Tender Storm

Chapter 9

Clueless, Sakshi walked out with Aman, feeling like vacuum. All she knew was she wanted to get out of that place and away from the torture. But she felt guilty as well.

"Where are we going?"she asked, suddenly realizing the weight of her actions. Aman wasn't exactly a stranger but she couldn't trust him enough to go with him.

"Right now away from our parents" he replied with a heavy sigh as she followed him to the parking lot.

"Wouldn't they be worried?"she voiced her doubt "we've already given them enough reason to be furious with us".

He stopped walking and looked at her "do you want your father to abuse you again and again?"

She bit her lip in anguish "I'm used to his insults. And I don't want you to suffer because of me. I'll go...my separate way".

He raised an angry eyebrow "you're already about to faint. I can't let you alone in this condition"he opened the car door for her.

She blinked hesitantly "where exactly are you taking me?" He could feel her shudder and felt himself loosening up a bit "my apartment" he answered and noticed her fearful expression "I've a friend and neighbor there...she'll take care of you".

Since Sakshi had no strength left to argue with him, she sat on the car while he drove.

They reached his apartment and he gestured towards the next door. Sakshi meekly followed him and watched him ring the doorbell.

"Thank God you're back!" Shirin gave a bright smile, obviously not noticing her and hugged him "your Hero was missing you".

Aman didn't return the hug but stared at her "I need your help". She saw his serious expression and nodded "what's wrong?" Then her eyes darted towards the girl with him.

Aman noticed her confusion "I'll explain to you later...please let her stay here for a while...I've to get back to the studio". Before she could utter any word, he was gone.

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Shirin stared at the girl in front of her, lying on the bed. Part of her felt sympathy for her and the other part was curious about Aman's stranger.

"I got you juice" she said, still staring at the girl who was almost her age, she thought "you'll feel better".

Sakshi who had her head faced to the other side turned to look at her and Shirin noticed she had been crying. Her face was tear stricken and her eyes looked like they were lifeless. It appeared as if she had lived through the misery.

"Thanks but I can't..." Sakshi said politely "I'm not hungry". Shirin held the glass of apple juice firm in her hands "Aman told me to give you...he said you haven't eaten anything".

Sakshi shook her head "please..let me lie for sometime..tell him I had". Shirin didn't know what to say to that and simply nodded, walking out of the room. What had Aman gotten into this time?she could only muse.

Sakshi watched her go and leaned back on the bed, recounting the events that had occurred in Amit's house.

The soft meowing brought her attention to the corner of the bed and her eyes widened at the ginger cat blinking at her.

"Shoo! Go away" she waved at the cat which simply stared at her with it's bright brown eyes.

"I said go you filthy little..." she pushed the cat which fell out of the bed and gave a loud yelp.

"Easy" Aman entered the room and the cat snuggled against his feet "you almost killed him".

She frowned "he deserves it.. climbing the bed and all.."