Destiny or Coincidence?

Athira Patel

Am I really that scared of getting hurt that I am running away from happiness? Maybe big brother is right afterall. I am behaving like a coward. Daring for once, i thought of all the moments between us and how I felt about him in that moment. 

Sure enough, I felt like we are the only people around whenever he was with me. His hypnotizing chocolate brown eyes that capture me whole and drag me towards him like a magnet, his warm smile which melts my insides and makes my knees weak, and god his laugh is so otherworldly. It's like a music to my ears that I want to listen to it all the time. The way he speaks when teaching or explaining something to us, is so manly and dominating which captures the attention of all of them. 

And his kiss? I don't even want to go there. The way he took care of me when I got injured melt my heart for him. His eyes have so much to say, it's like they want to let me know all of his feelings but i am not able to read any of them. But they always make me think if he really have a lot to say to me. Then I remembered about that topic of 'two years'. He said that I am not yet ready to face it and he said that he will explain everything when the time comes. What is it about? Is it that big of a news that i won't be able to face it? Is it what his eyes always try to say to me? 

Many questions were running in my mind. But one thing is for sure. The way my heart beats faster and flutter whenever he is near, the way butterflies erupts in my stomach with his simple  touch, the way i melt when he smiles or looks at me confirms that i got attracted to him and i even like him. The simple realization within me shook me to the core. 

Yes I am scared, but for the first time i want to accept these feelings even if it brings the heartache. As brother said, even the pain becomes beautiful if the person is the one for us. And I am going to trust my gut feeling this time than my brain. 

There a calmness within me that enveloped my insides with a warm feeling and I felt at peace after realising it. My inner turmoil faded and the warm feeling spread throughout my heart making it flutter with a new feeling. 

"Looks like our angel is happy all of a sudden?" he remarked glancing at me with a knowing smirk on his face. I just shook my head chuckling. 

"Yes. And all thanks to you. If I have not met you today, then I wouldn't have gotten to know about my inner battle and feelings." I said smiling genuinely "All this while i was in denial about my true feelings because I was scared of getting hurt. But you taught me today that even the pain is beautiful in its own way if the feelings are true" I explained looking grateful at him with a thankful smile on my face to which ruffled my hair affectionately smiling.

"I am glad that my words have been helpful kid. Always keep smiling and look for the positive in every situation. Then all your worries will go away in the blink of an eye." he said giving me a wholehearted smile and glancing back on to the road. 

"Don't call me a kid ok" I said furrowing my eyebrows and pouting.

"Then what should i call a kid then?" he asked raising his eyebrows and winking at me.

"Urghhh… I am not a kid. I am 24 years ok." I said getting irritated due to his nickname to me. What does he think of himself. Do I look like a kid to him? 

"Ohh angel…. Still you are a kid. Because you are 5 years younger than me you know. So automatically it becomes a kid." he said grinning at me while smirking like he won the first prize in the competition.

"Ok Grandpa" I said smirking back at him to which looked shocked. That made me laugh like an idiot. 

"Don't call me that" he said looking at the road making a face like a kid.

"Then don't call me a kid. Simple" I said grinning at him to which he shook his head chuckling.

"Ok angel. Here we come" he said stopping the car at the entrance of my apartment and getting out by walking towards my side of the door. Me too got out by closing the door and standing in front of him. 

"So? How are you feeling now?" he asked after a moment looking concerned which made me smile.

"I am fine now. Thank you for everything" I said smiling genuinely. "Will you let me know your name or i need to call you big brother itself?" I asked remembering that i still don't know the name of the man who stood in front of me.

"Nope. I am not going to reveal it now. But don't worry. You will get to know within a couple of days" he said winking at me which made me furrow my eyebrows in confusion. I was about to ask another question when he took my mobile from my hand and typed his number and saved it as 'Big Brother' and placed it back in my hand making me huff out in response. 

"Chill angel. You need some patience. And now go inside. I hope your friends are waiting for you. I will be in touch with you" he said while side hugging me and pushed me towards the entrance of the apartment shooing me away like a kid. 

"Take care Athira. Bye Good night" he said smiling at me and waving his hand.

"Thank you. Will be waiting for our next meet. Bye Good night" I said smiling back and waving my hand while going inside. 

Once I got inside the lift, he started his car and went away from my apartment which made me smile thinking of his protectiveness and care towards me. How I became this lucky to get this person as my brother? I smiled to myself thinking about our conversations and got out of the lift making my way to my apartment and rang the bell. Suddenly i felt nervous thinking about the reaction of Dev.

But I never thought that I would be this surprised looking at the person in front of me who opened my apartment door. I squealed running towards his open arms and melted in his embrace.

"DAD….." I squealed not able to contain my excitement which made my dad chuckle looking at my reaction.

"My my… If I would have known that I would get this type of reaction from my princess then I would have sent you out long time ago" he said winking at me to which I whined in his arms like a small kid. 

"Dad… That's not fair" i said pouting to which he kissed the top of my head and hugging me back with a full on smile on his face. I too hugged him back tightly.

"I am so happy to see you dad. I missed you so much" I said looking at him by tilting my head upwards. "But how come you didn't inform me about your arrival?" I asked faking anger to which he grinned and dragged me with him inside after closing the door. 

I saw Dev standing in the living room nearby couch with hands folded and a smile on his face looking at both of us. 

"This was Dev's idea to surprise you. So i just said yes to his plan and came here to surprise you. And indeed it was a good surprise seeing your reaction" he said looking at me smiling after we both sat on the couch. Dev too took a seat on the couch to our left side. 

"Thanks Dev. You made my day" I said looking at him with grateful to which he shook his head.

"It's fine Athi. I want you to be happy" he said smiling at me to which I nodded my head and glanced back to my dad who is watching at both of us with an unknown expression in his eyes. 

I thought of asking what it is about but immediately Casper came running towards me from the bedroom which made me squeal in happiness again and i got down on my knees and took him in my hands.

He barked licking at my face which made me laugh. "How are you gem?" I said petting his head to which he barked again making me giggle in response.

"Thank you dad" I said smiling at him.

"So, how is your new office?" dad asked looking at me to which I started telling him about our company and my colleagues where Dev too joined in our conversation and we all chatted for an hour without noticing the time. All the while Casper nuzzled in my lap and slept soundly in my arms like he always used to do whenever we stayed the night out at Dev's place. 

Only when dad yawned we looked at the time to see it was almost midnight which made us realise the time. 

"Ok dad. I think you are tired. Go and sleep now. Will talk tomorrow"  I said getting up from the couch and kissing his cheek. 

"Ok beta. Good night" he said placing a kiss on top of my head and went inside the bedroom to sleep. 

Once dad went inside, i thought of getting freshen up  so I was making my way to the washroom to change when Dev's voice stopped me.

"Where did you go Athira?" Dev asked making me stop by catching my hand. I turned towards him and glanced at him to see that he was serious about the matter. 

I breathed out a sigh before I sat on the couch and looked at him to take a seat beside me so that i can explain everything to him. I know that he won't leave me anytime soon without getting his answer so it's better to tell everything. 

So I said everything about that stranger and how we went to the outskirts of the city to clear my mind. He started giving lectures about trusting strangers but I assured him that he was a good person and I am fine. 

He sighed looking at me because he knows when I am stubborn. So he left the topic after telling me to be careful. 

"You like him athira. I can see that in your eyes" he said suddenly looking into my eyes making me freeze on my spot. I don't know how to react to this statement. So i blurted out the only question i am able to comprehend at that time. 

"Who" I asked looking at him confused to which he scoffed as if I don't know what he is talking about.

"We both know about whom I am talking Athi. And you need to accept those feelings because unless you accept them you cannot be happy." he explained taking both of my hands in his and squeezing them in assurance by giving me an encouraging smile. 

I just nodded my head in acceptance and hugged him because frankly, there were no words to say. I don't know how to react. To be thankful or happy or sad. But i just did what my heart is saying and hugged him by closing my eyes. 

We stayed like that for a few moments before he released me. "Go and change. It's too late." He said gesturing for me to go and I just nodded my head and went to change. 

Dad and Dev slept in bedroom while I prepared myself to sleep in the living room and covered myself with a blanket when my mobile popped up with a message from big brother saying goodnight. Smiling i too replied him and checked all the messages and missed calls from my friends. 

I smiled guiltily knowing that i have made my friends worried and replied to them that I am home.

I opened them with a curiosity to know what he have messaged. 

Abhilash: where the hell are you Athira?

Abhilash: why are you not picking up the call?

Abhilash: PICK UP THE CALL GODDAMMIT!!!

Abhilash: WHAT THE FUCK ATHIRA. WHERE ARE YOU IDIOT???

Abhilash: Athira… please. I am getting worried here. How can you leave like that with a total stranger. I have searched most of the city for you from past one hour. Please pick up the call cutiepie. 

Abhilash: Baby i am getting worried sick here. At Least let me know that you are safe and sound. I even called Dev to know about you and got to know that you were still not at home. 

Please be safe. 

Abhilash: I am sorry baby. I know why you have reacted like that. And trust me, it was not my intention to hurt you. I never knew that she was going to do that. Please reply to me. 

Abhilash: I know you are mad at me but at least tell your friends that you are safe. I just want to know that you are not in any trouble. I am unable to sleep not knowing where are you. 

Abhilash: please reply to me cutiepie…

And the messages went on saying to pick up the call or at least reply to him saying that I was safe. His last message was from 15 minutes back which made me regret and sad knowing that he was still not sleeping and waiting for my reply or anything from my side. 

My heart fluttered knowing that he was looking for me from past few hours and even worried about me that he didn't sleep up to now. 

I am sad at the same time happy knowing that he is waiting for me. I want to do a little dance getting excited all of a sudden and there was a smile on my face which cannot be ripped anytime soon. 

Am i selfish if i am being happy knowing his reaction to this situation? Even so, I cannot contain my happiness and started grinning from ear to ear like a teenage girl. I typed him a reply knowing him that i am back and I am safe. And even said goodnight. 

Within a second of my reply to my mobile started ringing in my hands making me drop it on bed in surprise. I glanced at the mobile closing my one eye to see that he is calling me. 

I want to squeal in happiness but controlled myself because I don't want to wake up my dad and Dev.

My heart started beating louder looking at the screen and I slowly picked up the mobile from bed still looking at it. 

"God Abhilash, what are you doing to me?" I thought to myself while answering the call taking a deep breath to control myself. 

"Hello" i said getting nervous all of a sudden.

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Hello everyone,

here is your double update in the same day. i hope you like it. Do let me know your thoughts about this chapter. Don't forget to vote, comment and share it if you like.

Love...

Sprinkle....