Siddhi knocked on Jai's door, which was half open. Jai lay on the bed with his hand guarding his eyes. He raised his head with the knock.

" Mom.... " , he sat up while Siddhi walked in.

" You are all dressed up Jai, had you been out? "

" Yeahh.... Just went to have some tea outside, since I woke up early... " , he half lied.

" And why did you wake up early? Is everything alright? "

" Work out, Mom. " , Jai got down from the bed and settled on the couch.
Siddhi sat on the bed.

" Maya... told something of you having troubles with life... that day..
I wanted to come over, but hesitated, since you chose not to share with me.... "

Jai kept quite, because brushing aside things might invite his mother talking of business next. And he wanted to delay that as much as he could.

Saving him almost, the phone began ringing.

" Mom, can we talk in the evening? Som's calling, might have some job. "

Siddhi turned pale, but as was her nature, she slowly left the room.
Jai cursed himself for hurting her, though he never intended to.

Anyways, he picked up the call.

Som talked,
" Jai, I have an interview today. Come down. I'm outside the gate. Will talk for a few minutes. "

---

Jai hugged Som. And wished him good luck for the interview. He was choosing to shift from freelancing to the editorials, with a leading magazine, if he got selected, which mostly he would be, given his prospects.

" I just wanted to ask you something.
Bhoomi called last night.
You both sorted out I guess. Is it? "

Jai nodded with a smile.

" Great that way. " , Som adjusted his specs. " Just make sure, you really want this. Because, the more days you take of her life, and end up hurting her at the end of each, the more you'll be tagged, her guilty. Life's not a game, there ain't numerous chances, and you don't have the right to hurt someone who loves you, so much, to give up her everything on you. "

Som's Royal Enfield vanished round the corner of the road, while Jai stood, motionless.

---

Bhoomi cut a piece of cheese omelette and tucked into her mouth, when someone wrapped her eyes from the back.

" Som! " , she smiled while feeling the hands.

" Wow! Do you even have other friends? " , Som grinned as he settled on the chair before her, in the cafeteria of The Blues Airlines.

" As if! I was just informed that I have a friend as a visitor. " , she curled her lips.

" That's what I'm talking, you weren't informed my name because I asked them not to. It could be anyone else, leave alone others, it could even be Jai! " , he winked as he gestured the waiter.

Bhoomi remained silent for sometime, chopping the omelette to pieces unmindfully.

Som watched her.
She then said lowly, " He would never come. In fact, he doesn't even know I've joined The Blues. "

Changing the topic, Som said immediately,
" By the way, when you could directly join as the managing director, or even as a general manager to your dad's company, why did you care to join just as an intern? "

Bhoomi smiled,
" Because I want to learn the job first. I don't want to be proved inefficient, and then myself feel guilty of, you know, nepotism. "

Som stared at her intently.
" You know what? This is the thing I adore about you. You are a gem. "
He pulled her cheeks. She blushed slightly.

Som sipped in the tea which was just served.
" Bhoomi, I cracked the interview at Endeavour. "

Bhoomi's eyes widened, and she jumped up shrieking, hugging him tight.

" Oh my god Som! Congratulations!! I'm so so happy!!!! "

Som adjusted his specs, this time he blushing.
" You are the first one to know Bhoomi. I didn't even call dad and ma. "

Bhoomi smiled widely, settling back.
" Awesome! How about a lunch treat today? "

Som stared, extremely surprised.
" It's almost....lunch time Bhoomi! "

" Exactly! I'm free till 3:30. Let's get down to the Mainland China outlet next street.

I need to....talk to you.... as well. "
Bhoomi got up.

Som did too, slowly.
" I guess I should call Jai as well."
He pulled out the phone.

Immediately, Bhoomi stopped him.
" I said right? It's my treat, and we need to talk. "

Bhoomi walked ahead, followed by Som, who couldn't feel a thing.
Only, that his heart was thumping loud.

---

Sonara watched with a smile, as Jai walked upto her, but began shuffling his hands through Bhujiaa packets in the shelf next to where she stood.

" So madam, how much for this? " , he smiled mischievously.

Sonara took the packet from him.
" 30, sir. " , she exaggerated on 'sir' and smiled wider.

Jai immediately grew stern.
" I'm angry with you. "

Sonara looked around to see, the other salespersons were busy with customers or amongst themselves. Though, she didn't know why she watched out before talking.

" I know Jai, and I'm extremely sorry for that. I even called you, but you didn't pick up. " , she almost whispered.

As if disgusted by her awkward gesture, Jai said,

" I would never have come to the shop now, had it not been for Humaira. Where's she? And how's she? "

" She's much better. I kept her with Brinda Tai on Dhara road. She's the best one I can rely on, with Humaira. "

" Fine. Take care of her. "
Jai began to go, startling Sonara.

" Jai! I said I'm sorry. "

Jai looked at her squeezing his brows.
" Fine!! What am I supposed to do now? Stand before you here throughout the day as a sign of acceptance of your apology? "

Sonara pressed her lips.
" I'm extremely thankful to you Jai, for whatever you did last night for.... "

Jai shut his eyes tight. Clenched his teeth.
Stretching his fingers as if to withhold the irritation, he said,
" Sonara, I'm already extremely distressed with life. Don't add to it with your stupid 'Sorry's and 'Thank You's.  I don't need them. "

Leaving behind a dumbstruck Sonara, Jai closed the glass door behind and left.

---

Seven in the evening.

Jai sat in the lounge again, watching planes.

Each time an inner turmoil struck him, he was found sitting here, doing nothing.

' The more days you take of her life, and end up hurting her at the end of each, the more you'll be tagged, her guilty. '

Som's words rang through his brain, again and again.

What was he supposed to do? Could he ever decide?
Why was his life decided by everyone else around, and not by himself? 
For example, the relationship. If Bhoomi said ' let's end ' , he would do. If Bhoomi said, ' second chance' , he would take.
If Som said 'think again' , he would think.
Why was he not able to decide a single thing for himself?? 

But, on the contrary, he took so many decisions for the girl, Sonara!! Himself!!!! 

Helping her on a rainy night, beating up that goon, helping her to find a hostel, getting her a job, finding a doctor for the baby.....

Very simple things though, but he did, each and every, himself......!

Then why could he not strictly do what his heart wanted to, in case of other issues in life? Rather, not even realise what his heart wanted?

A hand on his shoulder. A deeply engrossed Jai, startled and looked up.

Sonara stood beside her.

" Sonara.......! " , surprising him, a relief grabbed his heart.

Sonara smiled, and sat beside him.
" Told you, I would be here very soon. I guess you are amazed as to how smart I am, to find my way here this easily! And to even correctly guess that you will be found here! "

Sonara danced her brows.

Jai smiled wider,
" Amazed? Dude, I'm literally dead!! How could you, like really!! "

Sonara only grinned.
" Anyways, Mr Distressed, can I prove a friend to you anyway? "

Scratching his stubble, Jai said,

" Maybe.....only you can.

But before that, coffee? "

As they both walked over to the cafeteria, Sonara felt beautiful.
Very beautiful.

' Maybe, only you can. '

----

Is someone falling?