Divya's POV

Clubbing was one of my favourite things, which I have been missing for so long, today all my friends were free too. Ronit, Shan, Ayan, Nayra, Priya and me, we are college friends. It's hard to gather all of us under the same roof, due to everyone's busy schedule.

Our plan was to enter the club at 9.30pm but due to our always late Priya we ended up entering at 10.15pm. The moment we entered we heard some commotion, looking in that direction I was astonished watching some dude pulling Mariam by force, without thinking anything I went there grabbed his hand and after making her free from his hold I kicked him in his manhood with all my force. Mine and her friends also took the hint and tackled the other two guys, and after making her free I took her with me. I don't know why I couldn't trust her with anyone.

I told her I would do it for anyone else in this situation, which was true but the way I felt protective towards her at that moment, was something I have never felt before. When I saw her trembling with fear with running eyes, I felt my heart breaking in zillion pieces, and when I pulled her towards me & her quivering lips rested on my chest, i was having a hard time with my hormones, still I focused on the gravity of the situation and did what I could think at that moment.

I'm sure my friends would understand why I left them without informing. Watching her in that condition nothing else mattered to me more than making her out of there and taking her somewhere safe to make her forget it all.

Which I could do successfully, she seemed so happy on the sea beach, Also after going on the sea beach, I noticed for the first time what she was wearing and how enticing she was looking. I have never seen her outside formals or salwar suit( on annual programmes). Her blue gown was hugging her curves at the right places, for once my eyes got stuck at her, I saw her struggling to sit with that dress. I pulled 2 tissues from my pocket to make her sit, so that her dress doesn't get dirty.

She is a natural beauty, which I could tell as even after wiping off her make up, she still looked adorable, this time I also noticed her dimples when she was laughing & enjoying the Ice-cream sitting close to me.

After a while her hands were hugging her knees, I knew she was still being self-conscious. I slowly kept my palm over her knees giving an assuring smile , she must have understood my thoughts thus the tensed look wore off her face and she sat more comfortably resting her hands on both of her sides.

I am not a talkative person, still I told her about my childhood, all the fun we would do in school, college & god knows what else stupid things I told her to make her smile, When she seemed over it all and actually enjoyed the night I was finally at peace. We both enjoyed the natural beauty in front of us for a while in silence before coming back.

I have been on the beach at night many times with my friends and boyfriends. I even had sex at the beach with one of my ex it was wild and all, but with her just sitting and talking, it felt so rejuvenating & new. It's like coming home after being away from it for years.

Whenever I encounter this girl my world seems to revolve around her and my brain can't think of anything other than her. I don't know if it is good or bad? But all I know for now is, this girl is special.

(Short Note: there will be some hindi dialogues in this part, as I felt the need of hindi to make it more authentic, bear with it, or just skip it, its not that important for understanding the story)

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Next morning Mariam woke up with pure bliss, she snuggled more into the source of her favourite scent, as her senses were coming back. She hugged the jacket close to her and took a deep sniff of it before opening her eyes.

Last night she slept placing Divya's jacket beside her, it gave her the feeling of being protected, she has never felt the need to be protected before, it was her who used to be protective for her younger siblings and also her mother, when she needed it. But no-one showed her this much care and protectiveness. She liked it. Also she liked the feeling of Divya's perfume, the smell of perfume mixed with Divya's body fragrance made an intoxicating combination on her jacket. With one last sniff she woke up from the bed & went towards her washroom with a smile on her face.

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It was saturday morning, they were having their breakfast together when Alisha reminded Mariam about her college program which was this evening.

Mariam- Don't worry pumpkin you will do great. I have complete faith in you.

Alisha- Di, you have to come with me. I can't do it without you.

Mariam- sure why not. But can I bring a guest too?

Alisha - Why not, its open for participants family and friends.

Mariam- okay. And hows your preparation?

Alisha- Its good, Baaki sab Allah ke haath me h.

Their mother was listening to their conversation without uttering a word but hearing this she said in an agitated voice," Haram kaam karke Allah ka naam le rhi hai, tum logo ke harkaate dekhke shetaan bhi chaunk jaata hoga"

Mariam- please don't start now, bacchi ka aaj hi program h.

Their mother- Haa bhai hum kue kuch bolenge, ab sab bade ho gaye h, sabme bohot akal h ek mai hi bewakoof hu iss ghar me, kisi ko meri baat sunni hi nhi hai. Inke abbu ke saath mai bhi maar kue nhi gyi yehi sochti hu m.

Mariam watching her sisters sad face- Maa aap baat ko kha se khaa le jaa rhi h? Can you just stop now?

Arham - Yes maa, it's getting too much, at least let us eat in peace.

Their mother- "ye shi h, saara din gadhe ki tarha kaam kro, inke farmaish uthaao, inko mem saab ki tarha paalo, phir ek tu bhi na karo, hum to hai hi iss ghar ki naukrani"- she left after saying this in anger.

Mariam & Arham consoled their sister for their mothers behaviour. And went to there respective rooms afterwards.

Entering her room she texted Divya(she collected Divya's phone number from Sanjeet).

Mariam- Hello Divya, it's Mariam here.

Divya- Hey!What's up?

Mariam- All good, Are you free this evening?

Divya's eyes jolted open after receiving this text as she was sleep texting earlier, she rubbed her eyes to make sure its not a dream, after making sure she replied - "sure, but are you planning for a date? Then I will have to dress up according to that na, or how will I match your beauty"

Mariam laughed at her msg, and replied- "if that's what you want , then why not? "

Divyas heartbeat fastened after reading that message and she was thinking what to reply, when she received another text saying- "its my sisters college program, I would love to have your company, if you don't mind"

Divya was brimming with happiness and replie - Yeah sure, tell me time and I will come for your rescue.

Mariam- 'In your dreams' - with laughing emoji.

Divya thought in her mind ' isn't it where you reside these days', and replied- haha funny, see you soon.

Mariam texted her the address of the College before getting busy with her sister.

In the evening they reached the college and after making sure everything is fine with Alisha, Mariam went to her reserved seat. The seat beside her was reserved for Divya who reached just in time.

Mariam- Thank you for coming.

Divya- My pleasure, saying that she was lost watching Mariam, who was wearing a pink chikankari kurti, with a pair of Jhumka, her hair was left open, a bindi was placed in the middle of her forehead and her lips painted with pink lipstick. She looked like some model, this desi look suits her more than the western Divya thought, as she was staring at her without a blink.

Her trance broke as Mariam was waving her hand in front of her eyes, and she heard Mariam saying, hello? Where are you lost?

Divya without a thought said - "in You" holding the same intensity in her eyes, as a result a crimson hue was spread on Mariam's cheeks. Without further inquiry Mariam gestured Divya to take her place, as the program was about to start.

They were watching the program quietly, Divya was more interested in watching Mariam than watching the program, its the first time they are together without any worrisome situation, sitting beside her she could observe her every move, the way she was watching everything with a pleasant smile on her face, which grew 10 times wide when it was time of her sisters dance, and her eyes were sparkling with joy, she looked so happy. Divya has never seen her to be this happy.

After a while Romeo Juliet's play was going on the stage. And the lights were dimmed for it, Mariam looked alluring under the dim light, Divya couldn't concentrate on the play even if she tried to, She felt captivated by Mariam's charm, while watching this romantic play. Divya was feeling this irresistible urge inside her to touch Mariam being this close, so she lifted her left hand and rested it on Mariam's right hand, Mariam looked at her & smiled a little, but didn't remove Divya's hand from her's. Which rendered her the courage to hold Mariam's hand firmly, and after a while she slowly lifted Mariam's hand and left a lingering kiss on top of it, Mariam was staring at her being shocked, still she didn't get angry or rebuck her for such a stunt, watching which Divya didn't wait more & she placed the palm of her right hand on Mariam's cheek, and was leaning towards Mariom to kiss her on the lips when Divya's trance broke with the sound of loud clap.

Reminiscing about her daydream, heat was running through her body towards her cheeks making them deep shade of red while butterflies were erupting inside her stomach, she couldn't face Mariam, and she fixed her eyes in the front, and never looked at Mariam rest of the time, though they talked about a few things every now and then.

The program ended at 9 pm, coming out of the auditorium Mariam asked Divya,, "Did you enjoy today?"

Divya- Yeah, I enjoyed it a lot, thanks for inviting me.

Mariam- Well, I have one more invitation for you.

Divya with shocked expression,"What other invitation do you have? "

Mariam- My mother told me to invite you for Dinner.

Divya became excited and further inquired, " Why would she invite me? She doesn't even know me, or is it someone else who's dying to meet me and keeps inviting me with different excuses??" with a smirk.

Mariam laughed and said," nothing like that, its just I told my mother about your helping me every now and then, and since that day she is so eager to meet you & keeps insisting on bringing you for dinner.

Divya - I would definitely love to come. But not tonight, I already ditched my friends once can't do it again.

Mariam- No no, you go have fun with your friends, tomorrow you can have dinner with us if you have time.

Divya- Sure. Did your brother come to pick you or should I drop you home?

Mariam- Arham is coming in 5-10 minutes. You can leave if you want to.

Divya replied with a assuring smile - But I don't want to. And then shifted her attention to Alisha and said - You did really well, how long have you been learning to dance?

Alisha & Divya's conversation continued, Mariam just watched them with pure adoration. Day by Day Divya is becoming a better person in her eyes.

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