned taking the phone ncing at the name with one eye open.. She saw Ayaan''s name and answered the call in a sleepy voice.. S: Yeah... A: You''re still sleeping..?? S: No I''m dancing... A: Thene out let''s dance together.. S: What..?? A: I''m waiting outsidee fast.. S: Seriously it''s..... 4 in the morning.. A: I know I have a watch too.. S: Then look at it and go back to sleep.. A: I''m not here to sleep.. S: What do you want..??? A: I already told youe out I''m waiting.. S: You''re serious..?? A: 100% S: Argh.. Alright.. She said groaning as she stood up from her ce.. She nced out of the balcony and saw it was still dark.. She huffed angrily while gathering her hair and went out.. She left the room and saw Ayaan standing in front of the room.. He smiled looking at her as she raised her eyebrow at him.. He kept staring as she made a weird face waving her hand in front him making he blink as he started smiling again.. S: What are you starting at..?? A: You.. S: What.?? A: You''re looking really pretty... S: You''re kidding right.. I like just woke up.. A: I know.. S: I''m sure you didn''t call me here in the middle of the night to tell me that.. A: It''s not the middle of the night.. It''s almost morning.. S: Yeah what ever... A: C''mon.. S: Where..?? A: Out.. S: Now.. Why..?? A: You''re asking too many questions let''s go.. S: But why.. I haven''t even changed.. Atleast let me grab a shawl.. A: I knew you wouldn''t so I already grabbed one for you.. He passes the shawl in his hand as she puts it around her shoulder following Ayaan who didn''t even bother to wait for her and was already rushing forward.. She rushed behind him as he grabbed her hand and dragged her with himself.. In a few minutes they reached the hill top as he sat on the rocks asking her to sit as well.. Due to the low poption there weren''t many people around.. Ayaan was smiling ahead as Sofia gave him a puzzled nce.. S: Why are we here again..?? A: Can''t you see the colour change.. We''re here to see the sun rise.. S: The sun rise... A: Yeah.. He said happily as she smiled seeing his face.. She looked around and actually saw the colour change.. The cool mourning breeze was adding to the cold as she wrapped her shawl around shivering a little.. Her whole attention finally went to the scene in front of her.. She could see a smallke at a distance and the whole ce was surrounded with bushes , tree and flowers of all colours.. She again looked at the sky that had be a mixed shade of purple orange and red as the light started to peek through the cold clouds and give them a little warmth.. While observing all this she was oblivious to the pair of eyes that followed her every movement.. He stared at her as they both admired the beauty in front if their eyes... *The End* -Zareen. Chapter 28: Camping In The Jungle. Chapter 28: Camping In The Jungle. They both sat there admiring the beauty in front of their eyes.. The sun had almost rose as they say there for almost half a hour as Ayaan spoke up.. A: isn''t this beautiful..?? S:Yeah... A: You know I find it very astonishing.. S: The sun rise..?? A: No.. I mean.. The scenes.. A few minutes ago it''s all dark and gloomy and then a single ray of light adds soo many colours.. And all the darkness vanishes like it was never there... S: Why do I have a feeling your not just talking about the sun rise.. A: I''m talking about our lives too.. Sometimes we feel it''s all sad and dark.. But all we need is a ray of light and hope.. And the sadness goes away.. Am I right..? S: Yeah.. A: I know we''ve had this conversation over and over many times.. But today I just wanna tell you that.. Once before you were the sun to my darkness.. Not just that one incident.. But there were many more.. That you and I both know.. And now.. I promise to be yours.. And I just want you to have the hope I have.. I promise.. I''ll always be your ray of light.. He said as he sat in front of her on his knees holding her hand.. As she kept her other hand over his.. S: and Hope.? A: and Hope.! He said smiling at her with determination in his eyes.. As she smiled back softly.. They both stared into each others eyes.. Ayaan then got up holding her hand to help her up as they both left back to the hotel hand in hands.. They went to their respective rooms.. The boys were still a sleep so Ayaan also crashed into the bed and ofcourse fell asleep that instant. Sofia entered the room to see both the girls sitting on the bed as they stared at her in horror and then confused as Kiara spoke.. K: If you''re here whose in the bathroom.. S: How will I know..? She saw as she opened the bathroom door and saw it was empty. S: There''s nobody in there.. K: Oh.. So where were you..? She remembered as a small smile came on her lips.. His words had this time touched her heart deeply.. And she could read his sincerity in his eyes.. Kiara walked upto her and put a arm around her shoulder while looking at Aliza.. K: Alizay.. Is it too cold or is our friend blushing... Aliza alsoes by her side.. Al: I think it''s blush..!! They both chuckle while high-fiving each other behind her back.. S: I''m not blushing.. She said brushing off their arms.. And then went to sit on the bed as they both gave looks to each other and then sat beside her.. K: Alright you''re not blushing.. So where were you..? Al: You didn''t wander off all alone did you..?? S: No I was with Ayaan.. K+Al: Ohhhhhh..... S:Shut. Up. K: Sooo when did you go...? Al: Where did you go..? K: What did he say..?? Al: what did you do..?? S: Guysss.. We''re not in a rtionship that your your behaving this way.. K: You''re not..?? Al: Really..?? S: Seriously..?? We just went for a walk, saw the sun rise and came back.. They both give an exaggeratedly long look of understanding and then eye her suspiciously with a smirk as she red back at them.. K: Aliza would you mind..?? Al: Of course not.. She said as Kiara forward her hand in front of Sofia as Aliza grabbed it from the other side of her and Sofia still looked puzzled.. They entwined their hands walking forward as Aliza grabbed her arm with other hand resting her head on Kiara''s shoulder.. They both were facing away from sofia.. They walked animatedly and stop at a distance Then turn to each other.. K: Sofia... Al: Ayaan... They say looking into each others eyes fluttering their eyeshes acting-more like overacting- like in love.. Sofia looks withrge eyes at them astonished.. As they continue their talk while holding their hand in between them.. K: Let''s go for a walk.. In the mountains.. Al: yes.. And we will see the sun rise... K: In this beautiful weather.. Al: The morning lighting.. K: The cool breeze.. Al: Just you and Me.. K: Oh How romantic.. They said still holding both hands and acting overly in love.. sofia chuckled looking at them as a smooth blush covered her cheeks thinking about the morning.. She shook her head and nced backBelongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. at them still staring at each other as she stood from her ce shaking her head at them and walked between them pushing them away from each other.. S: Enough both of you.. Stop before you fall in love.. And I told you there''s nothing like that.. Al+K: Yeah.... There''s nothing like that.. They tease her as she hits them both on their arms making themugh more.. She walks back and copses on the bed as they both also sat beside her.. S: Forget all that.. Today is ourst day here.. Let''s enjoy it to the fullest.. K: I''m d you''re talking about enjoying today.. S: Yeah I''ve had a lot of fun in the past few days.. Al: Then we''ll have even more today.. K: First of all let''s get those idiots to wake up.. They allughed and then went to freshen up one after another.. They all left the room and then knocked on the boys door.. A sleepy Ryan opened the door with half opened eyes as they pushed past him who was still trying to see who came by.. He turned along with them looking confused.. R: What are you guys doing here so early..?? K: What did you think..?? Sofia and Aliza walk upto the bed where Ayaan and Nick were sleeping peacefully.. They look at eachother with a smirk on their faces as Kiara and Ryan look at them confused.. They sign eachother as they both pick up a pillow each giving a nod to each other they started hitting the boys who after a few hits woke up surprised and shocked as Kiara and Ryan erupted inughter.. They both hastily left the bed and stood in front withrge eyes.. As Aliza and Sofia fell on the bedughing and high-fiving each other.. The boys breath heavily trying to calm themselves and re at the two girls as they all Ayaan and Nick agrily nce at each other grabbing a pillow each and started hitting the girls in the midst of theirughter.. As they try to block and then grab back the other pillows hitting them back.. Soon Kiara and Ryan also join into the pillow fight.. After they all tiredly copsed on the bed as the boys started going to freshen up turn by then and the girlsyed on the bed.. Ayaan went first and Nick went in next.. Ayaan was standing in front of the mirrorbing his hair as his eyes fell on Sofia who was looking at him.. Their eyes met as he gave a small smile and a smile came on her face as well.. She looked down as his smile grew when he suddenly recieves a smack on his head making the others chuckle.. He red next to him to see Nick.. N: What are you smiling at.. Move and give me some space.. A: You could have just ask.. N: I''ve been literally screaming in your ears.. A:Alright. Fine. Go-ahead.. He says angrily moving aside while grabbing his watch that he put on and grabbed a perfume putting it on.. By that time Ryan had also left the bathroom and joined Nick in front of the mirror.. S: So where are we going today..?? R: Well someone''s excited.. K: My bestie here has decided that we''ll have lots of fun today and enjoy the day to the fullest.. Al: It''s gonna be the most memorable day.. Ay: Of course it is. we''re going camping.. S+K+Al: We''re going camping..??? K: Wow this is gonna be soo much fun.. We''ll make a tent.. We''ll Sing and dance.. We''ll cut the trees and make a bonfire.. Ay: We''re not cutting any trees.. K: We''re not.?? What''s camping without a bonfire.. A: We''ll be carrying our wood.. Not cut down trees over there.. And that''s pretty much not allowed here.. K: There will be a bonfire.. Yay... She squeals hugging sofia who was beside her.. Soon they were all ready so they left the rooms with their necessary things and went to the outskirts of the city where there was a forest.. There were tall trees and bushes around them.. They walked into the forest as Kiara seemed a little scared of her surrounding as Sofia noticed her.. S: What is it Kiara.. Are you not enjoying it..?? K: Are you sure it''s safe out here..?? Ay: Ofcourse it''s not.. Ry: Is a jungle there are wild animals. N: snakes Ay: And poisonous insects. Ry: If they bite you.. You might even die.. K: Lets go back to the car.. She squeaks grabbing on to Sofia making the boysugh.. S: Stop it you guys.. Rx Kay they''re just kidding.. R: Are we..??? N: Noooo.. Al: They''re just taking the revenge for raiding on them in the morning.. N: Argh.. Don''t even remind me.. my neck still hurts... Al: See.. Told you so.. She says to Kiara who smacks both Ryan and Nick in their head as Ayaan jogs ahead of them saving himself andughing at the boys.. Ay: I thought someone was really excited for camping.. K: I am excited.. I just don''t like such ce.. Anything cane from.. Anywhere. S: Rx I''m sure he did his research beforeing here.. Didn''t you AYAAN..???? A: I don''t know maybee... S: Ayaan..!!! A: OK fine fine... Yes I did and I also asked around beforeing here so rx.. You won''t atleast die here.. Ry: I don''t know about her.. But I''m literally gonna starve to death.. Where are we gonna stop buddy..?? A: I''m not sure..there should be a clearing here somewhere.. N: You don''t KNOW..???? A: I don''t live here.. I just heard from a few people.. Tourists oftene around here for camping and there is a clearing after a bit of walk into the forest. They walk a few steps as ites in view.. A: There it is C''mon.. This should be enough for us to camp right.. Ry: Yup perfect..! They keep all of their bags and belongings down.. The boys took out the two tents they had brought along.. As Ryan, Nick and Aliza started seeing up one and Ayaan, Kiara and Sofia worked on the other.. Soon they had them set up.. R: So... What are we gonna eat.. K: We just had breakfast.. R: I''m asking forter on.. A: We''ll see about thatter.. What shall we do now..?? K: Let''s y something. Al: How about hide and seek..? Ay: What if we get lost..?? K: C''mon we''re not small kids Ayaan..We all can handle ourselves.. R: She''s right.. And besides it''s been so long since we yed any such game. N: Yeah nice idea.. Ay: Alright fine.. As you all wish.. They started ying hide and seek while running in the woods and hiding.. Then continued it with a game of chase. After ying for hours and getting tired they finally sat down as they began feeling hungry.. The girls had a few snacks in thier bag that they ate and then took out the cup noodles they had bought for lunch. Everyone had lunch and then sat down just talking about their childhood and their past memories.. The boys then started to prepare for dinner as the sun had began to set.. The boys lightend the fire as the girls got the barbecue ready.. They all then sit around the fire roasting their sticks while hitting and teasing each other.. After the dinner was over they again sat around the fire now singing songs and dancing in between and romantic song on the girls request when Ryan and Nick started dancing together like a couple.. The girlsughed looking at them both as Ayaan sang with more feels giving an extra touch to their humorous dance.. It was finally Night time when they had all gotten tired of hours of singing, dancing and story telling where they shared the most horrific stories they knew.. They could let this perfect chance if Horror story telling pass considering their surrounding.. They had managed to scare Aliza and Nick quite a bit as these were the scary cats of this group.. Finally when both of them had had enough and threatened to leave the ce did they stop.. Everyone went into the tents and fell asleep.. *The End* -Zareen. Chapter 29: Back Home. Chapter 29: Back Home. 6 Months Later Sofia was sleeping peacefully in her bed when she felt a pair of lips on her forehead.. Ignoring it to be a dream she slept again but in a few seconds she felt herself shake as she heard a familiar voice calling her Name.. she huffed turning aroung in bed as the shaking intensified and the voice became louder.. she gave up turning back slowly peeking through her eyes to see a brightly smiling face as a small smile appeared on her face.. Finally giving up on sleeping she sat up on the bed stretching her arms and neck while yawning as the person still sat in front looking at her with a warm smile.. Ay: You''rete.. Ayaan said making her face jerk towards the table clock as she saw she really had overslept.. Making an irritated face she looked for her phone that was under her pillow as she saw that she had missed her rm and looked back at him withrge guilty eyes.. He chuckled looking at her.. Ay: It''s ok.. Go freshen up.. I already made breakfast. S: You did..?? Already.? Ay: Yeah.. S: That was my part of the deal.. Ay: It doesn''t matter a few days.. You must''ve been tired yesterday.. You had a good sleep.?? S: I... Did.! She said after hesitating for a moment.. He gave a smile and then held her hand helping her out if bed.. S: I can do that myself.. She said as He grabbed her shoulder guiding her to her bathroom.. He gave a slight push to her inside the door.. Ay: Just hurry up.. I''m waiting on the table.. S: Did they leave already..?? Ay: Yeah.. they left early in the morning.. S: Alright.. I''ll be there in a minute.. Ay: Be fast.. don''t take too long.. He said in a whiny tone as she closed the door leaning back on it.. She walked ahead ncing at herself.. She held an adoring look in her eyes and a sweet smile on her face.. She shook her head at herself and then went to freshen up.. She walked down as her eyes fell on Ayaan who was still waiting on the table for her as smile apeared on her face.. He was ncing at his watch as she realised he was probablyte making her feel guilty.. She hurried to the table siting in front of him a he smiled at her.. S: I''m so sorry.. You''rete cause of me.. Ay: It''s OK.. S: no it''s not.. I''m supposed to be doing it till I''m here.. We had a deal remember.. Ay: There are always exceptions aren''t there.. 3 Month after the trip. Ay: C''mon Sofia.. You''re my friend.. Why would I be burdened..? S: Even if you don''t I would.. Ay: Can''t we negotiate something.. S: negotiate..?? Ay: Yeah I mean.. Something like a.. A payment for staying here.. S: I don''t earn.. Ay: No no.. Not money.. I meant a favor for a favor.. She gave a weird look as he thought deeply.. S: What could that be.. Ay: I have an idea.. You could cook for us.. S: Cook for you...?? Ay: Yeah I mean.. I love your dishes.. They''re just so tasty.. And it''s been a while since we had ady at home.. So you can stay here and cook for us like breakfast.. Lunch or dinner anything you please... S: Umm.. She though as he looked at her hopefully.. He really didn''t want her to leave... S: I don''t know if- Ay: C''mon it''s a great idea.. S: OK I guess.. Ay:Yay.. But it''s still alright if you don''t sometimes.. He said in an instance as she gave a weird nce at her.. Back To Present Ay: .. And You remember what I said right..?? S: Yeah.. Ay: It''s OK if you don''t sometimes.. S: It''s still my condition to staying here.. It''s been long but.. It still doesn''t feel like home.. Ay: It''s mine so if should be yours too.. He said softly keeping his hand over hers as her eyes rose to look at him.. Ay: Besides.. You could just take yourself as a chef of this house who also lives here.. He said sitting back with a teasing smile on his lips.. S: A chef..? Ay: Yeah.. So even if you do feel anything it would rather be inferiority than being a burden.. How''s that.? He asks brightly as she threw a tissue at him making himugh loudly.. He teased her a bit more as she threw a few more when he threw them back at her.. Sheter reminded him that he waste as he finished his food faster and got up to leave.. Sofia has also almost finished her meal as she gathered the tes.. He stopped in his way turning to her as if he was going to say something but just muttered a never mind and went upstairs keeping his bag on the table.. She looked suspiciously behind him but then kept the things in the kitchen.. As she walked out she saw himing down with a few tablets in his hand.. He walked upto the table keeping them there.. He held her arm and made her sit while pointing at them and pouring water for her.. S: I would''ve eatenter.. Ay: I just wanted to make sure you had them on time. She sighed taking the medicine as he gave arge smile to her and left for the office.. She followed after him to the door staring after him.. After a while she came back and sat on the couch in the sitting area.. The maids came shortly after and started doing their work.. They had just two maids who would leaving them to their work she went to her room to rx for a while.. She checked her phone and saw many pictures sent by Kiara.. She and Ryan were now enjoying and photographing in Dubai in front of the tallest skyscraper in the world.. Their pictures of the seasonal edition during their trip were seen by an international agency and they loved it so much as they called them for a special 4 months project.. They both were pretty upset in the beginning especially Kiara for leaving this ce and her but this was the future for them.. It could change their career for good and it was a beautiful country too.. It''s been about three months now and they''ll be here after another month.. But she surely chats and sent pictures everyday without fail.. She swiped through seeing all the new ces and different dishes they''ve been trying.. Sofia''s POV. I can''t see anything.. Where am I..?? Why is it so dark..?? I don''t like dark.. I don''t like it here.. Can anyone hear me.. Hello..???? Anyone..?? Turn on the lights please.. I''m scared of the dark.. D..Dad..? M..Mom..?? anyone..? A..Ayaan..?? Ayaan.. Where are you..?? Hello me.. Find me Ayaan.. Where Is everyone.?? HELP.!!! She ran around looking at nothing but darkness.. There seemed to be no trace of light.. She could hardly see herself.. She felt like panicking as she sat on her knees screaming for her parents and then murmuring Ayaan''s name nonstop.. She hugged her knees resting her head on it while shuting her eyes tightly.. A sudden fear rising in her heart.. Just then she heard a faint voice calling for her.. Slowly lifting her head she saw a faint light very far from her.. Standing up she walked towards the light and then began running towards its.. After a while she stopped huffing and puffing in her way.. She nced up to see the light that was still as far.. she felt tears running from her eyes.. She stood still when she felt a presence behind herself.. She slowly turned around seeing a huge ck figure behind her making her scream... She sat up in the bed screaming as there still seemed to be darknes in front of her eyes as she shut them tightly again then blinking repeatedly.. She felt two arms wrap around her.. slowly stroking her head.. She rested her head on the shoulder breathing heavily.. After a few minutes she calmed down moving away and saw Ayaan looking worried.. Ay: Are you ok.?? S: Y..Yeah.. Ay: They haven''t stopped yet..?? Those nightmares.?? S: Just... Sometimes.. Ay: It didn''t look like Just.. They seemed pretty intense you were crying..?? S: It was just so dark.. I felt terrified... She murmured as he huffed and grabbed the ss pouring water and gave it to her while wiping her tears.. Ay: Calm down.. Are you having your medications on time.?? S: I... Y..yeah.. Ay: Did you have it yesterday night..?? S: I..... Ay: How could you miss them..?? Nightmares and depressions you need toe out of these.. S: I don''t know why.. I feel like I''m still stuck in that same ce yet.. I often dream about the same thing.. Even though you said it''s not true.. I always feel like he was really murdered and they''reing for me now.. Are you sure you didn''t find anything.. Ay: o..of course.. He said it himself there''s nothing like that.. It''s just a medicine.. OK now forget all that.. Go freshen up let''s have breakfast... He said as he held her hand moving the nket aside and dragged her to the bathroom.. She shook her head discarding those thoughts and went to freshen up.. Later that day. Ay: What do you mean nothing..?? It''s been months now and all we have is a ss bottle and a few tapes and pictures.. What did I hire you guys for..? He said angrily mming his fist on the table. He was in his office after having breakfast and making sure to have Changed Sofia''s mind and mood. But her doubt had left him restless.. He was Thinking when the man on the other side spoke. M: we''re sorry sir... but we''ve been trying our best but the only evidence we have is the medicine bottle.. And there aren''t even any finger prints present... S: I know that..! Isn''t there anything he might have done. anything suspicious? M: No sir.. We''ve checked his call logs and locations but nothinge out of ordinary. S: How is this possible.? We know someone has injected this to him. There has to be a reason.. a person.. who could have done it? M: we''ll keep up our work Sir and report anything suspicions. S: Alright! Look into more details.. I''ll try to find something on my own too. M: Ok sir. He keeps the phone down resting his face on his hands while huffing.. he opened his lowermost drawer taking out a bottle That was under a few files.. It was the same bottle sofia had found at her house.. When he had re checked with his friend.. He found that it had nothing to do with heart diseases and was rather used for anxiety and depression.. and also that the overdose could be fatal.. upon learning some of the symptoms he realized that Sofia''s dad was actually exhibiting a few of them.. Like dizziness.. unable to focus.. and more.. Heter realized that this could only mean one thing that Sofia''s doubt was true.. and her dad was murdered by someone.. He had hid it from Sofia considering her situation then and lied saying that it was actually a medicine and her dad might have had it.. *The End.* - Zareen Chapter 30: Back And Forth. Chapter 30: Back And Forth. Ayaan was sitting in his office lost in thoughts about the day Sofia had left the house.. It was a week after the trip and Sofia had been bugging him for almost 3 days then about returning home as she was promised but he ignored her changing the topic every time.. It was same that morning too.. 1 Week After The Trip Ayaan was climbing down the stairs with Sofia in tow.. He was gettingte so he was rushing while wearing a watch and then tying his tie.. Sofia followed with his coat in her hands.. S: Atleast listen to me Ayaan.. A: Don''t you see howte I''m getting.. I''ll listenter Sofi.. S: How long will you keep dying it.?? She whines as he stops in his tracks turning to her as She holds the coat up and he puts his arms in it one by one giving her a thankful smile.. S: I just wanted to tell you that I''m going home.. Ay: look.. I know this is important.. But I really am gettingte.. We''ll talk about this when I get back home.. I promise.. Tonight.!! He says cupping her face nodding at her for approval.. Without listening to another word he walked away towards the door.. S: I''m going no matter what... She said softly thinking he didn''t heard it.. But he did as he thought to go back again and talk.. But deciding to do it in the evening he left. Back To Present He regretted that action the most at this point in life.. His chain of thoughts were broken as he heard a knock on the door.. He asked them toe in as an employee came in.. Later, Ayaan entered Sofia''s room to see her sitting on the bed with her head in her hands.. She seemed pretty lost as he enters and sits beside her. She was leaning down almost in herp as he kept his hand on her shoulder calling her softly.. She jerked up surprised looking at her.. S: Ayaan.? When did youe..?? A: Is everything OK..? You seem worried.. S: N.. No no.. Everything''s fine.. A: Are you sure.?? S: Y.. Yeah.. Absolutely sure.. A: OK... So how about we go out for lunch.. You''ll feel refreshed.?? S: Sure... A: OK.. What would you like to have.?? Ice cream.. Pizza.. Burger or something else..?? S: Anything is fine.. A: OK... How about pizza and then ice cream..? It''s been long since we had any of those.. S: OK.. A: Then go freshen up.. He says dragging her up and giving her a gentle push.. She gave a smile and then went to freshen up changing.. They both soon leave and then went to the Pizza Hut and had pizza.. Then they went to get ice cream.. S: Where''s Nick.. I haven''t seen him around in a while.. A: Yeah he''s busy nowadays with uncle.. Business trips and meeting.. S: Yeah.. Now I rarely see him on breakfast or dinner tables.. A: Ya.. He''ll be free in a few days I think.. S: And you''re uncle.. How''s he.? A: Fine as well.. He''s quite busy with office these days.. S: didn''t he juste back from a business trip.?? A: He did. S: Shouldn''t he rest for a while.. Working so much can make him sick.. A: Yeah I know.. S: it''s your business.. Shouldn''t you be handling it..?? She asks hitting his hand l lightly.. As he makes an offended face at her.. A: What can I do if he doesn''t listen to me..?? And besides.. He''s been handling it for years now.. I can''t suddenly ask him to step down.. S: Yeah.. That''s true.. They both continue conversing while having ice cream.. Later that day Sofia was in her room when she heard a knock on the door.. She asked them toe in as Nick walked in.. S: Nick.. How are you..? N: Perfectly fine.. What about you.? S: Yeah me too.. You''ve been quite busy nowadays.. N: Yeah.. Just helping dad with the office.. S: Hmm.. Ayaan told me.. N: And... How are things at home.?? S: Umm.. Fine..!! What brings you here.. I haven''t seen you in days.. N: I was on a trip with dad.. And it''s almost dinner time.. I''m here to call you.. S: Oh.. Alright let''s go.. They went down to have dinner where Sofia saw Ayaan''s uncle Mr. Edward As she greeted him while sitting on the chair opposite to Ayaan.. S: Good evening uncle Ed. E: Good evening Sofia.. How are you.? S: I''m fine.. What about you.. How was your day..?? E: Nice.. How is your health..? I''ve been hearing about it only from Ayaan.. S: Yeah I''m... Better now.. She says looking down at her te ying with the fork.. Ayaan looks at her a little worried and then passes her the dish as she gives a smile almost forced while taking some for herself.. The next day Nick came down stairs and saw Ayaan standing by the dining table leaning back on it.. He seemed lost in his thoughts as Nick came and stood by him.. He kept a hand on his shoulder bringing Ayaan back from his thoughts.. N: Good morning.. A: Oh hi..good morning.. When did youe.? N: Just now.. Where were you lost.? A: Just thinking about.. Stuff.... N:Hm.. Where''s Sofia.. Isn''t sheing for breakfast..?? A: No she''s asleep.. She said she''ll haveter.. N: Oh.. They stood silently for a while.. N: I wanted to talk to you about something.. A: What.? N: About Sofia.. Don''t you think she''s acting weird.. A: You think so.?? N: yeah.. Even when I met her yesterday night.. She seemed a bit lost.. A: I know right.. I''ve been noticing too.. N: So have you.. Spoken to her.?? A: No but.. I''ve been thinking about it.. I just couldn''t find the right time.. N: do you think... She might be... Slipping back into... A: Yeah I''m afraid of the same thing.. It''s like no matter how many times we pull her out she keeps slipping in again and again.. N: So what are we gonna do.?? A: I''ll try to speak to her today.. And see what happens.. What about you.. You''re not having breakfast..?? N: No I.. I''ll have it at the office.. I''m leaving now.. A: Oh alright.. I''lle byter.. After she has her breakfast.. N: OK bye.. A: Bye.! He leaves for his office as Ayaan was still stand there thinking about Sofia when he got a call from the private investigator that he had hired.. He picked the call as he spoke.. A: Yeah.. I: Sir I''ve checked his call records almost 5 months prior to his death and I''ve found a few repeated numbers.. I''ve emailed you the list.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. A: OK wait I''ll check.. Ayaan rushed up to his room and opened hisptop checking his mails. The mail had a few document attachments to it. He checked the first one that was a long list of phone numbers and a few were highlighted in green and orange. A: Yes.. I: The number highlighted in orange is the number he had been in very frequent contact with from almost 5-7 months before his death. A: Wait. This number... It belongs to my uncle. I: Ah.. Yes sir. I was wondering.. Could there be a chance that we could Suspect him maybe... A: What? Have you lost your mind.. He''s my uncle.. Why would he kill her dad?? They''re freinds and have been working together for years now. Why would he do Such a thing? Tell me about the other numbers. I: Ok sir... There are three different number highlighted in green that came in contact with him at different times during the hisst 4 months. But I have not been able to find any connections between them and Mr. Smith Ayaan opened the other file and saw three pictures along with a bit of information.. Ay: so who are these people.? I: I''m not sure sir.. I thought you might recognize them.. do you think they might have known him.? Ay: I''m not sure.. i haven''t heard about any of them from uncle.. I: And what''s even weird is thay they don''t have anything inmon with Mr. Smith or each other.. and their call are also very random without any kind of patterns.. Ay: did you find out more about them.? I: Yes sir.. but I didn''t find anything suspicious for anyone except the second man. A: About him.? What is it..? I: He seems to have an old police record with theft and robberies.. and have been arrested a few times before.. He is also known to be working for a powerful gang but the police haven''t managed to find any proof against him though.. A: Ok... But Why would a person like this be calling uncle Jones .?? I: He called rarely in the first 3 months but in thest 2 his calls had became more frequent.. A: I see.. Soo could this mean he might have been threatening uncle and can be behind his murder.. I: Or maybe he might have been being used by some one to threaten him.. A: Yeah.. That could be the case too.. But who would do this and why.?? I: In most of the case the reason is either property or revenge or in some cases the person might end up knowing something they shouldn''t have.. And in Mr. Smith''s case the former doesn''t apply since he has only one daughter and no other rtives.. soo it could be either revenge or.... A: He knew something he shouldn''t have.. I: Yes.. But either way we can''t seem to find any suspects. A: Alright then you look more into him and i''ll try to find any connection for the other two. I: Ok sir. He ended the call keeping down the phone and stared at the pictures on the screen trying to recall if he ever saw any one of them. A: Different people. living in different cities and working in differentpanies. Why would they be calling uncle? Could they be his friends? What would they want from him.? could they be someone rted to business? If that''s the case I could ask uncle Ed. He would definitely know. Yeah i''ll ask him in the office today. That reminds me I should probably wake her up for breakfast. I have to go to the office as well. With that thought He closed hisptop keeping it aside and left the room while putting his phone in his pocket. Walking up to her room he knocked a few times. hearing no response he assumed her to still be a asleep and opened the door. Everything was pitch dark as he reached out to the light switch looking worried. He opened the light as his eyes widened looking around the room. Everything was a mess. Her nket was lying on the ground beside her bed and there were broken ss pieces around. He walked closer to the side table where all the things were scattered as he noticed the slight red on the ss pieces.. Kneeling down he noticed more blood around as he followed the trail with his eyes which led to the washroom. He rushed knocking hard on the door calling for Sofia. The door opened on its own as the sight before him left him breathless. His eyes widened as his blood ran cold.. He walked a few steps ahead with his mouth hung open not being able to form any kind of words. He copsed beside her on the ground as the red liquid covered his hands. He reached for her shaking her slightly as his eyes fell on her wrist leaving himpletly astonished as tears gathered in his eyes flowing out and a slow whisper left his lips. A: Sofia.. *The End* -Zareen. Chapter 31: Suicide. Chapter 31: Suicide. Ayaan was sitting on a chair with his head resting back on the wall.. His eyes feel on the door he¡¯s been staring at for almost 2 hours now with no news of what is going on.. Thest he heard was that they were looking for blood since she had a rare blood group but found it from another hospital near by.. And there¡¯s been no news ever since.. He looked at his clothes which were covered in blood as well.. as his mind went back.. When he entered the bathroom he saw her lying in a pool of blood as he rushed to her.. His eyes then fell on the cut in her wrist as he looked at the other hand that held a de.. He was shocked when he realized she had tried tomit suicide.. Coming out of his shock he quickly rushed out tearing a piece This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. of cloth and tied it tightly around her wrist.. He quickly picked her up running to his car he rushed her to the hospital.. He covered his face with his hands feeling himself tremble from the inside.. He wiped the few tears that had flowed and again sat staring at the door.. After a while of waiting the doctor finally stepped out as he sprinted forward.. D: Don¡¯t worry she is out of danger now.. She has lost too much blood and is very weak so it will take a while for her to regain her consciousness.. A: Will she be alright.? D: Yes.. We¡¯ll keep her under observation tonight and if she¡¯s ok.. You can take her home tomorrow.. A: Thank you so much doctor.. Can I see her..? D: Yes but try to keep it quite around her and too many people are not allowed either.. A: OK.. Thank you again.. D: it¡¯s OK. It''s my duty. The doctor left as Ayaan exhaled feeling relieved.. He slowly opened the door and walked in as his eyes fell on her.. He walked closer sitting beside her as his eyes clouded with tears.. he took long breaths trying to calm himself. He held her hand in his while slowly stroking the bandage on her wrist.. He felt more tears rush down as the thought of losing her choked him from the inside and he felt even more breathless.. He rested his head on her hand sobbing slowly while holding tightly to her hand.. After a while he let go and moved away wiping off his tears and sat back starting at her.. Looking at her his mind went back a few months ago when he always wondered what he felt.. His thumbing heart and irregr breaths confused him every time she was near him.. But now as he stared at her face.. The answer was clear in his mind.. Every second after the moment he saw her in her bath room surrounded by blood made him realize how important she was to him.. And how he couldn¡¯t afford to lose her.. He fell for her.. Truly and hard.. He finally realized it. He fell in love with her.. And even the thought of losing her made him choke.. He walked out of the room taking deep breaths calming himself when his phone rang.. He took it out of the pocket to see Nick¡¯s name shing on it which reminded him that he forgot to call him and inform about Sofia.. He picked it up.. A: Hello.. N: Ayaan.. Where are you..?? You didn¡¯te to the office today..? A: no I couldn¡¯t make it. N: Why is everything OK.?? Where are you now.? Are you at home.?? A: No I¡¯m actually at the hospital.. N: The hospital.?? Why??? A: Sofia¡­. She¡­ N: What happened to Sofia.?? Is she OK.??? A: She¡¯s fine now. N: Now.?? Why what happened.?? A: Today she.. She tried to. N: She what. Tell me.?? A: She tried to.. Commit suicide.. After a brief moment of silence Nick spoke in a surprised tone. N: Suicide.?? She really¡­ but how could she.?? Where are you guys now.?? I¡¯ming.. A: we¡¯re at The Guardians and it¡¯s OK you don¡¯t need toe.. She¡¯s stable now even though she hasn¡¯t gained consciousness yet.. But the doctor said she need to rest.. I¡¯ll be staying here tonight you cane check on her in the morning.. N: Alright then.. See you tomorrow. He says hanging up as Ayaan sighs keeping the phone back into his pocket.. He was about to walk into the room when he heard a voice calling for him.. Turning around he saw Sophia¡¯s psychiatrist Dr. Daniel walking towards him.. He closed the door after giving a nce at Sofia and walked up to him.. Sofia was being treated by him since her mother had passed away and he was well aware of her condition then and now after her dad.. He asked Ayaan to apany him to the office as he followed.. They both reached his cabin and sat down.. D:How¡¯s she now.? A: She¡¯s¡­ stable. D: I spoke to her doctor about her conditions.. It¡¯s was a suicide attempt¡­ A: Yeah.. D: All of a sudden..?? A: I think she¡¯s been having the nightmares again.. D: Hmm¡­ has she been taking her medications on time.?? A: I think so.. I made sure she did but now I¡¯m not so sure.. D: It¡¯s OK.. I read her reports she¡¯ll be fine soon.. You can probably take her home by tomorrow.. A: Thank you so much.. D: You don¡¯t need to thank me.. I actually wanted to ask you something.. A: Yes.? D: Have you consulted any other psychiatrist for Sofia beside me.? A: What.? No.. Why would we.. When you¡¯re still treating her.. D: Oh.. So has she Been taking any other medicine aside from the one I prescribed..? A: No.. Why.? D: Just think again.. Maybe some that you don¡¯t know.. She might have bought herself.. A: No doctor that¡¯s not possible.. I¡¯m the one who brings all her medication.. You know her condition she never goes out alone.. But why do you ask.? D: We did a few blood test to check if she¡¯s OK.. And I noticed a drug present in her blood.. It is often used to cure any depression or other Mental illnesses.. So I thought... A: What kind of drug.?? D: It¡¯s clinical name is Dextroamphetamine or D-Amphetamine¡­ A: D.. Dextroamphetamine.?? D: Yes.. Do you happen to know.?? A: Could this drug be used to cure any heart disease..? D: What.? No.. Why.? A: Just curious. I¡¯ll take better care of her ahead.. D: OK.. And bring her to check up after a week.. I¡¯ll see if I call help.. A: OK.. I will.. Thank you so much Doctor Dan. D: It¡¯s Ok. Ayaan leaves the room while thinking about what he just heard.. He stopped outside Sofia¡¯s room wiping his face as his mind was puzzled.. The thought that she might have been drugged by the same drug dazzled him and the possibility of something happening to her scared him as he rushed inside the room and saw her still sleeping calmly.. He breathed out in relief slumming on the chair beside her bed.. He held her hand in both his hands kissing it while closing his eyes.. He stared at her realizing how in the past few hours he had the thought of losing her twice and it pained him so much.. Every time he thought of it.. all he could feel was sadness and fear filling him up.. To imagine his life without her was just darkness.. A: I can¡¯t believe I just realized what you mean to me.. What an eventful day wasn¡¯t it.. I almost lost you and realized how much I love you... And I just can¡¯t lose you cause it would shatter me from the inside of I ever did.. I never though anyone else could mean so much for me after my family.. My parents.. But here I am.. You know.. Even the thought of losing you.. It breaks me from the inside.. I can¡¯t.. I just can¡¯t.. So Please just.. Stay here.. By my side.. I promise.. I won''t let anything happen to you.. He said holding her hand tightly looking at her with hopeful eyes.. The next day early in the morning Sofia started gaining her consciousness.. She moved her hand and then slowly opened her eyes to the dimly lit room.. Slowly moving her head around she recognized it to be a hospital room.. She¡¯s been here too many times not to.. She felt an itching Pain in her wrist as she nced on her left to see a bandage on her wrist.. She tried to move but felt a weight on her right hand.. ncing that side she saw Ayaan leaning beside her on the bed.. She moved a little more as Ayaan say up startled and saw her awake.. A:Sofia.. You woke up.. Are you ok.?? He asked standing from his ce as she tried to sit up and he helped her then left to call the doctor.. Sofia looked at the clock.. It was almost morning.. The doctor came in after a few minutes and examined her.. *The End* -Zareen. Chapter 32 : Cold Shoulder. Chapter 32 : Cold Shoulder. Sofia stood up as Ayaan entered the room with a file in his hand while looking through some papers.. He had gone to take permission for her discharge.. It was almost evening by the time she was ready to leave the hospital.. Nick had visited earlier in the morning and stayed for a few hours.. He insisted Ayaan to go home but he refused and rather fell a sleep on the couch in the room.. He woke up much to leave and Ayaan went toplete the formalities and came back.. A: Come-on Let''s go.. He says collecting her things from the table and began walking forward.. She tried to speak but he went ahead without even giving her a nce.. He had been behaving so since the morning.. After the doctor checked up on her he seemed worried while talking to the doctor but calmed down after their conversation.. But ever since he hadpletely ignored her.. He fed her and even gave medicine but didn''t speak a word.. She couldn''t bring herself to initiate either cause of what she had done.. She stood up from the bed quietly and was about to walk but her hands brushed on the ss as she felt her head spin.. She moved a few steps back losing her bnce as she felt two arms around her shoulder stabling her.. She looked up to see Ayaan standing beside her.. He slowly guided her from the door and down to the car making her sit in.. The car ride was a quiet one as they reached home she climbed down the car and began to move towards her room.. Ayaan quietly followed her to the room and kept all the medicine on the side table.. Sofia sat on the bed staring at him as he arranged all her tablets ording to time and ced the other belongings in their ce.. He signed her to move back on the bed as sheyed on it properly.. He covered her with the nket and turned on both themps beside her bed thay gave more than enough light.. He closed the other lights and came to check the water in the jug and cing the ss close to her bed.. Finally after checking all the things around he turned to leave but Sofia held his hand.. He tried to shake it off but she held it tighter moving the nket away and stood from the bed.. S: Ayaan.. Please listen to me.. A: Let go of my hand. S: Look.. I''m sorry.. Just listen to me once.. A: Is there something left to listen.? S: I''m sorry... I just.. A: Just what Sofia..?? You can''t possibly exin what you just did.?? S: I..I.. I know.. I w..wa- A: How Could you.??? How could you just do that.?? Turning around he asked in a hurtful tone.. Sofia lowered her head as tears welled up in her eyes.. Ayaan felt furious as he tried to calm himself.. A: Does all this really mean nothing to you..? All of us.?? Do you.... Do you even realise how I might have felt in that moment.. When i saw you lying in the pool of your own blood.. I couldn''t even imagine such a thing.. He said as his voice got heavier.. tears slipped from his eyes as he wiped them immediately.. A: Why.?? Why did you do it.?? Did you trust none of us enough to tell us what you were going through.. Kiara she... She isn''t even here.?? She knows nothing about this.. Can thou imagine how she''ll feel when she finds out about all this.. S: N..No don''t tell her.. I.. I didn''t mean to hurt you guys.. A: But you did.. And you know what hurts more than that..? It feels like we failed.. we failed to take care of you.. to be there for you.. S: That''s not true. A: Then how could you.?? Did you really not think even once before doing this..? You are important to all of us.. To me.. I can''t lose you too. He said holding her shoulders tightly as she stared in his eyes that reflected with unshed tears.. She felt breathless as her heart sank as she stared lost in his eyes.. It was like she could feel each and every emotion he felt.. Even his pain.. In an unexpected moment he moved forward enveloping her in a hug tightly.. He slowly rested his head on her shoulder as she did the same and slowly wrapped her arms around him too.. She felt him rx as he stood in the same position for minutes without speaking or moving.. It was like he was feeling her.. Making sure she was there and that it wasn''t just dream.. Making sure that she was fine.. She could feel his tears falling on her shoulder.. After a while he calmed down and moved back.. He wiped his face with both his hands taking a deep breath.. he then held her shoulders making her sit on the bed.. He poured water in The ss drank himself and then poured one more for her passing it to her.. She drank it slowly still looking at him.. It seemed like he was the one who needed to calm down more than her.. She kept the ss aside and kept a hand on his shoulder.. He looked at her with an apologetic look.. A: I''m sorry.. I..I shouldn''t have behaved that way.. I should understand you''re situation..I didn''t mean to.. It''s just.. I was so upset and it all came out on you.. S: It''s ok.. You didn''t say anything wrong.. I know I shouldn''t have done that.. A: Then why.?? Why did you do it.? S: Would you believe me if I say.. I don''t know.. A: What.?? S: I don''t exactly know why I did this.. I guess it was those nightmares.. Sometimes they were so intense that they almost felt real.. even when i woke up.. I felt like I was still trapped in it.. A: Yeah about these nightmares.. You said these stopped.. When did they start again..? She lowered her head contemting what to say.. He carefully observed her expressions.. A: Wait.. they did stop right..?? She shook her head in a no sign.. A: Sofia.?? S: I didn''t want to bother you guys.. A: You''re not a bother for us.. I''ve told you this so many times.. S: I know it''s just.. You all were already so worried for me.. and kiara.. She got that offer and wasn''t ready to leave me.. And I didn''t want her to leave such an opportunity.. So I just said that I was ok.. And trust me.. They were getting better.. they had became so rare.. I thought they''ll stop in a while.. But then suddenly they started getting worse.. A: But you should''ve just told me.. S: I know.. I thought so.. But I still didn''t want to worry you all.. I''m sorry.. A: It''s ok.. But.. Tell me one more thing.. Was this the first time.?? She looked at him startled by the question.. He gave her a stern look but she turned away.. A: You mean... And you still didn''t tell me.. S: It was the same every time.. I didn''t have any control over them.. Every time i woke up from them.. It was always so dark.. It was such apelling feeling that I felt.. I never realised it until thest moment.. But this time.. I just didn''t realise.. even after the end.. A: Sofia.. Did anyone ever give you any kind of medicine.?? S: What kind of medicine..? A: Any new or different medicine.. Other than the usual ones.. S: No.. You''re the one who brings all my medicine.. But Why.?? A: So did... Did you ever feel any kind of pinch or pain when you wake up.. anywhere like you''re neck or arm.. S: Yeah.. quite a few times.. I think.. But how do you know.. And Why are you asking all this.?? A: When was thest time you felt it..?? S: Quite a few times in the month.. I''m not exactly sure maybe a week ago.. But why..?? What is it..? A: Just like that.. S: Ayaan what is it..?? Are you hiding something from me..?? A: No.. why would I.? Why don''t you rest for a while.. I''le backter.. S: Ok... I guess.. See you.. A: Ok.. He said standing from the bed.. Sheyed down properly he helped her with the nket and covered her properly.. She gave a smile to him as he smiled back.. He leaned down giving a kiss on her forehead.. Giving onest nce at her he left the room as she closed her eyes falling asleep almost instantly.. He went directly to his room taking out the phone instantly and dialed the investigator.. A: Hello.. where are you.?... I need to see you..e to my office immediately.. Ok. He keeps the phone on the table and leaves to his office after a quick change.. In a few minutes the investigator arrives at his office too.. He signs him to sit in the chair.. I: Yes sir.. What was so urgent you called me here all of a sudden..?? A: Yes there was something I needed tho speak to you about.. I: About what.?? A: Did you do any more research about the drug.. That bottle we found.. Dextroamphetamine.. right.?? I: Yes but... Why are you asking about it now.. All of a sudden...? A: Today.... Sofia tried tomit suicide.. I: Oh my goodness.. Is Ms. Sofia ok then.?? A: Yes.. she''s fine now.. But that''s not the point.. Her therapist.. He informed me that when they did a few of her blood test.. They found traces of an anti depressant.. And guess what.?? It was the same drug.. I: You mean.. That bottle... A: Yes.. And if what I think is right.. Her life could be in danger.. I: You mean they could try to harm her.. The same people who killed her dad.. A: Yes.. I: But why do you think they''re doing it.. could this be a family rivalry.. I mean if they are trying to harm her after her dad now.. A: Maybe.. it can be.. I don''t understand.. Uncle never mentioned anything about any rivalry.. I: But how could someone give her that.. A: I''m not sure but.. it couldn''t be through pills since I''m the one who brings all her medicine.. I: Unless they are mixed with her meals or drinks.. A: Thay could be the case or syringes.. Someone might have injected them to her.. But whatever it is.. There''s one thing that''s clear.. who ever this person is.. he''s somewhere around us.. I: Ms. Sofia doesn''t leave the house which means someone has toe in.. A: And that''s not possible frequently.. I: So it had to be someone at your house.. Inside A: It can''t be anyone from my family.. Soo it has to be the house help.. I: Did you hire anyone new recently.?? A: No.. None that I remember.. I: So maybe someone is using the already existent ones by bribing or threatening them.. A: That could be the case.. I think I should change the entire house help. I: I don''t think that''s a good idea.. cause if our deductions are correct and we suddenly change the house help.. It can make him suspicious.. A: you''re right.. But I can''t take any risk with Sofia''s health.. I: Just give me a week.. and I would need a list of all the people working at your house.. I''l find out about them.. and let''s see if we find anything suspicious... A: Wait I''ve appointed a new maid recently for cooking and also to take care of Sofia.. She''ll be the one taking care of her lunch and dinner from today onwards.. I: Great then.. I''ll search about her first.. A: ok.. I''ll email you the list and details.. I: Ok then.. I''ll get to work.. and call you if I get something.. A: Sure.. The investigator stood up giving a nod at Ayaan as he nodded back.. He walked to the door and was about to open it when it opened by itself and Nick walked in.. He gave a nce back at ayaan and walked by Nick quietly.. He entered the room walking upto Ayaan.. N: Who was this guy.?? He doesn''t work here right.. I haven''t seen him around before.. A: Oh he was.. A friend of mine.. N: Friend.?? A: Yeah.. I met him on a buisness trip.. in Germany..This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. N(handing him the files) : Ooh.. buisness trip.. He lookes like a spy or an investigator or something.. A(While reading the files): He is. N: Yes.?? A: I mean... He does doesn''t he.?? I tell him the same thing all the time.. He loves this kind of stuff a lot.. N: I see.. Anyway what are you doing here.. At this time.. I thought you wouldn''te today because of.. Sofia.. A: Right.. She''s actually a sleep now.. so I thought I''lle by and check if there''s some work.. You guys have been handling everything recently.. I haven''t been of a lot of help.. N: It''s alright.. It''s not much of a burden anyway.. A: Still thanks a lot. *The End* -Zareen. Chapter 33 : Sofia Finds Out. Chapter 33 : Sofia Finds Out. It was early morning as Ayaan was going towards Sofia''s room to wake her up for breakfast.. He entered the room after knocking on it and saw her folding the nket.. S: Good morning. A: Good morning and what are you doing? S: Nothing why.?? He takes the nket from her hand and keeps it on the bed and then makes her sit on it.. A: Your not supposed to do all this.. Your wrist is not fully healed yet.. S: I''m fine.. And this is the least I can do by myself.. A: No you will not.. S: but Ay- A: I told you no.. First of all the doctor asked you to rest you are very weak right now.. And secondly your wound hasn''t healed yet.. S: Ok fine.. As you wish.. A: That''s better.. He said giving a grin.. He kept the nket aside after folding it and then took out the first aid box from the side table and sat in front of her.. He took her hand forward slowly opening her bandage.. He stared at it while slowly stroking it with his thumb.. Sofia gave an apologetic look seeing his worried face.. S: I''m fine now A:I know it''s just ... S: I''m sorry.. A: It''s OK ... He cleans the wound slowly wrapping it in bandage.. A: Actually I have to introduce you to someone.. He goes out and then walks in with ady holding a tray A: This is your new maid..Shelley S: What... No.. C''mon I don''t need a personal maid.. A: You do.. And I''m telling you that.. S: But this isn''t necessary.. A: It is. S: And why is that.? A: Because I said so... S: Ayaaa- A: I don''t want you to argue anymore.. This is it.. She''ll take care of your lunch dinner and all your medicine while I''m gone.. S: Ok.. He takes the tray from thedy and keeps it in between them And then takes the spoon making her drink the soup... A: You know.. I met an old friend yesterday.. We knew each other from Germany I met him on a business trip.. His name is Neil.. S: Really.. That''s nice.. A: I was thinking maybe... We can Call him on lunch someday.. Before he leaves for Germany.. S: Yeah.. That''s a good idea.. A: Really.? So... You don''t have any problem with it.. S: Ayaan it''s your house you can call anyone you want.. Why would I have any problem with it.. A: No.. I just thought you''ll be ufortable with someone from outside.. And besides it''s not so important.. I won''t call him if you don''t like it.. S: No really.. I''m fine.. I don''t have any problem.. A: Great.. so shall I call him... Um.. Tomorrow.? I''ll call him on lunch tomorrow.. S: Ok good idea.. A: Ok.. He keeps the tray aside passing her a tissue as she wipes her mouth and then he gives her the medicine.. A: Ok so now you rest.. And don''t you dare do any kind of work while I''m gone.. I''ll keep checking with shelly.. Remember I have my eyes on you.!! S: Ok Captain.! She says giving a salute as he smirks giving her a nod and walks out of the room in a bossy Attitude.. Sheughs at him as he says good bye while closing the door behind him. Stepping out of the room he took out his phone calling the investigator.. A: Hello Neil.. How''s your investigation going on.?? N: I''m searching about you house helps right now.. I''ll see if I can find something.. A: Alright good.. I spoke to Sofia today.. You cane home tomorrow for lunch.. I told her your my old friend from Germany that I met during a buisness trip.. N: Ok sir.. I''ll be there. A: Ok.. I''ll make sure every one is at home so you can talk.. Just don''t ask in front of Sofia.. I don''t want her to be suspicious.. N: Ok. A: Alright I''ll see you tomorrow.. He kept in his phone and went back to his room.. After changing he gathered all his files keeping them in a bag and left.. Sofia was still lying in her bed but was not feeling sleepy.. She finally sat up.. checking her phone for a bit she got bored again.. She decided to go check if ayaan was still home.. Entering into his room she saw it all empty and clean.. His bag was missing so she assumed he already left and walked out.. She Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. was about to leave the room when she heard his phone ring.. Walking back in she found it on the bedside table.. She huffed at him.. S: He forgot his phone again.. Always cares about everyone except himself.. So careless with his own things.. As the phone was still ringing she went ahead to see who was calling.. Neil''s name was shing on the screen.. S: Neil.. It''s the same friend he was talking about today right.. She was about to pick it up but the call ended.. S: I''ll tell himter his friend called.. Maybe I should call Nick to tell about his phone.. Just in case Ayaan doesn''t realise he left it here.. She unlocked his phone browsing through his contacts.. Clicking on Nick''s name she was about to dial it when the screen went nk and then Neil''s name shed again.. S: He''s calling again.. Should I pick it up.? What if it''s something important.. He has already called twice.. She picks up the call putting the phone on her ear as she heard him speak.. N: Hello sir... She scrunched her eyebrows wondering why he called Ayaan sir.. he said they were friends.. She felt a little suspicious.. She heard his voice again saying hello as she hummed in a heavy voice not making it obvious who it is.. Neil continued talking after hearing a response.. N: I haven''t found anything about the house help but one of my sources just informed about a Camera footage from a cafe.. That''s where Mr. Smith met that man.. The man with the mafia group.. She was shocked hearing her dad''s name as she tried toprehend what was happening.. who was the man.? Why was her dad meeting with a mafia gang member.? And most importantly why was Ayaan''s friend talking about her father..?? What was Ayaan trying to find out..? All these questions were storming in her brain as she felt speechless.. N: I was going to collect the footage so shall I bring it to you or give you the report after watching it.. Not getting any response from her he asked again and kept repeating himself.. She was confused so she just decided to ask him.. She was going to speak when the phone was snatched from her hand startling her.. She turned around to see Ayaan who nced at the screen and then looked up at her worried withrge eyes and carefully observing her expressions.. She just red at him quietly and then looked away breathing out.. He slowly put the phone on his ear saying hello.. She heard Neil speak from the other side.. A: I''ll call you backter.. She heard an ''Ok'' from the other side as Ayaan ended the call and kept the phone in his pocket.. He stared at her wondering how to start.. A: Sofi- S: What was all this.? A: I.. I''m sorry.. Look.. I... S: What I.? Who was this guy..? Why was he talking about my dad..?? He was your friend right... Then how does he know about my dad..? What was this about the man..? What is going on..?? There are like a thousand questions in my mind right now... A: Sofia It''s just.. S: No more excuses Ayaan.. Just tell me the truth.. Only. the truth.. A: Ok.. Looke here.. He said holding her shoulders and making her sit on the bed while he kneeled down in front of her.. Holding both her hands he spoke to her softly.. A: I''m sorry.. I know I shouldn''t have hid this from you.. S: What is it..? A: You were right.. Your dad... He was murdered.. S: What.??? A: Yes.. and the person you just spoke to.. Neil.. he''s not my friend.. He''s an investigator I hired.. For your dad''s case.. S: You mean.. But.. Why.?? Why did you hide all this from me..?? It''s my dad.. Ayaan.. A: I know.. I know it''s about your dad and you have the right to know.. And trust me I was gonna tell you.. But then you went into depression.. and then even when you were getting better.. You were still quite.. I didn''t want to trouble you.. I was scared to lose you again.. I''m... I''m sorry.. S: I.. I understand.. And after whatever I did.. I don''t trust myself anymore either.. I get why you did that.. A: I''m sorry.. S: No I..It''s.. It''s fine.. But how did you find out.. You said that drug was for heart diseases.. Then.?? A: I Lied to you.. My friend.. He told me these aren''t used for any heart diseases.. S: So.. It was the cause of his death.. Then why didn''t we find out anything in the reports.. A: Those reports were tampered.. When I found about the bottle I went to the hospital to see the reports.. But they didn''t give me any.. Saying it''s confidential.. I realised that If we needed to find anything we need resources.. And we don''t have any.. So the first thing I did was to hire an investigator.. I told him the details so he pulled some of his resources and got the actual report from the hospital.. And in that one.. It was clear that there was a very high dosage of drug.. S: So H..He was murdered.. But why..? Who would do such a thing..? A: That''s exactly what I''m trying to figure out.. Ever since I found those reports we''ve been trying hard to find out anything.. We''ve checked his call logs.. Locations and all the records we could find but.. There was nothing suspicious.. Nothing out of the ordinary.. S: So what now..? A: We did dug deeper and I think we have a clue.. There was one man.. He came in contact with your dad almost 5 months before his death and hisst call was almost 2 months prior.. During these 3 months he was in constant contact with him.. It didn''t seem suspicious at first.. but when we searched about him we found that he had a connection with some underworld mafia gang.. S: I think Your friend.. I mean Neil.. He said something about this man on the phone just now.. A: What.?? OK.. Calm down.. Think and tell me what exactly Neil told you.. S: I don''t exactly remember.. I got confused when he spoke about dad and got distracted.. But he said something about a meeting.. A: Wait.. I''ll just call him.. He takes out his phone calling Neil.. A: Hello.. Yes.. I was a little busy.. what were you saying again..?? N: I said that I found footage of Mr. Smith and that man talking in a cafe.. I wanted to ask if you''de or shall I give you a report after..?? A: No.. I''lle.. tell me where you are.?? N: I''m at my office.. A: ok I''ll be there. He said ending the call and kept the phone in his pocket.. S: What is it.?? A: it''s good news.. We Doubted that man maybe ckmailing Uncle Jones.. We finally found a footage of them meeting.. If we''re lucky this might confirm our suspicion.. S: That''s great.. Come On.. I''lle with you to.. A: No.. Sofia.. I can''t take you there with me.. S:Bu- A: Look.. just trust me.. I''ll tell you everything as soon as Ie back.. Just take care of yourself and stay home..Ok.. He then held her hand again reassuring her with a nod as she gave a quite nod.. A: Trust me.. I''ll find out who ever it is.. We both will.. S: I trust you.. A: Thank you.. He said giving a small smile to her as he kept his right hand cupping her face and gave a light kiss on her forehead.. He turned leaving the room with ast nce at her who kept staring behind him at the closed door now.. *The End* -Zareen. Chapter 34 : Footage. Chapter 34 : Footage. Sofia left Ayaans room and went to her own.. She sat on her bed as all the memories of her dad flooded back again.. She copsed back on the bed as she became more restless.. She began breathing heavily as her dad''sst moments shed before her eyes.. Her tears started flowing out as she sat up feeling breathless.. Wiping her face repeatedly she breathed in trying to calm herself.. She stood up and ran to the bath room.. Opening the tap she began throwing water on her face.. Resting her hands on the sink she breathed deeply.. She nced up at her face and felt unrecognizable.. Her eyes were red and her hair werepletely disheveled.. She calmed herself down and washed her face properly.. She stared at herself with determination.. S: Enough. Enough of it Sofia. This is not who you are.. Get a hold of yourself.. Why are you behaving like this.. You are not weak.. You''re not pathetic. Stop behaving so.. Your dad didn''t raise you like this.. He didn''t raise you to be weak.. He raise you to be strong.. To be independent.. Then how can you forget all that.. How would he feel if he saw you like this today.. Stop it.. Stop troubling you''re friends.. They didn''t fail you.. You Failed Them. She said pointing at the mirror as tears flowed from her eyes that she kept wipping again and again.. S: This is it.. This is. The end of this suffering.. for you and your friends.. They are with you.. Then how can you fall weak.. You''ve already hurt them enough.. They are your only family.. Stop letting them down.. You have to wake up.. Come back to your senses.. You are not alone.. And definitely Not Weak.. Your strength. Your family. Your friends. They are by your side.. You have to change back.. For them.. For yourself and most importantly for your dad.. You have to be Sofia again.. The Sofia they all know.. The Sofia your dad raised you to be.. You can do it.. You WILL do it.. She said with determination as she grabbed the towel from the stand and walked out wiping her face and the left over tears.. Sitting in front of the mirror shebed her hair pouting them into a pony tail.. She heard a knock on the door as Shelly walked in with lunch.. Sh: Maam your lunch.. S: Thank you so much.... By the way.. Wil you inform Ayaan if I don''t eat it.? Sh: Yes Maam. She says with a smile as Sofia chuckles.. She takes the tray from her hand and sits on the bed.. Shelly walked to the side table talking out her medicine and kept them on her tray.. Sh: There you go mam.. S: Thanks and please.. You don''t need to call me mam.. Sh: Oh no I''m fine maam.. She said leaving the room as Sofia nced behind her and then continued having her lunch.. On the other side Ayaan reached Neil''s office where he was waiting for him.. They both got seated as Neil ys the video.. They see Mr. Smith sitting on a table.. N: Sir This footage was from a camera across the street.. A: Why aren''t there any cameras in the cafe.. It looks quite big.. N: Yes sir.. But the most suspicious thing I''ve found about this case is that where ever they met Either there was no Camera in range or the footage was totally destroyed.. A: This is a proof.. We''re chasing the right path then.. Things are gonna get tough now but I''m sure.. We''ll definitely find more clues down this road.. They continue watching the footage as they see Him sitting on a table.. After a while a man walks in wearing a ck hoodie and sses.. He sits in front of Mr. Smith.. They both speak for a while as Mr. Smith hits his hand on the table.. They both seem to be arguing quietly.. After a bit ofmotion between them They both notice a gun under the table that the man was pointing at him. After a while that man leaves the ce and so does Mr. Smith.. A: So our doubt wasn''t wrong.. Uncle was being threatened.. N: This is a huge proof for us sir.. We have to keep it safe.. A: Ok.. Keep it with yourself.. We should try and find the identity of this man.. N: Yes sir.. I''ll get to it.. He leaves the office getting into the car going straight to home.. He entered the house and went straight to Sofia''s room.. The room was dark as he looked around getting worried.. He heard the door close as Sofia screamed startling him.. He turned around staringrge eyed as she beganughing and turned on the light.. She went on the bedughing.. A: SOFIA... You scared me.. S: That was the n stupid.. A: Really... S: Forget all that.. What happened.?? A: Good news.. I mean we''ve found a proof.. We saw that man threatening uncle in the footage with a gun.. We have that footage... and it can be really useful for the case.. He said but noticed Sofia''s face fall.. He nced towards her as he realized that the fact her father was being threatened would have an effect on her.. The smile on her face from a few moments ago had vanished as she was lost in her own world.. He couldn''t let her effort to recover go waste so soon.. ncing around thinking on an idea his eyes fell on the pillow as a smirk appeared on his face.. He slowly leaned back on the bed grabing a pillow and brought it up front from the other side keeping out of her view.. She was still lost as he hit her on the face causing her to fall back due to the impact.. He startedughing as she stared confused and then furious ay him.. S: What was that for..? A: That''s my revenge.. S: You are so dead.. She said as she jumped from the bed along with a pillow and started hitting him talking him by surprise.. He tried blocking himself and then hit her as well.. He dodged her attack and ran up as she chased him.. They both raced around the room chasing and hitting each other.. Soon enough they both copsed on the bed exhausted.. S: Gosh.. I''m exhausted.. And hungry.. A: So Am I.. S: It''s all your fault.. A: You were the one who started it.. S: You hit me.. A: You scared me first.. S: It''s not my fault if your a scaredy cat.. A: Excuse me... He said sitting up as she to sat up facing him with a grin on her face.. He stared at her with narrow eyes.. A: I am not a scaredy cat.. S: I saw that on your face when you walked in.. A: I was just... Worried.. S: Of course you were.. This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. She said sarcastically as he frowned.. A: I don''t need to prove anything to you.. S: That''s because I already know.. A: You don''t kn- N: What''s going on..?? What are you guys arguing about now..?? They look at Nick who walked in hearing them argue non stop.. A+S: It all her/his fault.. They both look at each other.. A+S: Excuse me.?? Stop copying me.. You stop first.. N: STOP.!! Both of you.. What is wrong..? S: He hit me. A: With a pillow.. S: It doesn''t matter.. A: you were the one who scared me first.. N: Wait you got scared by her.??? S: I know right.. Nickughs as Sofia raises her hand at him as They both do a high-fiveughing and Ayaan stares at them angrily.. A: I wasn''t scared.. I just got startled.. Al: What happened.?? A: You both always team up.. Come here Aliza.. I''m sure.. You''ll be in my team right.? Al: But what happened..?? Nick and sofia were stillughing sitting on the bed.. S: He got scared by me.. Like seriously.. You should''ve seen his face... Al: seriously..?? She startsughing as they both join her too... Al: I had no idea it was so easy to scare you.. S: You''re right.. Boys are so easily scared.. A: Haa.. See that.?? He says pointing at Sofia while looking at nick as he frowns at her.. N: Sofia.. Not all boys are so coward.. S: C''mon Nick.. I''ve scared you like a dozen times.. A: See.. Go on.. Side with them... But remember.. Girls will always betray you.. S: Look who''s talking.. She says wording ''Coward'' to him as he sticks his tongue to her.. Nick huffs walking towards Ayaan as he gives a smug look to sofia.. S: how about we settle this with a challenge.. N+A: Challenge..?? What challenge.? S: Let''s watch a horror movie.. Who ever gets more scared will lose and will be deemed ''The Scaredy Cat'' What say..?? A: We don''t have any problem with that.. S: Well neither do we.! Let''s go Aliza.. We''ll select the movie.. C''mon.. She grabs Aliza''s hand and leaves the room as Nick nces at him.. N: She looks fresh today.. A: Yeah... N: How did this happen.? A: I don''t know.. I just came home.. And... She was.. N: It''s nice.. To see her smile.. A: Yeah.. S: Thest one to the couch gets snack duty.. They hear Sofia scream from the stair ways.. A: What.?? That''s not fair.. He screams back as both the boys stare at each other wide eyed and then start running towards the hall while pushing each other.. They reached the hall as Nick jumped on the couch first and Ayaan bumped into it next frowning at him as his eyes went towards the girls who were smiling while staring at their race with fascination.. As Sofia mouthed ''Loser'' at him while he just red at her harder.. If that was even possible.. Nick raised his hands in surrender to him as he walked towards the kitchen dejected.. Both the girls were browsing through the looking for any interesting movie to watch.. While Nick was now sprawled on the couch staring bored.. In the kitchen Ayaan took out the popcorn packet and kept the pan on the stove.. He kept thinking something as an idea strikes his mind.. A: NICK.. He called out to Nick.. N: What.?? A: A little help here.. N: It''s your work.. Do it yourself.!! A: I know your doing nothing.. Just get yourzy ass here.. N: Argh... Fine.. He grunted standing up from the couch walking towards the kitchen.. He entered and saw Ayaan preparing the popcorn.. N: What is it.. A: Come here.. I have a n.. N: For What.?? A: For REVENGE.. N: What Revenge.?? A: Our revenge.. N: What for.?? A: Have you not any respect.. Dignity.. We will teach those girls a lesson.. They called us Cowards.. N: They were just kidding.. A: This is no joke.. This is about our respect.. How could you take this so lightly..??? N: Ok Fine Drama queen.. Tell me the n.. Ayaan excitedly whispers something to him as he quietly listens to him.. N: Are you sure this n will work.?? A: Ofcourse it will.. What could possibly go wrong..?? N: Oh I don''t know.. The light could go on.. The candle could go in the wrong direction and set fire to this house.. The sound system could fail.. Therefore destroying our entire n.. A: Ok.. I get it.. Everything could go wrong.. But what''s the worse that could happen.. They''ll know it was our n.. We''ll be insulted further.. But C''mon it will be fun.. N: Ok fine.. A: Let''s do the preparations before they decide the movie.. They both leave immediately to do the preparations around the house. *The End* -Zareen. Chapter 35 : Ghost. Chapter 35 : Ghost. The girls were sitting on the couch waiting for the boys.. S: C''mon boys.. How long does it take.?? Are you growing corn in the kitchen.?? A: Almost done.. We''ll be there in a minute.. Ayaan and Nick quickly grab all the snacks along with soft drinks.. They keep everything on the table and sat on the couch.. The girls were huddled in the middle as both boys sat beside them.. The movie began to y.. After about half an hour.. When the movie had reached the scary party.. Ayaan leaned back further ncing at Nick calling him slowly... Nick turned to him as Ayaan gave a slow nod to him as he nodded back.. Ayaan slowly took out his phone and clicked something on his phone that caused a nking sound in the kitchen.. Sofia looked up.. S: Did you guys hear that.?? A: Hear what.?? S: Something fell in the kitchen.. A: I didn''t hear anything.. Did you guys.?? N: No... Al: I didn''t hear anything either sofi... S: Maybe it was just me.. She sat quietly as they all continue watching the movie.. Ayaan made the sound again after a few minutes.. This time both Sofia and Aliza heard it.. S: See.. There it was again.. Al: I think even I heard something this time.. A: I have no idea what your talking about.. did you hear anything Nick.?? N: Nopes... nothing.!! S: I think we should go check.. A: It''s ok Sofia.. It''s nothing.. S: But atleast once.. C''mon Aliza.. She takes Aliza with herself to the kitchen.. Ayaan smirks High fiving Nick.. as they sit back in their ces controlling their smiles.. The girls look around in the kitchen ande back seeing every thing is in its ce.. They again continue the movie.. After a while Nick slowly creeps away from the back and goes towards the power house.. He switches off all the lights of the house.. They all get startled as Sofia grabs Ayaans arm causing him to chuckle quietly.. A: What happened... Are you scared..?? He whispered leaning closer to her ear as she let goes standing straight.. Aliza moves closer grabbing Sofia as she holds her hand as well.. S: W...What happened to the lights..? A: I don''t know.. I think Nick went to check.. Al: Nick..?? S: A..Ayaan.. where are you.?? A: Right here.. He said moving towards the table and quietly grabed both their phones keeping them in his pocket.. S: Where is your phone... Turn on the light.. A: My phone..... It''s in my room.. Where''s yours.?? S: Wait.. It''s on the table I think.. She moves towards the table stretching her hands in front to feel in the dark.. She felt the table moving her hand around but couldn''t find her phone.. S: I don''t know.. I can''t find it... A: Ok rx.. I know where the candles are.. I''ll get some.. S: Ok.. He goes in the kitchen as Sofia and Aliza grab onto eachother.. Al: Sofia.. I''m very scared honestly.. S: So am I.. But remember.. We will not say this in front of the boys.. It''s about our respect.. Al: Yes ofcourse.. They were whispering when a candle appeared between them.. They moved back startled and saw Ayaan standing close with the yellow light reflecting from his face.. He looked like a ghost from a typical horror movie.. Aliza was looking as if her breath was struck in her lungs and Sofia was breathing heavily as both the girls had their lips sealed shut making sure not to scream.. S: Ayaan.?? A: What happened..?? Did I.. SCARE you.?? S: You just... Startled us.. A: Is it.?? Ok... here He passed both of them a candle as Nick came in.. A: What is it.?? N: I checked it.. There''s some problem.. I called the.. Electrician.. He''ll be here in a few minutes.. A: ok.. Nick.. One moment.. He said walking towards the kitchen but Sofia held his hand.. S: Where are you going..? A: To get some water.. Why..? You don''t want me to go..? S: I.. I just.. A: What.?? Are you scared.? S: Ofcourse I''m not.. She leaves his hand with a jerk huffing and moves towards Aliza.. S: Go where ever you want.. He smirks grabbing nicks hand and walked towards kitchen.. S: Why do you need him to go along.?? A: I thought I''ll bring some juice for everyone.. It''s getting a little heated in here.. He said leaving to the kitchen and dragging nick along.. They both quietly sat on the couch.. Sofia remembered about the phone as she searched on the table but didn''t find it there.. S: Where''s my phone.?? Al: Wasn''t it on the table..? S: It''s not here.. What about yours..?? Al: It was here too.. They both look around but couldn''t find their phones.. Aliza turned around as her eyes fell on a moving source of light.. She turned to Sofia calling her.. Al: Sofia.. I saw s..something moving over there.. S: Where.?? Al: Over there.. She pointed behind the sofa.. They both looked around but didn''t see anything.. S: I think it was just in your head... We were watching horror movie right.. maybe that''s why you felt so.. Al: Yeah maybe.. Sofia nced around carefully while Aliza looked for their phones under the table and couch.. Just then she too saw the moving candle.. S: Aliza.!! Al: What.?? S: I think I saw that too.. Al: The candle.?? S: Yeah... She points at the direction where she saw the candle disappear.. They both hold on to each other looking around terrified.. S: A...A..Ayaaan... The boys were looking out of the kitchen window.. Ayaan held a remote control in his hand as nick stood beside him watching animatedly.. They bothugh quietly standing in the kitchen.. N: Gosh Ayaan.. They look so scared.. A: Yeah.. Just look at their faces.. They''re terrified.. He saysughing while moving the car that had candles kept on it.. They kept moving it back and forth.. N: Ok I think that''s enough.. They''re already very scared.. C''mon let''s.. A: C''mon it''s so much fun.. N: Shut up.. Let''s go... He says dragging him along as they grabbed the tray of juice and went out towards the girls.. Nick held the light for them both.. A: What happened Sofia.?? S: I s..saw things.. They were moving.. T.The lights.. They were all moving.. A: How is that possible Sofia..? S: I saw them.. We both did.. The candles were moving.. A: But every thing is fine now.. See... Nothing is moving.. Suddenly the window opens with a thud as Sofia quickly grabs Ayaan''s hand causing the tray to lean as a ss fell down.. He kept the tray aside quickly moving her in the other direction away from the ss pieces.. A: Ok guys calm down.. I''m sure it''s just a breeze.. Let me go see.. S: No. What if something is there..?? A: Rx.. It''s our house.. Who else could be here..?? He says walking towards the window.. A: Excuse me.. Is anyone there..?? He asks loudly.. Not receiving any answer he turns towards them raising his arms.. A: See.. There''s nothing.. I told you.. "Ayaaan" They all suddenly hear a loud and rough old woman''s voice.. Ayaan stumbles back towards everyone as they all grab on to him.. All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Ghost Woman: AYAAN.!!! They all get scared as aryan nces towards nick who was also looking towards him.. He thinks it was part of nick''s n.. Raising his brows he slowly nods his head.. A: Rx guys.. S: What do you mean..?? Who is that.????? Al: Her voice is so scary.. I feel like we''re In a horror movie.. A: Wait.. Let me talk.. Who are you..?? What Do you want..?? GW: YOU..!!!!!! A: W..What D..Did I do to you.. ?? W...What do you want from me.?? GW: REVENGE..!!!!! They all scream hurdling together... Ayaan slowly moves towards Nick dragging him a little aside and whispered to him.. A: Look.. I get that it''s your n.. But why me.?? N: My n.??? A: You seemed so rx.. N: I thought it was your n.!! That''s why I was calm.. A: You mean you didn''t do this.. N: How would I control what she says.. And how would I know what you are going to say next.. A: Good point.. But if not me or you.. Who else is doing it.?? Do you think it''s the girls.? They both nced towards them who were holding each other due to fear.. N: I don''t think it''s them.. They look so scared themselves.. S: What are you both murmuring about over there.??? A: N..Nothing.. They both stood closer to the girls.. A: H.. Hello.. GW: I WILL END YOU AAAALL.!!!! A+N: Mummy.!!!! They both scream jumping on the couch covering themselves as both the girls look at them with ridicule.. S: Are you serious.? She said looking towards Aliza who gave the same expression to her.. They both moved towards them snatching the pillows from their hands.. S: What are you guys doing.??? A: There''s a ghost in our house.!! Al: And you just realizes that.?? A: I thought it was nick.. S: Wait were you two nning to scared us.?? A:Um... No.. She res at him ring her nostrils.. As he slowly nods speaking in a slow voice.. A: Yes. Kinda.. But I swear this isn''t part of our n.. N: Ayaan.. She''s asking for you.. I think You should go.. A: What.??? Why would I.?? They both stood up from the sofa as the girls dragged them.. Gw: WHO FROM YOU IS AYAAN..??? A: M..Me.. He says clearing his throat.. They all slowly moved towards the voice.. GW: HAND ME AYAAN.. OR I SHALL KILL YOU ALL.!!!! N: See.. She wants you.. A: How could you say that..? N: I don''t wanna die so young.. S: Seriously you guys.. This is no time to argue.. Someone has to go check.. N: Exactly.. SOME. ONE. HAS. to go.. He says pointing at Ayaan.. A: I don''t wanna die either.!! S: You know what.. You all wait here.. I''ll go and check.. A: What no..!! He says pulling Sofia back holding her arm.. A: Your not going anywhere.. S: But someone has to go.. A: I''ll go.. S: But what if it''s something dangerous.?? A: Exactly. So I will go.. S: But Ayaan- A: Shush.. Not a word.. Don''t even move from your ce.. She wants me.. She''ll get me.. I''ll go.. He let goes of her hand slowly walking towards the direction of the voice.. A: What do you want from me?? After a moment of pause they hear her.. GW: REVENGE.!!!!!! They hear her scary voice again.. Ayaan stops after waking for a distance.. He keeps looking around as they see a white figure appear from the door.. With a candle in hand she walked closer to Ayaan.. She raised her head as her red bloodshot eyes came into view.. They scream startled as her scar filled face shone in the candlelight... Sofia trieding closer to Ayaan Calling for him but Nick held her back.. Ayaan showed her his hand telling her to stop.. He stood quietly as she stared withrge red eyes at him.. She walked closer with slow steps as he quietly stared at her every movement.. A: What did I ever do to you.?? GW: YOU HAVE BETRAYED ME... AND I WILL NOT SPARE YOU..!!!!! She takes a round around him while he scrunched his face trying toprehend what she said.. A: I don''t even know who you are.?? Gw: You will.. They heard a small female voice as they stared at her shocked.. Gw: Oops.. A: What.?? He asked confused as the realisation slowly struck them all one by one.. A+S+Al: KIARA.??? K: Hey everone.. She says as the lights turn on automatically.. They notice that it was all Make up seeing her face neck and hands painted white and fake scars on her skin were now very evident in the clear light.. Ryan also walked in from the front doorughing at them all.. Kiara goes to hug the girls as they happily jump together.. Ryan meets both the boys as they all wee both of them into the house.. S: I Had no idea you wereing.. K: It was a surprise for all of you.. How''d you like it.?? S+Al: Awesome.. A: Some entry you had there.. K: I scared the hell out of you didn''t I..?? She said pinching his cheeks hard as he smacks her hands off.. A: Piss of ghost.. K: Hey.!!! She exims as they allugh.. S: Well MARVEL did get you caught today.. K: Yeah I know.. I was doing pretty well wasn''t I.?? She says taking off her wigs and peeling off the fake scars from her face and hand.. The girls nodded as they allugh.. Al: Anyway.. How did you even n all this..?? K: Well we had our agent in the house..!! A+S+Al: Agent.?? They all ask together and then look at each other.. After shrugging at each other they''re heads snap towards nick who had been a silent spectator all this while.. He gives an innocent smile while battling his eyeshes.. A+S+Al: Nick.??? A: You TRAITOR.!!!! That was supposed to be our n.!! N: It was my n all along.. I had no idea You''d have the same n too.. A: And you Ray.. Couldn''t you have called to warn us beforehand.. R: I wanted to.. But she didn''t let me.. I was her... Hostage.. A: Hostage.?? He asks sarcastically hitting his arm while ring at him as he only gives an apologetic look.. S: But how did you make that marvellous voice.?? A: Horrendous.!! He remarks as she ignores it royally while looking through her phone.. K: Voice changing app.. Al: intelligent girl.. A: By the way madam.. When did I ever betray you..?? K: When you hid about Sofia from me.! She said as the smile fell from all their faces.. A: What.?? K: Nick told me everything.. Ayaan and Sofia nced at each other with a worried look.. S: Kiara... I.. K: I can''t believe you hid this from me.. I Thought we were friends.. We had no secrets between us.. None of you told me.. And Ayaan.. Even you.. S: I told him not to tell you anything.. K: How could you Sofia.?? S: I didn''t want you to get worried.. You were there for your work.. And if you''d lose this for me.. I would never be able to forgive myself.. K: Sofia.. When will you understand.. You are more important to me than any thing in the world... S: I know that.. And so are you.. That''s why I didn''t want you topromise on your career.. Kiara givers her an endearing look embracing her.. Ayaan and the others smile looking at them.. K: How are you now..? She asked as she checked her right hand.. S: It''s this one.. Sofia raises her left hand giving a smile to her as she nods her head.. Sofia keeps her hands on Kiara''s shoulder.. S: I''m perfectly fine.. Really.. That was Just.. She stops mid sentence as Kiara gives an understanding nce towards her.. Ryanes forward taking a look at her wrist that had a very light scar almost faded yet visible.. He gives a concerned smile to her putting a hand around her shoulder.. R: How''s my Sista.. S: I''m perfect.. R: Ofcourse.. He says giving a smile as she chukles.. She nces at kiara who was standing with tears in her eyes.. S: Kay.... She gives her hug.. K: I''m sorry.. I should''ve been here for you.. It''s all my fault... S: It''s not your fault.. Kay.. If anything it- A: She''s right.. It''s not your fault.. It''s none of ours fault.. It was just that situation.. And now ming ourselves would change anything.. So let''s forget all this.. And move ahead.. He says putting a hand on Kiara''s shoulder.. Aliza pulls Kiara and Sofia together in a hug as the boys join next into the group hug.. *The End* -Zareen. Chapter 36 : Lets Sleep Over. Chapter 36 : Let''s Sleep Over. S: Alright guys.. Forget all that.. Tell me what did you bring for me..? R: I didn''t know we had to bring something for you.. S: What do you mean.. You went to UAE and your telling me you didn''t bring anything for us..?? K: Ok enough.. Don''t start arguing now.. Ofcourse we did.. Everything is in my bag..! She picks up her suitcase keeping it on the table and opened it.. There were many shopping bags They took out one by one giving it to them.. There were shirts and watches for the boys.. She gave one to aliza that had a dress and shoes along with a few essories.. Sofia sat patiently watching as all the shopping bags were given to three of her friends.. S: What about me.?? K: Oh my gosh.. Where are her''s Ryan.?? R: How would I know.. You were the one who packed every thing.. K: I think We left it over there.. R: OH NOO.. poor sofi won''t get anything.?? S: Are you both serious.. You know what.. Do what ever you want.. I''m not speaking to you guys.. K: Ok ok.. I''m sorry.. She picks up a small bag beside the sofa and handed it to her.. K: This is for you.. S: All this.?? K: Yeah.. S: Oh My God thank you..!!! A: Ok now.. If the gifting ceremony is over.. I think you both should go and rest.. You came through a long flight.. You guys must be jetgged.. Especially with all the preparations you had to do.. He says pointing at her appearance as they allugh.. R: Yeah I am pretty tired.. K: I''m also exhausted.. S: It''s prettyte.. I think we should all get to sleep.. They all agree as she stood up from her ce along with the others following her hoping towards the stairs when she suddenly winced yfully.. S: Ouch.. She stumbles back as Ayaan rushes to her side followed by the others.. A: Sofia.?? He holds her arms stabling her as she hops on one foot.. He helps her to sit on the sofa nearby and kneels in front of her.. Nick runs to get the first aid kit as Kiara grabs a few tissues.. Ayaan slowly lifts her foot.. Taking the tissues from Kiara he slowly removes the piece of ss.. Taking the first aid kit from nick he carefully addressed her wound.. Aliza went to clean the ss as they all stood there staring at her worried... A: What is wrong with you.?? Couldn''t you be more careful..?? Sometimes you have to look before waking.. S: It''s not like I did it intentionally.. A: Then be more careful.. Do you always need someone to be your body guard.?? S: I didn''t ask you to.!! A: Sofi- Kiara keeps a hand on his shoulder whispering.. K: Rx.! He takes a long breath calming himself down.. He was done with the bandage so he slowly kept her foot down... A: I''m sorry.. Are you ok..? S: Yeah... She answered softly.. K: Alright everone.. c''mon let''s go to our rooms.. She says eyeing Ryan as he gives a secretive nod.. Ryan drags Nick to his room and Kiara drags aliza to the other guest room saying she needs to change first.. And why she needed her for that was beyond her understanding.. Ayaan helped Sofia to stand as she let goes of his hand.. S: Thankyou.. A: It''s ok.. S: I''ll go to my room.. A: How..? Are you nning to y hopscotch all the way to your room.. S: It''s not that hard.. She says walking cum hopping towards her room.. Ayaan quietly stares at her as she struggles hopping on one foot.. She was already huffing by the time she reached the stairs.. Ayaan chuckled walking up to her.. A: Tired of hopscotch already.?? S: It''s not that easy after all.. She sits on the stairs tired as he looks around trying to cover his smile.. A: How about now.. Like any help.. She extends her right arm as he held her hand helping her stand up.. She holds the railing with the other hand.. She climbed a few steps as Ayaan pulled her hand making her stumble back as she lost her bnce falling back.. She grabbed Ayaan''s shoulder to stable herself as he held her by her waist.. She stared at him astonished as he had a small smile on his face.. He held her right arm with his left hand and leaned down cing his right hand under her knees all the while staring at her.. He lifted her top as she yelped grabbing onto his neck.. S: What are you doing.?? A: Giving you a lift.. Don''t worry.. you can repay meter.. He said smirking as she wondered what he''d mean.. He reached her roomying her on the bed adjusting the pillows behind her and ced one under her leg.. S: What do you mean by.. Repay.?? She asked leaning back on the head board.. He sat beside her cing a hand on the head board beside her head as she looked at him confused.. He leaned close to her ear.. A: You know.. A reward.. He said tapping his cheek as she scrunched her eyes pushing him away.. Heughed moving away as she blushed with embarrassment.. Looking at himugh she too smiled a little.. A: Ok I was just kidding.. don''t take it too seriously..!! He said standing from the bed as he poured water passing it to her.. She took it with a smile drinking it.. S: Ayaan.. I.. I wanted to ask you something.. A: Go on.. S: About that case- He ced his finger on her lips stopping her.. A: It''s prettyte.. Go to sleep.. S: But- A: I''m there to handle all that right.. you don''t have to worry about it.. Just trust me.. She stared at him with a smile as he moved back helping hery down properly and leaned down cing the extra pillows aside.. A: Now shut that over timing brain of yours and quietly go- He was cut off by Sofia who had being staring at him nonstop as she wrapped her arms around his neck cing her lips on his cheek.. His eyes erged as he froze in his position above her with both his arms rested beside her.. Sheyed back down as their eyes met.. They both stared at each other frozen in their ce.. S: Thank you.. She said softly as he stared still astonished.. Smiling at his shock she turned around closing her eyes.. He stood up right as a smile appeared on his face.. He kept staring at her as his smile widened.. A: You''re wee.. He said with a chuckle and left the room closing the door behind him.. Stepping out of the room with a smile on his face he walked towards his own room.. His phone rang as he took it out.. It was from the investigator Neil.. A: Hello.. Yes.? N: Sir I''ve found some information about the man from the cafe.. A: Ok..?? N: We weren''t able to see his face.. But his height matches with our initial suspect.. A: How did you get his height.?? N: I visited the restaurant.. Measuring the seat where he sat as well as the door he left from.. I estimated his height to be approximately 6''2.. Above the average height.. A: Wow.. That''s genius.!! N: That''s my job sir.. A: Ofcourse.. Your a detective.. All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. N: The height of the man- Dick woods.. Who we doubted to be threatening Mr. Smith is 6''1.. Which is almost same.. A: That''s terrific right.. N: But sir this won''t be enough to prove that this is him.. We can''t see his face.. A: What about any other cameras in the neighbouring.. N: I''m trying to acquire the footage of all the near by surveince cameras.. But It would take a while.. A: Ok.. Let''s see what we can find out.. He keeps the phone back into his pocket ending the call and returned to his room.. After a few days.. All the boys and girls were gathered in the hall.. The boys were huddled together as Ayaan and nick were talking about something regarding work.. Ryan was on his phone while listening to them.. The girls were also sitting together talking about various things.. Kiara leaned back yawning as she nced around at everyone.. K: C''mon guys.. This is so boring.. It''s been more than a week since we came back.. There''s no fun.. Let''s do something interesting.. A: You just came back from a 4 month foreign trip.. Wasn''t that fun enough for you..? K: I''m taking about enjoying with you guys.. I couldn''t enjoy there because I missed you guys so much.. N: Yeah we definitely saw in the pictures how much you "Didn''t Enjoy".. K: What do you mean.. Am I not supposed to smile even for pictures.. Ask him he was present there right.. She says pointing at Ryan.. R: Yup.. she definitely did not enjoy even a single moment of that trip.. He said sarcasm dripping from his tone.. Kiara red at him throwing the pillow she held in her hands.. The boysugh high-fiving each other.. K: But I''m serious guys.. Let''s have a party.. R: Party.?? K: Yeah.. Just us 6.. Like a.. sleep over.!! Al: Yeah.. it''s been long since we had a sleep over.. S: Yeah. We can do all the activities we used to do.. A+R+N: Oh please No.!!! All the boys scream together remembering their dreadful experience.. K: C''mon boys.. it''s not that bad.. R: oh Really.?? S: OK how about.. No manicure for boys..! They all nced at each other asking for silent opinion.. A: Maybe... Al: And.... We won''t watch any romantic series or movies at night.. N: Done.!! He says almost instantly as both the girls heads jerk towards Aliza.. N:But remember our deal.. We are not getting our nails painted and we are not gonna watch any of those hopelessly romantics.. He says while recalling their terrifying incident thest time.. The girls insisted on trying different nail paints and patterns on Them.. They did protest against but after a lot of persuading by the girls they agreed thinking it would probably take a few minutes.. After 2 hours that seemed like ages to the boys.. They were still sitting with the girls holding their hands putting and removing various unknown products on their fingers while putting their not so artistic skills to test.. Another thing that had happened about a few times now.. They would always choose the movie by a toss.. Who ever wins among the girls or boys get to choose the movie.. And they had now began to dread the times when the girls won due to them choosing those typical romance or fairytale-ish movies that they did mostly to irritate the boys.. At the moment both the girls were ring at Aliza as they had lost both the golden opportunities to tease the boys.. K: You had to say that.?? She hissed at Aliza who just gave an innocent look in return.. Al: I knew they''d agree instantly.. That''s why I said it. S: Fine.. What''s done is done.. We won''t do it.. THIS TIME. She highlighted the end of her sentence to make her point.. Ay: What do you mean by this time.? S: You stay out.. It''s none of your buisness.. The deals between both of us.. Ay: The deals between boys and girls.. So is all of our business.. K: How about we not start arguing at the present moment.. Ay+S: Fine.! They both say with attitude flipping their hair giving each other looks as Kiara rolls her eyes at them.. K: Alright guys.. 8 P.M That is 3 hours from now.. We''ll meet at the same ce.. Do all the preparations you want.. We''ll have lots of fun.. The boys see the food department the girls handle the fun.. Done.?? "DONE" They all reply at once.. The girls then rush up stairs to decide what they''ll do for the night.. Nick goes to check the kitchen to see what they had for snacks and dinner and what else they may need.. After preparing theplete list the boys left the house to get these from the closest market.. This is how they''d always divide their job whenever they nned sleep overs.. *The End* -Zareen. Chapter 37 : Party All Night. Chapter 37 : Party All Night. Exactly at 8 all of them were present in the back yard... The boys had gathered a lot of snacks for them all to eat.. The girls were ready with all the games they nned to y.. They had also ns for facial that the boys didn''t actually protest against.. S: I can''t believe you have a problem with manicures but not with facials.. Ay: Even boys have to take care of their skins.. The girls don''t own all the beauty products.. He answered as the other two hummed in agreement.. They started off with the usual activities by setting up their tents first.. Then the girls helps the boys putting face masks on and then put on for them selves.. After which they begin with simple board games that included puzzle making, ludo, snake and After a while when they were done with the board games and removed their masks they sat together in a circle ying passing the parcel. Aliza got caught the first time as they cheered for her. K:Alright. I know the perfect one For Aliza.. Do the best dance moves you know on the song of my choice.. S: Yes.!! Al: What.. Cmon you know I can''t dance.. K: That''s why it''s a dare sweetie. Sofia and Kiara look through her phone choosing the music animatedly. The boys just sat back enjoying their fun. Aliza was the shy one among them all so asking her to dance was a big dare for her. They both choose a high beat music cheering for her pping and whistling.. She did some of a steps and then dragged both the girls along with her as the three of them jumped and danced together while the boys satughing looking at their craziness.. After that they again sat down to continue the game as Aliza took charge of the music since she was out.. They started ying again as this time itnded on Ryan.. He stood up standing in the middle waiting for then to assign him a task.. Ayaan stood from his ce and bought a packet of hot chilli sauce giving it to Ryan. A: Eat the whole packet in front of us right now.! R: That''s not a big deal.. He said opening the packet as the girls cheered for him.. He gradually emptied the whole packet in his mouth still giving a smug look to them all.. Just as the taste began to dissolve in his mouth they saw his expressions change from smug to worried to horrid.. He started breathing heavily fanning his mouth as all of them who were anticipating his reaction broke outughing.. Kiara quickly grabbed a bottle of water and milk passing it to him.. He drank the whole water in one go as they allughed even more.. K: Drink it.. It helps She said passing the bottle of milk after opening it.. After a while he calmed down as they continue their game not before teasing him enough.. Again the game continued as Aliza and Ryan sat back aside.. This time the pillownded on Nick.. S: Wait.. Me.. It''s my turn to give a dare.. Put as much popcorn in your mouth as possible without chewing and only start chewing when it¡¯s full while trying to speak. K: I like that.!! N: I hate pop corn.. A: C''mon dares a dare.. They bring two packets of popcorn as he starts putting them in his mouth.. After the whole packet was filled in his mouth he looked like a puffer fish as Sofia and Kiara filled even more piece by piece until he could no longer move his mouth.. S: Ok.. 1.. 2.. 3.. Speak. N: Bot(what.?) He says with his filled mouth as popcorn starting out of his mouth causing them all tough non stop.. K: He looks like one of those water fountains where the water is falling out of those statues mouths.. S: Yeah..!! They both said as the othersughed even more.. He finally managed to chew and swallowed them all... Now it was just the three of them left.. They started ying again as the pillow passed from all three of them.. The music stopped just as ayaan held it.. They all cheered for him.. S: So.. You- K: Wait.! I''ll give him the dare.. Ay: Go on.. I''m not scared of anything. K: ok.. You have to purpose any one of us. A:Propose.?? K: Any girl.. or boy if you like. R+N: Nooo No No Noo.. K: Ok fine.. Any one of us three.. You have to say what is it you like about that person... And also say the sweetest things you can think of.. And ofcourse you need to impress her.. If the girl says yes You win or else you lose. She says as his eyesnd on Sofia who was also looking at him. Kiara gets excited seeing them eye each other.. A: Ok. He says standing up from his ce and walking towards both the girls who were seated side to side. His eye were fixed on Sofia as he kneeled in front of them.. He forwarded his hand and grabbed Kiara''s hand as they both looked at him confused.. A: Kiara.. He began in a smooth voice a she hung her head down rolling her eyes irritatingly. K: Noo.. A: But you didn''t even listen to me... K:Urgh.!! Fine... go on.. A: The day I met you. You were just a little girl who talked a lot. Lot more than needed. She snatches her hand away angrily as every Oneughs.. A: Wait... I have more to say. She res at him as he just gives a charming innocent smile in response making the othersugh even more. She forwards her hand again as he holds it. A: So.. Where was I.? Ah yes.. But that was the habit of yours that made us best friends so fast. Cause I''d rather fight with every one else than talk.. He says eyeing Sofia who justughs rolling her eyes in response.. A: But with time I realized that there was more to you than just talking.. especially how easily you could irritate people.. Every moment I spent with you only made me want to snatch my hair so I can''t forget any of them ever.. You might not be the prettiest girls in the world but you are certainly the sweetest.. He says making every one aww.. A: So.. since I''ve said every thing good I could think of about you.. I love you. K: That was the worst proposal I''ve ever heard in world.. A: Would you say yes..?? K: I''m sorry I have a boyfriend.! "WHAT.!??" They all asked in unison as Ryan choked on the water he was drinking making everyones head turn to him. He looked away as they all again directed their attention towards Kiara.. A: What did you just say.?? K: Isn''t that a catch phrase.. That girls say always.. When you deny for a proposal..! "Ooh" They all said calming down as kiara nces towards Ryan who was looking back at her.. She gives a small smile to him looking down. S: So Ayaan loses the dare. ?? A: Not like I wanted to win.. K: You''re the most unromantic person I''ve ever meet.. You know I pity the girl who''ll fall in love with you.. You know nothing about romance. A: Don''t worry.. I''m willing to learn along her side. He said sitting back in his ce as his eyes fell on Sofia looking at him as a small smile appeared on his face. K: Ooh.. I see. She says noticing the exchange between these two while the others Were oblivious to it except one. Who along with kiara noticed the secretive nce that Ayaan had been passing her the whole time.. The game continued as Kiara and Sofia sat in front of each other. This time the music stopped on Kiara.. S: Yay.!!! I WIN.!! She cheered giving a high five to all the other. S: Alright... So I get to decide the dare for you. You... You have to... Yes.. She goes bringing the blind fold and tied it on her eyes.. S: Ok so now ill take you to them one by one and you have to guess who it is just by feeling their faces. K: What.? S: Yeah.. And You all.. don''t make a single noise. They all gather around as she First makes her stand in front of nick.. She moved her hands on his face pinching is cheeks to hear a voice at least. S: Hey.. That''s not allowed. They won''t speak no matter what. She says moving her hand away. K: Well it''s one of the guys. S: Of course it is. We girls don''thave beards. You have to guess which one. K: Um... Ayaan.? S: No. You got the first one wrong. K: Urgh!! Who was it anyway.? S: Nick. Ok so let''s continue. She makes Aliza stands in front of her. She feels her face. K: Is sofia included.? Sofia nods at ayaan telling him to reply. A: Yes. K: Why isn''t she replying.? A: Cause you''ll know whose standing here. K: Right. Let''s see.. Aliza.? S: Yes.!! She then makes her stand in front of Ryan.. As she touches his face trying to understand. K: Ryan. S: Wow.. You got that in one go. That was quick. K: Um.. random guess. S: Is that so.? K: Forget it whose next.? She stands in front of her letting her guess. K: It has to be sofia. S: obviously. Then it wasstly Ayaan''s turn. She felt his cheeks and towards the nose as she pinched it tightly making him pull away. K: That big fat nose definitely belongs to Ayaan. A: Hey.! It''s you whose big and fat.! She hits him taking out the blind fold. K: So I win right. S: Well you only got 1 wrong out of 5 so yeah. K: Yay.!! She cheered as they all went to sit in their ces.. This time they divided into two groups sitting opposite to each other. Girls vs boys. They decided to y dumb charades. After about an hour of ying Nick was now standing in front of both the boys failing his arms as they guessed different movies. Ay: Bird.? Ry: Fly high. Ay: Sky high. He moves his hand showing a no sign. Ay: No flying R: Stop flying. A: Don''t fly. R: Fly low. A: How is that low.? R: If you don''t p you''ll get low.. A: That''s soo stupid.. shut up. R: Then what is it.. Guess yourself. Nick hits his head rolling his eyes as he huffs going back to his ce beside them. N: That''s it. I give up. Ay+R: Oh C''mon. N: You guys are the worst.! Ay: Us.? You''re the bad one. R: What was it any way.? N: Hobbit part 2 A: How does this mean hobbit.? He asks failing his arms like nick. N: Smaug.. Don''t you remember. R: You know you could have just walked on your knees. It wasn''t so hard to guess. N: I didn''t think of that. A: You never think of anything. He says as they both hit him on his head and arm as he shields himself from them. Kiara walks up on the middle. K: Alright the score is.. 10 for girls and 7 for boys. Which means... we win. Yayy.!! She says cheering along with both the girls as they all high five celebrating their win as both the boys sulk sitting there. R: We lost the points because of him. N: Excuse me. We lost one point because of him. He says pointing at ayaan. A: Forget it. No use crying over spilled milk. R: Who spilled the milk.? They both re at him. A: I mean. What''s done is done... We''ll score better next time. N: Yeah. Rx. He says patting Ryan on the back.. S: Ok so what''s next.? Shall we go inside to watch the movies.? Al: Yeah.. Ry: I think so too.. Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Ay: C''mon then. They all stand up to go in a kiara stops them. K: No No No wait.! I''ve nned one more game for us. Al: Another one.? S: What is it.? K: C''mon let''s sit first. She gathers every one in a circle on the ground. Going towards their things she brings out a few bottles of drinks and keeps them in the middle sitting in her spot. A: Isn''t this alcohol.? R: We''re gonna get drunk.? K: Yes.!! S: We''ve never done this before. Are you sure.? K: C''mon it''ll be fun. Al: But what''s the game.? K: Yes. The game is drink and dare. R: Isn''t it suppose to be truth and dare.? K: Yes but.. We know every thing about each other already so that is useless any how.. So I decided on this game. Look it goes just like that. Spin the bottle. And who ever it stops on will be given a dare.. Now it''s their choice whether they want to do it or take a shot. S: Sounds interesting to me. Ay: C''mon it''s stupid. What so fun in losing your consciousness.. doing crazy stuff you won''t even remember the next day.. and dozing off only to wake up with a banging head. I''m not in favour of this. R: Stop being so straight for once in your life bro. He says putting an arm around his shoulder.. N: Yeah loosen up a bit buddy.. Al: Why don''t we just try it once.. We can continue if we have fun or stop if not. N: Exactly. A: Ok fine... Do as You will. *The End* -Zareen Chapter 38 : Drunk. Chapter 38 : Drunk. They spin the bottle starting the game. The bottle stop on Ryan. Kiara opens the bottle pouring it in the sses R: Alright bring it on. S: 10 push-ups. R: That''s the easiest. You know I can easily do it. S: You seriously think I''m gonna give you that easy. R: Then.? S: She''s gonna sit on you. She says pointing at Kiara. R: What.?? S: Yeah. K: Yay. Let''s do it. She stands from her ce as Ryan follows. Getting on his hands he waits as she sits on his back. R: Gosh.! You''re so heavy. A: Told you she''s the big fat one. K: Shut up. She screams at them both. He begins with the push-ups as they all cheered. He stops halfway totally exhausted and copses down. R: Gosh I''m tired. S: Do you give up.? Al: Cmon tell us already. R: No. Never. He resumes his push-ups again with new energy. This time only stopping after finishing up. He then stood up with a triumphant smile. S: Well not bad. You did it. He gives a smug look as They again Settle in their ces resuming the game. The bottle spins again and stopped on Kiara this time. A: what shall we give you.? N: She''s pretty athletic. Can you do a handstand.? K: easy peasy lemon squeezy. She stands from her spot prepping herself as she stretched her hand and swung up on her hands doing a perfect handstand as they all p. Al: Wow, that is so cool. S: I know right. You go girl.! They cheered for her as she takes her ce back giving a bow. The bottle spins again stopping in Ayaan this time. A: Ok... S: You have to eat our special sauce. A: What special sauce.? She brings forth a bowl of reddish-brown sauce. A: What is this thing.? S: We made it ourselves. A: Why does it look so weird. S: It''s the mixture of all the sauces including soya sauce, ketchup, chilli sauce, etc. A: Soya sauce.? And You want me to eat it raw.??? S: of course. He makes a disgusted face taking a spoon full bringing it closer to his mouth he looks at everyone.. Taking a small whiff he drops the spoon back into the bowl. A: You know what. I''d rather drink this. He says taking the ss and gobbled it down as the girls high five each other. K: Yes... You''re the first. They y for a while as some of them did the dares assigned that included dancing on one leg. Hop on your hands and grind the pizza along with sugar and banana and drink it. While the others just chose to take a shot. After a while, the doorbell rang and Ayaan went to open the door. He saw Neil there as he let him in. N: Hope I didn''t disturb you.? S: No no. Pleasee in. He takes Neil in towards the back door since the front was locked and he didn''t have the key. They passed by them all in the garden ying as they greeted him. They recognized him from thest time he hade to meet the house staff. Neil: Hello everyone. I think I interrupted you guys. S: Oh no. Please join us. Ne: No actually I''m a little busy. I just came by to meet Ayaan. I had something to discuss. Nick: Anything important.? Ne: Not really. Ay: You guys continue. I''ll be back in while. He says taking Neil along. They all continue the game as the bottlends on Sofia. K: It''s your turn again. I''ll tell you what... Go kiss him. She says pointing at Ayaan. As she scrunches her face. S: That''s absurd. She says taking a shot instead. They were about to spin again when Aliza spoke. Al: Gosh I''m done. I can''t drink anymore. I''m off to sleep. She stood up in her half-drunken state and went to sleep in the tent. The others then continued the game. After a few minutes, Sofia had a thought as she stood from her ce moving towards the house but Kiara stopped her. K: Hey. Where are you going.? S: I''ll be back in a few minutes. K: Why.? S: Just the bathroom. K: Ok... Be quick. S: Yeah. Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. She says rushing into the house. She goes towards the study assuming them to be there. The door was slight open so she stood there listening to their conversation. Ne:.. I''ll go there tomorrow with my team. A: Let''s just hope we find him there. I''lle among too. N: I don''t thin on that''s a good idea. It might be very dangerous. A: Maybe.. But I wanna meet the bastard who threatened my uncle myself. N: Ok but I still suggest you stay out of sight. This is the the warehouse in- He was cut by the sound of a phone ringing as they both nced towards the door where the voice wasing from. Sofia quickly took oft the phone ringing in her pant and shut it down swearing. Ayaan opened the door to see Sofia standing there. A: What are you doing here.? S: I just came by to say hello. A: Again.? She gave a smile pushing past him. S: How are you Mr. Neil. N: I''m good. What about you.? S: Me too. I just wanted to thank you. You''re helping so much in my dad''s case. N: It''s ok you don''t need to thank me. It''s my job. S: Yeah.. So any lead.? N: Something ab- A: We''re working on it. You don''t need to worry. I''ll handle everything. He says turning her around holding her shoulders. S: Yeah but I just wanted to know. A: It''s ok. Why don''t you go down and continue the game. They must be waiting for you. I''ll be there in a few minutes too. S: Ok. A: Ok.! He says walking her out of the room and then closed the door behind her. She walked back to where everyone was sitting. *The End.* -Zareen. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!