Shyla's POV:

I looked at Arya's sleeping form and smiled. A pink coloured blush rose to my cheeks instantly. He looked so calm and serene and I couldn't help but admire him. Even though my sensible mind told me that I shouldn't be pining after someone who was far beyond my reach, my heart couldn't help but erratically beat for him. No matter what, I still loved him. And that feeling wasn't going to go away just because he didn't reciprocate. It was going to take a long time to get over him, since I had loved him from when I was 18.
Gazing at his immaculately chiseled jawline, my thoughts drifted to the recent conversation I had with a friend.

" Shy, you're making the biggest mistake of your life!"

" What are you trying to say Kriti?"

"Don't give up on Arya. Go after your man. You've loved him for so many years. And he's known you for such a long time. It's possible he has feelings for you. Don't give up so easily."

"But Kriti...What about Riya? I can see it in his eyes, he really does love her..."

" It's probably an infatuation Shy...you're destined to be with him."

"Noo, Kriti I can't take your advice this time. I know Arya really well and I can read his emotions perfectly. He does love her, he probably doesn't even know it yet," I said, chuckling dryly.

"Ok Shy, I won't say anything more to force you. It's your life, after all."

"Thanks. I appreciate that."

I was pretty sure my decision about giving up on Arya at that time was the right one.
It made me a bit sad, but I could move on. I was strong.
I would find a man better than him. And totally make Arya jealous... And make him repent the fact that he rejected me...haha not in an evil way but for fun..

I looked at the clock hanging above Arya's bed.

Oh no, it was already 12. Arya's parents and sister could return any moment. They had gone to attend a concert which Arya wasn't interested in, and hence weren't at home when I came. I had come as soon as Arya called leaving all my work in the clinic, assigning it to a junior staff. The urgency in his voice and the slur in his speech worried me and I had rushed to his house immediately. I was shocked when I saw him so drunk but I was used to handling him like this. After all, we had been best friends for a reason.

Coming out of my momentary daydream, I hurriedly scribbled down a note and left it on his night stand, so that he'd see it as soon as he woke up.

Dear Arya,
I tried waking you up but you were out like a log. Leaving for the clinic. Left some food in the fridge for you. Eat it. Take care. Call me if you need anything else.
Shy :)
PS: I also packed a bag for you. Don't forget that you have your flight at 8 today. I won't be able to come to the airport but I wish you all the best.

I tried poking him and calling his name softly but he was in deep slumber.

I slowly crept out of the room precariously, took all my things and rushed to the clinic.
I told the other doctors that Arya was not keeping well and hence wouldn't be able to attend the clinic today.
Then, I sat down to resume my daily work.

Riya's POV:

What had this idiotic Desh done? I could imagine what must be going on in Arya's head right now... I knew he was a prankster and loved annoying the hell out of people...but really? This was too much..Did Arya really care anyways? But...that would matter only if he really liked me right? Did he? I was so anxious to know. I just HAD to know. But first, I needed to apologize to him.

I rummaged through my things to search for my diary. I luckily had Arya's cell number written down in it. I was always organized in that respect and kept my things neatly.
So I dialed the number on my landline and waited, the phone pressed to my ear.

It rang for a long time and then finally he picked up.

When I heard breathing on the other line, I involuntary gasped and a nervous shiver ran through me. My heartbeat skyrocketed and I waited anxiously to hear his voice on the other line.

Arya's POV:

What was that noise? It was irritating me to the core. Was it my ringtone? Couldn't the bloody thing leave me alone? I couldn't wake up. I wanted to sleep. My muscles were stiff. My body was aching. Aaaaahrgh and I had a splitting headache. It felt like someone was pounding a hammer repeatedly onto my head.

The person was persistent. So finally I picked up. But I was still a little tipsy, drowsy and my words slurred. I wasn't aware of the words that came out of my mouth next.

" Hello?" I mumbled groggily.

" Arya? Is that you?"

I didn't really recognize the voice, in my stupor.

"Sh..y..laaa...."

" Ummm...this is Riya," she said, confused.

"But Shyla was here sometime back, in the bed with me. Where did she go?"

I didn't understand why my mind made me say that sentence but I couldn't take it back now. I had a vague feeling though that I had said something really wrong. My inner conscience berated me for uttering that sentence.

I was met by the ending of the call. Whoever this stupid woman was, she had hung up on me. How dare she?

Riya's POV:

What? He had a girl in his bed? Shyla, our receptionist? Was something going on between both of them? I was such a fool to think that Arya could have feelings for me. That there was a teeny weeny bit of a chance that he liked me. Were those long dreamy gazes and light caresses conjurations of my thoughts?

Shyla, with her dark brown tresses, beautiful brown eyes, rosy lips and ideal figure was perfect for him. I was not even one percent close to her beauty. She was a very kind, amiable, always helpful and caring person and I am sure Arya had liked those qualities in her.
I sighed. Why was everything going wrong just when there was a possibility of things becoming better? Why did God always have to introduce twist and turns in people's lives? Was it because he enjoyed watching a bit of drama? All our lives were like movies to him. Pure entertainment.

My thoughts returned back to Shyla. I was so disappointed. I was hurt. But to begin with, we didn't really have anything going on between the both of us. Did I have the right to be upset? I should have told him about my feelings for him when I felt it first. But I was shy. And now had I lost my chance?

Life threw thorns at us just when we went to pluck the roses.

Arya's POV:

When I woke up next, it was already five in the evening. I felt a lot more better, and rejuvenated. My headache had come down, my body felt less sore and I could open my eyes easily.

Wohh wait wait wait wasn't today the 6th? I had to leave for New York today. I still needed to pack a suitcase. Oh no!

Just then, I spotted a suitcase next to my bed. I realized it was neatly packed with all my essentials. Who could have been so sweet so as to do something like that for me?

Then my eyes zeroed in on a note on my side table. I read it and grinned.

Shyla. Oh my god she was really my life saviour. And my best friend. I owed her big time for everything that she'd done for me. I really needed to take her out one of these days and spend time with her. Since, she'd taken up the job in my dad's clinic, I had never really gone anywhere with her or sat down and spoken to her. Our conversations were always really formal and we maintained a professional relationship.

I longed for the times we spent when we were kids. Out in my backyard, playing on our swing, watching rom coms which I used to tease her endlessly about and sipping coffee together late night, sitting on the porch, gazing at the stars in the beautiful night sky.

It had really been a long time. I felt bad for ignoring her. And I was definitely going to do something about it once I returned from my trip. But first I had to think about someone else.

And that's when it struck me. I had blabbered nonsense over the phone. To Riya. Shit! I had lost the only chance I had to make things right. I vaguely remember telling her about Shyla being in my bed. What was wrong with me? My brain just knew how to screw up at all the perfect moments...

I tried calling back but noone picked up. I had really done it this time.

Just then, my mom peeped her head inside my room.

"Are you feeling alright? Shyla told me that you had a mild fever. That girl is really a darling. I don't see why you don't realize she is perfect for you."

"Mom...I am fine. Please don't go there again...I don't like her like that..."

She sighed.
"You're really very stubborn aren't you?"

I chuckled. She ruffled my hair and grinned.

" Get ready quickly, freshen up. Dad said he will drop you to the airport."

"OK mom."

"Arya..." My sister came skipping into the room, after my mom left.
"What's the matter dude?"

"Nothing really...just a bit unwell."

" Don't give me this crap okay? Maybe you can fool mom but not me. You've been drinking, it's not hard to guess, and I know you do it only when you're down in the dumps. Is it a girl?"

I stared at my sister in shock , who raised one eyebrow at me.

" Finally!" she exclaimed grinning." So it is."

"Hmm.."

"What did you do this time you goofball?"

She came and sat down on the bed next to me, waiting for my answer.

" I screwed up majorly Aru, I don't think there's a solution.."

" Everything has a solution. Chill bro. Now tell me what happened. "

I told her everything, starting from the first day I had met her, during the floods. About how she had caught my eye immediately. Her bright eyes and ever smiling face had made me unable to look away from her. Her desire to help others made me admire her. Her concern and care made me appreciate her. I tried to concise it as much as possible, considering that I had to leave for the airport soon.

I told my sister about the time we had spent together when she was interning for me. About our lunch and our ice cream outing. About the tension I felt between us when we touched or the urge I had to caress her.

She looked at me with a smirk on her face. She knew I had fallen for her. I usually wasn't so talkative and kept to myself but when instigated, i could talk endlessly. And when it came to Riya, my mind somehow knew how to go on and on.

My sister cooed when I mentioned the airport scene. She was so excited for me that she started bouncing on my bed. When I came to the part where I had told Riya Shyla was in my bed, my sister groaned. She scolded me for being stupid and clocked me on my head. When I gave her a sad expression and looked down, she told me that it still could be fixed, and that from what she had inferred from my monologue , she felt Riya did have some feelings for me too.

I hoped that she did. I really did hope so.

I didn't want to try calling her again immediately . I decided to give her time to cool off. I knew she was angry with me and it was all my fault this time. But I was a little apprehensive of wanting to call back. I was still thinking about Desh and what he meant to her. But she was important to me and I was bent on resolving this misunderstanding I had got us into very soon. So I would try again in the airport.

_______________x__________________

Sooo hello guys!

I was kinda stuck in a writer's block...I felt my words weren't flowing so smoothly so I took some time to update.

Arya and Riya are surely thinking too much aren't they??
Don't you think they should hug already?

Haha but life's not always so easy it is? It always throws you the unexpected. It always has its ups and downs..

Anyways hope you liked it :)

Read, vote, comment and as always enjoy :D

Adios amigos,
:) harshini :)