SanDhir - Along Came She

CHAPTER 14 : The Departed

"Not all love stories are conventional. Sometimes you lose something to realize the value of some other thing. But each one has its own lessons to teach!"

                                                              -Ann

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She stood rigid, her fists curled into balls and clutching his shirt. She didn't dare meet his eyes. She had experienced this proximity before as well, but it still never failed to unnerve her. Her face was flushed, ears burning hot and her legs felt like they would give away any second!

He had his right hand on her face, caressing slightly, drawing smooth patterns. His left hand was snaked around her waist, holding her in a tight embrace.

Sanyukta Agarwal and Randhir Shekhawat didn't need to speak to express what they felt. Their silence was the key to their soul.

He was the first one to step away, slowing letting go of her waist and taking a stride back. She raised her eyes and in a fleeting glance caught the expression on his face. His eyes held a certain hesitation...an anticipation...an unspoken plea.

"Randhir" her voice came out in a barely audible whisper. Her lips felt dry, her throat felt unused!

He took another step backwards. She suddenly felt alarmed. Guilt was one emotion she didn't want him to feel. Panicking, she caught his wrist and spoke, "Randhir...I..."

But she couldn't go on. What was she supposed to say? They had just shared their first kiss. What next? She was a novice when it came to matters of romance. And to make it worse, he had a girlfriend who had no idea of any of this.

"Your dad will get well Sanyukta. Don't worry", he said, not looking at her.

And with a jolt Sanyukta remembered her father and reason she and Randhir were talking in the first place. The kiss had momentarily made her forget everything.

"Yeah" she uttered, "You know...For a second I...I forgot where we were...It was just you...me and you..."

He looked at her as she spoke those words, his eyes going soft. He took a step towards her, cupped her face gently in his hands and planted a soft kiss on her temple. He then left wordlessly.

Sanyukta looked on as he walked away, her hand unmindfully touching the spot where he had kissed her. And she smiled, a genuine smile, for the first time since her parents had left.

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After a lot of thought, Ishita decided that the best place to hide the book for the time-being would be an abandoned store or something...a place rarely visited by anyone! So she decided to place it the abadoned store near the lab. She carefully sidetracked everyone and proceeded towards the room. She was about to enter it when a voice called out, "Arey Ishita...What are u doing here?"

Ishita stopped dead in her tracks and quickly stuffed the book in her bag. She turned around to come face-to-face with Dr Dinesh Shekhawat. She heaved a sigh of relief.

"Ohh, hey uncle. I was just wondering around...Looking for spare instruments if any..."

Dr DS smiled and replied, "Spare instruments are in the lab. This room is abandoned.."

"Yeah uncle , i hadn't realized it!" said Ishita sheepishly, trying to act innocent.

Dr DS however didn't stick around and left soon. As soon as he left, Ishita took out the book and entered the room. She hid it carefully beneath a shelf and left quietly. Unbeknownest to her, a pair of eyes followed her every move. And as soon as she left the store, Dr DS entered it, a frown on his face.