**

My Monday had suddenly gone wrong. All wrong. The morning had been beautiful. Abeer's had been the first face I had beheld in the morning at office, his billion dollar smile making me go week in the knees. He felt surreal. All of it did.

It was difficult to hit up on reality. Difficult to accept. I had fallen in love. Goddamn I had. I believed in it, of course. But just because it felt pretty in books and movies. How did one know they were in love? And how did they know it was right?

The second question felt more poignant to me. Was it right? Abeer was right, in every sense. But what we had, was it right?

Was it meant to be?

He had hinted that future felt beautiful with me. Okay scratch that.

He had declared in very plain terms that he planned to have a future with me. It was enough for me to stay. But it wasn't enough to assuage all my worries. There was too much on line. It felt too stupid to throw everything away for something I felt, especially when I wasn't even sure if it was...there.

I have always been practical. Practical to a fault. I knew some things were intangible, but that didn't mean I understood intangible things. What good did 'goodwill' do in a business? Commerce had failed to convince me on that.

What was love, actually? It was intangible, and my sense in making out intangible stuff ended at zero.

My morning in cabin had went reviewing files, reviewing my life, and pondering over Abeer. Abeer was the only constant in my thoughts. The only constant amidst all my doubts, my worries. It baffled me, my faith in him baffled me. I was ready to jeopardize everything I had painfully constructed.

How foolish was that?

Lunch with Abeer had made me forget all of my woes. It had been light, fun, with a lot of suggestive looks and subtle touches that never failed to send tingles down my spine. It felt adventurous, risky. And at the same time, it felt right.

And by the evening, I was whistling with merry as I made my way home, my worries buried under the rock. Or a mountain. It was amazing what a right kiss, at the right time and a very shady place could do to you.

We had finished our work and were headed towards the parking lot behind the office building when he had tugged at my waist and pulled me behind a pillar, snaking his arms around my waist and planting his lips on mine eagerly.

I had to agree, to spend the entire day so close to a handsome snack and not feast on it had been tough. But I hadn't known the extent of my deprivation until then. I was all too happy to give in.

I was officially in love with parking lots.

We had broke off to grasp at air when he had murmured against my lips, "Would you mind if I drop by your house at 9 tonight?"

"For what?" I had whispered back, completely taken by the moment.

"To talk," he said in between his kisses.

I tugged at his collar. "To talk?" I teasingly asked, biting my lip to keep the smile away.

His eyes strayed from my eyes to my lips, hunger clear in his gaze. He groaned lightly at the sight, and I pulled him in. "You sure?" I murmured, my voice low and seductive.

I didn't know I had it in me to be seductive.

His pupils dilated, he glanced at my lips for a while, before he pulled himself up and tore his eyes from my lips to look straight into my eyes.

"No, to talk," he said firmly, refusing to look anywhere else other than my eyes. A giggle escaped my lips. "Its important Aashi, so don't try to distract me," he warned, apparently convinced he would lose the battle against his control.

I shook my head amusedly, his arms still around me. I wasn't a seductress, but hell, he was making me sound like one. I liked that.

"We will see," I raised my eyebrows, a challenging look on my face.

He didn't waste another minute before capturing my lips again with his.

Ah! Good times! I whistled my way to my flat, excited to cook a sumptuous dinner for the evening. Being Marwari came with some inherent quirks, one of them being cooking and feeding everyone and anyone who came at your place. I was no less of a fanatic when it came to playing hostess. Especially when it came to lunches and dinners.

I had freshened up and was working with alfredo pasta, paneer chilli and steamed rice and choco lava cakes for the two of us. I was on my way to out do myself.

It was a Monday better than ever. All was going perfectly, until Taira called.

From there, the evening went downhill, taking my happiness with it.

-----------------------------

Taira had called a few minutes back and told me that she was coming to my place. It was unlike her to invite herself to my place. There had been something uncanny in the way she had spoke. The forever polite and soft spoken Taira was louder and excited, but not in a good way. My brows furrowed, finished with the dinner, I was dressing up for Abeer's arrival.

I had never thought I would put so much thought behind dressing up, but being with Abeer was making me aware of many things that I wasn't aware of before. I had dressed myself in a blue crop top and black jeans and was sorting the knots of my hair when the doorbell rang. Frowning, I glanced up at the clock before taking a scrunchie and rushing towards the door, tying my hair in the way.

It was just 8.30.

I sighed with relief when I opened the door.

"Ah! It's you. I was worried that - "

"See this," Taira pushed me inside the house and thrust her phone in my face. Frowning, I took the phone from her hand and kept it at a distance from my eyes, the screen light blinding me. A chat was open with the name Rohit.

"Why the hell are you showing this to me? Who's Rohit? Your boyfriend?" I questioned, my eyes twinkling with excitement.

"No, he's my friend Karen's boyfriend. Don't ask me, just read on, Aashi," she said, worry lines etched on her face. Her face looked guilty and worried, which instantly sobered me.

Whatever it was, it was damn serious. I took a seat and started reading them.

And reading the chats proved that.

I stared at the chats for long and hard, trying to make head and tail of them.

"Who the fuck is this bastard and why is he writing all this bullshit?" I spat angrily. Taira flinched visibly at my language as guilt made its way in my heart, which I ignored. I rarely swore in front of Taira, knowing her sentiments when it came to swearing.

But goddamnit it was bullshit!

Rohit: Hey Taira! I know confessing what I am about to in the way I am is really the worst but I can't garner the courage to speak to you. This morning when Karen got stuck with an accident and I was busy with a meeting at the office, she told me how you were the one to rush to help her, take her to the hospital to take care of her fracture and complete the formalities with the authorities, saving her the trouble of having to struggle from police station to police station in her state. Karen means everything to me.

Abeer Sen about whom you would have heard from your friend Aashi is a childhood friend of mine whose father helped me financially with education and hence I had to help in garnering information about you. He has some old rivalry with your father and is seeking revenge for it. I don't know why, he didn't reveal his whole story.

I only know that he is trying to get close to Aashi so he can make you fall in love with him and then break your heart to get back to your father. I know you have a lot of questions pertaining to this but know that I'm extremely guilty. Saying sorry would never be enough but I want you to know that I truly am ashamed of what I have done. You are a very giving soul, and you shouldn't got through this.

I was frozen. The ever sparkling Abeer. The kind-hearted Abeer.

And then I shook my head. Nonsense, utter nonsense. "What is this, huh? A television daily soap? That 'oh he has something against your father and is getting close to your best friend to get you fall in love with him and then break your heart, so that Mr. Kapoor is hurt because his daughter is the only weak point in his life'. This sounds nothing more than a cheap saas-bahu drama script to me, and the person who's written this to you is cheaper than that," I bellowed, disgust pouring from every word of mine.

Taira looked conflicted, a mix of hurt and despair evident on her face.

"But...but why would he write anything like this to me? I helped his girlfriend Aashi, it doesn't fit in. Don't you think?" Taira spoke hesitantly.

I sprang up from my chair and threw the blasted phone on the couch with as much force as I could muster. "I don't bloody know, Taira!" I thundered, making her take a step back in caution.

I felt guilty for lashing out at her, but I didn't understand anything else. I knew it didn't fit in. Taira speaking it out only worsened my concerns. Why would this guy write such a bizarre thing to his girlfriend's friend? To get back at him, if Abeer and him held a history? Probably. But the fact that this had happened just after Taira had helped his alleged girlfriend, and that he knew so much about me and Abeer - the puzzle pieces didn't fit in.

But at the same time, Abeer had never mentioned Taira. He hadn't even hinted at meeting my 'best friend'. He hadn't cared about anything else other than me. In fact, I had spoken about meeting him meeting her when he.....

I paused mid-step, my eyes wide. I strode to the couch and sat down heavily, my head between my hands. I still didn't believe it.

Not because I didn't want to believe it, but because it didn't make sense. If a person was determined to seek revenge, he would work relentlessly for it. But he hadn't mentioned it once. Not even once.

I couldn't process this. Any of this.

Taira kept her hand on my shoulder and gave me some water while I kept mulling over it again and again.

The doorbell rang again. I looked up from the couch, and with determination in my eyes, I took Taira's phone from the couch and strode to open the door. I opened it with as much force as I could muster, which at that point, was next to nil, and Taira came and stood behind me. When I opened I saw Abeer with four red roses in his hand and a smile on his face.

Simple red roses. Not a bouquet. Just as I liked them. For a moment I felt like running in his arms and forgetting all the crap that had happened. But this time, I wasn't ready to choose denial. The seed of doubt had made its way in my mind. I didn't want to numb the pain. For the first time, or the second if I counted my acceptance of my feelings for Abeer, I chose to forego denial.

He looked behind me and his smile dimmed a bit, but he covered it up fine. I stared at him, which wiped the smile off his face. "Anything wrong, Aashi?" He asked, worry etched on his face.

My heart twisted at the expression on his face. I couldn't believe what was written in the text. Love, worry, anxiety - I could see them plainly on his face. I didn't doubt him, but if he would clear the air, it would be best for all.

"Yes," I answered grimly. " Read this," I said and shoved the phone in his hands. I could see his eyes move across the words as he read, and also lose the charm they held when I had first answered the door. His face turned pale, and my heart beat faster.

Once he finished, he looked up from the phone screen, sorrow written on his face. "I can explain this, Aashi. It is isn't what it seems like," he said, his voice laced with anxiety. My heart skipped a beat.

But I wanted only one answer. My hands had formed fists on the either side, trying to keep the tears at bay to no avail.

"Abeer, please! Yes or no?" I almost pleaded, my eyes stinging with unshed tears.

Abeer's face looked pained. "Aashi... this...this isn't fair. You have to listen to me!" He implored, but I was adamant. My heart started sinking. He wasn't denying it.

"Answer my question, Abeer Sen! True or not!" I almost shouted, tears freely pouring down my cheeks.

"Ye...yes...true," he mumbled almost inaudibly and the next moment my hand was on his face. He looked at me, his eyes wide with shock, disbelief and despair. I knew the way my hand stung that the hit had been powerful.

"Aashi!" I heard the gasp from behind me, but I didn't pay heed. I wasn't in the mood to deal with anyone other than Abeer Sen.

"I...I should have expected this. After all, why would anyone like you want me? Headstrong, stubborn, unattractive, not the ideal woman, right?" I mumbled, furiously wiping my cheeks dry, but to no positive result. Tears didn't feel the need to save me from further embarrassment, They flowed freely down my cheeks, showing how vulnerable I had become.

My eyes were stuck at Abeer as I poured my insecurities out. Not beautiful enough, not slim enough, not feminine enough, too homely to be a girlfriend, too managing - I had heard them all. If not in words, they had been conveyed through actions. I had been fine with them, because they hadn't mattered. Until now.

"Aashi...I...you are perfect, Aashi. You are perfect the way you are. This isn't about you, Aashi! Not at all...I...give me a chance to explain. Please!" Abeer pleaded, his hands reaching out, but I shoved him away.

"Leave! Get out from here!" I bellowed angrily, pushing him away. His face had gone impassive, but his eyes glistened with unshed tears. I ignored them and turned around, but not before glaring at him and thundering.

"This wasn't about me right? This was about Taira, wasn't it? She saved you, Abeer Sen! Do you hear me? She saved you from Maya! She pushed the HR to search for the relative evidences!"

If there were any remaining emotions left on his face, they wiped clean at my statement.

And I banged the door on the pale, emotionless face of the charming Abeer Sen.

For life.

My Monday had gone all wrong, all wrong!

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