Dehshat-E-Ishq

Chapter 12

Advit stared at his smartphone while Mahira felt as if she was sitting on pins and needles.

"I wanted to go with bhaiya." Mahira said looking at her hands in her lap.

Advit calmly checked some information on his smartphone and said, "and I wanted you to call me."

Mahira twisted her hands and her grip tightened. She gulped and looked outside when she heard him speak.

"And I don't like to repeat myself again and again." She felt his hand touch her chin and turn her face towards him. "look at me when you speak."

Mahira nodded her head and he let go of her chin.

He calmly looked ahead and said, "I don't like it when people disobey me. And specially people I consider close to me."

"I don't consider that." Mahira suddenly said and her eyes widened. Her gulping was the only sound that could be heard in the car when her hand was pulled and her chin was held tightly.

"Shut up." Advit said as his eyes stared right into hers. His eyes were burning and she felt scared. Her fear of those eyes was not unusual. She has seen those cold eyes not move even a little when they landed on dead people.

She was confused as to why she commanded such emotions in him, but she knew she did hold a power that she wasn't aware of over him, but she didn't even want to know about any power like that.

"Mahi, I get it, you don't know me as well as I do you and it's okay. I don't mind you not loving me yet but give me a chance to show myself to you. Please." Even though his eyes pleaded, his cold voice that had a warmth hidden didn't sound like a plea. It was as if he was ordering her.

Mahira tilted her head and her heartbeat quickened, her eyes closed for a second and she said "Why? Kyun mauka dey hum aapko?"

His eyes looked right into hers. Her light brown eyes were enchanting, so bright yet there were very light green swirls in them. Her eyes were filled with tears from her fear but he could also see his shy little Mahi in them. He could see that fear covering even his little Mahi but sooner or later, his brave Mahi will overcome everything and will come running to him shouting "Adit".

"Kyunki maine manga hain." His words made her look into his with anger and they seemed to speak to him and Advit smiled as he touched her forehead with his for a second before he moved back and said "Ghooro mat, pyaar ho jayega."

His words caused a red blush to cover Mahira's whole face and she turned her face away in anger. And then she heard him continue, "Actually, do stare. After all, main toh yahi chahta hoon."

Her eyes looked outside while her hands clutched her dupatta in her lap.

Advit's eyes stared at her lap before turning to look outside and his straight lips twitched but rather than smiling, he kept his lips unfurled jaise ki ek hasi sey bhi jaan chali jayegi inki.

With this, the whole ride both kept staring outside and the silence prevailed. However, it might have been the first time that this silence didn't pierce a hole rather it felt nice. This silence held a perfect amount of peace that lulled Mahira to sleep leaning against the window. Her face calm and her hands that were clutching her dupatta also relaxed.

The car soon came to a stop and Mahira woke up from the movement and lazily got down and walked inside while Advit walked in behind her when his eyes stopped on his father and mother.

Rajeev and Milani stared right at them and smiled. As they looked at then, Mahira ran towards Milani and hugged her.

Milani who was hugged, wrapped her arms around Mahira and said "Lagta hain humein bohot miss kiya hain kisine."

"Vo toh hain." Abhaya said as she came from behind her and smiled at her while her eyes glanced at Advit who stood in front of them calmly.

"Sab thik raha na beta?" Rajeev asked as he ruffled Abhaya's hair and touched Mahira's head. "koi dikkat toh nahi hui?"

"Ek dikkat hui Papa." Abhaya said and all eyes stopped on her while Advit smiled at her. His eyes too looked especially calm.

Mahira also glanced at him, and he looked right into her eyes before smiling even more happily.

"Abhaya–" Mahira was speaking when another voice came from outside and she looked at the door where Vivaan was standing.

"Vivaan Bhaiya..." Mahira whispered, and Vivaan smiled at her. He first took blessings from the elders and touched their feet. Rajeev touched Vivaan's head and blessed him while Vivaan smiled at them.

Milani looked at Vivaan and said "Arey, beta aap, kaise aana hua aaj? Humein laga tha ki hamare Vivaan toh bhool chuke hain apni Milani Aunty ko. Now, you don't want to marry me?"

Vivaan laughed and said "Aunty, it's nothing like that. How can I forget you? Hum toh aaj aapse milne aana chahtey they par Advit ne bataya ki aap aaj ghar nahin hain magar dekhiye, milna likha tha aaj hamara." Milani nodded and said "You came at the right time. I bought you a little gift. Come come!"

Milani took the hold of his hand while Vivaan walked in with her before he said "Arey, I forgot why I came here, Mahi, here."

Mahira saw the sweet little box wrapped in green and took it in her hand knowing what this is and smiled at Vivaan who smiled back at her and left with Milani.

Advit kept staring at the gift in her hand and looked at Abhaya who was watching everything unfold in front of her.

She moved towards Advit and said "Bhai, now our parents are back. Please control yourself in front of them."

Advit smiled at her and said "Aren't you thinking too much? I won't hurt her Abhaya. Never."

Abhaya mockingly smiled and said "Bhai, it's not about her but about you. She doesn't love you and till she doesn't love you, will you let her go? Once she loves you, will you ever give her a chance to leave?"

"Why would I let her go if she loves me?" Advit questioned and Abhaya said "Because bhai, it's only love if she stays by herself and not by your fear."

Advit kept staring at her before turning to leave and once he reached the stairs, he said without turning to face Abhaya. "You are right, Abhaya, she fears me and thus, she stays and of course, tries to run too..."

Then, he turned towards her and said, "But, if what I see in her eyes is true, then, there is no way that she will fear me once she learns everything about herself. Which, she eventually will."

Mahira kept staring at the two and after hearing what Advit said, she looked at his disappearing back and a thought flashed in her head. What if she asks what Advit knows about her?