Recap: Sana and her freinds reached the temple. Vikram also reached the temple.
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Sana and her friends stepped inside the temple, their hands folded in prayer as they stood before the deities. The air was filled with the scent of incense and the rhythmic chants of the priests. After completing their prayers, they all settled down within the temple premises.
Sana sighed, a peculiar feeling settling in her heart.
“I feel something different today,” she murmured, a soft smile gracing her lips. “Like something new is bound to happen. It’s almost as if I’m going to see my mother. That feeling alone excites me.”
Priyanka chuckled. “Wow, that’s interesting. Let’s see what happens then.”
Rakshat gave Sana an affectionate glance. “For the good heart you have, only good things will happen to you, sunshine.”
Priyanka groaned, rolling her eyes. “God, you two have already started your brother-sister drama?”
Sana smirked. “You’re jealous of us, am I right Raksh bro?”
Rakshat grinned. “Everything you say is right, Sana. Now, shall we go?”
Everyone hummed in agreement, getting to their feet. As they walked out of the temple, Vikram strolled around the main sanctum, engrossed in his phone. Rakshat and Samrat walked ahead while Sana and Priyanka lingered behind, taking their time.
Sana’s gaze lifted to the temple’s moumental entrance, where a majestic peacock perched gracefully. Captivated, she continued walking, her eyes fixed on the bird. In that moment, completely unaware of her surroundings, she hopped in excitement and crashed into someone.
Vikram’s phone slipped from his hands, landing on the stone floor.
He bent down instantly to pick it up, not bothering to glance at the person responsible. Meanwhile, Sana froze, her breath hitching the moment she saw him. Panic surged through her, and before Vikram could look up, she turned on her heels and fled.
When Vikram finally straightened, his gaze landed on Priyanka, who stood before him.
Priyanka, meanwhile, was staring at him in utter disbelief. “Wow… What a handsome man! Now I understand why Sana has a crush on him. God, he’s hot and smart!” she mused to herself.
Realizing she had been caught staring, she snapped back to reality and quickly apologized. “Sorry, sir. I didn’t see you coming…”
Vikram waved it off. “It’s okay. It was just an accident, so let it be.”
Without another word, he walked away, assuming it was Priyanka who had bumped into him. Priyanka, however, smirked to herself.
“Well, Vikram met Priyanka, not Sana,” she thought smugly before heading back to the car where Sana, Samrat, and Rakshat were waiting.
Inside the car, Sana’s face was flushed, her lips twitching as if suppressing a smile. She sat quietly, lost in her thoughts.
Rakshat raised an eyebrow. “Hey, what happened, Sana? Why do you look so flustered? Did something happen?”
Sana turned to Priyanka eagerly. “Hey, Priya! Did he ask you something? I’ve been calling your name for ages! Please tell me, did he ask anything?”
Priyanka shrugged nonchalantly. “Nope. I just said my friend bumped into him by mistake. He said it wasn’t a problem.”
Rakshat frowned, confused. “Wait, wait. What’s going on? What are you two whispering about?”
Sana grinned, unable to contain her excitement. “Bro, I bumped into Vikram just now! I met him up close… Oh god, what is happening to me?!”
Priyanka, unimpressed, scoffed. “Sana, he looks like the short-tempered type with way too much attitude. You better stop dreaming about him.”
Sana’s smile faded into a pout. “What? No, you don’t know anything about him!”
Rakshat chuckled. “So, are your feet on the ground now after meeting your crush?”
Sana groaned. “Rakhs, please stop teasing me.”
“Fine, fine,” he relented, starting the car. “Let’s head to the orphanage now.”
Vikram’s POV:
Meanwhile, in Vikram’s car, he sat silently, lost in thought.
“I never like being in public. I’m a complete introvert. Today, I overslept, and my father had to wake me up for the temple visit. Only then did I remember… it’s my mom’s birthday. How could I forget her birthday?” He clenched his fists, guilt washing over him.
Every year, his mother had visited the temple and spent time at the orphanage. But this year, she wasn’t with him. Cancer had taken her away the previous year, leaving him alone.
“I went to the temple she always visited… and today, I had a different feeling, like I was going to meet someone special.”
He recalled the moment he was on the phone, distracted, when someone bumped into him. A strange aura had enveloped him. The subtle yet familiar scent of lavender filled his senses. He had bent down to pick up his phone, and when he looked up, a girl had stood before him.
“I couldn’t understand what was happening… that aura, that fragrance… It was familiar yet unfamiliar at the same time.”
Just then, his driver spoke. “Sir, there’s a stain of vermilion on your shirt.”
Vikram glanced down, noticing the red mark on his crisp white shirt. “It must be from the girl who bumped into me.”
He reached for the fabric, brushing over the spot. A strange emotion stirred within him. He brought the shirt closer and inhaled. The same lavender fragrance lingered. His mind flashed to his mother.
“This is the same fragrance my mother used to have…”
The thought unsettled him, but he couldn’t bring himself to discard the shirt.
“Sir, give me the shirt. I’ll send it for laundry,” the driver offered.
“No,” Vikram said firmly. “Let it be. I’ll take care of it. Get the car ready. We’re visiting the orphanage.”
Sana and her friends reached the orphanage first. The moment she stepped out of the car, the children came running, their faces beaming with joy.
“Sister!” they squealed, tugging at her hands. The caretaker welcomed her warmly, smiling at the way the children flocked around her.
Sana knelt down, ruffling their hair. “How are you all, kiddos?”
“We are super fine, sister! Come, let’s play!” they chorused excitedly.
The caretaker approached her. “Madam, please come to the office.”
Sana shook her head. “No, I came here to spend time with the kids. Let me play with them first.”
The caretaker smiled. “With pleasure. Let me know if you need anything.”
Sana clapped her hands. “But before we play, don’t you all want gifts?”
The children squealed in excitement. She handed out toys, chocolates, and new clothes before joining them in their games. Lost in her joy, she became one of them, her laughter ringing through the air.
Samrat and Rakshat were busy on their calls a little farther away, unaware that Vikram had just arrived.
Priyanka, however spotted him instantly. She decided not to alert Sana. Inside the orphanage office, Vikram spoke to the caretaker. “I’d like to see the children.”
“Of course, sir,” she replied. “But there’s a young lady who comes every year on this day to spend time with them. They’re all with her now.”
Vikram hesitated. “That’s okay. I don’t want to disturb them.”
Just then, a child tripped and scraped his knee, crying out in pain. Sana immediately reacted. “God, he’s bleeding! Come, little one, I’ll take you to the office for first aid.”
Priyanka panicked. “If Sana goes there, she’ll meet Vikram! What should I do?!”
She quickly intervened. “Sana, you stay and play. I’ll take him.”
Sana frowned. “It’s okay, Priya. I’ll handle it.”
Priyanka huffed. “You don’t listen to me these days.”
Sana laughed. “Fine, Angry Bird. Take him yourself.”
Priyanka, relieved, led the child away, successfully preventing Sana from meeting Vikram… for now.
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A/N:
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