Hello everyone! Here's chapter twenty-eight, do let me know how you guys like it :)

Remember to participate in trends for IPZN S2, mail/call/spam- Stream the videos Sony uploads of IPZN almost everyday. Help maintain the hype!! After all these efforts maybe we'll get a season 2 💛
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As they caught sight of the person who stared at them utterly confused and furious, Ishqi and Ahaan took a deep breath and distanced a little from each other but they still didn't tear their interlocked hands apart.

"Oh no" Ishqi mumbled because there in front of them, stood Rahul. He'd seen Ishqi and Ahaan's cute little engagement moment and he definitely didn't find it cute rather he was furious. His fiancee had taken off the ring that symbolized their togetherness and instead worn the one Ahaan had slid onto her finger.

Rahul infuriately flounced towards them and in a loud voice, that was enough to attract attention said, "ISHQI! WOULD YOU CARE TO EXPLAIN?!". Ishqi flinched and Rahul's tone towards her angered Ahaan, "RAHUL! NO NEED TO SCREAM OKAY!" Ahaan said as he pulled Ishqi behind him, knowing that if Rahul didn't calm down he would create a huge drama, in the store as well as when they reached the resort.

He just seemed like that type of person, Ahaan also kinda felt bad for him because, although it was unofficial, poor Rahul had just seen his supposed fiancée get engaged to someone else- And not only that, his fiancée was in love with someone else as well, he'd just learned that he'd been cheated on so Ahaan decided to being considerate, he took a deep breath and lowered his voice, "Rahul, resort jaa ke baat karte hai, let's go, don't create a scene here"

Rahul: Scene?! Mein scene create kar raha houn?! Tumne aur Ishqi ne toh puri ki puri film create kar rakhi hai! Wtf was what I just saw?!

Ishqi: Rahul, I know tumhare dil mein abhi bohot saare questions hoge and tumhe bohot zyada gussa bhi araha hoga but-

Rahul cut her off, "No kidding Ishqi! Toh kya mujhe khushi honi chahiye!" he said sarcastically-

Ahaan was about to answer him back but the salesgirl and the store guard interrupted, "Sir-Mam, yeh banda aap logon ko pareshaan kar raha hai na? Don't worry, I'll get him kicked out of the store asap!" She said and signalled the tough looking guard to get Rahul out of there, the guard grabbed his arm and Ishqi facepalmed herself sensing the situation getting out of hand she interfered and said, "N-Nahi it's okay, thank-you- yeh humara family matter hai, hum handle karleinge- isski koi zaroorat nahi hai"

Salesgirl: Are you sure mam?

Ishqi nodded and the two went away, "AVM, hum food court jaa ke baat karte hai Rahul se kyunke yeh abhi bohot gusse mein hai, agar abhi resort gaye toh yeh pakka koi na koi tamasha zaroor karega" Ishqi whispered in Ahaan's ear to which he replied, "Hmm, and you don't worry Ishqi, chahe kuch bhi hojai, hum dono saath mil ke handle karleinge"

Rahul: Excuse me! I'm still here! he said sharply to which Ahaan rolled his eyes and mentally said, "Hmm, dikh raha hai- but yeh yahan aa kaise gaya?!"

Ahaan: We can see that! But tum yahan kar kya rahe ho?!

Rahul: Seriously?! You're in no place to ask me questions right now! I HAVE questions which I need the answers to right now!

Ishqi: Rahul please...hum food court jaa ke baat karte hai na...Yahan tamasha karne se kuch nahi hoga...Chalo-

Rahul rolled his eyes and exited the store, making his way to the food court, Ishqi and Ahaan followed behind him while Ishqi clung tightly onto Ahaan's arm. While they were walking Ishqi said to him, "AVM, mujhe thoda darr lag raha hai, humne yeh thodi na plan kiya tha...yeh toh ulta horaha hai!"

Ahaan: Ishqi, tum tension mat lo, I know ke we weren't prepared for this but phir bhi...jo hua so hua and now Rahul knows..We can try to make him understand and hope he does!

Ishqi: But AVM, agar ussne understand nahi kiya toh phir? Humara kya? Mein Rahul ko bachpan se jaanti houn, agar woh kuch thaan le toh woh kar ke dikhata hai. Ussne saab ko humare rishte ke against kar dena hai..she blabbered anxiously-

Ahaan: Ishqi, calm down- don't overthink this...End mein wohi hota hai that's meant to be and I know we are..so you don't need to worry and I promise ke jo bhi hojai you and me are going to be together, okay?

"Hmm" Ishqi said as she tightened her hold on him- As their convo ended they'd reached the food court where they saw Rahul already taken a seat and eyeing Ahaan enviously. "Yeh banda mere bande ko nazar lagah dega" Ishqi muttered to which Ahaan giggled at her possessiveness.

They both took a seat in front of Rahul who glared at them angrily, "R-Rahul wohhh ummm" Ishqi stuttered to which Rahul slammed his hand on the table, "Clearly bolo, I'm running out of patience!"

Ishqi: Ek second! she turned to Ahaan, "AVM Rhea ko bhi bola lein...inn dono ko saab kuch ek saath baata dein toh better hoga.."

Ahaan: Hmm, he said and dialled up Rhea's number and asked her to meet him in the mall food court as soon as possible. Rhea thought Ahaan was inviting her on a date so she happily agreed. Upon awkwardly waiting for her, for what felt like the longest ten minutes of Ishqi and Ahaan's lives, Rhea finally reached.

She was kinda stunned to see them all there, "maybe a double-date?" she thought "but why does Rahul look so angry and Ishqi & Ahaan so nervous?!"- she brushed these thoughts away and took a seat beside Rahul. "H-Hey guys" Rhea greeted them.."Y-Yahan kya horaha hai?"

Rahul was about to say something when Ahaan interfered and said, "Rhea, Rahul has already gotten the idea of what we're about to say but phir bhi Ishqi and I need to tell you guys something"

Ishqi: Hum tum dono ko aaj raat hi batane waale the but situation kuch badal gayi hai and we don't want to keep you guys in the dark nor hide anything from you..

Rhea: What are you guys talking about?! Why do both of you sound so serious?! And Rahul, tum itne gusse mein kyun ho??

Rahul: Jaab tumhe baat pata chale gi toh tumhe bhi gussa hi aaiga!

Ishqi took a deep breath and began narrating the story from the beginning, "Rahul/Rhea, mein aur AVM almost three weeks pehle mile the due to a business deal, our first meet was not so great...I spilled coffee all over him and we got into a fight, phir humein pata chala that we're stuck together for 3 years due to a business contract! We hated that idea because we disliked each other at first."

Ahaan: Then, several instances occurred which made us grow closer, I developed a soft corner for Ishqi in my heart. As I got to know the person Ishqi was, the hate I felt for her turned into deep care. Mujhe pata hi nahi chala when the girl I once found so irritating had taken over a significant place in my heart!

Rahul had already gotten the idea but Rhea could see where this was going and she wasn't liking it one bit! After so many tricks and efforts had she gotten engaged to Ahaan, she couldn't let him slip out of her hands so easily. She didn't love him but wanted him for her own selfish reasons, Ahaan had become her "zidd".

Rhea: Can you guys even hear what you're saying?!

Rahul: Inn dono ko toh pata nahi sunnai de raha hai yah nahi but you should understand that they're narrating their "love story" to us! he said to Rhea as he rolled his eyes-

Ishqi ignored their remarks and continued telling their story, "Phir jaab humein ek dusre ke liye feelings realize honi shuru hui toh our parents had already announced our engagements with you two. We tried our best to deny and end those feelings but it was of no use. Fast forward to the engagements, we had to go through with them...Hum chah ke bhi unko rok nahi sakte the but that night we promised ourselves ke we'll let you guys know the next day"

Ahaan: We're really sorry for what we unintentionally did to you guys, we never intended to hurt you..

Rahul: BUT YOU DID!

Ishqi: Rahul, please thoda toh corporate karo, she requested-

Rahul: Yeh koi test nahi hai Ishqi! Tum dono ke iss ek faisle se kitna kuch barbaad hojaiga! Do you guys even have any idea!

Rhea: YES! Aur Ahaan, tumhare liye toh family saab se zyada important hai na...aur unhone mujhe pick kiya hai tumhare liye!

Ahaan: Hmm, but Ishqi ke meri life mein aane ki baad mujhe realize hua ke pyaar kitna important hota hai...Aur rahi baat meri family ki toh woh saab log Ishqi ko bohot zyada pasand karte hai..

Ishqi: We're really sorry Rhea and Rahul...but you guys deserve better than a life partner  who can never love you...

Rahul: But Ishqi, mein tumse bohot pyaar karta houn....aur abhi se nahi, for the last 6 years I've been in love with you..tum mere saath aisa kaise kar sakti ho!? Tum dono itne selfish kaise ho sakte ho?!

Ishqi: Rahul, I understand but I'm sorry, mein tumse pyaar nahi karti aur jahan pyaar nahi hota wahan dou insaan kabhi bhi khush nahi reh sakte..and besides agar mein iss shaadi ke saath continue karti toh aur galat hota...its better to end things sooner than later.

Rhea: BUT WHAT THE HELL IS THE POINT OF ALL THIS?! You guys are basically rejecting us while we're engaged to you?!

Ahaan: No Rhea, we're politely trying to tell you guys that our engagements with you are over! Ahaan pulled the ring Rhea had made him wear out of his pocket and handed it to her. "Sorry Rhea"

Rhea sat there is disbelief, dumbstruck as to what what happening, what she'd thought to be a date turned out to be a "polite" breakup session. Rahul stared at Ishqi hoping she wouldn't do what Ahaan just did but Ishqi did. She returned Rahul the ring he'd made her worn, symbolizing that they were done!

Rahul: Ishqi, I can't believe this is you! I know you and I know this is not you! Yaad hai jaab tumne Aryan se breakup kiya tha...How subtle and nicely you did it! You freakin' apologized to him for ending it, knowing he was a freak! And now you are ending our relationship before it had even started properly this way!?

Ishqi felt sorry but was fed up with Ahaan and herself explaining themselves over and over again, "Rahul, I know tum hurt ho, tumhe bohot burah lag raha hai but the truth is that I don't love you, you've always been the most amazing friend to me but mein tumse pyaar nahi karti. You know that mein humesha se apni ek love story chahati thi and I've gotten it now...Love is an intense and complicated emotion...aur woh meine sirf AV-Ahaan ke liye feel kiya hai."

Rahul sighed knowing there was no way he could now change Ishqi's mind, she was already too deeply in love with Ahaan. He felt heartbroken because he'd loved Ishqi wholeheartedly, as a friend he felt happy that she'd found someone she loved but as her (ex)fiancé and someone who was in love with her, he felt terrible- But even if there was a minuscule chance of Ishqi being his, he was willing to take it so Rahul plastered a fake smile across his face and said, "F-Fine, As a friend, I'm happy for you Ishqi"-

Ishqi smiled, "Thank-you Rahul and I'm sorry again"

Rahul: Hold on, I'm not finished yet!

Ishqi: Bolo, she said hesitantly-

Rahul: Agar tum dono ki families' na maani toh Ishqi, tumhe mere se shaadi karni pareygi!

Ahaan: NO! Hum dono apni families' ko maane leinge...uss baat ki tension tum mat lo!

Rahul: Dekhte hai! But for now, I'm happy for you guys...

Rhea: Tum itni jaldi kaise mann sakte ho?! I will never!

Ahaan: Rhea?! Honestly tum maano yah na maano, we don't really care...Rahul, thanks for understanding and Rhea, I'm sorry for everything but you've always known that I liked Ishqi! From the Mendhi ceremony, you knew! Rahul probably didn't see it coming but you did!

Rhea: Ahaan! Tum samaj kyun nahi rahe...I really love you and m-

Ahaan: Love me?! Oh please Rhea! Tum aur mein dono jaante hai the real reason you want to get married to me and it's definitely NOT because you love me! Mein apni family ki wajah se chup tha but now I can't continue on with this...

Rhea grunted, Ishqi and Ahaan seemed so firm on their decision that she knew there was nothing she could do within that moment to change their minds. Instead, she thought of discussing this with her mom at the resort because there was no way she was going to get rejected by Ahaan this way.

"Okay fine!" Rhea said, angrily stood up and left from there. Ishqi, Ahaan and Rahul stood up as well, "Well, congrats guys" Rahul said, trying to be happy for his childhood friend but the sadness and hurt was quite visible in his eyes. Ishqi gave him a hug, "thank-you and we're very sorry"- Rahul faintly smiled and went from there leaving behind Ishqi and Ahaan who felt mixed emotions at the moment.

//To Be Continued//

Next: Telling the Families! 

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That's all for today guys!! Hope ya'll enjoyed it ;) { Word Count: 2320 } Next part will be updated soon! 💛

Suggestions are always welcome ⚡️

Pls ignore any mistakes 😚

Lots of love and stay safeee ❤️

~ Vera 🌸