"You know Aryan, I don't have a family, except for Bhai, but I also want one. So I make one wheever, wherever I go, like these kids. They starve and people throw away there food whats the use? Real happiness is bringing smile on such faces. I am not Dark Shadow, to go around and fight criminals, but yes I can spread smile like him. This is my way to follow his path and be his true fan. Smile and let the world smile is my mantra, so Mr. Grumpy if you want to be my friend you need to smile too. So deal?" And I forwarded my hand for a handshake.

Aryan-"I don't know how to smile, but I will love to learn it with you. I am sure Dark Shadow will be happy to know he has such a good fan." And he shaked his hand with me.

Little did they knew it was not them but their fates who had planned to unite them :)

Arohi smiled a little and then started cherishing her lovely pizza, eating a bit too fast.

Aryan-"hey hey slow down nobody will take it away from you"

But instead of a reply Arohi gave her a whatever look and kept on eating her pizza in a rush, resulting in choking herself and coughing hard.

Aryan immedietly gave her a water bottle, moving his hand uo and down in a soothing manner and blowing slow air above her head as a way to help her.

Arohi-"Never had I seen Aryan so concerned about anyone. He was that kind of man who gave shit about others. Then I remembered the days during hospital, after bhai it was only Aryan who visited me the most, spending his time near me. Those eyes were full of worry, maybe for me, the touch held care for me and the slow air he was blowing above my head was like a freash breathe. Was it really happening to me? Or am I hallucinating myself "

Aryan-"such a child she is. Eating like she cares for no one. Generallyvthe girls love to pretend infront of boys, to be mannerful and all but she.... but suddenly she started coughing. Images of hospital came flashing by and panick took over me. I immedietly gave her water trying to soothe her. I don't know but I can't see her sad or ill. What is happening to you Aryan? I said you to eat slowly then what was this hurry about? Was this pizza running away or was anyone stealing it?"

Arohi-"uufff it is normal now don't act and scold me like bhai...." just the mention of Nirman made her eyes become watery.

Aryan-"she loves Nirman alot, and that is the reason her eyes had water in it by just name of Nirman. She may not be showing it but this fight with Nirman has truely affected her. Arohi relax. Everything will be fine. May I ask you something?" She nodded in positive.

Aryan-"why did you say Nirman sir those words when you knew what damage it may cause? Why did you never told Nirman Sir about Arjun?" Her eyes widened at the mention of Arjun.

Arohi-"no no.... there is nothing about Arj...."

Aryan-"I know Arohi that Arjun was the one behind the whole cold-chamber incident. It was me who had caught him and asked him about your whereabouts that day."

Arohi (sighing)-" listen Aryan we both know gow protective is Nirman Bhai of me. He gets tensed even if I get a scratch, and this whole thing was such a big scandal. If Nirman Bhai would have come to know about Arjun he would have surely destroyed his career. I already know that Arjun has been kicked out of air-force" Aryan's eyes widened at the mention of it, "what you thought I will hang around with you all even without knowing about you all? Well then Mr. Harshwal let me tell you I have done my homework very well. I know things about everyone, even you." Aryan looked at her with surprise in his eyes, trying to decode the meaning in her words.

Aryan-"she surely is a surprise package, the more I get to know her, the more I get attracted to her. She is surely something different."

Arohi-"as I was saying I already know that Arjun has been kicked out of air-force, and ISRC is his second chance, I cannot let it go out of his hand because of a stupid mistake he has done."

Aryan-"but how can you leave him like this without getting any punishment? I mean you don't need to afraid of him I can help you..."

Arohi-"no I am certainly not afraid of that little monkey. And who said I am letting him go? Do you think he can easily digest the fact that I forgave him? It is eating him from inside, he is even afraid to look into my eyes directly. And if he makes a wrong move, Arohi Nambiar knows how to deal with him. Unlike those damsel-in-distress, I love to play knight-in shining armour. I love to fight my own fight."

Aryan-"but still I am unsure of why did you talked to Nirman like that?"

Arohi-"I know bhai. He would not have let it go off so easily. Had I not said those words. I know bhai wants to protect me and that is why he send me off to London, but I know what I have fought all these years. During mh younger days I never understood what had happened but as I grew up I realised what I had witnessed and it became a strong imprint in my memory lane. You know back in London I used to have nightmares about that dealy day, when I lost my parents, that time I was alone over there, fighting and trying to overcome it. I never told bhai about it, not only because I did not wanted to tense him but also I wanted to learn to fight on my own. Just as bhai made our parents proud by becoming Nirman Nambiar, I too want to make them proud by becoming Arohi Nambiar." By now Arohi was crying hard sitting under that tree.

Aryan-"speechless will be nothing infront of what I just heard now. How strong can this girl be? How can she come long way all alone? I thought it was only me who had a tough life but Arohi's life is way beyond that. Inside that perfect frame hides lots of broken pieces. From today I surely respect this girl more."

Aryan wiped away her tears and as a reflec Arohi hugged him tight.

After a while....

Arohi slowly detangled herself from him, "I am sorry its just..... hawww I ruined your shirt. Give it to me I will wash it."

Aryan-"no need its fine. Seriously? One moment she is crying and another she gets concerned about my shirt? She is nothing but a mental piece."

Arohi-"we should go its quite late and please never let bhai or anybody know about what I have told you." Aryan did a zipping mouth act. They got on bike and zoomed off.

Aryan-"when her hand held me from back it was a surreal feeling. A feeling which I don't want to go off. She makes me feel safe, wanted and lot more. I don't know but I want her company every minute of my life."

Arohi-"the moment I hugged Aryan I was feelingnothing but safe. Apart from Nirman Bhai I get this extreme safe feeling from him. I don't know what it is? Or wait I do know? Whatever it is, it is messing my brain. I need to talk it out to someone."

They stopped in the parking lot of ISRC. Arohi got off and looked at Aryan, it was like both of them wanted the other to say something. Before any one of them could speak, Arohi's phone rang and a big smile spread on her face, lighting it up.

She immedietly received the call and said, "Hi handsome. Now you got the time to remember me huh.... stupid, idiot Axel" and she went away without even talking to Aryan or acknowlodging him for the trip.

Who is this Axel? Whats going between them? Will he be the road-break in the path of Aryan-Arohi?

Author's note

Long update as a gift for supporting me when I was gone without prior info.

I had request for a ship name for Aryan and Arohi, so I have zeroed on two names ArYa & ArHi. Now you guys decide which one you all want.