'Karan... What happened ? Why are you not attending my calls ? Is Naina okay ?'

I loved the concerned side of Dev... Though I was jealous of Naina since it was me whom Dev used to consider more, earlier...

'Everything is fine Sir... Don't worry... Actually I didn't notice my phone ringing !! Sorry...'

'Karan !! I thought Naina...uhh...leave it... Actually I'm gonna reach tomorrow by early morning... So I wanted Naina to be there in home...'

I was disturbed...My whole circulatory system got stopped working hearing him...Though I tried to pretend normal !!

'Uhh... okay Sir... I'll ask Maasi maa to go with her... Okay then...see you soon!! Have​ a safe journey Sir...' I wanted to hang up.

'Karan...wait wait... Let me complete... I want you to drop her there... In fact I want you to be there when I reach...'

I couldn't think of even dropping Naina there, didn't know why, and he wanted me to stay till he comes ?!! It was really hard for me... I was thinking to stay away from Naina then on... Cause next day onwards I HAD TO BEAR HER ABSENCE,( though she would be still working in my office,in fact inside my cabin ) !! I wanted to PREPARE MYSELF for that... All of a sudden I was unable to take it up !! So I decided to refuse to Dev...

'Sir, actually...'

'Karan, don't try finding reasons !! Maasi maa already told me that tomorrow you are free till noon !! If you can't then okay...'

Dev was sounding disappointed and I didn't want my sir cum friend to feel bad too !!

'Sir, I'll come... I mean I'll be there... Anything else you wanna say ?'

'That's good,Karan... Actually I had to talk about a new project... If you are interested then you can join me in that !!'

'Ooh !! That's why you wanted me to come !!?'

'What were you thinking?' He was back to naughty mode.And I was in no mood to listen !!

'Sir !! Let's talk tomorrow... Okay then !!'

'C'mon Karan ! Don't try changing topic !! OMG !! Don't tell me you are still afraid of Naina?!! Is that why you didn't want to come?' 

His question made me remember all my moments with Naina,again !! I didn't know why I was feeling uneasy to take up the fact she was leaving next day !!

'No Sir... There's nothing like that !!' I replied him lost somewhere​...

'Nothing like what ?' He was hypnotizing me !! In fact he understood that I was lost and was utilizing the chance !! Still I was lost in my past few days !!

'I WON'T MISS NAINA... ALL IS WELL... I'LL ADJUST WITHOUT HER !! And why will I be UPSET that SHE'S LEAVING ?!! I'LL BE FINE WITHOUT HER !!' I was consoling myself and forgot that I was talking with Dev !!!!!

'OMG Karan!!!! YOU ARE IN LOVE!!! I never thought you will fall in love THIS SOON !! And that too WITH MY SIS !!' He was appearing to be on cloud nine !! And I was shocked like hell with the words came out of his mouth!! "ME? IN LOVE?!! NEVER !!", I tried convincing my heart !!

Just then the realization hit me!!! Not that "I'm in love"... But that "I'm gone" !! (😜)

His words made me realize the mistake I've done !!! I blurted out all those to HIM ?!! It was like ADDING FUEL TO the ALREADY SET FIRE !! I made a TERRIBLE MISTAKE !! He wasn't gonna leave me !!

'Sir... What are you even saying?!! Please stop all these nonsense !!'

'Don't lie Karan !! You still can't hide things from me !! Admit the truth like a brave man!! '

I was very much embarrassed that I never thought about his words but about defending myself !! And Dev was like a cracker that got lit with fire !!

'Karan!! Now I got it !! This is why you didn't attend my calls! Right? You didn't want her to leave ?!!' I knew he was grinning !

'Sir, don't find wrong meaning of it... I didn't notice it ringing !! That's it !!'

'Whatever Karan !! But don't say you don't love her !! I'll never believe it!! And now please.... Please don't try to prove me wrong putting YOUR LOVE at stake ! Remember Karan, only LUCKY people get their FIRST LOVE as their ONLY LOVE !! And I want you to be one of them !! Now I'm hanging up !! Not a word... Just sit somewhere and think !! You will find me right !!' He hung up without listening to me !!

I never thought a brother can support someone who's apparently in love with his sister !! There, I was confused !! I thought about his words !! I was unable to understand anything !! The only thing I knew was it wasn't easy for me to drop Naina myself !! I was feeling like going mad !! 

I returned to my room as it was late already...Maasi maa called me to have dinner !! But I was not at all hungry; moreover  I wanted to stay away from Naina since it may cause more unease for me to handle myself in next few days in her absence !! I told Maasi maa that I wasn't hungry and landed on bed...I knew sleep was far away from me...In fact I could hear ticking sound of my clock which was placed on top of wall !! It reminded me of Dev's words !! 

"HOW I WISH TO STOP THE TIME FROM RUNNING JUST BY STOPPING THE CLOCK !!", I myself never knew why I wanted to stop time when it was out of human control !! Just then I heard a knock on door !! 

I opened it to see Maasi maa...She came in...

'Karan, come...sit here...' She said sitting on the bed and I sat besides her... She was emotional,then...and I was concerned !!

'Karan... I always wanted to give you the best upbringing that anybody will get jealous seeing how successful you are in life as well as a person !! I wanted you to be the best everywhere !! I wanted you to be a sincere,brave and caring son !!And see how you have become the exact same one !!' 

I looked on thinking why she was telling all those...

'You always obey me... And do anything I ask you to, without telling a word... But now I think I've failed to make you brave enough to take your own decisions !! You are not able to decide what you really want !! Karan, life always give us a chance... It's just that most of us fail to utilize it !! When we get something in our hands and we find it precious...we should hold onto it tightly !! We should never let it go... Cause life may not give us another chance !! Keep that always in mind !!' She said standing up from the bed !!

I was confused like anything !! 

"Was she talking about some important project which I handled carelessly ?! Or is it.... Oh my Lord !! Maybe Dev called her and......OH NO!!!!!", I was shocked thinking that !!

'Maasi maa, why did you say all these now? Did I commit any mistake?' I asked hiding the fact that I was shocked !!

'Not yet,Karan !! But I don't want you to make a mistake !!'

I was looking on shocked.

'I heard you talking with Dev !!'

I felt like freezing there at that moment !! She HEARD me telling all those to Dev !!!!!!!

'Karan... It's not late... But don't make it so late that you will regret !! I don't want you to become like your Maasi maa !! When we commit a mistake knowingly it's not necessary that we will get another chance to rectify it !! True love won't return back once we let it go !! I want my Karan to be brave enough to admit his feelings himself and confess it to Naina !!' 

She left giving me a smile, though her eyes were filled.So this was her truth !! She let someone close to her go and she still regret​ her mistake !! This was why she chose to live her life all alone without getting married !! And she wanted me to NOT LET NAINA GO !! 

"She also thinks​ I'm in love ?!!"I was confused. But I remembered her words that I should not make it late !! I looked at Naina's window and found her lights on!! I decided to see what Naina was doing since it was late night !! 

"Maybe she is MISSING ME ?!! Uhh...no!! I can't just assume things!! And it's not necessary that she should feel LIKE I DO !!"

I climbed up to her balcony and found her packing her stuff !! It did look like she was very happy !! I got disappointed... I decided to leave before she could see me, though ​I never wanted to... I turned towards balcony, with an arguing heart !!

'Karan!!' 

It was her !! She saw me ! I turned to look at her...

'You look happy !!' 

'I'm excited !! Cause Bhai and Bhabhi are coming !!'

'Oh!! That's why you are excited!! I thought you are happy​ that I won't be there to irritate you from tomorrow onwards !!' I said just to know if she was really happy to LEAVE !!

She suddenly became blank with no expressions on her face and turned towards her right, looking away from me !!

'And I thought you are here with a file to make me read it !!' She said without looking at me !

I was trying to find words... And we both were silent too... And this silence made me hear again the ticking sound of wall clock that reminded me of each passing moment and its value... It was gifting me a pricking pain all over my heart, with each tick !! I was unable to take it !! So I decided to speak up...

'Naina...uhh...Can I...Can I ask you something ?'

She looked at me...

'What is it,Karan ?'

'Uhh...You are leaving tomorrow,right ?'

She nodded, looking on...

'Then... I'll... I mean will you...uhh...' I wanted to tell her I'll miss her and to ask whether she'll miss me too... But I felt like I had no courage to do that... I was feeling like I'm a small child who can't get appropriate words to say what he wanted or what was bothering him !! I felt really helpless !! I never had such stress when I was dealing with big business meetings​... I never felt so even when I was giving exams !!

'Will I what, Karan ? Why are you stumbling? Just say it,no...' 

She was encouraging me... I turned away and closed my eyes to get some courage !! I remembered how Maasi maa used to tell me when I was a school boy that I should close my eyes when I'm nervous and should remember something that which encourages me or inspires me to get rid of nervousness... And what came next in my mind was Dev asking me if I'm afraid of girls which made me propose Naina on the day of our first meeting itself... And her reply was not rude at all !! I remembered all our moments right from first meeting !! Then Dev and Maasi maa's words that I should not let Naina go... I was confused about what I felt...

Moreover I was hesitant thinking​if she will slap me, again... But my heart consoled me that it was no way going to happen since I was still her boss !!

And I couldn't think more when I again heard the ticking sound getting louder and louder... I never heard that sound before and now it was turning unbearable !!!

'Karan ?! Where are you lost ?' Naina was still looking at me...

'Naina, I was thinking about... I mean how will you come to office,then ?!!' I knew I was being stupid !!

'Is this the thing you wanted to ask, Karan? You climbed up through balcony to ask this ?!! You could have asked me through phone !!' Naina was disappointed and I could feel it clearly in her voice !!

'Anywayz Dev bhai will drop me to office !!' Naina said, sighing.

'I guess now you have got your answer... So now you can sleep, right ?!'

I could feel sarcasm in her words !! Was she expecting me to ask something sensible ?!! Maybe she was !!

I plainly nodded and moved towards balcony... But my inner self was pleading me to stop... I didn't stop... And my heart was not letting me move forward that I felt like it stopped supplying blood to my legs !! I remembered how Maasi maa told she never want me to do the same mistake she has done,once... And that I might not get​ a second chance !! That thought boosted me and I finally got some courage !! 

I turned to look only to find a Naina who was looking at me disappointed !! And as she was caught she turned away... I started to walk towards her... I closed my eyes and took a deep breath...And with all courage, available at that very moment, I started speaking... Moreover I was going to speak truth !! Why should I even fear !?

'Naina... Actually I came here to ask you something else...'

Naina turned towards me and I could see her looking at me hopefully...

'I... Actually... I've been living happily in what I had... In my whole life I never needed to talk with a girl since there were no girl around me... Be it school,college or even office !!And I was never ready to have a lady staff till the day Maasi maa took you to my office... Not to make you just a staff but my P.A.!!! I could never digest the thing but I was unable to refuse to Maasi maa... So I wanted you to resign yourself from the job !! For that purpose only I made all those rules !! But...'

Naina was looking at me without blinking her eyes... I took her right hand in mine... She was a little bit shocked !

'But see what happened !! My stupid rules pulled me more towards you that.... that I'm feeling uneasy to take up the fact that you are gonna leave tomorrow !!'

I didn't realize how I could say this much !!! Maybe the positive vibes from her side was helping me to continue...She was just looking on... I placed my left hand on her right hand, holding it in between both my hands !!

'So... I mean...I know we are different like anything and obviously our ways are different...But still I wanted to ask you that CAN WE GO REST OF OUR JOURNEY​ TOGETHER ?? I asked  it on the very first day we met and that day your reply was not something mattered to me... but today I'm asking you EXPECTING ONLY A POSITIVE REPLY !!  WILL YOU LET ME ACCOMPANY YOU IN REST OF MY JOURNEY,IN YOUR WAY OF LIFE ??'

'Karan !! But...' 

I placed my index finger on her lips, telling...

'Shh...Naina !! You just need to answer in YES or NO...'

She just looked at me and I was lost in her eyes too... We would have stood there like that whole night if I didn't hear the ticking sound,again!! It was indeed an irritating and disturbing reminder !!

'You didn't say anything ?!' I asked expecting an answer.

Naina looked at my index finger which was still on her lips !! That was when I knew I didn't take it back,yet !! I immediately removed it !!

'How am I supposed to answer when you are not not letting me say ?! Huh ?! And now my answer is NO, I can't let you accompany me !!'

Her last words were aching me like a spear had pierced my chest dividing my heart !! I was never expecting her to say a NO in one go... In fact she was never like that !! Even when I was a stranger for her she refused me being so sweet !! She wasn't rude !! Maybe my irritating acts made her feel fed up !! I had never got rejected in my life, till then, from the childhood to professional life !! Even then I felt I deserved it... 

I turned to leave...with my 12×8×6 cm HEART that appeared to be heavier than my whole body at that very moment !!! I was feeling like I'm unable to move with the heavy heart anymore !! HOW I WISHED IF I COULD PUT IT DOWN AND WALK AWAY LEAVING IT BEHIND !! I was helpless to admit that it a STUPID organ with so much of UNNECESSARY EXPECTATIONS !!

Just then I felt a hand on my wrist stopping me from moving forward... I looked back... I could see Naina smiling at me !! Was she smiling at my extremely disappointed face ?! Or was she sympathizing me ?! I didn't know !!

'Are you leaving without letting me complete?' 

'WHAT IS LEFT, Naina ?!!', I wanted to be harsh but my words shown how much I was hurt !! It appeared like a monologue rather than a question !! And maybe my face was reflecting what I was going through !!

'What do you mean, Karan ?!' Her eyes were concerned,now !!

'Oh really !! As if you don't know !!' I smiled sarcastically but it turned out to be a painful smile !! Naina was looking at me and I felt like she was pitying me... Maybe the lump formed in my throat reflected how much I was hurt !!

I was frustrated by then !! 

'Look Naina... I clearly heard that it is a NO from your side!!'

'Really ?!! I said I can't let you accompany me !! Does that mean we can't be TOGETHER ?!'

My frustration turned into confusion... And I was looking on... I was getting kinda hope that she was going to say something pleasing and I was getting a little bit relieved...

'Karan, you only told that our ways are entirely different !! Then how can you accompany me in my way ?! Just imagine...all of a sudden you leave your own way and following mine which is hardly familiar to you !! It's never an easy thing to do and nor is it fair !! That's why I told so !!'

I still couldn't understand what she was trying to say and she got it seeing my expressions !!

'Offo,Mr.Weirdo !!'

I frowned and started walking close to her... She was​ a little shocked !

'I mean Karan... I want US to choose a NEW WAY for OUR NEW JOURNEY, TOGETHER...A way which helps us to adjust, to move without much difficulties and to be comfortable !!' She started laughing, making me feel I was pranked !! 

But still,I felt very much happy and relieved like pouring cold water all over my body when the atmospheric temperature is much high !! I must say I had never felt this much happiness before !!

'It wasn't a good way to prank...you Drama Queen !! I said faking anger !!

'Excuse me... It wasn't any prank, okay? Nor am I a drama queen !! It was you who stopped me when I was about to say all these !! It was again you who wanted answer in yes or no !!'She was looking cute when she pouted...

'Ohh...yeah !! It was me !! But I said so cause I was eagerly waiting for a yes !!' 

Suddenly her facial expressions changed... She was getting teary eyed...

'I...I'm sorry, Karan... I didn't mean to hurt you... I was just trying to explain...'

'It's ok,Naina... it wasn't your fault !! And after all you agreed to be with me, FOREVER !! Only that matters !! I love you !!'

I couldn't stop myself from hugging her tightly, seeing tears formed in her eyes thinking I'm hurt !!! And she hugged me back, saying...

'I love you too,Karan !!'

I felt it was the BEST FEELING I've EVER felt !! The moment was PRECIOUS for me than any other ACHIEVEMENT I've ever had !!!

And that was how I,Karan Chauhan,the self-dependant guy with no-girl policy lost my heart to my P.A.,Naina, the first lady staff I've ever had in my office, the very first girl to enter my life who made me experience many things for first time in my whole lifetime like SLAP, BUS JOURNEY & even THE FEELING OF LOVE !!

Special thanks to :

                               ✓ My one & only professor cum friend Dev Goenka who challenged me to propose a girl on the day I met Naina for first time,10th December-2014, Wednesday !!

                              ✓ My dearest Maasi maa for appointing Naina as my P.A.

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So this was my final chapter... And I'm sorry for making it this long !!😅😅I don't think I could make their confession part something good !! I'm sorry for that...😞😞

And this time I strongly feel it has turned boring...(No arguments @Nairanlover and @Jiya09... I told what I really felt !!😅😅) Feel free to punish me now...🙈🙉🙊And plzzz let me know what you felt...☺☺

Thankful to all those who tolerated me till now... ☺☺❤❤

P.S.:- I won't ask you if I should write an epilogue too after making the chapter a big mess !!🙈🙉🙊🏃🏃