'That was a close call you know', Aarushi said through her muffled laughter. She paced quickly matching Ajay's long strides.

'I know right', he grinned back dramatically letting out a relieved breath. Aarushi laughed at his antics recalling their latest escape episode. They had almost ran into Garvit and Suhani at the exit doors as they too tried to slip out from the crowded party spot, but fortunately Garvit and Suhani were secluded in their own soundproof and vision proof bubble that made them impervious to other's presence.

But a greater challenge awaited them just a few feet from entrance when Anusha and Anjali had came barging in their way capturing all the spot light of party as they vibed along the lyrics.

'What are you two up to?', Anjali's scream was clearly heard through the rampaging rock music.

'We... well', Aarushi began stammering. 'Don't tell me you are up to something shady sis!', Anusha said in a booming teasing voice inviting attention of ten or fifteen people standing around them. Aarushi face palmed herself embarrassed by all uninvited attention they were attracting and shot a helpful look at Ajay through the corner of her eye.

'It's nothing shady Anusha, your sister isn't much of a party person and my friends have apparently ditched me; thanks to my next to negligible dance abilities, so we thought why not accompany each other and catch up on some project work', Ajay smoothly lied. Aarushi heard Anusha let out a resigned whistle and Anjali shook her head dismissively.

'Bro, she stands right up to my expectations of being a complete party Grinch; but I didn't expect a dashing guy like you to be a companion as well! You are way more voguish than her!', Anjali exclaimed, pitifully patting Aarushi's shoulder.

'Yeah... You can't escape this smashing bash like this; you know you are leaving behind a whole trail of broken hearts', Anusha joined in dramatically, she stole a quick regretful smile at a group of girls standing behind them with their hawk eyes feasting dreamily on man standing beside Aarushi. Aarushi rewarded Anjali and Anusha with separate dirty cold look and a promise to get perfect comeback at right time.

'Apologies ladies for being an unexpected killjoy today; I'll make up for today in college fest, that's my word', Ajay laughed smiling a rather amorous smile.

'I think I heard Sarthak call out your name, aren't you in a jiffy?', Aarushi quickly interrupted diverting them from their detective questions.

'Oh yes! Harshita would burn me alive if I don't get back with drinks and snacks', Anjali smacked her forehead. She gave a short wave before dragging a screaming or rather singing Anusha towards food stalls who was so engrossed in singing the lyrics of Shape of You that she didn't seem to notice the direction of her walk.

After this very near experience they finally managed to slither out from the hubbub of feverish bodies into the serene and chilly night outside. The chaotic music drifted through the nightly silence around them. Entire campus was desolated except the occasional appearance of students searching secluded corners for some stolen quality time.

'Where are we going?', Aarushi asked as they effortlessly crossed the iron entrance. The watch person couldn't care less about movement of students owing to the celebration atmosphere of that night.

'You'll know soon, it's not very far', Ajay said turning around the corner of NTI. Aarushi fell behind him silently following the path. As much as she was curious about the mysterious destination they were headed for, she couldn't help cherishing every moment of that enigmatic evening. She had dared to look past her own insecurities and follow her heart disregarding every other barricade her life seemed to offer. Maybe it was worth it, maybe she really had the chance to aim for the love she had never expected to encounter again, and maybe destiny had laid out the auspicious cards for real.

Whatever the end be, she cannot afford to wither the present in its anticipation like last time. Her heart verified the last fragments of doubt with firm assurance. It was right; it was right to love, it was right to desire for her love. She had waited all these years for this second chance; it won't be justifiable to turn back on this story now. Every question needs an answer and every wound needs a medicine, she will find them both to heal the veiled away blemishes of their past.

'Here', Ajay said halting in front of a pair of towering black gates. Aarushi squinted through the darkness; a dark silhouette of something like a neither short nor tall building was visible inside the enclosure. 'Where are we?', her question went unanswered as Ajay searched around for someone, probably the guards.

Her guess was right, moments later, a guard stepped in front of them wearing a dark blue uniform. He had a broad smile on as he greeted Ajay. They seemed pretty familiar with each other and apparently Ajay was a regular visitor at site, this was what Aarushi inferred from the short chat. The guard opened the chained the gate allowing them easy access.

Aarushi trailed behind him silently, observing and studying the area with incredulous eyes. The layout was decent with a stoned path covered with dry leaves and weeds leading to the glass entrance of building she had seen moments before. There was no sign board to give the slightest hint of their whereabouts. Ajay produced a bunch of keys from his overcoat pocket and turned it in lock on glass. It parted with a slight click.

'Laboratory?', Aarushi said excitedly immediately recognizing the peculiar yet familiar layout inside the building. If we rule out the visits to medical labs and school labs, it was her first time inside an actual research laboratory. It wasn't very huge or spacious like other labs yet the advanced instruments lined up against the walls and crammed up space hinted at the professionalism and intellectuality of owner.

'Astronomical lab, it belongs to my mentor, Professor Swami', Ajay explained, walking beside her.

'You have special access here?', Aarushi said, eagerly examining the complicated devices.

'Kind of, there's a bunch of us students fairly interested in scientific research and astronomy. We work on projects with Professor Swami and he would allow special access to some of us for studies and research', Ajay explained briefly. 'And you are one of them?', Aarushi said. Ajay nodded casually.

Aarushi was fairly impressed, not only did he own a charming personality but his intelligence was equally at par.

'I thought you were a CS student, how come you are a part of astronomical research?', she voiced out her curiosity.

'CS is a variegated branch; we learn to code and build programs for multiple functions. I have taken up space research as a minor subject and joined in the scientific research club of college, both of which are coordinated by Professor. I usually contribute with coding works', he replied. Aarushi nodded understandingly.

'Wait, then I shouldn't be here. After all I am not possessing permission to visit', she suddenly said feeling guilty for breaking in without permission.

'Don't worry; Professor isn't some severe chilly soul. He would be glad that his lab was visited by a brilliant medical student, besides I do have the special access so it won't be an issue', he coolly said. Aarushi wasn't fully confident but chose to trust his words. After all it might be the last time she was getting to see some research stuff in real life.

'You liked it?', Ajay said. Aarushi nodded truthfully, she couldn't be more ecstatic.

'Then you'll definitely like the actual destination', Ajay said with a mysterious smile. Aarushi knitted her brows together, what could be more interesting than their current destination.

'Step back', Ajay said pressing a button on the right side wall. Aarushi obediently did so and soon enough her perplexity was answered. The ceiling rumbled slightly and a spiral staircase descended in front of them. Her eyes widened in amazement. Technology never left a chance to marvel her.

'Climb up', Ajay said clambering two steps at a time. Aarushi followed slowly, careful to not to fall off with her heels. She emerged out onto a fairly large terrace with clear night sky shining above and a single telescope like instrument mounted on a heavy stand. Ajay beckoned her towards the edge standing beside the huge telescope.

The scene before her was breathtaking. The city glowed with shimmering lights and faraway bustle of traffic streaming down the road. The sky hovering above it was decorated with shimmering diamond studs. It was a new moon night, yet the desolation of night sky had vanished under the magical glow of stars. It was enchanting, it was beautiful and it was just perfect. Aarushi couldn't recall last time she had admired the starry sky this closely.

'Beautiful, isn't it?', Aarushi breathed. Ajay hummed softly in agreement. He reached over the edge and settled himself on it in one swift move with feet dangling down the other side.

'Come over', he called out to Aarushi. Aarushi shook her head in NO.

'Firstly, it's dangerous; Secondly, I have a phobia of heights', she stated.

'Since when did heights start scaring you?', Ajay said with fair sense of astonishment. 'Why do I hear astonishment in those words? Acrophobia isn't a new concept, I guess', Aarushi said.

'Yeah it's not new, but you being scared of something except rules and tarnishing your image is definitely something new', he said mockingly. Aarushi rolled her eyes; this boy could never leave an opportunity to mock her.

'But seriously, as far as I remember, your favorite vacation destination used to be those hilly tracks and mountains, how come you have a fear of heights?', he questioned again, more seriously this time.

'Class eighth school tour, I ended up dangling off from safety rope between two enormous hills while rappelling between them. We had to walk across the single rope tied between two hills and cross the trench below; I lost my balance right in the middle. If it hadn't been for safety hook I would've definitely been the next one at heaven's doors. Ever since then, I had a minor yet distinguishable acrophobia', Aarushi disclosed. Ajay stared at her impassively, not uttering a single word.

Aarushi couldn't understand his unusual silence; he hadn't expressed his opinions yet, very much not like Ajay. Yet she didn't find it appropriate to break. She studied his features closely, shadows made it difficult to decipher but she was sure she saw the unusual vulnerability and whole set of emotions flowing through his eyes.

'Come over, just remember not to look down, you won't fall that way', he finally said stoically. Aarushi stared at him wordlessly; this wasn't what she had expected to hear nor was it what his expressions hinted. She didn't argue but decided to comply with his instructions. It was no point trying to pry upon the topic if he didn't wish to do so. She took off her stilettos before taking a deep breath and joining him on the edge, cautious about not looking downwards.

She settled with the silence that absorbed them, not feeling the need to fill it with words when it was already filled with tangle of emotions.

'You know what, in past two months, this is the first time you have talked about past with me', Ajay eventually said. Aarushi turned her head towards him. He was staring at the sky above, with a small smile hitching around the corner of his lips. The satisfaction and warmth behind that soothed smile, made tears glisten in her eyes. But this time, they weren't the tears of grief and regret; instead, they were the gratification of her real soul that blissfully shared his satisfaction.

He was right, this was the first time she had recounted any incident again and not ran away from past like every other time. And somehow, she didn't regret or felt broken to revisit those memories; somehow she successfully embraced the beauty of those moments without the shards of grievous incidents prickling them continuously. She could sense his happiness, and that happiness burnt the flame of elation inside her own heart.

'I am glad', she said. 'I am glad that you still dream to reach those faraway stars, I am happy that even in this troublesome world you are courageous enough to follow your dreams relentlessly unlike some other people whose dreams and wishes are effortlessly buried under the layers of responsibilities and realism', she could feel his eyes on her as she completed her honest heartfelt words.

Her own childhood dreams had been cruelly admonished by hardships, at least the person she loved still had the opportunity to pursue his aspirations. The realization brought her an odd sense of satisfaction mixed with nostalgic regret and disappointment. He was a brave star glowing with the light of his never dying aspirations and relentless dedication to achieve them while she had turned into a withered flower with lost zeal and aching dreams.

'Why did you give up on your dream of becoming IAS, Aarushi?'

The question which she had asked herself and deplored it every time, sounded even more plaintive in his chagrined voice. Did she have the answer? No. Every sacrifice that life had demanded from her, she had given it without questioning why, now that she dares to face those questions, they seem to be jeering and taunting her for her cowardice to wither away under the effect of woes and rocks.

'I always believed that of all the people out there, if someone had the zeal to follow and achieve they would still not match the level of your assiduity. It's rare for people to even have a dream, and you had the dream along with talent. Why did you give up? On orientation day it was nothing less than a painful surprise to see the girl I had always admired for her dedication, standing there with ashes of an extinguished enthusiasm and lost way', he ranted with dismay that seized holes inside her heart.

'Don't you think dreams could alter?', Aarushi said in a small voice. He had asked the question she had been escaping to ask herself for past four years. Her words were the thoughts of fake hope she had desperately believed to live through her life. She could feel his eyes tracing her face but she could not find the courage to look up and face the questions. Tears began to cloud her vision, she didn't wish to lie anymore but will the truth be the right choice? Will they still be the same even if she tells him everything?

'Dreams... they do have the ability to alter when they are fragile, but for you they never altered, did they? Your hesitance and desperation speak for themselves, you can't even believe your own words do you really think they can convince me? You originally wanted to do good for society, no doubt your current choice is noble and in accordance with your desire, but still the zeal and radiance that shone in your words when you talked about your plans for future that day with me has vanished in the present. It's more like a duty than a passion whenever you talk about medical, there's a strange emptiness in every move you make as a future doctor.

In past two months, I have only ever seen a flicker of your former ardor when we are working on project. I don't know but it always feels that project is the consolation to your original aspirations', he said. Every word was true; every word pierced a hole in her heart, chiding her for becoming mute.

'Did I disappoint you?', she finally asked. More than everything that hurt her, it was the sound of exasperated disappointment in his voice that burned hollows inside her compelling her to say everything.

'Didn't you disappoint your own self more than me?', he asked. Aarushi looked away staring at the shimmering lights of city in the horizon. Ajay waited, patiently as ever.

'You are right. I don't wish to be a doctor or even pursue a career in medical. Years back... something... happened... mom asked me to give up on my uncertain aspirations and opt for a more stable career choice. Dad too didn't object saying that it was a more secure and practical decision. Besides, it was mumma's unaccomplished dream to become a doctor which she had given up after my grandfather's death in order to support her family through financial crisis they had ended up in due to his sudden demise. Mom dad, gave me their life, why can't I give them a few years from mine? Wouldn't it be too selfish to just think about my own desires and forget theirs?', Aarushi said. Discussing her honest thoughts, she felt a heavy stone covering the sorrow inside her shift slightly.

'You said your mom gave up her dream, but aren't you doing the same thing?', Ajay said slowly. 'She gave up herself for everyone, aren't you killing yourself in similar manner?'

Aarushi didn't say anything. By giving up her original aspirations, she was actually ending up becoming just like her mother. But was she really ready to become another Pramila Sharma with regrets that would haunt her throughout life?

'You see that star', Ajay's voice interrupted her thoughts. She turned to look up in the direction he was pointing. A single star shone brightly than the rest, standing out from his companions in dark sky. 'Pole star', Aarushi recognized it in a glance. Ajay nodded approvingly.

'It is said that, the North Star never shifts from its position and always shines brighter than other stars. Don't you think it is giving up on the chance to explore by staying transfixed unlike other stars which change their orientation every now and then?', he said, gazing towards the glittering studs.

'It surely is, but isn't that sacrifice making him glow brighter and stand apart from other common stars', Aarushi replied. Ajay turned to look at her with a crooked smile.

'Exactly, in its life, it also has the regrets of never getting a chance to travel but at least that regret doesn't overpower his glow or identity. No matter how hard we try, we'll still leave behind some regrets in life, so why not leave behind those regrets which are least contrite. Imagine if North Star had complied with others giving up his resolve to stand apart and blending in with the crowd, could it ever glow as brightly and as happily as he is shining right now?', Ajay questioned her. Aarushi stared back impassively.

She understood the meaning behind his words. Giving up her aspirations she had just become like an aimless travelling star, though she still had a purpose but that purpose would always be incomplete and remorseful without her personal happiness. She might not become an IAS but giving up without even trying would just be a prickling remorse for lifetime; A contrition which would be greater than the guilt of not fulfilling her parents' desires.

At the end, it was her life, it was her story, and she cannot disappoint the protagonist of her own tale can she?

'I don't know what happened in past four years, but I know that you still have decades ahead. People say time heals every wound, but the wound of dismaying your own self is never healed no matter how many years and decades pass', his sentences stirred the dead ambitions awake inside her.

An involuntary smile and fluttering glimmers of dreams slowly spread through her. The righteousness of her decision screamed victoriously inside her head. She gazed back, lost in the dark sea of his glimmering deep set eyes and glowing dimpled smile. Every moment had frozen, every worry had ceased, only emotions she could feel was bliss, love, purity and... tickle inside her nose. 'Wait what?!', her mind exclaimed at the weird feeling. Before she could process anything a loud sneeze came barging in ruining the perfect moment!

'Woah, what a great timing!', her mind scorned at the perfectly worst timing her body had chosen to respond to the chilly winds blowing around her. She wasn't expecting to leave the crowded warm party arena lest can she imagine watching stars with Ajay on the roof of a science laboratory. Consequently, she had left her over the top warm clothing back in room after Harshita's persistent insistence that it might be Aarushi's golden chance to showcase her enchanting beauty.

She loved to deny it, but her body wasn't exactly resistant or impermeable to unfavorable weather conditions. Instead, it would show immediate immunological response when exposed to such conditions.

'Where's your jacket?', Ajay said rolling his eyes. She had forgotten about the cold but her body seems to think otherwise.

'I left it in dorm room', she said sniffing and wrapping her hands around herself.

'Why? To let it enjoy bonfire night in dorm room or to experience a chilly frost bite yourself?', he said nonchalantly looking down at her shivering figure.

'No reason', Aarushi dismissed his inquiry. She couldn't possibly reveal that she had especially dressed up to impress him, even the thought to say that was shuddering enough. Aarushi saw him shrugging out of his overcoat from the corner of her eyes, before she could satisfy her brimming eagerness; the warm velvet touched her body, instantly blocking the chills.

A strong whiff of woody scent overwhelmed her thoughts sprouting numerous butterflies inside her stomach. The blush, which had nothing to do with cold breeze or her make-up, covered her cheeks. An adrenaline surge attacked the pacemaker of her heart shooting her heart rate to a galloping pace.

'Always so careless', she heard him mutter under his breath. The boredom in his sentence didn't go along with his actions. He was staring at the horizon with an opaque mask covering his feelings from showing up. Aarushi smiled to herself, laughing at the unique antics of the childish boy she had fallen for.

'Come here, I'll show you something amazing', Ajay said jumping back in the periphery. Aarushi followed the suit tripping slightly in her stilettos as she quickly walked up to join him beside the huge telescope. Ajay bent down looking through the lens and making some incomprehensible arrangements.

'Have a look', Ajay said stepping back with a proud satisfactory smile. There was a whole new world at the other side of telescope. A world which she had only ever seen in animations and movies, a milky diamond studded river was flowing through an endless dark sky, bending and curving perfectly. The stars they had been admiring moments ago were cluttered at just an arm's distance, forming scenery that dissolved the boundaries between reality and fantasy.

'Wow!', Aarushi exclaimed utterly mesmerized. Her eyes wished to manifest upon the pleasing scene for time innumerable.

She straightened up smiling reverently. Before she could express her gratitude, a shooting star passed through the sky leaving behind a shimmering trail.

'Look! A shooting star!', Aarushi gushed with childlike excitement. She quickly went over the edge, if there was one star, surely there would be a few more. Ajay joined her on the side.

'What's so exciting about it?', Ajay scoffed at her excitement.

'If you make wishes to a shooting star, they are bound to come true; haven't you heard this legend?', she asked astonished at his question.

'You can't still believe in those childish legends!', Ajay said laughing. 'What's wrong in believing?', Aarushi scowled at his derisive remark. He bit back a chuckle, staring at her frowning face.

'Ok, so tell me when did your wish come true?'

Aarushi thought about his question for a moment, smiling mysteriously.

'Well... my last wish did come true eventually, even if it was not in the same way as I expected', she said, recalling her last wish and the beautiful memory. She didn't know if he remembered it, but every moment of their past was still etched freshly in her mind.

Another shooting star streaked through the sky. Aarushi quickly clasped her hands in prayer, she knew what she wanted, and this time there was no hesitation that bounded her.

'I wish we both find our true happiness and dreams. I wish Ajay could always be smiling with someone forever beside him to share his happiness and sorrows and I wish... that someone could be me.'

Aarushi turned her eyes at him standing there, gazing at the far off horizon with a warm smile. Every scenic view she had ever enjoyed, this was the best of it.

'Every hesitation has dissolved, every doubt gone... I have finally realized what I really yearn for, and this time, I am going to pursue my love with a promise of never backing down or flinching away from whatever challenges life has got for me in my journey to a happily ever after.'

A/N:

I know it's a very late update, sincere apologies to every one of you. Studies and exams have been coming in doublets recently, so it was tough to keep up with regular updates. I'll try to update more often in coming days, till then... Happy Reading to all my lovely readers!!