Arohi's POV

"Don't stress yourself out for that Jackass!" Arjun said putting a piece of pancake in the mouth as he continued, "If he can't value you, it's his loss." He finished jerking his shoulders looking at me carefully. Then he moved his attention to pancakes again. I saw Ahana let out a sigh beside me. 

We were sitting at the dining table having our breakfast while the rockstar was out of everyone's reach which was not new for anyone. 

"I am now regretting my decision to involve you in this mess. I am sorry, Arohi. It's my fault that you are suffering now." She said not exactly looking at me. I put a smile on my face and gave her a gentle push. 

"Who says I am suffering? I didn't." I shifted my eyes to Raghav. "Raghav? Was it you? You have been talking that nonsense for some days now." I said glaring at Raghav playfully. He just shrugged at me without moving his attention from the dish in front of him.

"These pancakes are delicious Arohi. You should teach John." He said chewing the food and giving me a wide grin. I smiled involuntarily hearing him. 

"That's disgusting Raghav. Finish eating and then talk." Ahana said giving him a death glare but he was least bothered. Raghav gave her a wide grin still munching his food and went back eating. 

"Umm... That's really yum. Can't help." He continued dramatically while eating. 

"For the first time in my life, I have to agree with Raghav. Rohan is at a big loss." Arjun said winking at me. Ahana and Raghav let out a small laugh. 

"So you are saying he should accept me just because I cook some delicious food?" I asked raising my eyebrow at Arjun. Raghav and Ahana looked at Arjun, giving their full attention as they tried to suppress a smile. I looked at Raghav questioning him by raising my eyebrows.

"Arjun said that. Don't look at me. You know I love you regardless, Arohi." Raghav said giving me a grin. I rolled my eyes and shook my head a bit as I moved my gaze back to Arjun. 

"Bullshit! I never said that. What I meant was... that... it's one of those many reasons." Arjun said giving me a wide smile. I let out a laugh at that.

"All the guys are such assholes," Ahana said shaking her head as she took a sip of her drink.

"That includes your dear Rohan too, Ms. Ahana," Raghav said pointing it out to her. She gave him a sarcastic smile.

"Okay! I know I favor him and love him a little more but that doesn't mean I have to agree with everything he says or does. What is wrong is wrong." She finished shrugging her shoulders. 

"Can we just not talk about him for now? It is really killing the mood." Arjun said making an irritated face. Ahana gave him a glare. I just smiled looking at these friends.

"Oh talking about him, I forgot to tell you Arohi. I met Ben yesterday, he is willing to meet you and was asking when you will be free. Is tomorrow fine with you?" Raghav asked. 

"Anything is fine with me Raghav. I was anyways going to ask you about him. I was looking forward to meeting that old guy." I said smiling widely remembering about Ben. How can I not meet him when I am here. He gave me a big chance to prove myself on the international platform without even knowing much about me. Just hearing some of my Hindi songs he trusted me and thought I can pull this task off well too. That was really too kind of him and I will always be grateful for that. Although the album is incomplete and hasn't heard by the world, the kind of exposure it gave me is incredible. And this album has given me a lot more than experience in my singing career. It changed my life, shaped me and made me stronger... and let's not forget that it made me meet the arrogant Nanda, who I was destined to fall in love with.

"That's great I will inform him," Raghav said when Rohan made a heroic entry as he walked in with a loud thud of the door. Raghav paused in his position as if he stayed like that he will be invisible and Rohan won't notice him. Arjun and Ahana were not bothered and continued with what they were doing. 

But I couldn't help but give my full attention to him. He looked at me with a murderous glare. I smiled at him. I can't tell what made him angry now. He didn't talk to me once since that bar night. Not just talk he is doing his best to ignore me. He is barely at home. I don't even know where he goes, when he comes and leaves or if he is eating anything at all or just drinking and doing the drugs.

I am seeing all of my attempts going futile. I don't even see one single ray of hope in the darkness he is surrounding himself with. I don't think I will be able to do anything good to him. Because no matter how much I try, I can't help him unless he lets me in. And looking at this I doubt everything.

Rohan gritted his teeth as if he restrained himself from saying or doing anything and then he just backed off and started moving to the stairs.

"Eat something," I said following him with my eyes. He didn't reply nor stopped. 

"Rohan..." Ahana said as that guy let out a sigh closing his eyes and looked at her. 

"What?" He asked with irritated expressions. Ahana rolled her eyes. Arjun was still not bothered acting as if Rohan is invisible to him. Raghav just sat straight in his chair trying not to get noticed by Rohan.

"She is asking you something," Ahana said in a stern voice. He rolled his eyes.

"I don't care," Rohan said and was about to turn again stating the end of the discussion but Ahana continued.

"Really? Someone was being too protective a couple of days back." She said giving him a known smile. I widened my eyes at her. She wasn't supposed to say that in front of him. OK! I am embarrassed now for I don't know for what reason.

Rohan was taken aback when he heard Ahana as his eyes automatically moved to mine. This time I looked away. 

"What? Says who?" He said trying to sound strong but he failed miserably.

"Don't have to act, buddy. We know everything. Arohi told us what happened. Wasn't it cliche? Like out of some typical nonsense romantic movie?" Arjun said giving him a smirk. Rohan let out a sigh and put his hands in his pocket as a mocking smile found a way to his lips. Then he looked at me.

"I don't believe this. What are you? 8 year old?" He said as the smile vanished and his expressions went hard. I ignored the loud beating of my heart and put on a confident mask on.

"They were worried about me. I was just clearing their doubts." I said shrugging my shoulders.

"Clearing doubts of what?" Rohan asked making his voice louder.

"Well, dude it's you who is acting like an 8-year-old girl who just got caught by her parents on her date with boyfriend," Arjun said now turning his chair to challenge Rohan. It was now every day for everyone. It's always us versus him, alone. But that was the path he chose for him. We weren't here to fight against him but to fight with him, for him. And that's what we were trying to tell him every other day. 

Every person on this table was desperate to make him understand that he is not alone in anything. But all in vain.

"I am not just going to talk about this. Who dates at the age of 8? You all have lost your minds. I would have done that for any girl. What was I supposed to do then? I will think 10 times next time." Rohan said getting irritated with each word he spoke. 

"So why did you go reckless when you couldn't spot her?" Arjun asked again in a calm voice. Raising his eyebrow at him. Rohan looked at me again clenching his fists ready to kill me anytime. I guess he is even capable of throwing me out of this house at the moment. But the thing is these people have my back and he is very well aware of that.

"I don't believe this..." He said running his hand through his hair. Letting out a dry laugh. He then looked at Arjun again, "Because if anything might have happened to her then people would have blamed me!"

"Why are you even talking to him Arjun. He won't accept anything." It was Raghav. For the first time since Rohan entered the house. We all looked at him. He turned in his chair to face Rohan, "We are crazy and you think you are sane?" 

Rohan clenched his fist tighter and gave him a smirk. "At least I am not dreaming."

"Just accept the truth, Ro. Everyone here knows everything. It's just you who is not ready to accept anything." Arjun said. Rohan rolled his eyes and looked at Ahana. She just stared back at him communicating through silence. It's like he told her something which she understood. She definitely knew something more than the rest. And that was acceptable as Rohan tells most of his secrets to her. Well, the source for this information is Jenny, of course. But I never asked Ahana about anything. It just didn't feel the right thing to do. I don't want Rohan to lose his faith in the only person he trusts because of me. 

Rohan turned and left the room. Everyone sighed and sat there in silence for a few moments before the chattering box aka Raghav started the entertainment again.

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

I climbed the stairs hearing the guitar sound. It's been the first time since coming here I am actually seeing Rohan with his guitar, unlike the first time when it was just him and the guitar stick to each other. 

It made my smile wider when I stood at the door of his music room. It was a silent melody, unlike his usual self where he played loud music most of the times. I just stood there without making any sound, watching him from distance. It was pure bliss to see Rohan Nanda, the musician perform live. You can tell just looking at him how much love he has for his music and it's evident in the work he has done till now. You can love him or hate him but you just can't deny the fact that he is good with what he does. And no one can question the fame he has got till now. His look just adds to it. 

"You are disturbing. If you are done adoring me then leave." He said looking at me with a plain face. I let out a sigh as I walked inside.

"And what if I am not done adoring you? Can I still stay?" I asked with a playful smile raising my eyebrows at him. 

Rohan closed his eyes for a moment taking a deep breath. He got up and put his guitar aside. 

"Why did you stop? I want to hear more." I said following him outside the room. He didn't reply.

"Are you writing any new song?" I asked again as we walked into the garden. Still no reply. The cold wind hit my bare skin and made me shiver. I folded my arms involuntarily as I walked fast to stay beside him. He took a cigarette out from the packet.

"Don't do that," I said snatching it from him. He stopped finally and turned to face me.

"What is your problem?" He asked... with a calm voice. I had to add that last line.

Calm and him that too with me? Is something wrong with him? Or is it that thing? Silence before the storm kind of?

I kept my thoughts aside and stood straight to face him.

"I have too many with you. Where should I start?" I said dramatically tapping my finger on my chin, "Maybe not following your diet? Are you a vampire or what? Don't you get hungry?" Rohan rolled his eyes in irritation. 

"Will you leave me alone if I am one?" He asked tugging his hands into his pockets. Irritation was clearly visible on his face.

"Are you kidding me? That would be the most exciting thing in my life." I said clapping my hands in front of him, smiling widely. Rohan let out a sigh and shook his head in disappointment murmuring something which I couldn't hear. 

"Why are you talking alone? I am here." I said in a complaining voice. 

"Just stop this shit Arohi. And go back to where you belong." Rohan said turning to me again with anger clearly visible on his face. I let out a sigh.

"I guess I made myself very clear." 

"Do you think it's fun? Hmm...?" He said making his voice a little louder with every word as he took a step closer to me, "Is it fun to force yourself in someone's life when the other person has made his views very clear? I told you I don't want you in my life. Is it too hard to understand?"

"You don't have to speak louder. I am right here." I said with a stern voice, "And what? You don't want me in your life? Then..."

"Oh please, don't say the same shit you have been telling other people. Are you a school girl? Telling your best friends stories about how a guy rescued you? You really need to grow up." He said with an annoyed expression. 

"Rohan... I didn't go and shout out aloud about what happened at the bar. Ahana asked me about it..." I was saying out loud trying to calm my senses. No matter how much I am well prepared for him, something just makes me too nervous. My heart starts to beat louder. Rohan cut me in between before I could finish anything.

"And you couldn't control yourself. Wow!!!" He said mocking a laugh, clapping his hands as he went few steps ahead. Then he stopped and turned back to me.

"There is no point in explaining anything to you," I said staying calm, composing myself. 

"Then go away. Don't talk to me." He said.

"You know what? I know for a reason how you feel about me, Rohan. You don't have to say it loud. People's actions speak louder than words can ever tell. And I can feel the things you can't say to me." I said going closer to him with some confidence this time. His expressions didn't change. He was still looking at me with those dark brown eyes holding no expressions in them.

"Fine! I had feelings for you in the past for some brief time. But it vanished with time." He said with a plain face, his voice was soft and calm. "I don't understand how can my every action deceive you?" We were standing close, not touching. But I could feel his warmth. I bit my lips at his confession of half-truth. I stayed quiet to see what extent he will go to keep the truth hidden and prove that he doesn't hold even a tiny bit of feeling towards me.

"Let me make myself very clear, Arohi. I just helped you out at the bar. You were my responsibility. I might hate you but I couldn't have left you there alone. Do you get that?" He said again raising his eyebrow looking down at me.

"Got it." I nodded and looked down. I don't know what to say more.

"And the kiss that happened year back was a mistake. It happened in the heat of the moment. It had no feelings attached to it." I looked up at him to search for some moment of hesitation but he was looking straight into my eyes. His eyes holding no emotions. No hesitation in his voice. He was crystal clear when he said those words.

That makes me think of two ways, either he is a very good actor or he is telling the truth. But I am not sure which one it is. Though my heart is shouting the first option my mind is still hesitating to select one. 

Taking a cue from my silence Rohan went ahead.

"Rest of the things if I ever did were because I thought you as a friend or maybe I might have started developing some kind of abnormal feelings for you. Which are long gone now. So wake up and smell the coffee. Show some mercy to yourself and find a guy who will actually care for you."

"I don't need your advice over what kind of guy to love." I said giving him a glare, "Do you take people's advice when they tell you to let go of Aaryan? When they say that none of that was your fault?"

I could feel his body tense. His expressions changed. His eyes held some expressions which scarred me. He clenched his fists.

"Shut the fuck up. How do you know?" He moved closer towards me and held my arms tight.

"Rohan..." I tried to pull away but his grip was tight and it tightened with my every struggle.

"ENOUGH." He shouted with his cold eyes looking straight into mine. "Don't put that big nose of yours in every fucking thing, Arohi. You know nothing."

"Yes. I don't know anything. You're right. And I am waiting for you to tell me everything. When you are actually ready." I said calmly while his grip remained the same. I could feel the burning sensation on my skin where his fingers were digging into my skin. It is going to leave some marks.

"Well, then you should know that nothing is going to work and you are just wasting your time."

"What is bothering you?" I asked with love in my eyes and voice taking my hand to his face when he jerked me off with a force. I stumble on my feet and lost the balance making myself fall on the ground.  

"GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!!" Rohan shouted again. I gathered the remaining strength in me and got up not letting him show a single emotion. I wanted to get out of here desperately before I could break in front of him. I am not going to show him my vulnerability. Not until I know for sure that he loves me.

"I am not going," I said in a calm voice.

"You are taking me too lightly Arohi." He said gritting his teeth.

"What are you going to do? Hurt me? Like you did now? That's what you can do, Rohan. That's what you are capable of." I said giving him a cold glare. 

"Yes I manhandled you. I agree. But what did you do? You are no good Arohi. Evading someone's private space is no good deed either." Rohan said taking a few steps towards me, "So don't think too highly of yourself too."

"And you know what? You are hurting me, even more, every day by showing that ugly face of yours." He said stopping right in front of me, "You better get out of my house before I actually throw you out. And trust me I will very soon." 

Before I could get any reply out he turned around and walked away. I just kept looking at his treating figure thinking if what I am doing is alright? How can he do that to me and walk away? Does he deserve this? Was I wrong to fall for him? Is he the same man I knew? Or was he always like this? I don't know what to do... I am lost yet again. 

Why do I always fall for these kinds of guys? Why can't I have a normal story? Where a guy and a girl fall in love and live happily forever. I don't want to tell my grandchildren anything about it. I will be happiest if I have no story to tell beside we met, fell in love and got married.

I don't understand what did I do for them to treat me this bad? All I want to do is to help him. Where I am doing wrong? 

You are not weak Arohi. It took me a lot of time to change myself for good. I won't let Rohan break me again. 

Fine! I couldn't think of anything before when he pushed me as it came as a shock to me. I never thought he will do such a thing. But that will be the last time. I won't repeat the same mistake. I won't let him treat me like this! I know your limits now Rohan. 

A tear fell from my eyes on to my cheek and slide down. I turned around and left for my room before anyone could notice and ask questions again.

I don't want them to know about this. But I do want to talk to someone, else my mind will think of all kind of crap.

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

I don't know when the tears dried on my cheek and I dialed Jenny's number. She picked up in a couple of rings.

"Aro!!! Finally, you got time from your love life that you called your so-called best friend." She said in her cheerful voice. I couldn't say a thing.

"Arohi? What happened? Did Rohan did or say anything?" Jenny asked in a worried voice.

"No..." I lied. But that didn't convince her. I heard her let out a sigh.

"OK. Just tell me what happened?" She asked and waited patiently for me to open up.

"I don't know what to do, Jenny. He is just not letting me come near him." I said and finally broke again. 

"Arohi... Didn't I tell you not to do this?" She said in a calm voice, "I knew this was going to happen someday. Just come back if you don't want to stay there. Don't stress out. Don't force yourself." Jenny finished with so much care in her voice.

"I don't want to leave him like this, Jenny." I said in between the sobs, "He needs us, he needs me. But I don't know what to do." Jenny let out a deep sigh again.

"Okay, so you want my advice? Act like him." Jenny said. 

"Hmm? What?" I asked being confused. I can imagine Jenny shaking her head.

"Be an ass, Arohi. Just like him." She said, "And don't you ever dare to cry for him like that." Hearing those words put a small smile on my face.

"You know I can't do that," I said like a complaining child.

"I will beat you taking the next flight to London." She said with an irritated voice. I let out a laugh at that.

"Fine. If that is going to be the case then I will always call you and cry my heart out." I said with a grin.

"You bitch." She said and I can feel her smile, "Just come back, Arohi if it's getting tough." Jenny finished with a low voice.

"Will you ever leave Arjun if he behaves like this? When you know that whatever you see is just what he wants you to see. When in reality everything is the whole different scenario?" Jenny didn't say anything for some time. I heard her let out a sigh.

"No, I won't leave him ever. At least not without trying to help him. I will try every mean to take him out of it. But in the process, if he is hurting me then I won't take that either." She finished. I smiled a little hearing that. I got my answer to what I need to do. 

"Me neither. I am not the same girl who fell in love and will take every shit the other person throws at me. Maybe it is one reason I lost Rahul. I would have been like... this may be." I said again remembering those time. Have I tried being like this, strict and stern when he was out of hands, will things have been different?

"Arohi, what's gone is gone. There is no point in thinking about it. Just focus on what you have now and what you can do for him. But you just need to know where you have to stop and when that point comes you should give up." Jenny's voice brought me back.

"You are right. I can't keep on trying forever if he is not willing to help himself. I should just leave him on his own if nothing is working as it will be hell for both of us. But till then I will try." I finished with a satisfying smile.

"Don't forget what I said if he ever misbehaves with you again punch him hard in the face or kick at the right place," Jenny said and I could sense her smirking. I let out a laugh, shaking my head a bit.

"Yes, ma'am. I don't know how you find out that but I will follow your advice."

"Good girl. I know you too well to understand anything. I knew it right at the moment you called me crying. You won't just call me for any small reason so it must be a bigger one." She said. 

"Thanks, Jenny."

"Since when you felt the need to say thanks? I really feel you need some beating now." She said and I started laughing again. I could imagine Jenny rolling her eyes. 

"So, hows my husband?" She continued as I refused to stop laughing.

"He is filling your space with Rohan," I said calming myself a little from the laughter attack.

"What? And you are letting them?" Jenny almost shouted in my ears that I had to take my mobile away.

"Oh hello! I am talking about bickering. They keep fighting 24x7!" I said with an irritated tone.

"You little..." Jenny was saying when I cut her off.

"Girl..." I said with an innocent smile. Jenny let out a laugh.

"I miss you, Jenny. Just come here." I said to her like a complaining kid.

"And who will shoot for me? I am not letting go of this film for that asshole." She said.

"Such a best friend you are. I am doubting you now." I said making a face.

"Honey, as I said, for me, I come before anyone else so that counts you too."

"I hate you..." I said rolling my eyes.

"I love you too," Jenny said.

We talked for hours and it still felt incomplete when we said goodbyes. It was already dark outside when I cut the call. I don't know what anyone is doing. I got up, washed my face and changed into full sleeves top before going out so that the red marks from Rohan's grip won't be visible to anyone.

Raghav was in the kitchen doing god knows what. I walked up to him. He gave me his bright smile.

"Thank goodness you are here. It's tough." He said making an innocent face. I couldn't help but smile. 

"You could have called me, Raghav," I said pushing him to side gently and grabbing the knife from his hand. 

"No ways! I was searching for John but there is no trace of him. I don't know if the ruthless god fired him." Raghav said laughing.

"What?" My eyes went wide hearing those words.

"Don't worry. He won't. I am just saying. He might have gone out for grocery shopping." Raghav said being serious now. I let out a sigh of relief. I would have really killed Rohan if that was the case.

"Oh okay! I was about to go to his room with this knife." I said with a plain face. Raghav laughed at that.

"Woh! I know he has lost his mind but he still is my brother and I won't ever let you do this." He said dramatically. I rolled my eyes at him.

"Whatever!"

"Besides he isn't at home. He left some hours back." He said studying my face carefully. I don't know if he met Rohan and he said anything to him or he heard or saw something or he was just trying to find anything out but that made me uncomfortable for I just shifted my weight from one leg to another and thought changing the topic would be the best thing to do at the moment.

"What do you want to eat?" 

"Hmm... Let me think.." Raghav said jumping onto the kitchen counter, seating himself comfortably.

And like that the menu discussion for the dinner began. Raghav and I started the preparations once we were satisfied with our choice of dishes for the night and soon Ahana and Arjun joined us too. Talking with Jenny made me feel somewhat better and now being with these three made me forget about my worries for some time at least. 

I don't know what the future holds or if any of this is going to be worth or not. I can't even tell if Rohan and I will ever see our happy ending. But as long as he is coming out this black hole he has created for himself, the end doesn't matter to me. 

---------------------------------
No relationship is ever
worth sacrificing your
dignity or self-respect for.
---------------------------------

So that was it. Sorry, it's been too long that we were gone. But exams and life have us lil busy.

Anyway, so how was the chapter? Tell us in comments.

VOTE, if you liked it and want the next chapter super soon.

That being said AroHan will be back sooner this time as we have chapters ready in the draft for the first time in months. Haha...

So we will see you some time next week.

Loads of love. ❤️