If Our Stars Collide | ?

20|Whisphered Comfort?

"Baby doll, I have meeting in half an hour" he informed. "Aren't you late?" she asked worriedly. He nodded slightly, while tying his tie. "Go then, why are you here?" she asked with concern evident in her voice. Ishaan smiled and shook his head. "Because I wanted to see my doll before starting the day. You know you're my lucky charm, right?" he said, adjusting his tie.

Aanya blushed and mumbled, "You're going to make me late one day with all this sweet talk."

Ishaan chuckled and replied, "As long as it's for you, I wouldn't mind being late." He picked up his phone, giving her one last glance before adding, "But seriously, you take care of yourself, alright? If anything troubles you, just tell me. I'll handle it."

Her heart warmed at his protective words, but she quickly masked her emotions. "Go now, or you'll really be late."

"Okay, okay. See you tonight, doll," Ishaan said with a wink before ending the call.

Aanya stared at the blank screen, her heart feeling lighter than it had in days. The harsh words of the Ahujas momentarily faded from her mind. Though the pain lingered, Ishaan's comfort felt like a soothing balm to her wounded soul.

As she got up to face another day in the hostile environment of the Ahujas' house, she found herself silently praying for the strength to hold on until she could finally escape to the warmth and love Ishaan always promised her.

She got ready in a simple suit, she went downstairs and saw pandit ji performing some post rituals. She went and sat there. Though it irritated her mom, she stayed quiet. After a few minutes, the pandit ji finished his rituals and stood up to leave.

Once he left, Aanya too stood up and was about to enter the kitchen when Sabhitha ordered, "Only Ahujas can enter the kitchen hereafter" while turning to a maid, in a sarcastic tone to make Aanya not enter the kitchen. Aanya gulped and her eyes glistened with tears, as her mother acknowledge her that she is not in their family anymore and just a mere guest, or even worse than that.

She just nodded her head slowly and turned around, to go to her room. Locking herself in the room, she sat on the bed, waiting for these 13 days to end or atleast this day to end, so she could talk with him. She heard a knock on her room, and opened it. She saw Saksi standing there, smiling. Seeing her, she was shocked, Saksi, as told earlier, doesn't care about her in front of everyone, but now even though everyone is out there she came.

"Yes?" only these words left Aanya's mouth, as she was so shocked to even speak.

"Di, um, I um, well I came to talk, like its been long um only if you are okay" said Saksi, stuttering, feared that Aanya might get angry. But, Aanya felt so warmth that someone cares for her in her own family. She engulfed her in a tight hug. Both of them felt warmth and both their minds were flooded with memories where both of them sneakingly shared warmth.

Saksi, also doesn't get attention. Though she doesn't get abused, she never gets the love and care. They always be overprotective to her, or in the name of overprotective they control her and she, half of the time, gets restricted to even enjoy. Amaira, as the house princess and Rishi, as the house only son and king, Saksi is always left out. If Aanya is clearly left out, Saksi is always the silence one, and doesn't complain. But only Aanya knows how much she talks and enjoys.

Aanya invited her inside. Both of them sat in the balcony, getting fresh cool air, as the day was moody, perfect for chatting. "How did you come here when all of them were there?" Aanya asked, still shocked. "It doesn't matter, di. They stopped caring" she shrugged. Aanya couldn't understand her statement properly, "pardon?" she asked. "It all changed di. Everything" Saksi started, with pain visible in her eyes.