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Sharvi's POV
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As we returned to the hotel, the basketball ground caught our attention, buzzing with anticipation. Arjun swiftly pulled Parth into the game, along with his cousins and friends, for an impromptu basketball match.
Parth's love for basketball had deep roots, cultivated since his school days, and his skills on the court were impressive.
I lingered in a corner, observing him return to the basketball ground, clad in a jersey provided by Arjun. Without hesitation, he seamlessly joined the other boys, immersing himself in the sheer joy of playing the game.
Standing there, watching him play, I was transported from that basketball ground in Shimla, to the familiar basketball court of Modern Academy in Chandigarh.
Back then, he never failed to stun everyone on the court, much like today, and there I was, standing in the corner, a silent spectator yearning to cheer for each remarkable basket he made. The flood of memories brought a sentimental twinge to my heart as I recalled how, for him, I had diligently learned every intricate term of the sport.
Maya would frequently question me, why I spend the entire games period sitting in a corner, looking on the basketball court while the boys play. She would remark that I observed the game as if some huge star of the game had graced the scene.
How could I tell her that my star was right there on that court, shining brightly with every dribble and shot, making the entire games period feel like a radiant spectacle!
My contemplation was abruptly disrupted as Keerti approached, whisking me away, asking me for fixation on the boys' game, much like as Maya used to in the past.
But again, my attention wasn't drawn to the game a few boys were playing, but to a particular individual gracing the court.
The basketball ground unveiled a distinct facet of Parth – one that was vibrant, playful, and exuded a childlike charm. The sheer joy he emanated while playing became a spectacle I cherished witnessing.
In the late hours of the night, as I settled into bed after sharing moments with Keerti, her friends, and cousins earlier, the hush of the night accentuated my solitude. In the quietude, my mind meandered through the events of the day.
Suddenly, a profound sense of gratitude enveloped me for Parth, who, unknowingly, became the antidote to my sorrow.
Throughout the evening, as we strolled through the streets, witnessing the sunset and savouring various foods, not once did the shadow of my sadness or the echoes of bitter tears cross my mind. His company had a transformative effect, a gentle balm that soothed my soul and replaced melancholy with a newfound sense of warmth.
He was always like that!
Be it the two years in school, the two years we spent talking on the phone, or the three years in college, his presence had been a constant source of warmth and joy. His company, perhaps, possesses an innate ability to infuse my heart with happiness and strength. With him, the notion of sadness becomes an alien concept, as if his mere existence has the power to banish every shadow of pain.
How I wish his presence could be forever!
I abruptly rose from the bed, shaken by my own request. Forever? How could I ask for such a thing?
In the silence of that moonless night, I sternly reminded myself not to blur the lines that divide our worlds. His realm and mine were destined to exist separately, now and for all time.
He may have become a friend to me again, but desiring for more than he could give or repeating past mistakes would only shatter my heart, for the third time, and would ruin everything else.
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Third Person's POV
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That night, Parth struggled with sleep, plagued by sneezing and a persistent cold. Early in the morning, he awoke to discover his body engulfed in fever and, in response, slept again.
Waking up once more, he saw it was already 11, yet his body was still warm. Resisting the urge to sleep further, he went out to the balcony, and saw the ground below beautifully decorated with flowers. Everybody was dressed in yellow, preparing for Arjun and Keerti's haldi ceremony.
Amidst the vibrant scene, he spotted Sharvi gracefully strolling around , wearing a yellow anarkali. A faint smile adorned his lips, captivated by her. He watched her, mesmerised by her radiant smile and the way she laughed with genuine joy.
Parth's mood suddenly soured as he saw Karthik hovering around Sharvi, trying to engage her in a conversation with him. Irritated by the sight, he hastily retreated to the bathroom, immersing himself in a brisk bath. He then adorned a pale yellow kurta that Sharvi had picked for him earlier. Prepared, he descended the stairs.
By the time he joined the crowd, the festivities were already in full swing. Everybody was applying haldi to Keerti and Arjun. Keerti's mom approached Parth, asking him to partake in the tradition too, by applying haldi to the bride and groom.
Grinning, he accepted the haldi bowl from her, approaching the couple.
Keerti, detecting the mischievous glint in Parth's eyes, cautioned him, "Parth, just a little haldi, okay? Don't go overboard."
“Absolutely, just a bit, Parth,” Arjun concurred with his fiancée.
Parth nodded, wearing a facade of innocence, and replied, “Of course, of course.”
Dipping his fingers into the vibrant yellow paste, he swiftly and cautiously smeared it across Arjun's face, neck, and chest.
“Parth!” Arjun exclaimed, a hint of irritation in his voice.
Attempting to retaliate, Arjun reached for the haldi bowl, but Parth skillfully dodged, heading towards Arjun's bride.
“Parth, little, very little,” Keerti warned repeatedly. He acknowledged but proceeded to apply haldi generously on her face.
Frustrated, she scolded, "Parth! I said a little!"
Seizing an opportunity, Arjun joined in, aiming to apply haldi to Parth. Yet, Parth dodged adeptly, sidestepping the attempt.
Arjun suggested, "Come on, Parth, let's put some haldi on you!"
Enjoying the game, Parth retorted, "No way! It's your wedding! You can apply it all over yourself; why involve me?"
Arjun responded, “Exactly, it's my wedding! I can't let my best friend leave without a touch of haldi.”
Keerti added with a smirk, “Absolutely, you're not escaping this! Haldi is a must for you.”
“No chance,” Parth declared, attempting to evade Arjun and Keerti, who were closing in.
The playful chase commenced, haldi-covered hands reaching for Parth. Amidst laughter and camaraderie, Keerti and Arjun pursued him, the three of them running away from the lively crowd.
Keerti yelled as she chased, "Parth, you won't get away!”
Grinning, Parth skillfully eluded their attempts, dancing between guests to the playful rhythm of the chase.
Arjun shouted, “We'll catch you, Parth!”
Parth responded, “Give it your best shot!”
Approaching a door, he prepared to open it, only for it to swing open by itself, him colliding with Sharvi, who emerged.
Her cheeks glowed with golden turmeric paste, making her even more enchanting, yet then being a temptation for his fingers to caress the softness beneath.
“How pretty,” he mused, captivated by her.
His inner voice immediately chided him, “When is she not?”
“What's going on?” she inquired, interrupting his thoughts. Remembering his purpose, he tried to escape, but Keerti's command and Arjun's plea halted him.
“Hold him, Sharvi! Don't let him escape!” they urged.
“Step aside, Sharvi, please,” Parth requested, but Arjun intervened, seizing him.
“What are you guys up to?” Sharvi demanded to know.
“Revenge,” Keerti smirked, showing her the haldi bowl.
Handing the bowl to Sharvi, Keerti suggested, “We were trying to apply this man some haldi, but he made us run a marathon. Since you caught him, it's only fair if you do the honours.”
“Me?” Sharvi questioned.
Keerti nodded but Sharvi opened her mouth to deny, but Parth beat her to it, “Oh, she wouldn't!”
Sharvi didn’t appreciate that tone in his voice—it was a dare.
She looked at him with her eyebrows raised, he gave her a smirk, “I know you won't!”
She cheekily smiled, handed over her phone to Arjun and then rubbed the haldi paste between her palms and took her hands up to his face as she held his gaze, and his eyes darkened. She placed her palms on his cheeks.
Parth groaned inwardly as her soft hands, akin to a gentle caress of summer breezes, left an electrifying sensation on his skin. Damn! A shudder, reminiscent of the resonance after a lightning strike, passed through him, thoroughly captivated by the unexpected warmth of her touch.
“Not enough! He smeared us; put more, Sharvi!” Keerti insisted.
Sharvi protested, “It's enough, yaar!”
“Of course, Keerti, understand, she can't do more,” Parth smirked.
She took the paste again and rubbed it evenly. This time, he kept his eyes on her as she brought her hands up to his cheeks again, and then moved them down to his jawline, tracing her thumbs running over his cheekbone, and then ran her fingers over his forehead, covering his whole face with haldi. Parth blissfully surrendered to the feeling as her fingers traced his features.
“Want more?” she teased, advancing with haldi-covered hands.
Feeling a mix of vulnerability and desire, Parth stepped back, losing balance and stumbling into the inviting depths of the swimming pool with an unexpected thud.
As Parth plunged into the water, droplets burst forth, merging with his surprised exclamation. The cool embrace momentarily stole his breath; resurfacing, he sputtered water, scanning the surroundings.
Laughter echoed, and Parth's eyes found Sharvi at the water's edge, amusement unrestrained. Her laughter was a melody resonating deep within him, stirring something profound.
Keerti, unable to resist the opportunity to play matchmaker, seized the moment, mischievously pushing Sharvi into the pool. Joining Parth, Sharvi emerged, water droplets on her skin.
Suddenly, a misstep on the slippery tiles sent Sharvi slipping in the water. The world seemed to slow for a moment, her eyes widening in realisation. Just as gravity claimed its victory, Parth's swift reflexes kicked in. With a synchronised grace, he reached out, his fingers wrapping around her wrist and pulling her close. Her hand found an unintentional resting place on Parth's chest. Simultaneously, his arm encircled her waist.
The sensation of their unexpected closeness sent a rush of warmth through both of them, the subtle electricity of the moment lingering in the air.
Parth, his heart racing in a symphony of beats, stood there in silent awe as he watched Sharvi. Damp tendrils of her hair, like strokes of artistry, framed her face with an ethereal quality, adding a touch of poetic grace to the scene.
His gaze lingered on every nuance of Sharvi's drenched form, the droplets glistening like diamonds against her skin. His gaze traced the wet curve of her lips, glistening like dew-kissed petals, a magnetic allure that heightened the pulsating tension in him.
His hand, resting gently on her waist, felt the subtle contours beneath the damp fabric. The coolness of her wet skin beneath his touch sent a thrill through him, the sensation lingering in the air like an unspoken promise. The vulnerability and beauty reflected in her eyes held him captive, bringing him closer to her.
Elsewhere, Sharvi, too, captivated by the moment, couldn't help but focus on Parth. The water droplets danced down his face, a mesmerising cascade that highlighted the contours of his features. Her hands on his chest felt the subtle rise and fall, an intimate connection accentuated by the damp fabric beneath her fingertips.
Her gaze lingered on his lips, subtly wet from the encounter. The water droplets clung to his hair strand like glistening jewels, adding an alluring sheen to his dishevelled locks. She felt an irresistible urge to run her hands through his damp, messy strands.
An unexpected interruption from above shattered the cocoon of their intimate moment. Startled, they instinctively separated, only to discover Sharvi's long, wet hair intricately entwined with Parth's kurta button. Faces inches apart, breaths mingling, they hesitated.
Breaking the spell, Sharvi tried to free her hair, hands shaking. Parth gently held them.
“Let me,” he whispered, fingers brushing as he untangled her hair.
Flustered, Sharvi moved away, running upstairs. Showered and changed, she couldn't shake the memory.
Her eyes hinted at suppressed longing, a desire she recognized all too well. Beneath her poised facade, an unspoken battle waged between moving forward and the firm resolve within her heart.
She understood herself deeply, aware of the emotions resurfacing in the winds of Shimla.
She had thrown away the box containing her feelings for Parth, but it seemed like it was reopening, and she couldn't deny the truth—she was falling for him. Again!
It wasn't the whimsical crush of thirteen, the fleeting emotions of fifteen, or the youthful exuberance of eighteen. No, this time, the realisation dawned on her with full consciousness, at the age of thirty.
Sighing, she resolved to stay away, a silent plea guarding against vulnerability.
Meanwhile, an insatiable desire coursed through Parth, challenging the bounds of his self-control. Accustomed to maintaining composure, he now found himself yearning to shatter those restraints and surrender to the allure of his desires. His heart was asking for more!
Sharvi became the catalyst for a sinful longing that sought to breach boundaries, sending electric pulses through his veins and kindling an undeniable fire within.
A twinge of guilt accompanied these burgeoning emotions, as he grappled with the realisation that these thoughts extended beyond the realm of mere friendship.
She was, after all, just a friend, yet he couldn't escape the consuming intensity of the feelings unravelling within him. It was a tumultuous journey, pushing the boundaries of friendship and forcing to confront the profound shifts occurring within his heart.
After taking another shower, Parth, felt an unusual warmth, and couldn't shake off the persistent discomfort. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, and the flush on his face deepened. Alarmed by the intensifying fever, he attempted to stand but found himself unsteady.
Sharvi, who was sent to Parth’s room to fetch something for Arjun, heard a quiet groan.
Concern etched across her face, she approached the partially opened door.
Pushing it gently, she found Parth lying on his bed, his forehead creased with discomfort. She couldn't ignore the evident signs of illness.
He tried to muster a reassuring smile, but the fever had taken a toll on him. "I'm fine, just a bit tired," he replied, his voice strained.
However, Sharvi wasn't convinced. She approached him, placing a gentle hand on his forehead. The warmth radiating from his skin confirmed her suspicions.
"Parth, you're running a fever," she declared, a hint of worry in her voice.
He attempted to downplay it, "It's nothing."
Sharvi, not one to take chances, insisted, "Let's check your temperature. We shouldn't ignore this."
Leading him to a nearby table, she ran downstairs and retrieved a thermometer from the hotel’s reception. Coming back to the room, she took his temperature. The reading confirmed her concerns, and a furrow formed on her brow.
"You have a high fever, Parth. You need to rest," Sharvi urged.
She then fetched a damp cloth and placed it on his forehead, providing a soothing touch. "I'll get some medication for you," she assured him, concern evident in her eyes.
Sharvi went out again, returning with a glass of water and the prescribed medication. "Here, take this. It should help with the fever," she said, offering him the pills with a reassuring smile.
As Parth swallowed the medication, he couldn't help but appreciate Sharvi's caring gestures. The warmth in her eyes and the gentle touch of her hand brought a sense of comfort amidst the discomfort of his fever.
"Thanks," Parth admitted, his usual composed demeanor momentarily replaced by vulnerability.
Sharvi settled into a chair nearby, keeping a watchful eye on him. "You need to rest and let your body recover. I'll stay here for a while to make sure you're okay," she said, the sincerity in her voice echoing her genuine concern.
As Parth drifted into a restless sleep, Sharvi remained by his side, her watchful presence a silent assurance in the dimly lit room. The rhythmic rise and fall of his chest echoed a peaceful lullaby amidst the quietude of the night.
As she sat there, watching over him, Sharvi found herself in contemplation. Her decision to distance herself from Parth, made not long ago, now seemed like a distant memory.
The sight of his discomfort had effortlessly shattered the resolve she had attempted to uphold. It was as if, in that room, the fleeting decision to keep a distance had been thrown out of the window, replaced by an instinctual need to be there for him.
Throughout, Sharvi remained vigilant, checking Parth's fever at regular intervals. The cool compress on his forehead provided relief, and she adjusted it tenderly whenever needed.
As the evening sun's rays streamed through the window, casting a warm glow on the room, Parth woke up to find Sharvi on the sofa, peacefully immersed in slumber. Her head, gently cradled by the plush backrest, created an elegant arc, and the sunlit strands of her hair added a subtle radiance to the scene. One hand instinctively cradled her cheek, while the other rested in a relaxed curve by her side.
The sunlight cascaded through the window, bestowing an ethereal glow upon Sharvi as she slept on the sofa. The rays delicately highlighted the contours of her face, rendering her even more beautiful in the soft illumination. Parth, seated nearby, found himself captivated by the simple elegance of the moment.
As he gazed at her, thoughts swirled in his mind, reflecting on the care and concern she had showered upon him during his bout of fever. The genuine kindness in her actions had left an indelible mark on him.
A subtle pang of jealousy crept into his thoughts as he imagined someone else being the fortunate recipient of her warmth forever.
The idea of another man waking up to Sharvi's care, feeling her gentle touch, and winning her heart suddenly stirred an unexpected sense of longing within him. And he hated that!
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"𝐈 𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫."
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Another update! I hope you liked the chapter.
It is slightly unedited. Will be edited tomorrow!
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See you in the next chapter<3