Next week passed too fast for Aashi's liking. Under her care and with Suchitra and Himanshu's presence and their light-hearted moments, Rishabh was recovering well. Now, he can walk without a crutch. He and Aashi also spend the days working at home. She always loved working but now she enjoyed even more while working with Rishabh. She felt nostalgic reminiscing their days as students and their group studies. Also, Aashi couldn't help comparing the two Rishabhs, and admire how mature he has become.

'I wish you were my flatmate.' Aashi said mindlessly one night as Rishabh and she worked on their laptop.

'Hey.' Suchitra looked away from the Tv screen sounding offended. Rishabh chuckled while Aashi apologized, and soon all three began laughing.

A few days ago, Rishabh had joined Aashi for work. Thanks to working at home, they weren't lagging much. Aashi was happy seeing his recovery, the only thing now was his bandaged left arm. Every morning, Aashi used to drive them to work. Slowly and steadily both returning to their old self, yet there was something different. Every time Aashi was with him, she wanted to confess her feelings for him, but every time she stopped herself. She doesn't want to make Rishabh uncomfortable. After so long, they are slowly coming back to the track and she doesn't want to derail it again.

'I think I have troubled you enough. I am thinking of shifting back this weekend.' Rishabh said on Thursday night at dinner.

'Hey yaar, you don't trouble?' Suchitra said. She too had started to enjoy Rishabh's company. Back in College, they had already spoken. Aashi smiled sadly, this was to happen someday.

'Okay, Rishabh. But I and Suchitra will help you shift.' Aashi said taking a bite of a chicken piece. Suchitra looked at Aashi wondering why she isn't objecting, and then an idea strikes her.

She said, - 'I have office work this weekend, so you two carry on.'

'Okay, cool.' Rishabh said. Aashi nodded and plated some Dal on his plate.

'No, I am full.'

'Shut up, Rishabh. You haven't eaten...take one more Roti...'

'No, no, no.'

'Rishabh.' Aashi said sternly and Rishabh shut up. Suchitra watched them with a grin.

'I think you should tell him.' Suchitra's voice stunned Aashi who had just come inside the room wearing her PJs.

'Huh!' Aashi asked arranging the duvet on her side.

'Tell Rishabh that you love him.' Suchitra said

'No.' Aashi sat on her side

'Why?'

'Because he doesn't love me, he takes me as a friend and moreover, I see him more of a friend than anything else.' Aashi said

'Stop lying, Aashi. You know, I know you love him.'

'I don't know-' Aashi said thoughtfully making Suchitra confused.

Looking at her confused face, Aashi added, - 'I need time to sort my feelings. Be sure that I love him. Moreover, I need to know what he feels for me, I don't want any more trouble in our friendship.'

Suchitra opened her mouth to counter that but Aashi slumped on her side, her back facing Suchitra.

'Good night.' She said switching off the night lamp. The entire room was engulfed in total darkness. Aashi felt Suchitra lay on her side, she didn't look back and continued to stare at the wall in front. She began debating with herself if she should confess her feelings. Eventually, she slept off with a restless mind.

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

Saturday,

Aashi didn't let Rishabh touch his suitcase. Even though he protested she didn't pay any heed. She dragged his wheeled luggage into the elevator.

'Not fair.' Rishabh whined. Aashi rolled her eyes and held his arm. She pulled him with so much force that he fell on her.

'Oops.' Aashi's back hit the elevator wall with Rishabh on top. She chuckled looking at him but stopped when their gaze met. With their gaze locked the elevator door closed behind them.

Aashi found difficult to avert her gaze from Rishabh's dark eyes and felt her heart fluttering with his gaze on her. With the proximity, she felt giddy as well. Their closeness had never had this effect before on her.

As the elevator door opened to the ground floor, Aashi broke the eye contact. Rishabh shook his head taking a step back. He looked like he had just snapped out of some trance. Aashi straightened adjusting her green wrap top.

'Come- let's- go-' Rishabh said awkwardly. Aashi nodded tugging few strands behind her ear. He stepped out first followed by her, he wanted to take the luggage but Aashi refused and reminded him of his bandaged arm. Rishabh sighed.

'At least the sling is off.' Rishabh muttered following Aashi, she smiled hearing him. Aashi and watchman kept his luggage in the back of the car while Rishabh sat in the passenger seat.

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

Once in the building, Rishabh didn't let Aashi unlock the door. He unlocked it and entered first.

Together they dragged the luggage to his room.

'Thanks, Aashi.' Rishabh said watching Aashi pick up the luggage and place it on the bed.

'Hey,' - she huffed, - 'no sorry and no thank you in friendship.' She grinned at him.

'Okay,' - Rishabh smiled, - 'You relax, I will make some tea.'

'Masala Chai.' Aashi said brightly sitting at the edge of the bed.

'Okay, okay.' Rishabh said and left the room. After he was gone, Aashi unzipped the bag and began taking out his clothes.

Fifteen minutes later, Rishabh entered the room carrying a tray of two cups of tea. Aashi sniffed the strong smell of the tea and felt her mouth water. She quickly yet neatly kept the last of his clothes from the suitcase and into the cupboard.

'Wow! I didn't know you can make tea.' Aashi asked as the two sat beside each other at the edge of the bed.

'Years in London taught me. I also cook, something...manageable.' Rishabh's smile faded as he seemed to think about the past. Aashi's smile faded as well. She extended her hand and placed her hand on his.

'Hey, it's awesome tea.' Aashi said to encourage him.

Rishabh looked at her teacup and then at her with his eyebrow raised, - 'Jhooti, (Liar) you didn't even have a sip.' He said and Aashi chuckled. Rishabh smiled watching her.

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

Aashi spent half an hour more at his place, both chatting and reminiscing good old days. Aashi was extra cautious not to bring up anything related to Laila. As they talked happily, she didn't realize how time went by. Rishabh insisted for lunch at the nearby place. At first, Aashi refused but Rishabh managed to convince her.

'This is the best restaurant here.' He said leading her to one of the restaurants.

'Pizza Hut.' Aashi raised her eyebrow as she and he stood by a Pizza Hut outlet.

'Yeah.' Rishabh looked embarrassed.

Aashi smiled, - 'Come.' She chuckled holding his right hand and together they walked inside.

'Extra cheese, that was for me.' Rishabh whined and Aashi smiled devilishly.

'And since when you started eating extra cheese.' Rishabh asked looking closely at Aashi.

'I don't,' - Aashi said unfolding the hand cloth, she placed it on her lap and looked up at Rishabh, - 'unlike you, I am not blessed awesome metabolism. I eat junk and then baam I put on weight - but today is an expectation.' She smiled at him.

Rishabh felt slightly proud, he always feels this way when he is reminded how he can eat without gaining much weight and Aashi can't. Since childhood, he has always boasted about this. Apparently, that is the only thing he can boast about because otherwise, Aashi is perfect.

After they were done eating, Aashi insisted that she dropped Rishabh to his apartment, but he refused stating, annoyingly, - 'I am not a kid, Aashi.' And she had to give up. After their good-bye at the gate of the building, Aashi drove back to her place.