Lavanya's POV:

'Hmmm have this' saying I passed him a cup of hot chocolate while taking a seat next to him on the swing in our garden. It was already ten past thirty. He had denied dinner, hence the hot chocolate. He had completely cut off himself from Neiyat since last two weeks and every night kept working or locked himself in his room. But today I threatened him to come home because Aaru aunty was really worried for him. He was trying to convince Aaru aunty on the call who was asking him if he was fine. This guy was making her loose her sleep. And he being fine??? Huhhh!!!

I knew!!! He was NOT!!!
But Aahir being Aahir was trying to act too closed.

Shika passed me a look signalling someone behind me and I see Mom standing at a distance and signalling me to talk to him by calling Shika to her.

Everyone at home knew I was close to Aahir but then knowing what is impacting him I didn't want to take a pick on that topic. He was upset about Ved Kakkar and it was evident from his behaviour. But still I nodded and sat on the swing next to him while Shika excused saying she is sleepy and wanted to go to bed.

'Running away from her ..you think it will resolve everything?' I asked when he shot me a look. I could see the pain in his eyes.

'Come here...' saying I pulled him into a warm hug and he hugged me when I felt a few drops of tears on my neck.

'Aahirr....shhhhh please' I cupped his cheek and he sniffled through his tears.

'I....I am trying Luv...I really am....but...I don't know...it's tough...I know she's not mine... but it's tough to see her in someone's arms...' he said whole heartedly and I couldn't help but pull him in a tighter hug.

Aahir's POV:

Our hug was broken as I heard someone clear their throat and I see the same man we met at Kabini few months back standing along with Malu aunty.

'Ummm Lavanya...Mr Suryavanshi wanted to meet you...so I' and I see Luv's facial expressions changing.

'The papers ...you asked for...I mean...I was passing by so I...well...guess I didn't come at the right time' to which Luv's face went expressionless and she said...

'Doesnt matter Mr. ARS...it's just papers!!! Let me get them signed. Can I take a look at them?' she asked while his eyes were darted at me but then he muttered 'Sure'...

'Ill be back soon Aahir' saying she excused herself. While Malu aunty took the seat next to me and smiled. We were sitting in complete silence and then she broke the silence...

'You know when you said no to Luv-Shika you bruised my ego... because I thought you think too high of yourself but today when I see your bond with Luv I'm glad you both didn't click Aahir. You both are more of siblings.' she said and I smiled at her.

Indeed Luv gives me elder sister vibes which I've never felt though.

'Well then if Luv is like your sis...I'm like your mumma na...can I tell you something Aahir?' she said and I looked at her.

She held my hand and said...
'Go tell her'. And I was shocked.

'But Malu aunty...it's...it's...she ...she will not agree'

To which she chuckled and said ..
'Ever heard of one way traffic son?' and I nodded.

'Yours is a one way traffic...there is no response from the other end. It's like a door you are knocking non stop and is going unheard. But you know what Aahir...at times breaking that door helps!!!

Tell her!!! It's a no right??? Let it be...just confess it...it makes your heart feel lighter.' she said in a determined tone

'But I will hurt her aunty' I was worried

To which she giggled and spoke up...
'As if you are not hurting her now Aahir...you called her your bestie...you stood against the family who were pissed with her for not agreeing to accept you...but you were the sane one who explained to everyone and stood by her side and supported Neiyat although it broke your heart...but now the situation is something else...

Son it's tough to listen a no from the one you feel for!!!
You know whats tougher??? Listening a no because the one you feel for now feels for someone else!!!
It doesn't just hurt!!! It kills!!! It shatters!!!
And I don't want to see a good child like you shattering. So you know what go confess it to her. Tell her what it feels like...and I know Neiyat really considers you her bestie...she will understand you...' Malu aunty said. While I looked at her and asked...

'What if she breaks our friendship? I can't...I just can't loose her aunty!' to which she patted my shoulder saying...

'You won't loose her by telling what you really feel for her. She will respect your feelings and you must respect her emotions.

You know when Neiv Uncle wanted to forcefully marry your wifey...I mean Chah...I told him...not to...but he didn't listen...end result...Chah ran away from wedding...then the hardships, pain, depressions, self hurt what not...don't even ask what they went through...

Rather... speak up...it's not a crime that you feel for your friend...you know where it goes wrong... when you force it upon your friend... when you expect a reciprocation... so just let go off your love baby...if it's yours it would come back to you...if it's not...it was never yours...

I know sounds like a line from straight out bollywood movie but this is the ultimate truth of life. You can't force anyone to love you. But that doesn't mean you stop loving someone. But yes don't loose the respect in that relationship and shove it down someone's throat!!!' Malu Aunty said it all and I sat thinking for a while.

Neiyat's POV:

'I am sorry Ved...I can't come to Delhi...you know there is so much here'

'Babes...like really??? Its been almost a month now that we know each other...I...I like you Neiyat... and I've told dad too. He instantly agreed to meet you...it's my parents 30th wedding anniversary Neiyat...come on be a sport...You know I really want to give this a chance...you...you are different Neiyat and I really like being with you' Ved said while I covered myself more in the shawl. I kept looking at the stars while I recalled my moment with Aahir and I don't know what Ved kept talking...Aahir was ignoring me for two big weeks.

Aaryan told me he would go to meet Luv everyday. It pricked me everytime I thought that now Luv is more important than me to him. It's been a month almost and he hadn't even called me back.

'Neiyat are you even listening???' I heard Ved call me and I was back from my trans. Ved was a good man. He had every feature I wanted in a man but at times he would loose patience specially when it came to Aahir's topic.

'Neiyat at times you really make me feel if I'm even important to you...what am I Neiyat??? Tell me... Because for me you are my girlfriend!!!' he said and I was left dumbfounded.

Girlfriend??? Isn't that a bit too early???

'Neiyat am I atleast special to you?' he asked hopefully while I chirped in ..

'Ofcourse Ved...you are very special to me...it's just that...I... think we are hurrying and I'

Just then I heard a voice which my ears yearned to hear since last one month...

'Neiyat!!!' and I turned around to see Aahir standing there...

'Aah...Aahir...'

While I heard Ved mumbling something on the call but I couldn't really concentrate upon what he was saying as my eyes filled with tears. I could see his eyes had also gone misty and in one go he pulled me into a bone crushing hug. I simply let go off my phone without even thinking twice.

I wept on his chest for I don't know how long and he engulfed me in a tight hug. Then I remembered how much he ignored me, hurt me in this last one month and I began hitting his chest with my hands and kept shouting...

'You jerk...you idiot...you stupid Sehgal...how dare you huhh... what the heck do you think of yourself...you come to me when you like...you go away when you like...why are you here now??? Tell me...go na...go to Lavanya...ohhhhh sorry sorry...Loooooove...go...get lost...why did you come here...there is no one for you here...And how dare you come upstairs huhhh??? No one stopped you??? Ohhh that stupid Nikhil must have slept off like a pig, my parents must be busy in their bedroom and my grandparents given a chance they could get me another aunt or uncle in their 90's... But you...why are you here...go...get lost...Neiyat hates you...Neiyat hates you' saying I kept slapping his chest while he held both my hands and pulled me closer to him.

I gasped for a brief moment. I was indeed shocked at his action while he kept a finger on my lips and said...

'You spoke enough!!! Now is my turn!!! Please listen...I really need to get this off my chest sweetheart... please!!!' he said and I kept looking at him and then when he asked 'May I???'...I nodded gently.

He went on his knees and I kept looking at him.

'I know...you are shocked. I know you don't feel the same ..I know I'm not your choice and I also know we are Destinies Apart!!!

But if I won't tell you this I cannot move on Neiyat!!! I really need to move on sweetheart...I really need to...'

Saying he held my hand in his and said at once...

'Miss Neiyat Neiv Kapoor... Without any expectations... without any reciprocation from you...this is my heartfelt feeling...

I love you Neiyat!!!

I really do!!!

Madly!!! Crazily!!! Uncontrollably!!!
I love you sweetheart!!!❤️'

and I was numb.