A month had easily passed by, it went as smoothly as it could. During the day I struggled to work as normal worker while maintaining a civil relationship with a client who swirled my mind with confusion and left my heart to ache alone.

But oh well, I brought this upon my myself.

Days went by in rearranging my living room furniture on my own, thinking of it as therapy. And especially cause it was needed with Shiloh's constantly biting my furniture around.

As I tossed the plate into the sink, the bell rang as I frowned wondering who would be at my door at 2pm in the afternoon, making my way out of the kitchen I check my living room if anything is out of its place.

As I pull the door open, my heart skips a beat at the unexpected sight before me. Without hesitation, I leap forward and wrap my arms tightly around his neck, feeling a rush of joy and disbelief coursing through me. His embrace is warm and familiar, grounding me in the reality of his presence.

His arms encircle my waist effortlessly as he lifts me off the ground, twirling me around in a whirlwind of emotions. I can't help but laugh, the sheer happiness of the moment overwhelming any sense of confusion or doubt.

As we finally come to a stop, I look up at him, still processing the shock of his unexpected arrival. "What are you doing here?" I manage to stammer out, my voice filled with equal parts surprise and delight.

He chuckles softly, a playful glint dancing in his eyes. "Seriously, young lady?" he teases, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "That's the first thing you ask me? No 'Welcome, Ethan, come inside!' or 'Meet Shiloh!'?" He gestures towards the little fella with a mock frown, earning a sheepish grin from me in response.

"Okay, okay," I admit, unable to suppress a smile. "Welcome, Ethan, come inside! And meet Shiloh," I add, gesturing towards the excited puppy who's been eagerly wagging his tail throughout the entire exchange.

With a laugh, Ethan pulls me into another hug, his presence filling me with a sense of comfort and happiness.

As Ethan cuddles Shiloh in his arms, I smile at the heartwarming scene before taking his suitcase inside to the guest room. Once everything is settled, I return to the living room to find Ethan sitting one the couch while cuddling and cooing at Shiloh.

Taking a seat on the opposite couch, I lean back and prop my legs up, shooting him a curious glance. "So, what brought you to Mumbai?" I inquire, attempting to break through his facade.

"Business, what else?" Ethan responds casually, but his avoidance of eye contact betrays his attempt to deflect the question.

Raising an eyebrow, I lean forward slightly, fixing him with a knowing gaze. "You know, you're not a very convincing liar," I tease gently, a smirk playing at the corners of my lips. "Tanishka called you, didn't she?"

Ethan's expression shifts, a mixture of surprise and resignation flickering across his features before he lets out a sigh, conceding defeat. "Alright, fine, you got me," he admits, finally meeting my gaze. "She did call. But hey, can you blame her? She knows I can't resist the chance to see my favourite girls and your adorable new puppy." He punctuates his words with a playful grin, attempting to lighten the mood.

I can't help but chuckle at his response, feeling a warmth spread through me at his genuine affection. "Well, I'm glad you're here, regardless of the reason," I reply sincerely, grateful for his presence and the opportunity to catch up with my family.

"Okay now, tell me everything. I heard he is here, how did that happen? And you got a hot shot therapist now? Who is Siddarth's childhood friend? what the fuck is going on here? This seems like a story right out of a romance novel written by that author Subhi Saoirse!"

I sigh and let out a small dry chuckle at the same time. "Yeah I got tons of things going on here."

He keeps shiloh down who tries to growls as the former leans forward and looks at me with wide curious eyes. "Okay first tell me about your collaboration with Dalhyun! No, tell me about the sexy doctor! Show me his picture. Even Tani was like he looks like someone right out of a novel!"

Ethan sequels loudly as I decide whether I should laugh or cry.

"Have you been reading too many novels? You're loosing your mind." he simply shrugs with a smile that could only be described as one with glee.

I take out my phone from my pocket and show him the pictures of Atharva, we took together in the market, in the garden and in the club. Tanishka had sent me pictures of us dancing after our fight--nah, I wouldn't call it a fight. After the revelation of her betrayal.

Ethan gasped, which means he is looking at the one where we are pressing against each other as he whispers in my ear.

"Jesus! Is he hot or is he hot?" he says as he continues looking at the pictures, "on one side I'm genuinely happy that you both bagged yourselves some very very fine men, but on the other side I'm extremely jealous! I mean have you looked at these three men?" I scrunch up my nose in disgust realising he is including my brother in his 'fine men' list.

"I mean Siddarth makes my heart thumb so fast that I can feel my pulse in, he is an unpredictable man, one second he is ready to murder you with his scapula, then next second he will save you with the same scapula-"

"That's extremely gross Ethan! That is my brother!"

"next is our Dalhyun, the sweetheart. Oh dear lord, he is the most gentle calm man I have ever met-" 

What will happen to him when he gets to know what kind of man Dalhyun has turned into. 

"But I know that in the name of making love he fucks, good..." he drags it out, "hard." All I could do is groan in displeasure. 

"Ethan stop it now!" my voice raises as he turns towards me with wide eyes. "Dalhyun has changed! He has turned into someone I can no longer recognise. He has started smoking and has turned into an aggressive person. One second he behaves like he hates me then he is making me cum on his fingers!"

He stares at me for few seconds then leaps out his couch to hug me. "it's gonna be okay Shiya bear. it's all gonna be okay." 

Except I don't think it will be. 

"And what did you say? It has been only a month he came and you already came round his fingers? Damn, I was expecting you be limping around the apartment by now." 

I roll my eyes. I wish that was the case. 

+++

I glare at Ethan angrily as he glances nervously between Tanishka and me. I don't understand what is with people whom I love dearly to betray me within seconds. 

"For fucks sake Ethan, you had just arrived, did you have to fuck up already?"

He keeps his hand over his chest dramatically to hide his pain that I caused him just now. But I can see it in his eyes. "Hey! I'm here to solve the mess you both have created, not add more to your plates." 

I look away refusing to look at either of them when I catch a glimpse of three people I know very well. They sit together covering their faces with the menus as they keep staring our way. 

I squint my eyes, as they realise quickly and look away except one. He keeps staring at me with eyes that speak how much he hates me yet loves me so much. 

And I accept that hatred with my arms wide open. 

Stay that's what he had kept repeating that night. 

Before I break down in front of hundreds of people, I turn around and walk out of the restaurant. knowing I would have at least one of the five people following me outside and I hope it Atharva.

Why is Atharva with Dalhyun anyways? 

Did he approach Dalhyun to find out what had exactly gone down between us? 

I wrap my arms around myself feeling the ringing in my head increase by every second. I could feel my heartbeat in every single part of my body. 

It just hurt so much. 

And I wanted it to end. 

"Dawn," the word echoes in my head as the ringing slowly subsides now. 

"She is long gone, Tanishka." I comment with a raw voice as I clear my throat, "I am just Shiya Sathvik." 

"Bullshit," she grabs my shoulders as she turns me towards her, "bullshit you hear me! The Dawn I know is still there, she is Dawn Shiya Sathvik you know! She can't walk away even if she tried!" 

"he dawn I've come to know bears the pain for the sake of those she loves, the dawn I know hides her true self to be the person everyone wants her to be. You've given so much to everyone else, and now it's our turn. Please, just... allow us to be there for you."

"I haven't done anything but hurt you guys--" I start. 

"Bump bump bump, I am not done yet." she shushes me as she passes a small smile my way. "you're the most compassionate yet the stupidest girl I have known till now. And we are all here to guide you, Ethan, your brother, Atharva, even... Dalhyun." 

I close my eyes at the mention of his name. 

"I know we committed a mistake by talking to Dalhyun behind your back but we will did it cause we know how much you love him--"

"That's not how relationships work Tanishka and you should know that by now. You're dating most idiotic person on this earth." She chuckles and I knew that Siddarth was fuming listening to this. I know my brother well enough. He is most probably hiding behind a pillar around here.

"Let's consider my relationship with your brother as an example. You're well aware of what transpired. You were there for me, offering comfort and even scolding your brother, all while disregarding your own pain. Despite my efforts to suppress my feelings for him, here I am, living with Siddarth, feeling like the happiest person alive."

I smiled thinking how lucky they are to have each other. 

"You have that chance Shiya, grab it. He's right there, waiting for you. Waiting for you to go back to him. He flew all the way over knowing that he can't live without you!"

I shake my head, the image of him smiling at me appears in front of me then he is smoking at the balcony looking at me with pure hatred. 

"No! I am not ready Tanishka. And I would never be if you all keep dumping him on me. At the club, at my office. what's next? My house?" 

"Shiya," She softly whispers as she wraps her arms around me, "shush its okay honey, everything is okay. We're here whenever you need us. He is also right here whenever you're ready to talk to him. The guy loves you too much okay?" 

But his actions speak otherwise, just like mine.