Rohan's POV

It's been over a week now. But things are still the same. I have visited Aaryan's home so many times that I even lost the count. Sometimes with Arjun, sometimes when Ahana was there and other times I just put some extra courage and went alone.

I don't know how I got so much strength over past few days which I didn't even get all those years I spent being in London, hiding away from all the troubles which my life held. But now that I have gained this confidence, I feel some positivity building up inside me. Raghav was right when he said that I should confront my fears for once and for all, it is the only way to make things right for all of us. It wasn't just me who have lived in this pit all these years but his family has suffered along with me as well and I had no clue till now.

All these years I have spent thinking only about myself and my pain. I spent all these years believing that I was the only one who felt the emptiness Aaryan left behind, that I was the only one who missed him deeply. But I was so wrong! I realized this after I met his mom, for the first time in the last 10 years. I realized how deep my one mistake has affected another person. And all these years I spent thinking I was the only one who suffered when she suffered a far greater loss than me.

How can I forget her? Her pain, her suffering. Seeing her son dead in front of her. I can just imagine what she must have gone through. I always cried years for my loss but what about hers? How can I not see that? How can I ignore that? Everyone around me said that she is overreacting and blaming me to get past her pains. That it was her way to get over the loss she suffered after losing Aaryan. But how can I blame her when I know she's only saying the truth that everyone is denying. I deserve the hate that she throws at me. I've done plenty of wrong deeds to get off my sufferings, to release my pain. I've scarred myself, I've drugged myself, I've used women like toys for my pleasure, I've taken advantage of my loved ones, I've hurt them many times, I've let them down. This was my way to feel less pain.

And if her way to feel better is by cursing me all her life then I guess I'm ready to live in this pit and let myself suffer alone rather than gaining her apologies by troubling her and letting her suffer more because of me.

But somehow I felt happy that I took this step at least now. Not because I gathered the courage to confront my past but because I felt like I'm not alone in my pain. There was someone who would understand and is going through the same pain as mine. If a day comes when she will be able to finally accept me and forgive me then I know we can share our pain with each other and help each other to move forward in life. And I can wait for that day as long as I breathe.

Now that I feel like some weight has been lifted off my chest, I feel better. I feel like I could handle things as I did in the past when Aaryan was with me. I feel brave and strong although I'm not over my past. I just made peace with them, I accepted things that took place and I accepted myself. That was such a liberating thing to do. I'm glad I did that even if I'm late.

Whatever I'm doing now is not for me anymore, now it's about his mom. I'm doing this for her, I want to let her feel light and release her from this heaviness she feels in her heart. I want her to live her life as well just like how I'm starting to live my life. She may not have forgiven me or accepted my apologies or even met me after that day. But she has brought life back to me by meeting me that day, by shouting at me and cursing me. That really changed a lot of things for me. And I just want to help her out the same because I'm the only one who can do that. I'm not gonna disturb her anymore but I can't leave her alone to suffer as well. I have to be there for her as her son. I can never replace Aaryan and I don't want to but I need to be there for her to lean on for support. I just need to be there...

I let out a deep sigh as I looked out at the rising sun in front of me. I couldn't sleep all night yet again. It has been my regular routine now. The thoughts have just clouded my mind again. I wanted to take a long walk badly outside but me being in Mumbai was not helping to fulfill my cravings. I closed my eyes yet again resting my body on the couch which was kept beside a long glass window in my room and stayed the same just when I heard the door getting pushed.

"How many times do I need to tell you Raghav to knock on the door before you enter?" I asked with an irritated voice still not opening my eyes.

"Aw baby, you love me so much that you can even feel me with your eyes closed," Raghav said in a dramatic voice. I opened to my eyes to glare at him who made himself comfortable on the couch opposite to mine. He chuckled at me.

"The thing is you are the only person who gets into anyone's room without permission," I said glaring at him.

"In my defense, I thought you might be sleeping as it's too early. I have never seen you get up at this time." Raghav looked at me suspiciously. I rolled my eyes before sighing and looked out again.

"That's because you never got up at this time in the first place?" I murmured in a low voice.

"That's also true," Raghav said shrugging his shoulders as he got comfortable in front of me resting his back on the pillow behind him. I looked at his moves carefully and suspiciously.

"Why are you here?" I asked with a frown still looking at Raghav who has his eyes closed now.

"I don't know. I missed you." He said lazily shifting into his seat continuously to get more comfortable.

"Stop annoying me and get out if you don't have any work here," I said with irritation held in my voice. Raghav groaned loudly. I threw another angry look at him but he was least bothered closing his eyes and lying there.

I let out a frustrated sigh and moved my gaze away. Some time went in silence until Raghav thought of breaking it.

"How is it really going?" I heard him ask. I looked at him again. He was still in the same position with closed eyes, "I have heard all versions but now I want to hear what you actually feel." He finished opening his eyes. I just let out a deep sigh again closing my eyes briefly before moving my gaze away and looking out of the window.

"I don't know," I said in a low voice shaking my head a bit. I paused for some time before continuing again, "I feel like I should leave her alone. But then the other part of me refuses to give up just yet. She holds a decade long hatred for me, Raghav. I don't think it is gonna go away easily." I finished and looked back at Raghav who was looking at me with no expressions. He took a deep breath as he shifted in his seat again to face the window.

"I guess..." He said after some time in a low voice and looked back at me again, "But to be honest I guess you should just let her decide now...Rather than forcing yourself inside her house every day." He finished and waited for me to say something. That's what I was thinking sometime back. I guess I needed to hear this from someone else.

"I was thinking of doing the same now." I said, "Anyway, she just locks herself up in her room whenever I share the same roof with her. I guess it's hard for her to breathe the same air as mine."

"Hmm... If it wasn't for Ahana she might have filed FIR against you." Raghav said chuckling a bit. I rolled my eyes at him.

"I am too good at handling cases now," I said giving him a smirk. The smile on Raghav's face faded and annoyance took over it.

"Excuse me? Did you just say 'you are good'?" He asked raising his eyebrows at me.

"Of course, what were you expecting for me to say anyway?" I asked shrugging my shoulders.

"You really are such an ass!" Raghav said pushing me with his foot. I let out a laugh. Raghav continued being annoyed, "I still couldn't figure out how a girl like Arohi fell for you?"

I gave him a small smile as the laughter died down. Of course, she deserves better as I have always said. I can't even argue with Raghav on that.

"I guess she has a faulty system where she gets attracted only towards jerks like me or Rahul," I said not letting out any emotions.

"Please... Rahul was still better than you. I mean I guess though I don't know the whole story. Besides they fell in love right from start." He said rolling his eyes. I let out a faint smile and looked down at my hands.

"I guess..." I said with a low voice. I haven't talked to her properly in these past few days because of my daily routine of meeting Aaryan's mom and because she's busy with her work. We have barely met and spent time together.

"Don't you feel jealous when she still talks about him with the same affection?" Raghav asked after some time. I looked up at him. He was looking back at me waiting for my answer. I gave him a small smile and looked out of the window again. The rain has started pouring again. I took a deep breath before answering him.

"I guess over the years you get mature and learn to respect others feelings as well," I said and looked back at him.

He didn't say anything so I continued further, "Rahul is a part of her life she will never get over with. She loved him with everything in her and he might have done the same. She is what she is because of him. He gave her the opportunity to rise to the top." I finished closing my eyes for a moment before continuing.

"But life sucks. It's not all fairytales as we see in movies or read in books. Sometimes in a bad moment, we make some really bad decisions and it affects everyone around us. I guess the same happened to them." I said in low voice fiddling with my fingers and glancing in-between at the rain outside.

No one spoke anything for some time. Few moments went by in silence before I finally spoke again.

"I can't possibly replace Rahul in her life. I don't even want to do that. But I can always fill a different place in her heart. Which will just belong to me." I smiled a little looking at Raghav. He returned it.

"And if I have to accept her, I have to accept Rahul as well who was the biggest part of her life and still is... maybe. Like how she has accepted me with all my flaws and my past that still haunts me." I finished shrugging my shoulders and looked out again.

"You know she loves you. I don't know if it's more than Rahul or equal to him but I just know that she does... more than you will ever know." Raghav said with a faint smile looking back at me. I gave him an understanding node with a small smile playing on my lips.

"I know... more or less doesn't matter as long as she is gonna there with me," I whispered. My mind visualized her beautiful smile and that burning love in her eyes for me. I felt little butterflies in my tummy with just her thought. She could always make me feel loved even in her absence and make me crave for her presence. I wish I could gather up some strength to tell her how much I loved her as well.

"So...?" Raghav opened his annoying big mouth again breaking me from my thoughts when I thought we can have some decent conversations as well but how can I forget that he is Raghav after all.

I gave him an irritated look to which he chuckled foolishly, "When's the wedding happening?"

I shook my head making a face at him but that guy had a wide smile on his face.

"Not anytime soon..." I said shrugging my shoulders and looked at him. He gave me a confusing look and raised his eyebrows asking me to continue further.

"Let her decide if she really wants to live with me. Like literally. Dating someone is different but committing is difficult... plus we need to manage our careers and time differences. There are loads of other things as well. If we overcome this then we'll see." I said casually in an effort to make him stop asking further. And I guess I succeeded in it when I saw a big smile forming on his lips.

Now it's not a secret about me and Arohi anymore and it never was to start with, it's just that we haven't really spoken about it to each other. I haven't confessed my feelings to her yet but we both know what we feel for each other and so does our friends. Also, I've grown immune against all the jokes and teasing regarding us but it's also true that it still annoys me sometimes.

"I am really happy for you, Rohan." He said being pleased, "You have really come a long way since past few months. You have taken the efforts and see you are getting there." He finished smiling proudly and happily at me.

I smiled back at him.

"Raghav... I... Never really said anything to you but you know what you mean to me, right? You have always been there and I am really grateful for whatever you have done for me till now. Thank you for not leaving me even once when I gave you tones of reasons to do so." I said being genuine with him for the first time ever. I just felt that I should tell him that.

Life is a bitch. You won't know when something or someone is taken away from you forever. I have learned that over the years. So one should appreciate what they have now than pushing everything for tomorrow.

"I know... You don't have to thank me, Rohan. It's you who have saved me all these years." Raghav said putting a hand on my knee. I just smiled at him.

"By the way, this is the only serious conversation we have had until now," Raghav said further in his dramatic self.

"And don't even expect anything more," I said moving to the side to get up from the couch.

"I know... I should mark this day in golden." I heard Raghav as I walked to take a shower and start this day with a new hope.

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

I got ready but it was still too early. 9 AM? I never even woken up at 9 unless it was for work and now I am ready with one big question before me. What should I do for the whole day?

I sighed a bit and got downstairs. Jenny was sitting at the dining table.

"Hello, handsome. You got too early today." She said in a cheerful voice, giving me a big wide smile. I smiled looking at her as I got seated opposite her.

"Couldn't sleep?" She asked again raising her eyebrow as she took a sip of her tea.

"Yup," I said shaking my head a bit. She smiled at me as she got up from her chair.

"I'll make you one strong coffee to lighten up your mood." She said going into the kitchen.

"Wait, Jenny. Just finish your tea. I'll make coffee for myself." I said getting up from the chair.

"Just relax, Ro. It's fine." Jenny said giving me her warm smile as she took the mug out of the cupboard and smiled mischievously at me again, "Arohi is one lucky girl. Else here everything is different." She finished looking at the stairs in a sarcastic tone.

I followed her gaze to find Arjun walking towards the table lazily.

"I help you out too." He said in his defense taking a seat beside Jenny's chair. I chuckled looking at him.

"Please, Arjun," Jenny said moving her hands on the counter to make coffee for me. I went and sat on my chair again, just to get some entertainment. Jenny continued again, "Last time you helped me I have to work double to clean everything."

"Well, I told you..." Arjun was saying something again but she didn't let him finish.

"Just don't please. Ever!" Jenny said rolling her eyes with irritation. I chuckled at them when Arjun gave me a glare.

"Don't enjoy the show, Ro. It is going to happen with you too. Then I will be the one enjoying the show." Arjun said still glaring. I chuckled again.

"We will see," I said shrugging my shoulders.

"What are you upto?" Arjun asked again looking at me suspiciously, "Going again today?"

"Nah! Not today. I guess it's better if I leave her alone for some time and give her some time to think over. I will go again in a couple of days." I said sighing and thinking about all the events all over again.

"That's better I guess." Arjun said taking a deep breath as he continued further, "Are things getting any better? What did Ahana say?"

"I don't know. Ahana was pretty busy lately as she had to work overtime. So I haven't talked to her much." I said looking down at the table. Just when Jenny came and put the mug in front of me as she went and got seated on her chair.

"Drink your coffee and just relax." She said taking her own cup to her mouth. I smiled at her holding my mug.

"What about mine?" Arjun asked frowning at her. Jenny rolled her eyes.

"I will make one when I'm done here." She said taking a sip again. Arjun's frown deepened as he looked at me.

"What about him?" He sure sounded like a complaining kid which made me chuckle further.

"That poor boy was looking really tired as he is going through a lot," Jenny said putting her cup down.

"I'm too. With him. Just looking at him makes me tense up." Arjun said looking at me and then at Jenny pouting a little. Jenny rolled her eyes again.

"Really? I have a different thought about it." She said narrowing her eyes at him.

"Like what?" Arjun asked.

"You were snoring loudly yesterday." She said and glared at Arjun. Arjun looked at me immediately to which I shook my head in disappointment, just playing along a bit.

"That's because I was dead worried about you, Ro!" Arjun managed to find his excuse.

"And here I thought of you as my best friend who I can share my sadness with," I said in a disappointed tone sighing sadly. Jenny tried to hide her laugh as she took another sip of her tea.

"Stop being dramatic you asshole. Did Raghav wipe on you? I see you both are getting really close." Arjun said with irritation.

"At least he doesn't snore when I'm in trouble," I said eyeing Arjun to which he rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, whatever!" He said being annoyed when the doorbell rang. Arjun groaned with a lot of irritation and got up from his chair to open the door.

"Who is it that couldn't sleep last night so he or she has to come here so early!" He murmured under his breaths as he walked towards the door.

"If it's she then please tell her to go away from the door because if she enters then I will murder both of you together," Jenny said with a plain face glaring at Arjun.

"So possessive you are!" Arjun said without looking at Jenny as he vanished behind the wall.

I heard some voices at distant as Arjun talked. And in some time we saw him entering the room again. Not alone but with Ahana following him.

"It was 'she' but I couldn't send her back," Arjun said pointing at Ahana who gave us a weak smile. What's wrong with her? She never forces a smile at us at least.

I heard Jenny's chair scraping on the floor as she got up.

"Ahana, what are you..." She was saying but couldn't finish as she saw who emerged from behind her. The room fell silent for a moment. I got up from the chair and joined them waiting for Ahana to say something and finally, she did as all eyes were on her waiting for her to speak up.

"Mom wanted to meet Rohan." She said looking at me apologetically. Why is she sorry? I couldn't be happier to see the woman who couldn't bear to see me a few days ago in her house, came to meet me!

"Yeah. Aunty, why don't you come and have a seat." Jenny said with a wide smile. Mrs. Sharma returned it with hers and looked at me to say something. I looked at Jenny and then Ahana not knowing what to do.

"Umm... Should... Should we go somewhere else?" I asked not sure as to what should I say at the moment. My heart was beating rapidly again. Before Aunty could respond Jenny barged in-between.

"Rohan, take her to the garden on the backside." She said eyeing me. I nodded at her and looked back at Aunty gesturing her to follow me.

We got seated on the chairs in the garden. It was still pouring outside and the sound of rain filled the silence between us. I kept fiddling with my fingers not knowing how to start a conversation.

Funny... isn't it? A few days back I was dying to talk to her and now when she is here, I'm blank.

"Thank you..." I looked at Aunty when she broke the ice finally. She looked back at me. I couldn't quite make out her words. Thank you? For what? I think the question in my head was pretty visible on my face as she continued.

"For taking care of my family for all these years." She said and looked ahead of us, into the pouring rain in the garden.

I was about to open my mouth to protest but she didn't let me as she continued further.

"Ahana told me everything about what you did for us, for her." She said again just looking distantly. I stayed quiet letting her finish everything. She took a deep sigh, a sad one but didn't look at me again.

Seeing her this broken was breaking my heart bit by bit. But I couldn't do anything about it. I still don't know if she forgave me or not yet.

"I'm really grateful for what you did, Rohan. And I didn't mean it when I said that you should have died instead. I'm sorry." She looked at me again.

"You don't have to," I said ignoring the pain in my heart.

"No. It was my fault." She said again and looked ahead, "I never liked you. The main reason for that was I wasn't sure about you. I thought you are just a waste who got kicked out of his own house. And you'll be a bad company for my Aaryan. That's why I always hated your bonding with him." She finished with a small sad smile. I swallow hard, trying hard to not let out any tear.

"I knew my son wanted to have a career in music but I didn't let him. I wanted a perfect son for myself and I guess that's where I lost him. He started spending more time with you. He found comfort in you." She said taking a deep sigh. I was just staring at her looking carefully. I just couldn't believe that she was here, in front of me, talking to me calmly. This has never happened before. Even when Aaryan was here. She never liked me.

"That's what I was insecure about. I never understood him..." She finished and looked at me with tears clouding her eyes. I wanted to comfort her but I felt helpless. I had so many emotions boiling up inside me that it was hard to even say a word because next moment I might break down in front of her. I needed to compose myself first before I could console her.

"And when God took him away from me I just couldn't take it..." She said as tears started flowing down her cheeks. She wiped them away as I blinked away my own tears.

"I... Put out everything on you... I knew somewhere that you are not at fault. You loved him like your own brother but I still..." She said talking in between her sobs.

"Aunty..." I said finally finding my voice, asking her to stop but she refused to. She paused for some time putting herself together again. She took a deep breath calming down her senses and looked at me.

"I don't know, Rohan... If I will ever be able to forget anything because it was your mistake that killed my son. Not intentionally of course, but you were responsible somewhere." She said after some time. I moved my gaze away from her. It hurts to hear that from someone else no matter how many times I've told myself the same thing.

I couldn't look into her eyes. She was right after all. It was indeed my mistake and I have been paying for it all these years.

"But I forgive you..." She said after some time. I looked at her not believing what she said just now. She looked away and continued further, "Don't suffer because of what happened. You have your whole life before you. Just..." She finished looking lost and looked at me again after some time.

"I guess even my Aaryan would want that...so just for him... I can forgive the boy who he thought of as his brother." She said and gave me a faint smile. I couldn't smile back at her.

"That makes me your son too?" I asked with hope after a few moments of silence. She gave me a small smile in return.

"I guess..." She said in a low voice nodding her head, "I just wanted to say this... Don't come to the house to apologize again but my door will be open for you whenever you want to come home."

I smiled widely as a tear left my eye. She smiled back at me.

"Thank you... Aunty." I said in a low voice. I don't know how to feel about it, to be honest, "And I want you to know that your other son is still here and will always be there for you."

Aunty didn't say anything over that nor she looked at me. I know she hasn't forgiven me completely yet and it was rather for Aaryan or Ahana or even Uncle but at least she tried to talk to me.

"Sure I can't fill the gap of Aaryan but still if you could just..." I was talking when she cut me off and got up from her chair.

"Don't worry about me. I'm fine..." She said putting a small smile on her face. I got up too.

"I should get going now." She said looking into her wristwatch, "Come home before leaving. Ahana's dad would love to meet you again." She finished with a smile.

"I will definitely come over..." I said smiling back at her as she left to go inside.

Sure things aren't perfect yet and they won't be anytime soon. But I got hope now. A hope that somewhere in the future everything will be fine. That she will accept me. That she will forgive me. She took a step today and that's what matters the most at the moment for me.

My efforts are paying off... Finally!

Somewhere I could feel that things are starting to get better. I've changed a lot in the past few months, I've started to value people in my life, I've learned to face my fears, I've started to get better mentally. My anxiety and panic issues have come down considerably. I can't say I'm fully recovered but I'm on my way there. With her coming to meet me and talking to me with so much calm, I know I'll make things right with her, for her. I just need to keep going, taking with me all the lessons I've learned in this journey, keeping my faith and hope alive in me.

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

Arohi's POV

I almost ran towards the door hearing the doorbell. I opened it widely without looking through peek hole breathing heavily.

"Relax... I won't mind standing here for 2 more minutes." Rohan said smiling widely at me. I just stared at him for a moment before throwing my arms around him.

That sudden movement made him lose his balance but he gained it immediately.

"I missed you," I whispered staying in his arms. I heard him chuckle a bit.

"You are being too clingy lately," Rohan said taking his hand to my head and caressing my hair gently. I pulled out smiling widely at him.

"What can I do? I rarely meet my boyfriend so I'm flooded with happiness whenever I get to see him again." I said dramatically to which Rohan chuckled widely again. It's when I noticed his guitar with him.

I looked at him suspiciously as I narrowed my eyes.

"Why would you bring your guitar?" I asked again folding my hands over my chest. Rohan looked over his shoulder and then at me.

"I'll tell you but can I just come inside for now? It's raining, Arohi." He said with irritated face and complaining tone. I let out a laugh at that as I pushed myself to the side letting him come inside.

"Shit! Sorry. Come, come!" I said making an apologetic face. Rohan shook his head in disappointment as he entered the house.

I followed him inside shutting the door close. He put his guitar in one of the couch as he got seated on others. I went and sat in front of him.

He looked around the house once before his chocolate brown eyes settled on me again. I raised my eyebrows at him waiting for him to answer my question.

It was his third time in my house since he came to Mumbai but those visitings were with Raghav, Arjun, and Jenny, the other time Ahana accompanied them as well. So this is basically the first time he's visiting me alone after coming to Mumbai this time. We haven't met much lately or even talked properly. We've spent so much less time with each other. I think we talked more when I was here and he was in London.

But I don't complain, I know it has been the toughest days of his life and I'm so proud that he's facing each day with a brave face and moving forward. Actually this visit has had a positive effect on him. I've experienced a positive change in him from whatever small conversations or meetings we had. And I couldn't be happier.

Rohan let out a sigh before he started talking.

"I wrote a new song. Thought if you would like to hear it." He finished shrugging his shoulders. My eyes went wide. I didn't expect that...

"Are you kidding me?" I asked clapping my hands before me as my eyes sparkled with excitement. I know I have said it tones of times already but I just love when he sings. Rohan rolled his eyes again seeing my enthusiasm.

"But I already have a guitar which you played the last time. Why would you bring this?" I frowned at him. Rohan moved in his seat and let out a sigh.

"Well, that belongs to Rahul and I wanted to play this song with mine." He said shrugging his shoulders, without looking at me. I smiled a little at that. I love how he has accepted Rahul as an irreplaceable part of me and how he's comfortable with me talking about him. I feel so lucky to be in love with a man who understands me and gives me my space. I think we have this deep understanding of each other even without the help of words.

"Okay. No problem. So are you starting now?" I asked rubbing my hands with excitement visible in my voice and posture. Rohan rolled his eyes again.

"At least respect the feelings of your one of the biggest fan," I said frowning at him. He shook his head in disappointment.

"At least offer me something to eat or drink." He said frowning at me. I rolled my eyes this time.

"You aren't guest here anymore so if you want anything, please the kitchen is that way as you already know," I said in a sarcastic tone pointing my hand in the direction of the kitchen. Rohan shook his head again sighing a bit.

"And you are coming from Jenny's house. Didn't you eat or drink anything before coming? There's no scarcity of food there, for sure!" I said in an irritated voice. Rohan just glared at me without any emotions. I let out a sigh.

"Even if you are hungry then hold it a little longer for me. Let's just hear the song first." I said again pouting at him. Rohan glared and then rolled his eyes as he rested on the sofa.

"You talk way too much. And I thought you were a calm girl all those years," he said without any expressions. I rolled my eyes.

"Anyway before that..." He was saying something but I didn't let him finish.

"I was going to ask you that..." I said raising my eyebrows with a smirk on.

"What...?" Rohan asked being confused as ever. I let out a chuckle.

"You are looking happy today. Did anything happen?" I asked eyeing him. Rohan smiled widely looking at me with some expressions which I couldn't explain in words but they surely made my heart skip a beat. I looked down ignoring the beating of it.

"Yes." I heard Rohan say as he shifted in his seat, "Aaryan's mom came to meet me." My eyes went wide again as I looked up at him.

"And???" I asked eyeing him carefully.

"And she hasn't forgiven me fully yet, Arohi... But I see hope." He said looking down at his hands with a smile. It wasn't a happy one nor a sad one. It was just a smile. A normal. I got up from my seat and went to sit beside him, holding his arm.

"See I told you. It's gonna be fine. You just need to give her some time. After all, she has lost her son." I said looking at him. He nodded in understanding and smiled at me

"I'm really happy to see you smile genuinely from your heart, Rohan. I missed seeing this." I said putting my chin on his shoulder. He gave me a peck on my forehead from the side.

"I'm sorry, Arohi. I know I have made you worry... Just too much... Ever since I have entered your life." He said in a low voice. I sat straight in my seat.

"And you are the one who put the biggest smile on my face and taught me to live again and to love again," I said smiling brightly at him. He shifted in his seat to take a look at me as he smiled again.

"So what's this song about?" I asked again containing my excitement. Rohan chuckled looking at me.

"There are a few things... Which I can't say. So I just found this way and wrote it in this song." Rohan said putting a strand of my hair behind my ear. I giggled.

"Okay, so should I assume that it's exclusively for me," I asked again suppressing my biggest ever smile.

"You can say that," Rohan said giving me his famous smirk. My heart was pounding rapidly in my chest that I was afraid he could hear my heartbeats and tease me even more. Rohan got up from his seat and took his guitar in his hand making his way towards the backyard.

"Wait... Where are you going?" I asked running behind him.

"Just from where you can see the rain." He said stopping by the sliding glass door opening towards my backyard garden which wasn't really big to call it as a garden but just a few plants and pushed it open. It was raining lightly outside. I felt the cool breeze greet my skin as a smile crept to my lips.

He has planned something special. I knew it in my heart but I contained my excitement and emotions. I didn't want to expect anything. Whatever it is, I just want to live that at this moment.

"Just tell at least where are you going," I said in a complaining voice.

"You anyway follow me everywhere so..." He said pulling out a chair and making himself comfortable on it.

"Hey... Don't take me for granted Mr. Nanda!" I frowned at him. He threw me a confused look.

"When did I do that?" He asked with an irritated tone. I glared at him.

"Just now," I said still giving him a glare. Rohan let out a sigh and closed his eyes for a moment.

"Alright... Sorry..." He said and shifted his focus to his guitar, adjusting the strings. I got seated on the swing, facing him.

"You will even follow me if I go to Mars." He murmured under his breath but I heard him anyway.

"I heard that!" I said making my voice a little louder.

"Just hear this out then we can do your favorite thing." He said putting the guitar on his lap and positioning it and then looked at me.

"My favorite thing?" I asked being confused.

"Yes, fighting over the silliest thing." He said shrugging his shoulders.

"Rohan...!!" I shouted, frowning again.

"Arohi...! Just hear it before I change my mind." He said and smiled at me. That damn smile. It never fails to melt my heart. God!!! I need to work on that. I can't just let him do that to me every freaking time.

I let out a sigh and sat comfortably on the swing. Rohan took a deep breath and started playing the chords.

"I met you in the dark, you lit me up
You made me feel as though I was enough
We danced the night away, we drank too much
I held your hair back when
You were throwing up"

He sang looking at me with so many emotions flowing through those two orbs. My heart skipped a beat the moment he started singing. I felt heart take up its pace. I smiled at him holding back few strands of hair behind my ear due to the stubborn breeze.

"Then you smiled over your shoulder
For a minute, I was stone-cold sober
I pulled you closer to my chest
And you asked me to stay over
I said, I already told ya
I think that you should get some rest"

He closed his eyes. I kept staring at him. Unable to take my eyes off him. It was peaceful with just him, me, his guitar and the soft sound of pouring rain. It was perfect weather.

"I knew I loved you then
But you'd never know
'Cause I played it cool when I was scared of letting go
I know I needed you
But I never showed
But I wanna stay with you until we're grey and old
Just say you won't let go
Just say you won't let go"

My eyes started getting teary. With happiness this time. I know what he was trying to say. I have waited for years just to hear Rohan confessing to me and now that time is finally here. I held my hand to my mouth as I couldn't stop myself from smiling like I'm crazy.

"I'll wake you up with some breakfast in bed
I'll bring you coffee with a kiss on your head
And I'll take the kids to school
Wave them goodbye
And I'll thank my lucky stars for that night"

Rohan looked at me just when a tear left my eye. He threw a concerned look at me but I gestured him it's nothing and he can continue. He gave me a small smile.

"I'm so in love with you
And I hope you know
Darling your love is more than worth its weight in gold
We've come so far my dear
Look how we've grown
And I wanna stay with you until we're grey and old
Just say you won't let go
Just say you won't let go

I wanna live with you
Even when we're ghosts
'Cause you were always there for me when I needed you most"

He sang again and I had the urge to go and kiss him until we were left breathless. My heart rate went so high that I thought it might pop out of my chest. I just didn't know what I was feeling at that moment, I felt a lot of things at the same time and I was just overwhelmed with every emotion. He just confessed! He said he loves me! He said he wants a future with me! How am I supposed to react?! I didn't know but I was crying with a big smile on.

"I'm gonna love you till
My lungs give out
I promise till death we part like in our vows
So I wrote this song for you, now everybody knows
Finally, it's just you and me till we're grey and old
Just say you won't let go
Just say you won't let go"

He finished and looked at me to say something, anything. And I just kept wiping my tears away. I know I usually talk too much just around him but when I actually need to say something I am short of words.

More tears followed after another and I just kept brushing them away. I looked at him still not believing what I just heard him singing to me. I couldn't tell if I was dreaming or if this is actually happening. He actually wrote this song for me...and he finally confessed to me!

Rohan kept his guitar aside and moved towards me. My eyes followed him even though my vision was blurred from the tears. He bent down just before me and looked up wiping few of the tears away.

I let out a chuckle through those flowing tears. "I'm sorry...." I said being embarrassed, "I don't know what happened."

"It's OK. It's just me..." He said in a low voice and I saw his eyes soften as he looked at me. It gave me butterflies.

"I know. It's just you." I said letting out a small laugh again as he brushed his fingers against my cheek with a warm smile adorning his face.

"Arohi..." Rohan said and paused for some time before starting again by looking at me directly in my eyes, "I'm not perfect. I have given you so much pain. I have broken you countless times." Rohan paused for some time as he looked down taking my hand in his. My smile dropped as I anticipated for every word he was going to say. I didn't take my eyes away from his face and waited with a restless heart.

He looked up at me again. There were so many emotions hidden in those chocolate brown orbs. I didn't say anything, fearing that he will stop and I wanted to hear everything he has to say. Not that I ever doubted him but I don't know when I will get to hear it.

Rohan smiled a little at me before continuing.

"And every time it was you who came searching for me. I don't know if I deserve you or not but..." I frowned at him hearing those words. He let out a small chuckle as he went further, "I promise to you, I won't back off now. That I won't let you go now. I promise you no matter what happens in the future, how many times we fight, how big the fights might be, we will make it work. We will sit down and talk it out. Fight even more if that's needed. But we will sort out whatever it might be."

He finished holding my hand tighter in his grip. I gulped a little as fresh tears formed in my eyes ready to fall any moment. I smiled looking down at him as I nodded but still didn't say anything. I didn't dare to move my gaze away from his. I just wanted to capture this moment forever in my memory. I wished for this moment to never end and for us to live and die in this moment.

"I don't know what the future really holds for us. But I promise that I won't ever turn my back to you. I will always hold on to us tight. I will always make it work." He finished giving me his sweetest smile. I smiled through my tears nodding my head at him.

"No matter what life throws at us... we will fight it together and we will survive every hurdle." He said further, "Regardless of anything, I will always love you and just you... I promise you that...."

My heart skipped a beat hearing those words finally from his mouth. How long have I longed to hear that? I knew he loved me, his actions have always said that but there was a part of me who still wanted this. I closed my eyes and let tears flow down my cheek. I could feel Rohan getting up still holding my hand.

"I love you, Arohi. I really do, I always have and I always will..." He said finally kissing my forehead and kept his lips pressed against my forehead a little longer. I kept my eyes closed feeling his lips against my forehead.  He moved away after some moments as he looked down at me. I opened my eyes and got up smiling like crazy. Rohan chuckled at me as he moved a few strands of my hair away from my face.

"I can't wait to share many more childish fights with you." He said holding my head, looking straight into my eyes with a bright smile. I put my hands over his shoulders as his hands travelled on my waist pulling me closer and he continued, "Which of course I have let you win till now and will continue to do the same in the future..." He finished shrugging his shoulders with a playful smile.

"Shup up, Rohan..." I said in a complaining voice as I punched his chest with one of my hands. Rohan let out a hearty laugh. I just stayed silent looking at that with a small smile still lingering on my lips.

"I love you, too. A lot more than I could ever get to tell you." I said looking into his eyes which stared back at me with so much love that I felt weak in my knees. I moved closer pulling him in a hug as my hands went behind his neck, "But just remember one thing if you ever go away from me again..." I said making my voice tough. Rohan didn't say anything and pulled me even more closer that there was no space left between us anymore. Smile formed on my lips again.

"I will still come and find you..." I finished whispering in his ear. I could feel a smile forming on his lips which brushed on my bare skin.

"Even if you go to mars..." I whispered smiling mischievously. Rohan let out a chuckle that sounded like a melody to my ear. I smiled wholeheartedly as I couldn't contain my happiness.

"Me too..." He said in a low voice as his laughter faded a little but I could still feel his smile.

I closed my eyes in his embrace refusing to let him go away from me just yet. I made my grip on his neck tighter pulling him closer to me. I felt his grip tightening too as he lifted me up a little holding me closer to him in his embrace. We held on to each other as if we were afraid to let each other go.

We have struggled a lot to reach where we are now. We have conquered every obstacle to stay together. And I know we will be facing a lot more in the future. As he said, we don't know what will happen in the future so why to worry about it and ruin our present moment. All I can tell as of now is that we are not going to let go of each other ever and will always hold on to each other tight just like this moment. I don't ever want to lose him again.

After all these years of loneliness, wandering and struggles we have finally found each other in the ruins of our lives. We found love in the ruins and it became a reason for us to find ourselves. When we did that, we found each other and fell more madly and deeply in love with each other.

Life has a strange way of working out. My whole story is an example showcasing the same. I've been through a lot of ups and downs but now as I remain tangled in his embrace, close to him, I just know I'll be fine no matter what comes my way. I know even in this ruins there's always a hope, love and faith. You just need a little courage to move forward, to keep going and then you experience the most beautiful things in life. Ruins are indeed something that makes you appreciate the beauty of the brokenness and it's the same with such lives. It may contain a lot of pain, suffering, loneliness and brokenness but it is the one that gives you adventures, lessons and make your life a beautiful journey.

It might be the end of the current story but it's just a new beginning for both of us... where we will be together, facing the new adventures which our life will throw at us. The next phase of our lives starts here, with a lot of love, silly fights, sleepless nights, managing time gaps, little precious moments and a life long togetherness...

-------------------------------
And suddenly, you
know... It's time
to start something
new and trust the
magic of beginnings.
-------------------------------

THE END

Okay so that was it. This sums up "In The Ruins..." Journey. We have finally completed our first-ever book. The last chapter of this journey but the new beginning of AroHan's life.

So for the last time tell us what do you think about this one. 

VOTE if you liked this.

Many of you were asking about epilogue but as of now, it won't be there. We will see if and when it happens.

Finally, a big thank you for all of you for reading this book.

Love you all loads and hoping to see you guys in the new book with some new characters and new journey.

Leaving you all with this pic of AroHan...🥰