Arohi's POV

"Arohi, you remembered us after all!" Aai opened the door and smiled widely at me.

"It's not that Aai. I'm sorry." I said engulfing her in a big hug. It truly has been days since I met them. I felt so happy and calm in her embrace.

"Let her come in and meet me too," Baba complained from behind Aai and we pulled out. I smiled widely at him and ran towards him for a hug. It felt so good to be here. Vivek was actually right!

"Arohi, aren't you going to introduce us to your friends?" Aai said looking at Rohan and Raghav alternately and then at me. Shit! I almost forgot that I came with them. I made an apologetic face towards Rohan and Raghav and they just smiled a little at us.

"Oh yes! Why are you two standing there? Come inside!" I said looking at both of them. Aai gave them a warm smile as Rohan and Raghav stepped inside the house.

"Just be free and feel home. Afterall, you two took care of our Arohi in London." Baba said with a big smile looking at all of us.

"Aai, baba, meet Rohan and Raghav," I said gesturing to Rohan and then Raghav. Rohan gave them a small smile as he joined his hands together gesturing a 'namaste', while Raghav went ahead and hugged them. I was surprised at Rohan as I didn't expect any such gestures from his side. This was totally new to me.

"I have heard a lot about you two from Arohi, in London," Raghav said grinning widely at them and I diverted my gaze away from Rohan as I realized I've been staring at him for a while now.

"And we have heard a lot about you two," Aai said.

"Why are you two still standing? Come and sit." Baba said gesturing to the sofas.

"Sure uncle. But you sit too." Raghav said and made Baba sit on the chair while Rohan got comfortable on Sofa. Raghav sat beside him.

Aai went hurriedly to the kitchen. Of course, to make some dishes for them. I followed her inside to help her with the food.

"So, what are we gonna make, Arohi?" Aai asked pulling out utensils.

"Hmm... What do we have?" I asked opening the fridge and looking inside.

"There are some vegetables in the fridge. I bought them just today!" I heard Aai.

"No Aai, Rohan don't like vegetables," I said making a face at her. Aai nodded at me. "And no Shimla Mirch especially. Rohan doesn't like that." I said looking again inside the fridge. Aai didn't say anything so I looked at her. She had a small smile on her lips. I threw her a questioning look.

"Seems like you know his likes and dislikes very well." She said as she got back to washing the picked up utensils.

"Of course, I mean I have lived with him for few months, so yeah, that's natural, I guess." I said in a low voice lacking confidence in my own answer. I could hear some laughing and talking noise coming from the living room. I guess all of them are mingling really well. I hope this will help Rohan a bit.

"Yeah... Right!" Aai said and resumed what she was doing. "But he seems to be nice!"

"Yeah, he is!" I said not knowing how else I can reply to that.

"So, what should we make for your musician?" She asked me with a hint of teasing hidden behind her words. I gave her shocked expressions.

"My musician? AAI!!" I said giving her a stern look. Aai grinned to that.

"OK, OK sorry." She smiled at me while I rolled my eyes at her.

"Anyways, I'm gonna go buy some stuff." I said closing the fridge as I completed digging inside it.

"Okay! I'll start with preparations then." Aai said.

"Yeah! And don't start making food all by yourself. I'll be back in no time." I said making my way towards the living room.

I was surprised yet happy at the view in front of me, Rohan was talking about something to Baba and was laughing hard with him while Raghav was giving his views in between with a wide smile playing on his lips. Baba also looked happy in their company. Well, I was sure about Raghav and Baba getting along too well as Raghav has that something in him. But seeing Rohan like that came out as a surprise. I guess tonight is going to be full of surprises with yet a new side of Rohan Nanda unveiling.

The three of them looked at me once they sensed me standing there looking at them.

"Umm... Actually, I need to buy some stuff for dinner. So I'm going out." I said answering their unasked question and grabbed my purse from the chair. Baba nodded at me.

"Wait, Arohi. I'll come with you." Raghav said jumping up from the sofa. I gave him a nod and started walking to the door with Raghav following closely behind.

**************

It took us almost an hour to buy all the things. Thankfully, the market wasn't far. Raghav got to experience the market vibe and my bargaining talent. It was fun shopping grocery with him, actually time spend with Raghav will always be fun and I'll end up having a good laugh.

Baba was at the door talking to some neighbor when we came back home. I gave him and Kaka from the next door a small smile and went inside. Rohan wasn't in the living room so we made our way to the kitchen.

I got stunned! He was sitting on the counter and talking to Aai. And Aai was happily explaining him some recipe. So, I was not wrong when I thought that I'm in for some surprises tonight. But seriously, since when did he get so interested in recipes? But whatever it was. That view sure made me more than happy. It was too precious. I heard Raghav chuckle from my side. I looked at him and he gave me a known smile.

"Aai?!!" I called her asking for their attention. They both looked at us. Aai came towards us with a smile.

"Good, you two are here." She said trying to take the bags from Raghav's hands but he didn't let her.

"That's fine Aunty. I'll put them on the counter. I'm so hungry." Raghav placed the bags on the counter.

"When are you not?" Rohan said with a plain face. Raghav faked a smile at him to which Rohan rolled his eyes and Aai let out a laugh.

"OK then. Let finish it fast." Aai said smiling as she opened the bags and took the items out. I walked towards the counter to help her.

"Rohan? What are you doing here?" I asked looking at Rohan.

"Just talking to Mom!" Rohan said shrugging his shoulders. The answer almost took me off guard and I don't know why my heart skipped a beat.

"Mom?" It came out louder than I expected. Rohan raised his eyebrow at me. I then looked at Aai who was not bothered by it and was busy putting out the items "Oh okay! Go and sit in the living room. We will be done shortly."

"Why? Why can't he sit here?" Aai said defending Rohan. I threw her a confused look. Rohan smirked at me. I again heard Raghav chuckling.

"Exactly, right? I want to sit here." Rohan said looking at me and then at Aai making an innocent face. I rolled my eyes at him.

"Yeah but..." I was trying to say but Aai cut me in between.

"Arohi! You are being bossy with him." Aai said glaring at me. I cocked my eyebrows at her. Rohan and Raghav were laughing at me.

"She always does that Mom! Now you know who troubled who?" Rohan said containing his laughter and then smirked at me. I rolled my eyes again.

"Oh please..."

"Yes, I can tell that now. Actually, I haven't seen her being bossy with many people." Aai said washing the chicken at the sink.

"Oh, Aunty... By the way, Rohan is my brother and if he is going to call you Mom then I'm too." Raghav said grinning at her. Aai gave him a big smile.

"I don't really mind at all. In fact, I would like that." She said smiling and putting the utensil on the burner.

"OK then. So, Mom! Arohi was bossy in London too! She isn't anything that you think." Raghav said smirking at me. What has gotten into all of them?

"RAGHAV! What's gotten into you today? Don't you take my side always?" I said with an irritated voice and expressions, looking at Raghav.

"Well, he is just telling the truth, Arohi!" Rohan said still smirking at me.

"Whatever!" I said rolling my eyes again.

"What is going on?" I heard Baba as he entered the kitchen.

"Nothing. Just these three are bullying me." I said making a puppy face at Baba in a complaining voice. Baba smiled and shook his head a little.

"Is it?" Baba asked raising his eyebrow looking at all of us.

"No ways, Uncle. Don't lie Arohi!" Rohan said again.

"I'm not lying Rohan. I don't lie!" I said in an annoying tone with a louder voice.

"OK, OK, stop crying and come here and help me." Aai said and all the other three let out a laugh at that.

"I'll help you too, Mom!" Raghav said coming closer to the counter. Aai gave him a warm smile and nod.

Well, to be honest, I never really expected these four to get along this well with each other. I never thought that Rohan would feel at home and be comfortable in their company. But things were going great than I expected. Rohan looked genuinely happy and himself. He was sitting on the counter, passing comments, making fun of Raghav and talking to Aai and Baba the entire time. All the five of us were in the kitchen, having a great time as we prepared our dinner. Baba and Rohan proved to be of less help but their company was something we appreciated. This was one of those moments I'll cherish forever in my life. I inwardly thanked Rohan for this because without him in the picture, I don't think I would have been this happy. This is exactly what he does, one day he hurt me, the other day he gives me bliss I've never tasted before. But both unintentional of him.

After the dinner was prepared, Rohan and Baba helped in setting the table. That was the only work they did in the whole evening. Dinner went too well with laughter and jokes. Everyone enjoyed their food and ate until our stomachs were full.

After the dinner, Rohan and Baba went to the living room and Raghav stayed back to help me and Aai. Currently, Raghav was helping me with the dishes while Aai went into the living room joining Rohan and Baba. We could hear them chatting and laughing over something.

"Thanks for today, Arohi." Raghav said taking the dish from me. I gave him a surprised look.

"O.M.G. Seriously! What has gotten into you today, Raghav? Are you saying thanks to me? That is not like you." I said with an amused voice.

"I'm saying it for Rohan." He said looking down rubbing the dish with a cloth. "He was too down lately and seeing him like this again made me feel so good. So..."

"Don't be too formal, Raghav. Seeing him like this made me happy too." I said giving him a smile. Raghav smiled back at me.

"So, you invited us here to make him feel better? Jenny was saying she told you about him so..." Raghav asked raising his eyebrow at me.

"Yeah! I mean Aai and Baba were asking about him too!" I said in a low voice looking at the dish in my hand.

"OK! I'm not gonna trouble you about this. But whatever it was, I'm happy that you invited us here." Raghav said giving me a genuine smile. I smiled back at him.

"Okay! Stop acting weird now." I said washing my hands as we were done with the dishes.

"Are you two done? Or Should I help you?" Aai asked entering the kitchen.

"No Mom. We are done." Raghav said grinning at her just when his mobile rang. He took it out and looked at the ID. "OH! I need to receive this. Excuse me!" He said as we both nodded at him. Raghav went hurriedly outside. I looked at Aai who gave me a small smile in return and came towards the counter.

"Rohan is really good! I like him." She said out of the blue looking at me.

"I honestly never expected you two to get along this well amongst all." I said raising my eyebrows and giving her an amusing smile. Aai frowned at me.

"Why not? He is not bad!" She said.

"I know Aai. He is not bad at all." I said with a smile. Aai paused for sometime maybe thinking something before continuing further.

"Arohi... I'll ask this directly then." She said and paused again looking at me. "Do you love him?"

"What? No... Why would you think that?" I said widening my eyes at her, my voice, a bit loud with shock and surprise clearly visible in them. I felt my heart beat increasing and a strange fear engulfing me.

What is wrong with her? Am I in love with Rohan? No ways! Never! Why would she think that?

"I expected this answer from you." She said and took a deep sigh before continuing. "But I'm just saying what I felt. You took care of every little thing about him today. You know what he likes and what he doesn't. And you don't bring people to home every day. In fact, I haven't really seen anyone except for Vivek all these years."

"That's because he was depressed and upset and..." I was desperately explaining things to her but she cut me in between before I could complete.

"And you can't see him like that. Right? Tell me one thing Arohi, do you take care of these little things of every person in your life?" Aai asked again making me tongue-tied.

"Aai, you are thinking too much. It's nothing like that." I said with a bit of irritation.

Why is she acting like this? There is nothing between me and Rohan. And there won't be anything ever!

"Then what it is? Why do you care so much about him if you don't love him?" She asked again, this time with some anger held in her voice.

"Because he is my friend." I said immediately without looking at her.

"Friend? That's all you have to say?" Aai asked again. I didn't say anything further, instead kept looking down at my hands which were placed on the kitchen counter. So, Aai continued further sensing that I won't be saying anything at all. "Arohi, stop fooling and lying to yourself. You know it very well about your own feelings! In fact, better than anyone else. Don't neglect them. Don't push yourself too much. Even you know deep inside what he is to you. Just accept that. It's for your own sake. Don't push those feelings or Rohan away from you. You will just hurt yourself even more in this process. He is nice, beta. And I'm sure he likes you too."

I don't know what she wants from me. I don't know why she is saying what she is saying. She's telling me the things which I'm trying to deny because the truth is too painful sometimes. I know very well what I am feeling but I don't want to feel them. I just want to run away from all of this as far as possible. But it gets too tough sometimes, no matter how much ever I try, I can't get rid of them. I don't know what I should do with my feelings. I felt like a mess, a total mess. I didn't expect to have heard this from her, that made it worse. Rohan has already complicated my life way too much. I don't want more of it. I'm just tired of these confused feeling. I can't do this. No! In fact, I don't want to do this.

I was trying hard to contain my tears. Tears of hurt, pain, confusion and mostly of anger. Not on Aai, but on myself and Rohan. I don't know what he is doing with me and my life.

All the happiness I felt a moment ago vanished in thin air. Now all I could feel is hurt, pain, anger and...guilt. I felt guilty for cheating...

I am not cheating on Rahul. Right?

"Aai...I..." those words came out as a whisper and I choked on them. It was suffocating me to stand there like that.

"You want to know why I asked you that question?" Aai said after a short time placing her hand over mine. "Because I can see it in your eyes. The love, the care. I haven't seen that for a very long time, for anyone. I'm your Aai, Arohi. I know you better than anyone else. So, I can tell that." She finished in a concerned voice. A tear escaped my eye which I was holding back for some time now but I wiped it immediately with my other hand.

Why it is so difficult. Just why? Why am I feeling that way towards Rohan? I shouldn't be feel that...

"Anyway, I can't force you to accept anything. You have to do it on your own at the end. I just hope you don't regret anything later. I just want to see you happy. But just remember, your one decision can change your life completely, for good or for worse you have to decide that now. Just listen to your heart and think carefully." Aai said patting my hand. I still didn't dare to look at her. I just don't have that courage anymore.

"Mom..." Raghav shouted from outside. Aai patted my back before leaving for the living room. I just stood there in the kitchen alone for some time not knowing what else to do. I just want to be alone for some time. But staying here in this house is not helping me in any way. It is just suffocating me more. I didn't see this coming, and I need to clear my mind and get some fresh air before facing Rohan or Aai again. I doubt after this I can face Rohan though. I know I'll let out my anger and frustration on him and I can't do that. He hasn't done anything wrong. He doesn't even know anything. He doesn't deserve my wrath. It's my own mind and me. I need to sort these feelings out on my own. And I need time for that.

I thought of going on the terrace for some time. I made my way to the terrace without anyone's notice. The cool air brushed past me. I folded my arms over my chest and walked towards the railing. The sky was clear with the moon stealing all the attention shone brightly eliminating the darkness of the night. I looked above with countless thoughts going in my head. I closed my eyes wanting to stop thinking but all in vain. Aai's words, Rohan's face and the memories I made with Rahul flooded my mind. I squeezed my eyes shut and wrapped my arms around myself as if that could keep me shielded from thoughts I was fighting in my head. I just want to be alone and away from all the mess... for some time at least.

"Arohi..." I opened my eyes immediately. What is he doing here? Why? I don't want to to talk to him. Not now! I looked back containing myself. Trying not to show a single emotion on my face.

"Rohan?" I asked the dumbest question. Rohan chuckled looking at me and tucked his hands inside his jeans pockets. A smile crept across my face, involuntarily, seeing him smile. But I didn't want to show it so I turn again and looked ahead at the beautiful view of the night.

"What are you doing here?" I asked still not looking at him. Rohan came and stood beside leaning on the railing, facing me.

"Just... Came looking for you." He said, his voice so tender. His eyes, for the first time showed emotions without bothering to hide them. I was surprised but I didn't try to read him, I was not in the right state to do that now.

"Why? Do you want anything? You could have asked Aai and anyway I was coming down..." I was saying when Rohan beat me to it.

"No no... Wait... I don't want anything." Rohan said gesturing with his hands looking at me. I titled my head to look at him and threw him a confused look.

"Then?" I asked raising my eyebrow at him.

"Just wanted to say sorry for that night. I was just being a jerk. I'm so sorry, Arohi. I didn't mean to hurt you in any way." Rohan said with guilt in his eyes. I let out a sigh and looked ahead again.

"That's fine. Don't bother. As I said, I'm used to it. So it doesn't matter anymore..." A complete lie! Anything related to him mattered to me so much for some reasons, which I just don't want to accept. I was surprised how calm and plain I sounded, perks of being around him I guess.

"No! It's not like that..." Rohan said in an apologetic voice but I cut him before he could speak further.

"Forget it, Rohan. You were right. It's your life and I don't have any right to meddle in it. So it was my fault too. I'm so..." I said in a plain tone again but Rohan didn't let me complete the sentence.

"Don't say that, Arohi. You are my friend. So, you have every right to it." Rohan said turning completely towards me.

"Friend! Yeah! Right. I'm just your friend." The words came out as mere whispers but Rohan was standing close enough to hear it.

"What?" He asked being confused which he, himself is most of the time. I let out a deep sigh but didn't spare him another glance.

"Well, I doubt that." I said making my tone sharp.

"Why?" Rohan asked again with hurt and confusion in his tone. I didn't answer this time so he went ahead. "All I doubt is if I deserve a person like you in my life. But Arohi, you know me right? I just can't control my anger. But trust me I'm working on it."

"Leave it, Rohan. Why are you explaining these things to me anyway? I never asked for any explanation from you. You or your words don't matter to me anymore." I said in a sharp tone. My every word was breaking my own heart. I could see hurt written all over his face and that was hurting me even more.

"Arohi..." Rohan was trying to say but I didn't let him complete again.

"I just wanna be alone Rohan. Just leave please..." I said with a little irritation in my voice. No matter how much I want to distance myself from him, I'll somehow end up getting more close to him. Like now, why did he have to come searching for me? Why did he have to apologise? Why try to be nice after treating me like trash? Everytime! Everytime he does the same thing. And I let him. He's the one person I want to push away but secretly pray for him to pull me closer. I secretly crave for his presence in my life, how much I try to deny it...I know that's the truth. I just want him to stay with me, talk to me, tease me, smile with me. But I can't say that out loud. Maybe I'll be fine when he leaves my life...forever?!

"What happened? Is everything OK?" Rohan's voice brought me back from my thoughts. I shook my head a little to shrug those thoughts away.

"Why would I tell you that? Do you answer me when I ask you the same thing? NO! Then why would I?... Leave." I said in a stern voice. I could see Rohan becoming reckless now. He ran his fingers through his hair making them messy.

"What is bothering you? What do you want from me? What is it that you want to know about me?" He said with irritation in his voice.

"IT'S NOTHING! Just leave please." I said raising my voice a bit. Rohan looked at me and then his eyes went warm.

"You didn't leave me that day. And I'm not gonna leave you today! What do you want to know about me? There is just nothing..."

"I just don't want to hear any more riddles, Rohan. I'm already done over that. I want to know why are you so confusing? What is it that is bothering you so much? What angered you that day?" I asked turning my whole body towards him.

"You are asking me something from which I want to distance myself. I'll tell you everything. Just give me some time." He said in a low voice with his eyes full of emotions.

"Time? Fine. Then just leave now and if you are not leaving then I'll..." I said with a stern face.

"What do you expect me to do? Just say it loud and clear. Why are you being so confusing?" Rohan said making his voice louder, frustration was written all over his face.

"I'm being confusing? Wow! And this is coming from you. Fine, everything about me is way too confusing and you are making it even worse and complicated, Rohan Nanda. So, do me a favor and leave me alone." I said as my voice came out louder with each word. Rohan looked at me for a few seconds.

"I'm not leaving you..." He said in a determined voice. The look on his face was inexplicable.

"I shouldn't have signed that album in a first place." I murmuring to myself not wanting him to hear it but he did anyway as a smirk found it's way back to his lips.

"I'm glad you did." He said as a small smile replaced his smirk. I cocked my eyebrows at him and gave him an angry glare.

"You know you look cute when you are angry. And that's why I just love to annoy you." He said smiling as he took a step towards me. I rolled my eyes at him.

What's up with him today? He is acting surprisingly strange!!

"That's it! I'm going down." I said and turned to leave when he grabbed my wrist and pulled me closer to him. My chest collided with his. He tucked my hands behind me and held me close to him. His warm breath was hitting my face and his scent wasn't helping me in a good way either. I tried to free myself but he was just too strong.

"JUST LEAVE ME!!!" I raised my voice a little in frustration. It was already too difficult for me to stay in his presence and staying this close to him wasn't helping in any way. I just want to go far away from him. Rohan chuckled looked at my state. I gave him a glare and titled my head to the side.

"Rohan!!! What do you want?" I asked him in irritation.

"You!!!" he said smirking at me. My eyes widen with shock as I looked back at him. He was smiling widely by now looking at my face.

"You should have seen that face, Arohi. Oh, God!!" Rohan said throwing his head back, laughing. I rolled my eyes and took this chance to free myself but no his grip was still strong for me.

"Just LEAVE ME!! I'll shout even louder and my parents are right downstairs." I said louder with a frown. Rohan looked at me with amusement as his laughter calmed down.

"Just calm down! Will you?" he said with a small smile. But I was too much frustrated to give him any kind of smile back.

"I will when you leave me," I said gritting my teeth.

"I'll leave you when you forgive me," he said smirking. I rolled my eyes again at him.

"Fine! I forgive you now, LEAVE! Else I'll really shout, Mr. Nanda. You know me," I said in a challenging tone. He again gave me his ever so charming smile.

"You seriously look cute when you get angry. Have you seen that nose of yours which become red?" he said chuckling. I threw him an angry glare. Seriously, but I wasn't in a mood to joke around with him. He will go running to Ahana forgetting me when she will call again and it will just hurt me even more. So it's better to not let him affect me anymore. But I don't know if I'm succeeding in that seeing my current state.

"You seriously are something else," I just said that shaking my head a bit.

"I know babes," he said with that smirk refusing to leave his face.

"I hate you, Rohan!" I said trying to sound angry at him but my bad as I failed miserably at that attempt. Gosh! What is wrong with me? Why can't I be mad at him for a longer time? He just fails my all attempts with his foolish behavior. Why he is doing this. It's making it even harder for me.

"I know you love me, Arohi!" He said and looked at me for a few seconds. Then leaned in making my heart skip a beat. I closed my eyes because of the proximity. Rohan gave me a quick peck on my nose. I shot my eyes open. The heat rose on my cheeks. I bet they have become some shades of red by now. Maybe Rohan noticed that as a wide smirk grew on his face. I looked down at the space between us.

His grip on my arms loosen and then he let go of me completely as he took a few steps backward.

"See you downstairs, Sweetheart. Come soon, we have to leave in some time," Rohan said while still smirking. He then winked at me before turning around and leaving me all alone on the terrace.

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Maybe one day,
I'll be what you need.
But don't wait too long...
Because the day you
want me, maybe the
day, I've finally given up...

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So that was it. Finally the complete chapter. Tell us what do you all think about this one.

Do VOTE if you like it.

Also, we are planning with a one-shot VarShra story. We have something in our mind. Will let it out sometime soon (not really soon though). 😉 Haha...

Lastly, AroHan will be back with another chapter.

Till then, Bye.

Love, Kritika, and Ammu. ❤️