❝  Blame is a devil in disguise, it's as translucent as it can be clear.
Once a Blame Game begins, an end is something that none can fathom. ❞

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KUSH'S POV

" She's signed her life off on a suicide mission..."

" You gotta be kidding me, Alan... I'm in no mood for jokes. "

" You think I'm joking then you're the biggest Idiot of the century." He said. His tone wasn't as if he was kidding.

" Look, You need to come back here. ASAP. I mean it... " He continued.

" Alan! I know Meera maybe upset but I didn't do nothing. If you're calling me to beat the shit out of me then I'm telling you I'm not coming... Not today, not tomorrow, never...."

" Kush... You think too high for yourself. I'm not calling you like crazy so that I can punch you. It's Meera. She needs you. " Well, I was surprised.

" I didn't expect hearing this from you. But, I'll tell you. You won. She doesn't love me. So, I won't be coming to trouble her more. She's all yours... " I was about to hang up.

" Kush... Don't hang up... " He shouted and I could hear through the cell.

" She's resigned... "

" Yeah! I know. Honestly, I don't care... " I said.

" Yes! You do. You really think I'm kidding. I never won. I never could Coz she loved you before, she still loves you and she's never stopping." It was a dramatic pause.

" I can't express how much happy I must feel hearing this, Alan. But it's not true. She's upset and she needs your comfort."

" I broke up with her... " He said.

" W-what? Why... "

" Kush, as much as you knew from the beginning I knew it too. I was just a distraction. But could never love me. With you being close or with you being thousands of miles away. "

" How can you do that? I so despise you right now. She needed you and you left her all alone... " I felt like punching him right through the phone.

" We were never really together. I liked her, I still do but I don't think I can love her as much as you do. I can't wait for her a lifetime. You asked me to have faith in my love for her, but all I had were insecurities. I had faith in your love more than I did in mine. It's nothing that I regret about, Kush. It's just that it's your Stars than mine that want you to be together."

" Alan... I don't think Meera wants the same. She has pushed me away. "

" She's not in her sane mind since she returned. She has left her job, the thing that she enjoyed doing the most. She doesn't eat. Whenever I meet her she doesn't wanna talk. The entire morning she's sleeping and in the evenings she's at a bar... "

" What? She's been drinking? "

" More than she's ever done in her lifetime... "

" What are you doing? Enjoying watching her get drunk? " I was definitely panic struck.

" You think she's easy to handle. She doesn't really stop. She's have had supplies at her house and she's never at the same place. I've to look around the city to finally find her. I take her home and then she sleeps asking me to leave. I don't think she's had a proper meal since a week. She's looking fragile, not physically but mentally too... "

I stood speechless.

" Kush... She just needs you. Trust me..."

" Alan... "

" If you love her as much as you said you did then you aren't wasting a minute more than what you've already wasted."

" I'll be there... " I hung up.

There's no way I will have a peaceful sleep now.

" Kush? Is everything OK? " I completely forgot that Dad was with me.

" I'm afraid not. I'll have to go, now. " I said looking at him.

" Hmmm... Then You must. "

🌟🌟🌟

Things wouldn't have turned out as they are if it weren't for what happened years ago.

It's absurd that at times even though you weren't meant to know one another, yet you do and then you share a relationship that's uniquely different.

It so happened with Meera's parents.

I went there with an apology. I left finding love.

" Yes!" Meera resembled her mother in many ways.

" Hi! I'm Kush Kapoor. Meera must've have mentioned me sometime." I was still standing in the doorway.

She looked surprised but then a wave of relaxation passed through her eyes.

" More than you think... Come in." She smiled.

Her father was seated on a rolling chair with a newspaper. He kept it aside.

" Well, what did we do to owe you such a visit, Mr. Kapoor." He had that authority in his voice.

Any legit boyfriend will definitely get scared from her girlfriend's father. But, for me. It's was different.

" The weather seems pleasant..." I said as Meera's mom offered me a glass of water.

I wasn't still given the permission to sit though.

" Please sit, Dear..." Aunty said.

" Ahh... Well..." I began but was abruptly cut in by her father.

" Meera has left the country and you want her whereabouts."  I looked at him.

" I know that, sir. She's in Auckland. I'm here to apologize to you." I had them by surprise when I said.

" I've hurt your daughter, but trust me it wasn't intentional. The only thing that was crucial were, were the circumstances in which the truth came in front of her."

" Look, Dear... You don't owe us any apology or explanation. But you sure as hell owe it to Meera" Her Dad said.

" No! Sir. I need to accept it so that I can correct it. Meera's not giving me a chance to explain. She's left the country or should I say even the continent for that matter... " I paused.

I thought they will say something but I was the one who had explanations to give.

" I truly love her. Sincerely, I do. I want things to work out between us. I never intended to hide my origin or my family. I just wasn't sure how will she react. I was just buying some time.... Until..."

"... Until, it was too late, isn't it?" Her mom said.

I nodded.

" We've heard a lot of things about you, Kush.... " I was so sure that they would be complaints, a lot of them.

" Initially, when the first time you met till she actually started liking your company. We're really glad that she was finally moving on. She talked about you all the time. Mostly, how wonderful as a person you are...." Her mother continued.

" But, then one day she just returns home, in the most sorry state. All she said that things between you two weren't the same as they were. In a week she left. No matter how hard we ask her she refused to answer. We thought you were just another piece of shit until you showed up here. " She stopped.

" I really am sorry. More than you think.... " I explained them what actually happened.

About the truth I hid about my true self.

" Isn't it a very small reason to stay angry, Kush?" Her Dad said.

" Rishabh, It's not about how small the lie is. It's about the trust that he broke. It's extremely hard to trust someone. For, Meera it's been harder and when finally she did, it came crumbling down." Her mother answered making it easier for me.

She was absolutely correct. I'm at fault and I was ready to go at any length to redeem myself.

" I really love her. I-I just don't know how can I prove it to you... "

" Kush... You've already proved us wrong. You showing up here, and accepting your mistake takes courage and pushing your self respect down just to make your point is what I appreciate. Meera's been through a lot. I know you know that... "I nodded as her father said it.

" We trust you. If you really want her back you've our blessings. Not because you're a famous celebrity or the most eligible bachelor of the country, but because I know my daughter loves you a lot, for what you're as a person, for that decent heart you harbour. I want her happiness and somewhere we know it's you. "

" So? Do I've your permission to make it up to her? " I asked.

" Yes, you do. But promise us that she finds her part of happiness. " Her mother said.

I nodded in affirmation and it was so much easier than I thought it'd be.

The train of memories wasn't stopping easily. I was already in my jet, admist the clouds.

Convincing Meera's parents was a much easier task than convincing her.

I remember that day's conversation we had juxtaposing the one we had a week ago.

When they themselves said that I should move on.

It's weird. It sure as hell is so weird. I feel I'm more close to her parents now than I'm too Meera.

Before, boarding the flight I'd called Diana Aunty to brief her up. I didn't say much about Meera's well being but I could feel her sigh in relief when I told her about my return to Auckland.

Alas...

My mom wasn't in a good mood. It was like I two Mothers to handle now.

" Kush! When the hell will you be completely OKAY? I thought we're suppose to spend some time together." She protested as I took my small bag on my shoulder.

" I know Mom. But I've go back."

" You said you wouldn't. It's because of her, isn't it? Meera? " I looked at her with a sorry face.

She heaved a long sigh.

" I just feel that that girl's gonna be the death of you someday. No one has to love someone so much... " She pulled my hand.

" Mom! I really care about her. She needs me.... " My mom looked at my dad who was standing close by.

She left my hand and I left the house.

" Sir, your wine... " Tom gave me the glass and sat next to me.

There was no chance I could sleep.

" I didn't feel like leaving the house, tonight Tom. My heart's very heavy. Mom didn't seem happy either." I said.

" She surely wasn't, sir..."

" I know. I just thought it was the end now."

" Ha! I'm afraid things don't work that way. They don't end so easily as they begin... But, about Ma'am, I'm sure Samar sir will handle it. " That's the one thing I was proud and secured of. Dad's my backbone.

I nodded and finished the glass of wine.

🌟🌟🌟

It was 7 in the evening when we landed. I had changed into a gray t-shirt and a cream chinos with a jacket. It wasn't chilly yet in Auckland. The sun wasn't down yet as it was the onset of summer.

" Are we going to the condo?" Tom asked.

" Yeah!" I said looking around.

" Why don't you call Alan and ask him about Meera?"

" I think things will be in control now since he hasn't called in 15 hours. Let's go home."

I had just reached the doorstep and voilà, there I saw him. Sitting on the stairs of the entrance to my house. He looked up.

" Alan! Man. What are you doing here?" He wrapped up his coat in his hand and walked towards me.

" I knew you wouldn't call... " What is wrong with him.

" I was about to..." He handed me a square peice of paper.

" Care for some info...." I said.

" He's the private bodyguard I hired for Meera's safely since she's been bar hoping every night now."

" W-What? Why would you do that, Alan? I understand you guys broke up but you still are more of a friend to her than I'm. " I shot him a look.

" There's no chance she's gonna even look at my face, Kush. After, what I've said to her. If I told you what really happened you couldn't even look to me. It's disgusting man. "

" What did you say? "

Then he narrated his side of story.

" I called Meera for the 11th time that day when I heard from Daniel that she had resigned.
I wasn't even aware that she was back from Mumbai. The more surprising part was that she came back alone without you.

I was restless now. I went to her condo, later that evening just to find her not home. She's not a person who hangs out alone. I thought she must've gone to Tara's and Paul's. I called them.
Meera wasn't there either.

After 2 hours of searching, I finally found her in an isolated bar around the corner

She was sitting with a glass of whiskey. I tapped her shoulder and she looked behind. She was crying and I don't know since how long she was like that. Her eyes were red and swollen.

" A-Alan... W-what are you doing here?" She looked sober then.

Although her eyes were red but they were steady.

" It should my question. When did you return? Why did you resign? Where is Kush? Why didn't you call?" Before I could ask more, she turned her head and sat down taking a sip.

" Meera... I'm not here to be ignored." I was loud then.

" Alan, why don't you sit. We can talk..." She wiped her face again.

The bar was a small one and 80% of the tables were empty.

" Meera... I'm done being a toy for 4 years now. You still love him, don't you?" It was a shout this time.

She didn't answer. I pulled her arms towards me.

" Meera... You love him, right? Answer me..." I shook her. The tears were free flowing now.

" You're hurting me, Alan... " It was a soft croak.

I let her go.

" What about me, Meera? Huh? I've been there for such a long time now. Yet, there's...."

I stopped midway. She wasn't looking at me. Averting my stare as if she knew she was at fault. Just despair and lost hopes.

" Meera... I think it's pretty much clear as crystal true as flowing water. We're so done... I've waited too long for a person who never was mine in first place. " I moved away. She stopped me, holding my hand.

" I-I'm sorry, Alan. I really am. I wouldn't make myself love you. I just couldn't.... " She was sobbing.

Letting myself free from her hold, I said," I don't blame you for that. But, I also won't deny the fact that I feel like shit. I'm hurt, Meera. I was a distraction that you never wanted but then there weren't many choices, right? "

" No! That's not true Alan..." I pulled my hand again.

" I'm sure we'd be married after those rumors that were floating if Kush hadn't showed up. I'm glad he did.... " I paused.

"... Coz, I would have never ever been happy with you. Whatever..... Whatever damn thing it was.... All of it was fake shit." I jerked her hand and walked away.

" Alan! Wait.... "

" I didn't stay back any more. I couldn't. It did hurt. "

I tired comprehending everything he said.

" Kush, It's alright if you punch me now. I totally accept it. I was an asshole back then..."

Initially, I was furious. If it was any damn day but today Alan would be a dead man for what he did to Meera.

" No! I actually understand your pain. I surely do..." I looked in his eyes. I noticed that they were light blue in colour, it was the first time that I realized that Alan was a definitely a handsome man, more than what I give him credit for..
Any girl would like to have him but he waited for Meera.
I don't know whether I'm sad or happy that he realized he isn't the one.

I'll give myself a benefit of doubt for that.

We sat on the porch and Tom brought us two cups of tea.

" You've been there for all those years when I wasn't. When she needed a shoulder to rest you were there. It's not easy to let go or stop loving someone..."

" I don't think it's love! Kush..." He interrupted me.

" Maybe, it never was. I realised that I was with her only because I had a gateway, because you weren't there as a competition. I was the King... But, I know she never loved me coz you had her heart. Somewhere she was awaiting your arrival while you were awaiting her forgiveness. I realised I can't wait forever... I cared about her, I still do. I want her to be happy, the stringy, clingy yet the one who smiled. She is lost without you... Her soul isn't at peace. " It was his feelings.

I never thought that Alan and I would be sharing a conversation this long.

" I was a jerk that day. I just wanted Meera safe. Hence, a bodyguard. Two nights back I had to call Zoe to help Meera home. I feel terrible for I did... " His head was a 90° drop.

" It's alright. I'm a no Saint either. There is a limit when you suppress your feelings and emotions. You just had to let go them. I won't say it was a bad day or a wrong time when you did that, coz you said what you felt when you felt and I appreciate that... You're not to be blamed. " I patted his shoulder.

" Look, I'm not saying this coz Meera loves me. She always did. I'm saying coz I'm same as you are. A man of my feelings. I did and said what I felt. I'm pretty sure Meera's gonna be still tough. She's ain't no easy person. But, I still appreciate what you did. "

" I would still blame myself for getting us into this tardy situation but Meera's eyes carried a blame that none could comphrend. In a moments time I knew she had brought back those burdens with her. " Alan did make a good speculation.

" Hmm... I guess everyone carries some sort of a doom's blame on themselves. We just learn to live with it. Meera has got to learn too. "

" I think you should hurry now... " He reminded me and I nodded.

But leaving, he held me and hugged me.

" I'm sorry, Kush... I know Meera will be happy with you. " I smiled.

" And I know you'll find happiness soon. Sooner than I will... "

🌟🌟🌟

Times change...
Relationships change...
Personalities change...
But, Only True Feelings Remain Constant.

I reached the isolated bar I had the address of. Tom was waiting for me in the car.

I got in. It wasn't bright and it took few seconds for my eyes to adjust the dim surroundings until I saw her sitting in the corner. I walked slowly. There was a small glass filled with tequila. Her chin was resting on her palms which in turn was rested on the table. She didn't feel my presence. She was still crying. I touched her shoulder.

" Meera..." It was a soft call.

She turned slowly.

" K-Kush..." The tears started flowing more.

" What happened, sweetie?" I touched her cheeks.

She wiped them quickly.

" I-I thought..." She stopped rubbing her eyes.

" Kush... It's Y-you?" She stuttered shaking my shoulders.

" In blood and flesh. Let's go home..." In a moment she gulped down her drink.

" I-I'm s-so s-sorry..." She took my face in her palms and crashed her lips on mine.

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Hey Guys!

Hoping that you all are doing great!
Kush & Meera's story is arriving towards it's finale.

Thank you for reading! 😊

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Also, Be Safe & Healthy.

Luv... ❤️
Vruksha.