24. In the middle of dessert

Word glossary:

Bhai sa- Brother.

Dupatta- Long scarf.

Raina stood in front of an old library. After inquiring a little bit from her coworkers she got to know that their is an old library sponsored by a publishing house so it would be possible to find old newspapers there.

Smell of books hit her nostrils as she entered the hall filled with hundreds of books. It was almost empty because closing time was nearing. She walked to the librarian's table where an old man was arranging keys so that he can go to his house soon.

Sensing her presence, he turned to face her. He said with raised eybrows, "You can't get any book today. It's already closing time."

Raina said with conscious, "I don't want books.. I am looking for old newspapers."

He huffed, it was not new. Earlier, it was a workshop of a publishing house later turned into library. They used to save a copy of newspapers there.

He motioned towards a corner, "You can find them there but tomorrow. Library is closed now. "

Raina shifted uncomfortably on her legs. She said with hesitation, "Uhh.. Actually,I want 12 years old newspapers..."

Man's head snapped his head towards her , he was looking at her like she was some fool while Raina was focusing on the books kept in the shelf behind man to avoid his questioning gaze.

She knew that probably that man was thinking that she was crazy but she didn't have any other choice.

Finally that man spoke, "We have them. But I don't have keys to that room. "

Raina knew that he was making an excuse so that he can escape hardwork that's why she quickly put a currency note on the table.

That old man's gaze directly travels on the note.

He tried to say, "But yo-"

She didn't let him complete his sentence by again putting another note there.

The man was looking at notes with greedy eyes.

She said in a suggesting tone, "This is advance. Arrange the keys and you will get more money."

Librarian gathered the money and hastily put them inside his pocket, "Okey.. I will get the keys tomorrow."

Raina nodded her head smirking at his lust for money , she left the library praying to get something from there.

Other day, Raina had to get ready early even when it was Saturday. She along with some officemates was going to a village for God knows what work...

Adya had clearly instructed her to wear something ethnic as the people of the village where they were going were orthodox for their culture and it was quite expected in the rural area of Rajasthan as well.

She chose a simple yellow suit with Chikankari embroidery and did her hair in braids. Mostly she used to do ponytail but braid would be suitable for suit.

She reached the office where Adya was waiting for her outside the building, she was also wearing a suit. Office building was empty due to weekend.

Adya huffed seeing her, "I tried to call you but your call was not connecting."

At that moment Raina remembered that her phone broke yesterday and she had to buy a new one.

She closed her eyes in frustration, "Adya.. Actually my phone broke yesterday and I forgot to buy one..."

Adya understood the situation , she placed her hand on her shoulders and said, "Its okey.... Let's go."

Raina nodded and went with her. She saw Rohan standing beside a car. He looked at them and smiled. Adya and Raina settled on the backseat and Rohan was driving the car.... They started discussing about the work as the car ran on the road.

After almost one hour, she understood that they were going on behalf of Rajputana Empire to work on some basic infrastructures of few villages.

Adya was chatting with Rohan about something which didn't held her interest. She turned her attention towards the window. Small particles of sand which were flying in the air due to the tyre's activity on the road, scanty plants or trees and scorching sun light were seemed more interesting to her.

Small blue buildings standing on roadside blurred indicating that they were in the outskirts of Jodhpur. She didn't know when her eyes closed and she drifted in a sleep...

She woke up when a screeching sound reached her ears..

She looked outside and saw small huts and buildings there, that village was in between the dessert. She looked beside her to find that Adya got out already .

"Woahh!!! I slept..?" , She thought and looked at her watch to see that it almost took them three hours to reach the place .

She opened the door of car and stepped outside. Warm wind hit her body , she felt a little uneasy because of sudden change in temperature. She walked towards Adya balancing her Dupatta on one shoulder carefully.

She reached the small group conversing the village head. She was looking around the place and she was tapping her feet on the ground out of boredom.

Suddenly her dupatta got stucked between her foot resulting in sudden jerk and imbalancing. Unconsciously she took a step behind to recover her balance but her back collided with something hard. Feeling someone's breath on her neck she looked up.

Adhiraj was the first one to reach the place. Along with a man he went to roam in that small village . When he returned, he saw his employees had arrived and they were standing at one place.

He walked towards them, the weather was hot resulting in sweating. He was in his simple shirt and pants not in his usual business suits so it was better.

He reached to them and was going to say something when the girl standing in front of him lost her balance somehow and took a step back only to be collided with him. In reflex, he spread his arms around her so that she could not fall but still not touching her. Her soft hair touched his jaw . She instantly craned her neck to look at him and then he realised that she was none other than Raina.

Her eyes widened seeing him and she stepped forward to maintain a distance but her side hair got slightly stucked with his stubble and due to her movement few strings escaped her neatly done braid. She maintained a decent space between them.

She tucked those hairs behind her hair with one hand and other hand placed the dupatta perfectly on her shoulder.

She said in an apologetic tone, "Uhh..Sorry sir.... Actually, my dupatta got stucked in between my foot and I lost balance."

Adhiraj looked at her face , but red colour of blush creeping on her eartips didn't go unnoticed by him.

He looked at her amusingly but the later one was not maintaining eye contact with him out of embarrassment staring at his shoes only.

He muttered, "It's okey."

People's attention drawn towards him and they started talking to him meanwhile Raina walked other way to avoid her boss and the embarrassing moment.

Their work started and they started surveying the place. Raina was talking to children and women to get more knowledge of the social scenario .

It was near afternoon when Adya came to Adhiraj. He was talking with Rohan but it got intervened by Adya, "Bhai sa. I have to go back in office."

Adhiraj turned his attention to her, "Why?? What happened?"

"Adhvan went to look after some legal matters and now he need some help so he called me..Thats why..", she sighed.

Adhiraj thought for a minute.. Adya had to go and he can't let her go alone, it wasn't safe. And he had some work left here. He looked at Rohan, "Rohan, go along with her... I still have some work here.."

Rohan nodded and went towards car, Adya realised something . She turned back to Adhiraj, "Bhai sa... Raina came along with us and we are going back... Can you please drop her back?"

Adhiraj looked at her and nodded not knowing what to say. Adya smiled and went towards the car.

Adhiraj breathed out and moved his gaze here and there to get a glimpse of his new companion for car ride.

A frown settled on his face when he didn't found her. He took a few steps looking right and left but his steps halted when his eyes fell on her who was busy chatting with a group of kids..

Again a small smile was on her lips but twinkle in her almond shaped eyes told that how much she was enjoying that ...

Some sweat beads were present on her forehead... A long hair string which got free when she fell on his chest was sticking on the curve of her neck and even her baby hairs close to her hair line was drenched in sweat... She ruffled hairs of a boy and that naughty boy pinched her nose slightly. She dramatically gasped on his deed. He went away from there with a smile playing on his lips.

This chapter was going to be important one but I tried to work on my explanation skills turned that it became long but I promise that the next chapter will be very interesting....

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