"Should I drop you somewhere?", Bela asked being polite

"We need to talk Bela", Anu said

Bela looked at her surprised, she din't know what Anu has to talk to her. Anu signalled her to sit and they settled down to the corner of the road.

"He really loves you Bela", Anu whispered

Bela closed her eyes annoyed at everyone who's saying Mahir loves her but the person who really have to say isn't even opening his mouth.

All she wants was Mahir to confess if he actually has feelings for her, if he really loves him then she knows how to deal with Mahir's fears but she din't want to take any step without knowing it from Mahir himself.

"Please Ananaya, I don't want to talk about it", Bela said

"You can call me Anu.. and Bela, you both are hurting yourself staying away from eachother.. it's not helping anyone", Anu said equally annoyed

Bela stayed quite, while Anu sighed at the situation.

"I divorced him Bela, and not to lie.. I have regretted that my whole life", Anu whispered

"I couldn't understand what blunder I was going to commit that time, but now if I look back in time I know how stupid I was to let him go. He was a gem Bela, I was lucky to have him as my husband", Anu said

"And you still left him?", Bela snapped thinking of how Mahir coped up with all that

"Since the time we started dating, or the initial days after our marriage.. I felt something changed with time Bela.. it happens, a relationship can't be the same always and one must mend into that with love. But I was a fool who was a stubborn one when I couldn't thing beyond that one fact.

Now if I see back, it wasn't a problem at all Bela.. only if I acted a little mature I should have been with him happily but I myself ruined my married life which I'll always regret doing.

My life thought me so much after parting ways with Mahir, I realised how childish I was and couldn't bring myself to face Mahir again even when I wanted to come back to him", Anu said

"That's when I met Shaan after an year of my divorce.. he became close to me in less time and when he said I felt I need to speak to Sumi maa atleast. I got to know Mahir was blaming himself for everything happened.. I felt guilty Bela, I felt like killing myself when everything felt so chocking.

I realised I was moving on from Mahir and gradually I fell in love with Shaan.. love can happen twice Bela and it happened with me.. Shaan felt I have to clear it with Mahir before I start a new life with him..

That's why I'm here to speak with Mahir, and that's when I got to know even he found someone after me.. he found someone who makes him happy despite the burden he's carrying.. it's you Bela", Anu said looking at her

"Will you talk to him and clear out everything Bela?", Anu asked softly

Bela looked at Anu and unable to hold it further she burst out crying cupping her mouth.

"Hey shh, it's okay Bela.. don't cry", Anu said taking her in a side hug

"I don't know what to talk to him Anu.. he never tried to listen to me whenever I tried speaking of us", Bela cried

"Give it one last try Bela, may be this time he will?", Anu asked

Bela backed off wiping her tears and stood up followed by Anu.

"Is it the first time he drank or he's used to it?", Bela asked

"I know he never drank before.. and I guess he never after I left also", Anu said

"I wanna meet him now", Bela said looking down to which Anu smiled wide

"That's great, you can go to him now but don't forget to talk to him in the morning okay?", Anu asked

"Yeah, I'll drop you?", Bela asked

"Yes please, can't really help myself at this time", Anu laughed to cheer up her mood

Bela smiled at her and both hoped into the car when Bela drove to Anu's house silently.

"Thanks for the drive Bela, I won't really ask you to come home now.. but one day I would love to see you and Mahir coming home as a couple.. hopefully very soon", Anu smiled

"Thanks Anu", Bela said genuinely

"You don't have to be Bela.. I'll do anything for you to be in Mahir's life, may be it's the only think I can do good to Mahir now", Anu smiled sadly

Bela smiled back, and Anu left to her house. Bela soon reached Sehgal Mansion and messaged Yuvi to come and open the door who came at the right time letting her in.

"How's he?", Bela asked

"He kept mumbling your name for so long and he just slept a while ago", Yuvi informed

"Can I see him?", Bela asked

"You don't have to ask Bela, he's all yours to be precise", Yuvi teased to which Bela blushed

After speaking to Anu, Bela honestly had hopes that maybe Mahir also actually loves her back just the way she does.

All the hopes and confidence which she lost, seems to come back slowly when she was yet again thinking of a happy married life with Mahir.

"Come", Yuvi said taking her in

Bela looked at Mahir who was lying on the middle of the bed clutching his pillow close to his heart.

She smiled at how once she felt envious of that pillow also but now.. somewhere she's still insecure about Anu even when she's gonna start a new life with Shann soon.

"I wish I could tell how much I love you Mahir", Bela thought looking at him

"You should stay back for tonight Bela, it's already very late", Yuvi suggested

"No Yuvi, I haven't informed Dad anything.. he'll be worried if he doesn't find me in the morning", Bela said

"Then I'm dropping you Bela.. you ar'nt going alone at this time, it might not be safe", Yuvi said

"Don't worry Yuvi, I'll be fine.. if there's anything I'll call you okay?", Bela said

"But Bela..", Yuvi was saying when Bela interrupted

"I'll send my live location also okay? I'll call you once I reach", Bela assured

"Hm fine, but be careful and give me a call if any", Yuvi asked

Bela nodded and Yuvi excused himself for a minute when he recieved a call from Anu.

Bela looked at Mahir and taking small steps she reached him sitting next to him. She softly caressed his stubble placing a lingering kiss on his forehead and quickly wiped of her tear before it flows down her cheek.

"I love you", Bela mumbled cupping his face

She got up looking at him for once and was leaving when Yuvi came.

"It's Anu, even she's asking you to stay back for tonight", Yuvi said

"She's really nice", Bela commented

"Hmm she is.. although I still hate her decision.. but may be I'm happy to have you in our family", Yuvi smiled at the end

Bela smiled back and hugged him thanking God for giving a wonderful brother to her.

"Thanks Yuvi", Bela mumbled backing off

"We should be thankful to you Bela, if not for you then I don't know how Mahir Bhai would have been all his life", Yuvi said thankfully

Bela smiled and soon left to her house without anyone's notice.

***

Next morning, Mahir was tossing on his bed holding his head which felt would break out any second.

His door opened wide and he looked up only to find Bela standing there with a glass in her hand.

"Bela?", Mahir whispered not believing his eyes

"Headache?", Bela asked although it's obvious

"How do you know?", Mahir asked surprised

"First go freshenup and come", Bela said

"But Bela..", Mahir was saying when Bela interrupted

"Go Mahir, I'll be right here.. go brush and come", Bela said demanding

Mahir nodded his head not remembering anything happened last night and went inside his washroom.

Ten minutes later he came back and sat on the bed next to Bela pressing his head.

"Here, have this", Bela gave him a glass of lemonade

"Why this?", Mahir asked

"To reduce your hangover", Bela replied

"Hangover? I was drunk last night?", Mahir asked

"You don't remember anything?", Bela asked and Mahir nodded his head in no

"It's okay, and yes you where drunk last night.. don't know how much you drank", Bela said calmly

"I'm sorry", Mahir said feeling guilty

"It's okay, just drink that and I'll give you a tablet as well", Bela said

Mahir nodded drinking and took his tablet like Bela said.

"I don't know how bad hangover can be, but you just take a bath and come for breakfast.. hopefully you will fine by then", Bela said

"Um.. your hospital?", Mahir asked

"I'm on a leave today, you go bath.. I'll be downstairs", Bela said leaving from his room

Bela couldn't stay back when she knew Mahir's condition and wanted to be with him, so taking a leave for today she quickly informed her Dad coming to him.

She went downstairs and Sumi looked at her surprised.

"Hey Bela, when did you come?", Sumi asked surprised

"Hi Aunty, I just came a while ago", Bela smiled

"Oh that's good.. come have breakfast with us", Sumi smiled warmly

Bela nodded smiling back and both Yuvi and Kuhu came downstairs while Yuvi looked at Bela somewhere expecting her here.

"I knew you would come", Yuvi said smirking

"And did you know Vish is coming as well?", Bela asked

"She is?", Yuvi asked surprised

"Hm yeah, she said she was missing you.. she might be almost there though", Bela said

Just then Vish came in and Yuvi's eyes twinkled seeing her.

"I never expected you both will love eachother so much", Bela said

"I know right? But may be this is how love happens.. with the most unexpected person, honestly I thought I would be with Vish also hardly some one or two weeks but somehow I can see my whole life with her now", Yuvi said when his eyes where stuck on Vish

"Take care of her", Bela whispered to which Yuvi nodded

***

Post there breakfast Yuvi went up to Mahir's room and found him thinking something sitting on his couch.

"Thinking about Bela?", Yuvi asked approaching him

"I don't understand what to do Yuvi", Mahir said feeling defeated

"You should confess your feelings Bhai.. trust me that's the only solution if you ask me", Yuvi said sitting next to him

"Will she even accept me Yuvi? I'm a divorcee", Mahir whispered

"Do you really think Bela would mind that Bhai?", Yuvi questioned

"No, But..", Mahir was saying but Yuvi interrupted

"No, that's the answer your heart also knows.. don't let your thoughts overpower what your heart feels Bhai.. if only Bela minded you being divorced, I don't think she would be here just being concerned for you after seeing your drunken state last night", Yuvi said

Mahir looked down silently while Yuvi sighed looking at him.

"You both love eachother Bhai, and I don't understand why none of you are willing to express it.. you know everything will be solved once you both speak", Yuvi said slightly annoyed

"I'm scared Yuvi", Mahir said slowly

"Scared of what Bhai? That she may reject you?", Yuvi asked

"That I may hurt her", Mahir said slowly

"And you think she's happy now with what you are doing? You think she was happy when you kept pushing her away all these days? Do you really think she will be happy loosing you Bhai? Din't you ever feel her love for you?", Yuvi asked

"But.. what if she feels the same.. like Anu did?", Mahir asked when tears formed his eyes

"I regret it Mahir.. I regret leaving you", Said Anu standing at his room doorstep

Mahir looked at her surprised not expecting her.

"I know it was my decision, but trust me I regretted every single day.. I realised I was only being stupid when I spoke about divorce for something very small.. I realised we could have been a happy couple if only I acted a little mature that time", Anu said

"Anu", Mahir whispered looking at her

"Yes Mahir, it was completely my mistake of what happened.. trust me, you have been the best husband one could get.. I still feel lucky to have the best memories with you and I'm sorry for that Mahir.. I could never realise that left a very strong impact on you.. please don't loose Bela", Anu requested

"Bhai, Bela loves you.. you love her, please don't think anything further and it's high time you guys clear it out", Yuvi said

"I want to talk to her", Mahir said

"Even she wanted to, I'll just tell her and come.. she's downstairs with Kuhu", Anu smiled wide going down

"All the best Bhai", Yuvi smiled leaving his room

Mahir moved to his cubord taking a small photo frame and slowly caressed it with his fingers.

"How much ever I loved you before, how much ever it hurted being away from you.. I'm happy I got Bela in my life now, and directly or indirectly it's coz of you Anu.. even now it's again you who made me realise what blunder I was trying to commit.. and this time I wouldn't loose my Bela ever, she's mine.. Mahir's Bela!", Mahir mumbled looking at Anu's photo

He somehow wanted to thank Anu for still being a good friend even after everything and he knows he could never say this to her directly.

Anu just asked Bela to go meet Mahir, and Bela determined to clear out everything and start a new life with him happily went up to his room.

She took a deep breath standing at his room doorstep when sweat beads formed her forehead.

"It's okay Bela, you can do it.. just go and tell him how much you love him, I'm sure even Mahir loves me back", Bela slightly blushed

She slowly peeped inside taking a step in while Mahir's back was facing her, her eyes fell on the photo frame Mahir was holding and she felt her heart sink seeing Mahir's and Anu's marriage photo where they where standing together with garlands around there neck just like newly weds.

She looked at Mahir who was caressing the photo and she felt her dreams, her hopes, her thoughts.. her love crashing and collapsing down.

"He doesn't love me"

"He's still in love with Anu"

"He probably never forgot her"

"May be he still wants her as his wife?"

"He never loved me.. I was always in a one sided love"

"What if he gets back with Anu?"

"He will leave me?"

"Hmm.. there is nothing between us to leave also! There is nothing between us, we are nothing to eachother?"

Bela kept thinking when tears fell down her cheeks like a river.. she only wished for this to be fake, how she wish she never met Mahir!

She wouldn't be having this pain.. pain of not being able to have a life with someone you love with all your heart.

She turned her heels rushing and finding no one in the living room, she quickly ran away not able to meet anyone.. not able to believe the harsh truth.

"I wish I met you earlier Mahir, may be you would have loved me then", Bela cried leaving the place

____________________