Riya's POV

I came back to my old room, to pick a few things which I left with Nikki.

"Riya" Nikki and Arul got surprised to see me there at an odd hour.

I know they want to spend some time alone but I will be busy tomorrow.

So I intruded their space but I know very well that they are my best friends and they truly won't mind giving some time to me.

"Nikki" I smiled and walked into my place, my room.

Nikki grinned ear to ear and jumped like a kid from the bed.

We both shared a warm hug for a second.

"Such a pleasant surprise Riya!"

"Missed you so much." She cupped my face and told me with concern in her voice.

"Riya" This time Arul came and hugged me.

It's almost two weeks since I left this place and shifted to my house.

"How are you guys?" I squealed and we looked at each other in amusement like school kids who met after summer vacation.

"Fine, How are you Riya? How things are going?" Nikki asked with true concern in her tone.

"Good and I am going for work from tomorrow, Though it's a small one I need it any cost," I said smiling at them broadly.

"This is what I want badly, your smile." Nikki pinched my cheeks, looking at me in amusement.

Friends, True friends are so rare to obtain and I got them, I am really lucky.

"I should say thanks to Ayush and his mom, they were the people who suggested this offer," I said with a new hope.

"Ayush, ......" Nikki looked at me eagerly with a simper.

"Yes" I nodded trying to avoid her naughty glance.

I know and can expect what she is thinking now? Crazy girl.

"Ayush seems so interested in you, I learned many things about him through you but he is much more than that."

"This guy is so crazy about you."

"He literally heads over heels about you."Her words surprised me.

She is looking at me for a positive answer with a raised brow.

I kept quiet and I don't know what to say.

Though he proposed to me, Though I know he loves me, listening to it from my friend's mouth is something new to me.

I never expect this from Nikki.

"ACP Ayush Vardhan."

"Such a charismatic smile he carries all that time, and your name is enough to bring it on his lips, So surprising?" Nikki sighed dreamily dramatically.

"He is so concerned about you and your well being," Arul added handing me a cup of coffee.

"I am happy someone is there to support you in front of you when we are away from us."He said sincerely.

"He is...." I whispered and looked at them

These days his name and his actions are bringing a small smile on my lips.

He is giving me hope in this tough time.

I know it's too early, I don't know whether it's friendship, Sympathy, or something else but he is clearly worried about me.

I feel like I got my Friend back.

I feel like I got my strength back.

"Riya," Arul shook my shoulder bringing me out of my thoughts.

"Arul" I flinched and looked at him.

He sat in front of me looking into my eyes.

"I know it's too early to talk all this but be careful," Arul said a bit hesitantly and looks so much worried while saying this.

I caught his point but looked at him as I did not get what he wants.

"What are you saying?" Nikki kept a pale face and looked at Arul.

Disappointment is evident in her eyes and Arul's words did surprise me too.

"ACP Ayush is so mysterious and not as plain as he looks, he may be your friend and loves you but he is a dangerous Police officer at the end of the day."

"You both don't know the other shade of him, another angle in him."

"I know he is helping you but...." He trailed off and looked at me.

I nodded trying my best to understand his words. I know Arul from years and he is a true friend of mine, there must be some hidden meaning in his words. What it might be?

I wanted to ask him immediately but something stopped me. It's better to ask Ayush than Arul. Why do I trust this guy most? Hope it won't become my weakness. I prayed to god.

I believed Arjun once, he broke my heart and left me to this world insanely, Now, I gulped down in fear. Maybe Arul is correct? I thought for a second.

"What Arul? You spoiled her mood, mine too, Such a handsome guy he is?"

"He is So intelligent and in very much in love with her, I know it's too early but he deserves a chance," Nikki said looking at Arul with a pale and disappointing place breaking my chain of thoughts.

"Nikki.." Arul warned Nikki keeping a grumpy face

"I learned some conspiracy is going on behind the Arjun's death case, "

"Please don't take me wrong, People are calling it as a murder and speculation is that Ayush is helping the convict  to prove it as a suicide." He said at a stretch blocking my mind.

"His concern towards you is so true and I am happy that he is there for you all the time even when your family opposed you."

"But...... this is something truly disturbing me, I am warning you to be careful, Please don't trust him fully and don't think about giving him a chance right now."His statement tensed me to the core.

Three of us sat in silence for a while.

"Okay guys, I need to go." I broke the silence with a smile.

I don't want to spoil their mood with my grumpy face.

"Love you, dear, Take care, Miss you, "Nikki said with tears in her eyes.

We lived together under the same roof for more than three years, so I won't get surprised when Nikki sheds a few tears for me.

Arul is smiling faintly and he is truly concerned about her relationship with Ayush.

How can tell him Ayush is a true friend and he is the one whom I trust most now.

To be continued.

So what do you think about Arul? Is he saying the truth? Do you suspect Ayush?