Ishika's POV:

I was pacing back and forth in my room, continuously, for the past half an hour now. Don't ask me what I was feeling. There were so many emotions running in me that its all so over-whelming! I was feeling guilty, sad, frustrated and most of all, confused!

I plopped down on my bed after a good fifteen more minutes "This isn't helping!"

I guess I'll just try once more to talk to Rohan. Only that can help now. I picked up my phone and called him again. - No answer. Again. WTF! Why isn't he picking my call? He can't be so busy to not pick up my call for the n'th time now. Or wait, is he mad at me for something? I need to find out.

I rushed outside my room towards the main door.

"Ishika! Where are going suddenly like that?" My mom asked from the kitchen.

"Coming in a while Mom. Going to Rohan's place."

"Okay. Get two packets of Maggie too on your way back darling."

I rolled my eyes but replied with a smile "Sure Mom! Anything else?"

"No. Come soon."

I locked the door and soon found myself pressing the doorbell of Rohan's house.

"Hey Ishika! How's you beta?" His Mom asked me, letting me in.

"I'm good auntie. How are you?" I asked politely.

"I'm good. But what's going on in your college these days beta?" My voice got stuck up somewhere in my throat hearing that. Her expressions said that whatever she was referring to, she didn't like it at all.

"Ermm... What auntie?"

"These boxing competitions and all. And Rohan being Rohan had to participate there too. You must've seen how badly he's injured himself." She completed, while I breathed out! Phew! You're so damn good at lying Rohan!

"Ya I saw that. Err... where is he auntie? Not at home?" I asked looking around. If he was at home, he would've come out till now.

"He's sleeping beta. He said he was very tired after the match and all."

Oh Thank God! He's sleeping! I was getting paranoid for nothing.

She then got up to get something for me to eat, while I walked towards Rohan's room. I opened the door slightly and saw that he was fast asleep. Tip-toeing myself inside, I made my way to his bed. He was in deep sleep, while I kneel-ed down near his bed and studied his face. The bruises were actually quite visible.

My hand again found its way towards the bottom of his nose, which had now darkened to a shade of red which was the closest to black. As I was about to touch it, his words again started echoing in my mind when I asked This must be paining. And he said Not more than this while wiping my tears away. I recalled that longing in his eyes, that care in his voice when I was about to walk away. My fingers themselves curled into a fist, while I took my hand away. 

"I'm so sorry for causing you all this pain Rohan. Its because of me that you got into this fight. Its because of me that you had to lie to your mom. I'm feeling so guilty for it now. Please forgive me?" I said, knowing he's not listening, but somehow I wanted him to! "But dumbo! What was the need for you to go and fight with him? I would've sorted it out nah! I know I know! You were only trying to protect me. But you know I'm feeling so damn guilty for all this. And now, I have to find a way through this. And I will. I just came here to thank you. Thank you for everything. Thank you for being with me, always. Thank you for being my pillar Rohan. Thanks a ton."

I got up and ruffled his hair a little before walking out of his room.

---------------------------------------------------

Next day - after college.

I was sitting in the playground, waiting for Sachin to come. To say I was nervous would be an understatement. My hands were fidgeting unknowingly and my feet were tapping on the ground with a mind of their own.

After a while, I spotted Sachin walking towards me. My heart-rate picked up to an all time high! I still stood up from my seat nervously.

He was now just footsteps near me "Hey Ishika!" He said and moved forward, maybe for a hug, but then decided against it. Instead, he gestured me to sit and himself sat besides me.

"Ishika. I don't know what to say now. I can just say, I'm ready to accept whatever you say. I thought a lot over our relationship these days, and I've realized that somewhere, I was definitely at fault. I know I did that only because I love you, but still, my ways were wrong. I know I didn't treat you right. And so, whatever punishment you want to give me, I'm ready to accept it.  Today you speak, and I'll listen."

I found myself biting my lower lip sub-consciously the entire time he spoke his little speech. Not once did I look up at him. I couldn't. I kept staring at the grass below, very well aware of his strong gaze on me.

He put a hand over mine, making me shiver at the contact "Its OK. You can speak your mind."

I gulped hard closing my eyes shut, before speaking what was running through my mind since long "I think its over between us."

--Silence--

 We stayed in the same position for sometime, none of us speaking anything. 

"Such a harsh punishment?" I could hear his voice cracking, but decided to not let it affect on whatever I had to say.

"You were a good friend to me Sachin. And I've always liked you, since the day I saw you. But I think, this liking never developed into love. Neither from my side, and I doubt even from your side. I feel as if I can't... I can't breathe in this relationship.

I want to be with a person who trusts me, not doubt at every step of mine. I want to be with a person who dosen't have to prove that he cares about me, but it just shows in the way he treats me. I want to be with a person who I can trust. That come what may, he'll never leave my side. That feeling, I never got with you. Whatever it was, it was maybe just lust, or attraction, or whatever you may call it. But it wasn't love for sure."

When I finally finished, I looked up to him. He wasn't looking at me now, but straight down instead. 

"That's all I have to Sachin. I'm sorry. But we can't continue this relationship anymore."

I could see his lips form a small forced smile as he looked at me "Its OK Ishika. I guess I already knew that."

I gulped, knowing that I hurt him, but this was the only thing that felt right to do.

Awkward silence again filled the air, but Sachin finally broke it after sometime, "Are you sure you're not giving me a second chance?" 

I could sense longing in his eyes. Not knowing how to reply to that, I diverted my gaze to somewhere else. 

"I guess I got my answer." He said in a  painfully slow tone.

"Sachin, I think we're better off as just friends." I stated, and he nodded.

"Yeah Maybe." He said.

"By the way, I hate to say this, and it really pains my heart to say this but the way you described what you want in your relationship, do you have someone in your mind who fits the bill?"

"What? What do you mean?"

"You said you can't feel those things with me, but I think you do feel them with someone else. Actually I could see that right from the start, but just ignored that thinking I might be wrong. But now I strongly feel that I was right. You both do have a special relation. I just came in between you two!"

"Someone else? What in the world are you talking about? Are you in your senses?"

He gave me a weird smile on that "You're really dumb Ishika. At least now, for once, listen to your heart. You'll get your answers. Good luck. And yeah! I still love you my princess. No hard feelings at all." He moved forward and kissed my forehead lightly, before walking away.

--------------------------------------------------

"Ishu! Mom told me you came home yesterday. Sorry I was sleeping. Anything important?" Rohan started speaking continuously, when I called him after reaching home.

"Nah! But I want to talk to you. Can you come home now?"

"Right now? Err... OK. I'll be there in five minutes."

He came after around five-ten minutes.

"Come." I said smiling at him. "By the way, why didn't you come to college today?"

He settled on the sofa while I took a seat besides him "I was damn tired! Wasn't even feeling well so."

"I see! Tired of what? Your boxing match yesterday?" I wiggled my eyebrows, before both of us broke into a laugh.

"What else would I've told mom yaar." He said, and I nodded in agreement.

My eyes fell on that bruise on his face "Still paining?" I asked.

He shook his head in a no. "Dosen't matter."

"It does. To me it does. And that is why I came to your place yesterday. You know I feel so guilty that..."

"Its okay." He cut me. "I anyways heard your little speech yesterday."

"What? That means you aren't sleeping?"

"I was. Before you came. But I was almost half-awake when you came."

"Then why didn't you react? Dumbo!" I smacked his arm, but soon realized, it was a bad idea. The place was already still sore.

"Sorry." I said.

He only smiled in reply. 

"But dumbo, if you heard my little speech yesterday, why you didn't reply to it yet? What was the need for you to get into this fight? I could've sorted it out and anyways it was my problem, not yours nah! Then why did you have to..."

"You really want to know?" He cut me again, holding a strong eye-contact. I could see he wanted to say something, with all seriousness.

"Of course" I said.

"Because I can't bear if someone hurts you even a bit. You might not be affected by it but I am. You might forgive the person who makes you cry, but I can't. Your smile is more important to me than my own. And if anyone tries to steal that, I feel my nerves boiling. I can give up my world to see you smile, and also break someone else's world if they make you cry. You are a special angel for me Ishika. You've always been and will always be. Come what may, I'll always be there for you. I... Uh... I want to tell you something. Since a really, really long time. I know you're in a relationship right now but, that relationship is no good for you Ishu. And you might feel I'm saying this because I'm selfish, but Ishu... I... I really..."

"Really what?" My voice hardly left my throat, while I looked into his eyes with just awe.

He closed his eyes taking a deep breath, and again looked at me deep in the eyes "I love you Ishika."

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Oyee hoyee! Hold on hold on!

*Click*, *shows you your pic* Nice na! A full-fledged smile wala pic! LOL!

I know you must be smiling right now that FINALLY Sachin and Ishika broke up! And FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY Rohan said I LOVE YOU ISHIKA! Am I right? I'm a mind-reader you see! (^_^) 

Ishika's reaction in the next chapter! :D

And it was our lovely Rohan who was talking to Ishika during the fight last time. Some of you guessed it right, some didn't!

Anyways, let's give a 'shipping name' to Rohan and Ishika! I've got a quite a few names from you guys which are:

Rohanika, Rohika, Rishaan, Rohashika, Ishihan, Ishaan (Sorry if I forgot some names)

Okay so out of these, I like #Rohika. Which one did you like? Start the poll for the shipping name! 

Oh and btw, please VOTE/COMMENT. :) :)