We were sitting on many couches in the living room. He was busy with a football match on the big flat TV screen ahead of us, and I was reading a magazine to pass my time.

"I just remembered something that I should tell you." I said all of a sudden.

"What?" He questioned, turning in my direction.

"That I saw you in the club a month and a half ago." I blurted.

"In Mumbai?" He asked.

"Hmm." I responded.

"I remember I stopped by there returning from somewhere one day. What was your reaction, though?" He asked.

"Honestly, I panicked seeing you there. It was almost after 8 years that I saw you that too when you left me like that." I replied, cringing a little about the memory.

"I am sorry Kyra, I shouldn't have visited there." He said, running a hand over his hair.

"It's fine. At least meeting you in the restaurant in Delhi wasn't that big of a shock because of it. If it had been the first time seeing you, then I have no idea what my reaction would be." I said honestly.

"Did you mean it when you said you hate me?" He questioned hesitantly.

"Uhh- I don't know. It was in the heat of moment, but I am still not clear with my feelings." I blurted whatever was going on in my mind.

"Do you want to talk about it?" He asked concerned.

"No." I replied.

He instantly wrapped his arms around me, burying his face in my hair. His warm hands were roaming over my exposed legs, and shivers were running down my spine. His torso was warm as per my liking, and I placed a small kiss on his chest to which I could feel him shiver a little.

My legs were either side on his lap, and his hands were now on my waist to secure me. I placed my hands on his cheeks, grazing my lips with his more than it was necessary. His lips were parted, making me feel his minty breath, and I tilted my head, burying my face on his neck.

"You know what happened that day?" I asked in a low voice.

"Not the whole thing." He replied immediately.

"That's because it was so stupid, and no one would've obviously believed it knowing our bond. Especially you shouldn't have misunderstood, but you still did." I said truthfully.

"I know." Came his low voice.

Flashback:

It's so amazing when someone comes to your life and you expect nothing out of it, but suddenly, there, right in front of you is everything you've ever needed.

Ahaan and I's relationship unexpectedly came out as much strong as I'd never expected. There was not a single moment when he wouldn't brighten my life. Every single day, there was something new for us right there, and never once, there was any problem between us for the whole two years.

I couldn't believe that this relationship would last long, seeing it was just another teenage relationship, but it did quite well for straight two years. It wasn't us confessing to each other 'I love you' the whole time, but it was enjoying and cherishing our time together.

People eventually found out about our secret relationship in the school, but it wasn't like everyone was saint. They were okay with it, and the ones who weren't, I could only care less about them.

My final school year was about to end. It was around the very last days of us coming to the school. Our exams were already conducted a few days ago, and these days, we had to come to school for last-minute formalities. I was more than happy as I would be able to meet everyone as much as possible.

We were to be accompanied by an adult from our family, so Dhruv volunteered to take Sarah and I as our parents were busy with their work. Aarav also accompanied us, saying he would be able to meet everyone after two years. The two still stayed together after school that ended two years ago for them.

"Ahaan is coming, right?" Sarah whispered in my ear when we were sitting back in of the car with Dhruv driving us to the school and Aarav in the passenger seat.

"Yeah. He texted me." I replied in a whisper.

Dhruv and Aarav believed that we were madly in love with each other, seeing how much we used to talk even when not together, whether on a call or by texts. They didn't like the fact I would always think about him and even talk to him when we all would be together. So, I always tried my best to control myself in front of them.

"I can hear you guys." I heard Dhruv's voice.

"So?" I asked bored.

"Start praying that I won't tell Mom and Dad about this." He said.

"Now you'll threaten me?" I asked with raised eyebrows.

"Oh, you'll see soon." Came his response, making me roll my eyes.

Minutes later, we reached the school, and Dhruv, Sarah, and I made our ways towards the school office for the official work while Aarav went in a random direction, saying he'll catch up with us later.

The formalities got completed without much time, and I still hadn't seen Ahaan. It had almost been a week since we'd met, and the last time was also when we had our exam, resulting in us talking less.

"Where is this guy? He isn't even picking the phone." Dhruv grumbled, clearly irritated with Aarav.

"Nothing new." I mumbled.

"Why don't we just go in different directions to look for him? Standing here won't bring us anything." Sarah added.

"Yes, we have a party to attend. We can't get late at any cost." Dhruv said while nodding.

Dhruv went to the main building while Sarah went to the other building and the entrance. The only place left now was the playground area, and I made my way towards that.

In between, I tried calling Ahaan, but he didn't pick up, so I quickly left a message about me being in the ground so he could catch up with me there itself.

I was busy walking aimlessly when I noticed someone sitting behind the big heaps of rock in one corner of the ground. As I walked towards, a relieved breath escaped my lips as I noticed it was none other than Aarav.

But a frown quickly overtook my smile as I actually noticed him. With this head between his knees that were pressed against his chest, he looked stressed. Something that I have never seen him with.

"Aarav?"

His head snapped towards mine in mere seconds, and he looked like he had seen a ghost.

And was that tears in his eyes?

"Why are you sitting here?" I asked.

"I-I its nothing." He quickly replied, shaking his head. His eyes weren't meeting mine.

"Aarav-"

"I am so sorry that I came here without informing you guys. Let's just go back. We'll get late." He tried changing the topic, but I wasn't having it.

I sat myself beside him in the small space left and held his hand. "Aarav, I don't know about you, but I consider you as one of the bestest friends. You're no less than Sarah or Dhruv for me. Never have been. And if something is troubling you, you can share it without having any hesitation. You know I'll be the last one to judge you or gossip about it if you're worried about that." I said in one breath.

He sighed audibly and then spoke, "I know that very well. I just, I just don't think, if it's right to tell you at this point."

"And what if you regret not telling it ever in the future?" I said.

"That's the biggest problem." He sighed again.

I squeezed his hand tightly and spoke, "Aarav, please. If you consider me as your true friend, you'll say whatever is in your mind. I can see you're in trouble. Well, I did actually notice that you were a bit lost for a few days, but today, it's confirmed that there is something wrong. Please tell me so I can make it right if possible." I pleaded to him.

It was the first time I saw him in such a state. Aarav has always been such a jovial guy who would uplift other's mood every single time. Even if he had something to worry about, he would solve it himself while keeping everything to himself. This was the first time I could actually see distress on his face.

"I believe this is the best time to just let this out. You're anyway going out of India in a couple of months." He sighed.

With this, this time, he held my hands in his. And for the first time, I was feeling weird when his hands came in contact with mine. I didn't feel the usual friendliness or warmth. It felt something different. Something odd.

"Kyra, there are times when we need to talk, yet the words never come. There are also times when we need to understand each other and we try our best. There are times that lead us to wonder what the other one is thinking or feeling. You make me happier than I ever thought I could be. I never thought this would happen. I tried to control myself, but it never happened even though I knew how wrong it was. I never realized when my life and feelings brought me here when there's no point in my day when I actually didn't think about you. You were always a part of my life as a best friend, but I feel like making it something more special and something more intimate. I believe we can get through this if only we open up with each other to give. I will even spend the rest of my life trying to make you feel the same way, so what's say? Will you give this idiot a chance?" Aarav said.

Thunder.

These words felt like the biggest thunder to me I ever experienced.

I never knew Aarav was possessing such feelings for me. I always thought of him as another best friend, another brother like Dhruv. He and Dhruv were the same for me. Most importantly, I never felt those sensations in Aarav's presence that I felt in Ahaan's.

"Yes."

"What?" Aarav appeared surprised for a moment.

"I mean, yes, you're wrong. Aarav, I have never seen you in this way. I am sorry but you're like a brother to me. Most importantly, Ahaan is my everything now. I have never experienced what Ahaan gives me. I love him, and I wanna keep doing that to him. Nobody else." I breathed out and continued, "I know no one has control over his/ her feelings, but this is wrong. I don't want you to do this."

"Kyra-"

"No, Aarav. What you just said is a lot for me to take. This is such a big thing and very unexpected too. I think we should give time to ourselves and our friendship too. I honestly don't want to spoil what we had before this. It was too precious to me." I firmly said.

"I-I understand. I am so sorry that I let this happen. I promise I won't cause any trouble to you and Ahaan." He gulped heavily.

"Don't be sorry. J-Just, please make sure my old Aarav is back soon." I whispered.

"I will. But please don't tell anyone what happened between us today. Not even Sarah. I- I don't want to spoil my relations more after this, knowing my mistake." He mumbled.

"I won't." I promised.

This was very personal. It's not something that I should tell anyone until and unless Aarav is okay with it.

I was just hoping I would get my old Aarav back soon.

"I am so sorry." He whispered in a small voice.

I just shook my head, looking away.

"I'll be back." He said awkwardly, and I nodded in agreement. Even I needed some time after this whole situation.

"Where is he going? And why didn't you inform us that you've found him?" Sarah said, walking towards me with Dhruv following her.

"He has an important phone call to make." I replied with a small smile. I didn't want Dhruv and Sarah to even get a small idea that something was wrong.

"Has Ahaan contacted you yet?" She questioned.

"No, he didn't. I even called him some minutes ago, but he didn't pick." I replied, shrugging.

"I guess he must be busy." She said with a small smile.

"Yeah." I nodded.

Flashback ends.

The whole time, I narrated to him what happened that day. His hand didn't stop running in my hair lightly with his calloused fingers. He had a blank look with lips pressed in a thin line, and I was just looking at him accusingly.

There wasn't even a tear in my eye remembering the incident just because it was that vacuous and stupid. This small incident led to everything. This is not what drifted us apart, but his actions and the words he spoke or the things that happened between us because of such an unavoidable circumstance were so heartbreaking that I never let them cross my mind again. They only cause pain.

How could he even believe this when he knew how much I loved him? Why would I even accept Aarav's proposal when I have my man with me already?

I know the situation was something that depicted the wrong thing, which he believed, but he didn't even talk to me once. He didn't even let me explain the situation and said those cruel things, which led to destruction.

"I am sorry, Kyra." He breathed out after moments of silence.

"I know my apology won't change anything, but I can't help it. I know I was stupid to think that and say those things to you. I broke you, didn't I?" He continued.

I didn't answer him.

"You were the one who made me feel true love that too so unexpectedly, yet I messed up naming it as a game for you. I don't even know why I didn't talk to you about everything and just believed nonsense lashing out at you at the end. I even left you all alone right after this, didn't I?" He said.

My lips were frozen on its place. Even when I was trying to say something, I just couldn't. There was nothing to say basically.

"I know my words won't change anything now that everything has already happened. But Kyra, please remember that I have never once stopped loving you. The only reason I said it was because of my anger. How could I experience someone else proposing my girlfriend right in front of my eyes and something that looked like she accepted it? What would it make me feel?" He said, looking at me directly in the eyes.

"You're saying you never stopped loving me. If it was true, then you would've at least talked to me rather than leaving me alone that too when I needed you the most. You didn't even know what was happening with me because of which I wanted you, with me." I said for the first time.

"Kyra, I love you. There's no denial in that." He said with a hard voice this time.

I just shook my head and got away from him.

"Your love for me is just a game then." I said bitterly.

"I deserve that." He said, nodding his head with a faint smile. Of course you do, Ahaan.

"Ky, please don't distance yourself. Let me correct everything." He said, looking at me expectantly as he saw me getting away from him.

"You are my everything, and I can not see you like this." He mumbled, getting up from the couch.

He scooped me up from the ground, resting me in his arms. He started going in the direction of the staircase and took the stairs leading to the first floor. My arms were dangling on the sides as if I felt I don't have any energy left in myself.

He pushed the bedroom's door open and led us inside of it, closing the door behind. Neither my heart nor my brain tried to feel things at the moment. It was only my eyes seeing him doing the efforts.

He was about to settle me on the bed when I voiced out my thoughts.

"I don't want to sleep right now. I want to sit on the balcony." I said loud enough for him to hear.

He sighed and put me down, now that I wasn't in his arm anymore. I made my way towards the balcony and stood by the support of the railing. I could hear a very low sound of waves crashing as there was a beach near his home.

A couple of minutes later, I felt someone's presence just behind me. I could feel the warmth, and I tried my best not to melt right there. He suddenly wrapped his arms around me, burying his face in my neck, and I stiffened lightly. He felt it and turned my body towards him, now that I was facing him. I lowered my gaze, trying not to look in his black orbs.

I don't know what's happening. Is it right or not?

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Ahaan misunderstood 😭 what is he going to do after this?

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