The house hunting has finally yielded results and Sandhya and Sai have managed to finalise the deal.

While Sumit too has been part of this process, internally he is indeed dreading the moment when Sai would leave.

In the evening, when Sai and Sandhya come back after completing the formalities and offer their gratitude to Sushila and give her sweets, Sumit picks up the sweet but without going into much conversation, just asks,

“Kab shift ho rahi ho?”

Sai looks at him and sees him peering into her eyes… trying to read but more than that to convey his feelings.

Sai tries to avoid his gaze but cannot and in an uncharacteristically low voice responds,

“Iss weekend pe!!”

Sumit nods and goes away leaving Sai standing awestruck.

Later in the night, Sandhya has dozed off with all the hectic activities of the day but Sai is unable to sleep. She keeps tossing and turning in the bed, but then seeing how it is disturbing Sandhya, moves out of the room to the balcony.

Sitting quietly, the time alone puts Sai in contemplative mode.

She remembers the forlorn face of Sumit when she told him about shifting out and with that how she could almost hear pleas in his eyes to not leave him.

A shiver runs through Sai as she realizes that this what his eyes were meaning to tell her.

She folds her arms across and rubs them in a bid to calm the nervousness in her… but try as she may, she cannot help but remember all that has happened in her life so far and how increasingly Sumit has been a major part of it.

Right from the day, when she met him and got impressed by his intelligence. How he helped her in resolving her doubts and queries..

And then… his connection to Virat was revealed.

But instead of pushing her away, he helped her come out of the shell.

Their conversations and his insistence to clear the matters, their talks about her suicide attempt and how it bonded her to him. Sai realizes with surprise, that in spite of saving her life, Virat has never brought that subject into conversation.

And how with time, Sumit became her friend. He was always there, never forcing himself but a solid figure in the background lest she felt the need to fall back.

Sai remembers mentioning to Virat that she knew Sumit liked her. Now that she is thinking about all this, she wonders if she indeed meant that or said it just to piss Virat off.

As she thinks about it though, she realizes there is indeed truth to that story and she has time and again witnessed it, why just her, even Sandhya has…. And probably Sushila Mavshi has too… otherwise why would she give such a clear hint?

Sai smiles, in many days and a renewed shiver runs through her.

Is she ready to accept Sumit as more than a friend?

Sai looks up at the sky and wonders what Aaba would think of him? Will he like him as son in law? Aaba did like Virat Sir too… and he was not a bad fellow either… but the mistakes cost them their relationship.

Her thoughts quickly turn to Sumit and his comparison to Virat… how different yet similar they are and whether these 15 days in his house have led to strengthening her feelings for him.

She looks up at the sky again and says to herself,

“I’ll miss you Sumit Sir”

“What??? Come again please!!!”

Sai comes out of her reverie and turns out to see Sumit leaning near the balcony, observing her while she had been lost in her thoughts.

He comes closer to her and in a slightly husky tone, leans and says,

“I’ll miss you too… par itni bhi koi baat nahi hai… college main to milogi na?”

Sai blushes profusely, wishing to hide herself from the scene….

She just nods and moves to go away when Sumit, quite boldly, holds her wrist and stops her.

“Sai… kuch baat karni hai… can you wait?”

Sai turns out, still blushing, her eyes downcast.

“Sai… I think you know I like you… main hint main bhi kai baar tumhe ye bata chuka hun. I have something more to add here.”

Sumit leaves her wrist but takes her hand in his and runs his thumb over her hands, which makes Sai look up into his eyes.

“Sai… I think… I think kya… I know…. I know that I have fallen in love with you. I really like you and I hope you like me too. Maine nahi socha tha ki kabhi aisa hoga… ki mujhe bhi koi pasand aayegi… uske baad… but you made a place for yourself in my heart and now I don't think of anyone else. This is not how I wanted to tell you this. But I couldn't control myself.”

Sai looks at their entwined hands and after a moment responds,

“I know Sumit Sir… main samajh rahi hun aapke jazbaat ko… aur aap ye bhi jaante hai main kis daur se gujri hun. I am yet to complete my studies. I don't know yet what I feel for you. But I certainly feel you are special to me”

Sai looks down once again, blushing.

Sumit leaves a happy sigh of relief and exclaims,

“Sai…. thank you thank you thank you so much… that you didnt reject me right away… varna mera dil seh nahi paata”

The dramatic statement earns a chuckle from both of them and Sumit continues,

“I understand your situation…. And I wont force you… but then can I keep on trying to change your mind?”

Sai nods and overcome with emotions, Sumit pulls her in a hug.

Startled, Sai is stunned for a second but gently reciprocates it.

They both seem to be lost in the moment, when a loud chirping from a night bird brings them back to their senses.

Sumit cups Sai's face in his hands and gently kisses her forehead.

Sai closes her eyes in pure bliss and relishes the feeling the touch of his tender lips invoke in her.

She stays there in the moment and a silent tear drops from the corner of her eye. Seeing this, Sumit wipes it with his thumb and that makes her open her eyes.

She sees tears in hie eyes as well and feeling shy looks down again…

They leave each other and Sai ambles about to go.

Sumit calls her out once again and she turns to hear him say,

Give your all to me

I'll give my all to you

You're my end and my beginnin'

Even when I lose, I'm winnin'

'Cause I give you all of me

And you give me all of you, oh-oh

----

Song is "All of me" by John Legend