19

Reya kept her eyes closed , when Zoya came to check on her . She didn’t want to talk to anyone .

Atharv knew that she wasn’t going to get any better without sleeping . He entered her room and saw her eyes closed , the slight hitch in her voice told him that she was awake .

Reya kept her eyes closed , wishing whoever it was to leave .but then she felt the person approaching her .

Atharv sat on the bed and touched her hair , Reya felt a soothing haze taking over her .the pain , the fear she felt was going away and a world of peace was taking over her .

"My firefly , sleep "she heard his voice . The pull towards him was strong , but she found the energy to open her eyes and move away from him .

"It .. it was you , I didn’t imagine it . You came to my room every night . Your scent was always lingering around me in the morning "Reya said looking at her face . He kept quite “what did you do to me ?why cant I sleep peacefully ? Tell me! “Reya said punching his chest and stomach .

Atharv took her blows and didn’t try to stop her . Tears of frustration started running from her eyes. She was pushing herself to punch him , Atharv saw it and held her hands . She was a sobbing mess by then , Atharv pulled her into his chest . She tried to ward him off, free herself . But he didn’t budge . Atharv started running his hand through her hair , doing his best to calm her . She was mumbling about how much she wanted him to go , leave her alone .

Atharv kept her pressed to himself and soon the exhaustion took over and she fell asleep . Atharv kept hugging her close to himself . He was placing small kisses on her temple and on her head .

He laid her down but her hands were clutching his shirt .she didn’t have any option but to roll over and lay her on top of him . The slight hitch in her breathing due to crying made him rub her back and sooth her hair continuously . It was breaking his heart .

Next morning, Reya was feeling a lot better .she decided not to think about Atharv . She avoided him at all points , they returned from the trip that day . Reya didn’t even sit with him , she asked Adira to take her seat .

Adira agreed knowing that she needed time . The thought of Adira being like him didn’t even cross Reya’s head . She thought that it was only Atharv :the weird one .

Atharv also didn’t try to approach her . While returning , Zoya saw the strain between them two . "What’s going on ? Is there something wrong between you two ?"she asked and Reya became tense for a second .

"Nothing, I am just not in a very friendly mood "Reya said . "It didn’t seem like that , yesterday “Zoya said with a wicked look and showed her the picture of them sleeping .

"Delete it "Reya said in a cold voice ."it means nothing. You hear me ! Nothing !"

Atharv was hearing their chat , he didn’t know how to feel about her behaviour .

When they reached home , Reya tried to be as normal as she could .

At night , Reya locked her door and window and went to bed . She wasn’t able to sleep , but she didn’t wish him to be in her room also . Atharv saw the locked window, he could open it easily but he didn’t .

The doubts were taking place in his heart , he didn’t want to cause her pain. If she wasn’t ready for him to be near her , then he would leave her alone . He stayed outside her house but didn’t enter. He saw Reya waking up again and again, looking ready to cry .

But he controlled himself . Around midnight , the clouds had started to cover the sky , the darkness and the pain of his soul started to rain on the land . Reya saw the weather .the black clouds and their sudden approach told Reya who was behind it . She bit her lip and hid her face in a pillow . She didn’t want to get affected by him or the rain .