Aparna's P. O. V:

" Are you sure you packed everything? " Shwetha asked me.

" Yes, I have. " I said and walked out of the guest room with my bag.

The time was six in the evening.

" Your bus is at 10 right, can't you stay till dinner here? " Hari asked me.

" Yeah, Stay till dinner. " Karthik said.

" I need to go somewhere, I think it's better to leave now. Don't worry guys, I ll come again. " I said and sat on the couch.

" You should " Shwetha said and sat beside me.

My phone rang and it was an unknown number again. I knew who it was. I picked up the call and sat silently.

" Hello Aparna, are you flying admist the clouds in happiness that you have won against me? " Michael said from the other side.

" You are too jobless that you have time to worry about me. I thought you would be busy running around with your lawyer now " I said. Everyone in the room read the situation and stayed silent.

" Let me tell you something, Do you think Shiva, who wonderfully pulled up today's show, did all that for his responsibility as your friend or your employer? " Michael asked laughing.

" Why? What? You still have some words to say before I block you out of my life forever? " I said.

" I visited his office and told him about the assets you own. Trust me, he was shocked after hearing your bank balance. That moment itself I knew that, to suck that up from you, he will do all his best to save. I knew that he will trap you. Please wake up, he did all that for money. " Michael said.

I ran my fingers over my hair.

I didn't know how to stop Michael's shit story. I decided to throw the knife at him.

" Oh really, so you are telling me that, he did all that to trap me?, wow, I really trusted him. " I acted along Michael's story.

" See, You are seeing the truth yourself now. He was not genuine, he did everything to make sure that your bank account stays in his side. " Michael said.

" If your part of the story is done, listen to mine now. " I said.

" What is that? " Michael asked.

" Shiva didn't trap me you bastard. How lowly are you to disdain Shiva's efforts in the name of money?, and how stupid are you to think that I would believe you?, Wake up Michael. Shiva let me go. Even if you told Shiva about all my assests, I am sure that Shiva never gave a second thought about the money. I know at least that much. So instead of trying to make me misunderstand him, why don't you rush to your parents? " I said.

" My parents? What do you mean? " Michael asked nervously.

" Oh, yeah, I sent them the cctv footage. You know, so that they would stop bugging me again to marry an ass hole like you. " I said.

" No, you didn't. " Michael said.

" Yes, I did. Too bad that this is how our last conversation ends. " I said and cut the call.

I switched off the phone and took out the sim card.

" What happened? Did Michael blackmail you again? " Shwetha asked.

" No, he just wanted to defame everything Shiva did. Michael wanted me to believe that Shiva helped me for the assests I own. " I said.

" Aparna, I know Shiva has done lot's of bad things. But he is definitely not someone who would use anyone for money. " Hari said.

" Hari, I know that much. I don't even have a tiny doubt on Shiva's efforts. I really respect everything Shiva did for me today. I won't let base less words take away that respect" I said.

" I shouldn't say this, but you and Shiva should have ended up together. " Karthik said .

I laughed at his comment and stoop up from the couch.

" Adieu everyone!" I said and waved. Hari and Karthik waved back at me.

I wore my bag and walked out towards the cab. Shwetha helped me place my luggage safely.

" Aparna, I need to make a call, right now. You have my old phone right, call me with that as soon as you get on the bus. " Shwetha said and waved to me.

As soon as the car left, she ran inside. Maybe, some family issue came up, I thought to myself.

" Anna, can I add another location on the route? " I asked the driver.

" Yes, you can " He said.

" Then take me to the Marina beach. I ll pay for the waiting charge too. " I said.

He nodded his head and drove the car.

The streets, the lights, the traffic everything was telling me to stay a little bit longer. I felt like I was leaving behind a huge part of me.

As soon as we arrived at the beach, I walked to the shore and sat down. The moon was shining bright. People were already preparing for new year night.

I closed my eyes and sat calmly. The waves, the chill breeze, it was warmly hugging me, and the warmth was similar to the strong hold of someone I knew.

Love is stupid, but I can't let it become mad. I need to stop somewhere. Why am I being so moody that I can't even celebrate the winning.

An hour passed with the gush of wind and I walked back to the cab.

I was dragging myself against my own will.

The cab moved to the bus stop admist the heavy traffic. I very badly wanted a heavy rain, but the sky was clearly disappointing me.

I reached the bus stop by 9:30 and walked to the familiar lounge. It was a struggle between what I should do and what my heart wanted me to do.

I sat down on an empty chair on the centre. I hugged my bag and bit down my tears. I nested my head over my bag and held it tight.

Why am I feeling this bad for leaving? It was not like I couldn't come back again. Why am I so unwilling?

Shiva was happy, he even wanted me to leave as soon as possible. He always wanted one thing, and that is to not disrespect his parents. Well, he seems to have got well adjusted to marrying Anjali anyway. Whether he lives with her for the sake of it or he has truly accepted her shouldn't be my worry.

He should run his office properly now. Why should I worry if he ruins another nice project with his bad temper? It is none of my business.

He wanted us to be friends. He doesn't want me to have any false hope.

" 10 o clock bus to bangalore has arrived, all passengers please board the bus immediately. " The speaker in the lounge said.

I pulled my hair in confusion.

My eyes were tearing up and I couldn't stop reacting to my thoughts.

" Last call for the passengers of 10 O clock bus to bangalore " The speaker said again.

I wiped away my tears and hugged my bag tightly. I stood up from my seat shakily and wore my bag.

In this struggle with my self respect and my last hope on love, would I really regret what I am going to decide tonight?