Author - Jui Purohit.

*Click here for the previous part(13)*  On one hand, her heart was fluttering because of Akash's words, his kind gestures and finding someone who cared for her like her parents did. But on the other hand her mind was disturbed by the thought of her nani.  "Will nani accept this? Or will she cut ties with me again like she did with my mom?No! I can't be selfish. If she gets to know about Akash, he will lose on his deal. It will affect his career", Tara thought.  "Akash you are the only person who has cared for me since my parents died and I'm indebted towards you for that. It is so gracious of you to let me know your feelings Akash. But I don't want to trouble you more. You won't gain anything by keeping a girl like me, by your side. On the contrary, you might get deprived of your future prospects. I'm this one unlucky girl, I don't want you to suffer with me", Tara was crestfallen. Her bright hazel eyes now lost their glow and her face ha...

  *Click here for the previous part(12)* "Please sign here Miss Verma", said the registrar of the college office. Tara completed the formalities. Akash helped her with the paperwork. "Is he your guardian?", the registrar asked pointing towards Akash. "Umm..no...he is a friend!" Tara said as she glanced at Akash. "Actually my grandmother had accompanied me but she had a meeting so she left. She has already done the signatures wherever needed, in Principal's office", Tara explained.  "Okay then you can join in from tomorrow Miss Tara Verma", said the registrar. "Now this calls for celebration. You should definitely join us tomorrow Tara", Akash said clapping his hands a few times. Tara looked around, feeling a little embarrassed. "I will have to ask nani", she said in a very low tone, almost whispering.  They both stepped out of the office and Akash spoke, "Tara don't be constantly fearful. Don't run f...

*Click here for the previous part(11)* "This is Smitha and this is Tara", Akash introduced the girls to each other.  "Why does your 'genius' sound like 'playboy' to me Smitha?", Akash raised one eyebrow and questioned Smitha. Smitha stuck out her tongue trying to tease her brother. " Playboy and you Anna? You never ever had a girlfriend before", she said. Tara had a smile on her face watching the duo having a fun banter. "Tara is not my girlfriend. She's a friend though and yes she's a girl so....", Akash said looking at Tara, not making her feel uncomfortable. Tara lowered her gaze and seemed demure. "And mind you she's your senior here", he warned Smitha. "Oh is it....I'm sorry Tara, I must've misread the air. But I haven't seen you before", Smitha said looking at Tara carefully.  "It's okay Smitha! I got admitted to the college today itself. I'm new here so please guide m...

*Click here for the previous part(10)*  "I saw you walking from afar and as grandma left, I thought of meeting you", Tara said. "So the lady who accompanied you is your grandmother?", Akash asked. "No doubt their features seemed similar", he thought.  "Yes. She's my mom's mother", Tara sighed. "But what are you doing here?", she added. "Finding me a smart girlfriend", Akash quickly said. "Girlfriend", Tara had addled expressions on her face. Akash laughed at his own joke and more so at her expressions.  "Well that's what my cousin has instructed me to do. Tara my cousin Smitha, studies here, in the first year. I've come to meet her. She's having her lectures right now so decided to wait for her and have lunch together. And may I ask what brings you here?", Akash said. "Can we sit on the bench and talk?", Tara asked.  They both got seated on the bench in the garden. Tara looked ...

*Click here for the previous part(9)* Akash woke up, early in the morning and wrecked his brains while sipping his coffee, "Is Tara really the grand daughter of Mrs. Agarwal? If so, being this rich, she hadn't travelled by a flight before? She said it was her first flight. Was she fooling me? This can't be true....Verma and Agarwal so she's her daughter's daughter, is she? How am I supposed to know? And why does it matter to me?". He couldn't reach to a conclusion.  The phone rang and his brain took a break.  "Good morning Amma! Yes yesterday's meeting was good. Seems positive to me. I've given my best, they'll let me know in a day or 2, so I'm staying here. 'Chinte maad beda' (don't worry) Amma, I'm eating well, 'Nanu channagi iddene' (I'm  alright). Yes, I'm going to meet her today. You take care. See you soon". Akash's mood slightly brightened up after talking to his mom over the phone. Akash...

*Click here for the previous part(8)*  Akash booked a room in the hotel that was on the road opposite to the BigStar Corp company.  He changed into comfortable clothes and relaxed on the bed. Feeling a slight headache, he massaged his forehead. But didn't get any relief. So he decided to step down and look for medical stores.  Medical stores was nearby so he didn't need to walk any further. He bought the needed medicine. As he was walking back to the hotel, he saw Tara getting into a car. The same man who was accompanying her in the elevator, loaded her luggage in the boot. He then got seated in the front seat, while Tara at the back. The car seemed like a private vehicle not a cab. It was an expensive one. Tara rolled down the window and her face was now clearly visible to Akash. She looked sad, like she had cried a lot.  Akash wanted to cross the road and approach her but the car drove off.  "What's happening with Tara? Who is that man and why did she go with ...

*Click here for the previous part(7)*  Tara stepped out of the elevator, equally stunned to see Akash.  "Akash!", she exclaimed. "Hi! What brings you here Tara?", he asked excitedly.  Tara looked at the person standing besides him. The man looked at Akash and then to Tara and gestured her to walk towards the office, as he started to move ahead. Tara's face slumped a bit. "Akash I've to go. I'm sorry but can we talk some other time?", she said as she rushed to catch pace with that man. She dragged her trolley bag hastily along.  "Is she being threatened? Is she in trouble?" Akash pondered standing there as he saw her leaving. "Should I ask? No. This is a commercial place. I cannot create a scene here. It will affect my work too. She should be here for a job or something. But she seems young, like a college girl. I guess, I shouldn't cross my boundaries. It's her personal affair", his brain kept arguing with his heart....