❥ 1st chapter goes in. Do not forget to do the necessary (vote, comment and follow) enjoy xoxo ❥

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"Dil udaas zubaan khaamosh aur yeh aankh namm kyun hai, tujhe toh kabhi paya hi na, phir aaj khone ka gamm kyun hai"

Chapter 01: Calm Before The Storm

- A U T H O R -

The clock hung on the front wall ticked audibly as the room was scarce of noise.

The lady in her 20s criss-crossed her arms as she roamed column-wise between the benches, glancing down at every other student as she passed by.

She narrowed her eyes as she passed by a cute-fluffy boy of the age 5, sitting on the front row holding his hands on his forehead and grimacing looking at the question paper.

As she prolonged her ogling on him, he looked over at her passing her his cutest smile ever before looking over at his right.

The pretty girl on the top-right corner of the classroom busily calculated the sums on her fingers before going back to penning them down that she heard some whispers from her left.

"Sohu" she heard her name being called and she slowly peered to her left through her bangs and two cute little side braids.

She lifted her brows in question and Golu lifted his question paper and pointed a question from it. He pleaded as she shook her head in a no.

"Cheating karna buri baat hoti hai, Golu" she whispered faintly making sure the teacher is far away.

"Sohu, please.. please" he pleaded making a wobbly face and she sighed knowing she would be telling him the answers.

<<<>>>

"Yay! Aaj toh mein aaram se paas ho jaunga" Golu cheered as the bell rang and they hopped down the stairs.

"Par tune cheating ki hai" Sohu accused as she followed him behind.

"Haha! cheating nahi karunga toh pass kaise karunga, babydoll. Tu bass aise hi padhai karke aana, mujhe karni ki koi zarurat nahi hai" he grinned cheekily making Sohu narrow her eyes at him.

"Mein next time se tujhe answers nahi bataungi!" she said hautily, pouting her heart shaped lips.

"Par mein phir bhi puchunga!" he said running out of the main gate and she widened her eyes chasing him.

"Golu ruk. Bhag mat" she shouted from behind him and stopping as he looked around.

"Mumma kahin nazar nahi aa rahi" he said running his eyes around. Sohu followed his gaze till it stuck on one and her eyes bloomed in happiness.

"Mimi!" she yelled, jumping on her lil' feets as they both ran towards the one.

"I had already said before Mr. Chatterjee, I. DONOT. LIKE. EXCUSES. I want the presentation ready by today evening. ANYHOW."

"But Ma'am.."

"No Ifs and Buts, I had given enough time to you, I'm not gonna anymore. If you are incapable of doing it, then you may kindly leave your resignation letter on my desk." She cuts the call, not leaving any room for discussion.

She takes out a packet from her jeans pocket that heard her name being yelled.

She turned around to it that was in an instant engulfed by two small pair of arms. The scowl on her face got immediately replaced with a smile. She bent down on her knees wrapping her arms around the tiny figure, her life.

The Calm to Her Storm.

"Pretty Preetaaaa" Golu screamed as he ran to her and jumped on her. She smiled taking him in and hugging them both back.

"Exam kaisa gaya mere sheron?" she pulled back, looking over at them excitedly.

"Bahut Acha hua Mimi, aapko pata hai mujhe saaare ke saaare questions ke answers aaye" Sohu proudly chirped making Preeta raise her brows in grand.

"Aree wah! Meri Sia toh bahut intelligent hai"

"Woh toh hai" Sia said making her chortle.

"Aur mere Golu ka exam kaisa hua?" she asked looking over at Golu who had a wide grin on his face. He was about to answer that was cut off by Sia.

"Isne toh saari answers mujhse cheating karke likhe"

"Golu!" Preeta reprehended. 

"Nahi Pretty-Preeta, Sohu jhooth bol rahi hai."

"Hawwwww! mein jhoot bol rahi hun?" she said putting her hands on her hips.

"tum jhooth bol rahe ho" she fought back.

Preeta shook her head as they two argued like their typical selves and picked them both up carrying them to the car.

"Ab mein kya karun, mujhe Maths samajh hi nahi aati" He complained as they got in the car.

"Samajh toh tab aayegi na jab tu practice karega.. tu toh padhta hi nahi" Sia said keeping her bag on the front seat.

"Haan toh mujhe padhna bilkul pasand nahi, mujhe toh bade hokar Actor banna hai"

"Tujhe uske alawa aur kuch aata bhi nahi" she giggled hopping on the back seat with him and he turned to her haughtily further extending their bickering.

Preeta again shook her head at their never ending fight and turned the car to their apartment.

"Nahi aaj hum fried rice khaayenge"

"Nahi tandoori chicken"

"Nahi fried rice"

"Nahi tandoori chicken"

"Meine kaha na fried rice"

"Meine kaha na tandoori chicken"

"Mimi! dekho na golu ko!!!!" Sia whined pulling Preeta's arms who was unlocking the door. "Humne toh decide kiya tha na ki aaj jiska exam acha jayega uske hisaab se lunch hoga"

"Haan mera baccha" Preeta replied putting a kiss on her forehead and opening the door.

"Par dekho na Golu kaise zidd kar raha hai"

"Haan toh mera exam bhi toh acha hua hai!" Golu exclaimed coming behind them.

"20 se 12 marks laana acha nahi hota hai"

"Mere liye toh hai"

"Tere liy-"

"Ohoo! kyun jhagda kar rahe ho tum dono!!! aaj hum dono ke exam ache hone ke liye khaayenge, okay?"

"Par woh kaise?"

Preeta was about to reply that the house bell rang. She went towards the door and unlocked it and turned towards them, "Janna hai kaise?" They both bobbed their little heads.

"Woh aiseeee" she opened the door revealing Sarla, Preeta's mother at the door.

"Naniiiiiiiiiiiiiii" the kids screamed running over to their grandmother.

"Awwle mere bacche! school se aa gaye? Exam kaisa huaa?"

"Yes Nani. Exam bahut acha hua" Sia said obediently.

"Nani yeh aapke haath mein kya hai?"

"Yeh?" she lifted up the parcel in her hand. "Yeh tum dono ka exam mein acha karne ka reward hai!"

They both widened their eyes. 

"Tandoori Chicken?" "Fried Rice?" they both said in unison.

"Dono!" Sarla whispered making them jump in their feets.

"yaya" they screamed in happiness.

"Mujhe koi Hi-why karega ki nahi?"

They turned towards the voice and their screams turned louder.

"Amy Aunty!!"

They ran towards her engulfing her in a monkey hug. She squeezed them both in her arms, giving them a sloppy kiss on their cheeks.

"We Missed You" they muttered with a upside down smile.

"I Missed You Too, my jaans" she muttered back with a pulled in smile.

She got up from her bent knees and looked over at Preeta who had a happy surprise on her face.

"Amy" Preeta whispered as Amaira, Preeta's Bestest Friend pulled her in a hug.

"Kab aayi?"

"Just abhi" she said pulling back from the hug.

She then bent in and touched Sarla's feet that Sarla held her midway and hugged her instead.

"Kaisi hai meri Amaira"

"Bilkul thik hun, Aunty. Aap kaisi hai?"

"Kaisi lag rahi hun?"

"Ek dam hot" she said teasingly earning a beat from Sarla.

"Achanak se aane ka plan kaise bana?" Preeta worriedly spoke "Ghar pe sab theek toh ha–"

"Haan, Haan meri maa. Sab theek hai. Woh actually mujhe inn" she pulled Sia and Golu's (Gaurav) cheek "do munchkins ki bahut yaad aa rahi thi toh chali aayi"

"Aaa" Golu whined rubbing his cheek.

"Dramaqueen" Sia muttered looking at him.

Preeta crinkled her brows looking at Amaira who nodded, understanding her asking if that's-the-matter-?

"Aur waise bhi mein mahine mein itne baar Mumbai se Delhi travel kar chuki hun na ki Rohan bolta hai ki mein yahi reh jaun behtar hoga" She laughed.

"Haan toh yeh tumhara hi ghar hai, kabhi bhi aake reh jao" Sarla smiled making Amaira smile back.

"Aur Rohan se yaad aya, shaadi ki khush khabri kab de rahi ho?"

"Woh toh tabhi dungi Aunty, jab Preeta bhi Shaadi ke liye raazi ho jaye.. Dono behene ek saath mandap chadenge"

"Preeta kahan shaadi karegi abhi, itne saare ladko ka rishta aaya tha but sabhi ko reject kar diya. Usse kahan koi ladka pasand aata hai" Sarla said making Preeta smile and shake her head in disbelief.

Mothers.

"Aree pasand ayaa tha na ladka Aunty! Usse Ka-" she stopped midway realising what she was gonna say.

She slowly looked over at Preeta whose body had freezed and face had paled at the mention of it.

She bit her tongue realising she said too much in the flow.

"Kya?! Preeta ko koi ladka pasand aaya tha? kon hai woh bol na.."

"Woh hai na aunty" Amaira nervously fumbled. "Famous celebrity, Kartik Aaryan, woh pasand aaya tha"

Sarla narrowed her eyes and gave a playful slap on Amaira's shoulder.
"Hamesha mazak"

Amaira slowly peeered at Preeta who was completely frozen and hadn't moved a bit from her place.

She went around her and put her hands on her shoulder from behind. Preeta came out of her trance at her touch and looked at her right. Amaira gave her an assuring smile, lightly squeezing her shoulder.

"Sohu tu mujhe thoda sa Fried Rice degi na?" Golu innocently asked in between turning everyone's attention towards them.

"Obviously Golu. Sharing is Caring." She said making him smile.

"Aur tum mujhe thoda sa Tandoori Chicken doge na?"

Golu shook his head in a no making her drop her smile.

"Aree dunga dunga! yeh bhi koi puchne ki baat hai" he said pulling her through shoulders making her cutely smile.

"Ab chalo hum yeh packet Ritu Aunty (maid) ko de dete hai aur dining table pe plates laga dete hai" Sia said taking the packets from Sarla.

"Haan haan chalo" with that they both ran into the kitchen.

"Chalo ji bachhe khush toh hum bhi khush" Sarla said turning towards Amaira and Preeta "Chalo tum dono bhi jao fresh ho jayo. Mein Ramesh se bolke luggage andhar rakhwa deti hun. Jao"

They both nod retrieving to their rooms.

Later at evening, the house was filled with cheers and laughter as the kids sat on Amaira's shoulder and made her crawl in the whole house like a camel.

Apparently she had to-her-misfortune mentioned her experience of riding a camel, after which the kids ate her ears out by wanting to do a camel ride right at that moment.

Even her best friend deceived her this time saying 'you called for the trouble, I'm out of it'

Goshdarn! Her back hurted like a bitch as the kids who were no less of a nuisance jumped on her back as if jumping on a mother-freaking trampoline.

If this is how kids are like, she better not be having one in future.

"Golu, Amy Aunty thak gayi hain, tu niche utar!"

"Nahi mujhe aur bhi ghoomna hai"

"Nahi meine mana kiya na!" Sia adamantly pulled Golu down making Amaira collapse down on the floor.

"Love you Sia" Amaira kissed her cheeks falling back like a dead log.

They freaked the freak out of her. Then only they heard Preeta's voice approaching them.

"Aahana, tum tension kyun le rahi ho, Golu ek dam thik hai, tum aunty ka khyaal rakho" she spoke in the phone looking over at Golu who was busy arguing with Sia.

"Haan Haan, yahin baitha hai Sia ke saath khel raha hai. Ruko mein phone deti hun usse"

"Golu" Preeta called out grabbing Golu's attention. She pointed towards the phone and mouthed 'Mumma' to him.

"Mumma!?" he screeched excitedly running towards her.

He took the phone from her and there boomed his loud voice to his mother, "Mumma!!!" he shrieked making her mother go in smiles.

Sia looked over at him and smiled. She grabbed the piece of chocolate they were fighting for her and put it in his plate. He must be missing his Mumma.

"Yes Mumma. Ok Mumma. Bye Mumma" he smiled cutting the call and handing it over to Preeta. Preeta bent on her knees smiling and pulled his cheeks, "Happy?"

"Very" he gave her a cheeky smile urging her to pull him to her chest as she did giving a kiss on his curly hair.

He kissed her back on her cheek and ran back to fighting with Sia.

Preeta looked over at Amaira who was smiling look at her. She raised her brows to which she just shook her head.

"Dinner ready hai aa jao sab!" Sarla's voice boomed in the living room and they all departed to the dining room for dinner.

<<<>>>

knock knock

A knock subsided on Preeta's door as she turned around to find Amaira standing there grinning.

She narrowed her eyes teasingly and motioned her inside. Amaira leaned off the door and made her way into her room.

"Hmm, the plan is nice but we need to improvise it in some areas like in the features part - why do we have an extra sensor? Mention the reasons. Take Shruti's help and send me the improvised version of it"

She spoke on the phone as she instructed her employees. Amaira went around her and sat behind on the bed peering at the scattered papers, her brows frequently raising.

"Yes. Good night." Preeta cut the call turning towards Amaira.

"I'm so sorry. Woh actually hum naya model launch kar rahe hai na, isiliye sab cheez ek hustle bustle mein hain"

"Tu kitna kaam karti hai yaar"

"Thoda sa toh rest karle"

Preeta chuckled "Agar mein rest karne gayi na toh saare employees so hi jayenge"

Amaira chuckled shaking her head at it.

"Acha Sia–"

"–so gayi" Amaira cut her off.

"Aur Gol–"

"–woh bhi so gaya. Dono so gaye Aunty ke paas"

Preeta smiled at her "Aur Amaira woh kya kar rahi hai?"

"woh? woh bhi so rahi hai. Mein uski aatma baat kar rahi hun" Both giggled.

"Tujhe yaad hai jab hum 7th class mein the and mein tere Ghar sleepover ke liye aayi thi." Amaira nodded

"Tab raat ke shayad 2 baj rahe the and tu susu karne ke liye uthi thi ki mein achanak se tere saamne aa gayi and tujhe kaha ki mein bhoot hun aur tu 'aaaaa' karke cheekhi" she mimicked laughing.

"Shut up!" she hit her with pillow laughing along.

"By God mujhe itna maza aaya tha na us raat" Preeta laughed hysterically rolling on the chair.

Amaira tilted her head as she continued laughing. She realised her gaze and slowed down raising her brows.

"Kya?"

Amaira shook her head "Kuch nahi bass.."

"Aisa laga ki purani waali Preeta wapas aa gayi"

Preeta's smile faltered at it and she looked away staring at the papers infront her.

A silence spread between them as they both sat still. None saying a word.

"Tu thik toh hai na?"

Amaira asks breaking the silence making Preeta to look at her.

"Haan" she shrugged chuckling.

"Mujhe kya hoga"

"You know.." Amaira trailed off finding the right words to speak.

"Meine dekha dophar ko tu kaise-"

Preeta's grip tightened on the chair and she got up from it cutting her off "Uncle kaise hain?"

Amaira paused at the suddenness of the question "Thik hain."

"Par mein kya keh rahi thi-"

"Aur unhone Rohan ko approve kiya ki nahi"

Amaira paused again slowly chuckling at it. "Dad ke hisaab se iss duniya ka koi bhi ladka mere liye good enough hai hi nahi"

Preeta smiled at it "Tujhse bahut pyaar karte hain"

"Tujhse bhi" She replied looking at her who was looking away.

"Preeta-"

"Aur Aunty kaisi hain?"

Amaira sighed. "Mom bhi thik hai, as usual apne pool parties mein busy hai. Tu mujhe yeh bat-"

"Ab toh unka Umar hi hai enjoy karne ka she should. Actually you know what mujhe bhi Maa ko aise parties mein jaane ke liye insist karna chahiye. You know she loves to travel. Bahut acha lagta hai unhe, bahut khush-"

"Preeta stop" Amaira pulled her by her arms turning her over.

"Don't try to change the topic. Let me speak"

"Haan toh meine thodi na roka hai.. bol" She shrugged gathering the scattered papers.

"Look at me"

"Look at me, Preeta" she held her arms.

"What"

"Tuu kaisi hai?"

"Meine kaha na mein thik hun, baar baar ek hi sawaal kyun puch rahi hai" She exasperated avoiding an eye contact.

Amaira gives her a look staying silent as she continues gathering the paper - hastily now.

She could feel Amaira's eyes on her - boring holes.

She sighs slamming the papers on the table and slightly turning around.

"Amaira" she whispers vulnerably, gripping the chair and keeping her eyes down.

Amaira comes closer and squeezes her hands in hers.

"3 saal ho chuke hai uss baat ko Preeta. 3 saal ho chuke hai usse gaye huye"

"Tu kab tak aise-"

"Amaira I don't want to talk about this–"

"–kab tak? Kab tak aisa karti rahegi Preeta? Kab tak apne aap ko saza deti rahegi uss baat ke liye–"

"–mein koi apne aap ko saza-waza nahi de rahi. Bakwas baatein karna band kar."

"Bakwaas baatein. Bakwaas baatein kar rahi hun mein? Tune apna haalat dekha hai?

"Khokli ho chuki hai tu. Hasti hai par tere hassi mein bhi tera dard saaf zaahir hota hai. Tu Aunty, Sia, iss duniya ko bewakoof bana sakti hai Preeta par mujhe nahi."

"Behen hun mein teri–"

"Woh bhi meri behen hi thi, Amaira" she stated fully turning around.

"Aur woh bhi tera kuch lagta hi tha. Ek baar usse baat toh karl-"

"Mujhe iss baare mein koi baat karni hi nahi hai. Sia ke itne responsibilities hai mere upar. Mein uske alawa kisi aur ke baare mein sochna nahi chah–"

"Sia ke responsibilities toh hamesha tere upar rahenge Preeta. Tu iske liye apne baare mein sochna nahi chod sakti"

"Sochti toh hun aur kitna sochungi" she frustratingly looked at her.

"Acha?" she sarcastically looked at her "Aur kya sochti hai zara bataana"

"Bahut kuch" she fumbled.

"Aur Jaise ki?"

"Jaise ki.. last month mein uss ladke ke saath date pe gayi thi aur uske pehle month aur 2 ladkon ke saath. Un sab ke saath date pe apne liye gayi thi kisi aur ke liye nahi–"

"Woh isiliye kyunki meine tujhe force kiya tha jaane ke liye"

"Haan par gayi toh thi na aur hua kya?"

"Sab ke sab ne aien mauke par mana kar diya. Kisi ne kaha ki uska haath tut gaya hai, kisi ne kaha ki uska paer tut gaya hai aur teesre ne kaha ki uska sarr hi phut gaya hai"

"Tu mujhe yeh bata" she said striding closer "Saare ke saare ladkon ka ek saath haath, paer, sarr kaise tut sakta hai? huh? Isse toh saaf zahir hota hai ki sab ke sab mujhe avoid kar rahe hain, mujhse milna hi nahi chahte!!"

"Unhe bhi dikh gaya hoga ku mujhmein kitna khott hai–

"Preeta–"

"Nooo!!!!–" she stepped back from her touch.

"Khott hai mujhmein Amaira, khott hai mujhmein isiliye toh woh saare ladke mujhe pehle meeting ke baad hi chod ke chale gaye. Mein kabhi kisi ko deserve karti hi nahi thi. Na aaj inn 3 ladkon ko aur na 3 saal pehle usse"

"No Preeta–"

"You are right mein khokli hun. Hamesha se thi hun aur rahungi. Because that's what I fucking deserve–"

"PREETA!!!–"

"NOOO!!!!!" She cried pushing herself away from her "Donot."

"Ek dam sahi bol rahi hun mein. Jab jab mere zindagi mein khushiyan aayi tabb tabb woh cheen gayi, ab ek aakhri khushi aayi hai, mein khud khush hokar usse cheenna nahi chahti"

Tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Please Amaira mujhe aur pareshan mat kar. Mein jis tarah jee rahi mujhe ussi tarah jeene de. Mere jeene ki aakhri wajah mujhse matt cheen. Please. Mein marr–"

Amaira immediately pulled her in her chest and she broke down crying vigorously.

"Nahi hota hai mujhse yeh sab aur Amy nahi hota hai"

Amaira rubbed her back hugging her tightly "Ghutt ghutt ke jee rahi hun mein!! ghutt ghutt kar jee rahi hun. Thak gayi hun mein iss zindagi se, iss ghutan se, aise ghut ghut kar jeekar thak gayi hun mein"

She pressed her head into Amaira's chest digging her fingers in her back.

"Bahut koshish ki meine usse dimaag se nikalne ki.. Trust me bahut koshish ki" she broke down further.

"Par uski har yaad, har baat, har cheez mujhe saye ke tarah ghere hue hain. Unhe nikalne ki koshish karti hun but I can't." she sniffled pressing her head more into her chest.

"I know.." Amaira whispered running her fingers through her scalp.

"Meine bahut koshish ki usse baat karne ki, usse poochne ki, usse sunne ki par mujhmein aur himmat nahi hai. Uska saamna karne ki aur himmat nahi hai mujhmein"

"Usse main dimaag se nikalne ki kitni bhi koshish kar lun, dil se kabhi nahi paungi. Woh mere dil mein bass chuka hai, Amy! Mere dil mein. Mere rooh mein"

"3 saal pehle woh chala toh gaya..." she whispered looking up at her.

"Par mujhe saath le gaya!!–" she throbbed in a loud cry letting her head fall down in years of frustration.

Amaira immediately embraced her crying herself as she gave her embrace as her console.

Preeta's chest quivered badly palpitating as she felt her throat constrict in pain. Her breaths staggered.

"Sab khatam ho gaya Amy. Sab-sab khatam ho gaya" she shook her head in her chest.

"Kuch pehle jaisa nahi hoga, Kuch pehle jaisa nahi hoga" she whispered breaking down even more.

"Maine ek aise aadmi se pyaar kiya hai jo mere behen ka gunehgaar hai. Usse chah kar bhi apna nahi kar sakti mein." she shrieked in pain.

"Apni behen ki already gunehgaar hun, Sia aur uski nahi ho sakti."

Amaira shook her head in a no.

"Nahi Preeta nahi" she cupped her cheeks.

"Tu kisi ki gunehgaar nahi hai. Na Sia ki, Na Priya Di ki aur Na Karan ki. Tujh jaisa selfless insaan meine zindagi mein aaj tak nahi dekha. Tune apne behen ko insaaf dilaane ke liye apna pyaar kurbaan kar diya. Aunty aur Sia ke liye apni zindagi.."

"You are the bestest thing to have happen in anyone's life. You are the best mother Sia could ever have. Best daughter aunty could ever have and the Bestest sister I and Priya Di could ever have." she whispered wiping her tears and she whimpered hugging her tightly.

"Par uska kya Amy. Uske liye mein kabhi best nahi ho paungi"

"Uss raat woh ro raha tha. Baar Baar mujhe cheekh cheekh kar keh raha tha ki usne yeh nahi kiya hai, nahi kiya hai, nahi kiya hai."

"Uske aankhon mein woh aansu the. Woh aansu jo meine aaj tak uske aankhon mein kabhi nahi dekhe par uss raat...." she fumbled.

"Meine usse tod diya Amy, usse humesha humesha ke liye khoo diya"

Amaira shook her head rubbing her back.

"Nahi Preeta, koi cheez kabhi itni nahi bigadti hai ki usse sambhala na jaa saake.. Pyaar kabhi itna kamzor nahi hota ki ek dusre ko samjha hi na jaa sake. Tum dono ke taqdeer mein shayad yeh dard likha tha. But upar wala bhi khushiyaan unhe hi deta hai jo dard sehne ke kaabil ho."

"Aur mayne yeh nahi rakhta ki kya hogaya hai kya hosakta tha, mayne yeh rakhta hai itna hone ke baad bhi kya bacha hai, tum dono ke dil mein kya bacha hai ek dusre ke liye - Nafrat ya ek dusre ki tadap"

"Aur tere dil abhi bhi uske liye woh tadap hai. Tu usse kabhi bhula hi nahi paayegi kyunki woh tere dil-o-dimaag se kabhi nikla hi nahi tha"

"Tu abhi bhi usse utna hi chahti jitna 3 saal pehle chahti thi, bass tu apne behen ke gunehgaar aur apne pyaar ke beech mein phasi hai"

"Par tu mujhe ek baat sach sach bata.. 'Kya tujhe sachmein lagta hai ki Karan ne yeh sab kiya hoga?'" she pulled back from the hug.

"Kya tujhe lagta hai Karan ne Priya di ka.." she trailed off making Preeta to glance at her then looking away.

"Saare saboot ussi ke taraf ishaara karte hai Amy" she wipes her damp cheeks.

"Saboot ko chod Preeta tu mujhe yeh bata ki tujhe kya lagta hai.. tera dil kya kehta hai?"

"Kya tu iss baat ko maanti hai ki Karan kabhi aisa kar bhi sakta hai?" she held her through her shoulders looking at her keenly.

Preeta looked down clenching her eyes shut as silence deafened her. She contemplated what to say whether to say or not.

Scenarios ran in her mind and she put her eyes opens before looking up at her. Amaira's eyes filled with hope and she nodded giving her shoulder a squeeze.

"Bol Preeta"

Preeta's lips parted and she uttered finally giving in "Nahi"

Amaira's eyes widened.

---------------------------------------------------------

Precap:

"Preeta aaj-"

"- woh jail se chutne waala hai. maalum hai" she muttered putting the coffee mug on the table.

"Do you want me to.." she trailed off contemplating if she should-

"Switch on the TV" she said firmly.

Word Count: 4119

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I fidgeted a lot to write this chapter as I wanted the dialogues to be the way I imagined. I hope you get a point of view from Preeta's side. Our Hero is yet to bang on ;)

And did you all like Sohu and Golu? They are absolute munchkins. I imagine them as the kids in the gif (-cutiessss)

Hope the 1st chapter rolled on nicely. Next will be released ASAP. And regarding my other books updates, I've forgotten the storyline a bit lmao, i need to revise to be able to write the chapter :D

Plus did you all notice the english subtitles? tell me if anyone needs it or I might consider removing it.

So WITH THIS SEE YOU IN NEXT CHAPTER, follow me on wattpad for story upates and on instagram (@/flourishingflamingoofficial) for reels, spoilers, etc.

Bushra 🦋