For a crazy minute, Aashi thought she was dreaming. A million fireworks exploded in her head. Rishabh loves her? All these years he had been loving her? Really?

'I don't know when I fell in love with you, Aashi. But I realized it much later than you did.' He said. Aashi felt like she will faint. But outwardly she stared at him without even blinking.

She took a minute to compose herself before squealing and jumping on the spot. Her smile faded on seeing Rishabh's sad face.

'What happened? Aren't you happy that we love each other?' She asked him, confusedly. Rishabh shook his head and looked away.

'What is the point?'

'Huh?'

Rishabh looked at her, - 'Aashi, I don't want to mess up our friendship. We can't be in a relationship.'

'Why?' Aashi sounded disappointed. Rishabh looked annoyed as he spoke.

'Because relationship messes up everything. It will mess up our friendship. It will complicate everything.'

'It won't. If we don't let it.' Aashi explained.

'You are saying this because you haven't been through what I have been through. And I don't want to go through all that again. Moreover, I don't want you to go through all that.' Rishabh's voice slightly raised.

Aashi pressed her lips tightly, she looked away crossing her arms angrily. Rishabh sighed and held her arms, he turned her to look at him, - 'Aashi. I love you, I love you very much. But please, try to understand. We can't be in a relationship.'

Aashi looked angrily at him, he looked at her sadly, - 'It is best you move on with Akash, he is your boyfriend after all.' He said seriously.

Aashi pushed away his hands angrily and glared at him.

'Fine! If we can't be in a relationship, then we can't be friends either.' She said angrily. Rishabh's expressions changed.

'Aashi.' He pleaded her, but she turned around and angrily walked into her room. He called her again and she screamed from inside.

'GET LOST!' and shut the door with a bang. Aashi pressed her back against the door and stared at the ground. Her chest heaved as her breathing got uneven. She has had enough of Rishabh sulking and whining. They already wasted so many years being away from each other and now, after knowing their true feelings Aashi can't bear staying away from him anymore. She closed her eyes when she heard the main door open and shut.

Rishabh has left.

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

Next day, Aashi woke up and stretched her arm grabbing her phone. She clicked on her inbox hoping to see Rishabh's message. She pressed her lips tightly when she found no message from him. She pushed the duvet angrily and got down the bed.

She exercised, showered and changed into her attire for work – white and red striped button-down blouse and white slim fit denim. She wore her heels and was ready for work.

As she ate her breakfast, toast and scrambled eggs, involuntarily Aashi checked her phone again. She frowned and placed her phone face down on the table and began munching on the toast. After she was done, she folded the sleeves of her shirt till her elbows and picked up the plates. She dropped the used plates into the sink and patted her palms together.

It's been few weeks since Suchitra's wedding and she moved out of the apartment. Since then, Aashi feels very lonely. Though the search for another roommate is on there is no luck. She placed palms on her hips and sighed looking at the dirty sink, now her maid will eat her head. She placed the sling of her laptop back on her right shoulder and flipped her hair back. Unlocking the door, she walked out of the house.

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

Aashi checked her watch as she stood by the elevator, she glanced up at the LED screen above the elevator and sighed folding her arms. Just then she felt someone stand next to her. The soft cotton material of their coat brushed against her arm and Aashi turned her head. Rishabh stood beside her. For a second, Aashi's lips curved into a smile but she quickly fixed her expressions and looked away.

'Aash-' He began but the elevator had opened. Aashi didn't bother looking at him as she quickly dashed into the elevator. Rishabh sighed and followed her. Two, three other people also climbed in. Aashi moved to one end of the elevator letting more people stand in between them. The door closed and Aashi felt restless. She kept tapping her feet anxiously, one moment she looked towards Rishabh from the corner of her eyes and found him looking at her. Quickly, she looked away. But all the while she felt his gaze on her.

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

Aashi closed her file angrily. It has been an hour since she was trying to focus on work but Rishabh's sad face kept swimming before her eyes. She leaned forward placing her elbow on the table, she held her forehead. After a minute, she grabbed a glass of water, removed the cover and drank the entire glass in one go. She chocked. As she picked up tissue there was a knock at the door.

'Come in.' She wiped her mouth. The door opened and Rishabh walked in. Aashi coughed a little looking at him.

Rishabh had a pen drive in his hand, he walked up to her table. Aashi looked away fidgeting with the files, - 'Place it here and leave.' She spoke sternly not looking at him.

Rishabh sighed, - 'Maam, this is important.' Aashi looked up when he called her Maam. Since their patch-up, he had begun calling her Aashi, in a loving tone. Now, he was back to square one. She gave him a small nod and he handed her the pen drive. As she took the pen drive from him, their finger's brushed and she looked at him. Their eyes met.

After only a second, Aashi looked away. As she fidgeted with her laptop she felt his eyes on her. She fumbled with the pen drive and froze when Rishabh spoke.

'Why are you doing this, Aashi?'

She looked up at him.

'You are asking me, Rishabh?' She said, staring into his eyes. He opened his mouth, but she interrupted him, - 'Anyway,' – She sighed looked back at the laptop, - 'Let us,' -She looked up at him again, - 'Work?'

Rishabh blinked at her for a second before nodding his head.

Rishabh was here to discuss the fluctuating numbers. Aashi felt her heartbeat increase as he leaned, his arm brushed against hers and she tried her hard to focus on the laptop.

'I love you, Aashi, I love you very much.' Aashi smiled recollecting his words, but the next moment her smile faded recollecting what he said after that – But we can't be in a relationship

Aashi looked up at Rishabh, he was talking to her while looking at the screen. She blinked at him and coincidently his gaze fell on her and he stopped speaking. Aashi looked sadly at him, he stared blankly at her. Slowly, Rishabh moved his hand and placed his palm over hers, Aashi inhaled sharply. Their gaze locked. Just then someone knocked the door and Rishabh moved his hand away. Aashi also shifted in her seat and looked up at the door.

'Come in.' She said.

Himanshu entered the cabin and was pleasantly surprised to see Rishabh here. He smiled widely as he walked towards them.

'Hey, Rishabh, good I found you here. Spared my time.' He spoke brightly.

'What do you want, Himanshu?' Aashi asked dryly and his smile dropped. He looked at her then at Rishabh. Sensing some tension, he doesn't pester her.

'Actually, I and Suchitra are throwing a party, an intimate party. Just us friends.' He informed looking hopefully at them.

'Himanshu, I won't be able to make it. There is so much work.' Rishabh said rubbing his forehead. Aashi eyed him and then looked at Himanshu.

'I will come. And,'- she looked at Rishabh, - 'I will get my boyfriend, Akash too.' She said brightly. Rishabh shook his head looking away.

Himanshu looked at Rishabh and began insisting. Eventually, he agrees. Aashi was also happy. She will get Akash and make sure, Rishabh burns with jealousy. Now, that she knows he is in love with her she was more confident.