Author's POV:

Unlike the last time Darsh reached the respective place they decided to meet half n hour before and were waiting for her. And unlike last time he is more at ease and excited to meet Nidhi. He is filled with more positivity and determined to talk more than last time. 

At least that is what he hoped for though even he is aware of how his tongue goes dry and his heart starts beating so fast as if it comes out as soon as she appears before his eyes. 

Awaiting her presence he kept pacing to and fro at the entrance of the park. After what it felt like forever Nidhi arrived at the place. Her eyes immediately fell on Darsh as he was waiting right at the entrance of the park. 

"Guess, I am late this time," Nidhi said as she walked towards him. 

"Not really, I am early," Darsh smiled and forwarded his hand for a handshake expecting her to do the same. Nidhi took her own time to notice his hand standing still in the air waiting to be taken and at last took his hand. 

"You are looking so beautiful," Darsh put out the words which were lingering in his mouth.  She wore a black tank top with a denim overcoat paired with denim jeans and left her hair free and Darsh found her even more attractive and warm this time.

"Thank you. You are looking good too," Nidhi replied out of courtesy though she didn't like his grey t-shirt much. She had seen him in shirts only to date and maybe because of that, she found him rather odd in a T-shirt suddenly and even the colour didn't suit him.

"Really? Or just telling for my sake," Darsh asked as he walked next to her. He noticed she didn't even throw a glance at what he wore.

A sheepish smile formed on Nidhi's face and stated, "Well.. maybe not in a grey colour t-shirt. It looks like it got faded badly."

Darsh chuckled hearing her honest feedback. "No issues it is not a new one. And please feel free with me because I want you to feel free and safe with me like I feel with you."

"That's why we are meeting again now. Maybe by the end of this date, we will be more sure about each other and feel free."

"I am sure about you and waiting for your decision Nidhi. And whatever it might be I will respect that."

"Shall I ask you one thing?" Nidhi asked and Darsh nodded in approval Nidhi proceeded," Why do you like me? Like is it Love at first sight of something?"

Darsh smiled at her question "I wish I could explain what I feel properly but... I can't. Simply put I am attracted to you and want to be with you."

Nidhi smiled but she felt he was exaggerating a bit too much. Though she smiled outside she felt like all these feelings were repeating like a loop inside her. Maybe all men are like these. And it would be better if I said everything truth.

"Would your answer change if I said I had a past," Nidhi said as they walked together inside the park. 

The smile lingering on Darsh's face disappeared as he looked at her stoic face. 

"Which was?" Darsh asked and sat down as Nidhi sat down on a bench nearby. 

"You know what... it's either all men behave like this when they get 'Attracted to a girl' or a girl like me feels all men behave like this. Trying to be the perfect partner.

Slowly with time your affection, your love and even your attraction lessens, but the girl keeps on waiting and waiting."

Suddenly the lively atmosphere between them turned serious. Darsh kept staring at Nidhi as she talked. Many imaginations ran through his mind and he might be true to them too but still, he didn't want to jump to any conclusions without listening to her properly. Because he knows how it feels not to be heard.

"Boyfriend problem?" Darsh asked nervously breaking the icy silence as Nidhi didn't talk again. 

Nidhi sighed hearing his question "Ex waste fellow."

"My parents were very disappointed in me because I couldn't pass NEET and become a doctor. As the distance between them and me grew He came into my life with similar words like yours. 

Being new to the college and having no friends I relied on him. With each passing day, we became close and his sweet talks became my source of happiness. Even my age is such. One year passed and so did his behaviour. 

Slowly his interest in me was lost and his interest in my body increased. It eventually turned into frustration and finally disinterest. 

Do you know Darsh what was his final ultimatum to love me? 

To go to the OYO room with him. 

That's it. I decided to destroy him. For journalists proof and pieces of evidence are everything and I shared all our photos, his abusive chats and recordings of calls and shared with his family and in our college group. 

Of course, I faced some threatening consequences for that action but I didn't regret anything I had done except for believing him."

Her eyes became moist as she remembered every incident that happened to her which made her develop severe trust issues. When she said threatening consequences then she meant it as her ex almost came to choke her in the college with many students surrounding them. Fortunately, they all helped Nidhi and made him get suspended but he still came back to college to finish his studies all the while giving her more warnings and even stalking her. 

But she had never seen him after finishing her studies and never even heard about him. Initially, she used to get scared of fear of him following her again but slowly and steadily she overcame her fears and became the woman she is now. 

"I might have said all this in a small conversation too but I want you to know me well. I want you to have my utmost belief in the person I decide to spend my whole life with and I am not sure whether you are the one or not as of now. But... but I guess even I felt an instant liking towards you.

Actually, the reason why I left that day at the cafe without giving you any proper response is because of the same butterflies and tingling feelings you made me feel when you confessed. I almost fell there and then you know," she said looking straight into Darsh's face. 

"And I want to believe you and want you to believe me too. That's what I want from this relationship."

Though his face didn't reveal much of what he was feeling inside, Nidhi felt she had spoken a lot for him to absorb and he must be feeling burdened. 

"Sorry, I guess I spoke too much."

Darsh shook his head in response to her statement, "No. Not really." It is just he couldn't speak much. Not after hearing out what she expects from him. 

It is not that he is judging her past and her as an individual. Truth to be told his respect for her has increased for her being so brave and handling all the issues that happened in her life so bravely. He has never witnessed someone as brave as her.        

But he is exactly the opposite of her. This is not the conversation he expected today, about past scars of each other. He appears tough but from inside he is a weakling and a coward. He is afraid to reveal about his past, and his family's past to her. 

He is afraid to do it but he wants her to believe him. At least as little as he does her. 

"Darsh....."

Nidhi's voice broke his revere of thoughts. With every passing moment, she feared he might also turn out to be like the same man and not the different person she met yesterday. 

"Do... you have anything to say?" she asked fidgeting to fingers. 

"Well.... Nidhi, you know what. My admiration towards you has grown for you after hearing all this. 

I know even if I tell you to believe me and keep your trust in me it takes some time for you as well to do so. But I assure you of one thing, If given the chance of lifetime companionship with you I will.... I will never let you down. Ever.

And I don't judge you based on your past. What is important is your present with me. Even I expect the same from you. I want you to see me for who I am for my present though my past is not good either. This is my request."

A small smile appeared on Nidhi's face and a wave of relief passed through her. His response has made her feel the butterflies again. Is he really like this or behaving such decently to get the girl?

But she immediately shook her head to ignore such thoughts and let the butterflies dance inside and outside her. 

"Thanks for understanding. But no worries, I know pretty much of your past," replied Nidhi with a playful smile which made Darsh's face fall.

He felt like his heart was thumping at such a high speed that it would break out from his ribs. Sweatbeds started forming all over his face and he couldn't even utter a word as his throat went dry. 

"What?" with much difficulty, he managed to whisper that out. Nidhi observed how tensed he got in an instant.

"Hey! My father obviously did some background checks and we know about you and your family. That your father passed away early and your mom raised you and your brother and..... recently you inherited pretty much assets from your father's side and became 'rich'."

She stressed a bit on the term rich and chuckled lightly and hearing her version of his past has eased him out pretty much. He tried to smile but failed miserably and just nodded his head. 

"Guess, I shouldn't have said the word rich?" Nidhi spoke out as she was still confused and he appeared to be disturbed by the choice of words used. 

"No no. I thought something else. Anyway, I guessed that this must be the reason for your father to put this proposal to me but a father will obviously double-check everything in a man before handing over his daughter right? So its ok," 

"Well, let me tell you I don't care much about money. I am an independent girl," Nidhi smiled and continued, "Though I am unemployed for now, I will work again after our marriage. That is another condition."

Finally, Nidhi revealed her response to Darsh's yesterday's question. And she is ready to take the next step in her life with the right person next to her. 

It took Darsh a few moments to understand the hidden message in her and his eyes widened out with surprise and happiness. That's when a smile broke out on his face so genuine and so happy and the wave of excitement passed all through his body.

They both smiled at each other and their smile said it all about how they are ready  for their new beginning.

Hello all.

Hope you all are doing good.

A long update after a long time. Maybe a month passed by.

Actually, I couldn't find a proper end for this chapter so I kept on writing and writing and finally this is the chapter.

So tell me how is it? Good?

Maybe because of inconsistent updates you may find it boring. I can only try to become more and more frequent with updates.

Finally, with yesterday's World Cup depression I am able to complete it. My mood is bad regarding that how's yours?

Hope you liked this chapter. Tell me in comments how it is.

Please do VOTE, COMMENT and FOLLOW. Share the story with your friends if you like it and who might like it.

Thank you.

Stay Safe.