"Distance means so little when someone means so much." 

-TOM MCNEAL

^^^

"We are coming to meet you," Yami informed Kiara as she was strolling on the beach.

"And why is that so? Don't you people have work to attend to? Don't you even attempt to corrupt Avni like you both!" Kiara was busy scolding them for behaving unprofessionally.

"That was the reason I wanted to keep it hidden from her." Harshad grumbled from a distance.

"I should have listened to you but I didn't want to provide her with shock." Yami justified to Harshad.

"Have you both forgotten that I am listening?" Kiara was fuming in anger seeing them complaining about her nature.

"Give me the phone," Harshad demanded.

"Yes, only Harshad can make her understand." Avni voiced from a corner.

"But before it was Dhruv." Aditi's voice was heard and Kiara's face got pale.

"Hello, sweetheart." Harshad greeted her with his goofy attitude. He was in a good mood and Kiara felt an inner delight in discovering it.

"Aditi is accompanying you as well." Kiara wanted to greet him as well but she couldn't keep her worried self away from him. She couldn't hide it from him.

"Yes," Harshad whispered softly in an attempt not to let others overhear. "Her companion and my companion as well."

"What! Your girlfriend as well?" Kiara wasn't able to keep calm. Why were they behind her peace? They could enjoy themselves. Why were they bothering her? She wasn't in a condition to deal with them.

"It wasn't my idea," Harshad attempted to justify.

"I don't know... You aren't bothering..." Kiara was going to deny but Harshad interrupted.

"I want to see you..." Harshad whispered, "please..."

Kiara wasn't able to pull herself strong after his cute confession. "But I am not dealing with your girlfriend. She gets on my nerves... and you better stop talking or she will get all possessive again."

"I won't mind, Sweetheart."

"Stop calling me that if you don't want to be killed by her hands."

"Don't be so concerned, sweetheart. I will be all fine."

"Harshad!" Kiara groaned making Harshad chuckle.

"Bye, keep waiting for me."

"In your dreams," Kiara countered back.

"I don't dream about you..." Harshad muttered, "just about my sweetheart."

Kiara hung the call as a blush covered her spirit. What was wrong with her? Was she getting in his charms? How could she blush at his words? Something was surely wrong with her.

___

"They are coming here," Maya was horror-stricken.

"I hadn't invited them so I am not the one to be blamed," Kiara responded back not wanting to take the blame. Kiara was aware that Maya treasured her privacy as much as Kiara and she wasn't fond of frequent visitors, especially unknown visitors.

"Dhruv and Aditi are going to accompany as well?" Maya sounded concerned.

"Dhruv had broken friendship with me, not with the rest of the group. I knew I will have to encounter him even if we are no longer friends."

"How do those people must up such courage to face the person that they have wronged?" Maya had a strong opinion about Dhruv before even meeting him.

"Breaking a friendship isn't a sin."

"Leaving a friend when she is in a need is much of a sin."

"And forming a judgment about someone without a meeting is a sin as well." Commented Aditi that had just entered the house.

Maya stood embarrassed while Kiara was just staring at her visitor with a blank look.

"This was the reason. I didn't want to visit Kiara. Her aura is filled with negativity. We were so happy a minute back but she spoiled the moment." Aditi's comment made Kiara lower her head in embarrassment.

"Are you going to shut your fiancé or should I do the honor?" Harshad growled making Dhruv glare in his direction.

"What wrong had I spoken? I am suggesting you, Harshad. She isn't good for anyone. You better don't get involved with her."

"Why? Because you are no longer going to get benefitted from our relationship. As you gain your treasure, you no longer have to prove to anyone how madly and deeply we had fallen for each other." Harshad wasn't masking his revulsion against Aditi.

"You people are free to leave but don't you dare to voice a word against her," Harshad warned pointing a finger at the two. "Am I clear, Ria?" The lady standing at the corner, enjoying Kiara's humiliation nodded her head timidly.

Harshad shook his head walking towards sobbing Kiara. He attempted to raise her chin but she jerked his hand away. Harshad rolled his eyes and attempted again but she repeated her action.

"What's my fault? Why are you fuming over me, sweetheart?" He pouted forcing her to glance at his pleading orbs.

Kiara's orbs were brimming with tears, he cupped her cheek. "You wanted to destroy my peace."

"Not at all I just wanted to glance at my peace." His words could melt any human and Kiara wasn't an alien.

Kiara glared at him, faking her anger. "I am not going to melt."

"I am not even asking you to melt. Be the strong, rude Kiara, I  am a fan of." He winked and a small smile appeared on her face.

"This isn't done! Kiara, you need to be stronger. You can't simply forgive me for such an unforgiven sin." He chuckled pulling her into a hug. "I missed you, sweetheart."

"I too..." Kiara muttered in his chest. She slowly wrapped her hands around his back, pulling him closer. Kiara was slowly coming to realize that Harshad was growing important in her life. She was so moody around him, expressing herself more freely about her emotions. Showing tantrums and he dealt with her tantrums without a complaint attached.

"I know, sweetheart. I don't need words to know it." Kiara hit his shoulder on listening to his boasting.

"Don't be so full of yourself." She muttered slowly pulling herself from the hug though Harshad hadn't attempted to move his arms from her waist.

"Why should I listen to you?" He raised his brow not moving an inch away from her. He needed to be beside her to convince his heart about her presence.

"If you don't mind can we have the privilege to meet your friend?" Yami inquired in a mocking manner making Avni giggle.

"Not at all!" Harshad groaned and Kiara glared at him.

"How are you, Yami?" She asked smiling at them. "And Avni, you had bunk college? You better stop hanging out with Harshad. He is spoiling you."

"Don't you dare spread false rumors about me!" Harshad growled, "I am not spoiling anyone just teaching her not to lead a boring life like you."

"I am not leading a boring life."

"You aren't aware of it but you're a very boring person leading a very boring life."

Kiara opted to ignore his comment and walked to Avni and Yami pulling them in for a hug.

"I have heard praises about your desert. I want to taste it, you are going to teach me, right?" Avni was having a conversation with Maya.

"I will love to but today Kiara will make a cake. She had learned from me and she is improving as the days are passing by."

"It will be good enough for our appendices, right?" Harshad mocked, and the rest giggled. Ria's laugh was the loudest.

"Haww, don't demotivate the poor child," Ria commented making Harshad stare at her with an annoyed look.

"I have full confidence in Kiara's cooking skills. She will rock the floor."

"If none is competing with her she will obviously rock. But Kiara wasn't ever a girl to cook, isn't it Dhruv?" Aditi commented making Kiara feel more insecure about herself.

"Shall we allow her to show her skill and later comment on it?" Avni interjected coming in support of her friend.

___

"I can't believe it!" Avni exclaimed seeing a delicious cake before her eyes. "Can I stay back as well? I see my dream of having a bakery becoming a reality." Avni was staring at Maya with inspiration. "Please teach me the skills as well." She pleaded, folding her hand before Maya.

Maya giggled, "I will love to teach you."

"Let's have the cake. I can no longer hold myself back." Yami commented drooling over the delicious piece of cake.

Everyone picked a piece of cake one after another. Harshad took a piece and stood beside Kiara, who was staring at others with nervousness. "Aren't you going to taste?"

"No, as you said I don't want to lose my appendices," Kiara's remark made Harshad chuckle.

"Was someone hurt by my comment?" Kiara ignored his words. "But let me tell that person that she is an amazing cook."

"Baking a cake doesn't certify a person as being an amazing cook."

"But it is the fact that I won't mind even if I have to eat overheated food made by you." Kiara gave him a disbelief look and he whispered softly. "I over-exaggerated it, right?" Offering her a doubtful gaze.

"You have lost it," Kiara shook her head with a smile playing on her lip.

"Finally, the smile is back." He sighed, winking at her as he walked away from her into the bunch of people busy having a conversation.

Kiara stared at his retreating figure with a smile on her lips. "What is he even?" She shook her head at the thought.

___

Kiara was busy helping Maya in the kitchen when Dhruv interrupted them. Maya stared at the interrupter with a questioning gaze while Kiara was ignoring his existence.

"I need to talk with you, Kiara." Dhruv pressed a smile at Maya, concentrating on Kiara.

"I am busy..."

"Kiara please listen to me once."

"I am aware you are here due to Avni. Don't worry I am not going to tell her about it."

"She is already aware of it." Kiara glanced at him in surprise. "Harshad told her."

Kiara concentrated on the dishes to be washed. "Can't I have an opportunity to justify my actions?" Dhruv was pleading with her but Kiara wasn't getting affected by his words.

"You had asked me to break friendship with you and I have no problem with it. The conversation is finished there isn't anything to justify."

"I had to do it due to Aditi." Dhruv seemed desperate to provide justification. "It's hurting me seeing hate in your eyes for me," Dhruv confessed taking a step towards her.

"Dhruv! Please, I don't want to talk about it any longer. I had dealt with it enough; I want to escape from it please allow me with it."

"We will at least have to be friends in eyes of others. We can't let our bond affect your gang as a whole..."

"Aditi doesn't any longer consider me a friend. I share the same bonding with Avni and Amrita, I still consider her my sister." Kiara glanced at Dhruv. "Nothing is changed among us."

"Avni hates me, Kiara. She doesn't even look into my eyes."

"She has traveled with you and it is a huge sign that she doesn't hold you responsible. She will be mad for some days but she will be fine soon. You know her," Kiara was speaking to him with a blank look. "Give her time..."

"Can't things sort between us?" Dhruv pleaded and  Kiara dried a laugh.

"What do you think of me, Dhruv? Am I a toy? You keep playing with my emotions. You keep hurting me and then walk to me back with a guilty face. I can't provide you with any more chances. I can't trust you, any longer." Kiara muttered and Dhruv stared at her with a hopeful gaze.

"Is choosing a friend's happiness a crime? Won't you have done the same if a friend was in need?" Dhruv questioned, he had felt that Kiara would understand him. She had always understood his actions. She was more understanding than Aditi.

"I won't have hurt the other person to heal one because I would really want to help the both. There isn't anything wrong with choosing one. You had made your choice so deal with it. At least be loyal to Aditi." Muttered Kiara walking out in exasperation. Dhruv stood there staring at her retreating figure in disappointment.

___

Kiara was pissed after the interruption of Dhruv. She wanted to understand him but his confused soul was infuriating her. If he had chosen Aditi, why was he walking back to her? He had forgotten about her existence but the minute he glanced at her he remembered his mistake. Kiara shook her head. She didn't want to hold any grudge against Dhruv but his actions were forcing her.

"What is making the pretty lady scowl to herself?" A comment brought her out of her thoughts. She glanced at Harshad providing her with a mischievous smirk.

"Nothing..." she muttered making Harshad frown.

"What are you troubling your mind with?" Harshad was getting curious about her sulky mood.

Kiara gave in knowing that Harshad won't back off and also she wanted to confide in someone. "Dhruv is pissing me off. He just made me dislike him further. I don't want to do it. He has been a very good friend for years. I don't want to end our relationship on such a note that I remember him with those awful memories."

"What had he done, now?" Harshad tone switched dramatically. "I didn't want him to join us but Avni didn't want to leave them behind." Harshad shook his head, "that Aditi doesn't even talk nicely to her. I don't understand why she is trying to hold everything together?"

"I know, because of Amrita. She will be heartbroken if she ever comes across us drifting apart." Kiara shook her head the thought providing her with pain.

"Things never stay the same, Kiara. Time changes everything. You can't blame yourself for things changing between you and them." Harshad attempted to console her but Kiara's mind had grasped something else.

"It won't be the same in between us as well?" Kiara expressed her worries. Harshad stared at her for a minute longer and his silence made Kiara feel embarrassed for talking impulsively.

"There is Avni," Kiara was going to rush but Harshad grabbed her wrist stopping her.

"I can't promise you things will always be the same between us because my assurance isn't going to convince your heart. And it isn't your fault that you are going to have trust issues in the future. People in your past have made you, cautious. But I will try my best not to ever leave your hand." Harshad muttered grabbing her hands in his.

Kiara felt vulnerable when those set of determined orbs were staring at her with a promise. Two sets of orbs were lost in each other. Kiara attempted to assure her heart about the promise not wanting her insecure side to drive her crazy. Harshad wanted to make her feel wanted, to provide happiness to the defeated soul in front of him. To heal her in every possible manner.

"Harsh!" Ria's voice got into Kiara's ears and she averted her gaze from Harshad in embarrassment. She wanted to pull her hand from him but Harshad grip was strong.

Ria was staring at Kiara with an annoyed gaze. "I want to talk to you, Harsh." She was attempting to grab his attention from Kiara.