𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐄𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐘 𝐎𝐍𝐄

𝐅𝐈𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍

                   𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐁𝐘𝐍𝐄𝐒

𝗜 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱𝗻'𝘁 take my eyes off her as she treads down the stairs with her wet hair flowing freely and merging with the wind.

Beautiful.

I chuckled as she gave me an awkward smile soon after meeting my gaze. Her legs moved in a hurry to reach the dining table and when she did, she placed her backpack on the chair that was beside her while reclining herself on the one opposite to mine.

As usual, she initiated to eat at a fastened pace. I shook my head disapprovingly at her demeanor.

She is such a no-punctual person, I mean, her practicals begin at 10.30 am thus offering her a lot of time to get ready.

But Aadhya being Aadhya, she had woken up at 10 'o'clock and even that is because aunty had spilled some water on her face.

My mind couldn't erase the expression that she made when aunty did that. A mixture of panic, turmoil, and realization of being late. It's so funny.

Perching my fist under my chin and balancing it on the table, I watched her run away to the kitchen with the plate.

A few minutes later, she surged out and took her backpack then gave me a look. "Let's go..?" I nodded my head and taking that signal, she was the first one to jog out of the mansion.

Well, I want to buy a gift for her birthday tomorrow, so I asked uncle whether I could drop her in college and while returning I would fetch the presents.

He agreed without any objections.

"Richard only 12 minutes are left for my practicals to start up" she whined and face-palmed in distress which made me increase the speed of the car.

"Be cool Aadhya, I will drop you on time" I said, propelling her to look at me. A smile grazed over my brims as I drove fastly, with Aadhya staring at me in a daze.

When we attained her college, there were still three minutes left for her practicals to get initiated. However, Aadhya seemed to be still sucked into the trance cause even after the car came to a halt, her view was all over me.

I felt quite proud.

But the timing is not appropriate now. She needs to attend her practicals, looks like I'm afraid for her more than she does.

"Aadhya!" I shook her shoulder in an attempt to rescue her from the imaginary world in her head. "Your driving is so attractive Richard" she blurted out and I honestly don't know If I should be happy or feel worried for her.

Cause she's getting late!

"Aadhya don't you have practicals today?" She gave me a confused look at first, which soon transformed into a horrified one.

Seriously?

Did she forget about her practicals due to gawking at me?

Goodness, she is already so into me than I could ever comprehend.

Lips tugging up in a tiny smile, I watched her run towards her university. When she reached very far from my sight, I saw her waving her hands in my direction.

I couldn't help, but feel pleased with her actions.

While retreating to the mansion, I stopped by a shopping mall and brought a huge teddy bear for her. So huge it is, that I couldn't even fit it in my car.

So the mall's transport system had helped me in delivering it to the mansion in their truck.

Her family was quite shocked after seeing the huge gift that I had brought for Aadhya. As I thought deeply, even I felt a little flustered but the way her lips will respond to this gift...It's worth more than anything.

Soon hiding the present safe in my room with great effort, Dhruv, Reena, and me began listing all the requirements for the decorations.

Tonight, after Aadhya will doze off we will begin decorating the mansion.

"What flavor does Aadhya like aunty?" I swirled the pen in my hands and squinted my eyes at the notepad that was in my hold.

"She loves vanilla," Aunty said and I nodded writing it down. While I was getting out of the kitchen, aunty spoke up again. "Do you like Aadhya?" She asked so casually while chopping the vegetables.

"Yes.." well that truly took me by surprise. She nodded her head and glanced at me, chaperoned by a smile. "Don't look scared, I was just confirming my doubts" I shifted on my feet not having any clue of what to say.

"She is very innocent, not like me" she giggled. Is she indirectly indicating something? "She needs someone to take care of her all the time..." she spoke further and now I understood the hint she is offering me.

"I will" we both exchanged a smile.

Sighing in delight, I rested on the couch. But was distracted by the ringing of my phone.

It was Aadhya who contacted me. Did her practical came to an end this fast?

I frowned and attended the call.

"Richard!!"

                       ...................

Take care and stay safe guys♥️

If time permits do check out my new short story, "Fault in love"♥️