Rohan's POV

I don't know how the fuck I ended up at Arohi's house!! I mean I remember that I was bored to death at Arjun's house as no one was home except for that Joker, who was also busy managing my events and all that shit. That's when I thought to get my ass off that house and go for a bike ride just to clear my head and get some fresh air. But now, here I am, standing awkwardly at her door.

What am I going to say to her? Above that, why the fuck am I nervous to face her? I didn't do anything wrong. Or did I? No, of course, I didn't.

But again, I wanted to meet her as I haven't seen or talked to her since that trek. After whatever happened that night between us, I just wanted to make sure that everything is normal between us. I don't want her to think anything negative about me and ruin the little friendship we have managed to develop over time. Why the heck I am thinking so much? Just ring that damn bell, Rohan! You aren't committing any crime for fuck's sake. I let out a deep sigh and rang the doorbell as I waited for Arohi to open the door.

Finally, after some time which felt like forever, she opened that freaking door. At first, she looked kinda taken aback and shocked but then she recovered herself quickly. Oh! And did I mention how gorgeous she looked even in that simplest look of hers? A smile crept across my lips.

"ROHAN?" She said out loud in disbelief before continuing further. "What are you doing here?" I chuckled at her.

"Just came to check on you." It came out instantly from my mouth and FUCK I immediately regretted saying it when she looked a little awkward by my answer.

"I... I mean you didn't invite me to your house so I thought I'll invite myself. Hope you don't mind me breaking in." I said sounding as cool as possible as I rubbed the back of my head. That did the trick as a gorgeous wide smile broke on her face. I smiled back at her automatically.

"And even if I did, I don't think you'll go away." She said raising an eyebrow and crossing her arms over her chest giving me an amusing smile.

"Well, I can. I don't like being unwanted one, you know." I said in a challenging tone shrugging my shoulders with a smirk. "So, I can go if you don't want me to then," I said playing along with her and turned to leave.

"Just shut up, Rohan and come in." She said as she gestured for me to come inside. I gave her the widest grin as I stepped inside her house. Arohi shook her head a little with a small smile still on her lips.

"Well, I didn't see you after that trek though," I said walking inside to the living room looking around her house. This was my first time in her house, although I've been here with other's to pick her up for the trek, I didn't get to enter the house as we were all in a hurry and Arohi was already outside, waiting for us.

"Yeah, actually I was a little busy. Just caught up with work and other stuff." Arohi said as she followed me behind after shutting the door close.

"Yeah, I guessed!" I said while I looked around her living room. The living area looked so welcoming with it's perfectly arranged couches and a rectangular teapoy in the middle. It was dimly lit which gave a cozy feeling in the cold weather. There were pictures hung up on the walls, most of them were of Rahul and Arohi.

"Would you like to have something? Coffee maybe?" Arohi asked after some moments looking at me.

"Yeah, coffee will be fine," I said with a small smile as I looked back at her.

"Okay! Make yourself comfortable." She said gesturing towards the couch with a smile playing on her lips. Those lips! What the fuck is wrong with me? Why the hell I feel so attracted towards her. Now, feeling attracted to her felt like nothing less than committing a crime. This is wrong in so many ways. The main reason is she is too good for me and then she is still hopelessly in love with Rahul. Wait a minute! What am I talking? Why the hell I'm sounding like a hopeless lover boy here. It's not like I'm not gonna date her or anything close to it. Fuck! I should seriously stop thinking now! I shifted my gaze to nothing in particular.

"Sure!... So, you live alone?" I asked anything that came to my mind so it won't get awkward.

"Yes. Actually, my parents live nearby so they visit often." Arohi said gesturing with her hands still standing at her position.

"Ohkay!" That's all I could say still looking everywhere but her.

"They were asking about you though and they would love to meet you. After all, they wanted to know who troubled their daughter so much." Arohi said again with a playful smile playing on her lips. I gave her an amused look.

"Oh madam, I guess they just know the half story then. Little do they know that their daughter was a great trouble too." I said. Arohi let out a small laugh.

"Oh please Mr. Nanda, no one's gonna believe that." She said crossing her arms on her chest, narrowing her eyes at me and gave me a smirk.

"People who know you well will believe me which includes them. So, yeah I would love to meet them too and want to clear their misunderstanding about their only daughter." I said mocking a smile at her. She rolled her eyes at me.

"By the way, Arohi..." I said again getting serious a bit. She gave me a curious yet confused look.

"Yeah?"

"I guess you were gonna make coffee for me," I said with a smirk and she again rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, I'm making one Rohan. It takes the time you know?" She said in an irritated tone as she started walking towards the kitchen. I couldn't help but smile at that.

"Sure, but for that, you have to start making one," I said pointing out, still chuckling. I just love to annoy her.

"Whatever! And by the way, you can't back off from meeting my parents now else they might take it badly." Arohi shouted from the kitchen followed by the sound of utensils banging on the kitchen counter.

"Don't worry. I'll make sure I meet them before leaving." I said, my voice a little louder for her to hear.

I stuffed my hands into my jeans pocket as I walked towards the wall close to the stairs which had photos of Arohi and Rahul hanging on it. I studied those pictures carefully like some detective from those movies does. A smile crept across my lips as I looked at Arohi in those pictures, she looked much younger and more cheerful. Even Rahul looked so happy in those pictures. They both looked so happy together and so much in love with each other. No one would ever believe this couple could have a tragic ending, because that's how perfect and happy they looked in those pictures. I think that's why people say life's a bitch, nothing beautiful last forever.

But, I wonder why he did what he did when he had someone like Arohi with him, by his side. Didn't he think about her before making such a huge step like ending his life? But whatever the reason might be, suicide will never be an option to anything. But then again, I can't judge, I don't know her story or his.

What shook me to the core is the fact that she still loves him. The fact that she kept herself away from other men, still being faithful to Rahul. That itself shows how strong is her love for him and how much pain she might have endured in his loss. I suppose it was the outburst of all the pain she has been through all these years without Rahul that came out on the trek night. I can relate to her for I know how much it hurts when the person you love the most leaves you to suffer alone in this world. I can understand how hard it might have been for her to carry herself through all these pain. She won't show it but it surely must be hurting her deep down. I must say she is one strong person to handle all this bravely. And then here I am, who ran away to London after that awful disastrous night that snatched everything away from me. I still am running from it. I still don't have the courage to face those people after what I did.

"Rohan!!!" I was pulled back from my thoughts by that melodious voice. The same voice that saved me that day when I got that panic attack in London. I turned to face Arohi who was looking at me concerned with the coffee mug in her hand.

"Here, your coffee," Arohi said extending her hand, giving me the coffee mug.

"Yeah, thanks!" I said taking it from her hand as I shifted my gaze again to the pictures on the wall.

"Are you OK?" She asked with concern in her voice.

"Hmm? Yeah, I'm good." I said and took a sip of the coffee. The hot coffee was soothing to my body in this cold rainy weather. She sure makes one hella good coffee! I got to know that she's a good cook back in London itself when she made that deliciously looking breakfast for the first time for us. But my big fat ego didn't let me taste the food.

"What are you looking at?" She asked again as I was lost in my own thoughts, staring at those pictures.

"Just the pictures. These are beautiful." I said in a low voice not sure how she will react to that.

"Oh, thanks." She said in a low voice which almost came out as a whisper.

"And oh, the coffee is great!" I said again trying to change the topic but still had my eyes in the direction of the photos.

"Thank you again. But that was so not you." She said. I looked at her again being confused only to find her smirking at me. I narrowed my eyes at her and she chuckled at that.

"Anyways, come, sit if you are done adoring the pictures," Arohi said walking to the couch. I followed her. We got seated comfortably on the couch, she was sitting opposite me with her one leg crossed over the other.

"So? When are you gonna start the album again?" Arohi asked raising her eyebrow at me. I let out a sigh. That question reminded me of that bloody Eric and those sleepless nights I had in London. Every day felt like a nightmare which eventually drained me. I shook those thoughts away from my head. I already have other things going on my mind and I definitely don't want that asshole to be added up to that.

"Yeah in some time," I said still lost in my thoughts.

"Ohkay, I haven't talked to Ben in a long time." She said again in an attempt to keep the conversation alive as I wasn't making any efforts.

"Don't worry, he is doing great as always," I said looking down at the coffee mug in my hand.

"I guess." She said as she went on. I sat there quietly looking at the coffee mug as if it was the eighth wonder of the world, while Arohi took the effort to keep the conversation alive. Well, I couldn't get rid of those disturbing thoughts from the past which came back to hunt me. And it's making me so hella nervous, I still don't know if it was a wise decision coming back to India. "So? What are you doing in free time?"

"Nothing much. Just writing some stuff." I said sipping my delicious coffee, paying only half attention to her.

"Your writing without me? And here I was thinking it's our album." She said frowning a little. I chuckled to that as I shifted my gaze to her giving my full attention. I'm glad that she is around this time too else by now I could have locked myself in the room and have let out my anger and frustration in some not so good ways.

"I'm not writing for the album, Arohi. Just, you know, to kill the time." I said defending myself from false accusations. Arohi looked amused as she leaned forward a little keeping her hands intertwined on her knee.

"Can I hear?" She asked raising her eyebrows as her hazel brown eyes twinkled with excitement.

"Maybe some other time? It's not complete yet. Let me finish it first." I said in a plain tone as I took the last sip of my coffee. But I didn't miss the disappointed look on her face when she heard me denying for the song.

"Okay! I can't wait to listen." Arohi said calmly with a smile.

"Sure," I said smiling back at her when I looked at the clock on the wall. It was almost 6:30 in the evening, I've been here for almost like an hour now. I didn't realize how fast the time flew by. "I guess I should just leave now," I said getting up from the couch.

"Wait, Rohan. It's pouring outside. Just wait till the rain stops." Arohi said looking out of the window and then again at me. I let out a sigh. Of course, this has to happen. And how fucking stupid am I?! Who forgets the jacket in rainy season? But I can't blame me entirely either as I didn't have any plan of visiting Arohi at first. It's just kinda happened at the last minute without my knowledge you can say.

"I guess I don't have an option then," I said as I got seated on the couch again. Arohi smiled again at me. And no, it wasn't some sweet smile. In fact, I know that smile. That's the smile she gives when she wants something. I threw her a questioning look.

"So, would you like to kill the time by singing your song for me?" She asked grinning widely and excitedly like a child. There you go! I was right after all. I smiled at her and shook my head a little. Sometimes she behaves like a little innocent child and she sure is one, deep down.

"You sure are stubborn," I said still smiling at her.

"And look who is talking." She said rolling her eyes at me and sitting straight on the couch.

"Fine. So, do you have a guitar?" I asked raising my eyebrow at her thinking that she probably won't be owning one and in that way, I can make an excuse for not singing but she smiled excitedly at me stating my defeat. I chuckled at her.

"No, I don't... but Rahul had." She said as her face held some emotions which were unfamiliar to me.

"Can I use it? If you don't mind then?" I asked her in an unsure voice, carefully studying her expressions. She just smiled genuinely at me and got up from her seat.

"Let's go upstairs." She said walking to the stairs as I got up and followed her behind.

Arohi led me to the music room. It was a huge room, well designed and organized. It had a wall-sized window which opened to the balcony. There were most used instruments like guitars, bass, drums, keyboard, piano etc taking up their places in the room. The piano stood alone from others as it was kept near the window. It was the perfect place to practice music. I guess this room belonged to Rahul as he used to perform so, he might have practiced with his band in here. I should get the contact of the person who designed this room. I liked the way it has been designed and I would love to design my music room like this, not that my music room is poorly designed, in fact, it's still the best.

"Wow! This room is so fucking good." I said gazing around the room. The room was a bit dark, thanks to the dark clouds and the rain. But we still had considerable light coming in because of the large wall-sized window.

"Yeah, credit goes to Rahul. He used to work here most of the time." I heard Arohi say as she picked up a guitar from the guitar stand and came towards me. "Here..."

"Do you know how to play it?" I asked taking the guitar from her. She gave a small smile as she went and sat on one of the stool.

"Just some chords."

"I bet Rahul taught you," I said as I picked up a stool and placed it in front of her.

"Yeah!" she said calmly. I got seated comfortably opposite her and placed the guitar on my laps.

"So, don't you use this room?" I asked tightening the loose strings of the guitar, no one has used it in ages I guess.

"I do. I mean sometimes. To play the piano." She said with a faint smile playing on her lips. Even if she's not using it every day, I can tell that she cleans it every day. The whole room and every instrument in the room were in good condition.

"And when did you learn that?" I asked again raising my eyebrow at her. Well, I'm usually not this nosy. I like minding my work and I don't really give a shit about others. Yeah! I'm that a dickhead but this girl always leaves me curious about herself. I don't know why but I just want to know more and more about her. I saw her let out a sigh.

"At the start of my career. When I debuted. I love piano out of all other musical instruments. It kinda calms me and soothes me. It helped me the most when Rahul left." She said fiddling with her fingers looking down at them. So, I thought it's better to stop this topic.

"Yeah, it sure is beautiful." I just said that in a low voice.

"So, are you starting then?" Arohi looked up at me raising an eyebrow. I chuckled at that.

"Yes madam, I don't think I have an option here with you," I said with a smile on my lips. I adjusted the guitar and myself in a comfortable position on the stool.

"You sure don't. So, start." Arohi said with excitement clearly visible in her voice.

"OK, OK," I said and started playing the tune as I closed my eyes.

Settle down with me,
Cover me up,
Cuddle me in,
Lie down with me,
And hold me in your arms

I opened my eyes to be met with her ever so beautiful smile and her hazel brown eyes shining. Our eyes locked for a few seconds and to my surprise this time she didn't look away from me like she did most of the time. I returned her smile as I closed my eyes and went ahead with the song.

And your heart's against my chest,
your lips pressed in my neck,
I'm falling for your eyes,
but they don't know me yet,
And with a feeling I'll forget,
I'm in love now,
Kiss me like you wanna be loved,
You wanna be loved,
You wanna be loved,
This feels like falling in love,
Falling in love,
We're falling in love...

I stopped playing the guitar and opened my eyes to find her still in that position, looking at me with that beautiful smile playing on her lips. Once I stopped, she clapped her hands excitedly with a wide smile.

"That's all I have written," I said smiling at her. I was happy with her reaction and felt satisfied with myself. It has come out well than I expected.

"It's so beautiful, Rohan. I loved it!" Arohi said still sounding so enthusiastic.

"I know that sweetheart and yeah thanks," I said giving her a wink and smirk. Her smile dropped and she rolled her eyes at me.

"Oh! please no! Don't you dare to start that again." She said glaring at me. I laughed at that.

"You should release it as single someday when it gets finished," Arohi said.

"I don't know. Let's see. Some songs are meant just for us and not to release." I said shrugging my shoulders and getting up from the stool. Arohi gave me an impressed look.

"Oho Mr. Nanda, I didn't know you can talk something like that." She said with an amused look, raising her eyebrows and smiling at me.

"You still don't know many things about me, Arohi," I said in a low voice as I walked towards the guitar stand placing the guitar on it. But she heard me, anyway.

"You are right there. I guess I just don't know you at all sometimes." She said in a low tone looking at me, still seated on the stool. I looked up at her not getting what she meant. Her face showed sadness and hurt, I don't know why. I tried to read her eyes, to search for the answers but she looked away, as always. She's the most confusing person I've met in my life. Well, I don't know how far that's true because I never really cared to know anyone or what they feel about me. But she's the exception. I want to know what she thinks of me, what's going on in her mind and I just want to know her more closely. FUCK! Here I go again. What the fuck is wrong with me? It's bad enough that I'm attracted to her, now these thoughts of mine are making it worse.

"So, should we order dinner? It's late already and I'm hungry. Like that, I'll get the company for tonight at least." She said covering up for what she said.

"Sure," I said leaving that topic as I don't want to stretch it further if she doesn't want to.

"I'm going to order Chinese as haven't had it in some time now," Arohi said getting up from the stool.

"Yeah! do as you like. I'm fine with anything. I'll just call Arjun and let him know that I won't be there for dinner." I said pulling out the mobile from my jeans pocket.

"Okayy!" I heard Arohi as she left the room.

*****

The dinner was mostly in silence as both of us didn't take much efforts to talk. But there was some kind of comfort in that silence too. After dinner as the rain stopped, I thought of taking the leave as I don't know when it will start raining again and also it was pretty much late. I never thought I'll end up staying at her place for this long. I didn't even think of coming here in the first place. But whatever, I had a nice evening with her and I was glad that came here, otherwise, I don't know how I would have made it through that boring evening.

Arohi came to drop me at the door. She smiled at me as I got myself on the bike. I didn't feel like leaving, I felt at peace with her. Deep down I was scared of how I'll survive this night. It felt like I haven't slept properly since ages. Coming back to India brought back those nightmares more often. I don't know how I managed to keep myself sane all these days and I don't know when I'm gonna lose control because deep down I was more than sure that I'm ruining myself with each day spent here.

"It's such a beautiful weather," I said looking up at the dark sky above as a cool breeze brushed past us bringing with it the freshness in the air.

"Yeah, I love rains." I looked at Arohi who was looking at the sky now. I smiled looking at her and again looked above.

"You know, we used to go for long drives on our bikes in this rainy weather. I, so damn miss those days." I said with a faint smile remembering those days with my boy gang. Only if those days and people could come back to me now. I just want to correct all the mistakes I did in the past and have all those people back in my life again. I shrugged those thoughts away before they take control of my mind completely. I shifted my gaze to Arohi again.

"Arohi?"

"Yeah?" Arohi looked at me raising her eyebrows.

"Do you wanna go for a long drive on this bike?" I asked suddenly. To be honest, I don't know where did it come from. But for now, I just want her to stay with me, talk to me and ease my mind as she always does. I don't want to go home now especially with these haunting thoughts on my mind. And I don't want to stay alone too as this will kill me from inside. Arohi looked at me surprised for some time but then a smirk found it's way to her lips.

"Really? Well, I would love to." She said grinning at me. I was surprised by her answer. I expected a big fat 'No' from her and this caught me off guard. A smile found it's way to my lips as I couldn't help but feel happy.

"Well then what are we waiting for? Let's go already." I said smiling and sighing with relief that she agreed without questioning further.

"Let me just take the keys and lock the door," Arohi said as she turned around and went inside. I waited for her to come. Why was I doing this? Why did I even ask her to go on a bike ride with me? I know I don't want to be alone now and she soothes my mind with just her presence but isn't it wrong? I knew the answer to that question very well but my mind changed as soon as I saw her walking out of the door with a white shawl draped around her neck and put over her head like a veil. 'She's beautiful' that's all I could think at that moment.

She locked the door and put the key in her pocket as she walked towards me. I kick started the bike and she climbed on it holding my shoulder as a support. I felt the warmth of her body against my back when she sat behind me, adjusting herself. But soon enough she moved a little back leaving the gap between us. She rested her hands on the back of the bike for support.

"Are you comfortable?" I asked turning my head to the side.

"Yeah!" She said smiling.

"Let's go then." I said as I raised the accelerator and drove out of her gate.

I drove on the roads of Mumbai and got ourselves away from the city. The city was not a perfect place to ride as it was easy to get stuck in the traffic and also get caught on the cameras. I definitely don't want to get into another controversy and being caught with Arohi can bring damage to her image. I've been linked to many people in the past so it won't be much of a trouble for me because I know how to handle it. Well, I doubt that about Arohi, I'm pretty sure she has never been caught up in a controversy before and I don't want to change that.

We were, now, completely away from the city and the roads started to become empty. I drove us through those familiar roads. I would never forget these roads on whom I rode with my boy gang. I took turns and went through narrow road which had woods on it's either side. I tried to keep down my speed in the worry of the lady sitting behind me. The ice-cold wind hit against my body making me numb, I worried about Arohi as she only had a thin scarf covering her ears. I thanked God for not raining now.

We drove in silence, the only sound was the roaring of the bullet and the wind hitting us and passing by. Just being close to her and the warmth from the closeness we shared was comforting in many ways. She didn't ask me where I was taking her, she just sat behind me without any complaints or questions.

I always feel at comfort and ease with Arohi. Be it in her silence or words. There is just something about this girl that makes me want her to be with her always. And the sad part is, I can't explain that feeling exactly just like I can't explain how it felt when she left me alone in London or when she messaged me for the first time in two months. But one thing I can tell for sure is that this girl is making me crazy since the day she entered my life. And I don't know if it's for the best or the worst.

I pulled the bike over to one of my favorite spots after coming a long way from the city. This place used to be an escape place for me and my boys, we would spend hours drinking and laughing and just having fun here. I felt some heaviness inside my chest as I smiled to myself as those sweet memories came flooding to my mind.

Arohi got down from the bike and so did I. She covered herself with the shawl and crossed her arms on her chest, rubbing her arms to keep herself warm. Her eyes twinkled as she looked at the view before her. A wide smile spread across her lips as she looked at me.

"It' so beautiful, Rohan. I didn't know a place like this existed until now. How did you find it?" Arohi asked smiling widely at the view in front of us now. I smiled a little looking at her happy face. It was indeed a breathtakingly beautiful sight. Before us was a cliff carpeted in soft grass and showcasing a mystical beauty, the sea. There were huge trees spread out here and there, standing so tall and proud.

"I used to come here with friends. We found this place." I said in a low voice as not so sweet memories started to take over me. Fuck! It was a bad decision coming here. I found myself slipping into the disturbing past and this place held too many memories which made it hard for me to ignore those thoughts.

"Arjun and Jenny?" I heard Arohi when I started to dig further into my memory. I looked at her with blank expressions and let out a sigh, trying to breathe out the anger and frustration building inside of me.

"No not Jenny. Arjun, Raghav... and a few others." I said in a plain tone and I looked away from her. Don't go there Arohi. I don't want to talk about it. I prayed internally for her not to ask anything ahead. But damn no! She has to ask it!

"Oh, Boys! So, you do have other friends besides Arjun and Raghav huh?" She asked raising her eyebrow, giving her full attention to me.

"Yeah, I did," I said in a plain low tone again hoping she will get the clue and will stop it now. But no, she had no intentions. What has gotten into her today? She isn't like this. She understands people and gives them their space. So why just today she has to change?

"Did?" She asked further. I let out a deep sigh again and closed my eyes.

"I'm not in contact with them, Arohi," I said trying to contain my anger as few faces flashed before me. I wasn't angry at her but I was, on myself. I clenched and unclenched my hands in order to contain my anger.

"Oh! But you should talk to them, Rohan. You never know when people will go away from you forever. Now that you are here, I think you should try to get in touch with them." Arohi said as she sifted her gaze to the view ahead. The wind played with her hairs as she tried to hold and tuck them behind her ears.

"It's not like I don't want to talk to them, Arohi. It's just... I can't." I said in a frustrated voice. I don't even know why the hell I'm explaining these things to her. She won't understand anyway.

"Just try once. You can." She shifted her gaze again at me. And I finally lost it after hearing those words.

"NO, NO, I CAN'T ALRIGHT??!! You don't know anything for fuck's sake, Arohi! Just stay out of this. And what? Just try? What do you think? I didn't try? You have no idea what hell I have been through. I don't want to talk about it to anyone, alright? And I guess you know how it feels when...." I stopped in mid-sentence when I actually realized what I just said and how I said it. SHIT! SHIT! SHIT! I just let out all my frustration on her. It wasn't how I wanted to react. It wasn't suppose to happen at all. FUCK! I lost my bloody control again!! I looked at Arohi who was looking at me with hurt written all over face, she then looked ahead at the sea in silence.

I don't know how she has so much patience. I know it's hard to stay with me or to cope with me. Even I can't stand myself sometimes. But she does. She thinks that we are friends but I even doubt that. I doubt that a person like me even deserves a friend like her.

I contained myself and took deep breaths.

"Arohi..." I said with all the confidence I had in me. Because honestly, I don't have the courage to look into her eyes. I was guilty and I knew saying sorry wouldn't make her feel any better. This is exactly the reason why I always try to push people away because no matter how much I try, I'll end up hurting the ones who truly care about me. She looked at me and gave a small sad smile.

"That's fine, Rohan. I'm used to it now. You don't have to be sorry." She said in a low tone and started walking ahead. I followed her behind. She stopped few feets away from the edge and hugged herself looking at the vast sea. I stood right behind her with a close gap between us. The clouds grew heavy and dark above the sea, moving at a fast pace towards us.

Both of us were silent, staring ahead as we felt the wind against our face. I had no clue what to say next as I fucked up things big time. I ruined everything just like I always do.

Way to go, Rohan! You're getting too good at this!

I just don't deserve anything good or any of these amazing people in my life. These people have given me so much and I, on the other hand just hurt them and fuck up their perfect life with my already fucked up life.

"You were right. You know, about what you were going to say... " Arohi said after few minutes calmly in a low voice which was filled with emotions. She didn't bother to look at me as she went on. "Yeah! You are right! I know how it feels to never have that someone special in your life again. I know how it feels to come to an empty home every day and see that person is not there anymore. I know how it feels when you have to live without hope or love and when you have to live waiting for death to come and get you and reunite you with that one person who didn't show enough patience. When you know you can't hear their voice or see them again. I know it very well, Rohan. I have gone through it." she stopped and looked at me for a brief second with a faint sad smile on her lips, her eyes glistened with tears. I couldn't utter a single word. I felt guilty, I felt more than guilty. I felt ashamed of myself. I looked down at the ground to escape from her gaze. Just like I always do. Run away like a loser when things get harder for me to handle. She moved her gaze ahead before continuing further.

"Rahul didn't think twice before leaving me alone. He got out of all the pain and trouble all at once but left me with this unbearable pain for the lifetime. He had his reasons. He wanted me to be a world-famous singer and not turn out to be like him. It was that dream of his that made him give up his life and I thrive hard to fulfill his dreams. I try hard to be strong and not to break down but sometimes I just can't help it. It hurts a lot actually. And then there you are, who don't think twice before saying anything. You don't think how it will affect the person standing in front. Your words hurt, even more, Rohan. You hurt the most." She said as she choked on her words at the end. I looked at her.

A tear rolled down her cheek and she wiped it immediately. I felt something pierce through my chest, some deep pain. I was spellbound. I didn't know how much I've hurt her till now. I felt worse than ever but I didn't know how to show her that I felt sorry and I am ashamed for my words and behavior from the core of my heart. No words can convey the pain I felt when I heard her and saw her in tears and no amount of sorry's can ever make up for the ways I've hurt her.

I moved closer to her closing the gap between us as I pulled her closer to my hard frame, wrapping my arms around her fragile figure. Her back was against my chest. She didn't push away my arms or try to get away. She just stayed there between my arms with her eyes closed. She was warm and soft against my cold and hard form. Her hair was flying in the wind, hitting my face. I could smell the fragrance of her shampoo. I held her closer and tighter in my embrace.

"Sorry... I didn't mean it Arohi." The words barely came out of my mouth almost like a whisper as I placed my lips on the top of her head, kissing her.

We stood there like that for a long time. Well, I don't know if it was actually a long time but it felt like forever. Having her close to me, pressed against my chest, gave me that strange happiness I felt on that trek night. My arms refused to let go of her and she didn't make an attempt to push me away for which I was thankful. We stayed like that staring at the sea as the wind blew against us. Those few moments, I was completely calm with those disturbing thoughts seemed so far away from me. I don't know what magic she has in her that vanishes all my worries and troubles. I held her more closely, smiling to myself and she just let me. I don't know what going on in her mind but I hope I made her feel a little better.

The clouds grew more dark and heavy. We saw the clouds rain as they came towards us. She jerked a little trying to free herself from my embrace.

"Rohan, it's going to rain." She said in a low voice, almost like a whisper, turning her head to the side to look at me.

"Yeah..." I said as I let loose the grip of my arms around her with a heavy heart. She freed herself from my arms and turned around looking at me. Our eyes locked, her hazel brown orbs stared deep into my chocolate brown eyes, searching for something. I felt good but at the same time, it scared me. I don't want her to read my emotions, I don't want her to know my truths. I'm afraid of what will happen if she knows. I tried my best to hide my emotions depicted through my eyes. Just then it poured on us. It rained heavily, each drop felt like bullets fired from the gun.

We both ran to a small shed just a little away from where we were standing. We were drenched and shivering from the cold. I rubbed my hands together and blew on them to feel warm. Arohi covered herself with her shawl and hugged herself. We stayed there in the silence looking at the rain. No one spoke anything and to be honest, that silence was killing me. After how I fucked up things I just don't know how to start a conversation. I don't want to make things worse now. Just when my phone started ringing and I let out a sigh. I took it out of the pocket and thanked God when I saw that it wasn't drenched. I glanced at the ID and a smile found its way to my lips unknowingly as I read the name. I pressed the green button immediately.

"What's up, Mr. Nanda? I'm back and I hope you remember that you are meeting me tomorrow. You made a promise, right?" The ever so chirpy voice greeted me from the other side. I chuckled at that.

"Yes, yes, Ms. Malhotra. I remember it very well." I said with a smile.

"That's good then. So, where are you?" Ahana asked and my eyes shifted to Arohi who was looking at the rain with no expression on her face or at least I couldn't read that.

"Umm Ahana, I'm out with a friend," I said to Ahana calmly. I don't wanna hide anything from her but I'm just not in the mood to answer her next questions.

"With a friend? Okay. I didn't know you had friends other than Arjun and Jenny. But it's good to know that." Ahana said in an amused voice. I let out a sigh hoping at least she wouldn't ask anything further and I'm glad she didn't. I let out a sigh of relief.

"Yeah, I guess. Anyway, I'll meet you tomorrow at your house?" I asked trying to divert that topic.

"No Rohan, not my house." She said getting a bit serious as her tone changed drastically. I know exactly what it is about.

"I guess your mom hasn't forgiven me yet then?" I asked and heard her let out a sigh.

"Don't worry I'll make sure she does that soon." She said in a determined and assuring tone. I smiled, a sad smile to that. I haven't forgiven myself for what I did till this date, then how can expect for her to forgive me?

"Hmm... Then at Arjun's house, I guess." I said in a plain voice.

"Yup, that will be fine as we can't even go out now without people spotting you." She said in a complaining voice.

"Yeah what can I do," I said smiling faintly. I actually could have been happier hearing Ahana's ever so enthusiastic voice which always makes me feel better or worse but I just can't in this situation.

"But that's great! OK then Rohan, I'll see you tomorrow." Ahana said sounding chirpy again.

"Yeah sure. Good night, Ahana." I said smiling.

"Good Night, Hero." She said and hung up. I stared blankly at the mobile screen for some time as those memories flashed through my mind, before tossing it back into my pocket. Negative thoughts started to cloud my mind again. I felt uneasy in my own skin. Even in this cold beautiful weather, I felt sweat forming on my forehead.

"Rohan, You OK?" I felt Arohi's hand over mine as she looked at me with those eyes of her which held worry for me. It made me somewhat relieved but that wasn't helping either. I gave her an assuring smile.

"Yeah, I'm good! Let's leave after the rain stops." I said in a low voice looking at the rain which has now come down a bit.

"No, I'm fine. I just want to leave now." Arohi said looking slightly disturbed. I threw a questioning look at her.

"Okay! But it's raining...." I was trying to say but she cut my sentence in middle.

"That's ok. I will be fine. I love rain and I don't mind getting drenched in it." She said sounding anything but her. What happened? Is she still mad at me? Of course, she will be and she should be. I guess I have so many tasks on hand these coming days with Ahana and Arohi. I closed my eyes and let out a deep sigh.

"Okay, then we can leave," I said taking out the bike key from my pocket.

"Yes please," Arohi said as she started walking ahead with me following behind her.

*****

It was almost 3 in the morning when I dropped Arohi at her house. She just gave me one small smile which her eyes refused to reflect. But that's it. Neither did she talk nor she spared me another glance. It hurt me, but then again, I have hurt her even more with my mindless talking and anger which wasn't even for her. It was making me even more reckless to see Arohi mad at me. I shouldn't have asked her for this drive in the first place with those thoughts in my mind or at least I should have taken her to some different place. Why the heck I have to take her there out of all places in Mumbai? I just ruined this day for both of us. I need to make up for my mistake. I can't stand her being mad at me.

I drove my bike to Arjun's house and as I neared it my heart started to hammer inside my chest with the thought of meeting Ahana tomorrow. I'm going to meet her after almost 8 years. I mean, of course, we were in contact over the phone mainly because she took the initiative but meeting in person? I don't know. As much as I want to meet Ahana, to see her or to talk to her just like old times, I still don't know if I'm ready for it. Her face will remind me even more of that one person who was once closest to me. It will be like replaying all those past incidents and reminding me of my sins. 

I don't know how I am going to face her tomorrow after the terrible thing I have done to her and her family. I snatched everything away from her and went running to London to hide my sins. I don't know how she still forgave me? She should have been mad and angry and should have hated me with all her existence. But nope! She decided to be calm and understanding as she always has been. That's the thing that's killing me more and makes it even worse. That makes me even more guilty and pathetic. I don't hope for anything to go well and fine with me. I just hope that I find the strength to face my deeds.

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It doesn't
matter
what's been written
in your
story so far.
It's how you fill up
the rest of the
pages
that counts.

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So, that was it. A little surprise for you all. Yes, Rohan's POV, finally. Tell us your thoughts about this one in comments below. 😁

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Love, Kritika and Ammu. ❤️