SaHil OS (Two Parts): I'll Be There For You (20.08.14)

"I don't like the look of him..." Sanam said to Seher, Rehan and Shazia in the kitchen while an affable Aahil waited in the lounge for them to discuss. "Well, I think he's hot and we should totally let him stay here!" Seher drawled in her unique way.

Rehan grabbed her hand. "You forgetting something?"

"Awww baby... you know I love you... but seriously. Some other eyecandy won't hurt, right? I mean, you get to look at the three of us hot chicks all day - and we only have you. I just want to even sh*t out" she teased.

Rehan pulled her closer to him and faced Sanam. "He seems like a nice enough guy, and he needs a place. Are you really going to turn him out onto the street?" Rehan asked her.

"Fine. But... any problems and he's out!"

"He won't be a problem" Shazia suddenly added in a quiet voice. They all turned to face her. "He's my brother"

They all looked at each other and then at her, Sanam's eyes wide. She had to do something. Anything...

"There are no rooms!" she said, her voice quivering slightly. They all looked at her as if she was mad. "Just the other day, you were talking about getting one more person in here..." Rehan said.

"What's going on, Sanam? You're acting like you already know him..." Shazia said. Sanam's steely glare faltered. How could she tell them that she did indeed know him? And it wasn't that she didn't like him. Not at all.

In fact, it was the contrary. She liked him very much. She always had.

But what was he suddenly doing back in town? And it didn't seem as if he recalled her at all... Well, why would he? She looked nothing like she did ten years ago. And who would've thought that Shazia would've turned out to be Aahil Raza Ibrahim's sister? Well, she was much younger than them, so it made sense that Sanam wouldn't remember her.

She walked right past him and up the stairs to her room. She'd barely been able to handle herself in those few minutes when she'd opened the door; her bright smile wiped off by the mere sight of the boy she'd been madly in love with ten years ago, standing on her doorstep, looking even more beautiful than she remembered.

Yes, they hadn't seen each other in years... in fact, she was pretty sure that even though they'd been in the same class every year since Grade One, Aahil didn't even know her name.

She covered her face with her pillow and let out a scream. If being madly in love with him all those years ago when he didn't even know her was bad, how was it going to be with him living in the same house as her now, when she'd just been brought face-to-face with feelings she thought had died?

**********

"What's her problem?" Aahil asked the others as he watched Sanam scramble away from them all. "Uhm... she's just a bit... tired" Shazia lied as she hugged Aahil again. "I'm so glad you'll be staying here. He looked at the staircase again. "Hmm, just like old times" he murmured.

Seher eyed Aahil up and down before reaching out her hand. "I'm Seher, nice to meet you" she flirted. Rehan smiled indulgently. He knew he was the only one for her and a bit of harmless flirting was just that.

Aahil blinked and looked upwards and then back to Seher. "Uh, you two twins?" he asked, looking mightily confused.

Seher laughed. "We are... but we had no clue. It's a long story" she patted his hand. "Ok, come I'll show you to your room" Shazia said before looking at Rehan.

"How you don't have her on a leash yet, boggles my mind"

Seher giggled, and snuggled into Rehan while Aahil watched their camaraderie, thoroughly amused.

**********

He knocked at her door. "Ouch!" Sanam yelled as she appeared out from under her desk. Aahil rushed in. "Oh God, are you ok? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you" he said, kneeling down in front of Sanam who was rubbing her head.

She ignored him and tried getting up again, only to bang her head against the desk again. She just gave up then and sank to the floor. Aahil bit his lip to stifle his smile. "This girl..." he thought to himself.

He held out his hand. Sanam looked at him suspiciously. "Are you looking for something?" she asked as she pushed herself up off the floor without his help.

Aahil stood up too and looked around the neatly organised room. "No, uhhh... I just. Well, I met everyone earlier and didn't get a chance to introduce myself... I was about to head out and noticed your door open so I thought..." he trailed off as he walked over to her bookshelf.

Slightly OCD. He smiled as he noticed the books were in alphabetical order, by author. "So, you're a reader?" he asked. "Hmmm" Sanam answered as she watched him run a finger over her titles.

Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she realised she better get him out of here. "Anyway. I'm Sanam" she said, holding out a shaky hand. He took it in his and looked into her eyes. "I know"

Sanam looked startled. "You... do?"

Aahil smiled easily. "Uhm, Shazia told me. I'm Aahil"

Sanam realised her hand was still in his. She pulled it away.

"Right. Ok" she muttered, turning away from him. "So, anyway like I said, I'm headed out. The others are gone out too. Would you like to join me? I'm meeting some friends for an early dinner" he asked.

"No. I mean, thanks, but no. I need to have a paper ready by tomorrow" she said. "Oh right. Shazia mentioned you're doing your Masters. Intelligent girl" he said softly.

Sanam turned back to look at him. He was smiling admirably.

"Uhm, don't you have to leave?" she asked, rubbing her head. He stepped forward. "Can I get you anything for that before I do?" he asked, his voice dripping with concern. "No, I'm fine" she said.

"And you're sure you don't want to join my friends and I?" he asked. "I'm sure. Please. I really need to get going on this paper" she said.

Aahil shook his head at the door before slipping away.

When Sanam heard the front door being opened and shut, she slumped on her bed and held a hand over her rapidly beating heart. Nothing had changed in these ten years. The mere sight of him back then caused her to break out in a sweat.

Now at twenty two... him talking to her? Sanam thought she might pass out.

**********

Sanam stirred in her sleep as she heard the front door click open. She shot up when she heard laughter and hushed whispers.

"Aahil... I'm so drunk" the unfamiliar female voice slurred. "Ssshhh. Come on" Sanam heard him cajole softly. She heard them walking up the stairs and pause slightly outside her room.

"Come on Nida, this way" he whispered.

Sanam shook her head. He'd always been a player...

**********

"Good morning, everyone" Aahil yawned and stretched as he walked into the kitchen where Rehan and Seher were canoodling at the breakfast nook while they watched Sanam whipping up pancakes. Aahil went to stand behind her.

"Mmm, pancakes. My favourite breakfast of all time! How'd you know?" he smiled.

Sanam turned to him. "Is it your friend's favourite, too? Y'know, the one that stayed over with you last night?" Sanam asked coldly. Aahil looked blind-sided for a moment as Rehan and Seher caught onto what she said.

"What did you say?" he asked in a low voice.

Seher reached out. "Sanam, wait-"

Aahil was glaring at Sanam, who was glaring back at him. "Did you just imply...?" he trailed off.

Before she could answer though, Shazia walked in with another girl, who looked massively hungover. "Here. Eat something, you silly girl!" Shazia made the girl sit and didn't realise the temperature of the room had become considerably icy.

Sanam looked from a glaring Aahil to the girl, to Shazia. "I don't think I can eat anything" the girl whined, her head in her hands. "Tequila will do that to you... and now my entire room smells of it" Shazia muttered.

"Your room?" Sanam repeated stupidly. "Yes, her room" Aahil said in a low voice, not taking his eyes off Sanam. "Come Aahil. Sanam made pancakes. Your favourite" Shazia said, ignoring her friend who Aahil had found drunk in the club the rest of them had met up at last night. The others had gone home by the time Nida got there, already hammered.

"I'm suddenly not very hungry anymore..." he said, before walking out. He stopped and turned back to Nida. "You really need to learn how to hold your liquor, or don't drink at all" he said, sounding all big brother-like. Nida nodded shamefully and put her head down.

Sanam wanted the ground to swallow her whole. How embarrassing! She'd basically accused him of bringing home some drunk girl and bedding her, when all he'd done was help out his sister's friend.

Seher caught Sanam looking towards the kitchen door, and shrugged. "I tried to warn you. Aahil and I went jogging this morning and he told me what happened"

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Sanam asked frustratedly. "Well, I did try, right baby?" she said, looking at Rehan who nodded obediently. "You're the one that couldn't stop your judgy verbal vomit"

Sanam took a deep breath and another.

"What I'd like to know though, is why you're so interested in who is in his bed?" Seher asked, her mouth full of pancake.

"I am not!" Sanam gasped, completely affronted. "Well, you could've fooled me" Seher shrugged again.

"I don't care who was in his bed last night!" Sanam said again. "Certainly wasn't me" Nida whined. They all looked at her and Seher burst out laughing.

Sanam felt horrible. She piled a few pancakes on a plate and put a small bowl of syrup on the tray. "I'll eat in my room" she said to no one in particular before walking out.

Seher nudged Rehan and winked at him.

Aahil opened the door when he heard the knock, but didn't see anyone there. He was about to close the door when he saw the tray on the floor. He bent down to pick it up and smiled at the slip of paper on it. "Sorry" was all it said.

"Apology accepted" he whispered to himself.

**********

A few weeks later, Sanam lay on her bed re-reading the same paragraph of one of her course books over and over again.

She'd managed to avoid Aahil like the plague since that last time, and because she was always the nose-in-books type, no one questioned her not joining everyone in their activities, including breakfast and dinner.

"Sanam? Can I speak to you for a minute?"

Sanam's head whipped to the door where Aahil was standing. He smiled uncertainly and she straightened up. He walked in then. "No need. Stay comfortable" he said as he took a seat on her bed. Sanam's tummy did a flip.

"Everything ok?" she asked as she set her book down. She wasn't getting much studying done anyway. "I just wanted to tell you that I know you don't like me. And you don't like that I stay here. But with this new job... I should have enough saved up by the end of next month to be able to move out of here" he said softly.

"I-I don't know... I mean, I don't think that. You're welcome... to" she stammered.

Aahil smiled sadly. "Look, you don't have to lie. I know you don't like me being here. I heard you were an introvert but surely not like this..." he said. Sanam opened her mouth to say something, but Aahil got up and walked off.

He stopped by her door. "I'll try staying out of your way as much as possible, so you can live freely in your own house again" he said softly, not turning back to look at her.

**********

"Oh come on! Stop being such a nerd. We're having pizza and drinks" Seher linked her arm into a reluctant Sanam's and guided her down the stairs.

Aahil was there, with his arm around a girl. Sanam stumbled but quickly caught hold of herself.

She couldn't help but glance at how easily Aahil and the girl spoke. Her name was Juliet and she was just beautiful. Sanam knew she was paying the two of them way too much attention, but she couldn't help herself.

What she wouldn't give to be in Juliet's place right now.

Aahil seemed to love being fawned over and he was beyond attentive to the attractive girl by his side. He'd apparently met her at work and they'd hit it off and so he'd invited her over to their Friday night get-together.

"I'll go get more drinks" Sanam said to no one in particular and walked to the kitchen. "I'll be right back" Aahil said to Juliet, who was busy chatting with Shazia and Seher. She nodded at him with a smile.

"Listen, Sanam..." he started as he walked into the kitchen but she wasn't there. "Sanam?" he called out. He looked out the kitchen window and saw her standing outside, her arms splayed out wide.

Smiling, he walked out to join her.

"Are we that boring?" he asked, startling her slightly. She smiled at him. "No... it's not that. I really do like being alone sometimes. The drinks are on the counter if that's what you're looking for" she said, turning back to look out onto the expanse of their garden once again.

"Actually, I came to tell you... I know, you're a private person and your house... this space, is your haven. I know you don't like outsiders coming in, but Juliet... she's not that bad" he said, stumbling over his words.

"I know she isn't. She seems really nice. It's really ok" Sanam said.

She'd decided... Aahil was just a chapter in her life that she would have to close. No amount of pining over him had got her anywhere in all these years. What was the point of being mean to him anyway?

And Juliet? She seemed enamoured by him, and why wouldn't she be?

Aahil was everything.

"Thanks. That means a lot. I don't know how you do this... but something about you, it makes me want to seek your approval" he said, walking to stand next to her. Sanam looked at him, surprised. "You make me sound like a old, dragon lady" she said, smiling at how easy it was to talk to him.

Aahil looked at her intently. "I don't mean to. And Sanam?" he said as he turned to walk off. "Hmm?"

"You should smile more often... it looks good on you"

Sanam turned around and watched him go back inside. "Aahil..." she whispered, shaking her head.

**********

"I know" Seher said, standing at Sanam's bedroom door as she flipped a pen between her fingers. Sanam frowned at her. "Know what?"

"About Aahil" Seher said, walking in, looking like a reporter that just caught a great scoop. "Sanam shook her head. "What are you talking about?"

"I know you like him. Why don't you just ask him out?" Seher said, plonking herself on the bed next to Sanam.

"I most certainly do not. And besides... he's with Juliet" Sanam said.

"So? You're like... hot - I mean, you look just like me!" Seher chuckled at her own lame joke. Sanam smiled. "And you're super intelligent, except when it comes to love, obviously. Just ask him out!" Seher almost yelled.

"No. I don't like him. I don't like him one little bit, ok? Now please. I'm trying to study here" Sanam said, pushing Seher out of her room.

"Whatever Sanam. You can't lie to me, y'know. Twin telepathy and all that jazz..." Seher called out as she sashayed to her and Rehan's room.

**********

"Yeah, so probably in a month or two" Aahil said to Seher as they paused from their run. "You said that last month, dude" Seher laughed as she jogged on the spot.

"Any reason you're finding it hard to leave?" she prodded. Aahil smiled at her. "Of course, I like being with all of you guys" he said.

"Hmm... and how are things with Juliet going?" she asked. "Yeah good. We have a good time together. She's cool" Aahil said.

"But...?" Seher asked him. He looked at her frowning. "But what? Why do I feel you're trying to say something to me?"

"Oh nothing... nothing at all" she said. "Race you back to the house!" she yelled after she'd already taken off. Aahil laughed. How different these two sisters were.

**********

"You've got the wrong sister" Seher commented dryly as she and Aahil walked in to find Rehan and Sanam hugging. Sanam rolled her eyes at her crazy twin.

"Actually, I was congratulating her! Sanam got the grant to finish her last two months in New York!" Rehan told them excitedly.

"Wooo hooo!" Seher yelled and made a beeline for Sanam. "I knew you'd get it!" she said, hugging her tightly.

"Congratulations" Aahil said, holding his hand out. Sanam shook it. "Thank you"

"So New York hey... ever been before?" he asked, hanging around after Rehan and Seher disappeared from the lounge. "Nope. Never"

"It's amazing. You will love it! Well, actually... maybe you won't..." he said, almost to himself. "Excuse me, why won't I?" she asked, her hackles raised. "Because well. I only meant, you don't like... crowds and stuff" he said.

"Ohh..." Sanam said in understanding, feeling foolish at how temperamental she was with him. "I think I'll be alright. I'll be studying most of the time anyway" she said and turned to walk off.

"You must see some sights though" he called on after her.

"Crazy girl..." he smiled to himself after she'd run upstairs.

"OK maybe you were right..." Rehan conceded, watching them from the kitchen. "Oh baby, I'm always right - you just need to listen more often" Seher whispered before moulding herself to him and kissing him.

**********

A few days after Sanam had left, Aahil found himself pacing his room. Something was amiss. He just couldn't put his finger on what it was.

Sure, it wasn't like Sanam was the life of the party but suddenly, the house seemed really empty... really alone.

"What's going on, Mr?" Seher popped out of nowhere. "Nothing much. Up for a run? I need to get out of here for a bit" Aahil said.

"No can do, pretty boy. I have an appointment now. But... what's up with you? Why do you look so... agitated?" she asked as she leaned against his doorframe.

"Me? Agitated? Nah, I'm fine" he said distractedly as he hunted for his running gear. "Riiiggghhhtt..." Seher said before walking off.

She was coming out of her room when she saw Aahil walk out of his to stop momentarily outside Sanam's bedroom door.

**********

"Baby, you're drunk!" Rehan said to Seher, who was slurring through some or other story. Aahil laughed at the two of them, while Shazia and two of her friends huddled in the corner, gossiping.

"Hey... where's Juliet tonight?" Seher asked Aahil as she walked along the couches. "I didn't ask her over tonight. Just felt like being with all of you" he said.

"But someone is missing!" Seher slurred. Rehan caught her hand and pulled her down to him. "No more tequila for you, or you'll end up like Nida that day" Rehan said, trying to sound stern.

"Oh yeah, remember how Sanam reacted. I swear, she was so jealous! I bet anything she wished that she'd passed out drunk in your bed, Aahil" Seher laughed.

"Baby, enough. Stop talking" Rehan warned her. "Why? It's not like it isn't the truth. Sanam like, totally luuurrrvvvesss him" she said, swaying on her feet.

"Ok, let's get to bed"

Rehan looked at Aahil apologetically. "Aahil, she's drunk. Don't pay any attention to her" Rehan said.

"I'm drunk, sure. But... I know my sister. Twin telepathy and all that jazz, y'know? She loves you, dude!" Seher screamed as Rehan carried her up the stairs.

Aahil stood dumbfounded. Sanam... him? He shook his head as he started clearing up. Seher was just drunk. It was impossible.

But... what if it wasn't that impossible? What then?

**********

Aahil stood in the middle of Sanam's room and looked around. He felt a sense of calm. Walking over to her bookshelf, he eyed the titles again. Pride and Prejudice... Sister of My heart... The Corner Shop. What a variety of books there were.

All her course books were gone, of course... along with her to New York. Aahil stepped back.

He realised he missed her. Just her presence, really. Because in all this time, he hadn't even managed to befriend her. Only he knew how difficult it was to remain cool and calm in her presence, when all he wanted was to blurt out why he was really here.

But how could he, when she didn't even remember him?

Just then, his eyes fell upon a book on her desk.

"Aah, I can't believe she leaves this lying around..." he said to himself. He picked up the book and smiled at the picture a few pages in.

"Whatcha doin' pretty boy?" Seher asked at the door of Sanam's bedroom.

Aahil dropped the book in surprise. "Nothing, I uhhh... I was looking for something to read..." he lied, and he knew Seher could probably tell.

"Shouldn't you be down with a major hangover after last night?" he asked, hoping to change the subject. Seher walked up to Sanam's desk and pretended to dust something off her shoulder nonchalantly.

"Experience baby! I have it" she said playfully.

She picked up the book that Aahil dropped. "What's so interesting about a Junior School yearbook- Ohhh..." she said as she paged through and realisation dawned on her.

Aahil tried walking off but Seher turned around.

"You... both of you... you know each other?" she asked, shocked. "I know her... she doesn't know me" Aahil said in a low voice.

"You're upset that she doesn't remember you much, or that... I don't know? What is it, Aahil?" she asked.

"Yes... it's that, I think"

"I was drunk last night, I'm sure you remember. But... I wasn't lying. I really think... Sanam may have some very strong feelings for you"

"You think?"

Seher nodded. "Seems unlikely. I mean... she's never really been welcoming..." he said.

"She doesn't think you remember her" Seher said. Aahil frowned. "What? Are you crazy? Wait... I know the answer to that" he laughed. Seher threw a book at him.

He grabbed it and patted it down. He knew what good condition Sanam kept her books in.

"Of course I bloody remember! It's why I am back here. When Shazia told me whose home she was staying in... Well, that's when I decided to come back"

"Oh man... you've got it bad" Seher noted. "I think you may be right" Aahil murmured.

"She'll be back in a month... are you going to say something?" she asked. He stood up. "Yes. I think I've waited too long to clear all this up" he said determinedly.

Seher patted his shoulder. "Good luck, wuss!" she said and walked out, leaving him to his thoughts, in the only place he wanted to be.

He grabbed the yearbook and lay down on her bed as he paged through, remembering all those years ago when he was everyone's favourite student and friend, and Sanam was the quietest girl, with an air of mystery that haunted him every day.

He thought over what Seher had told him... but it didn't matter.

He'd have to find out for himself if Sanam had feelings for him.

"Why don't you just call her up?" Rehan asked as he walked into the kitchen to see Aahil playing around with his phone distractedly. "What? Who?" he asked.

Rehan rolled his eyes. "Sanam, obviously"

"Can your girlfriend not keep a secret?!" Aahil asked incredulously. Rehan laughed. "She's perfect just the way she is" he said, sounding a like a man truly in love.

"What's the deal with them anyway? Twins but they didn't know and all that...? And I think I would've remembered Seher at school" Aahil asked, avoiding the actual question that Rehan had asked him. Rehan chuckled.

"Man, it's a long story, but basically there was some family drama after their parents passed away, and Seher went to live with family in New York. They could only afford to take one twin... Sanam stayed here in Bhopal with some other family. And between the families, they decided to not tell the three year olds about their sibling"

Aahil nodded, motioning for him to go on.

"When they were sixteen, Seher found some documentation... don't even ask why she was snooping around in cupboards... Anyway, she confronted her family and they told her everything. She insisted on coming to Bhopal and turned up on Sanam's doorstep. Imagine the shock on our faces when we came face-to-face with that one..." Rehan laughed.

"God, what a shock. And then? How did Sanam react?" Aahil asked, completely engrossed in the story.

"Well, Sanam didn't quite believe it and she had no one to ask, because the aunt she was raised by, was in a nursing home for Alzheimer's patients by then. It took lots of talking to and lots of proof, including looking through the hospital reports, for her to believe anything. But slowly... they started connecting. And as different as they are, there's some connection between them that is completely unexplainable" Rehan finished.

"I can't even imagine..." Aahil said. "Wait... so you and Sanam...?"

"... have always been friends. From high school. I moved in next door about a year before Seher rocked up, then in my last year of high school... my parents needed to move back home to Delhi. Sanam's aunt was in the managed care facility by then. I couldn't leave Seher by then either... I already knew" he shrugged.

"I moved in with them and well, you know the rest"

"Right... what a story" Aahil murmured.

"Yea, so are you going to call her or not?" Rehan asked.

"Nope. It's a couple weeks more. I think what I need to say needs to be done face-to-face" Aahil said and Rehan nodded. "Good luck, man"

**********

Aahil stood at the arrivals gate, bouquet of white lilies in hand. He couldn't wait to see her and tell her everything. He would clear up the confusion and tell her how he'd realised he'd fallen in love with her.

That the Sanam from ten years ago had always been in his mind, but that the woman she was now, had captured his heart.

His heart knocked in his chest as he saw her walking through the gate pushing an overloaded trolley. She had a huge smile on her face and her dimples showed. Aahil found himself smiling just watching her smiling.

But then...

He watched in horror as a man sidled up next to her and put his arm around her, taking control of the trolley with his other.

Aahil's smile was wiped off his face as he watched Sanam snuggle into the man's embrace and look up at him lovingly.

He dropped the bouquet on the floor as he watched the man peck Sanam's nose.

Before he could make sense of what he was seeing, or what he was feeling, Sanam walked up to him.

"Aahil! How are you? It's so good to see you!" she said, sounding very unlike the Sanam that had left Bhopal.

Aahil couldn't say anything. He was stunned into silence watching Sanam and the man as they cuddled together, oblivious of anything around them.

"Hi, I'm Saif" the man came forward and held his hand out for Aahil to shake, which he did robotically.

"God, I'm such an idiot!" Sanam said, smacking her forehead. "Aahil, this is Saif. We met on the project and turns out he's from Bhopal, too... How amazing? Anyway so we..." she trailed off, not understanding the look in Aahil's eyes as he looked from her to Saif and back again.

"Let's get you home" Aahil said, having figured out the rest of Sanam's sentence. "Thanks for getting us" she said and Aahil found himself cringing at her use of the word "us"

"Where can I drop you off?" Aahil asked Saif in the car as he started driving. "Aahil, Saif is going to stay with us for a few days while his apartment is being cleaned up" Sanam said.

"Oh... great" he said.

"Just freakin' fabulous..." he thought.

**********

"You didn't say anything? Unbelievable man... seriously" Seher said to Aahil in his room. "What did you expect me to do? It's like I wasn't even there!" Aahil said frustratedly.

"Seriously, pretty boy. I expected more from you. What is this p*ssy act you've got going on. Grow a set of b*lls, man!"

Aahil got up and pushed Seher out the door. "Not in the mood for you right now Madam, or your colourful language" he said.

"But, wait-"

They cut off their talking when they walked out to see Sanam against the wall outside her room, being kissed by Saif. "Ahem!" Seher cleared her throat.

Sanam pushed Saif off her but smiled sheepishly anyway. "Sorry guys" she whispered as she held Saif's hand and walked past Seher and Aahil. Aahil groaned out loud when the sound of Sanam's giggles were heard as she ran down the stairs.

Seher looked at him sympathetically. "Not in the mood" he said and shut his bedroom door on her.

**********

Aahil walked into the kitchen and heard the giggling before he saw it. He almost shut his eyes as he walked in to see Sanam sitting on Saif's lap.

It was just about more than he could take.

"And then he made some stupid joke about the hot dog stand outside the campus... Obviously, I didn't get it, so he said he'd take me to try, and well... the rest is..."

"Just beautiful..." Saif finished off and kissed Sanam right there at the table, in front of everyone.

And that was the limit for Aahil.

"Where are you going, Aahil?" Shazia asked. "Out" he snapped to the entire room before grabbing his jacket and walking out.

**********

"What the f***!" Aahil groaned as he felt the ice cold water droplets on his face. "Wake up, sleeping beauty!" Seher's voice wafted through his mind.

Aahil opened his eyes and sat up but clutched his head. It was throbbing. He looked down and realised he was still in his clothes from last night. "What the...?"

"No one seems to learn their lesson about tequila in this house..." Rehan lamented.

"You went out, remember? Apparently... you had way too much tequila. Well, that's what you said when you called me to tell me you were lost" Rehan laughed.

"Yeah, lost in love... anyway, here" Seher handed him over some painkillers and something disgusting-looking in a double shot glass.

"What is that?" Aahil eyed the green liquid suspiciously. "Hangover cure. My special, secret recipe" Seher said.

His head was killing him, so not thinking twice, he popped the pills into his mouth, grabbed the glass from her and swallowed.

"Oh my GOD, that is disgusting!" he groaned after falling back on his pillow.

"Dude, you need to seriously pull yourself together. Shower first, obviously. But then, for the love of cherry-flavoured lube, pull yourself together" Seher said, eyeing him up and down.

Aahil looked to Rehan who was nodding. "She's right, man. Well, not about the cherry-flavoured... oh nevermind, but those calls last night? I mean, you were crying... crying!" Rehan said.

Aahil frowned. "What calls? I don't remember any of that..." he said as he got up. Surprisingly, whatever Seher had given him had worked - he was starting to feel better already.

"You called both of us... many times. Then eventually, you asked me to come get you, but you didn't know where you were" Rehan said.

"How'd you find me then?"

"Someone took the phone from you and then told me where you were at. Anyway, Seher is right... You can't do things like this, it's not healthy man. Call Juliet up, ask her out. Get Sanam out of your mind..."

Aahil ignored them and went to shower. His head started hurting more as he tried to remember something - anything - from last night, but he drew blanks. It was like an entire night of his life was lost.

"Damn you, tequila. I'm breaking up with you for sure this time" he said to himself as the steaming hot water worked its magic on his tired body.

**********

He walked into the kitchen only to be greeted by Sanam's bright smile. "It's your lucky day, Mr. I've made pancakes" she said.

God, she sounded so different... so happy. Despite his own hurt, deep down it made him happy to know that she was this happy... even though it wasn't him providing said happiness like he'd planned to.

He offered her a weak smile. "Thanks Sanam, but I can't stand the thought of food right now" he said. Sanam looked at him weirdly.

"You ok?" she asked. "Fine, I'm fine. Where is Lov- I mean, where is Saif?" he asked, looking around.

"He's gone to check on the progress of his apartment" she answered. Aahil nodded minutely before laying his head down on the table.

He couldn't face her... The mood he was in, he couldn't trust himself not to say something awful about that idiot, Saif.

"Are you sure you're alright?" she asked softly. Aahil looked up at her. "I could be better... but that is a story for another day" he said.

"Ok..." Sanam said as she picked up her phone. She glanced at him again and he caught it. He couldn't tear his eyes away from hers.

Sanam heart melted at the intensity of his eyes. All he had to do was look at her as if his eyes were boring into her soul and she was a goner all over again. She looked away abruptly and Aahil turned away too.

"Voicemail... How weird" she said to herself as she punched in something into her phone. Sanam looked at him and smiled. "Hey... it's a voicemail from you!" she said, flashing her dimples at him.

Suddenly, Aahil got a flash of a memory from last night...

Sanam held the phone to her ears and her eyes widened as she glanced at Aahil. He lurched from his seat and towards her, reaching out to grab the phone, but because of his lethargy and slow reflexes, Sanam sidestepped him; phone glued to her ear, her eyes not leaving his.

"Sanam, I was drunk. Please... I can't even remember what I said... Please stop!" he begged, following her around the kitchen, trying to tear the phone from her.

She finally stopped and put the phone down. Aahil approached her slowly. He couldn't remember what he said exactly, but he remembered enough, suddenly.

"I... please, I was drunk..." he whispered.

Sanam stepped back towards the kitchen door.

"You're... over me? When were you... under me?" she asked, breathlessly.

The words coming out of her mouth would be ridiculously funny, if only it wasn't so, so sad.

"Sanam... please" he said, holding his hands out to her, but she fled the house through the kitchen door before he could stop her.

Aahil slapped a hand over his eyes. "This time tequila, we are so done"

**********

Sanam walked about in shock for goodness' knows how long. She thought about going to Saif's apartment, but suddenly... that didn't feel like the place she wanted to be.

She couldn't believe what she'd heard Aahil say on the voicemail.

He was over her? Over her?

When? How? Why...?

She had so many questions and there was only one person with the answers. But she had no clue how to face him.

**********

"Dear Sanam

I am sorry about whatever you had to hear on the voicemail. Please understand, I was drunk and very upset. I know, I have no right to expect anything from you, especially now with Saif in your life.

If I wasn't an idiot... I wouldn't have waited so long to tell you how I felt.

But... I want you to know, I've always only wanted your happiness and I will be ok, because I know that Saif is just that.

I will be moving out at the end of the week, and so you don't have to worry about having to face me.

P.S. I always knew it was you, Sanam. Did you really not remember me?

Love always

Aahil"

Sanam read and re-read the letter that had been left under her door.

What disastrous timing they both had... She couldn't believe it.

And, he knew that it was her? All this time...

"Love always, Aahil" She couldn't stop reading that bit.

She put down the letter and put her head in her hands.

She felt so fickle... Of course she liked Saif. A lot, even. But... Aahil? A chance with him? The boy who had always been everything to her?

She got out her notebook and tore a page from it. She sat at her desk and started writing. After a while, Sanam grabbed her phone.

"Hi. We need to talk" she texted.

**********

Aahil looked up as his door was flung open.

"You don't have to leave. I mean... I don't want you to leave" Sanam said breathlessly. Aahil jumped off the bed and approached her slowly.

"What... Sanam, what do you mean?" he asked.

She launched herself in his arms and he wrapped his arms around her tightly, dropping kisses in her hair. "Oh God, Sanam..." he whispered.

She pulled away from him. "I broke up with Saif" she said, tears in her eyes. "Ssshhh baby, it's ok..." Aahil said stroking her face.

"I'm ok, I'm ok..." she said. He held her hand and made her sit down on his bed. "I thought you didn't remember me... " he said.

Sanam laughed through her tears. "We're such idiots! I thought you didn't remember me"

"I always liked you, y'know?" he said as he threw an arm around her and pulled her close to him. "I did too, more than you know"

"Finally!" they looked up to see Rehan smiling and a gleeful Seher clapping her hands in pure delight.

"Jiju!" she shrieked happily, seating herself between Sanam and Aahil. Aahil leaned back and looked at Sanam. "Your sister is crazy" he said. She smiled. "I know, but she grows on you"

Rehan walked over to them and pulled Seher up. "Let's leave them alone, shall we. I'm happy for you guys. Come on, babe. I have something for you" Rehan said.

"Woo hoo! Sex in the middle of the day!" she said and then turned back to wink at Aahil and Sanam. "That's not what I meant..." they heard Rehan say as he guided her out of there.

"Oh God!" Aahil laughed.

He turned to Sanam then. "So, how did loverboy take it?" he asked.

A shadow passed over her face. "Not well. He thinks I lured him back here and filled his mind with dreams and now I've shattered them" she said softly, sadly... before burying her face in the crook of Aahil's neck.

He rubbed her back soothingly. "It will be ok. Sanam?"

"Hmmm?"

"I really love you"

He felt her arms go around his waist tightly. "I love you too... so much"

They sat together for what seemed like hours until Sanam pulled away and stood up. "I need to go take a shower and just... unwind. It's been a hell of a day" she said.

They walked to her room hand in hand, like love-struck teenagers.

In her bedroom, Aahil pulled her close and pecked her lips lightly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "You do that. I'll be in my room" he said.

He stood around watching her as she gathered her things and gave him a smile before she disappeared into her bathroom.

Aahil was about to go to his room when his eyes fell upon a slip of paper on Sanam's desk. He picked it up and his eyes hardened at what he read.

"What the...?" he said to himself as he heard the shower shut off.

Sanam came out in her fluffy robe and smiled at him. "Waiting for me?" she asked Aahil who was facing the window. He turned around, slip of paper in his hands.

"Sanam, what is this?" he asked in a low voice.

Sanam's eyes widened. "Aahil, it's nothing, really. I mean... I already knew, but I-"

"Save it, Sanam. I'm glad I saw it. At least now I know what a tough decision this must have been for you. I mean, why are you settling for me anyway? According to this list, I'm a complete dumba**, a player, arrogant..."

He slumped down on her bed. "God... It's kind of hard to believe that this is what you think of me..." he said; his voice a mere whisper.

"Aahil, please. I make lists. It's what I do. My head was spinning and I needed to write everything down to make sense of what was happening" she said stepping closer to him, her hand reaching out.

He stepped back and swallowed hard.

He turned the page over. "And wow... look at everything you had to say about loverboy... F***!" he cursed. He waved the page in front of her face. He ignored the tears swimming in her eyes.

"What's the last point? He's not..."

"He's not what? Dumb like me? Arrogant? He's not... forgetful???" Aahil said, his voice shaky with rage.

He cast one long, hard look at Sanam before throwing the paper at her and walking off.

"He's not Aahil... That is what I meant" she whispered to herself as she sank to the floor and cried. By the time she had got to that part, Sanam's mind had already been made up.

But her heart had always known.

**********

Sanam walked into the living room to find everyone sitting around, watching some rubbish show on TV. Aahil glanced at her, but looked away immediately. The look in his eye pierced her heart a little bit.

"Uhm, Aahil... can I speak to you for a minute" she asked.

"Woo hoo! Sex in the middle of the evening!" Seher yelled, but solemnly quietened down when she realised the air was thick with tension between her twin and Aahil.

Aahil followed Sanam into the kitchen silently.

"Aahil, listen I'm sorry... Just let me explain?" she said as soon as they got into the kitchen.

"Nothing to explain, Sanam, really. I got it. I really do. I meant what I said about you being happy. If you want to be with him... then fine by me. God knows he's sweeter, and more faithful... and he's doing his doctorate, so he's obviously a genius, unlike me"

"Aahil, you're twisting what you saw... Just-"

"Please, Sanam. I wouldn't want you to settle for someone like me either" he said and turned to walk off back to the lounge.

Sanam shook her head as the tears threatened again. "Damn you, Aahil. You didn't even let me say anything..." she whispered to herself.

***********

"I can't take it anymore!" Seher ranted as she paced their bedroom. She looked at Rehan.

"They were this close to making babies..." she gestured with her two fingers close together, "... and suddenly something happened and now they won't even look at each other?"

"What do you propose we do though, babe? Not only are they not talking to each other, they're not talking to any of us either, so we don't even know what happened"

"Let me think... I will come up with something"

"God help us all..." Rehan muttered. Seher threw a pillow at him. "I heard that!"

************

"Ok, so you got it? We'll just ask them about it and try to get them talking - to us, at the very least. Who knows... it might get them talking to each other, too" Seher coached Rehan and Shazia.

They both nodded obediently, but Seher could tell they weren't buying it.

She stood up, hands on her hips. "I can see you both looking at me as if this is never going to work... But we will try. Ok? Got it? Good. Let's go, soldiers!"

**********

"Tequila anyone?" Seher asked, holding the bottle up. It was Friday night and they'd planned drinks, pizzas and re-runs of The Big Bang Theory.

"Yeah, I'll have a shot"

Everyone looked to Sanam, beyond surprised. Seher raised her eyebrows. "Really?"

"Give me the bottle!" Sanam said dismissively and swigged a large gulp straight out of it.

Sanam swayed slightly - she never drank, and Aahil instinctively moved forward in his seat and reached out for her, but then she straightened up and he quickly leaned back again.

Seher was already drunk and grabbed the remote from rehan's hand. "You know... I missed out on being at Bhopal Junior... I want to know what it was like. I mean, I only know a couple of stories, but I want to know more - from the both of you" she slurred, pointing to Aahil and Sanam.

"I can't remember" they both said and looked at each other before looking away, quickly.

"Liars, both of you!" Seher yelled, as she jumped up and pretended to spin two pistols out of her holster.

Rehan and Shazia shared an exasperated look. The plan might've worked better if Seher hadn't tucked into the tequila.

"What do you want to know, Crazy?" Aahil asked. "Well, what it was like? What you were like"

"I don't know..."

"He was popular. Everyone knew him. The teachers loved him; everyone wanted to be his friend" Sanam said. Aahil looked at her intently. "Not everyone" he said in a low voice as he and Sanam stared at each other.

Seher showed Rehan and Shazia an enthusiastic thumbs up.

"What about you, Sanam? What were you like?" Rehan asked after being nudged painfully in the ribs by his girlfriend.

"I uhh... I was quiet..." she said.

"She was very quiet... she never talked to anyone. She always sat in the same spot at every break, and she'd read the same books over and over again" Aahil said.

Sanam whipped her head to him. He remembered all that?

"Anyway, it was a long time ago... people change" he said when he realised what he'd let out, and how Sanam was staring at him.

"You're both so boring. Anyway, I'll tell you a story Sanam told me... Do you know this twin of mine was in love in Grade One already? And you all think that I'm the crazy sister!"

"Seher" Sanam said quietly, standing up. "No no, wait, let me finish the story. It's so good. When Sanam first told me this... I was so proud. My sister is a wonderful person...But this was no random act of kindness, let me tell you" Seher babbled.

"Seher, please. Not this one..." Sanam whispered, standing very close to her. "Let me tell the story!"

Aahil leaned forward in his seat, hanging onto every word that Seher uttered.

Sanam started walking away. This was too much. She'd had enough of reminiscing ever since Aahil turned up at her doorstep.

"So anyway, there was this boy in her class. Sanam was besotted with him. But guess what? He didn't even know her. The poor little fellow couldn't tie his own shoelaces! Like, how cute and sad is that" Seher said dramatically.

Aahil looked at Sanam who was backing away towards the front door.

"Seher, please" Sanam begged.

Seher waved her hand dismissively. "Anyway, one day after PE, or whatever you guys call it here, this guy couldn't tie his shoelaces when he changed back into his uniform, and his so-called friends - a**holes if you ask me, but they were only like five, so anyway, back to the story... Right. These friends started teasing him and he started crying, but the more he cried, the worse the tying of shoelaces became. And my beautiful sister here, couldn't bear to see her baby boy so sad, so while he helplessly cried, she quickly tied his shoelaces and ran away. How cute is that?"

She dug rehan in the ribs again. "Very cute" he winced.

"He had no idea, right? But Sanam, you never told me why you ran off, though?"

Sanam backed against the door, and closed her eyes as Aahil got up off the couch and walked towards her.

"That was you, that day?" he asked her. "I've never forgotten that incident. I don't know who did that... It was you...?" he whispered. Sanam nodded. "I couldn't... bear seeing you so upset" she whispered back as he inched closer.

"God, Sanam! We've wasted so much time!"

Aahil pulled her flush against him and kissed her with everything he felt for her in that moment.

"I love you. I don't care about he lists and anything else. I just want to be with you..." he whispered, his forehead against hers.

"I love you too. Of course the lists don't mean anything... It's you. It's always been you. You know that now, right?" Aahil nodded and smiled at her.

"Finally!" three voices rang out behind them, making them giggle.

"Jij-"

Aahil held a hand to ward off Seher. "Not now, Madam. I'm busy" Aahil said, before kissing Sanam again.

Taking a break the other two days of the week, or can Asad not handle all the sexy you have to offer?

🤣

It's cool. Forget Sanam.

I'm doing Aahil. You know I really wanted to call Juliet Tamara, but self-restraint, man... 😆

And to think I said such nice things about this Juliet... tsk tsk tsk 😆

You have GOT to stop asking me to continue ended stories haha!

Thanks so much!

Thanks so much!

i thought..as the post ended... when will be the second part...

surprise to get bonus there...

i so love rehan- seher combo... hope it happens...

i dont mind a part 3...😉