***Kanika's POV.***

"She is full on ignoring me. Is this really a good idea, Kanika?" Veer asks me this twenty times and I frown up at him.

"Just follow my lead, will you?" I say.

"But why? You told me she was going to confess to me. You told me she loves me, then why can't I just tell her the same and get this confusion over with? Why are we making things this complicated?" Veer asks and looks at Piya, who is sulking behind Subu and Rihaan.

"Because she needs to break." I say.

"What?!" Veer exclaims, not so gently, and some trekkers look behind.

"Calm down. What I mean is that she needs to tell you, but not because it is necessary, but also because she needs to know that she shouldn't always bury her feelings. Exactly like someone you know." I say.

"I know." He says, and his jaw clenches.

"Come on, Veer. It is necessary. Just like I said, she needs to rely on you or others. She needs to understand that she can be strong, but that doesn't mean she has to bear a burden all alone. And imagine this: if you will confess to her now, she would not have to do any hard work of confessing herself. Falling for someone is easy, but confessing is hard. You are doing your best. She needs to do the same. Piya has to confess to you passionately. And believe me, it will happen soon. She is on the brink and just needs a little push." I say.

"I just hope I am not hurting her." Veer says.

"Oh, that you are. And when she comes to know the truth, she might bash your head." I say with a smile.

"The only thing I still can't understand is why it has to be so complicated." Veer says.

"Because you both made it. No doubt you are good friends, best too, but not a great one. Otherwise, you would have told each other about your feelings long ago." I say.

"So we need to strengthen our bonds to the point where we could tell each other anything without overthinking about it or hesitating." Veer says.

"Right." I say.

"So, what are we doing next?" He asks.

"That's not for you to know, not entirely at least. Leave it to me. But when I ask you to do something, do it without asking stupid questions, Veer." I say.

"Okay." He says.

"That's my last order for you. After this, it is all in your hand. You need to corner her and say you are busted." I say and chuckle and he finally smiles.

I feel guilty for what I did, but it was necessary for Piya. She is too nice and too accustomed to any situation, even if it hurts her very much. But she doesn't realize that it would be disastrous for her to always give up and let go of things without trying her best.

I have gone through that once myself and I learned the hard way that it is okay to be selfish and demanding sometimes. It is okay to put your feelings above everyone else and sometimes for your own good. As no one can fight for us better than ourselves.

And not unless she describes her emotions or puts words to it, she is doomed to lead herself to an unsatisfied life. It is better to fight for what you want than to give up. Because the other person won't be nice about it and won't praise you for what you did.

We reached Chatru, and the lake was beautiful. I click a picture on my phone to send it to a person who missed this view and my desirable company after I reach Manali and get a better network. When we circle back to Chatru, two small buses are waiting for us.

Now here comes the troublesome part.

Piya and Subu are with each other all the time and I need to do something to separate them. I find Dev, who was involved in my plan earlier, and call him.

"What is it?" He asks.

"Get Rihaan and Subu together on the first bus and separate Piya from them." I say.

"What?" He asks.

"Just do as I say. Send Piya to that motel and say I need her as I am not feeling well but after you have sent those two on the first bus. Then you board the second bus to avoid questions. Okay?" I ask.

"Okay." He says and goes towards Rihaan.

He is good at making my mission easier sometimes, and why wouldn't he do it for me? I am his best friend and we have stuck together for a long time along with Om and Isha. Rihaan boards the first bus and Dev goes to Subu and she follows a minute later while Dev holds Piya back.

I go to find Veer who is helping in getting everyone's stuff back in the bus and I take his arm and pull him in the corner.

"You need to go to that motel." I say.

"Why?" He asks.

"Didn't I tell you before not to question me?" I ask.

"Fine. But tell them I am coming." He says as he rushes in.

"No, I won't." I say as the first bus leaves.

"Is everyone aboard?" The guide asks.

"Yes." I say.

"But what about Piya?" Driti asks, just as I pass them.

"She is on the first bus." I say.

"And Veer." Her boyfriend asks.

"He is too." I say.

"But I saw them going into the motel..." She says but I squeeze her shoulder.

"Understand." I say with a wink and smile.

"Matchmaking?" She asks.

"Yes." I say.

"But I thought you were..." She says.

"Nah! I already have an idiot." I say and sit beside Dev.

"Done with your games?" He asks.

"Yep! Ah! I can finally relax." I say and stretch my arms when the bus moves and leaves the two birds behind.

When we reached Rohtang Pass, I took my bags to my room, which I am supposed to share with Piya and Subu for the next two days to enjoy the snowy mountain. Subu is not in our room, so I try to freshen up first. But as soon as I come out of the bathroom, two people are standing outside, one with an angry face and another with confused.

"Where is Piya?" Subu asks, folding her arms.

"You don't know. Isn't she always with you?" I ask.

"Yes. But she wasn't with me and also not on the first bus along with you. I thought she must have been on the second bus with you. And if she isn't with you, then where the hell is she?" Subu asks.

"And Veer too." Rihaan says.

"They are fine." I say and put the towel I was holding on the table.

"But where are they?" Rihaan asks, worried now.

"Chatru." I say and sit in the chair.

"What?! Why are they left behind? I have to tell the tour guide." Subu says.

"Stop. You won't do any such things." I say.

"Why? Were you behind this?" She asks and I nod.

"What happened, Kanika? You and Veer were hanging out a lot together for the past few days and now you leave him behind with Piya. I don't understand." He says.

"And what I heard this morning... Are you both dating each other or what?" Subu asks.

"Why didn't you ask me this earlier?" I ask.

"Because we didn't want to create any scene. Also, we thought of sitting them together on the last day of our trip and talking it out. They clearly need to just talk." Rihaan says.

"About what?" Subu asks, and he winces.

"Veer loves Piya, and he wanted to confess to her, but not before he knew what she felt. I didn't tell him anything because I wanted them to surprise each other." He says.

"Seriously!" Subu and I speak together.

"What is your plan, then?" Subu asks, and I tell them everything.

"So you are saying they are alone together and they won't take the next bus till tomorrow afternoon? How do you know that?" Rihaan asks.

"Simple. I asked the tour guide. Also, I slipped in a letter in Veer's pocket before I left them behind with the same info." I say.

Subu sighs and looks at me, "Would they be okay?"

"You know Veer. He won't let anything happen to Piya." I say.

"How can you be so sure they will be together after this?" She asks.

"Why don't we make a bet? If they come tomorrow hand in hand towards us as a couple, you will let me select your wedding gown. And if they don't, I will let you do the same." I say.

"Seriously!" She exclaims, "But... but..."

"Not buts. Just trust me and your dear friends." I say.

"Well, we have nothing else to do, anyway." Rihaan says.

"Now, if you will excuse me, I have a call to attend." I say as my phone rings and go out of the room.

"I thought you forgot all about me." I hear as soon as I pick up the call.

"Actually, I did. That too in just a week." I say with a smile.

"You are hurting me now, K." He says.

"Not enough, I think. Because you are not here yet." I say.

"Well, I am in India and waiting for you to come home." He says.

"You are?" I ask and bite my tongue when I hear excitement in my voice.

"I am. So when will you be back?" He asks.

"In three days." I say.

"That long." He says, and I smile to myself.

"Serves you right for not coming with me." I say.

"But wouldn't that have been a hindrance to your mission?" He asks.

"I would have managed." I say.

"Do you want to go on vacation with me that badly?" He says, and I can feel his smirk.

"Maybe." I say.

"Wow! Today is my lucky day and I don't think I will waste any time. Why don't we visit some coastal island when you come back? Anywhere you say." He says.

"Really?" I ask.

"Of course. Anything for my love." He says, and I smile to myself.

"We will discuss it when I come back." I say.

"I'll be waiting." He says and after two seconds of silence, "I love you."

"Okay." I say and bite my lip.

"Come on now, K. Don't make me wait for it." He says.

"As you are so good to me... I love you too, Sidhant." I say.