Can't Help Falling in Love (Book 1)

Pinky Promise?

‘I will not stop what I started ‘. With this thought in the mind. I started Nagin dance and rotating around his chair. His eyes widened in shock or say surprise. I even show my tongue to him like a snake, and that’s it. I saw something which I had never seen before. His lips twitched a little and a small smile appeared on his face & then he started grinning. He rotated slightly while grinning.

.

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“Pagal”, He talked with himself. “What’s your name, little girl?” He asked while smiling while I narrowed my eyes ‘Does he really not know my name?’

“My name is Pravi Basu. And what is your name?”,

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“You really don’t name?”, He asked raising his brow. Of course, I know your name, but since you acted as if you don’t know my name. I am doing the same.

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“No”, I replied innocently. I am 100% sure that he knows that I am lying.

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“My name is Aarvik Singh Rathore.”, He replied. “Well, it is a bad habit to lie. I really didn’t know your name. I was kind of so engross in myself that I didn’t care about the things happening around me.”

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“It means I have to remind my name to you again?”, I asked, crossing my hand around my chest. He stared at me for a good amount of time with a confused expression. “You will again forget my name after getting engross yourself into something, will you?”

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“Oh, no…no..no. I will never forget your name. I promise.”

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“And you won’t even ignore me like I am invisible.”

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“I won’t do that. Promise”

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“Pinky promise?”, I asked, showing my little finger.

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“Pinky promise.”

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After that night, we were not friends, but yes, we were not even strangers. I got enrolled in my new school. Dad & my twins' brother used to meet twice in a month at every fortnight.

People say, time flies, it definitely does. I didn’t realize when I & maa completed 1.5 years in Mumbai. Everything was going smoothly in our family even Dad was planning to settle in India in the upcoming 6 months along with Daksh & Eklavya until that unfortunate night.

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“..what?”, I heard mom’s voice. It seems like she is speaking to someone over the call. I opened my eyes and spotted mom near the window. “Is marriage a joke? How can she even think of divorce?”, She whispered yelled. I have no idea what is she talking about & with whom, but I can say that it is not any cheerful news. “Sameer, we can’t let this happen at any cost. I am coming to London”……” No, Pravi will stay here because her exams are starting from next week and I don’t think this is the right time to bring her there.”……”Don’t worry about that Aarvik is here to take care of her.”. Finally, my mom saw me awake. “I will talk to you later.”

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“Sweeties, what did you hear?”

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“Everything after you said ‘is marriage a joke’. Are you leaving for London, maa?”

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“Yes, baby. I have to. It is very urgent. You have to stay here with Aarvik until I come back. Please don’t ask much questions about it because even you know that I wouldn’t have taken this decision if this would be something very important.”

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“Okay”, I answered slowly with fighting back. Even I would have then ‘Chalna to wahi tha jo wo chahti thi’.

Early morning

The moment Mom's car left our premises. I hugged him, holding his waist, and started crying. He stooped down and picked me up, then took up me to the bed, tucking me in.

"Shh, Don't cry. Pravi. Sleep for a while, I will wake you up at your regular routine so you won't get late for school.", He was about to leave when I hold her hand and didn't let him go. I was afraid that he will leave me too. 'Please, don't leave me", I mumbled, and then I didn't remember myself sleeping.

Our bond was getting stronger day by day in those days. He always used to cook for me because I didn't like the food cooked by the servants. I always used to stay awake until he returned home at night. I didn't know where he used to go after having dinner, but because of this habit, he used to make sure that he could reach back to home timely.

While on the other side, I didn't know what has exactly happened, but it took approx 6 months to when mom was back to live with us. It was not like she or dad didn't visit me in these months. Even when mom was back, I can see she used to stay worried and tensed. Whenever I used to ask about it, she used to change the topic. 

Aimlessly, another one year went by.

I was 11 years old by then, This time when he decided to leave me because his posting has been confirmed as a Captain Aarvik Singh Rathore. Finally, he has reached his first level of dream. I didn't want him to go but mom said that it was important for him especially for his career so I should not behave like the stone blocking his growth.

"When will you be coming back?", I asked while eating my favorite ice cream. Well, this is his technique to bribe me with my favorite food to cheer my mood, which was sad after hearing the news of his departure.

"I don't know till my next posting I guess"

"Hmm", I tried not to cry. "Will you forget me?", I asked in a low tone.

"No, Pravi.", He softly cupped my face. "I can never forget those people who have special space in my heart.", He pinched my cheeks. "And most importantly, you are my favorite, you know that, right? You are the only person who made me smile on my hard day. My only ray of light. I can never forget you."

"Will we be in touch?"

"I doubt that."

I took out the handmade card which I have made especially for him. I am too bad at drawing, but still, I thought to give him something which will remind him of me. I had drawn a tall man & a short girl holding the hand plus I had written 'I will miss you' at the end of the card.

"Even me and mom will be leaving for London.", I said on which he nodded.

A few days later,

Two cars left Basu's Mansion in the two opposite directions. I was crying and waving my hand to him. If it would be old Aarvik, then surely he wouldn't have returned the same gesture, but now he can't behave in the same way to the only person who shared three years will him without leaving his side even though he was rude to her. Even he waved his hand.

"I will miss you, Aarvik bhaiya", I shouted as loud as I can.

"I will miss you too, Pagal"

#TBC