We Never Knew [ON HOLD]

Chapter : 9

Chapter: Nine    

The Janatha Cycle Store was the perfect little cycle store one could think of. With the friendly staff, the brightly lit up store and clear weather, it was supposed to be a fun expedition for Kirti but alas, she felt like she had drowned into an ocean of worries and terror. Her eyes kept darting from one place to the other, scanning the surroundings for any suspicious occurrences. Her fingers kept twitching involuntarily in case she had to jump into action while she kept on wiping the sweat off her forehead.

If it were in her hands, she'd have stayed locked up in the girl's room the entire day after that unexpected encounter with that guy at the Kaappi Café but the way Abhi had shown his excitement towards the prospect of accompanying Kirti to the stores to go for Cycle hunting, she just couldn't refuse. Kirti promised to herself that she'd just go and buy a cycle in the very first store. She was in no mood to risk her and Abhi's lives.

Kirti wondered if she should talk to Sekhar about it. Would it be right to inform him about the guy? She was sure that Sekhar would send off Kirti to some other state and start hunting for that guy and apparently, her heart seemed to have finally found a home. Her heart had finally found friends and she didn't want to leave them just yet. Yes, she agreed that she was being selfish but she couldn't help it. Besides, the guy didn't seem to have recognised Kirti anyway and that was the only factor which brought some ease to her.

Kirti was pulled back on Earth, out of her contrasting thoughts, by a hand which dragged her by her arm. Abhi pulled Kirti aside into a desolate alley of the store, cycles standing on either side over the racks, creating a barrier and covering them out from the store staff and customers. Abhi let go of her arm and sighed, looking at her with his hazel brown eyes and a frown evident on his face. Kirti pulled on a neutral expression, looking away from Abhi and focusing her eyes over the cycles behind him.

"What's wrong, Kirti?" Abhimanyu asked, looking down at her.

Everything; Kirti wanted to answer.

"Nothing's wrong," Kirti answered instead, shrugging her shoulder, trying to act usual.

Abhi sighed. "Fine, its okay if you don't wanna tell me,"

Kirti felt a stab over her chest when he looked at her with his concerned eyes. She looked away, determined to not open her mouth. She could not let mere emotions weaken her resolve. She had risked Shruti's life already by sharing so much; she couldn't take any more chances.

"Come on," Abhimanyu broke the silence, "You'll get some cool rides over that row,"

"Abhi," Kirti mumbled as she lightly held his forearm, stopping him from walking off. He turned to look at her and hummed in response. His brows furrowed when her realized how grim and wretched she looked.

"I'm sorry but... I don't think the circumstances permit me to confide in you..." Kirti mumbled, gulping down the lump forming in her throat.

"Hey," Abhi spoke in a soft, comforting tone, "I understand. You don't have to answer every question. Besides, we barely know one another and it's only natural that you're hesitant,"

Kirti kept looking at Abhi who was looking down at her with a smile. Smiling back, she felt better than before. The guilt of lying to him had suddenly vanished after Abhi's soothing words. She was internally thankful to him for that.

***

"You're doing just fine!" Abhi encouraged as Kirti pedalled nervously.

She did know how to ride a cycle but it had been years since she rode one and she was unsure how it'd turn out. Luckily, she managed fine as they navigated through the evening streets. Kirti took a contented breath when the winds blew over her face, ruffling her hair lightly as she pedalled on. Her ears accustomed to the rhythmic sound of the chain running speedily while she steered through the crowds and vehicles.