Everything had started looking beautiful for Nirali. She had stayed late with Lakshay, they hadn't spoken much but being with one another mattered a lot. Nirali smiled recalling the way Lakshay protected her from the crowd. She hugged herself feeling him all around her.

Amisha watched her friend from distance, the little puppy jumping all around her. ''Our friend is gone for good.'' The little furry friend agreed howling in support. Nirali made a turn, her eyes on the. ''What are you guys doing?'' She chased around the little puppy who went excited about the small game.

''Someone looks happy.'' Amisha said. Nirali smiled and then froze, ''Its Laksay's b'day and I want to make it special. Will you help me?''

AMisha nodded earning a hug. She was happy for her friend but she feared being alone again. She took a deep breath to sallow her emotions. She quickly wore a smile when Nirali broke the hug. ''What should I do?''

''Plan a good surprise. We can use Arun's apartment. He wouldn't mind.'' 

Nirali thought. ''Yes, let me plan.'' Amisha watched as over excited Nirali hoping around the house declaring her plans. A strange pain gripped her heart, she suddenly felt breathless and the need to have some air. Excusing herself she quickly made her way out of the apartments , down towards the lawn. She wished she could explain how she felt, Nirali was the most honest relation she ever had and she feared losing it. She didn't wanted to alone, in a corner of her heart, she hated Lakshay all the way more.

''Hey!'' She heard a voice and quickly composed herself. Naman sat next to her. ''I thought you might need a friend.''

''You are not my friend. I don't even know you.''

Naman smiled. ''Hi I am Naman, and I know you are a Amisha Rai, daughter of famous tycoon and a former beauty queen. Your brother, is a model and making his way to the Bollywood.''

Amisha paled; no one knew who she was. Something she preferred hiding it from the world. The name and fame of her family deprived her of love and affection. When she was ready to go independent, she dropped her surname. ''Just stay away.''

Naman pulled Amisha down. ''I know you fear losing Nirali, but trust me, the ones who love us never lose us. She loves you a lot.'' He waited for her respond but she looked lost

''Amisha, Nirali never left Riya alone, even when they are far. how can she leave you alone?''

''How do you know about Riya, and that Nirali is in touch with her.''

''We saw Nirali through Lakshay's eyes, we know what she feels and how she thinks. And, don't worry, your secret is safe with me.''

''How do you know about me?''

''I have my ways." He turned facing her, ''You are an open book Amisha. Your honest expressions got me curious. See you later.'' Naman walked away giving Amisha one glace. She watched the guy walk away till he disappeared. She rubbed her chest. ''Silly!''

***

Varun stood at the window, his mind going back to the time when he and Riya were close. Very close. He was famous , loved and one of the most sorted boy of his school. Over all, the people around him fanned his arrogance.  Riya was one of then, for her, he was just perfect. She was a year junior to him and had a big crush on him. He had noticed her following him and peeping at him from every corner. He never approached her , but he did enjoyed her interest.

And one day, they finally spoke. Riya was a sweet and simple girl, just like the word. She didn't had over the top dreams but wanted to make something out of herself. She had small dreams and she was always excited about the future. But his dreams mattered her more than his. Whenever he would share his dreams, she would give her full attention to it. She would say nice words to boost his confidence. But it wasn't just Riya, there were others too. The only difference was, while there were too many around him, for Riya it was just him. If he expressed a desire, she would do all to fulfil that.

Varun took a sharp intake of breath, letting all the emotions that strangled his heart. If not for his friends, he would have drowned in guilt and remorse. He wiped his eyes , controlled his mind and stretched his lips. Amisha would be here anytime with a plan for Lakshay's birthday and he didn't want any of them to realize that he was burning for Riya. He knew, she would have moved on or fallen in love with someone else, but he still wanted to see her, one last time.

***

''Nirali!'' Amisha called out. Nirali stepped out of kitchen looking like a ghost. The little puppy ran off scared of the white ghost. ''What's all this?''

''I was trying to make pizza and this happened.'' Nirali replied. ''let's just order.'' Amisha chuckled. Once Nirali freshened up. Amisha asked. ''What happened all those years back that you guys stopped talking?''

Nirali turned quite, her thoughts going back to the fateful day.  Nirali took a sip of her cola, ''We had finished our exams and Lakshay wanted to spend time with me. He had arranged for a bike and we rode around the city like nomads. He did everything I wanted, he took me to every place I loved and it made me feel like a queen. I was very happy. Happy that; our differences were sorted. Happy about Lakshay being able to understand my point of view.

''What happened then?''

Nirali leaned across the headrest of her couch. ''We went to the lovers point cum echo point. We gave a beautiful titanic pose. We screamed one after the other enjoying the echo of own voices and then he screamed his love for me.  Amisha, those 3 words came back to me with full force after crashing with every rock. I heard it so many times that my heart was ready to bursts.'' A lone tear rolled down her eye. Amisha waited for her friend to compose herself. Nirali sniffed, ''I felt, everything was going back to normal. That he would understand my dreams and feelings. But I was wrong. We went for dinner after that and he excitedly shared his future plans with me. The college he wanted to go for is graduation and after that. I was happy that he was focusing on his dream but my bubble got bursts next minute. He had decided what college I would go to, so that we could stay together. My dreams, career aspirations took a back seat. I just sat there motionless , not able to understand that what I should do there.''

''Then?'' Amisha Asked

''I just turned mute and what hurt was that he took my silence to be my yes. And when I came back, I found my room empty. My roommate, my friend was gone. She was depressed for few days and then she was gone. I didn't get a chance even to talk to her one last time. She left a letter for me. Do you know what it read?

''It said, Love is a mirage. It makes you dream, takes you sky high and then drops you somewhere ...to be alone for life.''

''Amisha, Riya fought her family to be in that school. She wanted to be something but her love for Varun destroyed her. He broke her heart, her family got to know and she got dragged back in the mid of the academic year. She had to drop out for an year battling the accusing eyes of her own people. I didn't wanted to be her. Lakshay's possessiveness  and love was overwhelming me, his plans for me left me worried and confused but final nail came in from Riya's departure. I started seeing myself in Riya. I knew if I didn't put distance, we would be over forever. I had dreams, just like him. I respected his but he somewhere lost mine.''

''On the day of farewell to the outgoing batch, which was that of Lakshay, I told him I wanted distance and we would be better off without each other. I never forgot him , I knew where he was a what he was doing but I kept my distance.''

Nirali stood facing her friend. ''Was I wrong?''

Amisha pulled her friend in a hug. ''Nirali, I feel no one is wrong. It was just that age.'' Nirali kept holding on to her friend.  ''Nirali, I want to say something. This time, pls don't rush ; take things slow. Understand each other and, speak what you like and what you don't like. Fight, but just don't close yourself down. That wouldn't bring any solution.''

Nirali nodded. AMisha wiped her cheeks, ''Now, go and spend sometime with him. You need to relive what was beautiful and discuss what went wrong.''

***

Lakshay stood staring at the oblivion. After spending time with Nirali he realized, he wanted her back , at any cost. Nothing changed in his heart for her and he knew if this time he let her go, he would defiantly lose himself. This time, he was ready to do what would make things right for them.

Varun had spoken to him at length and explained him. He pointed out the mistakes he and Lakshay made. ''Was I only wrong one?''

''No, you both were. Now, rather than discussing the old mistakes , start on what you want and respect what she wants. There is always a middle path. If you sacrificed, she did the same. Its not the time to point fingers or deny what you guys have . Its time to make the future beautiful.'' Lakshay smiled recalling Varun's advice. He wished if he could a thing for his friend. If he could coax Nirali to let him speak to Riya once and beg her to forgive Varun.

But he had to take things slowly, Riya was a sensitive issue for Nirali. He had witnesses the anger she held for Varun. Lakshay decided to take things slow.

''Where are you lost?'' He jumped hearing Nirali behind him. She stood watching him with a smile on her face. Lakshay leaned across the balcony admiring the love of his life. ''What?''

''Admiring you! Can't I?''

She took a step. ''You can...I guess.'' Lakshay took a step closing the distance between them. ''So, what's the plan?''

''Nothing! Plan to go with flow.'' Nirali replied takin a step close.

''A good plan, indeed.'' He replied closing the final distance.  They now stood facing each other, their bodies rubbing against one another. He looked down into her eyes as she stared back up into his. They stood in silence for long before he added . ''Say something.''

''Why should I? Why can't you?''

''You know why. With you around, I am always at loss of words.'' His reply made her heart flutter. She smiled pressing her lips as color started rising her cheeks. "I love you Nirali. I always have and I always will.''

Nirali was now out of words. She watched him with emotional eyes he lips slightly parted. Lakshay caressed her cheek, with his fingers his eyes scanning her features. He lifted his other hand cupping her face gently between his palms. ''Lakshay!'' She whispered and his lips came down on her softly. Lakshay's arms gently moved around Nirali's middle  pulled her closer. Her arms went around his neck as she lifted her body on her toes, responding to the emotion with her heart. As they broke apart, they hugged each other tight. Lakshay lifted her body off the floor. He wanted her close , very close.

''Lakshya, put me down.''

''Why?''

''Because I want to be. Please.'' And he did, holding her very close. ''Nirali, I don't want to make mistakes this time.''

Nirali pulled his hands to her lips. ''Lakshay, let's make more mistakes but learn from them. Let's promise never to run from our emotions and complaints. let's sought them out.''

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Amisha- Naman are going to be a couple and their story will unfold slowly and them move to another book. Riya will come back in Varun's life and it will a love hate relationship.

Hope you like it.