SS: A Chance

A Chance

Part 1

Under the veil of twinkling stars, there stood a man on the terrace, with his eyes misty. The same terrace where he had badly hurt her that day.

The same spot where he had betrayed her friendship that day.

The same surroundings in which he had told her that she meant NOTHING to him.

Almost four years had passed since then, and he still couldn't get over her.

Every day, he would think about her, but never acknowledge to himself how much she meant to him.

He closed his eyes, and the next thing he knew, he felt a gentle palm on his shoulder.

He knew who it was, and he quickly blinked back tears because he knew the person behind him was well acquainted with him.

"Yaad aa rhi hai uski ?...", the person behind him inquired, a smile on his face.

Shaurya turned to compose himself, his face plastered with a smile as if everything was fine.

"Kiski ?...", Shaurya replied, pretending to be completely clueless.

Ahir sadly chuckled as a retort, and spoke up, "Kab tak yeh acting karta rahega mere saamne ?..."

"Main koi acting nhi kar rha...", Shaurya shrugged, averting his gaze.

Ahir pressed his thumb under his friend's eye and spoke up, "Toh fir yeh aansoon kis vajah se hai ?

Shaurya became alarmed and said, "Voh... k... kuch nhi hai..."

"Bas aankh mein kuch chala gaya tha...", he snidely said as he turned around.

Ahir shook his head in disbelief, then walked over to his friend to face him, saying, "Itne saalo se toh bohot achchi acting karta aaya hai... Lekin kal kya karega ?...", he raised his eyebrows.

As soon as the words reached Shaurya's ears, his heart pounded against his chest.

His fists were balled, as he had no idea what would happen the next day. He didn't know how he was going to face her. He would see her again tomorrow after a four-year long period.

Over the course of these four years, they hadn't seen each other, or even exchanged a single word.

He had blocked her from his contacts after that day, but he couldn't go a day without missing her sweet voice.

"Kya hua ?..."

"Chup kyu hai ab ?...", Ahir said, nudging him.

"Tch... Maine kaha naa main koi acting – vacting nhi kar rha...", Shaurya grumbled.

"Aur main jaisa hoon vaise hi rahunga... Uske hone yaa naa hone se mujhe koi fark nhi padta...", Shaurya blatantly lied, which Ahir had already intercepted.

"Theek hai...", Ahir said.

"Dekhte hai kal kya hota hai..."

"Ek baat bas apne dimaag mein rakhna...", Ahir added.

"Maine tujhse pehle bhi bohot baar kaha hai... Aaj firse keh rha hoon..."

"Us din tune uske saath jo kiya tha vo bilkul bhi sahi nhi tha..."

"Tere liye uski life mein kuch importance thi... Tu uske liye kuch maayne rakhta tha... Isiliye hi usne tujhe Bangalore shift hone vaali baat btaani zaroori samjhi thi... Lekin tune toh us vakt is baat par gaur hi nhi kiya..."

"Tujhe to bas apni padi thi...", Ahir reprimanded.

"Mujhe is baare mein koi baat nhi karni Ahir..."

"Tu jaa... Jaakar so jaa..."

"Kal teri engagement hai... Isliye mere peechhe apna time waste mat kar...", Shaurya said to get Ahir to leave so he could compose himself.

All of the events of that day were strangling him, and he needed some alone time.

Ahir was aware that his words had had an impact on his friend, and he needed some alone time to reflect on what he had done wrong back then.

He, too, wished for his friend and her to rekindle their relationship.

"Good night Shaurya...", saying so, Ahir left, hoping something optimistic.

Shaurya stood there, gazing at the stars, and the tears that he had been holding back for so long finally made their way down his face.

"ANOKHI...", a shrill cry escaped his lips as he continued to stare at the sky, and just then, a shooting star flashed through thy sky.

He was taken aback because the moment he said her name, the same moment the star sparked across the night sky. It appeared as if his inner longing was going to be fulfilled very soon.

Except for her, he had no idea what he wished.

He simply wanted her back, but he refused to confess it to his own self.

His rational mind was filled with extraneous thoughts that were hindering him from getting her back.

He stood there under the night sky, in the cool breeze, preparing himself for the next day.

His feelings for her never faded; all he feared was hearing a "NO"...

~⁕~

Ahir had sat down on the bed, but he was deeply absorbed in his thoughts.

He began to wonder what would happen the next day, his "engagement day".

His mind flashed back to those days when he and Shaurya were in college.

They were in their fourth year of a bachelor's degree course in computer science at Delhi Technical University.

He knew Shagun, who was his junior, and she would often come to see him with her girl gang, which included Anokhi and Reema. At that time, the trio was in their third year.

He remembered Anokhi as a simple and quiet girl who was a good friend of Shagun, as was Reema.

When he first met Reema and Anokhi, he also introduced Shaurya to them, but Shaurya, being a closed-off guy, didn't show much frankness at the first meeting. But Anokhi wasn't the type to pass judgement on someone based on their first meeting; in fact, she didn't mind how he greeted her. She was just as genuine with him as she was with everyone else.

However, as the gatherings began becoming more frequent, things began to change.

Anokhi and Reema accompanied Shagun to every meeting because the three were best friends, just like he and Shaurya. Their conversations with each other became more regular, but Shaurya didn't usually talk much, whereas Anokhi eagerly participated in every conversation, whether casual or academic. And it was this that used to irk Shaurya for no reason.

Ahir was well aware that Shaurya himself had no idea why he used to engage into pointless quarrels with her.

Initially, Anokhi didn't pay attention to Shaurya's unnecessary interruptions, but as Shaurya began to do it more often, she, too, began to snap back at him.

Ahir was giggling now, recalling how Shaurya would purposefully try to start an argument with her. Maybe he used to enjoy it, Ahir wondered.

He grinned even more recalling how the two of them would find even the slightest of way to argue with each other and how they never got along.

Ahir's thoughts returned to a time when he and Shaurya were working on a project and the girl gang was assisting them.

That day, he and Shaurya learned about the gang's intelligence, particularly Anokhi's. Even though she was their junior, she had helped them greatly in their project work, and it was unusual for a junior to assist a senior in a project that was outside of her own syllabus.

After that day, things began to shift between Shaurya and Anokhi in an unexpected way.

The Professor was very pleased with the project, and thereafter, Shaurya and Anokhi began getting in tech-related discussions with each other.

Shaurya and Anokhi discovered that, despite the fact that their usual conversation always ended in a street fight, they shared similar career interests.

Anokhi would occasionally ask Shaurya for advice, and he would gladly show her the way, and Anokhi would also follow it.

Shaurya started finding a good companion in her with whom he could share and discuss his technological ideas.

They used to engage in conversations, which was the most bewildering thing to witness because, given how Shaurya and Anokhi were initially at loggerhead, no one expected the two to engage in such serious and peaceful discussions without any arguments.

Slowly, they began to get along, and they discovered that not everything they had in themselves was fundamentally opposed; rather, their perspectives differed.

Though their conversations were limited to study-related topics, they had begun to enjoy those chats and each other's company.

That year, as usual, flew by, and he and Shaurya had completed their degree. However, the girl gang needed one more year to graduate.

Despite having graduated, he and Shaurya lived in Delhi because of their jobs. They worked at the OYO company in Delhi as full stack software engineers. He worked in the same department as Shaurya.

Since they were all still in Delhi at that time, it was easy for them to get together and enjoy happy times.

Shagun was always accompanied by the girl gang whenever she came to see him, and Shaurya was with him at all times. In this way, Shaurya and Anokhi too, used to get the opportunity to converse and spend time together.

Although the two individuals who were initially at odds had no idea, but the rest of the group members, which included him, Shagun, and Reema, had already understood that Shaurya and Anokhi had fallen for each other; it was just that they needed a push to realize it.

Returning to the present, Ahir sighed as his thoughts wandered back to the day, he and Shagun had decided to make Shaurya and Anokhi confess to each other their importance in their lives.

He and Shagun had planned something for Valentine's Day that year in order to make this happen.

He had arranged a party in his home, to which they were all invited.

After the celebration, he and Shagun carried out the plan they made to make the two people aware of their feelings for each other.

Shagun and Reema had purposefully sent Anokhi to the terrace, and he had sent Shaurya there as well.

And then came the most heart-breaking moment for all the friends, as well as for Shaurya and Anokhi, because they never expected their plan to take such a bad turn, destroying everything good that had brewed between Shaurya and Anokhi.

Shuffling on the bed, Ahir took a deep breath and held out hope that something good would happen.

Tomorrow, he would be getting engaged to Shagun, the woman he loved, and of course!... The girl gang would be with her in her precious moment without any doubt.

It meant that after four years, Anokhi and Shaurya would be encountering each other, but no one knew what lay ahead in their lives.

He, Shagun, and Reema had only one wish: for Shaurya and Anokhi to reunite and start over, and they would be doing everything they could to make that happen in the coming days.

Shaurya still had feelings for her and yearned to make things right between him and her, but lacked the courage to do so. Ahir was well aware of Shaurya's fear, and he had told him numerous times to go for it, but in vain. Shaurya would always say to him that nothing could be fixed between them. 

But Ahir was Shaurya's buddy, and he was well aware of him, which is why he still wished for the two of them to patch things up.

And he, Shagun, and Reema had a glimmer of hope that it would happen very soon.

Turning off the light, Ahir dozed off to sleep hoping for the best...

To be continued...

Thank you for reading 

A Chance

Part 2

In front of the mirror, there stood he, adjusting the tie around his neck.

His mind had been completely consumed by her thoughts since the morning.

He had no idea how he was going to encounter her after four-years.

Will she be yearning to see him as he had been for the past four years ?

Or will she be unaffected by seeing him after such a long time ?

These were the thoughts racing through his mind, and all he wanted was to see a glimpse of her. He would d be content just with that.

But will she be happy to see him ?

He couldn't seem to come up with a satisfactory answer to his own question. After all, he was the one who had hurt her that day, so why would she be happy to see him ?

Taking the comb from the dressing table, he brushed his hair a little more to give it a finishing touch, and he was now fully ready.

The engagement was to take place solely at Ahir's home, and he had been staying there for the past two days at Ahir's request.

It would be a simple gathering rather than a party. It will comprise of all the close friends and the family members of the couple.

He realized that the girl gang would be arriving soon.

His heart was pounding with each second, and he was nervous about how he would react on seeing her.

Even after battling with his own consciousness, he wasn't ready to accept that he still wanted her back, because he was afraid.

What if she'd moved on ?

He was afraid what would happen if she didn't forgive him ?

What if he had to hear that she had no feelings for him back then?

He was afraid of her HATRED for him, which is why he had pretended to be fine all these years, as if her absence didn't matter.

His mind wandered back to the day he had destroyed the bond between him and her with his own hands.

"Shaurya... Jaa naa oopar...", Ahir tried to drag him up the stairs.

"Arre oopar kya hai ?... Chod na...", Shaurya grumbled.

"Vha tere liye koi wait kar rha hai... Isiliye main keh rha hoon..."

"Mere liye ?...", Shaurya was taken aback.

"Kaun wait kar rha hai ?... Aur kyu ?...", he inquired further.

"Vha vo insaan tera intezaar kar rha hai... Jisse tu kuch kehna chaahta hai... Aur vo bhi tujhse kuch kehna chaahti hai...", Ahir teased.

"Kehna chaahti hai ?... Matlab koi ladki hai vha ?...", Shaurya asked.

"Haanji...", Ahir said, with a look of disbelief on his face, "Tu jaakar khud hi dekh le... Aur jo kehna chaahta hai vo bhi keh de..."

"Lekin main kya kehna chaahta hoon ?... Yeh tu kya bole jaa rha hai ? ...", Shaurya snapped back.

"Yeh savaal tu khud se poochh...", Ahir was quick to reply.

"Aaj ek special din hai... Aur aaj ke din tu usse kuch kehna chaahega main sure hoon... Isliye zyaada time waste mat kar... Terrace pe jaa aur use jaakar kehde..."

"Ahir tu...", before Shaurya could say anything else, Ahir dragged him by his arms to the terrace and shoved him.

"All the best...", Ahir said as he walked away, smirking.

Shaurya stood motionless, his heart rate increasing.

He understood exactly what Ahir was trying to say, but did that mean she felt the same way about him ?

Did she want to be with him as much as he did ?

He pushed the thoughts back into his head and looked around for her.

He realized he was the only person on the terrace, and she wasn't there.

He was perplexed because Ahir had previously told him that she was waiting for him there, so where was she now ?

He shrugged and was about to go downstairs when she arrived at the exact same time.

"Aap...", a gasp left her lips.

"Tum...", he said as well.

"H... Haan vo... Shagun ne mujhe yha bheja..."

"Shagun ne bheja ?...", Shaurya pondered, puzzled.

"Lekin aap yaha ?...", she inquired, despite the fact that she was expecting him only.

Shaurya had a sneaking suspicion that it was the friends' plan to bring the two of them together.

He hadn't decided to express his feelings to her today, but he didn't want to let go of the opportunity.

He couldn't decide whether to ask her to stay with him there for a while or to return downstairs.

Anokhi's eyes were bright as she was looking at him.

She, like Shaurya, was caught in a dilemma. She wanted to inform him something, but she wasn't sure how he would react. But she still wanted to tell him because he held that much importance.

"Shaurya... Kya aap neeche jaa rhe hai ? ...", she inquired, not wanting to cause any further delay in informing him about the matter.

"Neeche ? ... Haan... Nhi... Matlab...", he couldn't think of anything to say. He was high on spirit to speak his heart's words to her, and he was just going to initiate the talk when she spoke up.

"Shaurya...", Anokhi said hesitantly, "Mujhe aapko kuch btaana tha..."

She wanted to let him know that she would be leaving Delhi and that they would not be able to meet as they used to, which she would greatly miss. But she clung to the hope that, after informing him about it, he would say "something" to her that would reassure her that, even though she would be staying away from him, he will still remember her and their bond wouldn't be broken.

"Mujhe ?... Kya btaana hai ? ...", he inquired, hoping for what Ahir had told him.

"Shaurya... Maine aapko btaaya tha naa... Mera INTEL company ke liye interview hua tha...", she timidly said.

"H... haan... btaaya tha tumne...", he replied casually.

"Shaurya...", she said, her voice heavy this time.

"Main Bangalore jaa rhi hoon... Ek din baad...", she finally broke the shell, lowering her eyes.

He stood there numb, unable to react as if he had been splashed with cold water from a bucket. All of his hopes, wishes, and plans for conveying his feelings to her were crushed.

"E... ek din baad ?...", were the only words that came out of his mouth.

"Haan Shaurya...", she said softly.

"Meri flight parso ki hai... Main vha shift ho rhi hoon... Job ke liye...", she said, her voice trembling as she waited for him to say something.

"To tum yeh baat mujhe kyu bta rhi ho ?..."

"Main jaankar kya karunga ?...", he uttered, his face expressionless and his voice hushed.

Hearing the words, she looked at him shocked.

She would be leaving Delhi, and if it didn't bother him, it meant she wasn't that important to him that her absence would concern him.

"Aa... Aapko fark nhi padega ?...", her eyes had already become moist.

"Tum parso jaa rhi ho.... Aur yeh baat tum ab bta rhi ho mujhe... Mujhe fark kyu hi padega ? ...", he sounded hurt, and enraged.

"Shaurya... Yeh sab pehle se decided nhi tha...", she tried explain.

"Maine interview clear kar liya aur joining date bhi aa chuki hai... Lekin vha jaakar settle hone mein time bhi toh lagega... Isiliye sab kuch itni jaldbaazi mein ho gaya... Aur aapko btaane- ..."

"Congratulations...", he cut her off.

Her already wet eyes glistened even more.

"Congratulations Anokhi..."

"Best of luck for your professional life...", he said with a sarcastic smile, his eyes moist.

"Chalo ab neeche chalte hai... Ghar vaapas bhi jaana hai mujhe...", he added.

"Sh...aurya...", her voice trembled.

"Aap..."

"Aap mujhse aise kyu baat kar rhe hai ?...", a lone tear escaped her eyes.

"Kaise baat kar rha hoon main ?... Theek se hi toh kar rha hoon...", he pretended to be unaffected.

"Aur vaise bhi tum toh bohot khush ho naa Bangalore jaane ke liye... Hmmm ?... To tumhe kis baat ka bura lag rha hai ? ...", he said, his voice cracking.

With misty eyes, she looked at him, and he looked at her black orbs as well.

He could see the longing for him in her beautiful orbs, but he kept himself from becoming weak.

"Aap khush hai ?...", she spoke up after a long silence.

"Aap khush hai... ki main yaha se door jaa rhi hoon ?...", her voice quivered.

"Meri khushi se tumhe kya ?..."

"Main tumhaare liye kya maayne rakhta hoon...", he responded averting his eyes.

"Agar maayne nhi rakhte... T... Toh main aapko yeh baat kyu btaati...", she replied.

"Agar sach mein maayne rakhta hoon... To... Toh tum yaha se jaati hi nhi...", he finally said what he had been holding back for so long, and she looked at him, taken aback.

"Main... Main yaha se jaati nhi ?...", she asked, her misty eyes wide with confusion.

"Kya kehna chaahte hai aap Shaurya ?..."

"Chodo... Mujhe kuch nhi kehna...", he turned to leave, but she caught his wrist and stopped him.

"Poori baat kehkar jaaiye Shaurya... A... Aur mere ek savaal ka javaab bhi dekar jaaiye...", she wiped her eyes and let go of his hand.

He turned to face her and said, "Tumhaare liye tumhaari job important haina Anokhi..."

"To tum jaao... Chali jaao..."

"Meri feelings tumhaare liye matter thodina karengi...", he said, his eyes welling up.

"Aakhir tumhaari job tumhaare liye priority hai... MAIN nhi...", he looked everywhere except for her.

This tore her even more, and she was left broken. She had understood that he was expecting her to leave her hard-earned job for him, which was completely unjustified.

"Toh aap mujse yeh expect karte hain ki main... ", she said, her voice shaking.

"Main apni job chod doon ?...", she inquired, her gaze fixed on him.

"Maine aisa toh nhi kaha...", he was quick to snap back.

"Lekin aapke kehna ka yahi matlab banta hai Shaurya..."

"Aur aap mere liye priority ho yaa nhi... Iska meri job se kya lena – dena ?..."

"Toh tum hi btaao Anokhi...", he spoke up.

"Agar tumhaare liye meri koi importance hai... Toh tum... tum mujhse itna door kaise jaa sakti ho..."

"Agar sach mein main tumhaari priority hota... Toh tum yaha se jaati hi nhi...", his voice heavy.

She kept staring at him through watery eyes and asked, "Agar meri jagah aap hote... Toh aap kya karte Shaurya ?..."

"Kya aap mere liye apni job opportunity chod dete ?...", she showed him the mirror.

He looked at her taken aback. He was now rendered speechless, unable to respond. She had openly displayed the mirror to him.

"Kya hua Shaurya ?..."

"Nhi chodte naa...", she answered for him.

"Aur naa hi main kabhi aapko aapki mehnat se achieve ki gayi job mere liye chodne ko kehti...", she added, her eyes bubbling up.

As he listened to this, a wave of guilt washed over him, but he was still not ready to accept it.

"Aap mujhse yeh kaise expect kar sakte hai Shaurya..."

"Ho sakta hai ki aapko lage main selfish ban rhi hoon... Lekin aisa nhi hai... Aur yeh baat aap bhi bohot achche se jaante hai...", she said straightforwardly.

He knew deep down that whatever she was saying was true, but he couldn't get over the fact that she was leaving him behind for her "job".

He was pondering why she was so adamant about moving to Bangalore when she could find more job opportunities here in Delhi.

Though he very well knew that she was all right at her place, but his tenacity came in his way of admitting to himself.

Anokhi wiped her eyes, and then composing herself, she spoke up, "Khair..."

"Yeh sab baatein chodiye..."

"Mujhe lga tha ki shaayad aap samjhenge ki maine yeh baat aapko btaani zaroori kyu samjhi... Lekin aap toh...", another tear drop escaped her eyes.

He was standing there silent, hurt to see her tears.

"Shaurya..."

"Main parso j... jaa rhi hoon...", her voice broke.

"Lekin usse pehle... Ek savaal ka javaab jaanna chaahti thi aapse...", she said as she turned to face him, her eyes teary but hopeful.

"Kaisa savaal ?...", he asked, his voice emotionless.

"Kya aapki life mein...", she began to say, though her voice trembled.

"Kya aapki life mein meri jagah sirf ek dost tak hi hai ?...", she looked him in the eyes.

As soon as the words entered his ears, he immediately averted his eyes.

What was he going to answer now to her when it won't make any difference ?

He knew the answer, he knew what she meant to him, but what he said next was exactly the opposite, and it broke her heart.

"Tumhe kisne kha ki tum meri dost ho ?..."

"Tum kab bani meri dost ?...", he replied back, but regretted saying the very next moment.

She stood there dumbfounded at his reply. She couldn't believe what he said.

With his words, he destroyed their FRIENDSHIP in a split second.

Even if they couldn't be more than friends, he had no right to betray her friendship with him in that way, but he did, and she was devastated.

He was standing there as if nothing had happened, and she was staring at him with teary eyes, motionless.

"Once again... All the best Anokhi...", he said after a long silence.

"I hope tum vha khush rahogi..."

Anokhi stood there, tears continuously rolling down her cheeks.

"Bye...", he smiled through tears and walked away leaving behind a broken Anokhi.

"BYE" was the last word he had said to her, and they hadn't spoken to each other since then.

Shaurya's eyes fell on the mirror, and he realized he was still standing in front of it.

He realized he had been lost in his thoughts about what had happened that day.

He cursed himself for doing that blunder that day. He chided himself for hurting her and being selfish that day.

In these four years, he had come to realize what his mistake was. He had become selfish back then. He wanted to be her "first" priority, which he was, but he didn't realize it at the time.

He was a priority for her, which is why she had informed him about her relocation to Bangalore, but he had hurt her by saying that she shouldn't have been going there if he was so important to her.

He had realized over the course of four years why she would have been hurt by his behavior.

He realized that in this SOCIETY, the woman is always expected to sacrifice in order for a relationship to work, to leave her happiness behind for the sake of the man's happiness, and he was expecting exactly the same from her back then. But in these four years, he had come to realize that she was all right at her place, and he was glad and proud that she didn't leave her job FOR HIM.

He smiled unknown to himself that the woman he had fallen for was not a weak person, but rather a tough one who knew how to stand up for herself. He was content that she chose her job over a selfish man LIKE HIM, and he was truly happy for it.

He had realized his mistake, and he had no complaints, no grudges against her.

He deserved her hate he knew, but all he wished to do was reverse it, but he didn't know if that was possible now.

He feared to see the HATE in her eyes for him with his own eyes, and that was all that held him back from going back to her in these four years.

He came to the realization his eyes were all watery and the clock had struck 6 of the evening.

He looked here and there and exhaled a deep breath.

It was time to go downstairs, and the GIRL GANG might have arrived by now.

Wiping away his tears, adjusting his blazer, and plastering a smile on his face, he got ready in his façade and made his way downstairs, READY TO FACE HER...

To be continued...

Thank you for reading 

A Chance

Part 3

Shaurya stepped down the stairs while buttoning up his blazer. With each step he took down, his heart pounded against his chest.

He slowly raised his head, and his heart thudded more on seeing two persons there. Reema and Shagun were chatting with each other. Reema's presence indicated that she would have arrived as well. He took a few deep breaths and made it to the top of the last stair.

He looked around and observed that everyone, as was the theme, was dressed in black, so was he.

"Hey Shaurya !...", Shagun smiled as she waved at him.

He walked towards the two girls; a smile plastered on his face.

"Hi Shaurya...", Reema, too, greeted.

"Hi...", he greeted both of them.

"Congratulations once again...", he said cheerfully to Shagun.

Shagun noticed that his smile didn't reach his eyes, and both girls sensed that he was expecting someone.

"ANOKHI bhi aa rhi hai... Kuch hi der mein...", Shagun said, her gaze fixed on him, waiting for his response.

His breath caught in his throat as he listened to the words, but he kept his cool. He pretended to be unconcerned about it.

"Oh... Good...", he shrugged, unbothered.

"Tum dono baatein karo..."

"Main uncle – aunty se milkar aata hoon...", he chose to leave as soon as possible to avoid a more difficult situation.

With a phony smile, he walked away and Shagun and Reema exchanged sad glances.

"Yaar Shagun..."

"Tujhe lgta hai ki humaara koi plan kaam karega ?...", Reema inquired.

"Dekh Reema... Hum sabhi jaante hai ki vo dono abhi bhi ek - doosre ko chaahte hai..."

"Bas past ko bhula nhi paa rhe..."

"Ek taraf Shaurya hai jo ek kadam lene se darta hai... Aur doosri taraf Anokhi hai jo usse naaraaz to hai... Lekin agar Shaurya ek baar kuch bole to vo use mauka toh zaroor degi..."

"Isliye hum toh apni taraf se poori koshish karenge..."

"Baaki to un dono haatho mein hai...", Shagun explained.

"Okay... Chal ab tu apna mood khraab mat kar...", Reema spoke up.

"Anokhi abhi aati hi hogi... Thodi der pehle hi message kiya tha usne..."

"Aur hum dono to teri engagement ko special bnaakar rahenge...", she took Shagun in a warm hug.

"Vaise tu badi sundar lag rhi hai...", she teased.

"Thanks...", Shagun said with a big grin.

"Chal Ahir se bhi milna hai mujhe...", said Reema, and the two of them laughed as they walked away.

~⁕~

Shaurya was chatting with Ahir and his parents when he suddenly became aware of his surroundings. He felt himself sweating as if the person he had been anticipating for so long was approaching.

He loosened his tie a little as he felt his heartbeat quicken. He tried to peer around through the corner of his eyes, and the person on whom his gaze landed caused his heart to skip a beat.

Everything seemed to come to a halt for him.

There she was, the woman he had hurt, making her way through the crowd.

After four years, he was seeing her, but looked the same. She was the same simple as serene a girl.

A haze of water had formed in his eyes, and he was staring at her when he felt a nudge against his shoulder.

He immediately blinked his eyes and shifted his gaze sideways. When he looked at Ahir, he noticed that he was already staring at him.

He cleared his throat and spoke up, "K... Kya ? ... Aise kyu dekh rha hai mujhe ? ..."

"Milne nhi jaayega usse ?...", Ahir inquired.

"Nhi...", he flatly denied, even though his heart was longing for it.

"As you wish...", Ahir passed a disbelief look and walked away from there.

Shaurya's gaze followed Ahir's path and found that he was heading straight for her, and his heart fluttered as soon as he saw her passing her beautiful smile to Ahir and sharing a side hug.

They exchanged a few words, which he assumed were congratulatory wishes.

Shaurya couldn't see her face anymore because Ahir was in front of her, but as soon as Ahir moved aside and Anokhi turned her gaze to the front, her eyes landed right on him.

His breathing became contorted, and time slowed for both of them.

Her kohled eyes were only on him and his on hers.

For the two of them, the pomp and show of the surroundings fell into deaf ears. It was as if they were in a place where there were only two of them.

He could see the anguish in her kohl-embellished eyes.

Though he was feeling a tinge of happiness on seeing her, but he was also upset because he knew the way she was staring at him clearly indicated she wasn't enthused to see him.

A minute later, Shaurya noticed her averting her gaze and blinking a few times, which he recognized as an attempt to keep her tears at bay. He was aware that a water film had formed in her eyes, just as it had in his.

She didn't look at him after blinking, nor did she try to turn her head to any side, he observed.

He was saddened that she didn't even want to look at him; perhaps she had begun to hate him so much, but he heart still yearned for her.

After a while, he noticed her walking away and his brows furrowed in confusion as to where she was going. His gaze followed her until he noticed she was approaching the other members of the girl gang. He was frightened that she would leave the party after seeing him, but he was relieved to learn that it wasn't the case.

Anokhi greeted Reema and Shagun.

"Congratulations Shagun..."

"Main tumhaare liye bohot khush hoon...", Anokhi said as they hugged.

"Thank you so much Anokhi...", Shagun reciprocated happily.

"Arre yaar Anokhi... Ek bada sa smile to kar...", Reema said taking her in a side hug.

Anokhi smiled a little more as she listened to it, but it was still flecked with sadness. Her smile was masking her emotion, but she had no idea that her friends had already hatched plans to get her what she wanted, even if she didn't show it on the outside.

She was seeing him after four years, which was also the case with him. He was staring at her like she was, but she held a grudge against him for what he had done to her back then, so she didn't continue to look at him to avoid becoming weak in front of him.

Shagun and Reema were both aware of the reason for her sadness, but they had their own plans to get the two close to each other, who were yearning to be near each other but their emotions were holding them back.

The color of the lights soon changed, signalling the start of the ring ceremony.

"Guys !!...", a person's voice came out of nowhere.

Everyone's gaze was drawn to him.

"Ahir and Shagun...", Ahir's cousin brother exclaimed, "Aap dono please yaha aa jaaiye..."

The couple walked up to there, and everyone's face lit up with joy at the couple's alliance.

"Toh chalo..."

"Ab sabhi guests aa chuke hai... Ab apna karyakram shuru karte hai...", Ahir's cousin, Yash said with a laugh.

"Reema, Anokhi, Shaurya... Tum sab bhi aao naa please...", Shagun called out, with a sidelong smirk at Ahir.

"Shaurya...", Ahir waved, and he had to go there.

Reema began dragging Anokhi along with her, saying, "Chal na Anokhi...", but she objected.

"Reema... t... tu jaa..."

"Main yahi theek hoon..."

"Are aise – kaise...", Shagun said as she approached her and took her hand in hers.

"Aaj mere liye ek special din hai... Aur mujhe apne dono best friends apne paas chaahiye..."

"Chalo tum dono mere saath...", Shagun led both of her girl gang friends to where Shaurya and Ahir were standing.

As they got closer, their gazes collided, but they both quickly averted them.

Reema and Shagun exchanged smiles, and the ring exchange ceremony began with the couple's parents nearby. The couple's face was adorned with a bright smile, as were their friends' and the hall was filled with the sound of clapping.

Shaurya stood next to Ahir, while Reema and Anokhi stood by Shagun's side.

It was now time to take some pictures.

The couple had their photos taken with family members first, and now it was time for the friends, which Shagun and Ahir smirked at.

"Chalo chalo ab photo bhi khichva lete hai..."

"Tum sab aao yaha...", Ahir said.

As they moved towards the couple, Shaurya and Anokhi exchanged glances.

They were back in the same position as before.

They had their pictures taken, but Ahir seemed dissatisfied. He then spoke up, "Achcha hum dono ke saath to photo khichva li..."

"Ab ek aur photo chaahiye mujhe apne album ke liye jisme sirf tum teeno honge...", he said in a playful tone.

Anokhi and Shaurya's expressions changed, and they realized they had to face each other closely.

"Aap teeno apni position le leejiye please...", said the photographer.

Shaurya approached Reema on one side, while Anokhi on the other side.

"Nhi aise nhi...", the photographer grumbled, "Aap beech mein aaiye...", he said pointing at Shaurya.

Anokhi and Shaurya stiffened, and their hearts began to race faster. They had been avoiding each other until now, but it appeared that they would no longer be able to do so.

Before either of them could say anything, Reema took a step back with a smile and went to stand beside Shaurya, while Anokhi watched her with wide eyes.

Shaurya gulped down his saliva and turned to face his other side, where Anokhi was already staring at him.

It was time to face reality, so he shifted closer to her side, and Anokhi quickly averted her gaze.

Now the trio was ready for their picture to be taken, and Shaurya was in the middle of Reema and Anokhi.

Anokhi tried hard not to look at the side for a moment, and he did the same. Though they both wanted to be in each other's presence, but they pretended to be uninterested in it.

After they were done with the snapshots, the two of them quickly distanced themselves. Anokhi and Shaurya walked away with Reema and Ahir respectively.

~⁕~

The celebrations were constantly going on, and everyone seemed to be having a good time except for the two of them. They had smiles on their faces, but all they wanted to do was talk to each other.

Ahir and Shagun were chatting when Shagun's phone received with a message from Reema. She smiled as she read it and cast a glance at Ahir. It was their second plan after the photography session to to get Shaurya and Anokhi close to each other again.

"Ahir..."

"Chalo apna doosra plan shuru karte hai..."

"Ok... Let's go...", Ahir said as they walked down the floor.

"Ok so sabhi yaha dekhiye..."

"Party hai aur dance to banta hai...", Ahir exclaimed smiling.

The crowd erupted in excitement as other youngsters hooted.

"To chaliye aa jaaiye dance floor par... Lekin haan ! ... Ek twist hai isme...", he added.

"Kaise twist ?...", one of the people from the crowd asked.

"Twist yeh hai ki... ", he smirked at Shagun.

"Ki aapke partners constant nhi rahenge... Partners switch hote rahenge... Okkay ?..."

"Haanji bilkul bilkul... Aap shuru toh keejiye...", one of them assured.

"Toh theek hai... ", Ahir said.

More couples arrived on the dance floor, ready to sway, as the lights dimmed.

Ahir rushed to Shaurya and said, "Tu yaha khada kyu hai ?... Mere saath chal..."

"Main ?... Kaha ?...", he asked.

"Tu bhi dance karega... ", Ahir said.

"What ??...", Shaurya exclaimed.

"Main koi dance – vance nhi karne vaala... Aur main akela dance thodina karunga..."

"Tu karega... Mujhe nhi pta... Yeh meri party hai aur tujhe meri baat maanni padegi...", Ahir said.

"Blackmail... I see...", Shaurya raised his brows.

"Haan tujhe kuch bhi lage... Ab tu chal mere saath..."

"Arre lekin main...", before he could say something, Ahir dragged him to the dance floor.

Here on the other side, same was the case between Reema and Anokhi.

"Reema tu please jaa naa... Main yahi baithi hoon... Main yaha se tujhe dekhungi..."

"Mujhe kyu dekhegi... Tu dance karegi bas... Maine bol diya...", she said as she pulled her to the floor.

The music began to play as the tunes began to come out of the stereo.

The other couples had already begun to dance, but the five friends were lost in their own world. They were all standing in the same spot, exchanging glances.

"Arre bhai !... Ek doosre ka mooh kya dekh rhe ho..."

"Dance shuru karo...", Ahir spoke up.

"Main to tumhaare saaath hoon...", saying so, Shagun clung to Ahir.

Reema, Shaurya, and Ahir were the only ones left. Reema bit back her smile as Shaurya and Anokhi stole glances.

"Main fir kiske saath karu dance ?...", Reema purposefully asked.

"Haan yeh baat to hain...", Ahir joined in, "Dekho Shaurya ke saath to Anokhi dance karegi... Aur-..."

"What ??!!..."

"Kya ??!!..."

Shaurya and Anokhi both exclaimed in shock at the same time.

"Aise kyu chilla rhe ho ??...", Shagun spoke up.

"Main unke saath dance nhi karungi...", Anokhi flatly denied, her gaze averted as if he didn't exist.

"Mujhe bhi dance karne mein koi interest nhi hain...", lied Shaurya, though he wanted to.

Anokhi looked in the opposite direction and he did the same. But it wasn't the end of the story because their friends had already their plan ready.

"Main koi help kar sakta hoon kya ?...", a voice came.

Except Shaurya and Anokhi, the three friends smiled as the savior had arrived on time.

"Haan Yash..."

"Sahi time par aaye ho tum...", Ahir said to his cousin brother.

"Toh btaaiye bhaai... Kya help karna hain...", he said, suppressing his smile despite the fact that he had already been told what to do.

"Dekho Yash... Ye ek couple dance hai... Toh abhi Reema, Anokhi aur Shaurya bache hai..."

"Lekin Shaurya aur Anokhi ko ek doosre se "allergy" hai to isliye...", Ahir said in a playful tone, which earned him a glare from Shaurya.

Anokhi too looked at him taken aback but didn't react, rather looked on the other side.

"Ah... Mera matlab shaayad yeh dono dance partner nhi banna chaahte... Toh isiliye ek kaam karo Yash... Tum Anokhi ka partner ban jaao... Shaurya Reema ka partner ban jaayega... This is all right naa ?...", he enquired, smirking.

Anokhi and Shaurya looked up shocked but pretended to be unaffected.

"Anokhi... Will you be okay with me dancing ?...", Yash asked politely.

Anokhi looked at Yash and realized that everyone was waiting for her response.

She hesitantly agreed, "Ok... Okay..."

"Ab Shaurya tu bta... Tu aur Reema... Theek haina ? ...", Ahir inquired.

"Reema tum btaao...", Shaurya shifted the question to her.

"Haan theek hai...", agreed Reema, smiling.

"Toh chalo... One two three four... Get on the dance floor...", Ahir said laughing.

They all stepped onto the dance floor where music was already in motion.

Naa hai yeh paana

Naa khona hi hai

Tera naa hona jane

Kyun hona hi hai...

Anokhi and Yash were swaying to the music slowly, as were Shaurya and Reema, but as everyone knew, Shaurya and Anokhi wanted to be with each other, and their eyes were on each other only, rather than their dancing partners.

Tum se hi din hota hai

Surmayi shaam aati

Tum se hi... Tum se hi...

Because it was decided that the partners would not remain constant, everyone began to swap partners. The man twirled his partner, who then joined the person next to her. Everyone started doing it.

Anokhi had been with Yash at the start of the dance, but now it was Ahir's turn. They both swayed with the beats for a while, smiling, before Ahir twirled her with a bright smile on his face as he approached the "climax" of his plan.

Anokhi spun in the air, and the person next to her, who was waiting for his next partner, caught hold of her quickly in his tender grip.

Mein kahin bhi jaata hoon

Tum se hi mil jata hoon

Tum se hi... Tum se hi...

Their hearts skipped a beat as they reached out to each other's hold.

Reema, Ahir, and Shagun, as well as Yash, all smiled as their plan came to fruition.

Shaurya and Anokhi kept looking at each other, their eyes locked, and they were in each other's arms.

Aankhon mein ankhen teri

Bahoon mein baahein teri

Mera na mujh mein kuch raha... Hua kya

Baaton mein baatein teri

Raatein saugatein teri

Kyun tera sab yeh ho gaya

Hua kya...

Shaurya was holding her one hand in his comfortable grip and the other on his shoulder.

Her hold on his shoulder loosened, and she wanted to leave the dance floor, but Shaurya couldn't bear the thought of letting her go now that he had finally gotten her.

Their vision was still into each other, and they were lost in them, as if seeking solace in each other's presence after not seeing each other for even a single time in the four years.

They were both silent, but their eyes spoke volumes.

Shor mein khamoshi hai

Thodi se behoshi hai

Tum se hi... Tum se hi...

Shaurya had been staring at her, and she had now averted her gaze.

Shaurya had gotten her close after such a long time, and he didn't want to miss the chance to hear her sweet voice, even if it was only for a second.

Not able to take the silence any more, he finally opened his mouth with his voice shaking, "K... Kaisi ho Anokhi ?..."

She looked up at him, her eyes already moist, as soon as the words left his lips.

She felt too hurt that after betraying her that way years ago, he still had the guts to ask her how she was. She didn't even respond and remained silent. Her eyes were teary, and she was fighting hard to keep her emotions in check because it was clear from the way he asked how she was that he missed her as well, but she wasn't ready to give up her tenacity.

Aadha sa vaada kabhi

Aadhe se zyaada kabhi

Jee chaahe karlu is trah... Wafa ka

Chode na chhoote kabhi

Tode na tute kabhi

Jo dhaaga tum se jud gaya... Wafa ka...

"Baat nhi karogi mujhse ?...", Shaurya tried again, his voice quivering.

Her eyes glistened as she looked up at him, and his cracking voice was causing her emotions to hype up more.

He was hurt to see her in tears, and he cursed himself for being the cause of her tears.

He could see the yearning in her eyes as well, but whether it was real or if he was misinterpreting, it was a question in his mind that was hurting him even more.

Anokhi was getting emotional being in his gentle arms, and she wanted to escape, but he wouldn't let her go. He kept her in his protective, secure grip, and she couldn't decide whether to stay or leave the dance floor because she didn't want to make a scene as everyone was watching.

Mein Tera sarmaaya hoon

Jo bhi mein ban paya hoon

Tum se hi... Tum se hi

Raste mil jaate hai

Manzile mil jaati hai

Tum se hi... Tum se hi...

Anokhi looked up at him hesitantly for some time, but quickly reversed her action because she didn't want him to know what her eyes held for him.

Shaurya swayed along with her, trying to look her in the eyes. He could clearly see how hurt she was, but there was something else too in her eyes that he had always wanted to see.

That sight gave him a glimmer of hope, as if there was still a possibility left to put things back in their proper place.

He tried to look deeper into her eyes to get a sense of what she was hiding beneath the water veil, but she quickly averted her gaze from him.

Naa hai yeh paana

Naa khona hi hai

Tera naa hona jane

Kyun hona hi hai...

The song had ended, and as soon as the lights returned to normal, Anokhi released herself from his grip and walked away from there as quickly as she could, unable to bear her overwhelming emotions any longer.

She had no idea he had already seen "what" her eyes were holding for him.

The music stopped, and all the couples came to a halt, and Shaurya stood there in tears, watching her receding figure walk away from him, but this time, he had a faint smile on his face, because "what" she was trying to hide in her eyes had already been realized by him.

The three friends, Ahir, Shagun, and Reema, looked at each other with a smile that something had happened between Shaurya and Anokhi in that brief moment of dancing that might have awakened the emotions they had been trying to bury deep for the past four years.

They, too, walked away from the dance floor, a smile on their faces, hoping that what they all wished for their two friends would come true soon...

To be continued...

Thank you for reading 

A Chance

Part 4

In the room full of silence, Shaurya was sitting there lost in his thoughts.

Two days had passed since Ahir's engagement, and he hadn't spoken to her yet except at that day's dance, when he had asked two questions and received nothing but silence.

During these two days, he spent the majority of his time thinking about her.

He had clearly seen the emotions lying deep within her orbs that day during his dance with her, and he was thrilled to perceive it, but there was still a "barrier" within him to go ahead, to take a step towards her heart and that barrier was none other than his "fear".

After the celebrations that day, he returned to his home, and today felt like a decision-making day for him, because he needed to take an action on time because the next day, someone close to his heart would be leaving him again.

All of this was going through his mind when he felt someone's palm on his shoulder. Knowing who it was, he turned to face the person with a blank but calm expression.

As expected, Ahir stood there staring at him, trying to figure out what he was thinking.

"Kya ?...", Shaurya spoke up.

"Sun...", Ahir replied.

"Suna...", he replied back.

"Tune socha aage kya karna hai ?... ", Ahir inquired as he took a seat next to him.

"Kya aage kya karna hai ?...", Shaurya pretended to be uninterested in what Ahir was saying, despite the fact that his mind was completely consumed by the thought of it.

"Dekh Shaurya..."

"Ab bohot ho chuka tera...", an irritated Ahir said.

"Kal Anokhi vaapas jaa rhi hai... Aur iske baad vo yaha firse kab aaye uska kuch pta nhi..."

"Ab tu dekhle tujhe kya karna hai...", he said in a serious tone to Shaurya.

"Aur vaise bhi... Main bohot achche se jaanta hoon ki tu itni der se isi baare mein soch rha tha..."

"Mujhe samajh nhi aata tu ek baar try bhi kyu nhi kar rha ?!!... Kab tak puraani baat ko lekar baitha rahega...", Ahir was pissed with Shaurya's nonchalant behavior since the past four years.

"Us time tune galti ki thi... Lekin abhi tere saamne ek mauka hai apni galti sudhaarne ka... Use aise gava kyu rha hai ?...", Ahir added.

Shaurya's expressions changed to those of deep contemplation as he listened to Ahir's words.

Ahir looked at him to percept what was going on his mind but couldn't decipher his thoughts.

Ahir knew that after what happened on his engagement day, even if it was only for a short time, Shaurya was eager and willing to return to her this time; it was only his fear that was holding him back.

He had come to remind Shaurya again that she would be leaving Delhi the following day, hoping that they both could at least reconcile before she left.

But, looking at Shaurya's face, Ahir knew he needed some time to think about his next move, whether to let her go again or to do something to make amends for his previous mistake.

So, heaving a sigh and patting Shaurya on the shoulder, Ahir walked away, but not before giving his friend another chunk of advice.

"Apne darr ko door kar Shaurya..."

"Kahi aisa naa ho ki baad mein bohot der ho jaaye... Aur fir tere paas regret karne ke alaava aur kuch nhi hoga..."

Shaurya looked up, shocked, as soon as he heard those words, but all he saw was Ahir walking away from the room.

He sensed the sincerity of the words. He knew those words were completely true, and he turned his head sideways to see the screen of his laptop, where he had been writing an "email" to his company about "something" some time ago, but had stopped midway because his mind was messed up.

Yes, he was afraid, and it was this fear that was holding him back. He was afraid that she would never accept him again, that she would never forgive him, and he would be unable to bear it, and all of this was obstructing his decision-making process.

But now, after remembering what he had seen in her eyes for him that day, and what Ahir had said today, he had now made a firm decision.

He'd had enough of his thinking, he realized.

He'd already spent four years thinking about all of this, and now he'll do whatever he wanted without regard for the consequences.

Putting the laptop back on his lap, he resumed writing the email, this time determined to finish it and send it as soon as possible as a "first step" toward reuniting with her.

He still had some fear in his heart, but all he could think about was his mistake and her, so he didn't waste any time and began focusing on what he was doing with zeal.

Though he had no idea what the outcome would be, he remained hopeful that what he wanted would be granted to him at last...

~⁕~

Anokhi was in her room, nearly finished with her packing. She'd be leaving this place again the next day.

The place where she had had fallen for someone.

When she here arrived from Bangalore, she had hoped for unknown reasons, she would be able to get what she wanted, but to her disappointment, it didn't appear to be that simple.

When she arrived in Delhi after four years, the first thought that came to mind was only him. She was wondering if he still remembered her or if he had moved on.

Though she was deeply saddened by what he had done to her back then, she couldn't easily forget the person she had fallen for.

She hadn't forgotten him in four years. Even after being betrayed by him, she had kept him in her memories.

She still yearned for those meetings with him, but what was the point in thinking about it now when nothing could return to its previous state.

He didn't even make an attempt to contact her, and instead did the exact opposite, which had left her shocked her at that time.

She had informed him of her departure after their "spat" on Valentine's Day that year.

Despite the fact that he had been so rude to her, she had expected him to pay her a last visit at the airport at the very least. But he didn't, and when she tried to call him after arriving in Bangalore, she found that he had blocked her from all of his contacts, leaving her even more hurt.

She was too upset to realize why she would stay behind him bugging him to talk to her if he had no interest in having a "mere friendship" with her. After that, she, too, had given up hope and never attempted to contact him, in spite of the fact that she had missed him terribly over the years.

Returning to the present, she recalls that today was her last day in Delhi and that her flight was scheduled for the following morning.

This time, like the last, she hoped for someone to come and at least "see her off" at the airport, but she was convincing herself that it would never be possible.

Sighing, she laid herself down and switched off the lights, only to fall asleep with closed but teary eyes, the hope still alive in her heart that perhaps what she desired would be granted at long last...

To be continued...

Thank you for reading 

what happened next, please update next chapter

A Chance

Part 5

The next day had arrived, and it was time for the friends to say their final goodbyes to one of their closest friends.

"Anokhi..."

"We will miss you yaar...", Reema said taking her in a hug.

"I'll miss you all too...", Anokhi said, teary-eyed, as she returned the hug, this time with Shagun joining in.

They were happy for each other because everyone was prospering, but they were also emotional because after the celebration, everyone had to return to their normal lives.

But Shagun and Reema were even more depressed because they desired the reunion of two people, which seemed to be impossible now.

"Ahir kaha hai ?...", Anokhi inquired as she looked around. She had hope that he would accompany Ahir at the very least to see her off. She'd be happy with just that.

"Haan Ahir aa rha hai..."

"Phone kiya tha use...", Shagun said.

The three friends talked to each other for a while before Ahir's voice came.

"Anokhi..."

Everyone's attention was drawn there, and Anokhi's face lost its usual glow when she discovered Ahir alone. He was alone, which meant Shaurya would not come to meet her like that year.

Regardless, she pretended to be unaffected by it and smiled at Ahir.

Ahir embraced her in a side - hug. She, too, reciprocated with a faint smile, despite the fact that her eyes were on the verge of brimming with the fact that every one of her friends was present, but he didn't even think to meet her one last time. She was upset with him, but that didn't mean she would have ignored him if he had come there; instead, she would have been mildly pleased.

"Ahir..."

"Shaurya ?...", Shagun inquired, hoping for a positive response.

Listening to it, Ahir's smile faded, and he casted a glance at Anokhi, who averted her gaze, and he then looked back at Shagun nodding in a no causing disappointment in both Reema and Shagun.

The two friends' last hope had also been crushed, and Shagun simply looked at Ahir, disappointed that he had failed to persuade his best friend over such a small thing.

Anokhi was looking in the opposite direction, her eyes welling up with tears that she was fighting hard to keep back.

The four friends talked for a while longer, sharing some last moments of happiness before her departure, and now it was finally time for Anokhi to leave as her flight time approached and she had other tasks like verification and check in to complete.

It was an emotional moment for them all. Before she went inside, the four friends shared a tight group hug and smiles.

Once Anokhi walked away, Shagun turned towards Ahir with a dejected face and said, "Ahir !..."

"Tum Shaurya ko bas see off karne ke liye bhi convince nhi kar paaye... Kaise dost ho tum ? ..."

"Haan Ahir...", Reema too joined in.

"Maine socha tha ki kam se kam Shaurya ek baar bas milne to aayega... Lekin...", she trailed off.

Ahir was silently looking at them, but he didn't have any displeased expressions this time, and Reema and Shagun were puzzled as to why he was so unaffected by it.

"Ahir ?..."

"Tumhe koi fark nhi pad rha ?...", Shagun asked, perplexed.

"Nhi toh...", shrugged Ahir, casually.

Shagun and Reema exchanged surprised looks before returning their gaze to Ahir. He couldn't help but smile at their perplexed expressions, and a smile tugged at the corner of his lips, which he was trying to suppress for so long.

Reema and Shagun were bewildered as to why he was smiling in this situation. They were both sad for Anokhi, but here he was, smiling.

A smack earned Ahir's arm and he looked at Shagun exclaiming, "Kya ??..."

"Maar kyu rhi ho mujhe ?...", he grumbled.

"Tum has kyu rhe ho ?...", irritated Shagun said.

Ahir cleared his throat and said, "Tum dono ke chehre dekhkar hasi aa rhi hai... Ab main kya karu..."

"Lekin aise situation mein tum has kaise sakte ho Ahir ??..."

"Mujhe ab Shaurya par sach mein gussa aa rha hai...", she said.

"Arre arre...", Ahir interrupted.

"Mere dost ne kya kiya ab ?...", he pretended, as if he didn't know anything.

"Like seriously ?...", Shagun asked, her brow furrowed.

"Tumhe nhi pta usne kya kiya ?..."

"Tumhaare dost ne meri dost ko kitna dukh pohochaaya... Aur itna sab kuch karne ke baad ek baar maafi maangne ki koshish-..."

"Kisne kaha yeh ?...", Ahir cut in.

"Kisne kaha matlab ?... Usne ek baar bhi Anokhi se maafi maange ki koshish ki itne dino mein ?...", Shagun emphasized.

"Haan itne din to nhi ki... LEKIN AB KAREGA NAA...", Ahir smirked.

"Matlab ??...", Reema spoke up befuddled.

"Matlab yeh... kiiiiii...", Ahir paused to tease them.

"Offo Ahir !!... Please btaao na baat kya hai ?...", Shagun whined.

"Tum thodi der pehle has rhe the aur ab aise kar rhe ho jaise tumhe isse fark hi nhi padta..."

"Tum kuch to chhupa rhe ho... Ab jaldi btaao baat kya hai...", Shagun grumbled.

This time, Ahir's face lit up with a broad grin, and he said, "Arre tum dono ko abhi bhi samajh nhi aaya..."

"Main khush isiliye to hoon... Kyunki jo hum sab chaahte the vo ab finally hone jaa rha hai..."

"Hum sab chaate the ?...", Reema said, puzzled.

"Yes !...", Ahir replied.

"Hum sab to yeh chaahte the ki Shaurya aur Anokhi reconcile kar le... Matlab vo dono kam se kam dobaara dost toh ban jaaye..."

"Lekin Shaurya toh yaha see off tak karne nhi aaya... Toh fir tumhaare kehne ka kya matlab hai Ahir ?...", they both started wondering.

"Arre bhai see off karne kyu aayega vo...", Ahir spoke up.

"See off to tab karte haina jab koi door jaa rha ho aur hume alvida kehna hota hai..."

"Lekin Shaurya to ab humesha ke liye uske paas rehne vaala hai...", Ahir revealed, passing a smirk.

Reema and Shagun exchanged strange looks, but as soon as realization hit them, they both shrieked simultaneously, "Ahir ??!!...",

"Iska matlab !!...", their eyes broadened.

"Haan !...", Ahir nodded in a yes.

"Iska matlab vhi jo tum samajh rhe ho...", he said smiling.

Shagun and Reema exchanged excited glances, unable to believe it, and Shagun hugged Ahir, expressing her joy.

"I'm so happy !!... I'm so happy !!... I'm so so happy !!...", she yelled.

"Main bhi same !!!...", Ahir reciprocated.

Shagun backed away from Ahir's embrace, and another smack landed on his arms.

"Ayii !!...", Ahir rubbed his arm

"Tumhe hua kya hai ??... Maar kyu rhi ho tab se ?...", he groused.

"Tum itni der se chup kyu the... Haan ??!..."

"Hume tension mein dekhkar has rhe the...", she muttered in anger.

Listening to this, Ahir smiled sheepishly and before he could say something, Shagun said, "Chalo ab jaldi btaao hume... Yeh sab aakhir hua kaise ?..."

"Hum dono ko to lga ki shaayad ab kuch...", she trailed off.

"Tum mujhe btaao abhi Shaurya kha hai ?... Aur sab kuch explain karo ki kab kya kaise hua...", she ordered.

"Haan haan... Sab batata hoon..."

"Aao baahar chalte hain pehle...", Ahir said as the trio exited the airport, smiling and content that what they wanted was finally going to happen...

To be continued...

Thank you for reading 

A Chance

Part 6

It had been nearly three hours since Anokhi's plane had taken off, and it was time for it to land.

Anokhi was sitting inside, despondent and upset solely because of him.

She was deeply hurt that he had no sentiments for her and had been able to ignore her for the past four years, and that even now, when she was close to him, he still didn't come to meet her, implying she didn't matter to him.

Today was a "special day" for her, so she had some expectations from him, hoping that he would at least message or see off her, which would have been enough to make her happy, but all of her hopes were squashed.

Her other friends might have forgotten about her special day, which she didn't mind, but she had hoped that after what happened at that engagement day's dance, she had sensed that he still had attachment to her, that he still had feelings for her, and thus somewhere she had the glimmer of hope that he might at least show up in airport, even if he didn't find this day worth remembering for the past four years. But all of her hopes seemed to be for totally useless.

"Vo mujhse ek baar milne bhi nhi aaye...", she lamented.

"Unhe aaj ka din bhi nhi yaad rha ?... Yaa yaad tha lekin har saal ki tarah ignore karna choose kiya...", her eyes welled up.

"Matlab unhe mujhse kabhi koi lagaav tha hi nhi... Voh sirf bas t... time paas...", her eyes brimmed more.

She was upset because all of her anticipation that she had when she arrived there in Delhi had been thwarted, and the realization that maybe she won't be able to be with him again made her even more upset.

But the events of Ahir's engagement day were still stuck in her mind.

The way he asked her how she was that day, his voice held pain and his eyes showed longingness just like hers, so was it all a lie ?

Why was he so upset when she didn't answer him and remained silent if she didn't matter to her ?

Why had he asked her how she was if he had no feelings for her ?

She couldn't think of anything else besides these. She was just waiting for the aeroplane to land so she could get to her flat as soon as possible, and once she reached there, she would cry her heart out because she had lost all hopes that she and he would ever be able to reunite.

She had bottled up these emotions for the past few days and couldn't take it any longer. She simply needed some alone time to cry and let her emotions out.

She didn't know how she would be able to forget him, the man she'd fallen for.

As the plane was about to land, she composed herself and straightened her back to settle comfortably herself, and she plastered her face with a smile so that the nearby passengers wouldn't notice she was on the verge of crying.

She had no idea that something unexpected was waiting for her; something that would completely catch her off guard...

⁓⁕⁓

"Ahir..."

"Ab jaldi call karo naa Anokhi ko..."

"I'm too much excited !!...", exclaimed Shagun.

"Haan haan itna uchhlo mat... Thodi der baad karte hain call...", he said smiling.

"Main bhi bohot excited hoon yaar...", Reema too joined in.

"Pta nhi uska reaction kya hoga...", Reema said.

"Vaise Ahir...", Shagun spoke up.

"Mujhe bura lag rha hai yeh sochkar ki kahi Anokhi bura to nhi maani hogi... Kyunki humne uske saamne hote hue bhi use wish nhi ki..."

"Nhi Shagun... Mujhe aisa nhi lagta...", Ahir replied.

"Aur vaise bhi... Maine isiliye tum dono ko subah se rok ke rakha hua tha ki wish mat karna use... Kyunki yeh special surprise dena haina isiliye...", he said sheepishly.

"Haan haan... Vo to abhi btaaya tumne..."

"Main bhi yahi soch rhi thi ki aisa kya surprise hai ki hume use wish bhi nhi karne diya tumne...", Shagun said.

They all chit-chatted for a few more moments before deciding they should call Anokhi because she might have arrived and freshened up in her flat by now.

Ahir finally moved his fingers over the phone to make a video call, and the three of them sat down in anticipation of wishing her on her "special day" with her "MOST AWAITED GIFT".

⁓⁕⁓

Anokhi had just come out of bathroom after taking a pleasant bath, and was drying her hair.

She was now alone and wanted to cry. She was just about to sit down on the couch and cry her heart out, releasing her inner turmoil of emotions, when her phone rang.

She looked over there, walked up to the table, and her expressions changed when she realized it was a video call from Ahir.

"Video call ?...", she thought, perplexed.

She picked up the phone and sat down on the couch, but she was taken aback even more when she saw two more friends on the video call.

"Reema... Shagun... Ahir ??...", her brows scrunched.

"Tum sab ?...", she was surprised.

"Haan hum sab...", Ahir spoke up casually.

"Anokhi tu pohonch gayi naa theek – thaak ?...", Reema spoke up from the side.

"Haan... Mujhe yaha aaye to bohot der ho gaye..."

"Bas abhi fresh hokar aayi thi...", Anokhi replied sounding normal.

"Achcha...", said the trio, still acting as if they didn't know about her special day.

"Vaise kya hua ?... Video call achaanak ?... Aur vo bhi teeno ne milke kiya ?...", Anokhi inquired, a faint smile on her face.

"Tujhe nhi pta ?...", Reema asked narrowing her eyes.

"M... Mujhe ? ... Mujhe kaise pta hoga ? ... Call to tum logo ne kiya ?...", Anokhi was completely oblivious to what was going on.

"Achcha chal... Apni aankhein band kar...", Shagun said.

"Aankhein band ?...", Anokhi's brows furrowed.

"Lekin kyu ??..."

"Tu kar toh... Fir hum btaate hai...", Reema said.

"Achcha yeh lo...", Anokhi closed her eyes while holding the phone in her hand.

She had her eyes closed and there had been no sound until now, so she spoke up, "Kya hua ??..."

"Aankhein khol doon ab ?..."

"Haan khol de...", the voice came from phone.

"Ok...", saying so, she opened her eyes to look at the phone's screen, but she was taken aback when she saw it.

"Yeh kya ?... Screen black kyu ho gaya ?...", she asked.

She could see that the video call was still going on, but the entire screen was black.

"Arre ab koi bolo bhi tum me se...", she said further.

Silence reigned for quite a while, and she was just about to say something again when she was shocked the next moment by sudden voice of exclamation.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANOKHI !!!!!...", exclaimed the trio, and the screen's blackness vanished as well.

Anokhi focused her eyes on the screen and saw her trio friends sitting together with a cake in the middle, and she became overly emotional as realization dawned upon her that it was a surprise for her.

"Oye !!... Ro kyu rhi hai ??...", Reema asked waving her hand.

"Haan Anokhi... Yeh dekho tumhaara birthday hum yaha celebrate kar rhe hai... Late wish ke liye sorry...", Ahir held his ears.

"Toh tum logo ko yaad tha...", Anokhi said, wiping her misty eyes, as she chuckled through tears at her friend's antics.

"Of course Anokhi !...", Shagun said.

"Yaad kaise nhi rahega... Vo to bas Ahir ki vajah se hume chup rehna pada... Isne hum dono ko subah se bolkar rakha tha ki hum tumhe wish naa kare... Sorry..."

"Arre sorry kyu ?... Mujhe bohot achcha lga... Bohot khushi hui mujhe... Thak you so much...", Anokhi said with a big smile.

"Welcome welcome...", Ahir patted his own shoulder as the others stared in disbelief and Anokhi laughed.

Anokhi was happy to see how her friends were celebrating her birthday there, and she was thrilled to get such a surprise, but she was also upset because there was one more person's wish she wanted to hear, which she knew wasn't possible.

Ahir, Shagun, and Reema exchanged glances before deciding it was time to give Anokhi the REAL SURPRISE. They were all aware that she was expecting one more person, so they decided to finally break the shell.

"Achcha Anokhi !..."

"Hum to tumhaara birthday celebrate kar rhe hai... Lekin birthday gift to maanga hi nhi tumne...", Ahir said.

"Itna achcha birthday gift mila mujhe tum teeno se... Aur kya chaahiyee...", she responded, smiling.

"Awww...", Reema's heart melted at her statement.

"Lekin yeh to bas trailer tha Anokhi..."

"Abhi asli surprise to baaki hai...", Shagun said, her eyes twinkling with excitement.

"Asli surprise ?...", Anokhi was perplexed.

"Haan asli surprise..."

"Dekho hum to yaha cake kaatne vale hai... Tum bhi cake kaatogi main sure hoon...", Ahir intentionally said, as it was a part of their plan.

Anokhi forced a smile on her face because she couldn't reveal how she could cut a cake alone there, and she wasn't in the mood to celebrate even if she was alone because she was missing someone.

"Toh Anokhi... Ab zyaada deri mat karo..."

"Kyunki tumhaara asli surprise bilkul ready hai... Bas tumhe thodi si mehnat karni padegi use dekhne ke liye...", Ahir said.

"Mehnat ?..."

"Haan Anokhi... Tujhe naa abhi sofa se uthkar khada hona padega... Aur darvaaze tak jaana padega... Vhi par tera asli surprise wait kar rha hai...", Reema said grinning.

"Achcha ??...", Anokhi became curious.

"Haan Anokhi...", Shagun said.

"Ab tu jaldi jaa... Aur jaldi se jaakar darvaaza khol... Hum teeno sure hai tujhe bohot pasand aayega yeh surprise..."

"Achcha baba... Main jaati hoon...", Anokhi stood up, giggled, and started walking towards the door.

On the other side, the trio friends exchanged nervous yet happy glances as they waited for Anokhi to open the door.

"Vaise surprise ki kya zaroorat-...", Anokhi was about to say something while opening the door that the very next moment she was jolted at her place finding someone standing there.

Her heart skipped a beat as the person looked at her with a nervous expression, but his eyes were bright.

She stared at the person in a daze and turned her eyes to the mobile screen, where the trio was smiling at her, and she stood there speechless and unable to react.

"Wishing you a very happy birthday once more, Anokhi...", the trio said together.

"Baaki baatein raat ko karenge..."

"Bye bye...", the trio said as they waved and hung up the call to give her the space she needed.

Anokhi's eyes had teared up in no time, and she stood motionless as she realized what "surprise" they were referring to, and she turned to face the person standing there, looking at her with equally moist eyes.

Both stared into each other's eyes in silence, a plethora of emotions coursing through them, until the pregnant silence was broken as the person opened his mouth to say something.

"Andar nhi bulaaogi mujhe ?..."

Tears finally made their way down her eyes hearing the LONG - AWAITED VOICE...

To be continued...

Thank you for reading 

A Chance

Part 7

"Anokhi...", he began to say.

"Aap yaha kya kar rhe hain ?...", she cut in curtly.

"Mereko Ahir ne parcel karke bheja hai tumhaare liye...", he said, trying to lighten her mood with a sarcastic tone.

She looked at him with teary eyes, trying to keep her emotions under check that he was being sardonic in such an emotional event.

"Andar to aane do mujhe..."

"Kabse baahar khada hoon main tumhe pta hai...", he said sarcastically, though he wasn't sure if she would let him in or not, sensing her piercing eyes.

Listening to him, she grasped the doorknob and began to close the door, because he was having too much fun in such a situation.

"Arre !...", he halted the door in motion.

"Anokhi... Tumhe jitna gussa karna hai kar lena naa... Bas ek baar andar kadam toh rakhne do..."

"Apne mehmaan ko aise treat karogi tum ?...", he began his humor once more.

She stared at him, and he stared back with "puppy eyes" to at least let him in before blasting him with her rage, which he was prepared to bear.

After some time, she stepped aside, and he was relieved that she had finally been persuaded to let him in.

He took a step forward, and the door behind him slammed shut with a bang, causing him to jerk at his place. He gulped, realizing he had to bear the woman's wrath for the first time because he hadn't seen it before, and based on her expressions, he could tell her wrath was destructible.

He held a packet in his hand and looked around for a place to place it down. He found a table nearby and placed it there while she looked at him with questioning eyes.

"Jo bolna hai boliye aur jaldi jaaiye...", she said sternly, though it hurt her that she was speaking to him in that manner.

"Arre abhi – abhi to aaya hoon main..."

"Kuch chaai – paani toh poochho...", his sarcasm began again.

She fumed listening to it and he regretted slipping his sarcastic tongue.

"Dekhiye..."

"Aap yaha agar mazaak karne aaye hai toh sorry... Mere paas itna time nhi hai...", she said firmly.

"Main toh tumse baat karne aaya hoon lekin tum ho ki...", he said as he approached her.

"Kya baat karni hai aapko ?..."

"Aur sabse pehle meri baat ka javaab deejiye... Aap aakhir yaha kar kya rhe hai ??...", she asked.

"Tumhe nhi pta ?...", he asked calmly.

"Tum nhi samajh sakti main yaha kisliye hoon ?...", he asked, looking her in the eyes knowing she knew the answer.

She averted her eyes which were on the verge of tearing up again.

He moved a little closer to her and what he did next took Anokhi aback. He cupped her face in his gentle palms, prompting her to turn her face towards him, and the tears she had been holding back brimmed out of her eyes as she saw his softened eyes.

He was quick to wipe away the tear drops away with thumbs on both cheeks, but she took his hands in hers to place them down and took a step back.

"Anokhi please...", his voice was calm.

She averted her gaze because she knew that if she looked at him, his soft eyes would melt her, and she didn't want to happen.

Shaurya moved closer to her again, and spoke up, "Main yaha aaya hoon... Mujhse baat bhi nhi karogi ?..."

"Dekhogi bhi nhi meri taraf ? ...", his voice soft.

She remained silent, tears welling up in her eyes. Now seeing her, Shaurya too was on the verge of tearing up as his eyes had already become moist.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANOKHI", the words he had been holding inside for a long time finally left his mouth.

She turned to face him after hearing the much-awaited words, and his eyes were already brimming, causing her to let out her long-suppressed sobs.

She broke into tears, and he was taken aback by her unexpected breakdown.

"Anokhi !...", he exclaimed, gently holding her shoulders to make her to look at him, but she resisted.

"Please Anokhi...", he pleaded, his eyes filled with tears.

"Ch... Chodiye mujhe..."

"Mu... jhe... Aap... se k... koi baat... nh... nhi karni..."

"Main naa... raaz hoon aapse...", she cried out between sobs, wiping her tears away with the back of her palm like a child. 

When he saw her crying like that, his heart sank, and he didn't wait any longer, and took her in his embrace encircling his gentle arms around her.

"Chod... iye...", she wriggled, whimpering in his warmth, but he protectively held her close to him in his arms.

"I'm sorry Anokhi..."

"I'm so sorry..."

"Please aise ro mat...", he begged, tears streaming down his face.

She surrendered when she felt the much-needed warmth of his embrace and buried her face in his chest to keep her sobs from escaping.

It was their first time hugging. They had never hugged each other in such a heartfelt way before.

They stayed that way for a while. They were both receiving the warmth and solace that they had craved for all these years from each other.

Shaurya looked down at the petite figure in his embrace, who was still crying, and stroked her hair with one hand while caressing her back with the other.

"Anokhi..."

"Tumhe mujhe jitna daantna hai daant lo... Usike liye hi to aaya hoon main yaha...", he said smiling through tears.

"Kyu sunni hai aapko meri daant ??...", she said, her face still buried in his chest as she cried.

"Itne saalo baad mera birthday yaad aaya aapko ?..."

"Itne dino tak mujhe ignore karte gaye... A... Aur aaj... Achaa... nak se yaha... aa gaye...", she sobbed in his embrace.

He chuckled through tears as he saw her angry at him but still hugging him and complaining to him.

He knew he was the one who had inflicted pain in her and that was why he was there to heal it too.

"Shhhh...", he patted her head gently like a mother silencing her small child not to cry.

Anokhi was feeling a little relaxed after crying her heart out and releasing the emotions that had been pent up inside her, but as soon as she stopped crying, she realized she was in his embrace and her eyes widened in shock at how long she had been this way. She immediately drew back, blinked her eyes, and looked everywhere except at him.

He smiled seeing her reacting that way, and said, "Anokhi..."

"Bas itni si naaraazgi ?..."

"Aur nhi sunaaogi mujhe ?...", he asked smiling.

Listening to it, her cheeks puffed up making his heart melt and she said, "Main aapse naaraaz hoon yaa nhi usse aapko kya ?..."

"Aapko toh ignore karna aata haina...", she complained like a child.

"Galti ho gayi naa Anokhi...", he whined, matching her childish tone.

"Please ek baar mujhse pehle jaise baat karo naa... Please...", he requested.

He walked towards her and took her both hands in his startling her.

She looked at him and what he did next took her aback. He gently caressed her knuckles with his hands before escorting her to the couch and making her to sit, where he sat next to her, staring intently into her orbs.

She looked into his eyes, which were filled with "something" she had for him as well, but she didn't want to see any more of it, so she averted her gaze.

"Anokhi..."

"Please..."

"I'm sorry..."

"I'm really sorry..."

"Kya EK CHANCE de sakti ho mujhe ?...", he finally said what he had been holding back up to this point.

She looked up at him, shocked at what he said.

"Ch... Chance ?...", a gasp left her lips.

"Haan CHANCE Anokhi..."

"Kya tum mujhe apni galti sudhaarne ka EK CHANCE dogi ?..."

"Kya tum mujhe...", his voice trembled but he managed to get it out the next moment.

"Kya tum mujhe apna partner bnaaogi ?..."

"Apna LIFE PARTNER...", the words echoed in the room as he said those words that he had been keeping inside him for many days in fear of her response, but he had seen the love in her eyes for him that day during dance and that gave him the strength he needed to say it.

A lone tears escaped from Anokhi's eyes unable to believe what she heard.

"Kya EK CHANCE mil sakta hai mujhe Anokhi... Vaapas sab kuch theek karne ke liye...", he begged, his eyes shining with hope.

She stood up right away with a jerk, tears threatening to fall at any moment.

He, too, stood up and approached her.

"Javaab nhi dogi mujhe ?...", his eyes moist.

She returned her gaze to him with misty eyes and asked, "Aap ye poochhne aaye hai yaha mujhse ?..."

He smiled through tears and nodded in a no.

"Sirf ye nhi..."

"Maine tab jo kiya tha use sudhaarne aaya hoon Anokhi..."

"Lekin kyu ??!! ..", she cut in, her eyes brimming.

"Kyu aaye ho ab aap ?!!..."

"KYUNKI PYAAR KARTA HOON TUMSE MAIN ANOKHI...", he finally revealed it.

As soon as those words entered her ears, more tear drops escaped her eyes, and she stared at him in the eyes that held the truthfulness of what he had said a moment before.

He was saying he loved her ?

Didn't he tell her that she wasn't even a friend of his ?

She was staring at him silently, still trying to figure out if what she had heard was true, when she noticed him approaching her and gently cupping her face in his palms.

"Yahi soch rhi hona tum ki us din maine tumse vaisa bartaav kiya tha... Tumhe hurt kiya tha... Toh fir aaj kaise main... yeh...", he trailed off, feeling guilty.

Taking in a deep breath, he said, "Us din maine bohot galat kiya tha tumhaare saath Anokhi... "

"Main jaanta hoon sorry kehkar vo change nhi ho paayega..."

"Lekin main samajh chuka hoon Anokhi ki maine us din kya galti ki thi..."

"A... Aur tumhe pta hai..."

"Mujhe naa bohot khushi hoti hai yeh sochkar ki us din tum mere jaise "selfish" insaan ke liye ruki nhi thi... "

She looked up, shocked, when he used the word "selfish" to describe himself.

"Tumhaara decision bilkul sahi tha Anokhi..."

"Bas mujhe yeh samajhne mein deri ho gayi..."

"Lekin tumhe pta hai... M... Main kabhi tumhe bhoola nhi..."

"PYAAR TO MAIN US DIN BHI KARTA THA TUMSE... Bas us din keh nhi paaya kyunki selfish ban gaya tha...", his voice cracked.

"Aur main jaanta hoon Anokhi... Tum bhi mujhse-..."

"NHI !...", she spoke up, her throat choked.

"Main nhi karti aapse pyaar...", she said without looking him in the eyes.

"Achcha ?...", he smiled.

"Lekin maine toh mujhse PYAAR karne ki baat abhi tak boli hi nhi thi..."

"Tumne toh khud hi bta diya...", he smiled as he caught her lie.

She blinked her eyes and looked around, but not at him, as she was caught by him. Her cheeks warmed up which she tried to hold back.

"Pyaari lag rhi ho...", he said, caressing her pinkie cheeks with his thumb, making her flushed even more.

She lowered his hands down and said, "A... Aisa kuch nhi hain..."

"Tum chhupa nhi sakti Anokhi..."

"Main jaanta hoon... Mujhe saaf dikhta hain tumhaari aankhon mein... ", he said calmly.

"K... Kya dikhta hai aapko ? ...", she inquired, her voice trembling.

"MERE LIYE PYAAR...", and she immediately averted her gaze.

"Bolo...", he continued, "Yeh sach hain aa ?..."

She remained silent as in fact it was true.

"Mujhe mere savaal ka javaab nhi mila Anokhi..."

"Mere javaab se aapko kya lena – dena ?... Mere liye toh aapki life mein friend ki bhi jagah nhi hai...", she said, hurt.

He blinked back his tears and said, "Vo jhooth tha Anokhi... M... Maine jhooth bola tha us din... Tum mere liye friend se bhi zyaada ho..."

"I promise Anokhi... Main dobaara kabhi tumhe aise hurt nhi karunga... I promise..."

"Par please aise roothi mat raho..."

"Pichhle chaar saalo se tumhe kabhi dekha nhi... Tumhaari avaaz nhi suni... Tumse vaise college ke dino ki tarah koi baat nhi hui... "

"Aur nhi liya jaa rha yeh sab Anokhi...", he was upset.

"Yeh aap keh rhe hain ??...", Anokhi cut in.

"Vo aap hi the naa jisne mujhe apne contacts se block kar diya tha...", her eyes glistened with tears as she remembered it.

"Vo aap hi the naa jisne us din ke baad se mujhse milne ki yaa baat karne ki bhi koshish nhi ki..."

"Toh fir aapko kaise takleef ho sakti hai ?...", her voice cracked.

"Maine galat kiya tha Anokhi... Main manta hoon..."

"M... Main jaanta tha ki tumse agar baat karunga... toh... fir... hum dono ko hi hurt hoga... Kyunki us din maine jo bhi baatein boli thi tumse... Uske baad I... I was guilty..."

"Mujhe achche se pta tha ki main selfish ban rha tha... Main jaanta tha ki agar uske baad hum dono contact mein rahenge toh fir... I mean... Main apni feelings tumse zyaada dino tak chhupa nhi paaunga... Toh isiliye... maine tumhe... block...", he trailed off, feeling guilt-ridden.

"Lekin aapko aise humaari dosti ko todne ka koi hak nhi hai Shaurya..."

"Aap jab chaahe mujhe apna dost kahenge... Jab chaahe dosti tod denge aur main yeh bardaasht karungi ?...", she asked, enraged.

"I'm sorry naa Anokhi...", he said as he cupped her face again, crying along with her.

"Galti ho gayi thi mujhse..."

"EK MAUKA bhi nhi dogi mujhe ?...", his gently wiped her tears with his thumb, his voice hopeful.

She lowered her eyes to hide her teary eyes, as now she was completely melted by his confession of mistake. She knew he meant every word he said. She knew he had realized his mistake.

"Kuch to bolo Anokhi..."

"Main sunne ke liye betaab hoon..."

"Ek baar to maaf kar do naa Anokhi..."

"Please...", he pleaded, tears streaming down his face.

She looked up at him, his palms still cupping her cheeks, and a small smile made its way on her lips, with more tears brimming from her eyes, making his heart flutter with glee.

"Aap dobaara toh aisa kabhi nhi karoge naa...", she said adorably as she buried her face in his chest and hugged him.

His heart was filled with extreme joy and he engulfed her in his embrace, saying, "NEVER Anokhi..."

"Kabhi nhi...", his voice intense, and he placed a soft kiss on her hair as he was filled with happiness.

"Agar aap dobaara aisa karoge naa... Toh... fir... main bohot udaas ho jaaungi...", she said, still in his tender hold.

"Ek baar galti se mistake ho gayi thi Anokhi..."

"Par I promise... Aisa kabhi nhi hoga dobaara..."

"I swear...", he said, placing his chin over her head, filled with relief that he had finally atoned for what had happened, that he and she had reconciled, and that they were now ready for a "new beginning".

Anokhi was now a sobbing mess, crying silently onto his shirt, soaking it in her tears, and he had her in his gentle arms, stroking her hair.

"Anokhi...", he called out, fondling her hair.

"Hmmm...", she hummed in response, her head resting on his chest.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY...", he said once more, this time with a greater sense of joy.

She smiled being in his embrace and mumbled softly, "Thank you Shaurya..."

"A... Aap yaha aaoge..."

"Mere liye..."

"Mere birthday par..."

"Yeh maine kabhi nhi socha tha Shaurya...", she became emotional again, and hugged him even tighter.

He reciprocated and then replied, "Kaise nhi aata main..."

"Meri pyaari Anokhi ka birthday hai... Aur vo kitni upset thi meri vajah se..."

"Uske chehre par smile laane ke liye to mujhe aana hi padta...", he said smiling.

She was still in his embrace; her face had regained its usual radiance, and she was ecstatic that all this was real.

She had been thinking this morning that he and she would NEVER be reunited, but now she was standing in his embrace, both of their hearts full of joy that they had RECONCILED.

Both stayed in that position for a while, soaking up the bliss of the moment and finding solace in each other's arms.

"Anokhi...", Shaurya spoke up after a long silence.

Anokhi slowly pulled back from his hug and looked up at him.

"Ek minute ruko...", he said as he walked back to the table where he had placed the packet upon arrival, while she stared at him, trying to figure out what he was doing.

He walked up to her, hiding something behind his back with one of his hand, and placed the packet on the couch.

"Shaurya...", she said, looking at him and wondering what he was up to.

"This is for you Anokhi...", he extended his hand towards her which held a red rose as beautiful as her.

His gesture elicited a new set of emotions in her, causing her to become even more emotional.

He smiled as he waited for her to accept the rose.

With glistening eyes and a lovely smile on her face, Anokhi raised her hand to accept it.

"Thank you so much Shaurya..."

"Yeh bohot khoobsurat hai..."

"Bilkul tumhaari tarah...", he added.

As she listened to this, a tinge of redness crept up her cheeks like the rose, and she hugged him once more to express how heartened she was that everything had finally fallen back into place.

He caressed her back reciprocating the hug and he, too, was moved to tears. He was feeling ecstatic that although, he had been the source of her anguish for the past four years, but today he could bring a smile to her face, especially on her birthday.

Everything was feeling so perfect to both of them.

It felt like a dream because just two days ago they were resentful and now they were in each other's arms full of bliss.

"Anokhi...", Shaurya said, placing another kiss on her hair.

"Aaj tumhaara birthday hai..."

"Kuch special toh nhi kar paaya main lekin-..."

"YEH BOHOT SPECIAL HAI SHAURYA...", she spoke up as she drew back from the hug.

"Main bta nhi sakti aapko ki yeh sab kitna special hai mere liye..."

"Main aapse naaraaz thi... Lekin aapne aaj jo bhi kaha... Main jaanti hoon ki aapko aapki galti ka ehsaas ho gaya hai aur aap aisa dobaara nhi karenge...", she said smiling.

"Main bohot khush hoon Shaurya..."

"Mujhe lga tha hum dono fir kabhi-...", before she could say further, he placed his palm on her mouth to net let her finish her sentence.

"Anokhi..."

"Us din ko bhulaakar aaj se ek nayi shuruaat karenge..."

"Aur mujhse kabhi bhi koi mistake hoti haina... To tum please mujhe bta dena... Main hoon hi aisa... Galti se mistake hota rehta hai mujhse...", he said, scratching his head with a smile.

She chuckled at his expression and said, "Par mujhe bharosa hai aap par Shaurya..."

"Aage se aap galti se bhi mistake nhi karoge... Aapne promise jo kiya..."

He nodded with a smile as she looked at him.

"Achcha Anokhi..."

"Idhar aao mere saath...", he said softly as he led her to the sofa.

"Yaha baitho...", he made her sit and took a seat next to her.

He then took the packet and took out a box from it.

"Anokhi..."

"Main toh yaha new hoon... Mujhe zyaada shops ke baare mein toh kuch pta hi nhi tha... Isliye main cake toh nhi but pastry hi le aaya...", he said as he opened the box, which contained two chocolate pastries enriched with chocolate chips.

"Tumhe chocolate pasand haina...", he said, looking at her.

"Voh... Tum... Humaare college ke dino mein jab hum restaurant mein milte the... Tab tum chocolate flavor hi prefer karti thi...", he said sheepishly.

"Aapko yaad hai abhi bhi ?...", she asked, her eyes brimming once more.

"Bilkul yaad hai Anokhi..."

"Aise kaise bhool sakta hoon..."

"Tumhaari sabhi cheeze yaad hai mujhe...", he said, taking the plastic spoon and a portion of the pastry, reaching out to feed it to her with a smile on his face.

She opened her small mouth to take it in and looked at him with glossy eyes, her heart filled with sheer bliss as she witnessed the small gestures he had been doing to make her day more and more special with gleeful moments.

She took the spoon from his grasp and, taking another portion of the same pastry, extended her hand towards his mouth to feed him.

"Aap bhi mooh kholo..."

"Main bhi khilaaungi aapko...", she said cutely.

"Aaaaa...", he opened his mouth like a kid.

She chuckled and made him eat the pastry.

She placed the spoon back to the box, and then shifting close to him, she placed her head on his chest, wrapping her hands gently around him to express her affection that how happy she was just because of him.

Shaurya smiled and protectively wrapped his arms around Anokhi, saying, "Tum khush hona Anokhi ?...", his fingers stroking her tresses.

"Bohot khush hoon main Shaurya..."

"Main aapko bta nhi sakti... Main bohot khush hoon..."

"Main bohot special feel kar rhi hoon...", she said, her voice overflowing with joy.

He was content to make her happy, and they stayed there for a while before Anokhi spoke up, "Shaurya..."

"Hmmm...", he hummed.

She fell silent for a few moments and buried her face deeper into his chest, leaving him perplexed, as if she wanted to say something but was preparing herself for it.

"Bolo Anokhi..."

She pressed his face more into his chest to hide her pinkie cheeks before speaking up.

"I LOVE YOU SHAURYA..."

His heart skipped a beat listening to the words she said.  This was what he had been anticipating for long. He felt overjoyed, his heart fluttered with completeness.

"Anokhi..."

"E... Ek baar firse bologi...", he smiled through moist eyes.

Her cheeks warmed up even more and she mumbled softly, "Main aapse bohot pyaar karti hoon Shaurya..."

"Anokhi...", he said, as he embraced her a little tighter and kissed her hair softly.

"I... I...", his voice cracked as he couldn't believe everything was real.

"I LOVE YOU TOO ANOKHI..."

"I LOVE YOU TOO MUCH...", he placed a long smooch on her forehead making her feel overwhelmed.

"Jaanti ho..."

"Yeh sunne ke liye taras gaya tha main..."

"Aur abhi mujhe aisa lag rha hai jaise... jaise yeh koi sapna hai..."

"Main bohot bohot khush hoon Anokhi..."

"Thank you so much mujhe samajhne ke liye...", he placed another kiss on her forehead.

Both of their eyes were closed as they basked in each other's warmth, soaking up the bliss of the moment with a feeling of joy coursing through them.

"Shaurya...", Anokhi pulled back after some time and looked at him.

"Ek baat poochhu ?...", she sounded low.

"Haan poochho..."

"Aap Bangalore sirf mere liye aaye ?..."

"Sirf apni feelings btaane ke liye itni door aa gaye aap ?...", she was emotional.

He remained silent, his smile intact on his face.

"Lekin Shaurya..."

"Aap kuch din baad vaapas chale jaaoge ?...", she was sad that he would return, but she was also happy because their bond had evolved into a "new one", which she was overjoyed about.

Shaurya's face had taken on a sad expression listening to it.

"Shaurya...", she cupped his face as she noticed him sad.

She presumed he was sad, too, because they would be leaving each other in a few days as he would return to Delhi, but she had no idea he was worried about something else.

"Anokhi..."

"Vo darasal...", he paused, knowing full well that she would be shocked and unhappy to hear it.

"Kya hua Shaurya ?..."

"Kya aapko abhi bhi mere yaha Bangalore mein job karne se dikkat-..."

"Nhi Anokhi...", he was quick to cut her off.

"Bilkul nhi Anokhi...", he said, his hands cupping her face.

"Tum kahi bhi job karo... Mujhe usse koi bhi dikkat nhi hai Anokhi..."

"Aur agar hogi bhi to tum apni job kabhi mat chodna... Bhale hi mujhe chod dena...", he raged at himself for what he had done in the past like a selfish person.

"Shaurya !...", she exclaimed, perplexed as to why he was speaking in that way.

"Aap please usko bhool jaaiye ab..."

"Uske liye guilty feel mat karo Shaurya... Kyunki main jaanti hoon aap aisa dobaara nhi karoge...", she expressed her faith in him.

He smiled as he realized she believed in him, but there was still something bothering him that he needed to tell her about, but he was worried about her reaction.

"Kya baat hai Shaurya ?..."

"Aap kuch bolna chaahte ho ?...", she asked softly.

"Haan Anokhi...", he said exhaling a deep breath.

"Voh..."

"Asal mein..."

"Main tumhe yeh btaana chaahta hoon ki..."

"Ki ?...", she said, encouraging him to continue.

"Ki main Delhi vaapas nhi jaa rha Anokhi...", he released his breath revealing the matter.

Anokhi looked at him, bewildered, unable to understand what he meant by that.

"Vaapas nhi jaa rha matlab ?..."

"Main samjhi nhi Shaurya...", she was completely clueless.

Shaurya gave her a slight smile and extended his arm, motioning her to come closer to him.

"Mere paas aao...", he said softly.

She moved closer to him, her palm resting on his chest as a support.

"Anokhi..."

"Main Delhi vaapas nhi jaa rha..."

"Kyunki ab se main yahi Bangalore mein rahunga... TUMHAARE PAAS..."

Anokhi was taken aback by his words and looked at him.

"Yeh aap kya keh rhe hain Shaurya ?..."

"Aap Bangalore mein rahenge ??..."

"Kyu ??..."

"Aapki job toh Delhi mein hai... Uska kya ??...", she was befuddled.

He took a deep breath before finally spilling the beans.

"MAINE VOH JOB CHOD DI HAI ANOKHI..."

She was astounded as soon as the words reached her ears. She shifted back to her previous position to get a better look at him, and she exclaimed, "Job chod di ???..."

"Lekin kyu ??..."

"Job kyu chodi aapne ???...", her voice trembled.

"Kyunki mujhe tumhaare paas rehna hai Anokhi...", his eyes bright with candor.

"Shaurya !!...", she was taken aback by what he said.

This was the thing she never wanted. She never wanted him to give up his job for her.

"Aisa kyu kiya aapne Shaurya ??...", her eyes teared up.

"Anokhi...", he cupped her face but she shifted a little back on the couch, dejected by what he had done.

"Anokhi mujhe explain to karne do please..."

"Aap aisa kaise kar sakte hain Shaurya...", tear drops rolled down her face.

"Aap jaante haina..."

"Maine aapko pehle bhi btaaya tha naa... Main kabhi nhi chaahungi ki aap mere liye apni naukri chod de..."

"Maine tumhaare liye naukri se resign nhi kiya Anokhi...", he spoke up.

She looked at him confused through teary eyes.

"Aap hi ne abhi bola naa... Ki aapko mere paas rehna hai isiliye aapne job choda..."

"Yeh toh vhi baat ho gayi Shaurya jo chaar saal pehle main kar sakti thi..."

"Maine aapke liye apni job toh nhi chodi thi naa... Toh fir aapne kyu resign kiya mera liye... Aapne kiyu sacrifice kiya ??...", disappoint apparent in her voice.

"Aap aise kaise mere liye itni mehnat se achieve ki gayi job chod sakte ho ??..."

"Hum long distance relationship mein bhi toh reh sakte the naa Shaurya..."

"Anokhi...", he cupped her face with moist eyes. He knew she will react this way and that was why he was hesitating to disclose it to her.

He was overwhelmed as well, thinking about how much she loved him that she could stay away from him so he wouldn't have to give up something he had earned through hard work.

"Aisa bilkul bhi mat sochna ki maine tumhaare liye sacrifice kiya...", he said.

"Kyunki maine jo bhi kiya... Vo maine apne liye kiya..."

"Nhi Shaurya... Yeh galat hai...", she was adamant.

"Aapne itna bada step le liya... Yeh sochke ki yaha Bangalore mein rahenge..."

"Aap toh sab kuch chod – chaad ke mere liye yaha Bangalore tak aa gaye..."

"Agar aaj main aapko NAA keh deti... Tab kya hota ? ... Tab aap kaha jaate ? ...", she asked, her eyes welling up with tears, heartbroken that he had left everything behind just to be with her. She wanted him to be close to her, but not at the expense of his hard earned job.

Listening to her words, Shaurya smiled and said cradling her face in his palms, "Aisa hota hi nhi Anokhi..."

"Mujhe pta tha tum bhi mujhse utna hi pyaar karti ho jitna main karta hoon tumse..."

"Mujhe pta tha agar tum NAA bhi kehti toh kabhi na kabhi main tumhe mana hi leta..."

"Pichhle chaar saalo se tumse door tha Anokhi..."

"Ab aur mujhse tumse door nhi rha jaa rha tha... Bas isiliye maine yaha shift hone ka decision le liya..."

"Mujhe bharosa tha... EK CHANCE to tum mujhe dogi hi...", he said smiling through tears.

"Shaurya...", her voice broke as she stared at him, witnessing the depth of his love for her.

She couldn't believe the same man who had once expected her to give up her job for him was now in front of her, having jettisoned his job for her.

She sobbed as she hugged him, feeling guilty that she was the reason for his big decision.

"Maine aapki baat samajh rhi hoon Shaurya..."

"Maine bhi aapko utna hi miss kiya jitna aapne kiya..."

"Lekin Shaurya kabhi – kabhi hume apni priorities badalni padti hai..."

"Pyaar ke alaava aur bhi toh bohot cheeze hai Shaurya..."

"Sirf apne pyaar ke liye sab kuch chodke thodina baith jaaoge aap..."

"Hume apni life ko bhi iske saath balance karna aana chaahiye naa Shaurya..."

"Agar aap life ke doosre cheezo ko prioritize karte hai toh usse aapka mere liye pyaar kam nhi ho jaayega Shaurya... Aur naa hi mera aapke liye..."

"Main aapse tab bhi utna hi pyaar karungi jitna humesha karti aayi hoon...", she murmured softly, her head resting on his chest.

Shaurya stroked her hair, smiling as he realized how much of a HOLY SOUL he had fallen for.

"Anokhi..."

"Ab is baat ko bhool jaao naa..."

"Aise kaise bhool jaao Shaurya..."

"M... Mujhe sach mein bohot bura lag rha hai ki aapne mere liye..."

"Tumhaare liye nhi Anokhi... Maine apne liye kiya jo bhi kiya...", he repeated again.

"Main manta hoon ki yeh ek impulsive decision jaisa lag rha hoga tumhe... Lekin maine soch – samajhkar hi faisla liya hai Anokhi..."

"Achcha ?...", she spoke up.

"Mujhe bhi btaaiye aapne kya sockar itna bada decision liya..."

"Dekho Anokhi..."

"Main sach bolunga..."

"Mere is decision ke peeche tumhaare paas rehna bhi ek factor tha..."

"I agree ki long distance relationship bhi hum dono bohot achche se manage kar lete... Lekin maine jo galti ki thi... Uske vajah se hum dono ko chaar saal tak door rehna pada Anokhi... "

"Aur isiliye main nhi chaahtha tha ki humaare patchup ke baad firse mujhe tumse door jaana pade... Isilye main yaha shift ho gaya..."

"Lekin meri job ko lekar tum tension mat karo... Kyunki uske liye bhi mere paas mere plans hai..."

"Main vaise bhi bohot dino se higher studies karne ka soch rha tha... Aur uske liye toh pehle mujhe entrance exam dena padega jiske liye yaha badhiye coaching institutes mil jaayenge..."

"Aur fir exam dene ke baad meri studies bhi yahi se ho jaayegi... To dekho ho gayi naa problem solve...", he said smiling at her.

She continued to stare at him with gleaming eyes and a faint smile, realizing how meticulously he had planned everything in order to persuade her with his EXCUSE.

"Main sab samajh rhi hoon Shaurya..."

"Achcha excuse bnaaya hai aapne..."

"Arre !...", he interrupted.

"Ab tum mujhpar vishvaas nhi karna chaahti toh main kya hi karu...", he shrugged, averting his eyes.

"Shaurya..."

"Itna pyaar kyu karte ho aap ?...", she cuddled onto him again, overwhelmed.

He smiled, pleased that he was finally able to convince her in some way.

"Ab ro mat naa Anokhi..."

"Yeh toh khushi ka pal hai..."

"Aur tumhe pta hai... Iska credit naa HUMAARE DOSTO ko jaata hai..."

Anokhi nodded yes, knowing how much their friends wished for them to REUNITE.

"Ahir ne meri bohot help ki..."

"Maine to apni company mein resignation ka email bhej diya tha... Lekin uske baad aage kya karna hai kuch dimaag hi nhi chal rha tha...", Shaurya chuckled.

"Ahir ne pehle toh yaha is location par mere liye ek hotel dhoonda jab main apni packing mein busy tha... Aur fir thode ideas bhi de diye ki tumhe kaisa manaaya jaaye...", he laughed as he said.

Anokhi's cheeks flushed as she listened to it.

"Main toh kal raat ki flight se hi yaha Bangalore aa gaya tha... Sab kuch bohot jaldbaazi mein hua... "

"Bas aaj ke din ka intezaar kar rha tha besabri se..."

"Aur dekho..."

"Aakhirkaar hum dono ke beech sab theek ho gaya aur ab hum dono kitne khush hai..."

She smiled as she listened to it, resting her head on his chest, both of them filled with peace.

"Anokhi..."

"Thank you so much mujhe EK MAUKA dene ke liye... Mujhpar bharosa rakhne ke liye..."

"I love you..."

"I love you too...", she said as she snuggled up to him.

Both engulfed each other in gentle arms, dousing in the moment of sheer pleasure.

The three friends in Delhi were happy to celebrate the birthday of someone who was in Bangalore, and the same person was happy here with another person who was there with the help and support of those three friends.

Everyone's wish was granted at last, and they were all incredibly happy.

Shaurya had made a mistake in the past, but he had learned from it and realized that it should not always be one person's responsibility to sacrifice in order for a relationship to work.

He realized that in order for a relationship to work, each person involved in it have to make a contribution to forsake in order for the relationship to last, which is why he took the step of resigning from his current job.

Despite the fact that he and Anokhi could have maintained a long-distance relationship quite well, he was content with what he had done and had no regrets.

A "CHANCE" was all what he wanted to atone for his mistake and ultimately it was granted by her for which he was more than happy which he couldn't put to words.

He was prepared to work harder to pursue higher education and obtain a job here so that he could balance his professional and personal lives as per his WISH.

Both of them were ready to start afresh with full of excitement and bliss.

They were well aware that ups and downs would undoubtedly occur, but they were euphorically prepared to overcome them TOGETHER.

They stayed in each other's arms and closed their eyes, savoring the moment, ready to embark on their "NEW BEGINNING"...

THE END...

Thank you for reading

⁓ Thank you rits_m for suggesting the plot of the story ⁓

beautiful

Originally posted by: Smiley3262017

beautiful

Thank you so much😊