Love or Life: Will Death Apart Us!?

2.

𝘼𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧'𝙨 𝙥𝙤𝙫

In the evening, Advika woke from her nap and took a hot shower to calm her mind and try to be a polite person, which wasn't her natural inclination but she was making an effort.
Keyword: trying.

After her shower, she dressed in a simple kurti and leggings, applied a small diamond bindi, and went downstairs.

She was heading to the temple as she did every day. Upon arriving, she bumped into someone who was about to fall but quickly caught the woman's hands and steadied her.

"I am sorry, it's just that I... I'm so sorry," the woman said while adjusting her saree.

"No worries, aunty. Actually, it was my fault. I am so sorry. You are older, and older people don't need to apologize, okay?" Advika said, smiling and showing her dimples.

"Beautiful," the woman expressed.

"Thank you, aunty. Apko lagi to nahi na kahi?" she asked while checking the woman's legs for any injuries.

("You're not hurt anywhere, are you?")

"I am Vaishnavi, Vaishnavi Singh Rathore. What's your name?" the woman asked, ignoring the previous question.

"Advika."

"Advika? What's your full name?" she asked, curious.

"Advika, Advika Rajvanshi," Advika replied, trying to remain calm.

"Rajvanshi? I think I know them. Are you the daughter of Rudransh Rajvanshi?" she asked, surprised.

"Um, yes. But aunty, I am getting late for my prayers. Bye, take care," Advika said hurriedly, walking away before her anger could build up at the mention of her family.

Meanwhile, Vaishnavi Rathore was mesmerized by Advika's beauty and caring nature. She decided to look into this matter deeply. She was waiting for her car.

Inside the temple, Advika finished her prayers and came outside with a lot of prasad(a type of food which is taken after devoting to God), food, and small gifts. Children came running and took all the items from her hands.

One child asked, "Didi Aap roz yaha aate hai prayer karte hai hame chize dete koi idhar aata hai to hame dekhta bhi nahi phir aap kyu?? aur wo bhi akele kya aap kisiko dhundhne aate ho?"

("Didi, you come here every day to pray and give us things. No one else even looks at us. Why do you come alone? Are you looking for someone?")

Advika stiffened at the question but composed herself, flooded with past memories.

𝘍𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬

Fifteen years back, a child was running with prasad in his hands.

"Maan, Maan, wait! Maan, you will fall, and where are you taking my prasad? Maan, wait!" a girl was running behind her best friend, who loved to irritate her.

"Wait, Adu. You've already tasted it, right? Now I want to give this to those children who don't even get to taste it. Come, they will be so happy, and looking at them will bring me peace," the boy said, taking her with him.

The girl smiled and decided to come here until her last breath.

𝘍𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 ~

Advika composed herself and replied,"Ha dhundhne aati hu mein kisiko, Sukoon , Sukoon milta hai muje apki smile ko dekhke"
The child kissed her on the cheek and ran away.

( "yes I come looking for something it's peace. I find peace in seeing your smiles.")

Advika stood and met the eyes of Vaishnavi Rathore, who was watching her. She smiled, and Advika smiled back before leaving. She went straight to her room, took out a small piece of paper with a burned rose drawn on it, and cried angry tears, her eyes red with memories. The paper had been in a pendant given by her best friend, which she lost while saving him.