Chapter 11

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The snow was falling as expected. And the twinkling faces were still lying in no mood to freeze up without the morning sun . Vansh came out and turned as he remembered how scared they got last.

"They are not all the strong steel woman they pretend."he smiled , he learnt smiling , and you can't even resist if you have two guards to tickle off your sorrow every now and then.

"And you are very strong ; dip your head inside a pillow to escape the Annabelle is quite strong attribute......",Pihu exclaimed rubbing her eyes.

"Pihu...... You start since morning...", Riddhima got seated as her sleep broke due to the morning dramas of Pihu.

Vansh smiled again.

Riddhima stood up and went to the kitchen.

"Pihu........", She shouted from inside.

"What Riddhi , " Pihu said in a lazy tone.

"Man we need veggies " she came out.

"Market !"

"I am not going." Pihu walked to the couch.

"Please.... I went last time now it's your turn."

Pihu downed her head in disinterest.

"Take Vansh with you ." Riddhima looked at Vansh.

" What ..... Him.... No need I will go alone."

Pihu stood up .

"Vansh is going and that's final ".

Pihu looked at Riddhima in frustration and then at Vansh who was standing quitely ; if ever in world she agree to her..............

Walking down the road as the snow slowly receded. Pihu looked up at him.

"So what?",she spoke.

"I mean Future plans.. or you are planning to stay in our house forever ...", She raised an eyebrow.

Vansh took a deep breathe thinking about the answer.

"Ok.... Mr. Unknown staying in our house you have follow my orders otherwise.......you know my powers remember ,16 times karate kid.".

And she jumped down the road into the market lane.

Vansh followed her.

They went from stall to stall collecting veggies, fruits and other stuff for the week.

Suddenly a man taped on her shoulder , Pihu turned while Vansh was busy handling the packets at the other stall.

"Hi , remember me ....." The man smiled and few of his sidekicks came to her .

"You.....",Pihu whispered in horror.

The man smirked. "Last time you got me beaten by the public because I misbehaved with your friend but today it looks your friend has left you sweetheart."

Pihu stepped back.

The man came forward and grabbed her shoulder.

"So what will you do now ............".

And before he could end a sudden air blew past his face and he was thrown to the ground , Vansh stood , backing off his hand. He looked at Pihu and then at the sidekicks.

"Wanna try me?" , He spoke.

They came forward and pushed him; but backed off at his strong figure. He smashed one at his face and he felled down in need of breathe . Holding the other one by his hair he dumped his head to the electric pole. While he rolled down the road to escape more of his blood loss.

Other came with a knife but before he could hit, Vansh held it and twisting his hand untill the knife felled . Kicking him in his chest finally................................. the action film was complete.

Vansh turned to Pihu whose eyes were still close. She slowly opened it and no was standing. He checked her face , shoulder ,  hand and then at the ground. All were laying down holding there broken parts.

She jumped back.

"Hello....." She checked the man.

"Are you there."

She made a confused face and then walked up to Vansh.

"What Happened to them." She asked in confusion.

"Nothing they were getting in mess with the karate kid fan."

She looked at him .

"Let's go.", He shrugged off.

They collected there packets and turned to walk back, when the man threw the knife and it stabbed at Vansh back.

He shrieked in pain.

Pihu turned and her expression bewildered, she looked at the knife soaked in his blood and then at the man, the people finally awoke and grabbed the men. Pihu held Vansh and pulled out the knife.

He further shrieked.

"Let's go to the hospital...... Vansh......." She held him in fear.

But hospital was too far . She called Riddhima and took Vansh to the house.

Riddhima was coming out of the house in hurry.

"Vansh............." she ran up to him and they helped him inside.

"The doctor is on his way." , Riddhima exclaimed as they laid him on the bed.

"Pihu quickly cotton , medical kit and switch on the heater."

Pihu ran out and Riddhima took out his coat and unbuttoned his shirt.

"Vansh lay down ,the doctor is coming..................... ok."

Pihu came in with the kit.

Vansh tightened his fist as the pain increased.

"Pihu ... We have to give the morphine." Riddhima signalled Pihu and he rushed out to the medical store.

Riddhima held Vansh shoulder

"Just few more minutes , morphine will cut out the pain."

He closed his eyes.

Riddhima laid him and the doctor came in with Pihu. He took out his kit and slowly wiped the blood off his back. The knife hadn't pierced much but the cut was still scary.

He cleaned the wound and applied the stitches ,bandaging it up . He gave him a injection.

" The cut is not deep but still , take care that the wounds don't turn severe, rest is mandatory." they nodded and the doctor left.

" Don't turn Vansh ", Riddhima held him as he tried to turn. He covered him with the blanket.

" Rest now enough of heroism done.", her expression had both worry and disappointment.

She walked out and Pihu followed her.

Pihu narrated , the whole incident but Riddhima was like unaffected. God knew what had turned her so down.

" Riddhima don't worry , he will be fine" Riddhima looked up at Pihu.

She turned her head," I don't know pihu but .........is he suffering because of us ? , I am responsible for all.........."

" Stop .......................... You are blaming yourself, i just can't understand why you hold yourself responsible for everything in this world.",

" I....." before she could speak Pihu stood up.

"See, if you didn't stop blaming yourself now and then then I won't talk to you. I just can't understand man....... you are not ........................ you can never be responsible for someone pain ,you are a heart Riddhi remember , ever if something goes wrong don't burn yourself .................. you just don't know how many smiles are depended on yours," Riddhima looked up.

Pihu was always like this. No one can stay sad in front of her, actually she just don't give the right to sadness to come anywhere near her. She is just that support system without which Riddhima could do nothing. A little taller to Riddhima , this girl was in the top carefree person ever born, but it never made her careless. her light brown eyes made her one of her kind and further the most different one to crack. You could never understand her. If you are sad she jokes, if you are serious she jokes and if you are joking still she jokes , she was more than her name she was her Pihu.

Riddhima smiled .

" so............" Pihu smirked.

"what",

"soooooo",

"what Pihu",

" I mean unbuttoning the shirt and all , don't you think it was quite romantic.".

Riddhima threw a pillow at her face.

" Very romantic you wanna check", and she threw another .

"My God , so much romantic................" and pihu jumped off teasing riddhima.

"Done with you shameless jokes and lets go and help him". and Riddhima stood up.

" In what wearing the shirt" , Pihu laughed and they both went to the room smiling ,unknown to what was waiting for them in the store of destiny.

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P.S.

Your smile is never forever but neither is the sadness , so enjoy this moment because whatever you do or what force you apply ,

destiny it was ,

destiny it is ,

and destiny it will be.