❝The only kind of love I want is one where even if it is just for a short moment, it feels like I have lived a lifetime in that moment with that person. ❞ - Jhanvi Raichand.
**You CANNOT read this as standalone. Read Dare to Be before reading this...
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2.32 Game Changer
I was in the process of changing my outfit when I turn towards the door when it is opened to find Arshiya at the doorway heaving as if she had been running and was out of breath. "Sorry. Wro-wrong room." She says trying to catch her breath.
She turns to leave but ends up crashing into Ishaan who asks while stabling her balance, "Did you find him?"
"No. All these rooms look the same!" She replies.
I wonder why both of them look rushed. "Is everything okay?" I ask starting to button my shirt.
They look at me. Ishaan says, "Yeah, we're just..."
Arshiya interrupts him taking a step inside the room, "Actually, we were looking for Aarav bhai, but you'll do."
I question to myself the way she is staring at my chest even as I hurry in buttoning up the shirt. "Uh..." For the first time in a while, I have no idea how to react.
Ishaan elbows her whispering to her, "Oye, behave. He's 10 years older than you."
Well, actually a bit more than 10 years but I don't point it out.
"What?" She turns to look at him before his words settle and her eyes widen. "What! No. Shut up. I'm not..." She begins to explain but then deems it isn't worthy of a justification. Turning towards me again, she speaks, "Ignore him. There's someone here asking for you."
"For me?" I grow concerned at once. No one here should be asking for me. No one should know I am here. That is not part of the plan.
Before I let feelings of panic settle, she corrects, "Well, Jhanvi di, but I'd rather you meet him."
Taking note of the gender, I wonder if it is her father. Then I think and decide it can't be. The man wouldn't have the guts to walk up to the palace freely. He cares for his selfish rotten life a bit too much to gamble with it in this manner.
"Who is it?"
Growing impatient of my questions, she walks up to grab my wrist and pulls me along, "Just come."
Ishaan scolds, "Siya, when will you learn to stop bossing people around? He's older than you!"
"Don't you start now, okay?" She says to him all the while tugging me out of the room and down the hallway towards the back stairs. "There will be time for lectures later."
I clear my throat before the two begin going back and forth, "I can walk."
Taking the hint, Arshiya leaves my wrist, allowing me to follow on my own rather than being dragged.
