He was not someone who could get nervous, but he was.

He stood close to her, the same time she turned.

Her breathe hitched. She cautiously took steps back, just like that night.

He needed to be quick before Sameer came back.

"Ash." He called on her, but this time she feared him taking her name.

He did a mistake in looking in her eyes, damn those eyes used to hold the love of world in them, and now they only held hatred, fear and disgust.

"See, I know, you don't want to see me. But I'm just here to get this off my chest, I'm sorry. I know its really late to apologize but I can't do anything about it, I'm sorry. I'm getting my punishment, dying everyday in guilt. I'm not asking your forgiveness, I'm letting off my guilt." He ended up saying and looked at her, she had tears, just like that night, she had pain in her eyes, just like that night, she had fear in her eyes, just like that night.

"Why are you here?" Ashiya whisper yelled, tears now rolling down her cheeks.

"I just came to get this guilt off my chest." She saw as his eyes shiver while talking to her, she saw as he never looked in her eyes while talking, she saw as his hands were fisted on both sides, she saw as he breathed heavily.

"I know you." He heard a sweet chirpy voice.

He looked down and saw Skye.

His heart swelled in love at the sight of her.

He bent on his knees, to face her.

Reenah was right, she had his eyes.

It's strange, he was meeting her for the first time yet he could turn the world upside down for her, afterall she was his blood, she was a part of him.

"Who are you? It feels like you I know you." That little girl again said, he couldn't help but to smile, and that smile reached his eyes, for the first time in these years.

Ashiya stood there and watched both of them, he wasn't supposed to be here, he wasn't supposed to meet Skye.

But she couldn't deny the adoration his eyes held for Skye.

Why Kartik? Why couldn't you make it earlier?

Why Kartik? Why didn't you come earlier.

Why Kartik? Why are you here when I can't change it?

Why Kartik? Why you made it so late?

"Hey, Kartik." Kartik heard Sameer's voice.

Sameer didn't know much about Kartik, but he knew what kind of a man he was.

"Dad, who's he?" Skye asked him, still standing with Kartik.

"He's your uncle."

Sarah and Kartik both had their mother's eyes.

Skye didn't have Kartik's eyes, but Sarah's eyes.

She smiled just like her mother.

Just like Sarah.

Skye was Sarah's daughter.

And his blood relation after Sarah.

Sameer picked up Skye in his arms.

"We're getting late. See you later." Sameer said, ofcourse he didn't want his family specially his wife to be any near him.

Kartik nodded.

Skye waved her hands at him, he smiled at her.

The family started walking ahead.

He leaned his head against the tree and closed his eyes.

Ashiya turned and looked at him.

Reenah was right, he has changed.

He has changed for good.

He was my world once, but not any more. I would never be able to love anyone the way I loved him. How badly I wish if he could make it earlier. He was late, so late. My fear was right, he's changed, he's the exactly what I wanted him to. But its of no use now. I've a family now.

I'm sorry, Kartik. You're not the only one responsible. I wish I stayed with you, you needed me but I left you. I'm sorry. But its too late for me to fix everything. Only you're not guilty, I am too. We all are guilted.

I'm happy for you, you're a new person and a wonderful person. We were not meant for each other, but who's meant for you is waiting for you. But always remember, I will always love you.

I forgave you, Kartik. Please forgive me too.

She smiled at him and wiped her tear, and walked ahead with her family, leaving a part of her, leaving her heart behind with him.

A tear slipped through his closed eyes, and he smiled lightly.

***

He was feeling good today, a little happier, a little light, a little easy.

The guilt wasn't gone, it was still there. But her eyes forgave him, he saw her eyes, he saw her smile, when she turned around. And it was enough for him. Now whenever he would think of her, he won't think of her pained face, but the smile she gave him.

Entering the cafe, he sat at his usual place.

His eyes looking for the hazel beauty.

It was weird, but he was looking for her.

"Your order." He didn't have to look up, he knew the voice.

"Leave it, cinnamon tiramisu and espresso." Naira said and rolled her eyes. It was his everyday order.

He smiled, a notorious one.

"No, for today I want something else."

"Okay, I'll get you. Wait." She exclaimed and ran.

He shook his head at her.

He waited for a few minutes and came back with his food.

"Choco brownies, and mango delight." She put the tray on the table.

"Really? Mango delight?" He asked in disbelief.

"Oof, don't be so boring. Try it." She said and he shook his head.

***