Vivaan found himself standing at Sona's apartment door. It didn't take him much time to make this decision. After getting a divorce petition from Kaira, he couldn't think properly, the only thing on his mind was her. He tried calling her several times, all in vain. But he kept trying leaving all the ego behind. He felt his world would end if he didn't see her then. Without much thought he left his office taking the rest of the day off and there he was at her friend's house, still calling her phone. 

He rang the doorbell but no one answered. He knew she was in there with Sona, he heard her phone ringing inside. He grew impatient with each second and he banged on the door.

"OPEN THE DAMN DOOR, SONA!!! I KNOW YOU ARE IN THERE AND SO IS SHE!" He shouted but no one answered him. He found himself grabbing unwanted attention from the neighbors but he couldn't care less, the only thing on his mind was her.

"OPEN THE DOOR!! I JUST WANNA MEET HER! JUST OPEN THE DAMN DOOR!!" He kept shouting, banging on the door.

"OPEN..." He was cut off from his shouting as the door opened, revealing his dear wife. 

"Get inside." That's all she said moving aside giving him space to enter. He obeyed her without much questioning. She closed the door behind her when he entered the house and turned to him with a blank face. 

"Why are you here, Vivaan?" 

"What the heck was that Kaira? What did you send to me? Stop with this shit and come back home." Kaira let out a dry laugh at him.

"If that's why you came here then you should probably leave. I'm not coming with you and that place is not home to me anymore. And you don't know what did I sent to you?" More than her words the blankness in her eyes scared him. 

"Stop talking nonsense, Kaira! You are coming with me!" He said in a stern voice but inside he feared to lose her. 

"You don't own me, Vivaan. You already lost all the rights on me. Whatever I wanted to tell you I guess I made it pretty clear with those papers I sent to you?" She answered back with the same sternness in her voice.

"You are not serious about it..?" He found his heart rate increase with her mentioning of divorce.

"I am, Vivaan." She said meeting his eyes.

"You gotta be kidding me! Stop playing around Kaira. Let's go." He grabbed her hand and walked hoping she would come with him but he was wrong. She stood rooted to her place and he turned around to face her. All the colors drained from his face. She took his hand off of her. 

"I'm not coming with you. It's over. We're done here." She had tears in her eyes as she said those words to him. It took a lot of courage in her to tell him those words but she had to. She can't stay with him anymore. She didn't want to lose her self respect anymore. She was done being this wife who would take any shit from her husband. She was done being weak for him. She was done with him! 

"Stop this shit, Kaira! I'm not signing those papers and you are coming with me! I don't know why you are behaving like this." He can't possibly let her go like that, they belonged to each other. He didn't know why she was behaving like this.  

"What did you say? YOU DON'T KNOW? You don't know why am I behaving this way?" Kiara said losing her calm finally. She tried hard not to show any of the emotions but he tested her patience. How can he act so innocent like he didn't do anything? Wasn't he guilty of whatever happened between them last day?

"Kaira..." Vivaan voice was softer this time. He knew how much he has hurt her by his actions. Kaira cut him in between before he could say anything further.

"YOU FUCKING SLAPPED ME, VIVAAN KAPOOR!" Kaira almost shouted at him with a tear leaving her eye. She was broken. She never in her nightmare thought that Vivaan could behave with her like that. No matter how upset or angry he was.

"I know... I didn't mean to do it..." Vivaan said as guilt rushed again all over him. He couldn't meet her gaze. He tried to make a move towards her to comfort her but stopped by seeing the rage in her eyes which he hasn't seen till now. Kiara didn't let him speak again. She was shivering with so much anger.

"Yes you didn't mean to do many of those things in life but you still did it. And that's why you are where you are now. And you know what? I don't have the tiniest interest in whatever you are about to say because nothing is going to change my decision of leaving you." She said with so much anger held in her voice. 

"Listen to me once..." Vivaan was still trying maybe he could calm her. He never thought she will go to this extreme.  

"NO! No way in the hell I am going to listen to it. I have listened enough. I have tried enough but you always took me for granted. I made countless attempts to understand you, to stay close to you, to talk to you, to comfort you but nothing worked on you. Your big fat ego always came in between whenever I tried to help you. What could have possibly happened Vivaan if you could have taken my hand? Was I any stranger? I have always put aside my self-respect for you but no. Not anymore." Kaira was already on the verge of breaking but she was trying hard not to. She was trying hard to hold everything together. She couldn't break in this moment. She knew that he held the power to divert her mind but she was determined this time not to get lured by his sweet words because he will change again tomorrow. More than that this time it was about her self respect. 

She closed her eyes to take a breath, to calm her senses before continuing again, "But why am I even making these much efforts and talking to you? Nothing is going to change anything anyway. You have always just walked away. Walked away from your problems. You didn't even do anything to correct things Vivaan. But instead, you blamed others for your mistakes. Like you blamed your parents and me for your struggles." Vivaan stayed calm all this time letting her complete. His ego was taking over him again. How could she say so much to him? He gritted his teeth trying hard to stay calm. Just this time. He wanted to hear everything today, what she had in her mind all this time. Kaira continued ignoring his silence and him. She knew she is challenging him but she wanted to clear her mind and anger as she might won't get a chance again to see him like this.

"I shouldn't have married you in the first place." She said again in a low voice shaking her head a bit. Vivaan looked at her in disbelief. Did he hear her right? His felt some pain in his heart just hearing those words come out of her mouth so easily. Only if he could know what she was going through.

Kaira turned around from him and now her back was facing. She didn't have the courage to say the things she was going to say looking at him. With one deep breath, she continued further, "I should have listened to my parents. After all, parents are always right when it comes to their child. They know what is wrong and what is right for you. I made a big mistake and now I'm suffering for it. You never loved me, Vivaan Kapoor. You just love yourself and your ego. That's what matters to you the most. Just free me from this damn marriage. I have had enough Vivaan. I can't live with you. It suffocates me now. Let me breathe again. I want to live again..."

This was the maximum he could have ever heard in his life. He couldn't take it anymore. He could have exploded any time now with all the insulting things she said to him. She regret getting married? She regrets loving him? Whatever they had doesn't matter to her? Fine if that what she thinks then even he doesn't need her. He won't be begging her to come with him now. With that, Vivaan took the papers out of the envelope and went to the table nearby. 

"FINE. You want to free yourself right?" He put the papers on the table on took out the pen as he bent down to sign them, "Here... I'm signing the papers. This marriage was even suffocating me. And what? You did a mistake? No! I did a mistake by marrying you, Kaira Nanda. Yes, you should have listened to your high-class parents when they warned you not to marry a middle-class guy. I'm so sorry that I ruined a few years of your life. But yes you will be free now."

He signed the papers in front of her, she knew that she triggered him to do that but she wanted a break from the loveless life they were spending together. On the other hand, Vivaan let his anger and ego win over his love for Kaira, not realizing that this could end their relationship forever. 

A tear slipped from her eyes involuntarily but she wiped it fast before he could notice. That was the moment it stuck her, it was ending. Vivaan was a part of her life she never wanted to let go, he was something so precious to her. She was someone who was never afraid of losing people but when it came to him, she was scared. He was undoubtedly the most beautiful thing that has ever happened to her. She never thought a day like this would come when they part their ways. She bit her lips, controlling the sobs that may betray her.

When he came she was expecting him to show some care, give a little hope but he proved they don't stand a chance anymore. She blinked her eyes trying to keep her tears from falling. Without a second glance, Vivaan left from there shutting the door behind him with a loud thud. 

He let out deep breaths and kept blinking his red eyes. He knew what he did was not correct. He shouldn't have let his anger win this time. But he couldn't, that was his problem. He has suffered his entire life because of his anger issues and nothing seem to help him but her. She was his calm, his home. To this day, he doesn't know what he did to deserve her. She was like boon he got without asking and today he knew he lost it. He lost her. He signed the papers just to satisfy his ego and he now realized what that cost him. He never planned to sign that but see what his anger and ego made him do... He could only grieve his loss now. Tears finally left his eyes when he got in his car. He screamed and took out his frustration on the steering wheel. He cried as he knew that was the end of them. There was no hope left after this. He had a chance and he blew it. 

He wiped his eyes. He needed to stop thinking for his thoughts were killing him and now the only thing that could help him was alcohol. With that, he sped from there leaving behind everything that kept him going.

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

Two years later

Vivaan sipped his hot coffee as he walked out to the balcony viewing the rising sun and the peaceful atmosphere of the morning. He took in the fresh morning air as a small smile appeared on his lips. He looked at the mess he has created in his room, his bed was flooded with books, papers, documents, charts, his laptop and what not! But he felt a sense of satisfaction looking at it, he has spent the whole night completing the work and he was successful. He was quite proud of himself for that. This was something he was working on for almost a month now and it was finally done. Just then his phone rang and he entered his room searching for his mobile in the mess. He answered the phone when he managed to find it. 

"Good morning, Adi." He greeted with a less enthusiastic voice.

"Morning, man! Why did you call me last night? I just saw the miss call." 

"Nah! Nothing! It was just work related, I got it anyway." He said sipping his coffee.

"Oh... I thought there was some emergency..." Adi's voice trailed off and Vivaan knew exactly why. Although now he had a stable job which for the first time he loved, his personal life was miserable than before.  

"Don't worry. I'm fine in fact I feel good." Vivaan smiled a little to himself.

"Really?! May I know the reason?" Adi's voice sounded curious and happy after all this was the first time in two years he's hearing Vivaan say this.

"I finally finished that project I was working on and I'm quite proud of it. Now I just hope everyone else feels the same." He said letting out a sigh. 

"Are you fucking serious?! This just great man!!! I don't know about others but I'm already proud of you and I'm sure everyone else will love it. After all, you are the one who made it." Although he couldn't see Adi's face he was sure that he must be smiling like some idiot. 

"Thanks, man but that's too much of boosting. You are spoiling me way too much!" He could hear Adi laughing at that.

"Anyway since you are done with it, let's go out today."

"No... I'm not interested Adi.."

"Nope, I'm not buying that now. You need to relax, Vi! It's a Sunday for God's sake." Adi tried to convince Vivaan to come out of his shell. Ever since the divorce, things got worse for Vivaan. He lost his then job and started drinking the whole day and stayed shut in his house. He refused to talk to people and went into depression. Kaira was not there to help him, for she left the city pretty soon after their divorce. Everyone knew that Kaira was the only medicine that could cure him but his family and Adi choose not to let her know about this. They knew that Kaira would leave everything behind and come back for Vivaan but they can't be that selfish. Adi knew what exactly Kaira had to go through with Vivaan and he couldn't let her suffer again. She was as dear to him as Vivaan was. In fact, he and Sona did try to make them talk before they got divorced but both refused and they stopped trying after that.

So now, Adi took it on himself to help Vivaan and he did somehow manage to do so with the help from Vivaan's family. But still, Vivaan continued to live in his shell. He was still the same alcoholic although the amount of intake has come down a little, he still had depression and needed his medicines to keep him sane. He was still the short-tempered person. Nothing much has changed yet there was a positive change too, like his work. His work kept him busy and that did help him to avoid disturbing thoughts but now he was turning into a workaholic! 

"I've some other work too..." Vivaan tried to opt out of this weekend plan Adi was plotting. He was least interested in going out. He just couldn't have fun like before and the city was full of her memories, not that he complains about it, in fact, that kept him going. Her presence in some way kept him warm in the coldest of days. But being out with the group was a different thing and honestly, he doesn't know when he'll lose his cool. 

"I'm not buying any of your shit, Vi. We are having a day off and we are gonna have fun. Besides we need to celebrate your completion of the project."

"You know I may end up losing my shit and I don't want any more drama." Vivaan tried to explain. 

"When have I created a drama for you losing your shit? I'm used to it man! And I know to handle you." 

"We are going out alone?" Vivaan sounded confused. 

"Of course! I can't take a risk." He chuckled at his own joke.

"Yeah, whatever, bye." Vivaan rolled his eyes before hanging up on Adi. His and Kaira's picture flashed on once the call ended. He has kept that as his home screen. 

He ran his thumb on her picture as a sad smile spread across his lips. He missed her more than anything in this world. It took him time to realize his mistake of letting her go, not apologizing for the way he behaved with her and making her suffer. He had a chance but he let it slip because of his stupid ego and when he finally realized his mistakes, it was too late. She had already left him and he was all alone. Even after the realization, he didn't try to get in touch with her because he started believing that he was not good enough for her. She was the one who filed for the divorce petition and that clearly says she didn't want him in her life anymore. His heart cringed at that thought. He shook his head in an attempt to clear the thoughts aside as he kept his mobile on the bedside table. He stood there blankly for a few moments still lost in her thoughts before he went into the bathroom to start his morning chores.

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

"The fuck, Adi?!" Vivaan cursed looking around and then at Adi, who smiled sheepishly at him. When Adi said they were going out and having fun, he didn't expect him to take him to the market place. 

"Sorry! I wasn't planning this but I couldn't possibly deny your scary aunt, she will kill me!" Adi said remembering his scary mom with fear written on his face. Vivaan let out a chuckle looking at his dear cousin. Sure, his aunt, Adi's mother was without a doubt a great combination of scary and sweet.

"Anyway, did she gave you list?" Vivaan asked.

"Yeah." Adi handed him a piece of paper which had the list of things to buy. "She wants you over for dinner tonight. She really misses you."  Vivaan just nodded his head. Adi's family has always been like his own, they were his favorite relatives. He hasn't seen them in months and even he missed them. 

"Let's finish this and head to your place then." Vivaan gave confirmation. Adi smiled at him and they made their way through the crowded market place. 

It took them almost an hour to get the things in the list. Adi was grumpy and complaining through the whole process while Vivaan was surprisingly calm and seem to know things better. Vivaan couldn't stop thinking of Kaira and the times she tagged him along for grocery shopping. She loved grocery shopping and accompanying her taught him a few things about it as well. 

Adi and Vivaan made their way back to their car when they bummed into Sona. Adi immediately pulled her in for a hug and greeted her while Vivaan stood there and watched. Sona smiled at Vivaan who in turn pressed a smile at her being awkward. 

"Hey, Viv..." She looked at him with a genuine smile. 

"Hi" That's all he said.

"How have you been? It's been awhile." She tried to keep the conversation going. He hasn't met her in a long time although he knew that Adi and Sona were always in touch that's how he got to know about Kaira leaving the city. 

"Fine. And you?"

"Yeah...I'm fine too."  She said being awkward. 

"Wah! This the first time I'm seeing you both talking so calmly to each other. This day should be marked in history." Adi said laughing at both of his friends standing awkwardly. Sona and Vivaan never got through a conversation without a fight but they were also great friends but things changed after the divorce. As Sona was the best friend of Kaira, Vivaan found it hard to face her and therefore avoided meeting her. 

Sona smiled at Adi's words as she looked at Vivaan who again forced a smile. 

"You haven't changed at all, Vi! You can't even give me a proper smile. Idiot!" Sona said with an angry face which broke into a wide smile when she saw the surprised look on Vivaan's face. 

"You haven't changed too and I'm glad. I thought you hate me after all the things I did to Kaira." Vivaan said with a sad smile. 

"No, idiot! I can never hate you and it's all in the past, Vi... You should let it go." Sona smiled at him as she hugged him which he returned back happily. Vivaan felt like some weight has been lifted off his shoulders. He was happy that Sona forgave him and she will be his friend again. She was one of the closest people he has in his life whom he had lost and now he felt happy that he found her again. It also brought down the guilt he had in him. 

"Thank you so much for forgiving me." He said as they pulled apart. 

"I'm no one to forgive you, Viv. I'm happy that you finally talked to me." 

"I'm sorry about that, I just couldn't face you back then..." Vivaan looked down as guilt took over him and his mind shifting to the love he let go.

"It's okay, Viv. Let's not dig into the past. I'm still your friend.  Adi told me that you started working again and you are doing great at it. I'm so happy and proud of you." Sona said with a genuine smile. Vivaan smiled back at her and looked at Adi who was looking at them with a silent smile.

"So if you guys are done sorting the differences then maybe we should head to some restaurant as I'm dying of hunger," Adi said in a grumpy tone rubbing his stomach.  Vivaan and Sona looked at him, laughing. 

"Yeah, but only after you guys help me with my shopping,"  Sona smirked at Adi.

"NOO.....!" Adi cried with a horrified expression on his face as the two of them laughed at him. Sona pulled Adi by his arm into the market as Vivaan followed behind laughing at his cousin's misery.

**********

Waiting at the airport never felt so long for Vivaan before. He was nervous with so many thoughts going on in his head. His company heads liked his work so much that they assigned him as the representative for them for the new project. And as it was outsourcing project he has to leave for Delhi today only. He was happy deep down that he is settling in his career just like how his parents and Kaira wanted him to be but the sad part was that she wasn't part of his life anymore. At least not physically. He wished only if he could have changed himself back when she was trying her hardest. Only if he could have let his ego slide just for her love. But there was no point in thinking about this stuff as two years have already passed. She could have moved on in her life leaving him far behind. 

Meeting up with Sona helped Vivaan in some ways. He was guilty to face her as he was to meet Kaira. But bumping into her and spending some quality time with her made him feel better. He was happy to know that Sona didn't hold any grudge or hate towards him, in fact, she behaved as nothing has changed in their lives. She was the one who pointed out that he's going to Delhi where his Kaira lives now. Kaira moved to Delhi shortly after their divorce as her parent lives there. They have a huge business set up in Delhi but Kaira has always made her way independently that's what attracted him to her the most. 

Sona didn't bring up Kaira much in the conversation they had that day, she knew that was a sensitive topic for Vivaan. What she didn't know was that Vivaan was dying to hear more about Kaira but didn't have the guts to ask, so he kept to his silence. 

Even though there was no chance for them now still he wanted to at least see her once but never had the courage to do so, nor he had any reasons to go there as he wanted to keep his distance from her. [But now going to her city for work commitment was this excuse that he has been finding for two years now.] In the next three hours, he'll be breathing the same air as her. Thinking about it gave him some kind of anxiety yet happiness.

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

The alarm went off at 7 in the morning leaving Vivaan with sour eyes. It took some time for him to register where he is and why is he here. He took a deep sigh as he got up from the bed and went straight to the bathroom to take a shower. He needed to look presentable and make his first impression. 

Within just a few minutes he was ready to start off his first day in this new city. He looked at his reflection for the last time as he fixed his tie and took a deep breath. 

"Relax Vivaan, everything is going to be just fine. No need to get tensed." He told himself looking in the mirror. With that, he took his bag and mobile as he booked a cab.

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

"Morning Sir. How may I help you?" The receptionist smiled widely looking at Vivaan. He returned the smile to her. 

"Very good morning. I am Vivaan Kapoor..." He told her as she typed speedily something in her laptop and looked up with the same smile again.

"Oh yes. I see you have an appointment today." She said being chirpy. Vivaan chuckled at her.

"Pretty fast you are." He said with the smile still on. 

"Thank you very much." She said as went ahead. "But you'll have to go straight and take the lift to go to the last floor to meet the director Abhijeet Verma."

"Alright. Thanks." Vivaan said as he listened to her carefully. 

"You're welcome, sir." Vivaan gave her one last smile and walked towards the lift. 

The meeting with Abhijeet Verma and a few other main people went smoothly than Vivaan expected. The project concept was already clear to them so he just explained the rest of the things which they needed to know. Everyone liked the presentation and Vivaan's confidence and gave a go-ahead nod to it. 

"Alright Mr. Kapoor, we will be looking forward to working with you for the next few months." Abhijeet shook Vivaan's hand with a smile.

"Same here, Sir." Vivaan returned his smile. 

"You can discuss the rest of the technical things directly with our team leader as she is already here," Abhijeet said looking past Vivaan as he gave a nod.

"Sure, Sir." 

"Come in, Kaira." He said and Vivaan felt his heart skipped a beat with the mere mention of that name. It can be someone else. It doesn't need to be her. He didn't even try to look back with the loud thudding in his heart. He stayed like a statue sitting on his seat in the same position until the person came right next to him.

"Hello, Mr. Kapoor." It was the same voice that always made him forget about the worries. It was the same voice that always felt like home to him. It was the same voice that kept once was filled with worry and love for him, that was trying to comfort him and telling him that she is there for him. And that was the same voice which was filled with so much rage for him.

Vivaan tried to compose himself before looking at her. He couldn't believe the moment he was craving for the most was right here. She was standing in front of him. She looked the exact same as she did two years back. The only change he could spot was that she looked more beautiful than ever before. The dullness of her eyes was long gone, her hair has grown in length and that made him happy as he always liked her hair long whereas she liked to keep it short. She only kept her hair long because of him and now seeing that she still kept it long gave him a feeling that maybe she doesn't hate him that much. Her lips still looked like a rose petal and he felt an argue to flaunt her lips with kisses. 

Kaira cleared her throat to get Vivaan out of his thinking process. He composed himself before extending his hand with a small smile.

"Hi." He said. Kaira pressed a smile and shook his hand as she turned to face her boss.

"I'll leave the rest of the stuff to you both. I'm sure you both will give us the best end product. Mr. Kapoor, she is one of the best we have in our technical team so you don't have to worry about anything." Abhijeet said looking at Kaira and Vivaan alternately. 

"I know..." Vivaan said as he looked at her. Kaira didn't bother much to take a glance at him though. 

"Huh?" Abhijeet said with a confused look. Vivaan composed himself again as he looked back at the boss.

"I mean of course. I trust you with that." Vivaan said correcting himself. Kaira just rolled her eyes.

"OK then."

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

"How you been?" Vivaan started the conversation as it was getting more and more awkward between them. The silence was killing him. They were never silent whenever they were together in the past. He knew things aren't the same now but still it was tugging him somewhere.

"Good. What about you?" Kaira was really calm to his surprise. Her answering and that too asking a question took him aback. 

"I'm OK. Trying to live." Vivaan said refusing to move his gaze from her beautiful face. Kaira didn't say anything but instead concentrated on the papers in her hand. Few minutes left in silence before she took a deep breath and looked at Vivaan.

"Vivaan, look I need to clear few things here." She started in a low voice afraid that someone might hear them as she looked around them. Hearing his name from her mouth after two years made Vivaan smile without a reason but he didn't let it show.

"We can go somewhere else if you don't want to speak here," Vivaan asked her raising his eyebrow. 

"No. It's fine here." Kaira said as she looked at the table for sometime before looking back at him. "Let's just behave like professionals?" Vivaan already knew what she would say so that didn't surprise him a bit and she was right in her own place too.

"Yeah. Sorry about that." He said looking at his hands. As he didn't get any reply he looked back at Kaira only to find her looking straight at him. "What?"

"It felt good to see you doing so well professionally," Kaira said as she gave him a genuine smile. Vivaan let out a sigh as he smiled back at her a little.

"I know right?"

"Yeah!" Kaira just said as she went back to the papers in hand.

"You accepted this knowing you have to work with me? Why?" Vivaan asked again as he was curious about her answer. Kaira didn't move her gaze away from the papers.

"I didn't have an option here Vivaan. Besides it just past. My career and my work is my priority. I can do anything for it and I thought I should act like a mature person you know. As I have always been the one." She said looking at him with a blank professional expression on her face. Vivaan didn't know how to reply to that. He moved his gaze somewhere far and let out a small laugh. A sad one.

"Yeah, you sure were. Always. I'm sorry for everything, Ky." He said in a low voice. Just for her to hear. Kaira didn't say anything further nor Vivaan tried to keep the conversation alive. Soon enough other team members joined them and they got into their assigned work.

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

The rain poured down heavily from the sky, with a sigh Vivaan looked up at the dark sky. He was standing outside his office for almost half an hour now waiting for the rain to calm down but it seems to get violent with every passing minute. He tried taking auto but they were not stopping or were refusing to take him to his destination.  So, he kept waiting for the rain to come down so he can leave on his bike which he borrowed from his friend in Delhi for the time being.

He rubbed his hands together trying to keep himself warm as he looked at the heavy rain pouring down. It's been two weeks since he started his work in Delhi but he hasn't got the alone time with Kaira yet.  He tried talking to her but she was thoroughly professional with him, much to his dislike. He wanted to clear a lot of things with her, not that he was expecting her to take him back but he wanted peace of mind. Things were not the same with them anymore, he knew that but he wanted to be there for her at least as her friend. He wanted her to be happy even if that's without him. Although he didn't know if he could take that, so far he didn't see her being close to any of her colleagues or it seemed like she wasn't dating anyone. That gave him a little hope for some reason. All he had in his mind was to be in good terms with her before he leaves Delhi. He needed her in his life in some way or the other. She was his necessity, after all, she always has been.    

'Hey!" It didn't take time to recognize that voice. He immediately turned to his side to find her already looking at him. He got caught in her eyes as he kept staring at her without bothering to greet her back. 

"Vivaan...?" His name from her mouth sounded like a melody to his ears.

"Yeah..." He barely said still looking her. She couldn't hold back a smile at his behavior. 

"I thought you might need a lift, I've my car, so?" She raised her eyebrow at him as he still seems to be lost in her beauty.

"Vivaan?!" She called him a little loudly to pull him out of his dreamland. 

"Yeah, I would love that." He said with an ear to ear smile. She hasn't seen that in a long time which did make her happy but can she let it show? No, never!

"Don't get any wrong idea, I would have done this for any of my colleagues." She said in a stern voice as she turned to walk towards her car with Vivaan following her closely with a wide smile. 

Vivaan couldn't keep his eyes off from her, he constantly stole glances at her sitting beside her in the passenger seat. It was impossible for him to behave like a stranger, they have so much of history and he didn't know how it seems to not affect her. 

'Ky... I'm sorry..." He said breaking the silence between them. She just looked at him and then at the road trying to drive through the heavy rain and the traffic. 

"Say something Ky, please!" 

"I think we've talked about this. It's in the past, there's no need to talk about it now."

"I know that, but I need your forgiveness Ky. I won't be able to live otherwise."

"I don't hold anything against you, Vivaan. You don't have to apologize." She smiled at him genuinely. He looked at her not able to believe her words. 

"Are you sure?" He asked still in doubt.

"Yeah, I'm sure." She couldn't help but laugh at his innocent face. He smiled back at her without taking his eyes off her. 

"I missed you... I still do." He said with an intense eye full of love for the woman sitting right beside him. She stopped laughing as she looked at him before turning her face back to the busy road. Vivaan let out a sigh as he looked ahead. He cursed himself for saying that aloud to her and ruining the perfect moment they were having. 

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that." 

"It's a right from here, right?" She asked completely ignoring his apology.

"Yeah..." He said looking ahead, his pain clearly visible on his face.

She pulled down the car in front of the apartment in which he was staying. The rain has come down and the silence lasted between them. Both of them refused to move or talk. She stared outside through the front glass clenching on the steering wheel. He let out a deep sigh before looking at her. She still refused to look at him which broke his heart. He shook his head a little as he opened the car door.

"Vivaan..."

"Yeah!" He immediately turns to face her. She reflected the pain in his eyes as she looked at him. 

"I... I'm sorry for the rude behavior." 

"When did Miss Kaira started to apologize for her behavior?" He asked with a chuckle leaving his lips as his eyes held tears in them. She chuckled back at him blinking back her tears. Vivaan reluctantly took his hand to her cheek, feeling the familiar softness of her skin. He rubbed off the invisible tear from her face. 

"You should go..." She said placing her hand on his, taking it off from her cheek.

"I missed you, Kaira." He said again, this time he didn't regret saying it.  She turned her face away from him and he got what she meant. She wasn't ready to take him back.

"Good night." He said as he got off the car and she took off from there. He stood there with a small smile on his face. 

 'She still loves me.'  He knew that now. He was sure of it. 

He walked up to his apartment, falling on his bed with a smile for the first time in many years. He fell asleep and not unconscious with alcohol for the first time in two years. He finally fell peacefully into sleep in many years. 

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

Kaira wasn't sure why she let herself be vulnerable around him like that. She has decided that she will be professional with him and keep her distance from him. She can't effort to put her heart out there to be broken again. It was hard for her to act like she didn't care. It broke her to ignore his every attempt to talk to her, to prove himself but she mercilessly ignored him. 

She lied to him on their first meeting after two long years. She lied that she agreed to work with him because her work was her priority. There was more to it than that. She wanted to see him, hear him and be near him. But she can't admit it to him. She was proud of him for the person he was now. Through Sona, she got to know that he finally got himself a stable job and he was doing well. She was happy to hear that and thought maybe having her out of his life did help him. So, she stayed away and focused on her work. She didn't think of dating anyone because in her heart she was still married to him, she still loved him with everything in her. She refused to move on even when her parent forced her to get married again. 

She was amazed at Vivaan she saw there, he had matured, he had control over his anger and he survived without alcohol. He has always been good at his work she knew that it was his anger that betrayed him but now he seems to have learned the art of controlling his temper. She was proud of him and was happy for him but she wasn't ready. She wasn't sure of things. She knew his love for her haven't changed one bit, it was crystal clear from his every little gesture towards her. She loved him too. She had let him know that with her vulnerability. 

Kaira sipped on her coffee with the thoughts about Vivaan clouding her mind. She was lost in her world when a certain voice pulled her out of her thoughts. 

"Hey?" She looked up to find her man before with a charming smile. He took a seat opposite to her. They were at the office cafeteria taking a short break from their work. 

"Hey..." Her smile didn't match up to his. 

"What happened?" 

"Nothing... " She said looking down, tucking her hair behind her ear.

"Kaira..." 

"I don't want to talk about last night." She said plainly.

"Okay then." He said with the smile still on his lips.

"You seem happy today?"

"Why? You don't like that?" He asked her with a smirk to which she rolled her eyes. "Just got the answer to the question which I've been in search of." He said looking her in the eyes. She pulled her gaze away from his. 

"Let's not talk about it." He said sensing her uneasiness. "Let's start again." He looked at her with a smile and she gave him a confused look. 

"Hi, I'm Vivaan." He extended her hand towards her.

"I'm Kaira." She shook hands with him.

"So, where do you stay?" 

"Why do you wanna know?" She asked with an amusing smile on her lips which gave him so much happiness.

"I'm just getting to know you, we are colleagues after all." 

"I live with my parents," she said giving him a fake smile and rolling her eyes.

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

"I'm not doing this." She said with a chuckle. 

"What? It's fun." He gave a mischievous smile. 

"No, It's not." She said as she got up from her seat. 

"Come on, Ky!" He said getting up and walked after her trying to convince her. 

Somehow things were getting better for both of them. And like that, they started their story again.  They talked like friends again, they started to spend more time with each other hiding their love and pretending to be friends. Both knew each other's heart but pretended like they know nothing. Months went like this, with them pretending and hiding their true feelings. Although they did share a fair amount of vulnerable moments too.

When one day Vivaan tried to kiss her and she pushed him away. He had to try hard to make things right between them the next day. Kaira wasn't ready to give in yet. She knew he had changed but she wasn't ready to jump in, besides things were going great between them even without the physical intimacy or the mention of the word 'Love'.

Vivaan improved a lot in those months and she was there right beside him, supporting him through his ups and downs like the old times. He slowly got over his addiction and his anger management was improving with each day. Soon, he didn't need medicine to keep himself sane, to fall asleep, to stay away from alcohol or to control his anger. He mastered to keep his emotion under control and live again and the only reason behind this was his Kaira. There were moments he wanted to break the obvious to her and tell it out loud to her that he loved her and wanted her as his again. But he controlled himself as he knew she wasn't ready. 

The next 6 months flew fast with them curing and healing each other from the wounds they gave to themselves in the past years. The pretending game continued and they waited for one of them to break it but both didn't have courage. 

And finally, the time came for Vivaan to leave Delhi and go back home. That night Kaira decided to stay a little longer at his place and help him pack. 

"Are you sure you didn't forget anything?" She asked zipping his luggage. 

"Yeah, I'm sure." He said walking into the room with his phone in his hand. 

"Okay then. But do you wanna check again, just in case." She said being unsure about his words.

"Why can't you trust me for once, Kaira?" He gave her a serious look and she knew he wasn't talking about the packing anymore.

"Let's not talk about it." She said plainly putting his luggage to a side. 

"No, let's talk about it. I want to talk about it." 

"Vivaan, I don't want to fight." She looked away from him.

"This is my last night here, Kaira! I'm leaving early tomorrow morning. Don't you feel anything at all? Aren't you gonna miss me?" He moved close to her as his eyes held pain and fear of losing her again.

"Vivaan..."

"What Kaira? You don't want to talk about it? Okay fine! Don't talk about it but I can't just keep shut. Not when I don't know when I'll be able to see you again after this."

"Please Vivaan, don't do this." She had tears in her eyes as she looked at him. He let out a sigh as he moved a little away from her. 

"I'm leaving, Kaira. All I'm asking you is to give me a reason to stay. Why is it so hard for you? Why can't you trust me, still?" 

"It's not that Vivaan..."

"Then what is it?" His voice was weak as he looked at her with tearful eyes.

"It's just I don't know. I can't afford to go through that thing again..."

"I have changed, Kaira. What should I do so that you could trust me again?"

"Nothing, Vivaan. Just don't... I just don't have the courage to trust you again. What if you change again? What if you go back to that state again? What if you leave me again? I can't bear that pain again, Vivaan,"

"Kaira, I..."

"I have to go, Vivaan. I'll pick you up in the morning. Be ready at 6,"

She walked out of his apartment without a second glance. Tears left his eyes finally and so did her eyes rained but both didn't see each other's pain. Their last night together ended like that. He was leaving early morning and all he wanted was to spend the rest of his time there with her but sometimes, things don't go the way we want them to and somethings life will never be merciful to some people. Sadly, they were one of them. Everything seemed to fall into place for the last few months they spend together and that's exactly why he decided to break the ice and let it out. Both of them knew they loved each other and that's how it's gonna stay for rest of their lives. They can never think of a life without each other still they pretended to be fine with not having each other in their life. That night seemed like the end of their story.

 The morning came fast and Vivaan got ready to leave. He felt a certain heaviness in his chest. He was leaving her, he won't be able to see her every day, they won't be able to spend time together, talk, tease and fight on the silly matter. He would miss everything about her as he did before meeting her again here, in Delhi. He was gonna go through the same torture again. His life will again become dull and lifeless without her, he knew that. She was his happiness and the reason why he changed to a better person and if she's not there, he doubted if he can stay the same. 

With the haunting thoughts and a pounding heart, he waited for her to pick him up. After a few minutes he saw her car from the distance, she pulled down in front of him and got off the car. She helped with loading the luggage and they got in to leave to the airport.

The car ride was silent, no one dared to speak. She didn't look at him but he kept stealing glances at her. Who knows when they will meet again. He wanted to take in everything about her before leaving. His heart pounded fast at that thought and he felt a certain fear taking over. He took a deep breath trying to calm himself down. 

Kaira put on a blank face as she rode through the busy roads of Delhi. She was dropping him off and he was leaving... He is leaving... She felt tears forming and she blinked them back. She was doing the same mistake that he did two years ago. She was letting him go for an insignificant reason. He has changed, she could see that and if she let him go like this she knew she was destroying him again. He struggled a lot in the past even more than her. He didn't deserve that. She should stop this, only she can do that. But she didn't have the courage. She lost her strength and now she was just pretending to be strong like how she pretended that Vivaan was just a friend for all these months. 

"Kaira, you passed the airport." He said looking at her.

"Oh..." She said breaking out of her thoughts. 

She turned the car back to the airport and parked the car. They both got off the car, she helped him with loading his luggage on the cart.

Kaira took the visitor's pass. They walked in silence through the gate. No one had the courage to speak anything after the last night.

Vivaan checked the flight timing again. It was on time. He let out a sigh before turning to look at Kaira for one last time.

"OK then. I guess this is it." He said faking a smile with a pain in his chest. Kaira didn't dare to look at him. She knew she will break anytime.

Vivaan took a deep sigh and extended his hand towards her. She took it without thinking much.

"Bye. Hope to meet you again... Someday maybe. When you come to Mumbai?" Vivaan said raising his brows.

"hmm..." Kaira said looking blankly at him.

"Kaira, I'm sorry for yesterday. Can't you just forget that for some time? I'm leaving. Anyway, you won't see me again." He said desperately as the time was nearing. He just wanted to get some reaction out of her. He knew he can't leave like that. With her being angry on him. He won't be able to live like that. It was worst than before.

"Really? Well, I'm pretty sure you will come back and keep clinging to me like you always did." She said rolling her eyes at Vivaan.

"huh?" Vivaan kept staring at her blankly not getting what she just said now.

"What? You are leaving... Like this? I mean do I need to take initiative every fucking time, Vivaan? Can't you just for once do things on your own?" Kaira said faking anger and trying to suppress the smile breaking on her face.

"Kaira..." Vivaan still not believing her words kept looking at her dumbfounded.

"What? You again didn't give me a goodbye kiss..." She said with a frown putting her hands on her waist.

"Goodbye kiss?" Vivaan raised his eyebrows as a smile formed on his face. "To a friend? Who does that, Kaira?" he said making an innocent face.

"Just shut up you asshole." Kaira nearly shouted forgetting the surroundings. Vivaan mouthed sorry to the people who gave their attention hearing the loud voice.

"What? I don't remember us moving ahead than being friends?" He said again now focusing his whole attention towards Kaira.

"Stop acting, Vivaan." She said being irritated.

"Who is acting, Ky?" Vivaan said dramatically suppressing the laughter again. "Me??"

"Such a jerk you are! I'm still your wife alright!!" Kaira said with a little anger and irritation in her voice.

"When did that happen?"

"Alright, I'm honestly done with you. I thought you really have changed but you are still the same jerk. And I'm leaving. Just go to hell." She said with so much annoyance in her voice.

Vivaan started laughing looking at the annoyed look on her face. How much he missed annoying her like this. Kaira just rolled her eyes seeing Vivaan laughing loudly holding his stomach.

Just when she turned to leave this dumb guy, Vivaan held her hand and pulled her closer.

"Vivaan... There are people watching." Kiara said looking around at the bunch of people giving them strange stares. Vivaan chuckled looking at her not moving his gaze from her.

"So? Don't you want your goodbye kiss? I can't go out again and then come inside." He said with a small smile on his lips. Kaira pushed him a little to back.

"Then who is asking you to go? You can stay for some days." She said in a low voice looking down at the ground. The smile escaped his lips again as he pulled Kaira closer again.

Vivaan crashed his lips against hers. He has been hungry for her for the longest of time and finally, he got her. He wasn't slow or tender. He was rough and dominating, exploring every inch of her mouth. He pressed her close to him, his one hand on her waist as the other garbing her hair. She kept her hand against his chest as she felt his heartbeat match hers while the other ran through his hair. It felt like ages since she has felt his lips against hers, his soft strands against her palms, his heartbeat against her chest. She wished for the moment to never end. She wanted to stay in his arms forever, that's where she belonged and he belonged in her embrace. He poured out all his emotions through the kiss. All the pain, struggles, his love, and passion for her everything he told her without a single word being spoken. She kissed him back with the same intensity as tears left her eyes. She has hurt him more than he hurt her. He pulled back only to be kissed by her everywhere on his face. She pressed her lips against his before whispering. "I missed you more than anything in the world, I don't want to anymore..."

"You won't." He said smiling through his tears. 

"I love you, idiot." She couldn't stop smiling as she said the words she wanted to say for the longest of time.

"And I love you more, stupid." He chuckled down at her, tucking her hair behind her ears before leaning in again to kiss her again. 

And that's how the story of their love started...

----------------------------------

Second chances are not given
To make things right.
But are given to prove that
We could be better
Even after we fall.

-----------------------------------

So that was it. We finally managed to finish this off after a great effort. Haha...

Anyway, tell us what you think of this one. Vote if you like.

Love, Kritika and Ammu. ❤