Ishq

Chapter 5

Ankit tried to focus on looking for a job. Job searching had become such a hassle for an engineer especially one with a degree from elsewhere. He bit on his lip as he scrolled through the options that could suit his resume the best when he heard a bang. 

He pulled away from his laptop, getting up and opening his door, peeking his head out on high alert wondering where the noise came from. He shrugged when he heard nothing else and was about to go in when he heard soft whimpers and a voice filled with distress. His hand remained glued to his doorknob as he tried to ignore the sounds. 

His eyes moved towards the source, which was Priyanka's door and he shakes his head. After Karan's non-vocal warning, Ankit was trying to avoid contact with her as much as possible. Clearly Karan was uncomfortable with Priyanka and Ankit talking but to Ankit, he didn't see anything wrong with it. 

Karan was just being paranoid, or so he thought.

Ankit sighed and took a step out of his room. There was nothing wrong with checking on his best friend's younger sister. He knocked on her door once and blinked. 

The groans stopped. 

"Priyanka?" Ankit tried. 

There was another crash and Ankit winced. That didn't sound good. He knocked again. "Are you okay?" 

When he heard no noise, he reached for her doorknob. "Hey, should I come in-"

Priyanka swung the door open, her hair a mess and a pained smile on her face. "Oh, hey" A nervous laugh left her as she ran a hand through her hair. 

"You okay? I thought I heard something loud."

"Oh yeah totally fine." Priyanka winced again as she held onto her arm. 

Ankit followed her hand pressing into her arm and then looked at her in the eyes. "You sure?"

Priyanka's lips started to tremble as she raised her arm. "I-I cut it."

Ankit's eyes widen in shock. "You what??" He stumbles into her room and takes her arm, pulling her long sleeve up. 

There was a small cut on her arm but it was bleeding slightly. He let out a breathe in relief, knowing that it wasn't too serious. "Okay it's small."

Priyanka's eyes sting and she shakes her head. "I know."

"You scared me." Ankit walked her to her bed and made her sit down. He kneeled before her and his eyes made contact with hers as he softly whispers to her. "Are you heading to bed now or?" He waves his hand in the direction of her laptop. Being at her age once, he knew that Priyanka was up either watching something or doing work. 

Priyanka's cheeks heated up as she dismisses the laptop on her bed. "I'm going to bed."

Ankit gets up and moves towards the door. "Better get going then. Sleep well, don't get hurt."

"Wait."

Ankit stands in her doorframe curious as to why she's stopping him. His hands move to his pockets and he waits there as Priyanka grabs something from her dresser. 

"It's too late for this but take this as a thank you gift." From the low dimmed lights of Priyanka's room, Ankit could see the tips of Priyanka's ears turn red. He realizes that he's left her waiting as she nudges the chocolate bar towards him again. 

He decides to mess with her. "What if I don't like chocolate?"

"Um." 

Ankit could see the wheels turning in her head and the panic in her state so his lips turn up as he waits for her response. He lets her take her time. 

"Uh, maybe I can buy you coffee?" That turned out more like a question than a statement and Ankit held the urge to laugh. The idea of a coffee date might seem ideal but Ankit was not looking to anything like that. Priyanka was special and if things were to take that turn he would have to know that he was serious because this was a matter of relationships.

He could see the way Priyanka reacted to him. It could be a mere crush or he could just be imagining things since Priyanka and him did not have much contact. 

"No." He laughs silently as he watches Priyanka's eyes widen. "The chocolate bar is fine." He takes it from her hands and shakes the bar in front of her. "I'll make sure to enjoy it."

He walks to his door and waits till Priyanka closes her door. She was something else.