ARJUN POV

Vikram , Aryan and I wait outside the airport for the security to clear the way for our cars to come and get us .

" Does this look like a place to nap? " Vikram says . We both are in deep thoughts , looking at the same spectacle.

" Nahh . " I lift my shoulder for the bag pack to sit well .

" How is it possible ? It does require some dedication " Vikram goes forward to further asses the situation .

" He slept the whole way home " Vikram says while pressing his temples .

" He was sleeping right before boarding the plane . Left his iPad at the hotel , passport almost left behind . " I see that the security had cleared some way m

" Our rides are here " I see there cars making way onto the front . Vikram nudges Aryan to wake him up . We pass through the doors , fans , paparazzi and travelers come for pictures and autograph .

" I am going to take a nap as soon as I reach home . " Aryan taps my shoulder and I turn to look at him from the phone camera of a fan .

" You think 12 hours of sleep is not enough for you . " I snort .

" Find me a human other than yourself and the whole team who does not like to sleep . " He says with a smirk as if making a huge point .

" Death is perpetual sleep . " All color is drained out of his face .

" Something to keep you awake tonight and by judging your face maybe a few days " I hug them goodbye and settle into the car not before waving the fans .

When the car sets into motion , my mind drifts onto my woman . Yes ! I am not scared to call her mine even if she may never be with me . Fairytail romance and happy endings are bull !

When you love , you do not get over that person . There is no thing such as a second chance at love because no matter how much I tried to stop thinking about her in past 48 days I could not make myself . Damn that woman is everywhere . I look at girls and wonder she does not have hair like her , she's so tall .

No one can be like her period .

When I reach outside my home I see two cars parked outside . One is karn's but the other one I have no idea . I take my bag pack and walk into the house to be welcomed by air as thick as dough . I walk further to find Illyana and karn seated at opposite and the farthest corner of the living room .

" Arjun you are here " karn jumps as he sees me. He marches forward only to be left behind by a running Illyana . She bashes into me and pulls me into a tight hug .

" I missed you so much " She murmurs into my ear . It creates an unsettling feeling in my heart . I know what Illyana feels for me but I do not feel the same for her , no matter how many times I tried to hint that to her . She is optimistic and adamant that maybe one day I could reciprocate her feelings . I did wonder that maybe someday I would feel something like love for her but , with Kiara residing on the top of my heart , it is next to impossible.

" Yes . Me too " I say softly to her , not hurting her emotions . We break out of the hug and karn is glaring at her . If looks could kill !

He finally looks at me and all the tension and infuriation in him vanishes . He moves forward and hugs me .

" Congratulations . Bhari cash prize jeet ke laaya hai ( you won heavy cash prize ) . "

He moves back and holds my shoulders in an elder brotherly manner . He is not saying anything because Illyana is around but his eyes shine with happiness , proud and conveying a simple message .

I know they are . They wanted to see me play , score centuries and cheer for me at every game of mine. I can say it with guarantee that they would not miss any match of mine if it was played anywhere in the country and I won't be shocked if they drop anywhere in Australia , New Zealand , Dubai to watch me play .

" Arjun , you were phenomenal . You were scoring runs and the media was calling me for an output . " She wraps her hands around me arm .

" You should clarify them that there is no relationship between us other than friendship , ease the extra media pressure on you . " I state blankly . Whenever there have been rumours of us being together , Illyana never wants that air to clear.

" What they think its their concern . I say we celebrate the win " I know her well to figure out this is her fake smile to mask her sadness .

Life is a vicious cycle . Illyana has been in love with me for years now but I never felt anything other than friendship for her and when I finally loved someone with all my heart, that person never reciprocated . This is karmic cycle .

" I have to rest yaa rest . I'll .. I need some time . " I tug my hair . Now that I am back home and knowing the fact she is so close to me yet I can't run into her arms . This thought downs my heart in so much pressure that no words come out. I look at karn because he knows what must be going in my mind . He looks at me sympathetically and nods . I do not address Illyana and rush to my room .

I have no idea when I will see her next , what will I say to her . I promised to come back to her but I am not strong enough to face her and knowing that this might be the last time .

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I twist and turn in my bed laying flat on my stomach looking out of the window and contemplating how one tiny woman can bring so much hurricane in my life . I try to find escape from her thoughts and the only thing that helped me was cricket . I feel completely worn out , jet lagged , I am exhausted by heart and mind . This is really what being in love feels like .

The house beems with people and light , no wonder karn has thrown the best party they have went to in a while . A smile plays at my lips remembering the last time I was at a party with kiara , how scared she was and how we got lost into each other arms without any care in the world .

" Malhotra, get your ass our . Would you stop sulking " He tugs my body to face him and reading the expression on his face , I know I look as miserable as I feel .

" Listen to me and listen good . You are taking a shower and getting ready . You are not going to stay alone. " He says with a stern expression.

" Ok mummy " I lazily sit against the headpost of the bed . Karn hugs me and gives me one last look before leaving.

I take some more sweet moments before getting the business done .

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The party is on full swing . It makes me realise people really want an excuse to party . My two teammates are here , mine and karn's friends are here and then there is Illyana , stuck to my arm the whole time . My mind is definitely not here because her existence or let's just say that I am here at all is still not registered to me .

This is what love does to you !

" Arjun you seem lost ? If I did not know you I would say it's a girl trouble . " She laughs on what she percieves is a joke but she has no idea . She tugs my arm so I bend down a bit to her level . If it would have been Kiara I would have to bend till my waist . See , again her .

" Arjun , look alive . You have a beautiful girl on your arms come on " I manage to give her a smile and force down to hand to her waist. It is not her fault that I cannot love her , the least I can do is to keep her happy within limits . I look at her and smile , she looks happy and I guess this is the best I could do .

" Uhh.. Arjun , who is that girl with karn ? "

A girl with karn .

A girl .

In this world right now there is only one girl that can accompany karn and that is ..

" Kiara " Her name comes out in a whisper .

I look straight and all the air is blown out my lungs . There can be no and there will be no sight in this world as beautiful as this human who has crawled her way into my heart , etched into my mind forever and the love of my life , till my last breath .

" Kiara Singh , you are my death " I say to myself and our eyes lock . It takes every fiber of my being to crush her in my arms and never let her go .

I wonder if it was just me or the surroundings went slow like I am in some Bollywood movie .

My eyes are still locked to her's , my heart ready to jump out , perspiration and what not .

Kiara is the first one to break the eye contact as she laughs what karn murmurs into her ears . She throws her head back and soothes his arm as she laughs . What the hell did went down when I was not in the country ? They look like two smitten .. No no no . Don't go there Arjun Malhotra , overthinking is never good . But still Yaar !

They make their way towards us and I feel like a 16 year old teen in a body of grown man waiting for their crush to come closer . As they both reach us , Kiara moves her hand towards me and shuts off my open , gaping mouth .

" Congratulations Arjun . I heard you played well . " Kiara gushes and I stand still trying to understand what really did happen in the past one and a half month . I feel something sharp in my abdomen to break me out of my trance .

I turn around to see Illyana looking at me with a perfect fake smile plastered on her face .

" All this can be overwhelming" She tells Kiara moving her hand around dramatically . An absurd excuse for why am I stoic .

" Oh I totally get it " Kiara smiles . Now that has irked me to another level . She is here all dressed up ( not that I blame her for it , it's a sight to behold ) , smiling as if nothing happened . As if we did not break each others hearts . What is she trying to prove ?

Wait a minute , what really is she trying to prove ? Kiara and karn are together and I can bet a million rupees that their intentions are not good , well not good for me . Is she by any chance trying to put up an act that everything is all good ? Hmmm..

Now this is dramatic turn of events .

Nothing is normal or good in this situation .

If by any chance she is trying to make me lose my senses and provoke me you fucking bet she is definitely succeeding . I know if karn's over the top brain has anything to do with it , Kiara definitely will make me go crazy , primal and not to mention a fucking cave man . I guess it is allowed when it's about My Woman !

I do a double take on her and the way she touches the tip of her hair , looking down at her shoes and that light scrunching of her nose ; she's nervous as hell . Damn Kiara all you had to do was just come to me but , you choose to do it the hard way and I bet my life it has something to do with my own brother . I try to control my mirth .

" Thank you so much Kiara . So what is up with you these days ? . " I ask nonchalantly as if I am forced to make this conversation . I can see the mask slipping off her face but karn tightens his hold on her . I glare and him which he returns with the same intensity , a evil smirk plays on my lips making karn's eyes go wide in horror . He knows I have cracked their masterpiece plan . Karn tries to call this off subtly but I know Kiara , she would not go down without a fight . Damn ! How much I love this woman .

" I have been busy . I have and many dates , I would say past month and a half went by within a blur . "

I was kidding myself when I thought I could turn the tables . I see karn standing with his chest burst our with pride and now it was his turn to smirk .

" Good for you . Looks like we both have people we like with us , in our arms . " I feel guilty to drag Illyana into this . Damn ! I am digging myself a deep hole and looks like karn has the same view point because I see him shaking his head . Our eyes meet in a silent conversation.

" I am messing it up "

" Big time "

Kiara's facade cracks to a non - existential level and her eyes turn glossy. She does not look up , plays with her fingers and karn runs soothinh hand up and down her arm .

She takes a deep breath and looks up . Her face makes me want to hide her in heart from all the pain and tell her she is going to be ok , she does not have to be alone anymore , I'll be there . I was this close to snatching her in my arms but I stop !

Do not touch me

You are pathetic

Her words ring in my ears . I fist my hands into my pockets to stop myself .

" Good for you Arjun. I wanted to ... I just ... you know I don't know why I am here anymore " She looks around but not at me .

Say you love me kiara

Say you feel what I feel right now

Say you would never leave me miserable

Say we are forever

" Am I missing something? " Illyana's voice cuts off . She is looking back and forth at me and Kiara.

" Illyana , this is my best friend kiara . Kiara this is Illyana " Karn introduces them . Kiara tries to suit herself but fails.

" Hello . Its good to meet you " Kiara stammered but manages a smile which makes my heart swell and the longing of my eyes die .

" I am a bit shocked to see karn has a best friend, I mean we know each other for a few years but he does not consider me a friend . Arjun now what does that make you ? " Illyana says playfully but I do not miss the look she gives kiara , the look of jealousy maybe .

" An ass , biggest one on the face of earth . " Karn cuts in , his voice dripping venom.

Kiara is that woman who without even trying and knowing wraps them on her finger . Karn is no exception but its different with karn , he loves Kiara as his younger sister and his protective stance is an organic reaction .

Kiara taps karn's chest to snap him out of his trance.

" I need to leave " With that Kiara runs towards the exit of the roof .

She is in my home , where I want her to be with me always but look the evil kismet she is going away . I always imagined that I would bring her here , tell her to stay with me , its would have been our home . Our .

I count till 10 to stop myself but at last my love for her conquers, it always will .

" Damn it " I hiss . Freeing my grip from Illyana's hands I run after her . I descend down the stairs and she is no where to be seen . I dash towards the main door but there is no one out there.

I go back inside and look around the playing room , living room , washroom . I scratch my neck as I look around the first floor lost but she was nowhere. Did she ran back home ?

I chill ran down my spine . She was all alone at night .

My train of thoughts is broken by a whimper that I hear . I follow the sound closely and its coming from my room . I trace the way slowly and put my ear on the door . My room is in the farthest , hidden corner of the floor .

I hear whispers, wailing and my heart breaks for my woman . I stand with my back against my door and slowly sit down , eyes closer, hearing her cry as thousand knifes poke my heart . I control as much as I can but my throat constricts , it hurts as a cry leaves my mouth . I cover my mouth with both my hands as to not make noise. My body shakes and tears flow rapidly. I want to hide her within me and take all her pain away but she won't let me do it .

Minutes pass before I compose myself . There is no sound coming from the other side too . I wipe my tears with the back of hands and get up . Taking a deep breath I open the door , not turning off the light as kiara would see my tear stricken face . I look around the room but I do not see her but a small ball of flesh catches my eyes , cruled in middle of my bed , moonlight coming from the French walls illuminate her face making her glow . This sight of her in my bed is something I could watch my whole life . I grip the blanket folded on the bed and cover her . Sitting at the edge I wipe her tears and rub her cheeks. She must have not been in deep sleep because she opens her eyes but looking at the moon through the glasses . She blinks a few times and the turns colliding out eyes . We stare at each other , thousands of emotions dancing in her eyes . She gets out of bed , feigning a bravado .

" I umm I heard you were quite hostile on the tour " She still does not look at me .

" Whose fault do you think it is ? " I reply in voice which I do not undertake. Was it anger , love , longing, accusation ?

Silence stretches between . I keep looking at her knowing that I do not know when is the next time I will see her for this close or not at all . She walks closer to me , I look up to her . Even if she is standing and I am well seated , she does not surpass me by more than a few inches.

" Can I make a mistake ? " She says with a hint of determination in her voice.

Slowly, she holds my face in between her small , soft, perfect hands and leans down . Her lips hover over mine as she stares at me . Then she crashes her lips to mine and I react instantly by wrapping my hands around her waist and pulling her into me . We kiss as if there is no tomorrow, I taste her tears . I try to take away all her pain by this kiss . Bending ďown onto the bed so she's straddling me , we deepen the kiss moulding us perfectly. We kiss until we are short of breaths and then slowly pull apart . Kiara plants her hands on my chest , one right above my heart.

" We are even..and it was a lethal " She whispers and climbs out of the bed , from my lap . I watch her walking out of my room , maybe from my life but never my heart.

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