I Found You

57.

Adhira sat cross legged on the sofa, her hand moving mechanically, scribbling down the items as Saanvika dictated the grocery list, peeling the peas simultaneously.

She tried to focus on the task at hand but her thoughts kept drifting back to the last night, again and again.

She hadn't even realised her diary was missing until she found it in his closet. When had he taken it? And why?

The pages she had read replayed in her mind, leaving her unsettled. How had she not noticed? How she'd been so blind to what had been right in front of her?

"Adhira!"

The sharpness of her name pulled her out of the fog. She blinked, startled and looked up to find Saanvika looking at her, frowning.

"Where are you lost, beta?" She asked, her eyes dropping down to the sheet of paper on Adhira's lap.

"You've written rice two times and missed the lentils, I just told you a minute ago."

Adhira's cheeks flushed. "I'm sorry, Choti Maa." She mumbled quickly, crossing out the mistakes and adding the missing items.

"Are you stressed about something?" She asked further, finding Adhira unusually off.

"Nahi," Adhira shook her head, failing at forcing a smile.

Saanvika placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, gently squeezing it. "Don't worry, Bhaisaab will be okay. And if you want you can visit him again anytime."

A genuine smile tugged at Adhira's lips this time. She nodded, handing over the list to her. "Thank you, Choti Maa."

"No need for thanks," Saanvika patted her cheek. "You're just like Mukti to me, so don't ever hesitate to share anything or ask for anything, hmm?"

Adhira nodded gratefully, wrapping her arms around her for a quick hug before she stood up to head to the kitchen, her steps being closely followed by Sky.

"Oh my baby, I'm not going anywhere." She paused, cooing softly as Sky trailed behind her with every step and turn she took.

How could an animal could grow to you so deeply, could feel for you in ways that sometimes felt more genuine than humans.

And as she watched him looking at her with big, shiny eyes, she couldn't help but thank Vikram for this precious little soul.

Ten minutes later, she knocked on Veer's door and waited patiently, her hand resting on the handle until she heard his reply.

Entering the room, she set the glass of cold coffee on the desk, that made Veer's gaze shift to her from the laptop screen.

"Bhabhi," he instinctively moved his chair back, freeing the spot and caught her arm, guiding her down to sit.

"What?" Adhira looked at him confused, leaning back as he opened something on  his laptop.

"I just received the mail from the university. I've cleared my entrance." He told, tilting the screen in her direction.

Her heart swelled with pride and her face broke into a wide smile. "I knew you'd do it." She jumped off the seat to wrap him in
a side hug.

"Your hard work paid off." She reached out, caressing his head affectionately.

Her words full of warmth filled him with a sense of contentment. For a minute, he did not say anything, letting her express before a smile grace his face. "Thanks, Bhabhi."