---

You walked into my life like a question,

And somehow became every answer I ever needed.

---

Words: 3600+

---

Corridors of the college were buzzing with mix of anticipation and nervousness for the new comes.

Despite the noise, in a corner stood Shaurya, totally engrossed in his phone, out of nowhere came Aadhira and gave a gentle tap on his shoulder.

Shaurya rolled his eyes, knowing who is it and turned around only to greeted by a sweet smile.

He put his phone on the bench just then, Aadhira reached for it, mimicking as if she could pick it up.

Shaurya, seeing her drama, asked "What the hell are you doing?,"

"Oh the phone is very heavy, I can't pick it up," Aadhira said and again tried to reach for the phone as if its very heavy and couldn't pick it up.

"Have you gone mad?" Shaurya picked it up effortlessly.

A second later, landed a punch on his left cheek, making him stumble back. Aadhira said," To sale kamine phir utha kyu nhi rha tha?! Agr itna hi halka phone h to mera call uthane me problem kha aa rhi thi?!"

[Then you idiot! Why weren't you picking my call?! If the phone is really light then why the hell didn't you pick my call?!]

He rubbed the back of his neck and smiled. "Are vo m khana kha rha tha bs isliye call nhi uthaya."

[Actually I was eating food that's why I couldn't pick it up.]

"Meri 15 missed calls h ek ghante me. Tu ek ghante tk khana hi kha rha tha kya! ya phir janbujhke phone nhi uthaya?!" Aadhira asked in a scolding tone.

[You have 15 missed calls from me in one hour! Have you been eating for one hour or was it intentionally?!]

"Aree sorry yaar galti se ho gya. Agli baar se pakka utha lunga," Shaurya replied while holding his ears.

[Sorry, I'll not do it again. I swear!]

"Pichle 10 baar se tu yhi baat bolta aa rha h or fir baad m call nhi uthayega!," Aadhira said.

[You've been saying this from last ten times and again always do this!.]

"Pkka promise agli baar utha lunga," Shaurya said in assuring voice.

[I'll pick it up from next time I promise.]

"Vo to uthana hi padega nhi to ek or punch pdega tere is chahre pr, sari ladkiya jo aage piche ghumti h na chali jayegi," Aadhira said again showing her fist to him.

[You will have to pick it otherwise you'll have another punch and those who buzz around will go away.]

"Acha thik h mate ab chale class me," Shaurya said while joining his hands and then entered the classroom talking.

[Ok then my goddess if you're done then let's go to the class.]

Aadhira and Shaurya are students of BBA in Banglore. They are currently in their 3rd year and are going to do honours for one year now. While their initial home is in Gurugram and Kolkata respectively.

Since their fathers were friends since childhood, they automatically got comfortable to each others presence. Even though their initiative friends and cousins think they are dating, but they are like a shadow of brother and sister to each other in absence of someone.

---

They walked inside the 'Love and Latte' café, which is somehow between their way to dorm and college. The place is now quite familiar and cozy to them.

Aadhira sat on the table while Shairya went to order coffee. He came back and took a seat in front of Aadhira. She closed her phone and a comfortable conversation started between them.

"By the way, you've recently started trading, how is it going? ," Aadhia asked him in quite calm tone.

"I have just started and honestly have no much idea about it. Though I'm still learning from papa, but will have to be a bit quick for it." Shaurya said while moving his hands slightly to make her understand.

Well... its a usual habit to him. Whenever he tries to make someone understand, he uses his hand gestures.

"Don't worry, you'll do well. Now go and get the coffee. I think its ready," Aadhira glanced at the coffee on the counter before pushing him to grab it.

Shaurya returned with one iced coffee and other black iced for Aadhira. He placed the cup in front of her and slid in his seat.

"How did your interview went which was this Monday?" He asked, sipping his coffee.

"Thik tha. Maine saare questions ke hawab patiently diye. They also praised me in the end for my calm behaviour," she said calmly while making Shaurya almost choked on his coffee.

[It was okay. I gave all the answers to question patiently. ]

"PATIENTLY?! You literally punched me in front of whole college for not picking my phone and you had PATIENCE during the interview and got praised for is TOO?!," Shaurya screamed a bit, gaining glances from some persons sitting nearby.

Aadhira just hummed in response and shifted her attention back to her coffee.

After a few more minutes, they finally walked out of the café. The walk was a little quiet. Once Aadhira reached her dorm, Shaurya walked back to his own.

---

Sushant stood with a tablet in his hand in a big office room. The room smelled of mahogany wood and richness. The painting was simple yet screamed professionalism.

"Sir, you have two back-to-back meetings after 40 minutes. Then you have a buisness party to attend and a project file with presentation to check. Thats it for today," Sushant said with a firm and stead voice.

Ahead him sat one of the most successful businessman of India.

Rudra Malhotra.

He was dressed in crisp black and grey formals. He looked up once Sushant stopped speaking. "Thanks and if that's for today then you can go home when I'll look after the project. You've working overtime since three days." His voice was strict and stead yet carried warmth.

Sushant smiled a bit at him. "Thanks for this, sir. I actually needed sleep."

Rudra nodded and Sushant made his way out of the office. Once Sushant was out, Rudra leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes and exhaled sharply.

Unlike Sushant, he too didn't had a proper sleep for almost fifteen days. He have been working on a big project. The project held his sleepless nights, hours of exhaustion because of the screen and severe headache with irregular meals.

It indeed was important for him. He always craved for success. And once he got it, he has been craving for more.

He called the manager of his building and asked him to get a black coffee with no sugar.

This man had been surviving on coffee for almost two months. Sometimes, even his employees and workers thought as if he's even a human with blood running in his veins or is it coffee that contains haemoglobin.

Once the coffee arrived, he went back to work after cracking his fingers. God that sound... insane.

---

Aadhira was on phone with her mother while her roommate was cooking fod and she was folding clothes.

This girl's parents are enough rich to buy a bungalow for her but here she was with...

"I want to independent." Attitude.

"Teri holidays kab se hain?" Veena asked her while munching chips on the parallel side.

[When are your holidays?]

Aadhira completed folding clothes and moved to the closet. "Abhi nhi hain, mumma. But I guess ki do mahine baad to pakka holi ki chuttiyan ho." She spoke over the speaker.

[There not one now mumma. But I guess after two months, there must be holi holidays.]

Aadhira plopped down on the couch and hugged the pillow. "Aap btao, Papa aa gye kya? "

[You tell. Father came?]

Veena sulked. "Apna papa se hi baat kiya kar, main to sauteli hu na." Sarcasm was dripping through the woman's mouth.

[ Talk you your father, am I step ?]

Aadhira smirked. "Badi jaldi realise hua, matashri." Veena rolled her eyes at the statement.

[ You realised a bit earlier, mom]

"Nhi aaye tere papa abhi, office ke kaam me busy hai." Veena said munching more chips into her mouth. Aadhira nodded at the response.

[ he hasn't arrived yet, busy in office today.]

After exchanging a few more words, they disconnected the call. Aadhira walked toward Kirti, her roommate. "What's in the dinner today?"

Kirti looked up at her. "Rajma chawal, tere favourite." Aadhira smiled in response.

[ Rajma chawal, your favourite]

Aadhira moved to the couch and shouted through the living room. "Oye mai netflix chala rhi hu. Tu web series dekhegi ya movie?"

Kirti shouted back from the kitchen. "Movie!"

Aadhira hummed loud enough for her to hear and started finding the movie.

[ Hey I'm using netflix. You wanna watch web series or a movie?]

After 3 hours...

"Huff! Khatam finally," Kirti said stretching her arms. Aadhira also hummed in boredom.

[Huff! Finally over!]

"Dekh merko to aa rhi h neend to mai chali sone aur agar tera bhar jane ka irada ho to congratulations! Hamari hitler aapne gaav se vaaps aa gyi h, to go at on your own risk," Kirti said in a sleep voice and dozed off in the bedroom.

[Look I'm sleepy and if you're thinking to go out then congratulations! Our hitler is back from her own village so go at your own risk]

Aadhira smirked.

That would be more fun.

She dialled Shaurya’s number. He picked after four rings. "Ab kiski jaan ke piche padi h tu?" He spoke once the call connected.

[Whose life are you chasing now?]

"Teri. Now come out of the dorm fast, I'll be waiting." And that’s how she disconnected the call.

[Your]

Aadhira grabbed her shoes, held them in her hands and started to tip-toe in the corridor.

Whenever any sound came. 'Why the fvcking hell everything sounds so loud at night?!'

She reached the ground floor.

Perfect.

Smooth.

But god wants something else.

Tak! Tak! Tak!

'Fvck, the warden is coming!' She quickly his behind a door.

The warden's foot sound disappeared after a minute.

Chalooooo!!

Aadhira ran as fast as she can and found Shaurya already standing there. She hoped on the bike. "Jaldi bhaga vo warden aa jayegi!"

[Run or the warden will come]

Shaurya rolled his eyes at her audacity.

This girl called me and now will get me in trouble too!

Shaurya’s bike roared and they drove away. Aadhira left her hands wide to her sides and felt the cold, calming air.

"Tujhe pata h Shaurya, Mera Banglore aane ka bilkul mann nhi tha but jab pata chala ki tu bhi aayega to mai bhi aa gyi." Aadhira said, a little cheerful now.

[You know Shaurya, I wasn't interstellar a bit to come Banglore but when I heard you were coming, I too agreed]

"Why?" He asked.

"You know that I had an elder brother but he died when he was 6. After that, I felt lonely. But then I got you. As a friend. A brother. A father figure. A protector. Everything." She said and let her hands fall down to her sides.

Shaurya smiled. "Tu inti emotional batein mat kiya kar, ajeeb lagta h. Bas hukum chalaya kar, pura tera ye bhai kar dega," he said, turning his head to the side.

[Don’t say these emotional things, they doesn't suit you. You look good while give order, and your brother will complete it.]

Aadhira rolled her eyes and hit this shoulder. Shaurya laughed at her antics.

And hence, They rode down the roads and lanes but stopped when they heared a scream.

HELPPP!!!

PLEASEE!!!!

"Did you hear that?" Aadhira pointed at the sound.

"Yeah and it was a girl. Let's see what's happening," Shaurya agreed with her and they both started to move towards the sound.

Shaurya and Aadhira moved to the direction of sound. Three men were circling a girl around.

She looked terrified.

Scared.

Alone.

The boys around were laughing.

Cornering her.

Looking at her with dirty intentions.

Aadhira’s and Shaurya’s blood boiled at the sight. Aadhira went to them and punched one of the guys hard.

The girl was terrified, and clutched her arm. "Please save me. Please!"

Aadhira side hugged her, one of the guys came and tried to shove her. Shaurya's rage was on seventeenth cloud.

He started to punch those guys. "How dare you touch a girl without her permission?!"

The third boy picked up a rod and tried to hit his head.

He was stopped.

Then turned.

A hand had stopped her.

It was her.

Aadhira.

"Hath mat lagana," She said in a low voice and took the rod from him with a jerk. With the rod, she hit the guy on his head.

[Don't touch]

Shaurya’s blood was boiling.

He continued to hit him.

His sister.

His best friend.

His family.

He could tolerate anything, but any harm to his loved ones, and he won't regret doing anything.

He grabbed him by collar. His voice dripped venom. "Agar agli baar se kisi ladki ki taraf aankh uthakar bhi dekhna na to kapde uttar kar kutto ko khila dunga!" He shoved him back.

[If you tried to touch a girl next time them I will feed you to the dogs naked!]

All of them stood and ran away from there. Shaurya’s knuckles were bleeding.

Aadhira moved towards him and rubbed his back. "Enough."

He turned to her then at the girl beside her. "Where do you live?" He asked in a little softer tone.

"I-I l-l-live in-n  a d-dorm of N-NLU." She managed to speak those words. Her eyes were still wide from the incident.

"It's nearby. Come, we will drop you." Aadhira said rubbing her back, trying to ease her adrenaline.

The girl nodded shakingly. Her body trembled.

The three of them sat on the bike and made their way towards The Dorms of NLU.

The ride once filled with a warmth was now silent. Only silence.

Reaching the dorm, the girl, Sakshi, came off the bike and turned towards them. Her figure looked composed then earlier.

"Thank you for helping me and dropping me." She spoke in a low voice. It was almost a murmur.

Aadhira gave her a gentle hug. "It's okay. You're safe now. But learn to stand for yourself. Do you even realise what could happen if we hadn't arrived at that time. You have to learn defense yourself. I or him won't be everytime there to save you. Okay?" She spoke in a assuring yet firm voice.

The girl nodded in response. Aadhira gave a little pat at her arm, guiding her to go inside. "Now go and sleep."

Biding them a bye, the girl went inside and so did Aadhira and Shaurya drove off. They remained silent for a few minutes.

Aadhira was the one to ignite a conversation. "Sun ek kaam kar, dorm hi chal vapas. Vaise bhi 2 baj gaye h already." She looked at her watch and telling him. Shaurya nodded in response.

[ Listen lets drive to the dorm, its already 2 am.]

Their silence blurred into a light conversation about family and college.

Reaching the dorm, Aadhira got off the bike and bid Shaurya a wave. He erected a wave in her direction too before driving away to his own dorm.

Once Aadhira was in her room, she threw herself on bed. As she closed her eyes, then girl's terrified face came in front of her eyes.

And that’s when she realized...

Not everyone is same.

Not everyone knows to defend them.

They need a protector.

Someone like a bodyguard to roam with them 24/7.

But Aadhira wasn't like this.

She knew how to defend herself from situation like those.

She didn't need a protector or a guard for her.

She herself was enough to handle her and the situation. She knew the things, the techniques.

Shrugging away her thoughts, she changed herself into a comfortable night suit. And within seconds she slept.

And in the quiet silence we realized that if we need to survive in country like these, we need to learn how to survive.

Having weapon is not enough, but to use them is.

---

Rudra sat on his office chair. He flipped through files.

Rudra Malhotra was a man of words.

He is cold, but for outsiders.

He loves his family more than anything.

Especially, his niece.

He is the CEO of RM companies.

Rudra's phone rang and he picked up without a single glance.

"Hello?"

"Chachuuu aap tahaa hooo?" Radha's voice came. Her tone and way of speaking was same as a typical 5 year old baby girl.

[Uncleee whelee alee you?]

Rudra chuckled at her cuteness. He always fulfilled all her wishes. She, herself was more attached to him more than her own father.

Obviously, he was the one who gave her name- Radha.

"Abhi aaya bachee bas nikal raha hu. Aap 15 minutes wait karo chachu ka." He said softly.

[I am coming kid. Just wait 15 minutes for me.]

The little girl gave him a childlike humm and the call declined. Rudra closed his files immediately and made his out of the office.

The way to his home was silent. He played songs in his cars.

He never liked soft songs.

They weren't for him.

He parked his car outside and took his blazer and chocolates which he bought on his way.

Not a second completed he reached the door, the door bursted open, revealing small Radha with crossed arms and puffed cheeks.

"You ale late." She says complainingly.

Rudra bent down on his knees and held his ears. "Sorry, Ruku. Forgive chachu. I was buying chocolates for you." He revealed the chocolates to her.

Radha's eyes twinkled seeing the brown chocolate bars and as she was about to grab it, it was already snatched. She looked up only to spot her mother with the chocolates and crossed hands.

"Aaj ki ye teri teesri chocolate h! Daant kharab ho jayenge itni chocolate se!," Priya scolded.

[This is the third chocolate of your day! Your teeth will catch germs!]

Radha pouted sadly, it made Rudra's heart melt. He stood up on his legs and turned to his sister-in-law.

"Are koi baat nhi bhabhi. Khane dijiye na isse, bachi h." He tried to console.

[It's okay, sister-in-law. Let her eat, she is a kid.]

Priya glared at him and started to scold him too. "Tumhi ne ise sar pe chadha kar rakha hai! Daant do to bolti h ki 'chachu ko bata dungi' or fhir aur bolo to phone kar deti h!"

[You've kept her on crown! If someone scolds her, then she says that she will tell to chachu and if we say something more than she calls you.]

Rudra also kept his head low as his bhabhi scolded him and looked at Radha who herself kept her head low while listening to her mother's scoldings.

Naina Malhotra, Rudra's mother entered the scene. She looked at the two guilty children and their mother and sister-in-law scolding them.

A smile crept on her face as she saw how they were listening to her. She always considered herself blessed when it came to her family, especially her daughter-in-law.

She always listened that they break families, but here was hers. She was keeping the family and together all along.

She moved to them and kept a hand on Priya's shoulder. "It's okay, beta. Leave them."

Priya stopped immediately and nodded. She was an orphan. But she got a mother's love from a mother-in-law. And a father's love from Father-in-law.

Rudra was a brother to her. She was happy with her family.

She moved inside and placed the chocolate on the upper cabinet. Moving back to them, she called them for food.

Rudra excused himself for changing and  her Father-in-law, Viren Malhotra, came and took a seat. Kabir, Rudra's brother, was out on a trip with his colleagues.

He came downstairs with a t-shirt and trouser on, looking effortlessly handsome in formals.

He came to the dining table and saw Priya serving food to her daughter.

He went towards them and took the plate from Priya's hand. "Aap khana khaiye, Ruku ko mai khila dunga."

[You eat food, I will feed Ruku.]

Priya nodded and sat to eat herself. Rudra tore a small piece of roti, dipped it in sabzi and hovered it near Radha's mouth.

The girl giggled softly and ate quietly. She was very obedient when it came to him. She behaved well and took all the morals he taught her. He was more than a father figure to Radha.

After feeding his niece, Rudra ate himself and took all the plates from the table. He went in the kitchen to wash them.

In Rudra's home, a lady was given a high level respect. They considered that if a woman can work morning to evening, then why can't a man take the night duty?

He washed the plates and placed them in the cabinets after cleaning. The living room was filled with chatter when he entered.

Naina was caressing Priya's head in her lap while Radha played with her grandfather.

He plopped on the couch beside his father and started playing with the cute little girl.

Some stories do start with secrets, but some start to make a secret.

Mine Forever is not just a story. It's a emotion of every girl having her dream family. Her dream life.

I am a girl and understand you.

But where's the universe and destiny?

Well... here fate and faith works.

No cards are played here.

But a game of cricket id well played.

One goes.

Another comes.

---

And I've heard of a love

That comes once in a lifetime,

And I'm pretty sure that you are that

Love of mine...

'Cause I'm in the field of dandelions,

Wishing on everyone that

One day you'd be mine...

Mine... 🩵🧿