Stay by my side

Chapter 13

Mallika's POV:

"Arrey Khargosh stop running", a fifteen year old Sumedh panted heavily.

"You need exercise Sumi...all the time you only read books...even now when we are at the beach. If you want your book back, first catch me", I shouted  playfully at him.

We had come to the beach to de-stress after the torture every student goes through... that's right, Exams. But this bookworm here instead of enjoying the cool breeze and the breathtaking sunset that nature had delightfully blessed us with, he was immersed in his books. That's why I sneakily grabbed his book and ran around merrily teasing and taunting him.

"Come on Sumi...run faster if you want the book"

"I hope you do know that once I get my hands on you, you are DEAD"

"Oh my god. I'm soooo scared", I snickered and ran away from him when suddenly I tripped on my undone shoelaces and fell flat on my face.

Before I could recover from the shock, Sumedh tackled me to the ground and gripped my hands tightly.

"Now where will you run huh?"

I struggled against his hold, but he was strong. I then brought out my ultimate weapon that I know will work on him every time: my puppy face.

"Let me go...please...", I blinked my eyes and looked at him innocently. For a moment none of us moved. His intense hazel eyes stared at me rattling my senses and I tried in vain to avert my eyes from the magnetic pull of his orbs. After what felt like an eternity, his expression changed as if realising the position we were in and he quickly pushed himself off me.

"It's not fair Mallika... You can't always use your puppy face on me", he sulked.

I slowly stood up and gazed at his profile. His curly hair was now more unruly due to the wind and he was attempting to tie up his hair in a ponytail. There was a slight stubble growing on his chin and his charming eyes were currently focused on the sea. It seemed like the goofy kid who used to follow me everywhere has now grown into a serious teenager and I found myself falling for him hard.

"Mallika...MALLIKA, get up", I heard someone yelling into my ears.

I rubbed my eyes tiredly and yawned, "where am I? Can I sleep for some more time?"

"Kumbhkaran ki behen we have reached the workshop. If you have finished your beauty sleep, can we go inside?", he smirked at me and got down the car.

Shit, did I just fall asleep next to him and on top of that I was dreaming about him. What if I said his name out aloud? What would he think of me? Was my mouth open and was I drooling? God please kill me now.

"Maharani will you get down now?", Sumedh asked opening the car door for me and I got down with a nervous laugh.

Sumedh's POV:

We stopped for tea and breakfast at a small restaurant and then drove to the workshop. On the way I tried my best to keep our talks professional and to not cross the line she had drawn between us. Halfway to our destination, I saw her head bobbing up and down as she slept with a peaceful smile on her face. I felt a a surge of happiness course through my body on watching her sleep without a care in the world.

I parked the car and was about to wake her up from her slumber when I heard her soft voice calling out my name, "Sumi..."

My heart fluttered on knowing that I occupied her dreams just as she always resides in my thoughts. And I loved the way she said my name. I rested my head on the steering wheel and was so lost in her when my phone vibrated with a message from the workshop team asking us to come quickly. I sighed and gazed at her one last time before waking her up.

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

The production had arranged classical dance classes for us because of the raas sequences that we were going to showcase on television. Our dance teachers had already arrived and the both of us exchanged pleasantries with them.

"Sumedh do you know classical dance? I know that you are good at free style and you're also called beatking but what about classical?", Mallika questioned me while biting her nails and I could see that she was nervous.

I removed her hand from her mouth and reassured her, "No Mallika, classical dance is a first for me also but I can help you with the basics. Don't worry too much."

She nodded greatfully at me and I smiled in return. We took our positions and started to dance the basic steps. At first she faltered a few times and then she slowly gained her confidence as I guided her through the dance. After that we gained our rhythm and completed the dance session without any hindrances.

It was already 4:00 in the evening when the workshop ended. Mallika and I were sprawled across the floor trying to catch our breaths. Everyone else had left and it was only the both of us. The conversation from the other day about Mallika's dream popped into my mind and curiosity got the better of me.

"Mallika can I ask you something? Will you tell the truth?"

"Hmm...ask me", she replied hesitantly.

"Woh...you said that your dream had changed and that's why you became an actor. Is that the truth or are you hiding something? Because the Mallika I know would never give up on her basketball"

She became stiff and a dark look crossed her face. "The Mallika you knew is dead. I gave up on basketball because I was bored of it...and I can say the same thing about you. Didn't you want to become a doctor? What happened to you then?"

She didn't wait to hear my answer and exited the room leaving me alone to ponder on the sudden change in her behaviour. I could still feel that she was hiding something important from me and I made up my mind to find it out at all costs.

************************************
Hey guys, new chapter posted.

Apologies for the late update. Hope all of you will like the chapter.

Will Sumedh find out what Mallika is hiding? Will they become closer?

Please vote and comment 🙏.