Author's POV

One month has passed. Every day, Krishav meets Jeeva at the library so that they can spend time together at the end of the day.

In order to prevent interruptions to Jeeva's studies, he waits outside the library until she is done.

Their friendship had grown to be very close.

Jeeva also developed a strong bond with Aditi and Dev. On Sundays, the four of them go out together.

Jeeva is likewise succeeding greatly in her studies. She studies for the most of the day.

She also practices her guitar in her spare time, when she is not studying or hanging out with friends.

But there is someone who keeps an eye on her like an eagle on its prey.

Someone stares at her alone all the time. one who endures great suffering whenever Jeeva is near Krishav. who, in just one month, has grown so devoted to her that he would kill anyone for her.

Jeeva occasionally senses that someone is staring at her as well, but she chooses to disregard this sensation because nothing has appeared in front of her up to this point.

Right now it's 6:35 p.m.

She is currently studying in the library.

When her phone rings, she looks at the caller ID and realizes it was Aarav. Her expression breaks into a smile. She picks up the phone swiftly. And she says hello while holding the phone up to her ear.

From the other side, a voice says, "What Hello? Do you not miss us? Do we need to give you a call every time? Can't you call us yourself first?"

"Ar-"

"How come she would remember us? she has made new friends," says Shrey, interrupting me.

"Arey, aesa kuch nahi hai," she said.

(there's nothing like that.)

"Toh kaisa hai fir?" aarav said.

(So how is it then?)

"I don't have time to call anyone this week because I have tests," she said , collecting her books.

"Even when you don't have any tests, you don't call," Aarav said.

"Oye, tu toh bol hi mat. Khud apni girlfriend ke saath din bhar laga rehta hai or mujhe bol raha hai ki yaad nahi karti. Tera na number hi nahi dena chahiye tha mujhe neha ko,"Jeeva said.

(Don't speak. You continue to spend your day with your girlfriend. so you are claiming that I am forgetful. It was improper of me to offer her your phone number.)

"Arey tu toh gussa ho gayi, hehehe. I was just kidding yaar," He said.

"Aaya bada kidding karne wala," she said.

"Are you both done?" Shrey said.

"Yeah" said Aarav.

They talked for some time. Then Jeeva disconnected the call.

Jeeva had packed her bag while talking on the phone. And just as she was leaving, she ran into someone and collapsed.

Due to which her leg got twisted.

"Ahh," She winced in pain.

"Hey, are you okay?" a man said as he bent down to her level.

"I am sorry, I was preoccupied with the phone and failed to notice you approaching," he added.

She looked at the man.

"Ye-yeah, I am fine. And it's okay," she said as she tried to stand up.

But due to pain she fell back.

"Careful" that stranger said as he held her from her waist.

She removed his hand from her waist as she felt his touch uncomfortable.

She grabbed the table nearby and stood up holding it.

"I am really sorry. Due to my carelessness you got hurt," he said, coming closer to her.

"No, it's fine," Jeeva said as she stumbled back.

"Were you going somewhere? Let me take you," he said, taking Jeeva's hand in his hold.

But she freed her hand from his hold and said," no, it's okay, i can go by myself."

Then they heard someone's voice.

"Brownie-"

The moment she heard Krishav's voice, her heart felt lighter.

He approached her, grasped her hand, and inquired, "Are you okay?"

His eyes showed concern for Jeeva.

She nodded her head.

He gave the man a quick glance before taking Jeeva's hand in his.

That man was also giving Krishav an odd look, as if he didn't appreciate having Krishav around.

" I was just coming out," Jeeva said, breaking the staring competition between them.

"Okay, let's go," Krishav said as he held Jeeva's hand securely and started going outside.

Jeeva felt pain shoot through her leg as soon as she took a stride.

"What happened? Did you get hurt somewhere?" he asked.

He made her sit on nearby chair and knelt down, placing her foot on his other knee.

"Your foot has swelled," he asked, checking her foot.

"Yes, It appears that my foot is twisted. Actually, I ran into him as I was leaving," she said pointing towards the man standing there fuming in anger.

The man was repeatedly balling and unballing his fist.

Krish glanced at that man. He didn't get the positive vibes from him. So, he decided to take Jeeva out from there.

Putting one hand on Jeeva's waist and the other below her knees, Krish hoisted her up in his arms.

Jeeva's eyes had become wide with shock.

Without even glancing at the man he took her out of the library.

"For now I have let you hold her but soon she will be wrapped up in my arms," With closed eyes and a motion with his palm behind his neck, the man spoke aggressively.

Jeeva's POV

My heart is thumping relentlessly.

How can he hold me in his arms with such ease? Does my weight not seem like a lot to him?

He brought me outside and made me sit on the bike.

I continued to stare at him fixedly.

"You're not feeling much pain, are you?" he asked, placing his palm on my cheek.

"No", I whispered.

As he put the helmet on me, he remarked, "Let's take you to the hospital."

"Arey, but I said na I'm fine," I said.

"You're fine but I'm not," he said as he sat on the bike.

"Kyu, tumhe kya hua?" I asked him, feeling confused.

(Why? What happened to you?)

"Kuch nahi" he said as he started the bike.

(nothing.)

He halted the bike as soon as we arrived at the hospital.

He took me back into his arms.

I whispered quietly, "Rish, you don't have to carry me in your arms."

"Why don't I have to carry you? You can't even walk. Aur Mera bas chale toh main tumhe apni bahon me hi rakhu." he muttered the last line in a very low voice but luckily I heard it.

(And if I can, I will keep you in my arms)

The flush that came across my cheeks after hearing this.

And it felt like my heart was going to burst.

Oh god...

Maine sahi suna hai na?

(I heard right?)

He took me inside and made me sit on a stretcher.

The doctor came and we told him what happened.

The doctor caught hold of my leg and twisted it hard.

"Ahhhhhh...." I screamed.

"Hey-hey, it's okay. Kuch nahi hua hai," he said softly and buried my face in his stomach.

(nothing has happened.)

Caressing the back of head slightly, muttering sweet words in my ears like a baby.

And suddenly "ahhhh.... "I screamed again as the doctor twisted my foot AGAIN.

"It's fine now," the doctor said as I looked at him.

"Huh?"

"Your foot. It's fine now," he said while writing something on a notepad.

"My foot," I said as I moved my foot.

There wasn't any pain anymore. I mean it was a little painful, but not a lot of it.

It was bearable.

" I prescribed you the medication which you are supposed to take in the morning and the evening after eating. I have also written a cream, you will be free of your minor ache in a day or two if you apply it," the doctor said, handing the paper to Rish.

"Okay" I said.

Rish was again trying to carry me but i stopped him saying " Now, i can walk by myself".

But still he held my hand and supported me to walk outside.

Krishav's POV

I took her outside. When we got close to the bike, I noticed a juice bar. "Would you like to drink juice?" I inquired.

"No-"

I scooped her back up in my arms and led her toward the juice shop before she could say anything else.

Oh! How much I adore having her near me. I love her presence.

Unfortunately, though, I can't always have her close to me.

So why not seize the chance when it presents itself?

Her feet won't hurt all the time now, right?.

Furthermore, I want her to be pain-free.

She shouldn't have to endure any suffering.

I am there for her all the time.

I made her sit on the chair. and questioned, "Which flavor of juice do you want to drink?"

"Umm-" She pouted and paused.

My eyes shifted from her eyes to her lips.

Her plumpy-juicy lips..

Focus Krish. I shrugged these thoughts when she said, "Pineapple."

"Okay"

After placing our juice order, I took a seat next to her.

She looked everywhere but at me. She's blushing, I know that.

I know every touch of mine affects her.

To be really honest, I want her to acknowledge her feelings for me.

Yes, I am aware of her feelings for me. I know that she feels the same for me as I feel for her.

Although I am fully aware of her emotions, she is not.

Because at the end of the day, when she tells me everything about her day, the sparkle in her eyes when she speaks to me is effortless.

When she lets out a deep sigh of relief when she sees me when she exits the library. I'm sure she feels secure and at ease in my presence.

She feels safe with me, and that's what I really want.

"Sir your juice," the shop owner said, handing us our glasses of juice.

I took a sip of my juice and looked at her.

She was holding the glass like a child.

Cutie.

My face instantly lit up with a smile.

I was staring at her.

Feeling my gaze on her, she looked at me, raising an eyebrow.

I shook my head negatively and started drinking my juice.

After I finished the juice and put the glass down, I turned to face her and burst out laughing.

Her face was covered in a smear of juice. It was like a mustache.

Her surprised gaze was directed at me.

I used my thumb to wipe her lips before giving it a lick.

Her shocked eyes had widened.

It had turned her cheeks the color of a tomato.

I forced myself not to chuckle and paid the shop owner.

I walked to her and embraced her once more.

She was still stunned.

I reached for my bike and made her sit on it.

At that moment, she fluttered her eyelashes and asked, "What did you just do?"

"What?" I asked innocently, placing my hands on each side, caging her between me and bike.

"You-you.. Just l-lick..."

"Hmm.. what did i just licked?" I asked moving my face closer to her.

She placed her hands on my chest and pushed me while fluttering her eyelashes.

Oh! How much I love her blush.

God. This girl will be the death of me. For sure.

I love her.

"Come on, we are getting late." she said, moving her gaze from me.

"Okay, madam," I said as I sat on the bike before starting it.

.

.

When we reached her hostel, she got down from the bike.

And faced me with a small shy smile on her lips and tint of red on her cheeks.

Haaye meri Brownie..

"Thank you, Rish"

"How many times have I told you not to say thank you? Tum bas-" I paused as I realized what I was going to say.

"Main bas?"

Ek kiss kar diya karo.

(Give me a kiss.)

"Ek smile kar diya karo," I said as her smile grew wider.

(Give me a smile.)

"Okay, then good night," she said.

"Good night" I said as I waited for her to go.

"Baby" I said at last when she disappeared from my sight.