Na Bangaram (Pranushka)

Chapter 26

Miheeka's Pov:

I toss and turn for a few hours before deciding to step out onto the balcony that Shriya's room and Prabhas' room share. The cool early morning breeze hits my face as I run my fingers through my tangled hair. Suddenly, I hear the door open behind me.

"Who could be here at this time," I think to myself as I sneak a peek. My mouth makes a perfect o when I realize it is Rana.

"Hi," he says and steps into the balcony next to me. I say a hi back to him. After a few more minutes of silence, he speaks up, "Did you have a good birthday?" I nod and slightly smile at him, "Well, for the most part, ya." I see him slightly smile while leaning against the railing.

I play with a strand of my hair and look over at Rana. He is silent, but he looks kind of restless like he wants to say something to me. I decide to not say anything and let him speak up if he needs to say anything to me.

"How much longer Miheeka," he suddenly blurts out. "What," I reply to him.

"How much longer do we have to pretend like this, like nothing is going on like we don't know each other's feelings towards each other. The silence is killing me." I look down at the ground not making eye contact with him.

"What feeling," I quietly whisper to him while looking down, knowing that if I made eye contact with him, I wouldn't be able to deny it.

"I think it's too late to say that," he replies more calmly now.

"There's nothing between us ok Rana," I say to him a little more loudly than I meant.

"What about the flirting, the glances, the smiles, what about all of that, don't tell me that was fake," he says to me. I stay quiet and look up at the sky now. He seems a bit frustrated as he runs his fingers through his hair.

"Fine, yes I'll agree there are feelings but so what. I don't want you to be dragged into this mess with Vijay and my parents and everything else, it's already complicated as it is," I look at him and say. He walks over to me and holds my hands in his.

"Miheeka, your problem is my problem, now.... and forever." I gasp and look up at him. Our eyes connect and I feel like I'm floating in the clouds. My heart is bursting, I know I shouldn't drag him into this, I know I shouldn't make it worse, but I can't help but fall for him. Everything about him is so perfect, and I know I won't be able to keep my feelings in for too long. I finally look up at him and smile. I slightly nod my head at him and smile. He lets go of my hands and pulls me into a hug. His longer, broader frame envelopes my smaller body as he wraps his arms around my waist. I rest my head on his chest and we say like this, in each other's arms.

"I've been waiting so long to do that," Rana whispers to me as we break apart. I look up at him and I feel my heart racing. I can't believe this is happening right now. I lean up and place my hand on his cheek. He looks at me and smiles while placing his hand on mine. At that moment everything feels so perfect. Everything just fits, it all feels so right. After staying like this for a little longer I break the hug and say, "Everyone's going to wake up soon, go back to your room." He looks at me with those big puppy dog eyes. I roll my eyes and smile as he walks away. I make my way back to Anushka and lay down on the bed with a smile on my face.

Anushka's Pov:

"I slowly open my eyes when I hear ruffling beside me.

"Miheeka," I whisper. I pick my phone up off the nightstand and groan at the brightness.

"It's so early, what are you doing," I ask her. She turns around to me grinning from ear to ear. I raise my eyebrows at her.

"What is going on?" I ask. I turn on the lamp and slowly sit up with my back resting against the backboard. She begins to tell me what happened with Rana and my eyes widen.

"What!" I exclaim and start hugging her. She hugs me back and starts giggling. Then, she suddenly turns serious.

"What if Vijay comes back into the picture and my parents want me to marry him?" she asks me with a nervous look on her face. I look at her and smile.

"Tell your parents the truth. They will understand." I say. She pouts and I continue to tease her for a little longer. I then pull on a sweatshirt over my tank top and Miheeka pulls some joggers over her Nike shorts so we can leave the room.

Prabhas's Pov:

"Wake up! Wake up you donkey!" Rana shouts at me while hitting my head with a pillow.

"What the hell," I groan.

"Get up," I slowly push the blanket off my body and sit up. Rana turns the light on and I squint my eyes.

"It happened," I said to him with a smile on my face.

"What happened you, idiot, I can't read your mind, explain to me," I say to him. He explains to me everything that happened with him and Miheeka a few minutes ago.

"Ok loverboy," I say to him with a smirk. He rolls his eyes at me and lays on the bed with a sigh.

"I wonder if she told Anushka," I say to him.

"She probably did," I say to him. I look at him and he has a full-blown smile on his face and he can't stop smiling. I hug him and start playfully punching him.

Just then I hear Shriya scream downstairs, "Guys! Breakfast is ready! Come downstairs now!." Prabhas and I roll our eyes at her and leave the room. Just then Anushka and Miheeka come out of their rooms. I see Anushka nudge Miheeka while nodding towards Rana. Rana and Miheeka blush and start walking downstairs together. Anushka and I are left there. I smile at her and say, " I guess it's just us two now. Our best friends ditched us." She laughs at that. I extend my elbow to her.

"Shall we?" She giggles and loops her elbow around mine, and we begin to proceed down the stairs. Miheeka raises her eyebrows at us and I quickly pull my hand away while a blush forms on my cheeks. We went to the table where Ma was making French toast for everyone. Shriya is texting someone on her phone, and Rana and Miheeka are chatting about something while eating. Prabhas and I sit down across from them and I start talking.

"Okay, love birds. We are here too. Mind talking to us." Rana rolls her eyes and Miheeka starts laughing.

"Well, guys I have work today so I need to get going," Miheeka says while standing up and taking her plate to the sink. Anushka joins in.

"Me and Shriya have college today as well." Shriya looks up from her phone and nods. Ma comes up and kisses Miheeka on the cheek.

"Bye Honey. Take care." Miheeka hugs her and walks out of the front door. Anushka waits for Shriya to finish eating and they leave as well. Finally, it is just me and Rana sitting at the table. Ma walks up to us and jokes, " How much more are you guys going to eat? We are almost out of bread?" We roll our eyes and get up to wash our hands. 

I hope you guys enjoyed reading this! Finally they are together, next up is Prabhas and Anushka, coming soon!

-Ag and Sv