Meera was working on a document on her Laptop, when the doorbell sounded. She checked her watch.

Who visits at 11:07 in the night? She huffed as she went to open the door.

When she opened the door, all the air was knocked out of her body in one sharp exhale.

A man with the messy black hair and dark brown eyes, his hand stuck in his pockets, and his dimples appearing as he caught sight of Meera, stood there.

"Hey Meera!", Aayush said, sticking one hand out for a handshake, his grin and dimples still on his face, but his eyes were searching her face for something.

"Hey Aayush! Didn't expect you to meet me here, at 11:10 in the night", she said as she shook his hand, and quickly withdrew. "Dude, you're freezing! Come on in!", she said as she turned and went back in, taking in a few quick breaths.

Why was he here in Berlin? How had he found her? And why did he have to come into her life, now!?

"Sit down here.", she pointed at the couch as she made her way to the kitchen.

"Where are you going?", he followed her, ignoring the couch.

"Making you hot chocolate. Why are you here, Aayush?", she finally asked, her back to him as she took out the milk and heated it.

"I'm here to meet you. And thank you. You did the right decision by not choosing any of us that evening. You gave us all the chance to enjoy a rich and fulfilling college experience and still be in touch with each other, no bitterness involved, thanks to your decision. So, thank you.", he said, fidgeting a little with the unzipped ends of his jackets.

"Thank you for telling me that! You won't believe how many sleepless nights I have had because of it..", Meera turned and offered him a small smile, then turned back to mix the Cocoa powder.

"Me too.", he muttered.

The kitchen was silent after that, while Meera poured the Hot Chocolate into two mugs, handing one to him and taking one for her. 

They silently made their way to the couch, Meera opting to sit on a stool opposite to the tepoy.

"So, what's up?", Meera finally broke the silence.

"Nothing much.", Aayush continued to sip his hot chocolate, eyes not meeting hers.

"How did you know where I am?", Meera decided to ask the safest of questions among her arsenal of ticking time-bombs.

"You had literally dropped of the grid! No FB account, no social networking, none of your high school friends whom I knew could tell me where you were. And the same thing happened to Leah too! She was missing, and I didn't want to ask Omkar... But finally, Karthik told me.", he replied.

"How does he know?"

"He bumped into Leah six months ago. They started dating. And I met them both for lunch about two months ago. Leah just told me where to find you and told me that she approved, whatever that means.", he trailed off, finally meeting her hazel eyes, again searching.

"Leah is a crazy fool in love.", Meera sighed.

Leah had confessed about 'totally falling for Karthik' last month. But she had conveniently forgotten their lunch date with Aayush that he had mentioned.

High school best friends. You can't hate them.

"I know right! They were so cute, even I barfed a little in my head. Me! The king of sap!", he spread his hands dramatically, and Meera couldn't help but chuckle lightly.

She missed his sap, a lot.

"So, what's up with your life?", he asked, stopping her train of thoughts from entering Forbidden-Things-To-Think-Of Land station.

"My life's cool. I'm here for a two year internship, and then I'll go work in my Uncle's company for sometime... jus boring desk job stuff, nothing so cool enough to describe.. How's your career?", she asked, sipping her hot chocolate and smacking her lips at it's sweetness.

"I came her for a month to cover the German Journalism Expo. It's going to be a really amazing experience.", Aayush smiled, contently.

"I knew you were going to use your Golden words for something awesome Aayush!", Meera smiled.

He came here for the expo. Not to specifically meet her. She should have understood that when he mentioned that he met Leah two months ago. Why wait this long if he had come to see her specifically? No. She was just another thing in his check list.

"The hot chocolate was amazing Meera. I better get back to the hotel. Sunaina must be waiting for me.", he got up and stretched.

"Sunaina?"

"Oh sorry! I forgot to tell you. Sunaina is my fiancee. We got engaged four months ago."

"Oh! Congratatulations! Hope you'll call me for your wedding!", she smiled weakly, as she withered inside.

She should have known better than to trust him. Her high school self was wise!

"Sure. I'll take your leave then.", he nodded.

"Wait a minute. The door creaks too much if you don't open it properly, and it might wake Venky up!", she came forward to open the door slowly and gently.

"Venky?", he raised his eyebrows, jaws clenching.

"Yeah. Venkatraman, my fiance-to-be."

"Fiance-to-be?", he asked, one eyebrow arched.

"Yeah. We are not engaged yet, so just fiancee-to-be.", she told him, gauging his expression.

"Oh! Advance congrats. Hope I'll be at your wedding.", he said, his face expressionless.

"Me too, Aayush, me too."

________________________________________________________________________________

Woah!

I just broke many hearts.

Or did I?

Well, keep reading on to find out.

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Adios!