The Artificial Jury

9. Pursuit of Tenderness

Abhinav's POV 

I got up from my sleep and was welcome by a warm hug by my sister Miya. She was all ready in a beautiful beige and lilac colored two piece attire (lehanga). I made a quizzical look. What was today? 

She suddenly held my hand and asked, "When would you get ready? Don't spoil this special day." Before I could even ask her, she pushed me in the bathroom with towel and necessary items. 

I kept thinking and finally cam out of the bathroom where there lied a traditional outfit. I quickly wore it and got out of my room. Decorations were all there. And, there were Parthiv and Avika too. But, where is she? I wondered. And she came out from behind keeping her phone aside. That lilac lehenga made so lost in her that I didn't care about my surroundings. 

 "Beautiful, you're looking beautiful." I complimented Mihika while getting drowned in her. She blushed and mouthed a thanks. 

"Bro, you should compliment me." I heard Miya's voice who made me turn around. 

"You're toh always my most beautiful girl." I complimented her and pulled her cheeks. 

"So, let me tie rakhi to you." Is it rakshabandhan today? Hell, yes. And what would I gift her? I didn't even remember the day.

Suddenly I felt something close to my hand. Avika secretly handed me a box wrapped with gift paper. 

"I knew that you wouldn't remember. So, I brought a gift which you can give to Miya." Avika whispered and I smiled. She is really my true friend. 

Miya tied rakhi to me and I gifted her Avika's box. She opened it and was surprised to see the keys of her scooty. I remembered that her old one was quite troubling. Nice choice, Avika. She got tears in her eyes and hugged me. 

"Thank you so much bro." she said and went out with the keys. 

I turned around and saw that Mihika was coming towards me with a rakhi. What the heck? I can't let her tie my rakhi. I don't want to be his brother. I shouted hard, but she went past me and approached Parthiv behind me. She tied her rakhi. 

I opened my eyes and realized that it was a dream. That feeling was itself killing me. Suddenly Miya came and hugged me. 

"Bro, you're late. I came this morning itself. I have made breakfast. So, get ready and bring Mihi bhabhi with you." she said and then bit her tongue. But, that sounded so good. What? What was I even thinking? 

"I mean, bring Mihika di with you also." she smiled sheepishly and ran away. 

God, but, what was that dream, and why did I smile on listening Miya calling her bhabhi? God, my brain will burst. But, just think, how will it sound? Mrs. Mihika Abhinav Khanna. What am I thinking? Yesterday also I mouthed such things to her as if I love her intensely. 

Do I really love her? I love her? I love her. Yeah, I love her. Suddenly, I remembered  a scene from my one of the films. I closed my eyes and there she was, Mihika, coming towards me and making me wear engagement ring. 

I opened my eyes. This is true. I love her, really intensely. 

"I love you Mihika. I- I love you." I whisper screamed, and I felt a dose of dopamine all through my body. The smile wasn't leaving my face. I quickly went towards the bathroom and got freshened up. 

I rushed towards the guest room. There she was, Mihika, the love of my life. I smiled seeing her. Her back was facing me. She was sobbing. My heart sank seeing her like that. I decided to move inside but, she was just muttering something. 

"No, I can't let this feeling take over me. I don't have any feelings for Abhinav. He is just a normal friend. I can't believe in love and marriages. Never ever. I won't. I am destined to be single. Love isn't in my dictionary." I was broken. Will I lose my first love? My first ever love? Tears unknowingly convulsed on my face and I just tasted the salt of my tears. 

Mihika turned and I wiped off my tears. She came towards me with a fake smile. What f she would never feel the same for me as I felt? I won't let that happen. I will dig out her past and will support her. She outstretched her hand and I grabbed it. She was looking towards me intensely. We soon seated on the dining table. 

"Woh, yesterday, I got up at around 3. I went towards the other room and made you sleep properly." she said. I nodded with pursed lips. 

Suddenly, someone rang the bell of the house. My house help opened the gate and Avika and Parthiv were standing there. Mihika and I shared a look with each other, and they came inside. 

POV Ends

Avika came inside and embraced Mihika. She was sobbing a bit. Mihika patted her back and they parted. 

"I am sorry. I am really sorry for abandoning you there. But, I did this..." Avika didn't let Mihika complete. 

"I know Mihi. You and Abhi did this for us. So that Partho would get enough time to open up to me properly. Otherwise, you by our side would make us dependent on you and the confession might really not happen." Avika emphasized with great emotions. Parthiv also embraced Mihika and then Abhinav. 

"Thank you so much Abhi, for understanding me, and believing on me. Without you, I couldn't expect Avi by my side." Parthiv thanked Abhinav and he smiled back. Suddenly, Miya came from the back and sad it loud. 

"Bro, let's have breakfast. Oh, Parthiv and Avi di, you're also there, c'mon, sit for the breakfast." Everyone smiled and sat for the breakfast. Mihika and Avika helped Miya. They all were settled now and Miya was about to fall when Parthiv held her. She gasped at this touch. He left her abruptly and sat beside Avika. Miya mouthed a thanks and he smiled. 

Abhinav was stealing glances of Mihika who was just too lost in herself. He sighed and continued eating his breakfast. Miya was staring at Parthiv for a long time. She was falling into an infatuation. Avika was noticing this but shrugged off. 

Avika's hand got brushed by Parthiv's hand. She felt shivers down her spine. Parthiv also felt the same and mouthed an apology. Avika turned her face to the other side and was thinking about her feelings. 

"I don't know. I feel so secure with Partho. Even one touch sends shivers down my spine. Why is this oxytocin creating havoc to my feelings?" Avika thought. Parthiv patted on her shoulder. She turned towards him and smiled. 

They all got up as they were done with the breakfast. Miya took some essentials when they heard someone on the doorstep. 

"Bro, Avi di, I need to go. Meet you soon Mihika di." Miya said and snapped her head towards Parthiv, "meet you soon too Parth." 

Before Abhinav could even say anything, she went off with the boy on the doorstep. 

"Avi, why is she going out with a stranger? And where? There's no college today." Abhinav asked being worried about Miya to Avika. He asked Avika as apart from him, it was just her who knew her properly.

"Might be some outing with a friend." she replied. She was actually worried. 

"But..." he couldn't continue as Mihika intertwined. 

"You should trust your sister Abhi." Mihika said but unknowingly, she had made a connection with Miya, and she was also worried about her. 

"I think you should trust her just as Avi said. I mean Mihi also said." Parthiv said and rubbed his neck.

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Was this a thing of concern? Miya going out with a random boy? 

And now that Abhinav has realized his love for Mihika, will he be able to make Mihika his? 

Will Avika also realize her feelings for Parthiv? Can Miya also become an obstacle in their love story, or can she be the cupid for both the couples?

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amruta118 parica_is_love Jasminearun (Your reviews needed)

Much Love, Priya

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