Zara is pacing back and forth across her room,staring back at her mobile time and again,desperately waiting for someone's call.

And as soon as her phone started ringing,she grabbed her phone so quickly as if her life depends on it and hold it to her left ear.

"Hello,Kabeer!"Zara spoke impatiently.

"Well...He is coming."Kabeer said from the other end of the call and her face instantly brightened up with a smile.

"Thanks ,Kabeer.Thanks a lot."She was grateful .

"My pleasure."Kabeer chuckled."I am crossing my fingers that everything will be sorted out between you and Aabir."

"I have this chance to fix what I destroyed.I won't let it waste."

"Seems like you're determined."

"Yes,I am."Zara said firmly.

"All right,Zara.Just remember,we're all rooting for you.Good luck "

"I really need it.Thanks."Zara said with a smile before ending the call.

After realizing her feelings,Zara has decided to confess her feelings to Aabir and for that they need to meet and talk face to face.Since Aabir was ignoring her ,he wouldn't come to meet her even if she ask him to.That's why she'd to seek Kabeer's help.

...........

"Aabir!"

Hearing his name ,Aabir turned around only to get surprise seeing Zara standing in front of him.

Last night Kabeer called him and asked him to meet here at this park near their college saying that he has something important to tell him.That's why Aabir has come here and waiting for Kabeer to arrive .But Zara's presence took him by surprise.

Her presence struck a cord deep within him,stirring feelings that he was trying to suppress for the last one month.But he masked his emotions well and put on a facade.

"What are you doing here?"Aabir arched an eyebrow questioningly at her.

"You must be here for Kabeer but he is not coming.It was me who requested him to bring you here."Zara confessed and Aabir's eyebrows knitted together in confusion.

Aabir peered deep into her face before speaking in an even yet harsh tone."Why did you do that?"

"I'd no other option.In the past few days I've had multiple attempts to talk to you but I couldn't reach to you.You don't hang out with your friends when I am with them,you don't join us in lunch anymore.And just in case, our path crossed,you changed the route and walked away .I just couldn't get a hold of you,Aabir."

"But Isn't that what you wanted?"Aabir shot her an accusing look."You didn't want my presence in your life.So,I did what you wanted me to do.I didn't disturb your life anymore."

"Yes, that's what I wanted or that's what I thought I want."Zara whispered the last part .

"Aabir,I am sorry.I am sorry for whatever I did or said to you in the past."Zara said remorsefully.

"You don't need to apologize.It's normal to get rejected but I was being petty.I was forcing my love on you."He said, his voice emotionless.

"No,Aabir.Don't say that.I am sorry for saying those harsh words to you on that night.I was angry on someone else but I ended up venting my anger on you."

"An apology really unnecessary because I've already moved on,Zara.I realized that we aren't meant for each other.I realised it's unfair to my heart to sing songs of you when you aren't even interested to listen."Aabir said in a cold voice and Zara felt like someone was squeezing her heart.

Aabir continued,maintaining the same cold tone in his voice"I no longer feel anything for you.You also should forget it and move on ."

With each of his words,Zara felt the agony deep in her soul.

Her eyes teared up as the thought of him giving up on her that seemed to tear her soul in half.

In the past she used to push him away but now when he said they didn't have anyone to do with each other anymore,it pained badly.

She bit her lower lips to quell her emotions.She'd so many words to say but she didn't know how to start.She was losing her confidence in front of his cold demeanor and harsh words.

"The weather is cloudy with a chance of rain.I'll get going.You better go back too before it rains."Aabir said that broke her riverie.

Aabir turned to walk away but Zara couldn't just let him go.

Suddenly panic bubbled inside Zara as She quickly blocked his way.

"What are you doing?"Aabir asked with a raised brow.

"I've something important to tell you and you can't go until I tell you that."Zara said with conviction.

"But I am not interested to listen to you."

"It's important."

"Doesn't care."

"Fine,Go.But I won't go from here until I tell you what I want to."Zara said with finality as she settled herself on the nearest bench.

"Alright,Stay here and embrace the lovely weather."with this sarcastic remark ,Aabir stormed off .

"Aabir!!"Zara called out but he didn't stop in his track and Zara was left on the bench in the almost deserted park.

"Did he really left me !?"Zara whispered to herself.

She looked at the gathering grey clouds overhead and let out a deep sigh.Soon a bolt of lightning streaked across the sky by a loud thunderclap that made her cover her ears to protect them from the loud sound.Peoples in the park slowly dispersing to save themselves from the upcoming rain.

"How could he leave me?How could he move on so fast? Didn't he said he would love me and wait for me until I let him in my heart?"Zara grumbled to herself.

'You're blaming him!?Really? How could you blame him when you were the one who chased him away.You've hurt him enough.' her inner self chastised her.

Zara let out a exaggerated sigh,lowering her head.

Should she leave?Or wait for him?

What if he come back?

But what if he don't?

"Why are you sitting here alone at this bad weather?"a voice suddenly said that pulled her out of her thoughts and she looked up to see a man .

As their eyes met,the man smiled at her .

"It shouldn't be your concern."Zara retorted ,looking away from him.

She didn't like the way the man was staring at her.It was giving her creepy vibe.

"You shouldn't cry over a man who doesn't love you ."The man said and Zara furrowed her brows at him questioningly.

"I saw you talking to that boy earlier.I saw how he walked away leaving you alone here.Heartless jerk!How could he break a beautiful girl's heart?"

"You don't know anything.So you better not judge him."Zara snapped.

She didn't like the way that man bad-mouthed Aabir .

"Can you just leave me alone?"She requested,her annoyance was at peak.

She was wishing for him to walk away.She had no intention to entertain this annoying man anymore.

"I am not like your Ex.My heart won't allow me to leave a beautiful girl sad alone."The man said as he sat beside her.

"You need a shoulder to cry on.And I'm willing to give you that."The man added with a smirk.

Zara had enough now.She was done being polite with him.She opened her mouth to snap at him but before she could speak a word,a third party interrupted her.

"Keep your shoulder to yourself.She doesn't need that."An angry voice snarled and Zara turned to see the angry man who left her alone a while ago.

Aabir was glaring at the man beside her and Zara could see the anger in his eyes.

"Aabir!What-"before Zara could finish her sentence,Aabir pulled her by her wrist to walk out from that spot.

When they came to a distance from that man,Aabir let go of her arm and turned to face her.His eyes were angry.

"Are you crazy? Didn't I tell you to go back?What are you still doing here?"Aabir shouted at her .

"And I told you I won't leave from here until you hear me out?"Zara shouted back.

"By the way ,didn't you left already?Why did you come back?"She demanded ."Or ,you never left in the first place,huh?Were you looking out for me?"She asked ,a small grin playing on her lips.

"Don't be delusional.I just couldn't find my wallet in my pocket.I might've dropped it somewhere here.That's why I had to come back to look for it."He lied,pretending looking around in search of his lost wallet which never lost in the first place .

Aabir didn't want to let her know that he was still worried about her and he couldn't leave her alone.He's been hiding in a distance and waiting for to leave first.

But the smug grin on her face saying she didn't believe a bit of what he said.

"You're lying."Zara said.

"Why would I?"Aabir feigned ignorance.

"Because you still care about me and you couldn't leave me alone."Zara claimed.

He scoffed"Free to think whatever you want."saying this he was about to walk away when Zara pulled him back by gripping at his arm from behind.

He couldn't leave.Not now.Not yet.There was so many things she has to say to him.

"I won't let you go this time ."Zara said desperately.

Aabir pulled away from her hold "What do you want ,Zara?" he demanded , frustatedly.

"I want to tell you know what I feel."

"What you feel doesn't matter to me anymore,Zara."Aabir said coldly,cutting her off and his words pierced her heart.

Her bottom lips trembled slightly with the emotions but she hold back her tears.

Struggling to keep her tone as normal as possible,Zara peered deep into his face before speaking in an determined tone."Even if it doesn't ,I want to let you know what I feel."

There was forlorn expression on Zara's face .Aabir hated it and for a moment he decided to hear her out. His heart could bear her presence a little longer but it couldn't stand the sadness in her eyes.

Aabir's silence was all the permission Zara needed and she started telling him whatever came to her mind first.

"You know what?Aabir The first day you didn't call in the morn to wish me good morning,didn't appear in front of my house,didn't wait for me when the college hour ended ,I was extremely satisfied.But as days went by I...... "

Aabir immediately regretted giving her the chance to speak as he felt a pang of hurt in his heart by her words.

"Did you bring me here to rub salt on my wounds?"Aabir snapped and it took Zara by surprise.

Zara quickly shook her head .

"No,Aabir .You got it wrong.Let me finish.I was-"Zara was cut off by Aabir before she could explain him and clear the misunderstanding.

"Zara,I got that you don't like me .I've long accepted that you don't want me in your life.And that's the reason I was staying away from you.Isn't that enough for you?"He said ,pain was evident in his voice.

Zara was dumbfounded by his sudden outburst.She didn't mean to hurt his feelings at all.She immediately chastised herself for starting her confession with those words.

Aabir ran his fingers through his hair frustatedly as he went on "Why are you doing this to me now?Why are you making things difficult for me ?Do you enjoy my sufferings ?Was loving you a grave mistake I did? I -"

Aabir's ranting came to an abrupt stop when Zara suddenly took a step forward ,cupping his face in between her palms and pressed her lips against his.It was only for a few seconds,just a touch.

Aabir's mind went blank and his eye widened and before he could even react,Zara pulled away.

"W-What was that?"He was shocked, surprised,bewildered.

Zara was shocked and embarrassed at her own action.She didn't know what got into her that made her do this.Maybe her desperation and she afraid that Aabir was probably more angry at her now.But she didn't know what else to do.She just couldn't let him go.

"You weren't listening to me .So ....I-I just stopped you from talking."She said,masking her embarrassment."Aabir,I've too many things to say and I want you to listen to it,Please."

Aabir was silent and Zara grabbed the opportunity to say what she intended to say from the beginning.

"After you disappearing from my life,everything was in right place,except for one thing.The thing that was missing was you Aabir and your absence was enough to throw everything into chaos.Whatever I did or wherever I went,you caught up with me.Even in my dreams you were teasing me.I spent many sleepless nights trying to compose words that might adequately describe the feelings of my heart.I failed miserably.Then when I decided to follow my heart it lead me to you-"

Aabir opened his mouth to say something but was immediately cut off by Zara.

"Don't interrupt me,please.I'd gathered a lot of courage for this.I may not have the courage to say this next time."She pleaded.

Aabir didn't interrupt her again and Zara continued her confession.

"Aabir,Love was a foreign concept for me, something I had only read about in books or seen in movies.Then I met you and one day you suddenly confessed to me.You made me feel I deserve to be unconditionally loved, to be wanted,to be kept.The butterfly and ecstatic heart came eventually.My heart discovered a new feeling it never felt for anyone else,it was scary.Because my mind wasn't accepting it .My mind was so confused on what to do because it never saw you coming.I was terrified ,Aabir.I was afraid of the pain that I could be opening my heart up to.I was scared of the vulnerability that comes with love.I was too afraid to let you in.That's why I was being careful and in the process I ended up hurting you with my words and actions."

Zara paused for a moment before proceeding to say final words of her confession.Her nervousness grew as she looked directly and met his eyes.

Aabir could already guess where it was going and his heart was racing like a bullet train in anticipation.He could sense the whirlwind of emotions coursing through Zara but he wanted her to vocalize her feelings.He pretended to compose ,masking his own emotions.

"Aabir,Earlier I feared to love you and lose you and suffer.Now I fear to not love you,miss a love chance and regret it.I love you,Aabir.I really do."Zara finally said what she wanted to say to the latter.

"I know that this is too late .I am too late to realize my feelings and maybe it wouldn't change anything but I just wanted to say this now.I am being selfish here but Can you give me a chance, give Us a chance?"Zara's voice held hope and despair at the same time.

"Even if you don't want to give me a chance,I won't blame you . Because I deserve it ."Zara added,trying not to sound desperate.

Zara waited for his reply and her heart shattered when Aabir walked away without saying anything,crashing all of her hopes.

Walking away means rejection,right?

'Rejection is so painful.It was the same thing he went through everytime I rejected him?!' She thought to herself .

"So that's how it feels when your heart breaks."Zara mumbled to herself bitterly as her lower lips started to tremble and a sob welled out from her throat and before she knew tears running down her face and with that a slow patter of rain started to thrum on the pavement.

"This is all your doing,Zara.It's your fault.He ran after you so much that his heart is exhausted now.He doesn't love you anymore."Zara buried her face in her palms and started sobbing like there's no tomorrow.

It was not easy for her to be honest with her feelings and admit them.But it was too late and She was regretting for losing the chance and letting him go.

"Why are you so difficult?"

"You say you love me then why didn't you try to hold me?If I walked away,why didn't you chase me?"Aabir demanded.

Zara was still sobbing but she frantically tried to wipe her tears with the heel of her palms as she spoke
"What are you implying?"

"That you should try to hold onto me,pursue me until I give in to you ."He smiled warmly at the dumbstruck girl before him.

"But I thought you don't love me anymore.That's why you walked away without any words."

"My heart doesn't know how to unlove what it's love,Zara .I still love you and will always do."Aabir said and Zara felt her heart swelled with happiness and joy.His confession overwhelmed her that she couldn't stop new tears forming in her eyes.

"Then why did you walk away?"She demanded.

"Because I wanted you to chase me .I wanted you to pursue me just like I did even after getting rejected brutally countless times.Come on,I also want to know how it feels to be pursued.But look at you.Just because you got rejected once,you are crying buckets."Aabir chuckled,his eyes twinkling with playful affection.

"You think this is funny,huh?"Zara lightly pounded on his chest with her clenched fist before speaking in between her sobs."You don't know how I felt when you walked away .I thought you don't want me .I thought you've moved on.That You really don't love me anymore."

Aabir grabbed her arm and pulled her closer to him,making her breathe hitched at the sudden proximity.

"Believe me,I did try hard to get over you.I did everything to keep myself busy so that I wouldn't think about you.I've tried to erase you from my mind,turn off the love I have for you but it's still here."He said,placing her palm on his left chest.

"Sorry for not realising earlier but I love you."She said.

"I love you more."He whispered,pulling her into his arms."Thanks for opening your heart and letting me in.I promise I'll take care of it with all I have ."

"I know you will."She smiled,burying her face into his chest.

"Can we do that again?"Aabir asked after a long moment of comfortable silence .

Zara gently pulling herself away from him.She met his eyes and almost held her breathe in the intensity of the gaze that seemed to pierce through her soul.

"Do what?"She asked meekly.

"Kiss!"He whispered into her ears.

"That wasn't a kiss.I didn't kiss you.That was just a ...just a peck."She was blushing furiously and Aabir found it amusing.

"Then let's do it properly this time."He said and Zara gulped audibly at the intensity of the desire visible in those brown orbs.

Aabir leaned closer until their nose are touching before speaking in silken voice ."I am giving you a chance.If you don't want that,you can step back."

Zara couldn't tell if she wanted it or not,regardless she couldn't escape his gaze.Already drown in his deep brown eyes,she let herself follow her heart.

An amused smile sprawled on Aabir's lips when he saw her closing her eyes.

"I am taking that as a yes."With those words ,Aabir closed the distance and claimed her lips in a sweet kiss.

As their lips connected ,a loud crash of thunder sounded from overhead as the rain started to fall in torrents , drowning the surrounding in a symphony of pitter patter punctuated by occasional thunders.

But for the two soul ,that moment couldn't have been more perfect .