Neha's POV:

After leaving Ayesha's office, I took an auto to the studio. It was already close to evening, and the sun was gradually sliding towards the west, and there was a cool evening breeze was being sensed along with heavy traffic of school buses indicating that students were leaving school and going to their house

"Bhaiya, stop here." As the auto turned towards the street of my studio, I noticed a small park and a few children were playing in the sliders. Not having energy to meet anyone, I stopped the auto and walked to the park.

Sitting on an empty bench facing the sliders, my mind began to contemplate all the recent events. 

Meeting them four years ago and being devastated, then later getting to know Afsha bhabhi and her family, and finally getting to see both of the boys after four years—everything seems  too overwhelming.

At times, certain situations cause us pain, and we wish to avoid encountering those people associated with those. 

I never wanted to see them again to avoid reminding myself of my turmoiled feelings, but I guess destiny had other plans. It brought them in front of me in an unthinkable way.

To be honest, I have moved on from those memories a long time ago, but I can not forget those times I spent with him and her. I lived with them for almost two years; even though I met Sameer eight months after moving to Mumbai, they were still family. I also remember Adil well, and how he used to visit us all and bring a lot of snacks and sweets, especially Mysore pak. 

Now that, Adil is supposedly going to be my future perspective groom. I don't know, how to react. He is a friend of the person I used to like four years ago.

"Siya, get up from here. I want to play see-saw with Khushi." As I was in my own thoughts, I saw a girl of about 10 years old yelling at another girl, who may be 6 years old.

"But Di, I want to also play see saw with you. You can play with me ", the other girl, named Siya pleased

"No, I don't want to play with you now; go play the swing."  Siya's sister made her get up and sat on her spot while Siya came and sat on the bench, next to me and started to cry.

I became even more upset when I saw the little girl sobbing. Her tears were streaming down her face as she watched her sister play see-saw.

"Siya Beta, Why are you sitting here?" A lady quickly came towards the girl and worriedly sat beside the girl; may be she is her mother.

The little girl broke down in tears, expressing her turmoil, "Mamma, I hate Khushi Di because she has taken my Riya Di away from me." 

Seeing the little girl's turmoiled situation reminded me of myself, the Neha from 4 years—call it childishness or whatever, but it hurts to get one sided; it hurts to act oblivious when you clearly see your friends are hiding.

If it had only been a matter of love, I would have ignored it, but it was a matter of betrayal.

They had the right to be secretive in their relationship, which I did not mind, but lying and betrayal makes it feel that you are unwanted.

I still remember the day when I got the letter of promotion and the opportunity to go to New York.

Flashback starts - 4 years back

"Dada (Brother in Marathi) , can you pack 250 gms of sugar free kaju katli (Indian sweet made with cashews)."  After leaving the office, I headed to a sweet shop to pack sugar-free kaju katli for Sana, who had a shoot tomorrow and would be going to Bangalore, so I bought sugar free delights to savour them guilt free. 

You guys must be wondering why I am buying sweets. Well, the Boss's personal assistant, Jennifer has given me some very subtle hints, but it has not been officially announced that I was chosen for the list of promoted members.

"I can see fire in your eyes, and once you come to New York you will get nice exposure." These were the exact words of her.

She is such a sweet lady unlike my manager, who always used to make sure my designs did not reach the higher authorities. I don't know what personal grudge she has on me.

To put it briefly, I am getting promoted and might even move to New York, which is a dream come true for me. I want to celebrate this with my friends and family. 

I will tell Ammi and Pappa in the evening. Now, I want to celebrate this moment with Sana. Sameer and Adil are in Bangalore, else we would have gone somewhere to celebrate.

Anyway, after the Eid fiasco I have made sure to keep a distance with boys, I think it would be better for my own sake well I am not being close with Sana either but I guess today can be an exception, she knows how much I was awaiting for this moment.

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When I reached the the street's surroundings, I put the sweet box in my tote bag and opened my wallet to get the necessary change in advance  to give to the auto driver, so I could make a quick run to the apartment.

As I entered the flat, I could hear few noises from Sana's room so I dashed directly to her room but I didn't know this one step would have cost me the loss of friendship.

Upon hearing my name, I was taken aback and curiously approached Sana, who was on call. She was leaning against the balcony railing with her back to me, so she didn't see me.

"Do not worry, I will not tell Neha about you. I will come straight to you when my shoot is over and let Neha know that I had to extend it because of technical difficulties. Don't worry, I will handle it."  I could not contain myself as she said those words, and I ran out of the room without saying anything.

'Why would she lie to me?' It was the biggest question mark 

Getting freshened up and masking my emotions, I came out of the room to see Sana was in living room and was having her evening salad.

She passed the salad bowl to me when she noticed me, but I just sat down next to her.

 Sana yawned, "I have the flight early morning, and I am feeling lazy to pack. Can you pack the clothes," which made me smile. This was just her normal behavior—she always ends up having me pack her clothes because she is too lazy to do it herself.

"Ok I will pack it; meanwhile, you order the dinner", saying that I was about to get up

"Ok, Can you pass me the phone from the charging point. Please"

Agreeing as I was about to unplug the phone, curiosity peaked me. First I turned towards Sana to see she was lounging on the sofa and having her salad. I gave her one last look before unlocking her phone and accessing the call logs to view the last call details.

920xxxxx47 , there was a number on the screen but it seemed familiar.

After giving Sana the phone, I went to my room to check the number on my phone because it seemed too familiar and I had a good idea of who it belonged to, but I wanted to make sure first and I was correct in my assumption.

It was of Sameer's . 

It was not the first time Sana had kept her meeting with Sameer a secret, so why all these lies and betrayals? Why does Sameer not want me to know about this? Why did he say to extend the shoot?

Hurt was a small word I am feeling currently. 

When I saw the box of Kaju Katli , the realisation hit me. Here I was ready to celebrate my happiness but I guess she doesn't feel the same way about me. Then I suppose it is okay and I should not even bother to share my happiness.

I took the sweet from the box and started to eat myself. Sometimes it is good to celebrate our own achievements ourselves.

After three days, I received the official letter and told Radha and my parents about it. When I decided to give Sana one last goodbye call, she did not pick up, and the following day, I received a text message informing me that "her shoot got extended and it will take a few days more to complete," which was known already.

It only made my already broken heart even more turmoiled and didn't bother to inform her and him again.

Flashback Ends

I never trusted people again after that one incident, so I stopped accepting new people into my life and adopted the "no strings attached" policy. However, Jennifer and Afsha Bhabhi were able to change my mind about people and gave me hope once more.

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I turned to face the mother-daughter duo as her mother asked, "Beta, Why are you hating the person who is not responsible for your state?"why

"Did Khushi Di tell you to get up from the see-saw?" The girl simply turned her head left and right in denial.

"Then why you are hating her?" She repeated her question, but the girl simply opened her mouth and shut it again, unable to respond to her mother.

"It was Riya Di right who told you to get up, then you should be angry on her not Khushi Di,"  to which the girl just nodded and now her mother took the girl in her lap.

"Your elder sister, Riya Di, always shares her toys and chocolates with you; right now, all she wanted was to play with her friend. Is it wrong to have that desire?

"When your friend, Maha arrives  you spend time with her, right? Does Riya Di complain to you to spend time with her at that time?" The girl denied once more.

"Then when your friend arrives, Riya Di does not disturb you, and likewise you should also not interfere when her friend arrives. Right?", the girl now starts to nod her head

"You are right, Mama, I will not bother Di while she plays with her friend, and I will go play the swing," Siya said, wiping away her tears before going towards the swing with joy.

Not only have the scene and her mother's words enlightened the little girl, but they have also helped me to feel better.

Just like the little girl, I was only thinking about facing Sana and Sameer in the future and I never thought about Adil and this marriage.

Now that I know what needs to be done.

I opened my phone and sent the message - 'Assalamualaikum'.

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Sameer's POV:

I guess everyone is packing their bags right now, but I am sitting in my room trying to contemplate yesterday's incident.

I just lost it when I saw Saniya in that way, and I am afraid of what I would have done if Danish Jiju had not come. Yesterday, Danish Jiju's arrival from the office was what snapped me back to reality.

I don't know what Saniya is thinking about me and I don't have courage to face her as well but till when I can ignore her. Not for long time though

Adil abruptly burst into the room and jumped onto the bed, glaring at me. Did he find out about yesterday? 

Oh no! I am officially gone now, and he will not hesitate to bury me deep; after all, I have hurt his dearest sister.

This time I have messed up badly.

"Why are you staring at me?" I asked, trying to act as normal as possible, but he just brushed my question aside and kept glaring.

Ok now it is overbearing, I stood up and started to go to the washroom and I could see from the side eye that he too got up and was walking to my side.

As I kept my hand at the doorknob, he grabbed me.

"Why are you sweating in 16°C of AC temperature? " He asked which made me realise that I was indeed sweating.

" No... Nothing I guess it is just due to dehydration." I tried to cover up and turned to go to washroom again

"No, it is not dehydration. You are hiding something. I have been watching you since yesterday, your behaviour has changed. What happened?" He asked with concern.

" It's nothing like that, this room was designed by me and it gives a lot of comfort so I am just trying to spend as much time as I could before leaving" I blabbered as sensible as I could to convince him but even I know he didn't convince.

"What are you saying, huh?" He asked with a puzzled expression. What should I tell him when I was not sure what I had said.

"Now tell me what's the issue. Is it related to yesterday's meeting?" He asked patting my shoulder.

Relief washed over me that he doesn't know about anything. Getting relaxed,  I wiped my sweat and agreed to his question.

"Don't worry, I have studied the case, though it is complicated, but it is nothing that you can't crack, the statement will be on your side,"  he smiled. Nodding my head, I went inside the washroom and finally released a breath. I was an inch close to spilling out everything in front of him.

After getting freshened up, I packed a few of the clothes in my bag and called the caretaker of the house to let him know about our departure.

After Afsha Di, Jiju, and Sumaiyya Aunty just left for Jiju's house—just an hour away—all of us brought our luggage into the living room and were having tea and small snacks.

When I turned to face Saniya, who was sitting apart from the rest of us and sipping her green tea, she quickly looked away.

I guess she hates me now, determined to mend up and apologise for my behaviour. I started to get up and approach her, and she started to get up and head towards the kitchen.

I can not bear the guilt unless I apologise for my actions, so I dragged myself to the kitchen as well.

When she saw me, she began to back away and slide out again, but I quickly grabbed her hand "Please listen to me once, and then you can decide what you want to do."

Listening she released my hand and sat on the kitchen aisle and folded her hands facing me.

"I am sorry for yesterday's behaviour, I just got carried away. I can not see you being angry with me. Please forgive me." 

"So what do I do now? Should I just ignore and move on?" She sarcastically said. I know she is hurt by my behaviour.

"Saanu, I apologise for the mess, but will you please forgive me and continue being friends? Please" I held my ears requesting her forgiveness. I know I do not deserve it, but I can't see her hurting herself.

"Okay, give me some time and do not hold your ears for anyone; it does not suit you," she got off the aisle, then took my hands off from my ears and half heartedly smiled.

"If it is for you, I am ready to kneel as well if you want," saying I went away from the kitchen, relaxed.

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Whom do you think Neha messaged?

And what do you guys think about the flashback scene - What is Sana hiding?

Should Saniya forgive Sameer?

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