I would count this day as one of the most memorable day of my life; for he narrated me his love story himself. His emotions were visible in his moist eyes as he voiced his love for her. My eyes too turned glassy with tears but lips curled up to a smile when he revealed their proposal night. With each word of his my heart experienced the divinity of his eternal love for, Khushi. I never imagined a person would love someone to such an extreme depth where love never die even though the one doesn't exist anymore.

I saw him fighting back to his tears, not willing to break down. I kept my palm over his cold knuckles that clutched the bench tightly. I assured him that it was okay to cry. Once he looked back at me he stopped battling with those tears which readily escaped from his eyes. He hugged me tight as he allowed his pain to flow. It was very necessary for him to let go the agony and empty his heart that held unshared pain because only then his heart could absorb the coming happiness fully and openly. Moreover it would make him stronger as a person, I was sure.

Their story although remained incomplete but their love was epic, undoubtedly.

While holding me, he kept questioning, cursing and yelling at God for doing this tragedy with him and his love. It was hurting me to see this shattered side of him. His tears, his cracked and weak voice was piercing my heart badly but I couldn't let it be shown to him. I had to stay strong to comfort him. After sometime he regained his composure.

To lighten up the environment I thought to recreate the same Titanic pose. "I love you! " He screamed to the nature, to his Khushi. I wish I could scream 'I'm sorry!' as loud as him. I wish I could free myself from my haunting past. I wish I could cry openly as him, but couldn't. My eyes were heavy and so was my heart. . .

'Don't allow your emotions to weaken you, Aaru. Don't lose control. Tujhe Sanam ki help karni hai, don't be selfish and think about your feelings." I inhaled and exhaled several times trying to calm myself as anxiety began to kick in. I opened my eyes and saw him looking at me. Again.

'Did he see me freaking out? I hope not.' I gave him a weak smile and averted my eyes. There was a moment of silence followed, the sun had already down and it was the moon shining alone in the night sky. "Uhh.. I think we should go back now," I spoke breaking the silence. He was looking intently at the moon then he looked at me, "I wanna show you something."

"Okay?" I said unsure of what he wanna show me more. "Wait and watch" he grinned and winked pointing down the hill. I was amused, "Huh?" He was raising my curiosity. I looked down the hill, it was covered fully under the dark green blanket of grasses and trees which actually looked black in colour,"Kitne sare trees hai na yaha" I was looking down the hill although it was scary but it was mysteriously fascinating at the same time. He picked up a little stone from ground and tossed it in his palm, "Haan par yaha greenery ke saath kuch aur bhi hai" he grinned.

"Junglee janwar? " I joked.

"Jugnoo" He beamed and then threw that stone down the railing with force on the bushes.

"Jugnoo? You mean, fireflies?" As soon as I completed my sentence a large army of fireflies flew out of the bushes. Within few minutes we were surrounded by them. My eyes sparkled as I watched the tiny twinkling fireflies. "Wow!" Escaped from my mouth.

I was absolutely mesmerized by the view. It looked extremely magical. It was the first time I saw so many fireflies all together. It was so entralling that I couldn't believe on my eyes. "It's so-" I was dazed. "Beautiful " He spoke softly.

I looked at him while he was already smiling at me, "beyond beautiful!" I exclaimed happily. He scratched back his neck, "Itna accha laga?" He asked shyly. "Booohhhhooooot!" I screamed in excitement and twirled with both arms open like a kid who saw snow rain for the first time. He chuckled while shaking his head.

I stopped resting my hands on hip with a teasing smirk on my lips, "Vaise, maine suna hai ke apko bees se darr lagta hai. "All sudden his face turned red due to embarrassment, "Haa.. Bees and wasps scares me" he admitted. "Fireflies se darr nahi lagta?" I continued teasing him. "Vo bite thode na karte hai. They are friendly" he stated as a matter of fact. I widened my eyes as if shocked, "Who told you that?"

He was stepping back unsurely, "do they?" He looked horrified by my statement. "But they never bite me so far and I never heard about it, " he added. I suppressed my laugh which was hard to control. He looked so cute!

"Buddhu!" I burst out laughing hard. "Don't be scared," I took his hand in mine still chuckling, "they don't have pincers, I was kidding." He exhaled in relief and started laughing along with me, "I almost believed your lie." I laughed again, "You looked so.. Cute.." I said between my laughs and pulled his cheeks, "Mr. Darpok Puri" I laughed again. He pouted angrily, "I'm not darpok!" He complained like a kid making me laugh more. I paused when a firefly settled on the tip of my nose.

My pupils moved inward looking at that cute little glowing creature. "Don't move! " Mr. Puri told me silently. I stood like a statue and he clicked a picture of mine.

Excuse me, what?

"Mr. Puri no!" I whined and tried to snatch his phone, the bug flew again as I made a move. Mr. Puri held his phone high clearly taking advantage of his tallness. "That's not fair! " With a pouty face I started jumping around him to snatch his cell where as he was laughing badly on my unsuccessful attempts. While making those useless attempts, my ankle twisted and I lost my balance. In reflex I clutched his hood but ends up falling down along with him. We both fell on our backs but thankfully because of grass we didn't hurt ourselves.

Hey groundy, I missed you so much today! Duh.

We both looked at each other with neutral expressions before we burst out laughing madly until our guts and cheeks started paining. "Oh my god." I clasped my cheeks massaging them lightly and controlling my laughter. "Oww my tummy." Mr. Puri complaints holding his stomach still chuckling slowly. "Bas bas.. Nahi to fireflies chali jayenge mouth me. " I cover my mouth and laughed some more.

After this sudden laughter therapy, finally we held a grip on ourselves, we filled our lungs with air and watched the fireflies dance in the air, silently. They twinkled just like the stars in the black sky.

I looked at Mr. Puri who's eyes were also reflecting the scintillating lightening bugs and stars. His face radiating the moonlight as if mirror. The calmness of his face was somewhere passing serenity to my unsteady heart. I wished this moment never moved ahead and freeze till eternity. After all, not everyone is fortunate enough to watch this side of their crush.

The silence was also rising many questions in my head. "Say it, " he spoke while gazing the enthralling view but aware of my gaze on him.

"Why didn't you tell Samar jiju about this place? Why only me? " I really wanted to know.

"Because, some emotions, some places, some secrets are so precious, that you fear to share them with anyone, not even with your closest people. It needs someone who would keep them as safe as you. Someone who will never steal them from you." He gazed at me intently without blinking.

I was stunned. How can he trust me so much?

"You trust me so much?. . ."

"You cannot be friends without trusting each other," he looked up again, "Plus, my heart says you are a trustworthy person. " I could see him smile.

A soft smile formed on my lips too (or may be I was blushing too) , "Thank you for showing me your secret place, it will always be safe with me. I promise." I replied softly.

"Kisi ne muje daata tha for saying thank you," he indirectly taunted me, " Vaise, dosti ka ek usul hai madam, no sorry, no thank you. Okay? " He said the iconic dialogue from the movie 'Maine pyaar kiya' making me chuckle.

"Okay." I said and continued admiring the fireflies and stars.

"Okay. ." He spoke again.

"Okay. . " I smiled at the sky.

~~~~

After so long I felt alive in true sense. I felt my heart replaying the same old rhythm which I thought it forgot. I went to that place which I thought I might never dare to see again. Everything that had her memory was somewhere scaring me back in time, whereas all I wanted was to surround myself with her memories. Ironic.

Arpita was slowly becoming my support system. Being with her gave me courage to fight with my fears, courage to look in it's eye and face it. She was helping me to be stronger as a person. Everything that happened today had made me realise that all this while I have just been running, running from my own emotions. The fear, guilt, anger and also, love. I caged every emotion within my body thinking if I release them I might push Khushi even more away from myself.

But the reality was opposite, Khushi was my inseparable part. She always be. I would not be able to see it if Arpita wasn't there to show me the right side of love; I discovered that true love is never lost, it stays with you and with in you, forever.

I was driving her home to drop her safely. As we both were hungry we decided to go to a restaurant for dinner on our way. After constant driving for nearly one and half hour we were close to the city, there were some food stalls and Dhabas on the way for travellers. "Stop the car!" She exclaimed suddenly making me halt the car immediately as we jerked ahead.

I quickly shifted on my seat, "Are you okay?" I asked her being worried if she was hurt. "Yeah I'm fine, " she answered. "Fir achanak cheekhi kyun? " I was confused. She pointed behind me, I turned and saw a group of street food stalls on the opposite side of the road. There were stalls of 'Pani puri', Chinese, south Indian food and God knows what.

"You wanna eat there?" I questioned. She nodded quickly with a cheeky smile, "Restaurant pata nahi kab pohochenge and fir waha bhi we will have to wait till the order arrive. Muje bohot joro se bhuk lagi hai. Please chaliye na.. " She explained everything while holding her tummy like a little girl who was convincing her father who will not allow her to eat roadside food.

Her adorable actions and way of speaking made me laugh. "What?" she frowned. "Let's go, " I smiled at her and got out of the car. "Thank you! " She said gleefully as we crossed the road. "You are breaking rules of friendship, Dr. Psycho. That's really bad. " I pretend to scold her while reminding her what I said earlier. "Oops! Won't repeat it. " She chuckled.

We went to a Chinese stall, "Bhaiya, apke yaha non-veg to nahi banta na? To fir do (2) plates noodles dena. " She inquired at the stall. I smiled at her knowing she was questioning for me so that I don't feel discomfort while eating. The guy told her that they don't cook non-veg and we don't need to worry. We settled on the chairs and waited for our order. "You know Mr. Puri, aj main mahino baad street food khaungi. I'm so excited!" She told me, her smile never leaving her lips and so was mine, "Main bhi."

We chatted for a while and then our order arrived. Her eyes shone like stars when she saw noodles, she began eating but I was lost in admiring her childish side.

What's happening?

"Kya hua? " She asked when she saw me not eating, "Pasand nahi aya? Kuch aur khana hai? " I shook my head quickly, "Nahi nahi bohot accha" I concentrated on the noodles immediately. 'Jyada dimag mat dohra Sanam! Pagal ho jayega,' my consciousness scolded me. After we we filled our tummies with tasty noodles, to quench our thirsty throats we also had coconut water and then resumed our journey.

"I'm so happy!" she exclaimed happily, "All because of you. " My cheeks must have turned red after hearing her, "It's my honour ma'am" I kept palm over my heart, she chuckled softly. After a moment of silence she spoke, "Mr. Puri."

"Hmm? "

"Can you sing something, please? "

I looked at her and smiled, "Sure. Which song? " I asked her. "Umm.. Khushnaseeb!" she beamed. "Aye aye doctor! " Focused on the road I made a salute.

I requested him to sing Khushnaseeb, one of my favorite SANAM Original as our journey continued. I was very happy and chirpy, food always make me happy. Lol. He accepted my request and began singing,

"Khushnaseeb hain hum,

Ek doosre ko jo miley.

Khushnaseeb hain hum,

Milte rahein dil khushiyon se.. "

I was snapping my fingers giving music, "Haa.. Haa.. " I too joined him. "Sab hanskar har gham ko bhula de,

Muskuraate huey hum khushiyon se mila de, " He smiled at me continuing the song, I smiled back.

"Yeh raaste o o ho o.. Humare raaste o o ho. Khushnaseeb hai hum. Ek doosre ko jo miley. Khushnaseeb hain hum, Milte rahein dil khushiyon se.. " We sung together.

"Din ho ya raat gaayenge hum saath

Door ho ya paas,

Hum jeeyenge ek dooje ke vaaste o ho ho.

Humare raaste..." Forgetting the 'soors' we literally went crazy and sung the song madly.

"Khushnaseeb hain hum

Ek doosre ko jo miley

Khushnaseeb hain hum

Milte rahe dil khushiyon seeeeeeeee.. " He stretched 'se' so long and it sounded hilarious that I couldn't help but laugh at his adorableness.

~~~~~

"It was an amazing day. " We reached my society and were walking to my apartment. "Indeed it was, " he agreed with a smile. "Umm.. Would you like to have some coffee or something? " I asked him like a good host who wouldn't let her guest return without having anything. "Uhh no actually it's already late. Samar - Soumya bhi ghar agye honge so, mai bhi jata hoon ab. "

"Okay, " understanding his side I smiled softly, we wished each other good night and bid bye. After he left and I entered my home, I freshen up wearing my night suit and I called Bua and Bhumi to ask about their whereabouts.

End of POV.

Sanam's POV :- After dropping her home safely, I returned back to mine. Samar and Soumya were already back and I knew I was going to be welcomed with hundreds of questions. "Sanam!! " Soumya opened the door for me after hearing the door bell. "Hey, you're back. " I entered. "Yeah. Where were you? " She was more chirpy than usual and it made me suspicious. "Uhh.. I was out to the.. Beach. " I smiled weakly at her. I don't like lying but I had no other option.

"That's great! Aaru bhi thi tumhare sath? " She inquired more. "Isn't that obvious, wify? " Said Samar who walked out of kitchen gaining a glare from his beloved wife. I jumped on the couch, "Yeah she was with me and I went to drop her home also. " I answered her calmly. She looked happier, ". That's wonderful! I mean it's so sweet of you. " Her behavior was making me doubt what was actually running in her mind. "What's up with you?" I asked with an arched brow as she sat on the couch beside me.

"Pareshan mat karo yaar Somu mere bechare bhai ko, itne questions ke answers to ye exams me bhi nahi diya karta tha." My brother settled on my other side with his brilliant sarcasm. I smiled sarcastically at him. "Acha acha sorry! No more questions." yet her voice was filled with merriment.

"Amu so gai? " I asked both of them diverting the topic. They nodded together. "Mannat bhi aayi hai sath. " Samar informed. "Really?! " My eyes shone after knowing that. He nodded with a grin. "Dono sath me hi soye hai, kal mil lena, " Soumya said. "Kal bohot maza ayega! Meri dono cuties ke sath! " I was all excited for tomorrow.

"Tomorrow we are going for a family picnic!" She exclaimed joyfully but Samar signed her to lower her frequency, "Oops." She bite her tongue. "Ye baat Amu and Mannat ke liye surprise hai, unko kal hi pata chalega so zip your lips till then. " My brother told me. I acted of zipping my lips and threw the key away. "Okay main Aaru ko inform kar deti hoon to be ready for tomorrow. " She got up. "Uh.. Arpita bhi ayegi? " Eagerness clear in my tone.

A teasing smirk appeared on her lips, I immediately regretted speaking. "Kyun? Nahi bulana hai usein? Okay nahi bulate hain. " She sat back. "No no! I mean. . Bulate hain na, her family is also not here, she told me. She will be bored alone. . She will also enjoy with us. . " I tried explaining. "Awww. Our Sanam is so caring na, Samar. " She pulled my cheek and teased me. Both of them laughed making me feel shy, "I'll go and sleep. I am heck tired. Good night Somu, good night Samar! " I ran into my room straight where as both the husband wife kept laughing at me.

"Get ready for some picnic fun, doctor psycho. "