With Love, xxxx. by Varshitha Kancharla (best adventure books to read .txt) 📗

Chapter 19

Ryan was in his mansion recalling the words Nik said. He lit his cigarette and started smoking. 

Neil entered in with the drink bottle in his hand. He sat beside Ryan and poured the drink. He then gave the glass to Ryan but Ryan was involved in his thoughts much that he didn’t notice him. 

“Ryan!” Neil called patting Ryan’s shoulder. 

Ryan hummed as a response. 

“What is it?” He asked handing him the glass. 

Ryan took the glass and started drinking. 

“What are you thinking?” Neil asked. 

“Neil! What if I never show up myself to Kathleen?”

Neil sipped his drink and said “She would be searching for the stranger lifelong or she would stop thinking about the stranger.” 

“What if I show up myself to her?” 

“Then she’ll know who the stranger is. What are these questions?” 

“Neil! Do you think I can protect her?” Ryan asked sipping his drink. 

“Do you remember the day when I was got almost killed by a gang few years before?” asked Neil.

Ryan didn’t say anything. He was focused on his drink. 

Neil continued saying “If you weren’t there, I would’ve died back then. You saved me. Because of you I’m alive. You’ve been protecting me from all the things and the people who are waiting for my death. You protect me always. You should erase the doubt. You can protect anyone.” 

Looking at Neil, Ryan smiled. 

“What are these questions, Ryan? What is going in your head? What are you thinking?” Neil asked looking into Ryan’s eyes. 

“Brother!” Ryan said and paused for a moment and then continued “I think... I love her, man and I’m thinking to meet her.” 

Hearing him, Neil’s eyes became widened and he froze in shock. It’s his first time hearing something about love from Ryan. 

Neil started laughing happily and said “Dude! You love her. You confessed. Atleast to me. You should propose her. W-wait! Are you sure?” Neil asked. 

Ryan thought for a while and replied “Yes I am. The day I saw her, I felt something strange in me that I never ever felt in my life. From that day, I wanted her. I wanted to talk to her, touch her and make her mine but...” 

“Damn! I don’t know what Nik told you. After he left you, I got angry on him but it all faded away now. I feel like kissing your brother.” 

Ryan looked at him with ‘ew’ expression. 

“What will you do now?” Neil asked excitedly. 

Ryan pulled his lips to a side and said “She is going to know who her stranger is and yes! I can and I will protect her.” 

Neil stood from the sofa excitedly and said “Let’s go.” 

Ryan put his glass aside and stood from there. 

“Let’s go.” Ryan smiled. 

Then they both started to her house. 

*****

Kathleen was cracking her knuckles feeling tensed and nervous. She was silently praying for everything to go well. After few minutes, she was called inside a room. 

There were three people who were in suits, smiled looking at her. She smiled and greeted them. She then sat on the chair. 

Though she was smiling outside, she was shaking and feeling so nervous inside. 

“It’s a great story. Revolving around all the issues. It’s really great.” One of the men who sat there said smiling. 
Listening to him, she gave a bright smile. They kept talking to her about the theme. She kept answering them. After many minutes of discussion, a man asked “Shall we discuss about royalties?” 

Kathleen let out a sigh as she thought they were rejecting her. But she came back to the senses and asked “What?” 

“I was asking about royalties.” The man told again. 

Her eyes widened and mouth dropped wide open. For a moment she didn’t trust what she heard. She kept looking at them in surprise. Tears formed her eyes in happiness but she didn’t let them fall down. 

A man extended his hand to her and they made handshake. They then talked about few things for few minutes. After the completion of everything, Kathleen stood from there.

“Thank you.” She said. 

She smiled looking at them and started walking out. 
As soon as she walked out, tears rolled down her cheeks with happiness. She was still in shock and started walking to her house thinking the conversation she had with them. 

She didn’t bother or think about anything except the approval of her book. After a long struggle, her book was accepted and her dream is going to be true within few days. Tears were streaming down and she couldn’t stop them. The tears of happiness. She continued walking to her home enjoying the setting sunrays. Her lips were curved up with smile but her eyes were filled with tears. 
Ryan and Neil who were heading to Kathleen’s house, saw her walking on road. She looked like she was crying but she was smiling. They got confused. Ryan got down of the car and started strolling to her. 

Kathleen didn’t notice the surroundings and didn’t see the stranger coming towards her. She took out her mobile and called Nina. 

“Nina! They accepted.” She shouted in happiness.

Ryan heard her and didn’t understand what she was talking about. He kept listening to her walking among the people. 

“I... I couldn’t believe this. My story got accepted. It will be published soon.” Kathleen said happily. 

Hearing her, Ryan’s lips curved up with smile. He stomp his foot and his fist motioned like punching the air as if he achieved the thing for which he had been struggling. 

“I know you will.” He mumbled.  

Neil was shocked looking at him. He didn’t understand what his friend was doing. 

Ryan strolled back to Neil without talking to Kathleen. 

“Dude! What was that?” Neil asked. 

Ryan punched Neil in his stomach and hugged him laughing. 

“Ouch! Brother what happened?” 

“She achieved it, man.” Ryan said smiling. 

“What?” Neil asked puzzled. 

“She got success, Neil. Her story got accepted.” 

Neil started laughing in happiness. Neil and Ryan both hugged smiling. 

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