I was fuming that night when I found out that Keshav had already paid for my hospital expenses. So In anger, I rang his doorbell in repetition. To my bad luck, it was Aarav who opened the door.

"Oh, Meera. How are you? How are you feeling now?" Aarav asked me in a very concerned tone.

"Aarav I am absolutely fine. Where is that idiot?" I asked expressing slight irritation in my tone.

"Who Keshav?" Aarav replied 

"Who else?" 

"I'm here" I suddenly heard a deep masculine voice. 

"Who asked you to pay my hospital expenses?" I asked in rage

"No one. I thought it was my responsibility to pay for it" Keshav replied. 

"What responsibility are you talking about Keshav? You are not my husband, boyfriend, brother or anyone. You decided to remove me from your life over a year ago. Where was this humanity then?" I screamed out loud at Keshav.

"Meera calm down. You will wake others up!" Aarav warned me 

"Who are you commanding me to calm down Aarav? Fine I will leave you both at peace." Immediately I opened my purse and took some cash out. I wanted to throw this money at Keshav but I decided to refrain myself from it. Instead I grabbed his hands and placed the cash onto his palms. Keshav tried to protest but I was in no mood to take it.  I then stormed out of their flat and stormed back into my flat. 

Authors POV 

Once Meera had left the scene Aarav closed the door and glanced at the cash Meera left. 

"Her scars are deep Keshav. It is that making her react in such a way." 

"I know" Keshav responded. And after a small silence he proceeded to say "I do regret my choice of behaviour back then but how else was I supposed to react Aarav?"  

That night both Keshav and Meera went to bed with heavy hearts. A mix of fate and bad choices is something that led Keshav and Meera to this state. 

 Flashback  -  One year ago (15th September)

It was Keshav's twenty eighth birthday today. But more than it being his birthday Keshav was excited because he was to meet his girlfriend today in person. What made it the most special was the fact that Keshav was going to see his girlfriend for the very first time.

The morning of Keshav's birthday he was woken up at 6:00 AM by his dearest friend Aarav and the most annoying girl in this planet - yes no one other than Meera.

"Happy Birthday to you 

Happy Birthday to you 

Happy birthday Keshav  monkey

Happy Birthday to you !!!" 

Meera and Aarav was singing this early in the morning standing next to my bed holding a massive cake. Meera's presence made me cringe hard, not because of her physical presence but because I was top less exposing my torso. I removed it last night due to the extreme heat, and I had no idea where my blanket was either. 

As soon as Meera had noticed this she closed her eyes

"Shit! Where is my t-shirt I screamed out loud at the idiot Aarav. I was extremely annoyed at him for brining in the silliest girl to my room on my birthday. 

From somewhere Aarav picked out a t-shirt and gave it to me. Immediately I popped it on and to get Meera's attention I cleared my throat. Gently she opened her eyes and started at me with her puppy eyes. 

"Happy Birthday" Meera wished me as sweetly as she could. 

"Thanks" I replied as nicely as I could. Suddenly, things got very awkward. I didn't know what to say neither did Meera knew what to say.  After a brief pause Meera said "I'm aware that I'm possibly the last person you might want to spent your birthday with. You can decline this if you want to ... but do you fancy a visit to the temple with me?"  

Normally I would have had declined Meera's offer but today my heart told me not to decline her offer. I will be visiting the temple anyway, there has not been one birthday where I have failed to visit the temple, my mum used to be adamant in such things. Although, my birthdays aren't the same since my mothers and fathers death I have been following the things my parents would have wanted. From visiting the temple every birthdays to ensuring my sister gets the education she deserves just the way my parents would have done it for her. Usually on my birthdays I visit my sisters college and we spent the day together but unfortunately I can't do that this year as this is Rashmika's exam period. 

I came out of my thoughts when I noticed Meera staring at me demanding an answer. "I will be visiting the temple. You can tag along with me only for the temple visit." I noticed Meera's eyes gleaming with happiness just as I said that. To be honest I found her behaviour to be quite  unusual today. Until yesterday me and Meera were having cat fights when we caught a glimpse of each other, but today Meera was acting weird generating negative thoughts inside me... 

Anyway very soon Meera left to get ready, I too got ready after a warm shower and breakfast. Me and Aarav had breakfast together today, then once again after wishing me the happiest of birthdays Aarav left to work. The equation amongst me and Aarav has changed incredibly, life is no longer the same for me and Aarav ever since Sakshi's incident. The mental agony Aarav has been going through is not small, Sakshi was the girl Aarav had feelings for. I am sure Sakshi too have had feelings towards Aarav but before they could confess it to each other their destiny hit them hard. Aarav has become a lot more matured, his only ambition and hope it to help Sakshi recover. It many takes many years for Sakshi to come back to life or probably she may not come back to life but I am sure that Aarav will be with Sakshi no matter what. Not just Aarav but even I will be there for Sakshi because she deserves justice, not just because Sakshi is a like a sister to me but because no girl deserves to go through whatever Sakshi went through and have their  life destroyed in such a way that they can never be their normal self. Sakshi's incident have also been  game changing  for me because I too have a sister. Rashmika is my world if something ever happens to her I don't know how I will survive. 

These were the things going through inside my head as I got changed into a simple jeans and t-shirt gifted  to me by my Meera during the initial days of our relationship. Speaking of Meera she messaged me yesterday bang on 12 to wish me on my birthday. She also assured me that she will reveal herself today as a birthday present. Frankly speaking I fell for Meera without involving the appearance aspect, no matter what she looks like I am sure that my love for Meera will not change. What's important to me is her coming forward and revealing herself because our relationship is getting serious and very soon I would like to ask for Meera's hand in marriage. 

Interrupting my thoughts someone rang the doorbell. It was the annoying Meera, for a change Meera had draped herself into a beautiful red chikankari saree and paired it alongside a short sleeved blouse. More than anything what stood out was her accessories, her silver bangles and anklets that made a jingling sound , not just that but her bare neck very much complimented her chunky earrings. Why am I complimenting a random girl so hard in my thoughts?

"Are you ready?"  I asked Meera to which she nodded shy which is slightly strange of her. Very soon we set off. One thing I noticed throughout the journey was Meera's unusual closeness, being honest it did make me slightly uncomfortable because I am a committed man. Anyway once we reached the temple we removed our slippers outside the temple, and entered inside it to the sound of devotional songs and the fragrance of flowers. 

I am an ardent believer of God and do have immense faith in him. On this day my only prayer to God is to keep my sister Rashmika safe, help Sakshi recover physically as well as mentally and finally for my Meera who I am yet to meet today. 

Finally when me and the annoying Meera got some space in the front  we nudged in to see God's statue clearly which had been decorated beautifully with flowers, gold and silver ornaments. Once I finished my prayers I opened my eyes and looked at the fire glowing on the diyas, somehow I got a positive vibe from it ...

That's when I noticed Meera who was standing next to me. Her eyes were tightly shut yet she had quite a few tear stains along with a fresh tear escaping. Gently I shook Meera's shoulders and asked her if she is alright. To that, Meera just nodded at me confidently. 

Flashback to be continued ...

Will Meera be revealing herself in the next chapter? 

If so how will Keshav react?

What does future have in store for them ?

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