Ayush's POV

Before I interrogate Riya in front of officials I want to meet her like a friend.

I want to know how is she? I know it's against the law, but Riya is my love.

It still surprises me, Why can't I move on? Mom even registered my names in many matrimonial sites and arranged a few blind dates for me but all her efforts went in vain.

Why? I have no clue. Mom too can't think about some other beside me. Strange!

Finally, Riya came. She kept walking towards me with a plain face.

Her eyes lost that spark I used to admire and can clearly see those dark circles below her eyes.

Her lips are pursed all the time, they are reluctant to smile at me.

I can see, She is brooding inside and her eyes are holding all the grief.

"Riya" I gave a pale smile soon she reached me.

She gave a wan smile and sat opposite me fiddling with her key chain.

I glanced at her for a brief moment, She looked so confused.

Why is she punishing herself for the sin she hasn't committed at all?

Why? I caught her hand gently.

She shuddered at my touch and looked at me with widened eyes.

Tears are flowing over her cheek and she kept looking straight into my eyes.

I don't know why my eyes became moist.

This girl has this effect on me all the time.

My heart just cringes to see her tears.

I quickly gave her a glass of water and she drank it in a gulp.

"Riya, relax" I got up and embraced my hand around her shoulder.

She lifted her head and looked into my eyes furtively in nervousness.

For a moment, everything seems to be so quiet and serene.

She gently leaned her head on me and heaved a deep sigh.

"Thanks, Ayush" She spoke trying to release herself from my arms.

Her gestured alerted me that she is feeling uncomfortable.

I released her from my arms and occupied my chair fidgeting in it.

Both of us sat in eerie silence.

Two of us are busy with our own thoughts.

"Riya!" I spoke slowly.

She lifted her head listening to my call.

"How are you?"Finally, I mustered all my courage to ask a mere question.

"Fine..."She stammered, trying to blink her eyes hastily to refrain those tears falling from her eyes.

"Fine..."I chuckled and mumbled catching a tear escaped from the corner of her eyes.

"Arjun...Why did he do it Ayush?" She asked like a kid sobbing.

Her question stabbed my heart straight like a dagger and I immediately felt to pull her into a big warm hug.

"Riya" I leaned forward and cupped her face wiping those tears.

"Don't cry! Shh!"I blew some air on her face.

She quickly took her handkerchief and wiped her face.

"Why did you call me Ayush?"She asked me straight on my face with a grumpy face.

I gave a stern look trying faking anger at me.

Am I not her friend? What if she gets emotional in front of me?

Is she going to lose her pride?

What if she shares her pain with me?

Is that a crime? Her gesture and actions hurt me a lot.

Is she afraid of me or my love?

I sat looking away avoiding her gaze.

Her eyes softened realizing her mistake and looked at me with a pale smile

They are pleasing me to excuse her.

"Why? Why can't his memories allow me to grab some peace in my life."

"He proved both his love and hate are so fervent. Please don't take me wrong."

"I am a fool." She frowned trying to pout.

I hurt her, Oh my god! Why?

I am her friend for the past two decades and can't I read her expressions and feelings?

I smiled awkwardly asking her to calm down.

The question made me feel a painful prick in my heart.

"I am sorry, Riya"My voice became so screechy as I felt a lump in my throat.

Why I am like this? I always forget who I am before her, I don't care about my power? my status? Everything.

"Sorry Ayush! I always mess up things when you are with me. You are manipulated."She spoke slowly trying to chuckle, trying to revive the missing spark in our friendship.

"Me, manipulator!"

"Really?"I chuckled at her innocence.

"Yes," She nodded at me pouting, eyes brimmed with tears.

She looked very cute and very blissful.

Purely angelic.

I can't refrain from smiling at her.

We both laughed for a second keeping all our problems and ego aside.

Our friendship has this spark from the beginning, I know she won't feel magical beside me but my heart gives the serenity she searches all the time.

I am indeed proud of it.

I know she feels peaceful in my presence.

But people call it concern not love.

If it's called concern then I won't have any problem, let them call my love as a concern, Who cares.

What I want is her happiness.

At the end of the day what matters is her smile.

I took a deep sigh and looked at Riya.

She smiled at me and this time it looked very sincere and heartfelt.

I ruffled her hair and she frowned slumping her shoulders at my gesture.

"I know I shouldn't reveal this but I know I am helpless."I tried to bring the actual topic into conversation after speaking a few random things.

She nodded understanding my expression, trying to focus all her concentration on my words.

"It's undoubtedly a suicide and he was using drugs in his last days," I said at a stretch trying to avoid her gaze.

I know I can't see her eyes now, the pain and guilt in her eyes will kill me.

"Keerthi, his girlfriend allegedly kept meeting a drug dealer every now and then."

"We found a note in his room and it says he was feeling guilty for hurting you, breaking the relationship with you."

"What?"She screamed and I know all these are too hard for her to accept.

To be continued.