Sakshi groaned while stretching hard. Yawning tiredly, she picked up her phone from the drawer and checked the time. A smile appeared on her lips when she realized that they had late lectures today, starting and ending in the noon only. Until then, she could take a long long shower and cook a healthy breakfast for the new couple.

She grinned to herself, thinking how exciting it would be to see both of them whipped for each other. She could always make jokes and tease them until they would turn red as tomatoes.

She stared up at the moving fan, imagining herself living like that. Having a boyfriend who could make such little efforts for you in the middle of the night, who could be so thoughtful while choosing gifts, make you blush and laugh at the same time. She sighed dreamily, when Shrey's face flashed in her mind.

She couldn't even dream about it anymore. Shrey was a criminal or not, but he had been trapped in a rape case because of his own stupidities. It would be such a big fat No from her brother, her family and even her friends. Not that Shrey too would ever get back with her.

Her heartbeats fastened at the thought that her love could remain incomplete forever. She closed her eyes and turned over, hugging herself at how unlucky she felt at the moment. After years of waiting and hoping, she got to see Shrey that even not happy as before.

Things would have been so different if he hadn't played with her. She would have never come to Delhi, stayed with her family, would have been a happy soul and much more. But now, she didn't regret coming here. She got friends and new freedom. She found her own best version.

Boyfriends would come and go, but the chances of proving her true love won't. She won't be even a little vengeful to Shrey for what he did to her years ago. She would help him in anyway even if it meant, lying to her own family. Though, she hadn't lied to anyone yet. She was just hiding it. But wait! She had told this to Pihu.

Sakshi opened her mouth, remembering how shocked she was. There was pity in her eyes and at the same time fear of a big trouble coming in the house. Sakshi knew that her reaction was understandable but what could she do to stop her Tai ji from trapping her in marriage. She had to leave that worm to spoil everything.

Though, her brother had informed that he had put a stop on the marriage thing for sometime, which meant that Pihu hadn't told him anything about Shrey. But at least by any means, Pihu would be there to understand her denials.

With that thought, she stretched for last time and got off the bed. She went to the bathroom, did her routines and finally came out to make breakfast for the two monkeys. She walked out of her room in her shorts and chuckled at seeing one of them sleeping on the couch, open-mouthed.

Sakshi smirked, shaking her head when she found Aditi, who hadn't even washed her face, making coffee for all of them. "You're awake."

Aditi hummed with a lazy smile, not looking at her. "Calls and calls. Now, I am too fed up to sleep."

Sakshi chuckled and walked to her, putting the two mugs on the counter. "Well, there's that big show on. You can stare as long as want," she muttered while nodding towards a half-naked Aarush, snoring.

Aditi smiled approvingly. "Ah, yes. I am enjoying it already. But wait, from when did he got those packs? Few months ago, when we went to that water park, he had this round belly."

Sakshi shook her head. "He has his moments. There were exams those days and from two months, he didn't go to the gym. You can't distract the nerdy Aarush from topping the class when it's me in the competition."

Aditi smirked and handed her the mug. Sakshi cleared her throat and swallowed before finally asking, "So are you both a thing now?"

She watched her smile fading immediately. "I don't know," whispered Aditi. She lowered her eyes and told, "I hadn't officially told him. But he knows and he hasn't said anything in return."

Sakshi gulped. "Like he said, he doesn't want things to go fast."

Aditi nodded. "Yeah. So to not make anything awkward between us, I won't poke the topic until he does himself."

Sakshi smiled tightly, taking a sip of her coffee. She observed her blank face and decided to change the topic. "So, where do you think we should go tonight? What are you going to wear?"

Aditi shook her head. "I don't want to repeat what happened last year."

Sakshi stiffened but smiled anyway. "That won't happen each time. Right? Ronnie is a jerk that just found me alone that night. I didn't know he would try to get me again. You don't worry about it. We'll go to some another club."

Aditi stared at her. "But-"

"Nope. No buts and ifs. We are going to a posh club and will have one helluva party. It's not like Ronnie will be there too coincidentally. I don't have that bad of luck." She shuddered dramatically.

Aditi chuckled. "Alright. But we'll be back soon and would party here too, in our little personal space."

Sakshi smiled goofily. "Yeah, sure. If you remain sober until then."

________

Kabir fisted the table hard, shaking in anger. His jaws clenched while his nostrils flared.

"No photo was sent last night."

Mihir rolled his eyes. "Come on. There must have been some work came up. Why don't you wait for the genuine reason? It's not like you hadn't done that thing anyway."

Kabir glared at him, smiled calmly.

"Twenty hours passed since that gift had reached her flat. No response came."

Mihir raised his eyebrows at him. "Then, it's your fault. I had suggested you to send the another one, not the candle."

Kabir shook his head, turning away from his brother to stare at the table, on the gift box.

"I will send it for sure. But not so soon. Let the candle light her mind first." He spoke, breathing hard. His eyes narrowing as he continued, "If it's taking time, let it be. I will wait. Wait for the right time to surprise her with the real gift."

He stepped ahead, clenching his fists tight as his blood boiled at the thought. "Her brother is becoming quite the hero. By resting the proposal, respecting his sister's wishes. Looks like, he needs to be taught."

Mihir smirked amusingly. "You aren't aware of his power, bro. He will chew you down before you could even dare to talk about Sakshi to him."

Kabir raised his eyebrow, and scoffed. "Who is daring to talk?" He laughed humorlessly. "I will dare to touch and much more. The fun here will be that Sakshi will do it all willingly."

Mihir leaned back on the couch, resting his head on his arms crossed beneath. "Then, for me. I will just wait and watch."

Kabir nodded with a smirk but glared at him when he remembered.

"Tell that fool to send the photo tonight or I'll. . ."

Mihir showed his palms. "Okay. Okay. I'll warn the fool. Now, calm down. I can see you turning red."

Kabir gritted his teeth, breathed hard to control his anger.

"I want her." He told his cousin. "I want Sakshi for real. After so many years, I finally got someone. . ." Kabir closed his eyes, breathing hard. "I need her."

Mihir nodded in understanding but sighed mentally. If Kabir was this obsessed with her before marriage, what would he do to her once they get married.

Sakshi would have one heck of life waiting for her.

________

Sakshi slapped Aarush's shoulder, yelling, "Stop right here! Aditi's drunk as hell and we're out of tablets."

"What the hell!" Aarush grunted while stopping the car on the road, right in front of the chemist's shop. He turned around to look at her. "What?"

Sakshi gasped. "Are you really going to make me do this? I am wearing heels and have danced wildly back there." She wiped the sweat off her cheeks and shook her head. "Go and buy some aspirins."

Aarush rolled his eyes when Aditi, who was seated at the shotgun, gave him a kiss in the air. "Please."

He grunted hard and got out of the car to walk into the showroom. He entered the shop that he hadn't been to before and raised his eyebrows when noticed it was a whole pharmacy store.

Getting to the counter, he bought a slip and joined the line. Only two men were there in front of him to which he relaxed. The first one took his medicines and was getting away when the pharmacist asked the second man. "Yes?"

Aarush sighed as the man ahead of him asked for some sleeping pills and antidepressants. The Pharmacist stopped typing and looked at him. "Sir, Can I read your latest medications guidelines from the profile?"

"Sure." He pulled out his file from the bag and hand it over to the Pharmacist who raised his eyebrows at reading the familiar name of the hospital.

Aarush's ears perked as he looked at the back of the man. The Pharmacist smiled at him. "Shrey Malhotra?"

The man nodded, "Yes, it's me."

Aarush widened his eyes in shock as he leaned sideways to observe his face. He gasped silently when he recognized his side look. The Pharmacist ordered his assistant to bring the medicines while he himself suggested, "Anxiety is a severe one if you get careless. It is a whole mind game. You just have to understand the disorder."

Aarush listened carefully as he further said, "Did you get any attack till yet?"

Shrey nodded. "Once. At home. But I think that was just me fretting about something. . ."

The Pharmacist clicked his tongue. "That is where you misguide yourself. It can happen and you won't realize. Try to distract yourself whenever you think about something for longer than you should. Stay hydrated and bath three-four times a day."

Shrey nodded politely. "Thanks."

The Pharmacist handed him the bill along with medicines. "Here are your pills, sir. You will soon be free of it."

Shrey smiled charmingly, blinking his eyes as he got off the line to leave when Aarush stepped ahead in his place and called him out.

"Shrey?"

He turned around and narrowed his eyes, feeling confused at where did he see this guy. But then Aarush smiled toothily. "Me. Sakshi's best friend."

Recognition hit his face as Shrey walked back to him, shaking his offered hand. "Hey! What you doing here?"

Aarush chuckled, giving him a look while glancing at the Pharmacist. "Aspirins."

Shrey's eyebrows furrowed. "What happened?" Even the Pharmacist showed interest.

Aarush shook his head. "Hangover tomorrow. Girls are dead drunk in the car."

Both the men widened their eyes while Aarush hurriedly paid the money, taking the bill and tablets. He got out of the line and walked along with Shrey who was still staring at him in shock.

"Drunk? What do you mean?"

Aarush smiled. "It's Aditi's birthday. Sakshi's roommate. So, we're partying and they had tons of beers. Not allowing me, the driver."

Shrey gasped. "Sakshi too had the beer?"

Aarush shook his head. "What? No. She doesn't drink beer."

Shrey sighed in relief, smiling slowly.

"She takes whiskey."

Aarush laughed at his dropped jaw. "The girl has grown up. Now, come on. Join us. We are heading to her flat and will still be celebrating. We have cake, Chinese food, beer too."

Shrey chuckled and patted his shoulder. "Thanks, buddy. But I need to. . ."

Aarush gave him a look. "Oh! Come on. I am inviting you. The girl's won't mind. Sakshi knows you very well and Aditi never cares."

Shrey grinned but still shook his head. "I don't want to spoil your personal fun. Besides, I can't take alcohol. . ."

Aarush smiled cheekily. "We have coke at home. Now, come and meet the girls. They won't mind."

Shrey sighed and finally nodded. They walked out of the big store when Aarush found Sakshi standing, while taking support of the car. She was clenching her jaws, had crossed her arms across her chest and was looking sideways at something with a cute frown on her face.

"There is the angry bird." He muttered while observing how Shrey's eyes frozen at her appearance.

Standing tall and beautiful in that maroon short-length dress, that reached the middle of her thigh, she was deep in her thoughts. Her lips were colored in the same shade while her skin was all glowing from out and under those falling shoulders of dress. Her hair looked straight and wild and her eye make up was on peek, stealing the daylights out of him, when she caught them walking towards her.

Shrey's eyes lowered observing her fine curves, on her milky thighs, long legs and finally the black high-heeled stilettos.

"Shrey?" She gasped, pulling him back from his reverie.

He blinked rapidly, breathed and finally replied, "I was here for some medicines for mom."

Aarush took note of the lie but didn't say anything. He watched Sakshi's worrying at it. "What happened to her?"

Shrey shook his head casually. "Just pain killers. You know, knee pain and all."

Sakshi nodded and blushed when he again took a whole look from her head to toe.

"You look great." He ended up saying his thoughts loud. "Killer."

She chuckled and blushed again. "Thanks." Her eyes fell on Aarush who was smiling goofily.

"Sakshi, I was thinking about Shrey joining us tonight. Now that we have met, he can hop along." He suggested, making Sakshi's breaths stop.

She gulped while smiling nervously. It was already ten and what time would be left for him to return after eating and partying over. They would have to force him stay over for the safety. Not that she had any problem with it.

But wait. It was Shrey, she was talking about. How would she even sleep thinking that Shrey was under the same roof as hers. This had never happened before and what if her family would get to know. Oh God!

Aarush pouted, "What are you thinking? You don't want him to?"

Sakshi was startled as she immediately shook her head. "Are you kidding me? Why would I feel so? Shrey, you must come along. We have planned to watch some good movies and drinks and eating. You will feel good."

Shrey knew, she was just saying it out of formality. As her face clearly showed, how scared she was. He even knew the reason. Their families. She was damn scared of this news leaking and also that he still had some idea, that his presence wasn't comforting for her.

He chuckled briefly. "Thanks. But I'll pass. I didn't. . ."

"No. Please! I really want you to. Didn't I tell you that you can always hang out with us? I know you have been stressed for days. You can have fun for sometime," she said wholeheartedly, feeling embarrassed at making him feel unwanted.

Shrey stared in her eyes, trying to find the truth under those pleading eyes. "You sure, you want me to?"

Sakshi held his hand and nodded. "It's just a birthday treat. You can enjoy some food and friends talk, after spending such time in hospita. . ." She cut herself by saying, "Come on."

Shrey smiled finally, nodding. "But I have my own car. So, I'll just follow?"

Aarush fisted in the air, smiling widely. "Yeah. It's just ten minutes away. Don't cheat us. Okay? Keep following.

Shrey chuckled while stepping back, watching them get in the car that was parked closely.

"Sure, man." He replied, with a last glance at Sakshi's face reflecting extreme nervousness.

_______

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