Ritik's POV:

It's Mom's birthday tomorrow. My both maternal and paternal grandparents are not here in town so Mom is not much interested to celebrate her birthday, She even told the same to Dad and so they decided that we will have a good celebration when my grandparents return, however, Aananya aunty is going to be here today and we are going to celebrate mom's birthday with the family we have here. Mom and dad's bestfriends!

Today me and dad went to Ruan uncle's home to invite them and then we went to meet Abhi uncle but I don't know why, I was scared to do that. Yesterday whatever I said about Kiara and what she said back to me was continuously playing in my head. I was not even able to sleep last because her face, mainly her eyes which were filled with lot of emotions, flashed before me. I don't know whether I was wrong or right but she shouldn't have heard what I said.

I heard my phone ring, so I stopped the car and looked at it. It was Aashika's call.

"Where are you?" She asked.

"Why?"

"Nothing. I just called to ask whether you invited Abhi and Ruan uncle." She replied.

"Yes, we went to Ruan uncle's home, now I'm going to meet Abhi uncle."

"Fine. Drive safely. Bye." She said and disconnected the call. I started driving and soon I was outside Abhi uncle's home. I wish Kiara isn't home, I don't want to face her again, at least not now!

"Are you ok?" Dad asked looking at me with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes, totally." I replied.

"You don't look ok." He said and went out of the car. I normally share everything with him and he quickly gives me a proper suggestion but I knew that if I tell him whatever that happened, he will ask me to say sorry to Kiara and I don't wish to do that.

I went out and followed Dad. The door was open, so I saw Uncle, Aunty and Sameer having some serious talk.

"Should we come in?" Dad asked as they didn't notice us standing there.

"Of course man, why would you even ask that?" Abhi uncle said as he got up and came towards us.

"I mean, you were having some serious family conversation, I didn't mean to disturb you guys." Dad replied. It was their family conversation and even I didn't wish to disturb it.

"You both are also the part of our family. Please come and sit." Sanjana aunty said.

You both are also the part of our family! I recalled her sentence and a smile appeared on my face. That line is a compliment which could make anyone happy!

As I went near the couch, I saw Sameer getting up. He greeted Dad, enquired about his health and then he went to other side of the room. If he wants to behave like a guest in his own house, I don't know what to say or do, it's completely his choice!

"Ignore him. You be comfortable." Abhi uncle said and made me sit beside him.

"So what brought you here?" He asked.

"Leave that aside for now, you tell me, why do you look so tensed?" Dad asked.

"See, even I told the same." Sanjana aunty said as she came with a plate of snacks.

"Tensed? I thought it was a mixture of happiness and worry." Uncle replied. I was unable to understand what they were talking about and so I kept looking at them blankly.

"You don't worry. Nothing serious. He is just worried about his daughter." Aunty replied and Kiara's face flashed before my eyes, again. Why was uncle worried about her?

"Why?"

"What should I tell you? She just wants to be a god." Aunty said making me laugh a little. Though I don't believe much in god, I definitely know that he is not selfish or self centred like Kiara.

"Now who is confusing him?" Uncle mocked her.

"Ok ok. I'm sorry." Aunty replied.

"You know how badly she wished to be the president of the Rotaract club? But now she cancelled her name." Aunty replied.

"What? Why did she do that? She has been telling me about that she since applied for it and now all of the sudden what made her back off?" Dad asked.

Because now she is not interested to be the president anymore! Dance is more important to her now.

"There was a girl in club, she is in final year and even she wants to be the president because her family doesn't believe that she can ever achieve anything in her life. Being the president was her only chance and my over sensitive daughter felt sad for her and now she is helping her win the election." Aunty replied and I was tongue tied because of the shock I recieved.

"Wow. You should be proud of her." Dad said.

"I'm proud of her Aarav but she should understand that making everyone happy is not her responsibility. She can't keep giving away her dreams for others." Aunty said and even dad agreed to it.

"I understand but Kiara is a smart girl, she knows what is right and what is wrong. Talk to her once and make her understand about your thoughts." Dad suggested.

"I suggested the same." Uncle stated.

"Shut up, you were the one who was so worried about her. Moreover, you are the one who has spoiled her by full filling her every wish." Aunty scolded him. Abhi uncle ignored her and turn towards me.

"Why are you so silent?" He asked. Because I'm very guilty about everything I said about your daughter.

"Nothing." I replied. Kiara should have told the truth yesterday instead of lying, at least I shouldn't have used those words.

"Anyway, it's..."

"Aashna aunty's birthday tomorrow." A voice said. I looked up and saw Kiara standing there. She looked happy but once her eyes met mine, her expressions changed and she immediately averted her gaze.

"Exactly." Dad replied.

"I knew you will come here today." She said as she came and stood beside dad. He told her to sit but she said that she was fine.

"So as Kiara said, it's Aashna's birthday tomorrow and you all are invited." Dad said.

"Of course, we will be there." Uncle replied.

"Great. We will leave now." Dad said and got up. I did the same and waited for him, as he was talking with Sameer.

"Come tomorrow, I will wait for you." Dad said. Now, everyone knows he won't come there!

"I will." Sameer replied.

"And, I don't think I need to tell you again." Dad said as he turned towards Kiara.

"Of course not, I will be there for sure." She replied happily.

"I heard about the re-election." He said and I saw Kiara's expressions changed immediately, she looked at the ground and then back at dad.

"No doubt, I'm proud of you but what Sanjana is saying is also true. Talk to her once." Dad said.

"Yeah, I know. I'm sorry for that. I will be careful next time." She said. I was dying to get just a single glance from her however she was ignoring me like I was invisible.

"Bye. Take care." Dad said and went out. It was my turn to leave as well but still I stood there hoping that Kiara will look at me but nothing as such happened, she went away from there.

"Because you guys went out for coffee, I thought you talk now." Dad said once I started driving. I wish that never happened! I wish I never have offered to help her, at least I would not have been in this situation today! Me and Kiara, we are better when we are far away from eachother.

"No, we don't." I replied. I knew he got to know that something was wrong with me but he didn't ask anything, something which I like about him a lot, he never force me to do anything against my wish.

"If you feel like telling it, I'm here." He assured. I smiled and concentrated on driving. Soon we reached home and I went inside my room. I was so wrong to say all those things about her, she must have got hurt to hear all those things from me. I remembered her sentence which she said when I offered to drop her home,

If a stranger hurts, it will only be physically not mentally. Whereas in the case of known stranger, it's the other thing.

Not knowing what to do, I took out my phone and called Viraj but it showed that he was busy on another call. Must be talking to Sakshi! I waited for few seconds and saw Sakshi's name flashing on my mobile screen.

"Hi." She said the moment I received the call.

"Hello from the other side, buddy." Viraj said. Now I have to tell everything to both of them, I just hope at least for now, they decide one thing and help me rather than fighting among themselves.

"Hi guys." I replied and immediately they both started asking me what's wrong with me and why sound so sad. I narrated to whole incident and got to hear complete silence.

"Are you guys there?" I literally had to ask this as none of them was saying anything.

"How dare you hurt her Ritik? And why would you even say those things without even knowing the truth?" Sakshi said almost scolding me.

"It was not my mistake. She herself said that she was interested to be the president anymore."

"So? You believed her?" She asked.

"What was I supposed to do?"

"Ri, ignore it. Girls are complicated, you will never figure out that they actually mean." Viraj said and before Sakshi could oppose his statement, he made to shut her mouth and then continued.

"Did you apologize to her?" He asked.

"She didn't let me. She didn't glanced at me, not even once." I replied.

"Do you have her number, maybe you should call and tell her sorry for your hurtful words." She said. It was both suggestion and a taunt. I don't have her number, it's only me who gave my number to her and that was also for a reason, otherwise we never exchanged our numbers.

"No, I don't." I replied.

"Maybe you can take it from Anika or your Mom or dad's mobile. They must be having her number." Sakshi suggested. Exactly, both my parents have her number.

"Thanks. I will call and tell sorry."

"Ok." They both replied and so I ended the call. I went downstairs and saw both mom and dad were busy with their phones. I looked at Aashika who was so applying nail paint. Does Aashika have her number? I don't think so.

"Do you want something?" Mom asked.

"No." I replied and went inside my room. I guess I will have to wait for some more time.

After some half and hour I went outside my room and saw that everyone was in same position they were when I came for the first time. What are they even doing? Can't they keep their phones aside and talk with eachother?

"Mom, I want something to eat." I said as I went downstairs.

"Snacks are on the kitchen counter, go and take whatever you want." She replied without even glancing at me.

"Mom please. You know I get confused. Go and give me something."

"Aashika, please get him something to eat." Mom said and the stupid Aashika who throws lot of tantrums when she is asked to do some work, went today without even saying anything.

"Take." She said bringing a packet of her favourite strawberry biscuits.

"Sit with me, we will eat together." She stated and started pulling me with her.

"Wait, mom, give me your phone for a minute." I said directly, if I keep waiting, I will have to wait till night.

"Take." She said and passed her phone to me. I searched for Kiara's name in call logs but it was not there. Mom doesn't have Kiara's number? How is that possible? No wait, Mom calls her kiu, it must be saved like that. I searched for Kiu and finally got to see her number. I saved it on my phone, deleted the search history from Mom's call logs and then handed her phone back to her.

"Thank you." I said and turned to leave.

"Aren't you hungry?" Aashika asked.

"Not anymore." I replied and went back to my room.

Now the question is, should I next her or should I call her?

I was so busy deciding what to do when I saw a message from Sakshi asking me whether I said sorry or not. I asked her what should I do, she replied saying that I should call her. Well, I was not thinking about that, I was going to text her but Sakshi said opposite of what I was thinking.

"Ok." I replied.

I opened my whatsapp and looked for Kiara's number. Because I saved my number and she still has it, I was able to see her display picture, also she was online two minutes ago. I quickly typed 'sorry' but when I was going to click on send, my fingers didn't move. She came online and so I again gained courage to message her but even this time, I was not able too. I think I should better call her.

I gave up the idea of messaging her and called her directly, it was ringing but she was not receiving it. I called again and the response was same. I waited for two minutes and called her again, this time she disconnected it after barely two rings. Why so much attitude? I was wrong and now I want to say sorry for it!

I called again, she disconnected it again. I was irritated by her behaviour and now, I gave up the idea of calling her, I decided to message her, I opened her chat and realized that I was not able to see her display picture anymore but because I was able to see that she was online, I guess, she didn't block me, she just deleted my number.

Girl with every high attitude, I swear, once I sorry to her, I'm never crossing paths with her again!

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