Arohi's POV

I finally landed in India after a long tiring flight. It felt so good to be back, all the sadness of leaving London and Rohan behind vanished in the thin air. No matter wherever you go, it's always good to be back home. I missed being in India. 

As soon as I got out of the gate, I could see my paparazzi friends present at the airport ready to click me. 

"Welcome back, Arohi! It's good to see you again." One photographer said while clicking me. I smiled for his lenses, "Same here!". In between, I also managed to sign some autographs and also posed for selfies. 

"Is the album over? How was working with Rohan?" The media people started shooting questions at my direction.  

"It was good. And No! the album is not over yet. I'll be going back soon." I faked a smile at them and finally managed to spot Vivek who was coming to me. 

I went towards him dodging the paparazzi, with a smile which grew bigger on seeing him.

"Welcome back, Arohi!" Vivek said as he engulfed me in a hug with a big smile on his face.

"It's so good to be back!" I said feeling the joy of returning home.

Vivek placed my luggage in the car and we drove home. Throughout the ride, I was looking out of the window, wondering how much I missed this place with a grin refusing to leave my face. I really missed being in Mumbai, these roads, the traffic, the noise, the people, everything.  No matter what London gave to me, India will always be dear to me, I'll always long for my home, my India.

After the drive which felt like never-ending mostly because I was too impatient to see my home after a long time, I got out of the car as soon as Vivek stopped it. I stood in front of my house, smiling. I was really happy being back.

"Welcome back, Arohi!" Indu, my maid greeted with a wide smile, opening the door for me. She must have heard the car entering. I smiled at her, entering the house. The familiar smell of home filled my lungs.

"Thank you so much! I missed you!" I said making a puppy face at her and pulling her in for a hug.

"Really? But Vivek was saying that you were happier there." She said with a playful grin. Indu was more than a maid for me, she was like my elder sister, my family.

"What?! No! Don't trust him!" I glared at Vivek who entered the house with my luggage in his hands, laughing at me.

"OK then, I'll get going now," Vivek said putting down my bags and looking at his watch.

"No, wait! I've made breakfast for both of you, so don't leave before having them." Indu said to Vivek, who was at the doorstep, ready to leave.

"Well...I can't deny your tasty food." He smiled at her, entering the house and closing the door behind.

"I'll first go and freshen up before I join you," I said to them and climbed upstairs to my room.

A smile crept across my lips as I opened the door to my room. It was just like how I left it. I went and sat on my bed, dragging my hand on the bed feeling its softness. I sat there for sometimes just staring at everything and took a deep breath. I'm at home and it feels amazing to be back.

After taking a long hot shower, I got dressed in my comfortable clothes and went to the dining area. Vivek had already started having his breakfast without me. I went and sat opposite to him and frowned at him.

"What? I waited for long enough. I was hungry." He said reading my mind. I just smiled to that. Indu started serving me.

"Hmm...it's so good!" I said cheerfully like a 5-year-old child. Indu and Vivek chuckled at my behavior.

"We get it, Arohi. You are happy to be back. You don't have to repeat the same thing again. Even we are happy to have you back." He said in a 'duh' tone taking a spoonful of Poha to his mouth. This guy is too much into his food that he doesn't give a damn about the people around him. I mean I just came from London after a long fucking time and I missed my home. Don't I have the right to express that?! Stupid Vivek!

Yes, I think I have borrowed Rohan's swearing habit with me. Being with him has really affected me in many ways. I shook my head to get his thoughts out of my head. I don't want to get upset in his worries again. I just came home, let me enjoy for now at least. Although I hope everything is fine there and more than that I hope he is fine. And yet again I'm drifting into his thoughts. I let out a sigh thinking about my miserable condition. 

Ughhh!! Just why can't I get him out of my head??!

"But, to be honest, I thought you will never come back as you sounded so much happier in London." Vivek said pulling me out of my thoughts for which I thanked him inwardly. He looked up at me for a moment and then went back to eating.

"Oh please! No matter wherever I go, I'm always going to return to my home." I said flashing a big smile at him taking the spoon to my mouth.

"But seriously, what happened?" He asked suspiciously.

"What do you mean?" I asked confused.

"I mean, how did you handle Mr. Arrogant Nanda? I'm enthralled!" He said in an impressive tone to which I rolled my eyes.

"Stop it, Vivek. He's not that bad." I said being irritated by his continuous dissing towards Rohan. I don't like it.

"Really?! You're taking his side?" He shot me a teasing smile before looking at Indu and continuing further. "You know, Indu, when I left her there, I was pretty sure that she will kill him eventually. But look at her now, taking his side. Seriously, what's going, huh?" He raised his eyebrow at me with a smirk. I rolled my eyes at him and ignored him as he went on blabbering nonsense. I was already very much tired from the flight and now this. What's with all these men always pulling my leg. 

"Hey! Shut up Vivek! It's nothing." I said in an annoyed tone when I saw no sign of him stopping with his blabbering. Just then, my eyes widen with the sudden realization "Oh Shit! I forgot to call Raghav." I said taking my mobile in hand.

"No worries. I have already messaged him. I couldn't call because of time zones of course. I'll do that later." He said shrugging his shoulders putting the spoon down as he finished eating.

"No. I'll call him." I said sipping my coffee "Ok then!" Vivek said looking into the newspaper which Indu handed him and holding the coffee mug in another hand.

"Vivek..." he looked at me from the newspaper "Yeah?"

"Do you have any idea what the actual matter is? I mean did you talk to Raghav about it?" I asked being anxious.

"Yes, of course, I did talk to Raghav. He said not to worry and everything will get sorted quickly. But..." he said looking at his coffee mug and putting it down on the table.

"But?" I asked narrowing my eyes at him. He let out a sigh.

"But I don't know. I mean this Eric is not really a pleasant person you know." He said looking somewhat worried.

"You know him?" I was confused and worried at the same time.

"I don't know him personally of course. But have heard a lot about him. Also, got little information from Raghav too." He said facing me now.

"Like what?"

"Like, Eric Johnson is with the same label as Rohan is! You know that, right?" I nodded to that and Vivek went on "So, this Eric started his journey in music before Rohan did but as you can see Rohan is much more popular than he is now. And as you know Rohan is closer to Ben. So, he thinks Ben is partial towards Rohan and gives much more attention to him."

"But that doesn't explain the reason as for why he put those false allegations you know," I asked being confused still not getting the things.

"Yeah. That what I'm saying. He is jealous of Rohan so he is just making up the stories about him being copying his music and all just to put him down. And as you said we should trust Rohan. You were right, why would he even copy someone's music? And to be more precise someone like Eric? That doesn't even make any sense. Rohan is doing better than ever in his career for God's sake." Vivek said being lost in his own thoughts, thinking about all the things. "Anyway, even I'm starting to think now that he is doing this just to gain some attention. And this isn't the first time he has said something like that about Rohan."

"He has done that before too?" I asked surprised, raising my eyebrows. "Yeah! He has always made some negative comments about Rohan and some other artists too!" Vivek said as he shook his head.

"That's disgusting." That's all I could say. How can a person be so pathetic that he can't see good for others? I mean instead of improving himself, he is knocking someone else down. How pitiful is that!

"Hmm..." Vivek said interrupting my thinking process and looking at me. "Let's see how far he can go! I hope this ends soon." He gave me a weak smile.

"Hope so." I returned a faint smile. I don't know why but after hearing all this stuff I felt even sadder for Rohan. I knew he did nothing wrong. Rohan can be arrogant, rude and jerk at times but his passion and love for the music are real. He'll never cheat on it and I know he can never hurt anyone, all these years he has been hurting anyone but himself, putting a mask on his face just to hide his pain. Although I never know why he does that because the Rohan I know is much more than what he shows. Thinking about him, I so badly want to hear his voice, talk to him or just to see him smiling again. But nevertheless, I shook my head to cast off those thoughts.

"Ok. I'll get going now Arohi." Vivek said getting up from the chair. "By the way, did you call uncle and aunty?"

"No! I'm going to meet them this afternoon and give them a surprise." I said smiling wide imagining their reactions. I can't wait to meet them after all these months. Vivek chuckled at me. "Okay. See you later then." I gave him a nod and smile.

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After Vivek left I took a quick nap as I was really tired from that long flight. I got up only to find it was evening already. I had instructed Indu not to wake me up. I had plans of getting up in the afternoon and paying a  surprise visit to Aai-Baba and have lunch with them. But now it seems I'm going to have dinner with them. I'm late!!

I jumped out of the bed and got freshened up real quick. I tied my hair and got dressed in jeans and shirt. I took my purse and the bag which had all the gifts I bought for Aai-Baba from London and went downstairs hurriedly. During the stay at London, Raghav took me out for site seeing and I also managed to do some shopping, that's when I bought these gifts for Aai-Baba. Indu had already left as she was done with today's work. I took my car keys from the shelf and went outside almost banging the door behind me.

I drove to my parent's house which wasn't that far from mine. I asked them to shift with me many times but they refused as they didn't want to leave their own house which they made with a great effort and also as they say it has so many memories attached to it. I pulled over the car near the house and got out.

"Arohi..." Baba said with an excitement as soon as he opened the door and saw me. The happiness was clearly visible on his face. I embraced him in a big tight hug. Aai came running from the kitchen with a big wide grin on her face which went to her both ears.

"Arohi?? When did you come back, beta?" she said holding me closer than ever. I couldn't stop smiling by seeing their priceless smile. The main reason I didn't inform them about my arrival.

"I came this morning, Aai," I said sitting next to Aai holding her hand in mine. "I didn't tell you as I wanted to see these smiles so badly," I said looking at both of them. They still had those smiles on their faces. It felt so good to be with them again after so long. I felt like I was their little girl again. So much has happened and we have gone through a lot but still, nothing has changed between us. I'm really a lucky daughter to have such an understanding and supportive parent.

"So, how was London?" Baba asked the next obvious question.

"It was amazing! I thoroughly enjoyed it!" I gave them a wide grin. "And how were the people there? Were they nice to you? especially that... what is his name?" Baba asked with a frown, trying to remember the name. I chuckled at him.

"Rohan Nanda." I said and he looked at me and smiled "Haa. Right. Rohan Nanda. Was he nice to you?"

"Of course, baba. He was really good. In fact, all the people were. His manager and friend Raghav. Who now has become my best friend too. He is so sweet. He never once made me feel like I was away from my home. Then Mr. Ben Brown, the CEO of the label I'm working under, he is such nice person too. And lastly John, you should taste the food he makes. It's so yum! In short, all the people were super sweet there that I didn't feel homesick." I smiled at them. "That's good then." That's all baba said at the end, giving me a smile of being satisfied with my answer.

"I'll make something for you Arohi. You talk with baba." Aai said getting up and going to the kitchen. "No, wait. I'll help you too!" I said getting up and following her to the kitchen. I didn't refuse her offer as I was so hungry as I skipped my lunch too!

"So? Is that Rohan really good? Vivek told that he was really rude and arrogant to you both." Aai asked while taking the utensils out and putting them on the counter.

"Aai, don't worry. He was a jer... I mean he was really annoying and irritating at first but then he was genuinely nice to me." I said smiling as I remembered all the days with Rohan when he was really being a jerk towards me. "But you know what? No matter how much irritating and annoying he acts, he cares a lot too. He really helped me with all the things there. He was being too patient with me as I was new to all those things and I needed some time. And to be honest, after some time he wasn't even annoying anymore, he started being sweet and nice to me. Plus, he is really good with his work. I got to learn so many things from him and I honestly enjoyed working with him. I'm glad I accepted this opportunity. I'm really happy Aai, with this new phase of my life." I said being lost in my own thoughts with the smile refusing to leave my face.

"I can actually tell that, Arohi," Aai said bringing me back.

"Huh? What do you mean?" I asked not knowing what she really wanted to say. Was she referring to Rohan or is it just me taking things differently.

"I mean you actually look happy now, Arohi. I haven't seen you like this in a very long time. Although, I don't know the real reason behind that smile. I mean is it the music or the musician. But whatever it is, I'm happy that finally, you are letting people come near you." she said giving me a smile. I just kept looking at her dumbfoundedly.

What did she mean by music or musician?!

"Umm... Aai that's not what I meant. We don't have anything more than friendship you know." I said being awkward not knowing what else to say, fidgeting with my fingers.

"Yes, of course, I'm talking about friendship only. Nothing more!" she gave me a small grin and then her smile faded away a little as she went back to making dinner. I took out some vegetables and started chopping them, helping her with the preparation. "But Arohi, I know you said you don't want to talk about this matter. But we care for you, beta. We want to see you settled with someone now." She again looked at me while stirring with the spoon.

I looked up at her, not knowing what to say. I wanted to argue on that topic. I have told them many times that I can't ever think of anyone else besides Rahul but they just keep bringing that topic again and again. But I can't blame them too as they just want to see me settled and happy. I just stayed quiet as I don't want to fight with her now, I just came from London and I'm seeing her after so long.

"It's already been years since Rahul. You should move on now Arohi. Life is too long to spend alone. I know you don't need anyone. But it's good to have someone beside you through this long journey."

"I don't want anyone, Aai. I am just fine on my own. Don't worry." I said plainly looking down at the vegetables I was chopping. I heard Aai letting out a sigh. She might have given up as she didn't say anything further, neither did I.

Getting over Rahul is the last thing in my head. I'm completely happy with my life right now and I'm more than okay with spending my life alone. I'm totally against marrying someone just for the sake of it. I can never do that, there should be love and I don't think I can love anyone, anymore. My only love was Rahul, but he is gone now forever leaving me with some amazing memories to cherish for a lifetime. And I'm happy with just those memories. I don't want anyone and anything else besides that.

'Are you sure, Arohi?'  My inner voice asked me. I don't want to go there, I don't want to think anything now. I shook my head trying to brush those thoughts away.

After having dinner, I chatted with Aai-Baba for some time. Thankfully, no one brought that marriage topic. I also gave them the presents which I bought for them and was too happy to see their reaction. I drove back home feeling happy about spending time with them. But there was some unknown heaviness in my heart, which I couldn't ignore.

Are you sure, Arohi? 

That question kept coming back to me again and again. I must be sure about it. But I fear I'm not. I know I should face that question one day but I was just too scared, I'm afraid to move on, I don't want to move on. I tightened my grip on the steering, trying to stop thinking. I just hope these feelings get sorted with time and I come clean with my own feelings. I hope one day I'll be strong enough to accept my feelings...

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Distance
Never Separates
Two Hearts
That Really Care.

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That's it for now. Tell us what you all think about this. Did you guys miss Rohan? Because we sure did. 

Thank you for all the amazing comments for the last chapter. Love you all !! 🤗😘

Now, do VOTE if you like this one. Don't be just silent reader tell us your thoughts too.

AroHan will come back with another chapter veryyy soon this time. 😉🤫🤭

So, See you all real soon.

Till then, bye.🙋‍♀️

Love, Kritika and Ammu ❤️