Play:- Meri Aashiqui (Palak Muchhal+ Arijit Singh)

Or

Play:- I'm Not Her. (Clara Mae) & Crazy In Love (Beyonce)

Two Weeks Later,

Life was running neutral for Pooja. There was no excitement and neither the urge to have any. She was satisfied with the happenings and didn't plan to change them. She is a hard headed, sanctimonious woman for world, but for her, this self righteousness and crave to be self sufficient drove from the long practiced traditions and cultural norms that she is tied with since childhood. Marriage has to be her choice and not a compulsory step after dating. She's okay with her decision, she doesn't need a man to support her and she'll prove that. But is she happy?

The question rose when Rivaah called her.

"Yes, Di?", She spoke as she stood up from her study table and manoeuvred close to window.

"I'm calling to tell you that Aarav has started looking out for girls. You said that he just needs a wife- may it be whoever- so he's doing the same. He's meeting Neha Jindal today at 5:00 PM in Oberoi Hotel for blind date. I don't want you to go there and spoil it. You've done enough. He's moving on in his life and I hope you do the same. The girl is BEAUTIFUL, SMART and INTERESTED in Aarav. Don't poison his life anymore. You've done enough damage!", And she hung up without even waiting for response.

Pooja sighed at her sister's melodramatic words. Poison his life? Seriously? Who says something like this in real life?

She looked at the wall clock in her room, it was 12:30 in afternoon. Well, even if it was 5:00 she would have made no attempt to go anywhere. It's his life and he can do whatever heck he can. Also, they had only dated for a month, what difference it brings. People break up after years of relationship and still manages to find their true love. May be it is for good. He wants to settle down? He can happily. She'll not create nuisance now that the things are falling back at it's place. It's not hard to forget him. After all, it was her who broke up. She doesn't need him. She'll be happy without him.

"Ma'am, your change.", The cab driver said handing the money to Pooja and drove out. She was at Nariman Point, standing on the front porch of oh so famous Oberoi Hotel. She didn't know what she's supposed to do now. All she knows is that she was completely restless for last two hours and now she's here. Trying to calm herself, although completely confused and finding for the explanation.

She glanced at her wrist watch, it was fifteen minutes past five. She's late.

Thanks to her classy outfit, she didn't look like an outcast and was welcomed warmly inside. She was amazed by the interiors. Extremely large and spotless clean lobby. The attendees cladded in sarees and kurtas instead of Western outfits. An extra large seating area in the middle, on it's right side a classy and huge piano. The hotels in South Bombay surely screams of luxury and elite.

She directly headed for the front desk and asked for the restaurant. The polite receptionist offered her to show the direction physically and Pooja gratefully accepted.

"Here's the couple's restaurant. Do you want me to ask for your booking, Ma'am?", The lady asked and Pooja shook her head.

"No thanks.", It was hard for her to speak confidently when the receptionist looked more prominent and graceful than her. She was feeling like an awkward potato in the middle of exotic and imported vegetables.

"Okay. If you've any queries, please ask me or any other staff. We'll be glad to help you.", The lady smiled before walking away. Pooja sighed in relief.

She entered gingerly, looking inside daintily as if even watching around might cost her more than her fortune. Aarav never brought her to the places like this. He was always taking her out on fairs, long drives or movie dates. He never took her out for lunch or dinner, he always preferred to cook for her because he says that he likes it when he does something for her which is not bought by money.

A stiff, broad and extremely manly back caught her attention across the sea of tables. There weren't many couples in the restaurant. The brown mob of hair, slicked and pushed back reminded her of his everyday hairstyle. But the strict and brittle posture was so unlike him. He was never like this around her. Is he really on a date or did her sister tricked her? God! She'll be embarrassed beyond belief.

But a gentle, graceful and calm wave like giggle confirmed her doubt. There was a girl with him. More appealing and classy than her. Her laugh, so rich and beautiful. Unlike Pooja, who's laugh is obnoxious and loud.

She burnt. If she was a cartoon character, you would have been able to see the steam coming off her both ears. She was that angry.

She slowly and cautiously moved front, trying to stay away from any suspicious eyes. She took a seat behind their table, and gasped when her eyes landed on the lady sitting before him. She was an embodiment of dawn like beauty. So much charm and sophistication shoved inside a single woman.

There was no chance any sane person would reject her.

"Tell me about your past relationships?", She asked, her voice sounded clear like lake water and fluid like snowfall.

"Ma'am? What would you like to have?", A waiter came, breaking Pooja's detector riverie.

"I'll tell you later. I'm waiting for someone.", She said in a small whisper, not to grab any wondering ears. The waiter nodded and marched back.

Aarav slightly moved, the fragrance that suddenly embraced him was far more dazzling. Vibrant. Soft. It was musky and sweet. He was familiar with this scent. It still lingers on his shirts whenever he opens his wardrobe. It reminded him of her. His Pooja. His stubborn, strong minded, hard headed Pooja.

He twisted his body to look for the source. And his eyes landed on the table behind him, someone occupying the table but had their face covered with the menu book.

"Aarav?", Neha called out and he looked front. His mind was suddenly restless. His body craved to hold her. Her, who didn't think twice before cutting all the ties with him. Was he that bad?

"Huh?", He asked, lost and waiting to be found. By her. By his Pooja.

How come he lost so much of his to a simple girl and received nothing?

He was done with this blind date! He never wanted to come here in the first place. But Rivaah ordered him and he couldn't deny her wish. But now, all he wants is to go back to office and dive in his work.

"I asked whether you had a girlfriend or not?", Neha smiled, a little confused by his dazed expression.

"Ye-yeah. I had.", He answered and Pooja's heart stuttered. Was he regretting dating her?

"Were you serious?"

"I was. She was not.", He replied gently as he looked down at the table cloth.

An unknown pain gripped at her heart and she guiltily looked down.

"Do you still love her?", Neha asked curiously.

"No, I don't!", He almost snapped.

The harshness in his tone shocked Pooja. She gasped and flinch. Her hand accidentally fell on the spoons and forks placed elegantly on the table and they clashed down on floor, creating a clinking sound. Her little mishap grabbed everyone's attention and his surprised eyes met her shocked ones.

She quickly over came her shock and stood up. The chair screeched back and she scurried to the main entrance. She was completely mortified, ashamed and heartbroken.

She was able to hear the heavy footsteps following her but the tears streaming down her face made it unable for her to look clearly and she just wanted an escape before someone else sees her like this. She ran to the gates and walked past few pedestrians to the walkway.

"Taxi! Taxi!", She yelled for the cab to stop. When one taxi stopped, she sighed in relief and leaned down to look at the taxi driver. "Gor-" before she could complete, her elbow was gripped tightly and she was pulled flushed against a hard chest.

"Leave.", An authoritative voice told the taxi driver and it drove out silently.

She struggled against the tight grip, wanting to get free but failed before the strength and sniffed trying to avoid looking at him. He turned her around, his eyes desperately wanting to meet hers. His hand rose up to cup her cheek and she closed her eyes at the gentle caress. He was aware of the eyes looking at them and he wanted to hide her from all the judgemental stares. His arm went around her shoulder and he walked her out of the crowd. He brought her back inside hotel premise and asked the durban for his car to be called. A minute later it arrived and he helped her inside passenger seat. She was too embarrassed to speak or look at him so she wordlessly did as told.

He jogged to the offside and slid himself in. Igniting the engine, he drove out and headed to her apartment building. An hour later they reached and he stopped his car. Waiting for her to get down.

Her shoulders started shaking as she ducked her head and sobbed in her palms. "Please.", She whispered.

"Leave, Pooja.", He said curtly.

"I don't want to.", She shook her head stubbornly.

"What do you want from me, Pooja? After proclaiming that my love is selfish you can't go on spoiling my dates!", He snapped angrily.

"I never said that!", She defended weakly. "I- I was overwhelmed. I couldn't think straight. I was afraid.", She whispered.

"Afraid of what? I just asked you-"

"For marriage! It's a big commitment, Aarav. And I'm scared!", She stated cutting him off.

"I never meant that I want to marry you immediately. But you gave me no chance to explain myself. I just wanted you to wear my ring, be my fiancee. I'm not a man that will tie you inside house and ask you to be an obedient housewife, Pooja. I'll never do that. But I can understand. I can't force anyone. So leave. I'm moving on. I'm trying to find a manufacturer that'll produce me kids.", He spat out, making the sarcasm in his last statement crystal clear.

"Can't we move past this?", She asked. "I-I really like you. I'm sorry for whatever I said that day. I was just too shocked and didn't know how to react. I didn't mean any of that.", She spoke softly.

"If you didn't mean anything, you would have answered my calls or responded to my messages. You didn't.", He stated as his grip around steering wheel tightened.

"So you're giving up on me? On us?", She asked daintily.

He didn't answer.

"Okay.", She whispered submissively and stepped out. She took slow steps, waiting for him to call out her name. But then she heard the sound of engine and her hopes shattered.

She decided to go to the park that is across the street. She can't let her parents see her like this. Silently she made her way through the dried fallen leaves, a serene crunching sound pleasantly wafting through the quiet surrounding. She sat down on a bench, that was situated under an old oak tree.

Seconds turned into minutes, minutes turned into hours and yet she still sat there. As if waiting. Her mind searched for someone, and the restlessness surfaced down when she kept staring front.

"I never took you for a heartbroken type.", A voice said and she jerked straight. Turning her head, her eyes widened in surprise.

"I thought you left.", She said softly.

"I was outside the park. In my car. Looking at you.", He admitted sheepishly.

"Stalker.", She snorted.

"Hey! You stalked me all the way to restaurant. You spoiled my potential date!", He accused.

"Potential date!?", She asked, glaring down at the ground.

"Hmm. I'm planning to take her out again. May be we should give-", She stood up startling him and was about to walk away when he grabbed her wrist.

"What do you want now, Aarav!? You said you're done with me. You want to move on. Then go!", She hissed trying to remove his grip.

"You're so thick headed!", He groaned as he pulled her down to sit beside. "I left her there for you. I drove you here because I was worried of your safety. I waited for you in my car because I care for you. I would never give up on us. I just wanted you to try harder. But as usual, you gave up! It was easy for you walk out! Like last time, this time too you did nothing different!"

"Will I get a dream that you wanted me to try harder when you're meeting potential dates out there!"

"This is your problem! You never accept your mistakes!", He said in exasperation before getting on his feet and briskly walking back to his car.

Before he could open the door, a hard tug turned him around and his back harshly collided with the metal behind. She glanced around her consciously before meeting his eyes. The naked hunger, untamed desire in his eyes pulled her like a magnet and she slammed her lips on her.

He turned both of them around and opened the door of backseat. Pushing her inside, he crawled on top of her after closing the door behind. The tinted windows protected them from any prying eyes.

"I can't believe we're making out after a month of break up.", She said breathlessly as he sprinkled short and open mouthed kisses on her jaw and neckline.

"Why? Are you regretting?", He asked hoarsely after raising up his head to meet her eyes.

She smiled and cupped his face. "Let's get engaged. But I need sometime for marriage."

"Just wear the ring and be my fiancee. I'll wait for you until eternity.", He grinned.

"Okay.", She nodded.

"Really!?", He sat up and she straightened her dress before following his queue.

"Hmm.", She nodded.

"Okay!", He squealed before diving through the space available between front seats and grabbing the ring box from dashboard. "Here!", He smiled as he opened the blue velvet case.

"Not like this!", She deadpanned.

"Huh?", He looked up innocently.

"I want a traditional proposal. Like going on your knees and sad sweet sob speech!", She stated strictly. "And then, you're gonna come home along with your parents and ask for my hand.", She said cupping his cheeks with both of her palms and squishing them. His lips pursued out and she couldn't resist pecking him. "Now I've to go.", She smiled mischievously before opening the door and rushing out.

His eyes stayed fixed on her until she disappeared inside the building. Dream or reality he couldn't decipher. But she is there, with him and that's all that matters.

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Play:- Dhoondhe Akhiya (Yasser Desai)

Or

Play:- After The Heartbreak (Nightcore Version)

Ahana sat down with a cup of chai. She placed disposable cup beside her and crossed her feet, swinging them sideways as air rifted through, tingling her skin ever so slightly. She looked past the sea, the horizon stretched as far as she could see. The dazzling changing lights from daimonds (white lights) to gold (yellow lights) attracted everyone to steal a glance.

She took a sip of her chai and sighed in delight. Everytime during any business meeting, she had to order a coffee to feel one among them. But here, she didn't need to pretend. She can be herself.

Over the time, a teenager in her grew up into an responsible adult and she never tried to go against the time. She was never the rebellious one, the only time she did go against her family wishes was when she was charmed by a man four years older than her and did everything to capture his eyes. He made her feel like no other. Like she was the only girl he had eyes for.

The dream of growing old together was strong and it was all built on the love he showered over her.

But he left. When the mistake wasn't hers. He didn't glance back, as if he never loved her. He married to someone else, as if her thoughts never made him restless. He's happy, as if her presence in life meant nothing.

It was her silly heart that couldn't find escape. It were her innocent feelings that never tried to find solace in someone else. It was her stubborn love for him that always held her back from moving on.

But isn't it time to let go that was never meant to stay in her life?

Her life, does it not deserve to witness some happiness.

Over the years, her trust on love and it's promises has surely shaken but it's still there. She's now waiting for someone who'll strengthen it. She's waiting for someone who'll revive the buried feelings back to life.

She's waiting......

"What a pleasant surprise it is to see you here.", Startled, Ahana looked up. Her eyes widened when they fell on the familiar face of a man who stood smiling oh so charmingly at her.

"Yo-You?", She gulped. The memories of the nights they spent in each other's arms twisted her insides and she shifted on her place awkwardly. She coughed and looked back at him. He was still smiling down at her.

The baby pink shirt hugged his upper body like second skin. The dark trousers tight around his thighs. His dense black locks wavered with the strong wind, falling on his forehead and making him more handsome. His dark brown eyes, gently framed under the thick and long eyelashes appeared glee and happy.

"May I sit here?", He asked chivalrously and she nodded hesitantly. Still confused.

He had a packet of fried peanuts in his hands that he offered to her. She shook her head and he shrugged before tossing few in his mouth.

"Sup? What are you doing here?"

"I should be asking you that.", She sighed.

"I'm here to settle down.", He said and she looked at him in disbelief. "What?"

"Why?"

"Because Mumbai is the economical capital of India.", He shrugged.

"Oh.", She nodded. What was she expecting anyways? She smacked her forehead mentally.

"How are you?", He asked leaning front and turning his head to look at her.

She turned her head slightly. Meeting his eyes and then quickly looking away. Her fingers fumbled with the end sleeve of her chiffon blouse.

"I'm fine. What about you?", She asked without giving him any glance.

"I'm good. Now.", He added the latter part in whisper.

"Were you waiting for your boyfriend?", He asked with a subtle glance.

"Is this way of your knowing whether I'm single or not?", She asked with a hidden smile.

"What if it is?", He teased.

"Then I'll say your ways of flirting are rustic and old.", She rolled her eyes.

"That means you don't have a boyfriend.", He nodded to himself as he looked front.

She turned her head in surprise. "What made you conclude that?"

"Oh, so you have a boyfriend?", He tilted his head innocently.

"No. But-"