CHAPTER 12

Next day Rithvik arrived outside Kishika's house to pick her up, but he wasn't alone. In the car, Sara, Rohan, and Arun were already waiting for him.

Kishika came out of her house and greeted them all warmly. "Good morning, everyone!" she said with a smile.

"Good morning, Kishika! Are you ready for our little adventure today?" Sara asked, excitedly.

Kishika nodded, feeling a sense of anticipation building up inside her. They all piled into the car and set off on the road trip to the mountains. During the journey, they chatted and listened to some music, enjoying each other's company.

Rithvik was driving the car, with Sara in the front seat beside him. Kishika, Riya and Akriti were sitting in the back seat, and Rohan and Arun were squeezed into the third row.

As they drove towards the mountains, Sara turned to Kishika and said, "You're going to love the views from the top. It's absolutely breathtaking."

Kishika nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. "I've never been hiking before, but Rithvik promised to take me on an adventure," she replied, glancing over at Rithvik who smiled back at her.

"You'll do great, Kishika. Just take it one step at a time," Rohan chimed in, giving her a reassuring pat on the back.

Arun, who had been quiet up until this point, spoke up. "I'm just excited to see how Rithvik performs in the great outdoors. He's more of a city boy, you know," he teased, earning a chuckle from the others.

Rithvik rolled his eyes, but couldn't help but smile. "Hey, I'll have you know that I did my fair share of camping growing up. I'm not completely useless in the wilderness," he retorted, glancing at Kishika who giggled at his playful tone.

The group continued to chat and joke around for the rest of the car ride, with Rithvik occasionally pointing out scenic spots along the way.

After a few hours of driving, they reached the foothills of the mountains. They parked the car and started on the hike. The scenery was breathtaking, with lush greenery and beautiful waterfalls.

As they hiked, they stopped to take pictures and enjoy the views. They even found a secluded spot by a stream to have their picnic lunch.

"Wow, Rithvik, you really outdid yourself with this spot. It's so beautiful here," Kishika said, admiring the scenery.

"Wow, this place is stunning!" Akriti exclaimed as they stepped out of the car and took in the breathtaking view. The mountains towered over them, with lush greenery as far as the eye could see.

"I know, right? It's my favorite spot to come and clear my head," Rithvik said, leading the way as they started their hike.

Kishika and Akriti were walking together, with Riya and Sara following closely behind. Arun and Rohan were chatting with each other, admiring the scenery as they walked.

The scenery was breathtakingly beautiful, with lush greenery and tall trees surrounding them on both sides. They could hear the chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves, and the cool mountain breeze was a refreshing change from the city's stifling heat.

As they gained elevation, the view became more and more panoramic, and they could see the valley below stretching out for miles. In the distance, they could make out the shimmering blue of a lake and the snow-capped peaks of distant mountains. It was as if they had entered a different world altogether, far removed from the hustle and bustle of city life.

As they continued to hike, Rithvik found a scenic spot with a large rock formation where they could sit and rest. "This is perfect," Kishika exclaimed as she took a seat on the rock, admiring the breathtaking view.

Rithvik began to unpack their food, laying out the sandwiches and fruit. "I hope you're hungry," he said, grinning at Kishika.

Kishika laughed. "Always. Especially after that hike."

As they ate, the group started chatting and joking around. Arun was telling a story about a mishap on one of his own hiking trips, causing everyone to burst out laughing.

Arun recounted a time when he went hiking with a group of friends and accidentally took a wrong turn, which led them off the trail and into a dense forest. They ended up getting lost and had to spend the night in the woods without any food or supplies. "We were all so hungry and tired, we started hallucinating and thought we were seeing giant burgers and fries floating in the air," Arun joked, causing everyone to laugh even harder.

"Can you imagine if that happened to us?" Sara joked. "We'd never make it back down."

Rohan chimed in, "Well, at least we'd have a good story to tell."

Kishika looked around at everyone, feeling grateful for the close-knit group of friends and family she had. "I'm so glad we all came out here together," she said, smiling.

"Me too," Rithvik replied, reaching over to take her hand. before the group continued their hike, taking in the beauty of their surroundings.

As they continued walking, Rithvik suddenly stopped and turned to Kishika, "Hey, can I steal you away for a minute?" he asked, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Kishika looked at him curiously, "Sure, where are we going?" she asked.

"It's a surprise," Rithvik replied, taking her hand and leading her off the trail and into a secluded area.

Kishika looked around in awe, "Wow, this is beautiful. I've never seen anything like this before," she said, taking in the stunning view of the valley below.

"I wanted to show you something special," Rithvik said, turning to face her. "I know we've only been together for a short time, but I feel like I've known you forever. You make me so happy, Kishika. I love you," he said, looking into her eyes.

Kishika's heart skipped a beat, "Rithvik, I love you too," she replied, reaching up to kiss him. She knew that she started to fall for him and it's not bad if she open up her heart. She was thinking already about proposing to Rithvik but fortunately he did which she is happy about.

She can't describe in words how happy she is right now. When she heard those 3 words from his mouth it sounds so magical and unrealistic at a same time.

She didn't think that he will propose her here and like this. It is like a dream for Kishika which comes true finally. Dragons are doing summersaults inside of her stomach making her feel ticklish. Her heart is beating faster too. It's her first time to listen I love you from the one she likes.

Rithvik is like a dream guy, a prince charming and she happy that her dad chose him for her.

As Kishika leaned in to kiss Rithvik, he wrapped his arms around her, deepening the kiss. They were lost in the moment, enjoying each other's company and the beautiful scenery around them. After a few moments, they pulled away, both feeling a little breathless.

"Let's sit here for a while and just enjoy the view," Rithvik suggested, pulling Kishika close to him. She snuggled into his chest, feeling safe and loved in his arms. They sat in silence for a few moments, just enjoying each other's company and the peace of the surroundings.

As they sat there in silence, Kishika leaned her head on Rithvik's shoulder, and he wrapped his arm around her. The warmth of his embrace made her feel safe and protected, and she closed her eyes, taking in the sweet scent of the surrounding nature.

"I feel so grateful to be here with you, in this beautiful place," Kishika whispered, breaking the silence. "It's like we're the only two people in the world."

Rithvik smiled, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "I feel the same way, Kishika. Being here with you is a dream come true."

They sat there for a while longer, just enjoying the peace and quiet of the surroundings, lost in their own thoughts and feelings. The world seemed to fade away, and it was just the two of them, lost in their own little bubble of love.

Eventually, they realized it was time to head back and rejoin their friends. As they made their way back down the trail, they walked hand in hand, their hearts filled with love and happiness.

As they walked, Kishika's foot slipped on a loose rock, and she stumbled slightly. Rithvik quickly reached out to steady her.

"Are you okay?" he asked, concern etched on his face.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Kishika replied, smiling at him gratefully. "Thanks."

As they continued on, they started to realize that they weren't sure which way they had come from. The trail seemed to have disappeared, and they were surrounded by trees and undergrowth.

"I don't recognize any of this," Rithvik said, frowning slightly. "I thought I knew this area pretty well."

"I think we took a wrong turn somewhere," Kishika replied, her voice tinged with worry. "What are we going to do?"

Rithvik took a deep breath and looked around, trying to get his bearings. "Let's try retracing our steps," he said, sounding more confident than he felt. "Maybe we can find where we went off course."

As they turned back the way they had come, Kishika gripped Rithvik's hand tightly, afraid of getting separated from him. "I'm so glad you're here with me," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I'm not going anywhere," Rithvik replied, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "I'll make sure we get back safely, no matter what."

They walked on in silence for a while, the only sound the rustling of leaves underfoot. The sun was starting to set, casting long shadows across the forest floor.

"I think we're going in circles," Kishika said, her voice laced with frustration.

Rithvik paused and looked around again. "You're right. We need to try something else."

Just then, they heard a distant sound that made their hearts leap. It was the sound of their friends calling out their names. They quickly followed the sound, and soon they saw the familiar faces of Arun, Rohan, Sara, Akriti, and Riya.

"Thank goodness we found you guys!" Sara exclaimed, relief evident on her face.

"We were getting worried," Akriti added, giving Kishika a hug.

Rithvik and Kishika smiled at each other, happy to be reunited with their friends. "We're just glad to be back," Rithvik said, holding Kishika close. "We couldn't have made it without each other."

Sara and Rohan exchanged a knowing smile as they watched Rithvik and Kishika, happy to see their love for each other. "Looks like we have a couple of lovebirds on our hands," Rohan said teasingly.

Arun nodded in agreement. "Yeah, they couldn't keep their hands off each other even when they were lost in the woods," he said, making everyone laugh.

As they continued on their hike, they talked and laughed, enjoying the beautiful scenery around them. The sun began to set, casting a warm glow over everything around them.

"We should probably start heading back," Rithvik said, looking at his watch. "It's getting late."

Everyone agreed and they made their way back to the car, tired but happy after a long day of hiking.

As they drove back to Mumbai, the group enjoyed each other's company and chatted about the fun they had on the hike. Suddenly, Arun noticed a car following them closely. He glanced at Rithvik, who was driving the car, and alerted him of the situation.

"Rithvik, there are some cars following us. We need to be careful," Arun said, his voice laced with concern.

Rithvik quickly looked in his rearview mirror and saw two cars following them. He immediately hit the gas pedal, speeding up the car to lose the pursuers. The group could feel the tension in the air as they held on tight to their seats, feeling the car accelerate and turn corners sharply.

Kishika could feel her heart pounding in her chest as they weaved through the busy streets of Mumbai, trying to shake off their followers. She held onto Rithvik's hand tightly, feeling a mix of fear and relief as he expertly navigated the car.

Rithvik accelerated the car, trying to distance themselves from the two cars that were following them. The sound of gunfire filled the air, causing everyone to scream in terror.

"What the hell is happening?" Sara shouted in fear

"Who are they and why they are following us?" Akriti look back to see those cars are following them.

Rithvik swerved the car to avoid the bullets, narrowly missing a nearby truck. Kishika closed her eyes tightly, feeling tears streaming down her face as she clutched onto Rithvik's hand even harder.

"Is everyone okay?" Rithvik shouted over the noise, his eyes darting to the rearview mirror to check on their pursuers.

Arun nodded frantically, his face pale with fear. "Just keep driving, Rithvik! We need to get out of here!" Arun knows who are they and why they are following. Arun and Rithvik are more tensed because they both are not alone but with their family.

If they were alone then they both shoot them out. For now they have to keep everyone safe.

Rithvik gritted his teeth and pushed the car to its limits, weaving in and out of traffic as he tried to lose the cars following them. The sound of gunshots grew more distant, but the fear still lingered in their minds.

As they finally approached the outskirts of Mumbai, Rithvik breathed a sigh of relief, his hands still tightly gripping the steering wheel. "We made it," he said, his voice filled with a mix of exhaustion and relief.

As they pulled into a gas station to refill the tank, Arun turned to Rithvik. "What the hell was that all about?" he asked, still visibly shaken.

"I have no idea," Rithvik replied, rubbing his forehead wearily. "But we need to be careful. I don't want to take any chances." Rithvik and Arun knows that they have enemies but they don't know which enemy pulled that stunt.

Sara spoke up, concern etched on her face. "Do you think they'll come after us again?"

Rithvik shook his head. "I don't know, but we need to stay alert. And keep an eye on our surroundings."

Suddenly, Akriti gasped. "Oh my god, is Kishika okay?" she asked, noticing that Kishika was slumped over in her seat, unconscious.

Everyone turned to look at her, realizing for the first time that she had fainted. Rithvik immediately stopped the car and rushed to her side, checking her pulse and making sure she was breathing.

He took her to the hospital. Rithvik gently lifted Kishika into his arms, carrying her out of the car and into the hospital's emergency room. Arun and Sara hurried behind them, while Rohan stayed behind to park the car.

As they approached the front desk, Rithvik spoke quickly to the receptionist, explaining that his WIFE had fainted and needed medical attention immediately. The receptionist quickly called for a nurse, who rushed over with a wheelchair and led them to a private room.

Kishika was still unconscious as they laid her down on the hospital bed, her breathing shallow and her skin pale. Rithvik held her hand tightly, his eyes filled with worry as they waited for the doctor to arrive.

Sara paced back and forth, her anxiety palpable, while Arun tried to distract them with small talk. Rohan eventually joined them in the room, his face etched with concern as he asked for updates on Kishika's condition.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the doctor arrived. He asked them questions about Kishika's medical history and the events leading up to her fainting. The group waited anxiously as the doctor examined Kishika, running tests and checking her vitals.

As they waited for the doctor's diagnosis, the room was filled with tense silence, broken only by the sound of medical equipment beeping softly in the background.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the doctor emerged from Kishika's room. The group all stood up, eager to hear his diagnosis.

"She's going to be alright," the doctor said with a small smile. "It seems she just fainted from shock. I recommend that she rest for a few days, but she should make a full recovery."

A wave of relief washed over the group as they thanked the doctor and made their way back to Kishika's room. She was still sleeping, but her breathing was steady and her color had returned to her face.

Rithvik took a seat by her bedside, holding her hand and watching her with concern. The others gave them some privacy and stepped outside the room.

"I'm sorry, Kishika," Rithvik whispered, his voice barely above a whisper. "I never meant for you to get caught up in all of this."

Kishika stirred, her eyes fluttering open. "What happened?" she asked groggily.

"You fainted," Rithvik explained gently. "But the doctor says you're going to be okay."

Kishika looked around the room, taking in the concerned faces of her friends. "What happened with those men following us?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

"We managed to lose them," Arun said reassuringly. "They didn't follow us all the way to the hospital."

Kishika nodded, relief flooding her features. "Thank you," she said softly. "Thank you for taking care of me."

Rithvik squeezed her hand, his heart filled with love for this brave, beautiful woman. "Always," he whispered. "I'll always be here for you."

After Kishika got discharge they all sit inside of their car. After they settled in Kishika said

"Please, let's keep this between us for now," Kishika said, looking at her friends with a pleading expression. "I don't want my parents to worry."

Everyone nodded in agreement, understanding Kishika's concerns. They knew how protective her parents could be, and they didn't want to add any unnecessary stress to the situation.

As they drove back to Mumbai, Rithvik kept a close eye on Kishika, making sure she was comfortable and at ease. He couldn't help but feel grateful that they had crossed paths on the hiking trail and that he had been there to help her when she needed it most.

The rest of the car ride was quiet, the group lost in their own thoughts and emotions from the day's events. But as they finally arrived back in Mumbai, they all breathed a collective sigh of relief, grateful to be home and safe once again.