Arohi's POV

I was sitting in my room being bored, reading through some random magazine, when my phone rang. I looked at the caller ID and a big smile crept across my lips.

"Vivek!" I said picking up the call.

"Wow! You seem to be pretty happy and here I was worried about you." He said smiling from another side.

"Yes! I'm very happy!! I recorded my first ever English song and guess what? Everyone loved it!" I said with so much excitement.

"Wow! Are you serious?! Finally, it's happening! I'm so happy for you Arohi!" He said with excitement clear in his voice. "Hmm, but why am I getting to know just now? That too when I called you." He said with a fake seriousness.

"Sorrrryyyy! I came late yesterday and was pretty tired, so I slept and now I forgot." I said, genuinely being sorry for not informing him.

"Yeah, see you have already started forgetting me, Arohi." He said faking anger to which I laughed.

"Anyway, I called to tell you that I'll be coming back soon but it seems that you have already gotten along with everyone there, I guess. I'm really happy to hear that." He said and I can sense him smiling from the other end.

"Yeah, everyone here is so sweet but that doesn't mean I can forget you, Vivek. You won't ever stop with your drama, will you?" I said acting like I'm annoyed to which he laughed "OK then, I'll see you real soon. Bye, Arohi."

"Bye, Vivek." I said with a smile and hung up.

I really missed that guy, good that he is coming back soon. I took a look at the clock, it was already 6:30 PM.

Oh shit! I've to get ready. Rohan is taking me out for dinner tonight as a way of thanking me for taking care of him for these past few days. He did not recover completely from the fever, it occurred again and then the headache that came and went, every now and then. In spite of all this, we managed to complete writing a song and also recorded one too. So basically these past few days were pretty hectic, but it was all worth it in the end.

Rohan is all well now and he has started being nice to me too. Although we haven't become close friends or anything, it's just he is not rude to me anymore which I think is a great progress in our hate relationship. To sum it up, things are going well nowadays.

I took a quick shower and got dressed in a red dress which came till little above my knee. As always, I kept my make-up light as I don't want to overdo anything. I just did my eyes and put on lip gloss. I tied my hair in a high ponytail, wore my watch and heels and I was ready to go. I took my purse and took a glance at myself for one last time as I walked out of the room, closing the door behind me.

I went to the living room to find Rohan already seated on the couch, scrolling through his phone. He was wearing casual jeans and a white shirt paired with a blue blazer. His hairs were set properly with gel. He looked good, I mean, of course, he always looks good. It's a fact and there's no denying to that. But with Rohan, it's not just his good looks, but his charm that makes him even more attractive.

I walked up to him and called him "Rohan..." He looked up at me and a smile formed on his lips.

"You are looking beautiful, Arohi." He said getting up, his eyes fixed on me. I was surprised, to be honest, I didn't expect that from him.

"Really?! You complimenting me? That's so unlike you, Rohan." I said with a surprised look.

"Yeah, I was just being nice." He said with a teasing smile looking at me. I just rolled my eyes and smiled at his sentence.

"Thank God! It's you only. For a moment I thought it was someone else." I said playing along with the teasing game. He just smiled and shook his head and I chuckled.

"Shall we then, Madam." He said taking his hand out, gesturing me to walk. I let out a small laugh before nodding my head and walking ahead with Rohan following right behind.

***********

On the way to the restaurant, no one spoke anything. The silence was comfortable. I was looking out of the window the whole ride, Rohan was driving silently and I didn't bother to start a conversation or enquire about the plans for tonight. Not that there is going to be any big plan. I was brought back from my thoughts when Rohan pulled over at the restaurant.

We entered the restaurant and walked to the reception area to inquire about our reservation.

"Good evening, Sir! Good evening, Ma'am!" the woman at the reception gave us her best smile "How may I help you?" she asked looking at Rohan.

"I have a reservation for tonight." 

"Just wait a minute, Sir. Let me check." She said going through the laptop. After few seconds she looked up at Rohan and said with the smile still glued to her face "Yes Sir, you have a reservation for two."

She then called one of the waiters and told him to show our table.

"Have a great time, Sir." She said smiling at Rohan first and then at me. I smiled at her while Rohan didn't even bother to look at her and turned away.

We followed the waiter to our table. It was a great place, dimly lit, romantic lights, soft music in the background. I saw few couples enjoying their time together. I couldn't help but smile thinking how lucky are these people who have their loved ones with them.

"What would you like to have?" Rohan asked looking up at me from the menu card, once we were comfortably seated in our seats.

"Umm...anything..." I said without even bothering to look at the menu.

"Well, I don't know about your likings, Madam. So tell me what you like. So that I can order something for you." He said smiling at me.

"I don't have any favorites, Rohan. You can order anything of your choice. I will be fine with it." I returned back the smile.

"OK then!... But, you can't complain later," he said looking back at the menu card.

"I won't."

"I'm going with chicken as it's my favorite," he said still going through the menu.

"Okay."

Rohan gave the order and put the menu card aside. I don't know why but he was looking everywhere but me.

"So?" I said in an attempt to start a conversation as it was getting awkward. Besides, Rohan was acting weird, that was so unlike him.

"So...nothing..." He said with uneasiness, looking back at me.

"Rohan, are you OK? Why you look so uncomfortable." I asked concerned and not sure why is he acting like that. 

"I'm not uncomfortable, Arohi. It's just that I'm not really used to all these things." He said pointing towards the table and then at me.

"Like what?" I asked crooking my eyebrows still unsure as I didn't quite get him.

"Umm...I don't know... Taking girls out on dinner like this, maybe.." he said as he stammered a little with his words.

"Wow! Are you serious?! I mean Rohan Nanda has never taken any girl out on a date?! You mean I'm the first one?" I asked sounding very surprised at his confession. But he shot me a questioning look, raising his eyebrows at me with a small known smile playing on his lips and then I realized what I just said. Shit! "I mean dinner," I said in a low voice correcting myself, almost immediately.

I looked down, embarrassed. I don't know how the hell that 'date' came out of my mouth! I hope he won't get started with his annoyance now.

Fortunately, he smiled it off. "Yeah, I just have had flings. I take them to my room... for you know what... So basically, this is the first time I'm taking a girl out JUST for dinner." He said stressing on the word 'just' and I blushed to that. What is happening to me? I never blush. I took out my phone and looked down at it, pressing my fingers on it doing basically nothing. I just wanted to avoid looking at him. I just hope he doesn't notice me blushing because of him. I cursed myself for tying my hair in the ponytail. 

"Arohi." He called me, breaking my chain of thoughts.

"Yes?" I said looking up at him.

"Tell me something about yourself," he said casually.

"About me? What do you want to know?" I asked, smiling.

"I don't know, hmm... anything?!" He said taking a sip of water from the glass.

"Oh..k! Well, you already know my name, Arohi Shirke Jaykar." I paused as he rolled his eyes, I let out a small laugh before continuing further, "I used to sing at the bar where Rahul found me and suggested my name to his label. They liked my singing and then I got my biggest break in Bollywood since then I never looked back. And now I'm here..." Rohan was staring at me the whole time with a small smile as I talked. I smiled at him as I finished. Just then the waitress came with our order and served us our food and left.

"Now tell me something about yourself," I said taking spoon and fork, ready to eat.

"Hmmm...there's nothing much to tell about me." He said looking up from his plate.

"Come on, Rohan. I answered your question, and now when it is your turn, don't act like this." I frowned at him.

"OK ok, let's not fight over this now." He said to which I smiled and he went on, "I always wanted to be a singer, it was my passion, my dream, but my dad was against it. He couldn't stand the fact that a top business man's son wanted to be a singer."  He smirked and let out a bitter laugh, probably remembering his father, I guess. I could see the hatred he had for his own father in his eyes. I saw him tightening his grip on the spoon, trying to contain his anger. After few seconds of silence, he continued. "So I left my house and went to Mumbai to start my career. There, I worked in the Hindi music for sometime before I met Ben. He liked my voice and decided to give me a break. I took the opportunity and came here to London." He said and silence followed after that. I didn't know what to say, I didn't know he had family issues or anything. I'm getting to know something new about him every day and whatever that piece of information may be, it always surprises me. We ate in silence for some time.

"So....you and Rahul got married?" He asked out of nowhere, breaking the silence.

"Umm... No, why did you ask?" I asked looking down at my plate. Although I knew why he asked that question.

"Just... As you know, you join his surname to your name." He had plain expressions.

He is not the first person who is asking me this question, many people have asked me this exact same question and I have only one answer for them.

"Because I still love Rahul more than anything. He is my everything, he is the reason for who I am today." I felt my heart heavy as I said those words, that longing found it's way back to me. I felt my eyes tear up a bit but I managed to blink it away.

"So Arohi, tell me how was your experience working with The Rohan Nanda?" He asked running his hand through his hair, winking at me with a smile. I started laughing at his action. I think he got my uneasiness, so he was trying to divert my attention and I inwardly thanked him for doing that.

"What..?" He asked chuckling.

"You are so self-centered, Mr. Nanda," I said still laughing. "But, to be honest, you are really good at your work, no matter how big jerk you are."

"I know, sweetheart." He said with a smirk. " Thanks for the compliment, by the way." I smiled and we got back to eating.

"Why you never had a girlfriend?" I asked after some time. I know it was none of my business but I just asked out of curiosity.

"I don't believe in love." He said shrugging his shoulder, casually without looking at me and still focused on the eating.

"Why...?" I kept looking at him. I was being nosy, accepted. But I just don't want to let it go.

"Why you never had a boyfriend?" He asked, as always turning the tables on me.

"Don't change the topic, Rohan," I said irritated by his behavior.

"I'm not changing the topic, Arohi. The topic ended. That's it!"  He said as he put a small piece of chicken in his mouth with the fork.

I wanted the answer, I was too curious to my own surprise. I was never like this, what's this new change in me?! I was never interested in other's personal life, I have always respected others privacy. But I don't know why I wanted an answer from him even when he was very clear that he didn't want to answer that question. What is it that is bothering me so much?

"No, it didn't. So tell me, is it the reason why you were so disturbed that day?....after hearing that song? You said it reminded you of someone, is it the reason why you don't believe in love?"  I asked whatever I had in my mind since that day. It was bothering me for some unknown reason. But I immediately regretted when I saw his facial expression change. His eyes went dark, there was something in them which I couldn't read... Regret? Guilt? Sadness? But then he turned away before I could read his emotions anymore. He looked back at me after composing himself.

"You ask too many questions, Arohi." He was not looking at me anymore. "You didn't answer my question. Why you never had a boyfriend?" So he didn't want to tell me the reason. Then, I'm not going to ask him again. I think it's better not to talk about this anymore as it made him uncomfortable and this seems to be a rather sensitive topic for him. I let out a sigh.

"Because I love Rahul and I don't think anyone can ever love me the way he did. And I won't be able to love anyone else besides him." I gave him the answer to his question, looking right at him. He was looking at me with plain expressions and then just turned back to his plate as soon as I finished talking without saying anything further.

There were a few minutes of silence between us. I was glad that he didn't ask anything further on that topic. As that 'someone' is a sensitive topic for him, so is Rahul for me, the only difference is that mine is not a secret, but Rohan's is.

Rest of the time went as we ate and talked about random things. To my surprise, I was enjoying his company and it was strangely not awkward as I thought. I felt somewhat happy in his presence.

**********

We were walking in the parking area towards our car. Rohan was walking ahead of me. I was following behind as I was enjoying the beauty of the night. It was such a pretty night, the sky was decorated with the stars and the full moon. A cool breeze blew occasionally and I fell in love with the weather and something came to my mind.

"Rohan..." I called him smiling widely.

"Yeah?" He said turning his head to look at me and gave me a questioning look.

"Let's walk!" I said excitedly, now standing beside him, facing him.

"What? No!" He said giving me a 'have you gone crazy' look. "Just get in the car, Arohi." He ordered as we were already in front of the car.

"Why not?" I frowned.

"Because..." He was going to say something but I cut him off mid-sentence.

"No Rohan, I don't want to hear anything. Let's just walk, please? see, it's such a wonderful night... please...!" I said making a puppy face, hoping he would agree. He rolled his eyes and let out a frustrated sigh. "Whatever!" He threw an angry look at me and started walking. I didn't expect him to give in this easily but yay! I won!

We were walking, side by side, towards his house. But now I was regretting my stupid idea. It was so freaking cold and his house was not so near, on top of that I was wearing a short dress plus I didn't take my coat with me. Wow! How stupid am I?!

"Rohan...?" I called him, shivering.

"What now?" He asked being irritated, without looking at me, his hands rested on his pockets.

"Can you please give me your blazer? It's too cold..." I literally begged him but I didn't care because I don't want freeze to death. He turned and looked at me with a smirk, oh no, not that smirk. I know that too well, he is going to irritate me now!

"I know it's cold. You should have brought your coat, Arohi." He said with a fake seriousness.

"I know I should have but I forgot," I said whining.

"Yeah! But I can't give you my blazer, as it's too cold and my shirt alone can't save me from this cold. If I give you my blazer then I might end up freezing to death." He said with a sad face.

"What?! Then what if I froze to death?"

"I don't care, Arohi. Just think about my fans, they will be heartbroken." He said dramatically.

"Please, Rohan! I'm wearing a short dress and I'm freezing!" I was literally shaking and I so badly wanted that blazer.

"Who told you to wear this? Not me, so it's not my responsibility." He said shrugging his shoulders. Oh God! This guy! I stopped walking in between and Rohan copied my action and shot me a look.

"OK then, let's go back to the car. We haven't come too far anyway." I said as I badly wanted to go home.

"Sorry, but that's not possible. I already messaged my driver to take the car back home."

"So then let's take a cab," I said. I didn't want to stand there, on the street, freezing with each passing second. I wanted to go home as fast as possible.

"No! Now all of a sudden, I feel like walking." He said with a sly smile.

"Just give the blazer or take a cab, I'm freezing Rohan...! I want to go home," I said being irritated.

"I guess, it was your brilliant idea," he said with sarcasm clearly visible in his voice.

"Yes, but I'm regretting it now. I'm sorry. Let's go home. It's too cold." My voice was shaking as I talked. I was on the verge of crying. I looked down with my eyes clouded, I was both angry and helpless. Just then he came and wrapped his arms around me, tight. I froze for a moment with his sudden gesture but I felt warm and safe in his arms.

"Are you OK now...?" He asked in a low husky voice bringing his lips close to my ears. I felt his warm breath on my neck and it sent shivers down my whole body. I felt butterflies in my tummy and I was lost in the moment.

No! What am I even thinking?!

I punched him in his stomach. "Oww!" He whined, moving away from me. " Why did you do that?" he asked rubbing his stomach looking at me with the puppy face.

"Who asked you to hug me?" I asked placing my hands on my hips, faking anger.

"But, you said you are feeling cold so I was just making you feel warm." He said making an innocent face. He looked cute and I had to suppress a smile that was making its way across my lips.

"I asked you to give your blazer not to hug me!" I said with fake anger.

"Then, let's go to that bar, have a drink. You will feel warm." He said pointing to a small bar at the distance.

"I don't drink, Rohan," I said irritated.

"I'm not asking you to get drunk. It's just to make you feel better in this cold." He said with a 'matter of fact' look.

"Well, for that just take me back home," I said with anger and irritation. Both, the weather and Rohan are getting on my nerves. "and is it your way of thanking me?" i asked after few seconds of silence with an irritated tone.

"'Thank you' dinner was over long back, darling. If it weren't for your brilliant idea, we would have been home by now." He said and started walking. "Come, let's walk."

"No, let's just go home!" I whined like a child, following him.

"No, not so soon." He smiled at me.

"Then? What do you want to do in this cold?" I was really pissed off by his behavior.

"Hmmm... Let's go to the park." He said after looking here and there for a few moments.

"Really?! And do what?"

"Just take a walk. I haven't been there for, I don't know how long." He said and started walking. I let out a deep sigh and followed him. Well, I was not left with any other choice.

*******

After walking for few minutes which felt like hours for me, we reached the park. The place was really beautiful but I was done with enjoying the beauty, I'm paying for it now. I felt like I was going to freeze any moment now.

The park was empty, obviously, as it was pretty late at night. We sat on a bench, beside each other, without a word. The moonlight shone upon us. Rohan was very comfortably seated but I was shivering with cold. I badly wanted that blazer. Just then something popped into my head.

"Rohan...?"

"What?" He asked without looking at me.

"Let's play truth or dare," I suggested, hoping he would agree.

"Yeah..." He looked at me with confusion. A smile crept across my lips with his 'yes'.

"So...truth or dare?"

"Dare." He said almost immediately looking ahead of us.

"I dare you to give me your blazer," I said with a smirk. He immediately shot me a look and rolled his eyes "No, I won't." and with that he again looked away.

"You are a loser then, as you didn't complete your dare," I said shrugging my shoulders casually, looking at the view before me.

He looked at me for a few seconds, digesting my words and then he removed his blazer and gave it to me. That worked! I knew it would work. Rohan Nanda doesn't like to lose, after all. I smiled as I felt proud of myself.

I wore the blazer and it felt heavenly, so warm and so soft. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Rohan smiling at me. That's so unlike! What is he thinking?

"So now it's your turn, truth or dare?" He asked me, smirking. Oh God! I hope this 'truth or dare' idea doesn't backfire at me like the 'walking' idea.

"Dare..." I said doubting.

"Give me back my blazer." He said smiling. What?! No way! I've won this blazer with a lot of effort, I'm not giving it up that easily.

"You can't give the same dare again, it's in the rules," I said pulling the blazer closer to my body. He smiled at my action.

"Who specified the rules?" He asked raising an eyebrow at me, looking irritated.

"I did." I almost shouted. He didn't say anything instead he got up and started walking, I copied his movements and followed him.

We took few rounds of the park and then walked back home. The whole walk was silent. I felt bad for Rohan as he had to bear the cold weather and my fragile body didn't allow me to return his blazer back to him. I was feeling guilty because it was my brilliant idea and because of me, he had to go through this.

We finally reached home. Rohan unlocked the door and we got in. I felt some kind of joy as the warmth of the house surrounded me.

"Thank you for the dinner, I had a great time." I smiled at Rohan, genuinely meaning every word I said. I don't know how it works, as Rohan is the one who annoys me the most but still he is the only one who has always saved me, whenever I got myself into trouble.

I waited for Rohan to say something but when I saw he wasn't going to say anything, I smiled at him one last time and turned around to leave for the room when he held my wrist and twirl me, pulling me closer to him. My small body collided with his hard one and a gasp escaped from my mouth with this sudden action.  His hand held my arm, keeping me close to him. I looked up at him nervously to find him smiling down at me.

"I dare you... to kiss me, Arohi." He said with a smirk. I was shocked will be an understatement. I couldn't believe my ears. My eyes went wide and I felt my breath become uneven.  His intense eyes were not helping me either, he looked straight into my eyes and I was unable to take my eyes away from his. I felt my heartbeats increasing with each second.

What is he saying? Is he even serious? 

I was lost for few seconds trying to process the whole thing. But No! He can't be serious, I mean it's Rohan after all and I know him too well to fall for his tricks. I'm sure it was one of his ways to annoy me but I'm not falling for that. I decided to play along a bit.

"Ok, if that's what you want, baby." I said seductively looking directly into his eyes. Rohan was taken aback by my words, even I was surprised with myself. I don't know where that courage came from but then I realized, it's not the courage but the trust that made me say that. I trusted Rohan, I knew that he wouldn't do anything like that with me.

I slowly put my arms on his shoulder. His hands slide down to my waist, pulling me closer to him. My hand traveled behind his neck. He looked at my lips and then at my eyes. He leaned down and I involuntarily closed my eyes. I could feel his face close to mine, inches apart. His warm breath tickled me and I felt butterflies.

I still refused to move away from him. I don't know what's going to happen next. I don't know what he was thinking, I don't get myself at that moment. I just knew this whole thing was new to me and would it be wrong if I say I was enjoying this change in me...? But that doesn't mean I want him to kiss me. I obviously don't want that. For sure!

My trail of thoughts was interrupted by the sound of something or rather someone falling. I looked in the direction of the sound to find Raghav already on the floor. He was looking right at us with his mouth and eyes both wide open, rubbing his butt. Just then I felt something against my cheek, I gasped as Rohan gave me a peck on my cheek. I looked back at him with wide eyes, not knowing how to react, just frozen at the moment.

"Good night, sweetheart." He winked at me with a smile as he let go of his hold on me and stepped away. But there was a part of me, who missed his touch. He turned around and went upstairs to his room. Raghav was so shocked and confused that he didn't even bother to get up. And I? I stayed glued to the floor, processing everything that just happened. Not knowing what was happening to me or what Rohan was doing to me...

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"One day you meet someone
and for some inexplicable reason,
you feel more connected to this
stranger than anyone else."

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So, that's it for now. A chapter full of AroHan. Finally, they are getting comfortable with each other. 🙈😁

AroHan outfits are given in media section.

How was it? Do you guys like it? Arohi's feelings for Rohan are surely changing now. But what about Rohan? Does he feel the same at the moment or he is just in his usual flirty mode? Tell us what do you think in the comments.

And please do VOTE if you like it!!

AroHan will be back with another chapter soon. 💕

Till then, Bye.

Love, Kritika & Ammu. ❤️