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Hello My Gummy Bears🧸

Hope you all are amazing.

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Adwitya's POV

Mehra House, Adwitya's room.

The jet lag hit me hard. After a brief chat with everyone, I retreated to my room, collapsing onto my bed. A strange feeling lingered, a sense of something unspoken within my family, but I couldn't quite place it. Exhaustion won, and I drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, my slumber was violently disrupted, not by a voice, but by a sonic boom of loud music. I pried open my eyes to find Satyanshi, a picture of exaggerated grumpiness, glaring at me as if I'd personally offended her.

"Well, good morning, Sleeping Beauty," she drawled sarcastically, finally silencing the musical assault.

"Anshiiiiii!" I groaned, "You didn't have to shake me like that! And what are you doing here at this ungodly hour?"

"Ungodly hour?" Satyanshi retorted, her voice dripping with mock anger. "Sorry to burst your bubble, Princess, but it's already noon."

"What?!" I yelped, scrambling to a sitting position and frantically checking the clock. "I... I'll be ready in thirty minutes. Just wait here," I stammered, leaping out of bed and dashing towards the bathroom.

Thirty minutes later, I emerged, refreshed, only to find Miss Grumpy giggling into her phone, presumably chatting with her fiancé. I rolled my eyes at the sheer bliss radiating from her. How could anyone be so sickeningly cheerful in love? Ignoring her, I went to my dressing table and began blow-drying my hair. I'd opted for a casual look: a white tank top, blue denim boot-cut jeans, a shrug, pairing with small gold hoops, and white sneakers. After a quick breakfast, I joined Satyanshi, and we headed out for our long-promised shopping spree.

The mall was a whirlwind of activity. We hit every store imaginable, from dresses and jewelry to makeup and shoes. Five hours later, I was starting to feel like I was being dragged through an endless retail marathon. Satyanshi was in her element, grabbing anything and everything that caught her eye, as if she were stocking up for a lifetime.

"Anshiiiiii," I finally huffed, my voice laced with exhaustion.

"What?" she asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Can we please eat something? I'm starving," I pleaded, adopting my best puppy-dog eyes.

She looked at me as if I'd suggested we rob a bank. "Okay, okay," she conceded. "I'm a little hungry too. Let's grab a bite, and then we can continue."

We started walking towards the food court, but Satyanshi suddenly stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes lighting up. A perfume store! She darted inside, all enthusiasm, without even a backward glance. I was about to follow when I felt a tugging at my legs. Looking down, I saw a small boy, tears streaming down his face. I scooped him up into my arms, wiping away his tears. "What's wrong, little one?" I asked gently.

"I'm lost," he sobbed.

"No, you're not lost," I reassured him. "You're with me now. How can you be lost?"

"What's your name, little one?" I asked.

"My name is Reyaan," he replied, then looked up at me with wide, tearful eyes. "What's your name, pretty?"

"My name is Adwitya," I told him. After answering him I looked around for someone who might be searching for their child. Walking towards a nearby store, I noticed a couple looking frantic.

"Are those your parents, Reyaan?" I asked, pointing towards the anxious couple. He nodded, his eyes welling up again.

I carried Reyaan over to his parents, who embraced him in a flurry of relieved hugs and grateful words. I smiled, happy to have reunited them, and then turned to rejoin Satyanshi at the perfume shop. I pulled out my phone from my pocket, but before I could take a step, Satyanshi appeared, blocking my path.

"Where did you disappear to?" she asked, her tone laced with sarcasm. "I thought you'd gotten lost in the mall."

I started to explain about Reyaan when, without warning, someone grabbed me from behind, pulling me backward. The sudden motion caused me to lose my balance, My eyes were squeezed shut from the shock of the pull, and I heard a loud thud as I was about to fall. I braced myself for the impact, but it never came. Instead, I felt a pair of strong arms wrap around me, pulling me up into a protective embrace. My heart started racing. I opened my eyes slowly and noticed a pair of emerald orbs staring back at me. I was lost in those orbs and the world around me seemed to fade. I could feel my cheeks burning. I had never felt like this before. I was still trying to comprehend what was happening when I heard a familiar voice.

"Itya! Are you alright?" It was Anshi, her face etched with concern. She rushed towards me, her eyes darting between me and the person who was holding me.

I nodded, still a little dazed. I tried to compose myself. I glanced back at the person who had caught me. He was still staring at me, his expression unreadable. I couldn't place him, but there was something strangely familiar about him.

"I......," I finally managed to tear my gaze away from his.

He simply nodded, his eyes still fixed on me. He then released me gently.

I tried to stand, and Anshi rushed to my side, helping me to my feet. Looking around, I saw a ladder lying on the floor, the cause of the commotion. It had apparently fallen from a nearby display.

"Are you okay? Did you get hurt?" a deep voice asked. It was the man who had caught me. My heart skipped a beat. His voice was warm and reassuring.

"I... I'm fi...fine," I stammered, still a little shaken. "Thank you."

"Did you get hurt?" I asked him, noticing that he was holding his arm.

"I'm fine," he replied.

He was about to walk away when four people rushed towards us, their faces etched with panic. "We are so sorry, sir, and ma'am," they apologized profusely. "Do you need to go to the hospital? Are you both hurt in any way? We really are sorry."

"We are fine," he said calmly. "Please take care next time." He turned and walked away, leaving me staring after him. Even after he disappeared into the crowd, I couldn't tear my gaze away.

"Ityaaaa, tu thik hai, kahi lagi toh nahi?" Anshi asked, tears welling up in her eyes. (Are you okay? Did you get hurt anywhere?)

Looking at her, I reassured her. "I'm fine, kahi nii lagi mujhe, tu tension matt le." (I didn't get hurt anywhere, you don't have to worry.)

"Let's go first," Anshi said, still visibly shaken. "Grab something to eat, then we'll go back home."

I hugged her tightly. "Calm down, Anshiii," I said. "I'm fine."

She started to cry, blaming herself for what happened. I knew she felt responsible, even though it wasn't her fault. I tried to explain that it could have happened to anyone, but she, being she, cried even more. Eventually, she calmed down.

Despite her sometimes grumpy exterior, I knew how much she cared. I was grateful for her unwavering friendship. She might have a tough exterior, but beneath it all, she was fiercely loyal and protective of those she loved. I was lucky to have her in my life.

After a quick meal, we headed back home. The events of the day replayed in my mind. First Reyaan, then the near accident, and the mysterious man with the green eyes. It was all so strange, so unsettling. I couldn't shake the feeling that something significant was happening, something that would change everything. I just didn't know what it was yet.

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Love Aaviah💖