“Since that incident happened in the Lakehouse, an unknown fear always enshrouds me. Previously, when that cryptic person held me amidst the darkness during the party night, and after that, when he was continuously calling me and blabbering those filthy words, I was not scared that much because I was in a dilution that having Aditya around, nobody can harm me. But after that Lakehouse incident, my confidence has been shaken from that place. Initially, I was worried about Aditya’s reaction towards the man, but now I am more scared about his actions towards Aditya. I am sure that night he could have easily shot Aditya, but he didn’t. Maybe because he wanted to warn us. To warn us that we, especially me did a mistake by taking his words lightly. He can do what he said. He can harm Aditya because of me. And I am ramshackle from the inside. I was in deep thought while arranging our walking wardrobe when two strong arms wrap around my waist from behind. All my senses get alert, and without thinking rationally, I flip and shove the person by banging him on his chest. Shit! Our panic-stricken mind often makes us do something which we repent later for.”

Nandana’s strong push makes Aditya stagger back. The smile on his face gets replaced by a mystified expression. In a surprised tone, he reacts,

“What happened? It’s me!”

In the blink of an eye, Nandana comes out of her previous train of thought and stammers,

“I…I am…so…sorry. I…I…thought…it was…it was…”

She couldn’t complete her words and keeps on looking at Aditya’s face with a blanched face. Aditya’s face hardens in concentration, and he nears Nandana with a slow gait. She stares up and immediately bends her head to conceal her anxiety. Aditya waits for a brief moment and then lifts her face by putting his fingers under her chin. Nandana struggles to meet his curious eyes. Aditya asks in an unruffled voice,

“It was? There can be no one around you except me. Nandana, come out of that unwanted memory. It was not that bugger’s courage but my ignorance that he got the chance to mess with us. If I hadn’t been too reluctant, then he probably wouldn’t have dared to do that.”

“But he did that. He dared to attack us. Or should I say he attacked you because I don’t think he will kill me, Aditya. It is you who is on his target, and that is the most dreadful thing for me.”

Nandana chokes on her last line, and tears brim in her eyes. She bites her lower lip to control her outburst.

“You are scared of losing me?”

Aditya asks, placing his passionate eyes on hers. A teardrop trickles down her cheek, and she bobs. Aditya scoots forward and sucks the salt water from her cheek. Nandana closes both her eyes and more teardrops roll down her cheeks. Aditya laps those softly and kisses her closed eyelids. A sob escapes Nandana’s mouth. He murmurs against her skin.

“Your love will protect me from every evil eye, Angel. Sometimes I really wonder, why do you love me so much? Do I really deserve it?”

It was the last barrier for Nandana to crush on his chest. She warps him tightly and shatters in a loud cry,

“You deserve everything. You deserve every beat of my heart. Promise me that you will never leave me alone. You will never harm yourself for me.”

Nandana’s last line stiffens Aditya’s whole frame. His own words resonate in his ears.

“I can even destroy myself to keep her with me...”

He embraces her tenderly and kisses her hair.

“I will never leave you alone, Angel…never.”

He utters it intensely and then crosses his fingers before adding more,

“I won’t harm myself for you.”

Getting assurance, Nandana hides herself more into his hold. It feels like the most secure place in this world. But we often don’t know that danger is the next neighbour to security, and fear of the unknown is the greatest fear of all.

.................................

As Aliya steps into the room, her eyes fall on the cigarette kept unattended on the ashtray. However, the smoke spiralling out from it indicates that the person who was probably puffing on it is somewhere around. An annoyed scoff escapes her mouth, and she roams her eyes all over just to find the person. Eventually, her eyes land on the closed door of the bathroom. A faint sound of water falling from the shower is heard. She strides towards it and knocks at the door.

“Aarav, come out! It’s been 1 hour since you are inside. If you don’t want to talk to me, then say it. I won’t disturb you anymore.”

She sounds disappointed. Some minutes of silence pass, and finally, the door is opened.

“Aliya, you know I take time while bathing. Why do you always make a fuss over trivial issues?”

Aarav chips in while drying his wet hair with a towel. Aliya’s eyes scrutinise his whole body. She was about to retort when her glance gets fixed on his right hand. There is a bandage neatly tied to it. Her eyes squint in query. She immediately nears him and tries to touch the area.

“What did you do with your hand? It wasn’t there yesterday morning.”

She sounds worried. Aarav doesn’t let her touch his hand and waltzes past to reach the mirror.

“Nothing serious. You can say I cut it purposely.”

He mouths with a mischievous grin and opens the closet to take out his outfit. Aliya closes him and counters,

“Purposely? Don’t irritate me, Aarav. Let me check. I don’t know how much deep cut it is.”

This time Aliya doesn’t give him a chance to withstand and pulls him to sit on the bedside. She carefully opens the bandage and takes out the first aid box from the bedside drawer. Aarav keeps on observing her and mouths mischievously,

“It was the purpose. I wanted some intense care and love from your side. Nowadays you are ignoring me.”

Aliya stares up and meets his prankish eyes.

“Sometimes you really wander me. You are a mystery, indeed!”

She murmurs.

.....................................

Aditya lifts Mini in his lap, and she giggles out.

“Ayeeee….khrishhhhhh…”

In reply, Aditya nuzzles his nose to her and says,

“You know, I have to learn an alien language to communicate with you. What is this Ayeeee, khrishhhh? Say clearly that you love me and want to play with me.”

Mini rolls her eyes and again pouts her lips to make an inapprehensible sound,

“Aaa….brooommmm.”

“Hmmmm…understood. You want to take your seat.”

Saying this, Aditya makes her sit on his shoulder. Mini immediately clasps his hair, and Aditya makes faces. Suddenly, a giggle is heard from the door. He turns to that side and locates Nandana. She is trying to control her laughter by covering her mouth. Aditya glares at her and chips in,

“What is funny about it? Never saw us like this before?”

In reply, Nandana temporarily controls her cackle and answers,

“Yes, many times and every time it reminds me of something.”

“What?”

He asks quizzically.

“In my childhood, I used to watch the monkey and its master’s play on roadsides. He used to carry his monkey on his shoulders exactly like this. The only difference is he never donned suits during this. Here Mini got a sophisticated Madari…(A street performer or juggler)….he…he…”

She bursts out in laughter while Mini mirrors her action and giggles,

“He…he….he….grooooolllll…”

Aditya rolls his eyes and whines while chasing Nandana, still holding Mini on his shoulder,

“Is it? Then let’s play with my other monkey.”

He keeps on chasing Nandana, and she keeps on dodging. Some time later, Rishi also joins the play. On the other hand, Mini’s giggle fills the room with happiness. Who can say that a storm is on its way to enter their happy phase? Danger doesn’t lurk at every corner. It just hangs out and waits for our happy moments…just to claw them.