As Aarav entered the hotel room, the weight of his conflicting emotions bore down on him heavily. The events of the evening replayed in his mind like a relentless storm, each memory vivid and poignant. He had kissed Manvi, a gesture that had felt both exhilarating and terrifying, awakening emotions he had long buried.

Khushi was already in bed, her form outlined by the soft glow of the bedside lamp. She looked up as he entered, sensing immediately that something was amiss. Aarav tried to compose himself, to push aside the turmoil raging within him, but the turmoil refused to be ignored.

He sat down heavily on the edge of Khushi's bed, his hand running through his hair in frustration. Khushi watched him silently, her concern evident in her eyes.

"Dadda, kya hua?" Khushi asked softly, reaching out to touch his arm.

Aarav sighed deeply, his gaze distant as he struggled to find the right words. "Khushi, main... maine aaj jo kiya, wo galat tha," he began, his voice thick with emotion.

Khushi sat up, her brow furrowing in confusion. "Galat? Kya matlab, Dadda?"

Aarav turned to her, his eyes searching hers for understanding. "Maine Manvi ke saath... main uske saath aisa nahi karna chahiye tha. Maine apne aap ko... maine khud ko samjhaya tha ki main aise rishte mein nahi padna chahta. Par aaj..."

His voice trailed off, unable to articulate the whirlwind of emotions churning inside him. He felt torn between his desire to protect himself from further heartache and his growing feelings for Manvi, feelings that he was struggling to accept.

Khushi listened quietly, her heart going out to her father. She had never seen him so vulnerable, so conflicted. She reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder, offering silent support.

"Dadda," Khushi said gently, "aapko dost ke saath jo bhi hua, wo shayad ek naya raasta dikhane ki koshish hai. Shayad aapko khud se, apne dil se, ladna hoga. Kabhi-kabhi humein apne mann ki baat ko sunna padta hai."

Aarav looked at her, gratitude mingled with anguish in his eyes. He knew Khushi was right. He couldn't deny the feelings that had surfaced, nor could he continue to suppress them.

"Par Khushi, maine khud se yeh waada kiya tha ki main... ki main dobara pyaar pe bharosa nahi karunga," Aarav admitted, his voice cracking with emotion.

Khushi nodded understandingly. "Dadda, zindagi mein kabhi-kabhi humein apne rules ko badalna padta hai. Shayad aapko bhi apne dil ki sunni hogi."

Aarav looked at his daughter, a mixture of pride and tenderness filling his heart. She had grown into a wise young woman, offering him wisdom that he desperately needed in this moment of uncertainty.

He leaned over and gently kissed her forehead, his touch conveying a silent gratitude for her understanding and support. "Thank you, beta," he whispered softly.

Khushi hugged him tightly, offering him the reassurance he needed. "Sab thik ho jayega, Dadda. Aap bas apne dil ki suniye." 

As they sat there in the quiet of the hotel room, father and daughter found solace in each other's presence. Aarav knew that the path ahead would be fraught with challenges, but with Khushi by his side, he felt a renewed sense of courage to confront his own heart and the possibilities it held. 

After the trip to Shimla, Aarav found himself grappling with the aftermath of his intimate moment with Manvi. Despite the fleeting connection they had shared, he retreated into himself, overwhelmed by a mixture of guilt, confusion, and the fear of opening up to a new relationship.

Manvi lay on her bed, the gentle hum of the night engulfing her room. Her thoughts wandered back to Shimla, where the crisp mountain air seemed to carry an undeniable magic. She replayed those tender moments spent with Aarav, her heart fluttering at the memory of their kiss. A soft blush crept across her cheeks, and with a shy smile, she buried her face in her pillow, savoring the feeling.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed, pulling her out of the warm haze of her memories. The screen lit up with a message from Khushi:

"Trip bahut yaadgar raha kyun??"

Manvi rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips. "Khushi bhi na..." she muttered, her mind flashing back to how Khushi and Sharda had playfully faked being ill, all in a mischievous bid to leave her and Aarav alone together. There was no denying the two had schemed, but their intentions were always kind-hearted.

Unable to resist confronting her friend, Manvi dialed Khushi's number. The call barely rang twice before Khushi answered, her voice teasing as always.

"Dost, kya baat hai? Aaj raat ko aapko neend nahi aa rahi?"

"Khushi, chup! Tumhara deemag aajkal bahut zyada chal raha hai," Manvi retorted, trying to sound stern but failing to hide her amusement.

Khushi, playing the innocent card, replied, "Maine kya kiya, dost?"

"Khushi... tum kya kar rahi ho? Zabardasti apne dadda ko kyun?" Manvi questioned, her voice softening as she acknowledged her friend's intentions.

Khushi's tone shifted, more serious now. "Main kaha zabardasti kar rahi hoon, dost? Maine dadda ko kuch nahi kaha, na hi koi zidd ki. Dadda jo kar rahe hain, apni marzi se kar rahe hain. Maine bas situations create ki... aur close dadda apne aap aa gaye aapke."

Manvi's chest tightened, emotions swirling inside her. "Khushi..." she whispered, unsure of how to express the confusing feelings she'd been trying to suppress.

There was a beat of silence before Khushi asked softly, "You love him?"

Manvi froze, her mind racing. She didn't need to answer—Khushi already knew.

"Dost," Khushi continued, her voice gentle and supportive, "Aap aur dadda ek better life deserve karte ho. Mujhe yakeen hai ek din dadda apne dil ki sunenge."

Manvi felt a lump in her throat. "Khushi, yeh kya baat kar rahi ho tum? Haan, uss raat jo hua, wo..." She trailed off, her voice trembling with uncertainty.

Khushi didn't let her finish. "Dost, kya aapko apne ex-husband se wo pyaar mila jo aap chahti thi?"

Manvi's breath caught as memories of Dhruv flooded back—the emotional and physical abuse that had drained her spirit. She had endured so much pain, and yet here she was, her heart yearning for someone new.

Manvi sighed and recalled how Dhruv use to abuse her mentally and physically. 

Khushi pressed on, her words kind but firm. "Dost, aapke dil mein dadda ke liye jo feelings hai, unhe mat chhupaiye. Karti ho na aap unse pyaar?"

Manvi swallowed hard, trying to find her voice. "Khushi, main..." She faltered, unsure of how to articulate the depth of her feelings.

"Aap dono ek dusre ka saath deserve karte ho, dost. Dekhna, jald mere dadda bhi apni feelings accept karenge," Khushi said with quiet confidence, before ending the call.

Left alone with her thoughts, Manvi sighed deeply. She knew Khushi was right. Aarav's past was as heavy as hers, his heart scarred by betrayal. His wife and stepmother had inflicted wounds that would take time to heal. But the kiss they had shared in Shimla—brief and hesitant—felt like a glimmer of hope, a sign that maybe, just maybe, Aarav was ready to take a step forward.

As she drifted into sleep, Manvi held onto the hope that Aarav would eventually listen to his heart and embrace the possibility of love again. 

Aarav stood by the window, the cool night air brushing against his face as he stared out into the dark expanse. The world outside was still, but his mind was anything but. He replayed the kiss with Manvi over and over again in his head, the warmth of the moment contrasting sharply with the cold resolve that was slowly creeping into his heart.

His chest tightened as he remembered how her soft lips had met his, how for just a brief moment, the weight of his past had seemed to dissolve. But now, in the quiet of his room, that weight returned with full force. He sighed deeply, leaning against the window frame, his brow furrowed with uncertainty.

"Wo bhi kya soch rahi hogi mere baare mein..." Aarav murmured to himself, his voice barely audible. He wondered if she was confused, if she was second-guessing her decision to get close to someone like him. Manvi wasn't like the other women he had known—women who had sought favors, power, or something to gain from their proximity to him. She was different. She didn't want anything from him except, perhaps, a place in his heart.

But that made things more complicated.

"Wo dusri ladkiyon ki tarah nahi hai jise sirf favour chahiye," he whispered, feeling a strange mix of admiration and fear. It was easier when relationships were transactional he knew how to navigate that. But with Manvi, it was deeper, more real, and that terrified him.

Aarav straightened, his jaw tightening as he made a silent resolution. He couldn't allow himself to get too close. Not again. His past had taught him the dangers of letting someone in how betrayal could come from even those you trusted most. And Manvi deserved more than to be dragged into the chaos of his life.

"I should keep my distance," he thought, the decision settling like a heavy stone in his chest. It wasn't what he wanted, but it was what he believed was right for her, for him, for the walls he had built around his heart.

Turning away from the window, Aarav exhaled a slow breath, trying to rid himself of the warmth that Manvi's memory brought. He needed to be strong, to protect himself from the vulnerability that love always demanded. And with that, he convinced himself that distance was the only way forward.

The following day at the office, a subtle flutter of nervous anticipation settled in Manvi's chest. She couldn't help but hope for a glimpse of reassurance from Aarav, a smile, a word anything that would confirm that what they shared in Shimla wasn't just a fleeting moment. But as soon as she walked in, a chill seemed to settle over her as she noticed Aarav engrossed in a conversation with a colleague.

Her heart quickened, hoping he'd look her way, but he didn't. She walked past, holding her breath, waiting for a sign of acknowledgment. Nothing. Aarav remained focused on his work, maintaining a rigid, professional demeanor that left no room for personal connection.

Throughout the day, it was as if an invisible wall had risen between them overnight. In meetings, he addressed the team but never glanced in her direction. His voice, calm and composed, never wavered, but it lacked the warmth she had felt just days before. In the corridors, he always seemed conveniently occupied, either with his phone or in conversation with someone else. Every time she was near, he found a way to avoid her.

Manvi's heart sank deeper with each passing hour. The easy connection they had shared in Shimla, the stolen moments that felt so special  everything seemed to dissolve into the sterile air of the office. She tried to focus on her tasks, but her mind kept drifting back to him. She questioned herself, wondering if she had misread the signals, if perhaps Aarav was regretting what had happened between them.

At lunchtime, Khushi joined her in the cafeteria. She immediately noticed Manvi's uncharacteristic quietness.

"Kya hua, dost? Aap kuch zyada hi chup hain aaj," Khushi asked, her eyes scanning Manvi's face for clues.

Manvi sighed, pushing her food around on her plate. "Aaravji... aaj unhone pura din mujhe ignore kiya."

Khushi raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Ignoring? Are you sure?"

Manvi nodded, frustration and hurt seeping into her voice. "He won't even look at me, Khushi. It's like he's pretending that nothing happened between us."

Khushi's teasing demeanor softened, and she leaned closer, her voice calm and reassuring. "Dost, give him some time. Dadda has been through a lot. Maybe he's just scared and confused. It doesn't mean he doesn't care."

Manvi bit her lip, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "I know, Khushi. But it hurts. Mujhe laga hamare beech kuch special tha..."

Khushi reached out and squeezed her hand gently. "You do, dost. Trust in that. Dadda just needs to find his way through his fears. He'll come around."

Manvi nodded, her chest heavy with emotion, but a small flicker of hope sparked in her heart. Khushi's words, though simple, carried a truth she couldn't ignore. Aarav had been through so much—his past was fraught with betrayal and pain. She couldn't expect him to open his heart easily, even if there was something undeniably real between them.

Manvi entered Aarav's cabin, her heart heavy with the unspoken tension between them. She held a file she had meticulously studied, hoping the work would create an opportunity to bridge the growing distance. "Aaravji, yeh maine study kar li hai. Aap ek baar dekh lijiye," she said, placing the file gently on his desk.

Aarav didn't even look up. His focus remained fixed on his laptop as he shook his head dismissively. "Haan, rakh do," he muttered, his voice devoid of warmth. Manvi's heart sank. His indifference felt like a cold slap, and she turned to leave, feeling the sting of rejection.

As she reached the door, she couldn't resist one last glance at him, hoping for any sign of acknowledgment. Their eyes met briefly. In his gaze, she saw a flicker of something guilt, perhaps but it vanished as quickly as it appeared when he shifted his attention back to the screen.

Her chest tightened, and before she could stop herself, the words tumbled out. "Jab se Shimla se aaye hain, aap mujhe ignore kyun kar rahe hain, Aaravji?" Her voice trembled, a mix of frustration and sadness spilling through.

Aarav's jaw clenched, his expression hardening. "Manvi, bahut kaam hai. Hum baad mein baat karte hain," he replied, his tone flat and distant. His response, though polite, was as cold as a wall being firmly placed between them.

Manvi let out a sigh of disappointment, the weight of unspoken emotions hanging heavily in the air as she left his cabin. The soft click of the door behind her sounded like the closing of a chapter she had hoped wouldn't end this way. Aarav watched her retreating figure, feeling a tightness in his chest. He leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "Mujhe khud nahi pata main aisa kyun kar raha hoon," he thought, the guilt gnawing at him.

The kiss they had shared in Shimla his mind kept returning to it. It hadn't just been a kiss. It had been something deeper, something that had cracked the armor he'd spent years building around his heart. Kissing a woman wasn't new for him, but with Manvi, it had felt different. The softness of her lips, the warmth of her embrace it had stirred something inside him that he wasn't prepared for. He hadn't felt that way in years, not since the betrayals that had hardened his heart and made him swear off emotional vulnerability.

As the memory of that kiss played over and over in his mind, he felt torn between the need to protect himself and the undeniable pull toward her. It was easier to push her away, to keep her at a distance, than to confront the feelings that terrified him.

Meanwhile, Manvi returned to her desk, her emotions swirling in a storm of confusion and hurt. She tried to focus on her work, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Aarav his coldness, the way he had avoided her all day, the walls he had built seemingly overnight. The more she thought about it, the more determined she became to break through those walls. She knew there was something real between them, something that had sparked in Shimla, and she wasn't ready to give up on it.

As the day wore on, Aarav found it harder and harder to concentrate. Manvi's words echoed in his mind, her question replaying in the silence of his thoughts: Why are you ignoring me? He knew he was being unfair to her, that he was letting his fears dictate his actions, but he couldn't shake off the chains of insecurity that held him back. He had been hurt too deeply before, and letting someone in again felt like opening himself up to the same pain.

By the evening, Aarav couldn't bear the suffocating weight of his emotions any longer. He left his office, hoping a walk might clear his head. As he wandered through the corridors, he passed by Manvi's cabin. He paused, his eyes drawn to her like a magnet. She was engrossed in her work, her brow furrowed in concentration, and Aarav felt a sudden pang of regret.

For a moment, he stood there, watching her, his heart heavy with the desire to reach out to her, to explain himself. But the words wouldn't come. His fears still held him captive, making it impossible to say what he truly felt.

Manvi sensed someone standing nearby and looked up, her eyes meeting Aarav's. Time seemed to stop, the air between them thick with unsaid words. Aarav's expression softened, the coldness from earlier melting away, and for a fleeting second, she saw the warmth they had shared in Shimla flicker back into his eyes.

"Aaravji..." she began, her voice soft, hopeful.

But he shook his head, silencing her with a look that spoke louder than any words could.

"Manvi, I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice barely audible, laced with regret. Without waiting for her response, he turned and walked away, leaving her sitting there, heart heavy with unanswered questions.

Months had passed, and the tension between Aarav and Manvi only seemed to deepen. The office was a battlefield of unspoken emotions. Aarav buried himself in work, his every move calculated to avoid any personal interaction with Manvi. The memory of their kiss in Shimla haunted him relentlessly, surfacing in quiet moments, causing his heart to tighten with a mix of regret and longing. He struggled, torn between the burgeoning feelings he had for her and the fear of being hurt once more a wound left by the betrayals in his past that had never fully healed.

For Manvi, the days stretched on in a whirlpool of confusion and quiet heartache. She had tried to focus on her work, to maintain her professionalism, but the emotional weight of Aarav's coldness was becoming unbearable. Each day, she entered the office hoping for a change a small gesture, a smile, anything to suggest that the walls Aarav had built between them were crumbling. But his behavior remained unchanged, his gaze never lingering on her, his words clipped and distant.

Weeks turned into months, and still, nothing. The same pattern continued, and it became an unspoken reality in their lives. Aarav's avoidance, and Manvi's silent suffering, created an emotional undercurrent in the office that everyone seemed to notice but never addressed. Despite her efforts to remain patient and understanding, Manvi couldn't help but feel the sharp sting of rejection, day after day.

Her solace came from Khushi, who remained her steadfast support. Over endless cups of coffee and quiet conversations, Khushi would reassure her. "Dost, he's just scared. Give him time. Aaravji will come around," she would say, her voice filled with optimism that Manvi sometimes struggled to share. Still, she wasn't ready to give up on him, on what they had shared in Shimla. Love required resilience, she reminded herself. It required faith, even in the darkest moments. And she had plenty of both.

But Aarav, despite his self-imposed distance, wasn't immune to the gnawing emptiness inside him. He would sit alone in his cabin long after the office emptied, staring blankly at his desk or out the window, the silence of the room pressing down on him like a weight. Each day, the void within him seemed to grow larger. Pushing Manvi away had been his way of protecting himself, of shielding his heart from the vulnerability that love demanded. Yet, it had also isolated him, leaving him lonelier than ever before.