The friends demanded a dance, Lakshay extended his hand and Nirali joined hers with his. He pulled her closer, his other arm around her waist and eyes locked. The music started slow but then picked up, and their feet moved in perfect synchrony. The movement matched the pace of the music. Naman did a little mixing in the beats and the coupled matched it with their moves.

''Did they train together?'' Amisha asked Varun

''they shared the best of part of their lives together, childhood. Memories formed then are permanent. Moreover, he is the heart and she is the beat.''

''Then why this distance.''

''Ask them! That's the question we have been asking one another and him.'' He replied taking a sip. Varun gave a content smile to the couple ready to leave. ''I am sorry.'' Amisha's words halted his steps

''Its okay, it never mattered.''

''No, I shouldn't have to judged you too soon.'' Varun nodded but Amisha didn't miss the unsaid pain in his eyes. ''Are you aware that Riya is married.'' Amisha didn't know why but she felt it was good to inform Varun and save him from any kind of future pain.  Varun's eyes suddenly turned glassy but he didn't wanted anyone to see him this way. Taking a moment of control he smiled at his friends. ''Its their day, stop being a bone.'' Arun didn't missing the tremble in his voice. He and Naman shared a look before following their friend out. Amisha too followed giving the lost couple a finacl glance. Nirali arms were around Lakshay's neck as his around her waist. She was now dancing on her toes, a wide smile plastered on her lips. They looked like a soulful song, like the first rain, the first ray of Sun. For a fraction of second she felt jealous of friend. Keeping her drink aside, she walked out, her heart feeling heavy and completely empty. She didn't wanted a guy like Lakshay, she wanted a true bond.

The group left the couple alone in the apartment. Lakshay sat in a corner of the balcony while Nirali took the other, their eyes locked. He was the first one to break the eye lock, ''thanks!''

''For?''

''This surprise.''

''I have planned such surprised before, you never thanked then!'' She replied

''Those times were different.'' Lakshay whispered. At a distance a cracker zoomed into the sky breaking into numerous sparkles. Lakhshay fiddle with his fingers. ''Why did you push me away? Why did you break us?''

''I will answer this but you answer this, why did my dreams and existence  take a back seat.  When did we turned in to just you?'' Nirali asked, her words hitting him hard.

''You could have retaliated. Why didn't you fight me?''

''Lakshay, the last year if our relationship, all we did was fight. I tried to reason, but you made me feel like a villain. The last time we made up, I hoped you realized what you were doing but you crashed my hopes by making choices for me. Lakahy, I wanted you to support my choices they way I supported your dreams.''

''I wanted us to be together...always.''

''Did that bring us together?'' Nirali asked and he turned quite. 

''Nirali, if you would have spoken you heart; things would have been different.''

''How Lakshay? we discussed, and then went back to where we started. Lakshay, it was hard for me as well.''

He scoffed making Nirali frown. Lakshay got up and leaned against the balcony, his eyes scanning the surroundings. ''It was hard for you, it was miserable for me Nirali. Can you comprehend my pain?''

Nirali laughed, and it was loud one taking Lakshay by surprise. ''Your pain, your love and your friends. It was always you Lakshay, I was never there.'' She picked up her phone and stood facing him. '' happy b'day again.'' With that she dashed out of the apartment without a second glance. Lakshay punched the wall hard, she had always been difficult and now she was impossible. 

***

''But you guys kissed and then you fought! How an why?'' Amisha couldn't understand how they went back to square one

''I am not denying he loves me unconditionally but love is not all required. Love without acceptance is a disaster.'' After a pause she added. ''I am tired, and we need to go to work. Good night.''

Amisha stood frozen, she couldn't understand how two people who couldn't stay without one another repelled each other with double force. Moreover, if she tried to reason, Nirali would withdraw completely. With a huff, Amisha crashed on to her bed. 

***

Morning turned out to be a rush affair, their boss called and updated on a urgent meeting. Nirali Amisha rushed around picking there stuff. ''I will pull out the car.'' amisha said.

''No, let's take the bike.'' Nirali suggested. Amisha nodded and ran out with her helmet while Nirali picked her stuff and locked the door behind her. Her eyes suddenly met that of Lakshay and his held pain. She took a moment and then ran to the elevator.

Amisha drove out of the parking halting right infront of the building. She gestured Nirali to be quick and latter came in huffing and puffing.

Amisha she lowered the visor, kicking start her bike. As she drove out of the township, her eyes met that of Naman, his going wide. He just looked surprised shocked and in awe.  Amisha rolled her eyes at his dramatic expression driving off. 

Naman dropped his phone, his eyes still on the bike. He moved his hands through his hair restlessly. ''I feel different, my heart is going to burst and I need help.'' He quickly ran to get his friends. He needed someone to help him.

''Guys, she rides a bike.'' Varun stared at his friend dumbfound, still trying to understand who rode the bike and why someone riding a bike made his friend that mad.

''Have you lost it? Now, cut the crap and let's jamb , we have a performance tonight.

Naman held his friend in a steel grip. ''You don't understand. She, rode my favorite bike. I once declared that I will fall in love with a girl who can drive an Enfield and I found her.'' The other three groaned. "It happened just like in movies, I was walking in after a walk, busy on my phone and she was driving out, her eyes locked with mine through the visor in slow motion.''

Arun poured a glass of water on Naman's head. ''We need to practice. Your love story can wait.'' Naman curled his lip but got no sympathy.

***

Lakshay went on to the stage waving at the crowd once. The crowd went crazy as watching their favorite band come on stage. Lakshay adjusted the mouthpiece and the guitar around his neck. He closed his eyes  once and she smiled behind his. Lakshay opened his eyes and his fingers moved along the strings creating a beautiful melody. It was the music of a pained heart, a should deep in love.

''Waqt ki ret main chupe  tere nishaan''

''Dil ki  tanhiyoon dhoonde tumhe kahan?''

''Band aankho main jagte ho tum baar baar.''

''Duriyoon main par kaise hume kare yeh karaar.''

Hidden in sands of time are your impressions. How to I find you in loneliness of my heart. You wake up everytime behind my sleeping eyes. How do I confess with the distance  between us.''

 His song made crowd swoon. Lakshay's voice held the pain of his unrequited  love. As his fingers danced on the strings, his heart relived every moment he shared with Nirali. Lakshay poured all he had in the song and then played the best guitar he had every played. The show went on to become a record success but lakshay didn't wanted to enjoy it, he just wanted to be alone.

***

Nirali sat with her team watching Lakshya's show live on television. Her boss turned out to be a big fan of the band and she pestered everyone to watch with her. Nirali felt exposed as the lyrics of his songs went deep in her heart. She understood every ord, every beat and every pain. Amisha squeezed her hand a bit offering her the support and Nirali returned it with a smile.

As they all decided to leave, Lakshay's song seemed to be playing again and again in her head. She wrapped her arms around Amisha leaning on to her back as drove back home. Amisha understood all, but one thing. How can be two people so stupid and so in love at the same time.

She agreed Lakshay made mistakes of over crowing Nirali but she wasn't ready to believe that it was no mistake from her side. She decided to speak to Varun and fund out the other side of the story.

If these 2 were capable of solving the issues, it wouldn't be needed, but now an intervention was require. She chose Varun because out of all, he turned out to be most honest and she had noticed the effort he had been putting in bringing Nirali and Lakshay closer. Anisha applied another gear and sped up, she had to know and how.

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