Ved woke up with a sharp pain in the back of his neck. He groaned, his arm hurt as well as he moved it behind his neck. He huffed and dropped his legs down the sofa and sat up straight. He blinked and found Aditya sprawled on the ground next to the Carom board. Ved wondered where Asha is. He looked around, dazed and confused.

'Natasha.' He whispered and got up. Uff! He winced holding his lower-back and walked towards his room.

Natasha broke their kiss and took a step back. Slowly, Ved opened his eyes. He closed his mouth and looked at her. She had her head slightly down, her eyes darting, and she tapped her palm impatiently on the kitchen slab.

'Um...I have to go...it's - it's...getting...late.' Natasha pushed her hair from her forehead and licked her lower lip. She avoided looking at him as she turned around.

'Natasha.' She stopped when Ved called her. She exhaled loudly but doesn't turn around.

Ved walked towards her and stood beside her. Hesitantly he placed his palm on her shoulder. She doesn't shrug it off and Ved is relieved.

'It is late, and Asha isn't in her senses. I suggest you two stay here tonight.' He spoke softly. Natasha turned her head sharply.

'You and she can sleep in my room. I will sleep on the sofa.' He said covering up. She lowered her gaze and turned her head. Ved's heart hammered with anticipation for her answer. She took excruciating two minutes to nod her head. Ved opened his mouth to thank her when she spoke.

'Let Asha be there; she is too drunk.' She then walked away. Ved watched her go feeling a bit strange.

Is she offended by the kiss? But she too was an equal participant in the kiss. Ved had not felt any hesitance from her side. Perhaps, she is regretful. The thought made his heart sink.

'Natasha!' Ved knocked the door for the third time but there is no response. He moved his hand but paused with his fingers hovering over the door handle. Should he go in? After last night he is feeling little awkward. He licked his lips and knocked for the fourth time and called her name, this time louder. No response.

Mustering some courage, Ved opened the door and peeked inside. The room is empty. He entered and looked around. His gaze fell on the well-made bed and he frowned. There is a yellow note stuck on the bedpost. Ved walked around the bed and picked up the note.

Hey Ved,

It is four in the morning and I have decided to leave. You are sleeping and so I am not disturbing you and sticking this note instead.

Ved, thank you for being a very good host and more than that, thank you for listening to me. I am sorry, I got carried away...

Ps: I am taking Asha with me. And I will be locking the door from outside, don't worry I will push the key from under the door.

Natasha

Ved sighed! He is disappointed as he had hoped to see her in the morning and sort things out. He exhaled loudly and stared sadly at the note.

He placed the note in the top drawer of his dressing table and turned around.

After he had showered and changed into his work attire he walked out of the room. As he walked towards the main door, he kicked Aditya who still lay sprawled on the ground. Ved looked down and spotted the house key. He smiled and bent down picking it up. He looked at it sadly.

***********************************************

Ved walked towards his cubicle when a soft feminine voice called his name. He doesn't turn around and continues to walk.

'Ved!' Her voice is louder, he kept ignoring her. But stopped when he heard her hurried footsteps, her heels clicking loudly in the corridor. He felt her stand next to him and sighed turning around.

'What do you want, Dia?' He asked, annoyed. Dia looked at him. Her gaze fell on his bruised eye and she winced.

'He has hurt you badly.' She moved her hand to touch his face but Ved moved his head back and Dia paused, her hand in the air. Ved stuck out his palm.

'No need to show sympathy. He has hit me bad, but I haven't spared your boyfriend either. Go cater him.' He said sternly. Dia's hand dropped and she looked upset. Seeing her sad face, Ved melted little.

She isn't happy with Vikram – Ved realized.

'Dia?'

Ved noticed tears in her eyes. She bit her quivering lower-lip and lowered her gaze. Her fingers fidgeting with her ID card.

'Dia. I know you are concerned about me and maybe not happy with Vikram. But you chose this. I am sorry. I can't help you.' Ved apologized seriously. He regretted it immediately as she began crying.

Dia placed her palm over her mouth and continue to cry. She shook her head and said in a small voice, - 'I made a huge mistake. I made a wrong decision.' She cried. Ved felt bad. He looked around and shoved his hand into his jeans pocket and took out a handkerchief, he forwarded it to her.

Dia took it and blew her nose into it. Ved sighed and spoke softly to her, - 'It is okay, Dia. We all take wrong decisions,' – He paused thinking about Natasha and her past, the mistake she did that landed her here. He then looked back at Dia and held her shoulder, - 'Only some get another chance to rectify their mistake.' He said politely.

Dia sniffed and looked up at him. Her doe-shaped eyes enlarged as she looked hopefully at him, - 'That means you are willing to give us another chance?' She asked brightly.

Ved inhaled sharply. Dia frowned. 'What happened?' She asked. Ved looked apologetically at her and shook his head.

'I am sorry, Dia. But it is too late now.' He tried to sound little sad so that he doesn't come out as insensitive.

More tears rolled down her cheeks. She sniffed and pressed her lips tightly. She wiped her tears with her palm and looked up at him.

'So? You moved on.'

Ved nodded. Dia pressed her lips tighter and looked away briefly and then back at him.

'So, you got a girlfriend?' She sounded more like she is accusing him. Ved is taken back with her tone. He took a second to compose himself and then replied.

'No!' Well it is true. Even though he had kissed Natasha, he is still very much single.

Dia then relaxed, she spoke softly this time. 'If you are single then we do have a chance. I am going to break up with Vikram and then we can-'

'We can't.' Ved interrupted her. She stopped speaking and looked at him. She looked surprised.

'What?'

Ved took a deep breath and said, - 'Dia. This is no game. You hook up with me then break up with me, hook up with Vikram the same day. I mean what is this?'

'Are you calling me a s***?' Dia glared at him. Ved sighed and closed his eyes massaging his forehead.

'No.' He looked up at her, - 'It is your wish who you want to be with. But I don't want to be with you.'

'Why?' She sounded irritated.

Ved felt a sense of dejavu as he spoke, - 'Because, I don't feel the same way for you as before. I... fell out of love with you.'

He watched Dia's mouth drop open as she blinked disbelievingly at him. Ved forced a smile and said, - 'If you are not happy with Vikram then break up with him. But don't expect we,' – he gestured towards them, - 'can be together again. That day, when we broke up you destroyed all my love for you, forever.'

Looking at her one final time he turned around briefly and then looked back, - 'Have a good life, Dia.' He forced a smile. She is still surprised. Ved turned around and walked away.

************************************

What do you think, guys, about Ved's decision? Dia, I kinda feel bad for her but *sigh* she chose this by herself. 

Anyway, how was the Chapter, guys? Please, drop your comments *kisses and smiles* Love u all a lots *muah* *muah*

Precap:  Natasha looked blankly at him. Ved turned little to face her and held her hand. Natasha looked cluelessly at their hands and then at him. She looked concerned.

'Are you al-'

'I love you.' Ved confessedabruptly. His heart jumped to this throat. She stared into his eyes, her eyes slightly wide.

Slowly, she slipped her hand from his grip.

Uh-Oh!