8. Getting closer

******Jhanu pov******

While I was waiting for Vinay on the ground, I met Abhi. It had been one hour still he was practicing cricket in the playground. I got angry with Vinay as I have to buy books for my semester. 

 After an hour, Vinay came towards me and informed me to go home alone as he wants to do more practice. I started shouting at him as I was waiting for him for a long time. 

 Then Abhi told Vinay, I will drop Jhanu at home if she doesn't mind. Vinay pleaded with his eyes to go with him. I said okay to Abhi.

When Abhi called me Miss. Angry bird playfully. Strangely I was enjoying his teasing. Usually, I used to get angry if anyone teases me. Slowly I started liking his every act and every talk. 

I should stay away from him....I thought in my mind.

Finally, I agreed to go with Abhi to my home as the next bus will be after one hour. I never went with other boys except for Vinay on the bike. So I hesitantly hopped on his bike behind him.

Abhi took me to his house to take books for my sem-1 as his house is on the way. He was driving the bike very fast, I was very scared of the way he was driving. I held his shoulder tightly with fear and closed my eyes.

For a few seconds, I realized my position and I pleaded with him to drive slowly. Then I removed my hands from his shoulders. Within half an hour, we reached his house. His house looks old-fashioned from outside. I was looking at the surroundings of his house with a beautiful garden.

He invited me to come inside and made me sit on the sofa. His house interiors were excellent with modern style.

 " I will bring books from the study room within a few minutes," Abhi said.

He went to the study room to get books leaving me alone in the living room. By looking at his house, I understood he was very rich. Still, I didn't believe even though he is rich, he is very simple and friendly with others.

 As I didn't find anyone in the house, I was curious to know about his family. When he came back with books, I asked about them.

 He just showed his mom's photo hanging on the wall with Garland.

"If I know I would never ask about your mother. I am so sorry "I apologized.

 He smiled sadly and said it's okay. Then I asked about his father and siblings.

 He said, his father is a businessman and their company headquarters is in Bangalore. His brother, Srujan Varma was studying engineering in Chennai.

 I was shocked and surprised as he was staying alone in this big house. He just smiled at me and replied to me," I got habituated". 

I understood that was the reason he wants to spend more time in college and with friends.

"This is your first visit to my home and didn't offer even water." He said and brought water to me.

I took water and drank it. As it was getting late for my home I want to start to my home. When I was about to leave his house he stopped me.

"I will drop you. "He said.

But I felt embarrassed when I remembered I hold him tightly while he was driving earlier .......

I said " I want to go by myself and I am scared of your driving. "

*****Abhi pov******

"Abhi.."

The first time my name is sounding new to me as she was calling.  I felt as my name is a beautiful name among all. I was smiling inside.

Again she called me Abhi ...

Hmm... tell me jhanu

 "Abhi... Please.... drive slow"

" I don't want to die so early, Abhi. Can you please drive slowly? " she said.

"Are you scared of my driving?" I asked her.

She remained silent for my question.

I decreased the speed of my bike. She removed her hand from my shoulder. After a While, we reached my house. Jhanu stood at the entrance of my house. She was observing surroundings standing outside. 

When I returned after getting my books for her, she was looking interiors of my house. She didn't notice me as she was exploring my house. I called her, "hey Jhanu, did I make you wait?".

She smiled at me and said "It's okay Abhi. I was looking around your house. Your house interiors are very nice."

I offered water to drink as it was the first time she came to my house.

 No need for anything Abhi.

" It's okay, "she said.

At least water, I asked her.

 She nodded her head and asked me where is your mother ?? When I told her about my mom.

She apologized to me as she thought that she hurt me by reminding my mom. She is innocent and naive that she apologized for a small issue.

After some time, she stood up from the sofa and walking towards the main entrance of my house.

She said, "It is getting late Abhi I want to leave now ", she said.

"Hey Jhanu, please wait... I will drop you," I stopped.

"Please Abhi I am scared of your driving. I will go myself," she said.

 I held her left hand and twirled towards me to stop her. She lost her balance as I pulled her suddenly. To avoid falling, she balanced herself by placing her palms on her chest. My heartbeat is racing fast with her soft touch. Instantly she moved away from me lowering her head.

" I will drop you. Once see the climate outside. It seems it would be raining. And also Vinay told you to drop me at your house, so till you reach your house you are my responsibility. "I said without giving a chance to her to speak.

She nodded her head timidly.

 " Okay but please drive slowly " she pleaded.

She was looking at my hand which I was holding still whereas her palms were still on my chest. I left her hand when she looked at me.

Within 20 minutes we reached near to her house. She said to stop the bike at the end of the lane. As I was about to question her, she told me that her grandmother is an orthodox person. If she saw us together, she will give a big lecture to her. I smiled at her words. While I was going back to my house she called me.

"I don't know Abhi whether I should say this or not. I am not so close friend but I want to tell you one thing" with hesitation in her voice.

"It's okay, tell me Jhanu. " I said.

"Please drive slowly Abhi and use a helmet while driving." She said.

"Thank you for your care Jhanu. I will careful while driving okay. " I smiled.

"Did I scared you so much? ", I asked her.

"I am not scared of your driving Abhi. It reminds my parent's accident, " she said with tearful eyes.

"From now I will drive slowly. Please smile for me Jhanu." I pleaded.

I felt very happy as she was showing care for me.

She smiled at me and waved her hand. I stand there itself till she entered into her house.

Stay tuned........