The road was lonely as usual at that time of the night except for the occasional passing of few vehicles.

Sanskar was on his way back to his home from office, the radio playing along all the way to give him company. As he was approaching the tunnel road he saw a car parked right before it's entrance and a silhouette of a lady who was leaning to the car. He wouldn't have paid much attention to it if not he had seen a glimpse of her due to the headlight of his vehicle.

He pulled over the car nearer to Ragini's and got out and walked towards her smoothing his suit. As soon as Ragini caught his sight she flashed her gorgeous smile at him and waved in acknowledgement.

"Hey, what happened? Why are you standing here at this time of the hour?" he stood infront of her and his voice washed over with concern.

"Actually my car broke down." She said sheepishly hitting a pebble sized rock with her foot.

"You could come with me, I'll drop you." Sanskar said genuinely.

"No that's fine. I had called dad, he said he would send another car. It will be reaching any time." She said with a smile.

"Oh. Okay then" Sanskar smiled and turned on his heels and headed towards his car. Ragini's face fell as she saw him moving away from her but her expression was replaced by a full blown smile when she saw him coming back keeping his car keys in his pocket and his coat held in his hand.

"I'll give you company till then." He smiled at her and sat himself down on the pavement and she mimicked his gesture.

"So, how have you been?" Sanskar asked facing her after a moment of silence.

"Good. And you?"

"I'm fine."

"And your girlfriend? How is she?" Ragini asked continuing the conversation.

Sanskar kept silent for a minute and Ragini could feel the tension in the air. He then took a deep breath before answering.

"We are not together anymore. We broke up"

"What! But why?" She blurted. "I'm sorry, you don't need to answer that." She immediately added as she felt she was entering his personal zone.

"No. That's okay. Actually..." he began.

***
Sanskar entered Aashi's work place deciding to surprise both his girlfriend and best friend.
He went inside Aashi's cabin and found none. The cabin was empty.

'Well that's weird. Maybe she might have gone to fetch some files or a coffee.'

With that thought in mind he exited from there and went straight to Arjun's cabin. The scene infront of him had him shocked out of his wits.

Aashi was sitting on Arjun lap and both had joined their heads panting for breath. It wouldn't take a genius to guess the both were kissing, with Aashi's smudged makeup and Arjun's ruffled hair. They were distributed by the sudden interruption.
With the sight of Sanskar, they stood up abruptly, blood drained from their face.

"Sanskar..." Aashi took a step towards him but Sanskar stepped back showing her his palm, shutting her up.

"Now what sort of lies are you planning to tell me?" Sanskar spat vehemently.

"Sanskar, we wanted to tell you, but..." Aashi voice broke.

"But what? Are you sure you were planning to tell me?" Sanskar asked his words spitting fire.

"Please let me explain" she pleaded him to receive nothing but a cold shoulder.

"Sanskar, just calm down. Please" Arjun who was a silent spectator in all these finally spoke, his entire posture washed with guilt.

"I thought we were friends" Sanskar's voice was deadly calm. The tension in the room was so thick one could almost cut it with a knife.

"Sanskar..."

"I don't want to see any of your faces ever in my life. It's all over." He said pointing his finger at the other two and stromed out without waiting for their response.

****

"I'm so sorry" Ragini said keeping a hand on Sanskar's shoulder.

"That's okay. Infact when I think about it now, I don't think I have ever loved her." Sanskar said drawing a deep breath. "When I found out about them, I didn't feel any pain. I was just hurt that two of my best friends kept this from me, that they cheated me".

"Just forget about it. Maybe they were not worth your friendship" she said in a soothing tone. "So, how is work?" She asked changing the subject.

"Going good. We bagged a deal with the US company, that we were working on since the past few months." He said sounding happy.

"Great!! I'm happy for you" she said sounding equally excited.

They sat there on the lone pavement, talking, without any realisation of time, enjoying the company of the other. With each second he spent with her, he felt a deep connection towards her.

Soon another car arrived the spot and both got up knowing it's time to part. Sanskar was about to shake her hand when Ragini surprised him with a hug. He felt like thousands of fireworks exploding inside him.

"Bye. It was nice meeting you here" she said walking towards her car.

"Bye" he said with a smile though it hurt to see her going.

She was about to get inside the car when she stopped and turned to Sanskar, her hand still on the door.

"Sanskar, actually Shanaya and I were planning to go out for coffee this Saturday. Could you suggest us any good place?" She asked with a smile.

"Caffeine Hub is my favourite" Sanskar said.

"Thank you" said she as she turned and Sanskar took steps towards his car.

"And Sanskar" Ragini called making him halt in his step and turned to face her. "Would you like to join us?"

A wide smile spread on his lips. "Sure" he said rubbing his nape.

"Meet you on Saturday at 4." she said waving and got inside her car and drove off while Sanskar did the same.

They might not have said it out loud but a deep friendship had already formed between them.

************************************

Sanskar sat waiting for his new friend, inside the cafe. He had reached almost 15 minutes in advance than decided and was glancing at his watch and then to the door every now and then.
They had exchangd their numbers on their last meet at the road and had been in contact since then. His phone started ringing and the name that flashed instantly bought a smile on his face.

"Hello. Where are you?" asked he

"I'm at the entrance. Where are you?" came the reply from the other side.

His eyes scanned around the place until it landed on the two ladies.

"Turn to your right. The second table in the corner." he said over the phone. He waved at the two when they finally spotted him.

Ragini had worn a simple yellow floral printed sundress that stopped right above her knees, while Shanaya, her friend, had gone for a blue jumpsuit with white stripes.
He himself had opted for a casual red t-shirt and faded jeans.

Soon the three were seated and had already ordered their fare.

"So you are the one who is keeping my best friend away from me, huh?" Shanaya spoke mischievously.

Sanskar squirmed in his seat and smiled sheepishly at her. From where he sat, he could see Ragini elbowing her friend.

"What? I'm telling the truth" Shanaya countered at Ragini.

The waiter arrived to take their orders, saving them some embarrassment and Sanskar heaved a sigh of relief.

The three were engrossed in their conversation when Sanskar excused himself to attend some important call and went outside.

************************************

Sanskar pushed through the glass door, entering the building for the second time that day. He was walking towards their table when something or rather someone caught his eyes.

Aashi was sitting at a table a few feets away from him, talking, along with a guy whose back was turned towards him, certainly Arjun.

Sanskar was about to move from there before any of the two could see him when to his rotten luck, Aashi spotted him and stood up immediately looking at him. Arjun too looked back at him and stood beside Aashi. Sanskar could see guilt wash over their face even from the distance separating them. Both of them looked wary for a moment, before proceeding their steps towards him
At that instant he felt like turning invisible. He wasn't prepared to confront them, atleast not yet. He didn't knew how to react and stood rooted to his spot, looking dazed at the two people coming towards him, who once was an integral part of his life.

Sanskar felt a hand snake around his arm and looked to his left to see Ragini smiling at him.

"You have been gone for ages. What are you doing standing here? Come." she said dragging him and he was beyond happy to escape from the spot. As Sanskar turned his head to look at the couple, he could see them flabbergasted not recognising the person accompanying him.

"Ummm... Was that your best friend and ex?" Ragini asked casually.

Sanskar stopped on his steps and looked at her astound. "How did you know?"

"Well, I sort of guessed it the way you three were looking at each other. And... I also thought you might need a rescue from there" she said chuckling.

"Thank you" Sanskar said smiling along.

"No mention. After all what are friends for" she said resuming to walk as he followed beside her.

************************************

"What took you so long?" Shanaya shot the moment Sanskar occupied his seat.

"Nothing, a business call" he said smiling, digging his spoon in the dessert.

"By the way, do you have any plans for next Sunday?" asked Shanaya jumping to another topic.

"Umm...Nope. Why?"

"We were actually going on a road trip next Sunday for a week, to Manali. Thought you could accompany us, that is only if you are free." said she.

"I'm free but... What will I do with you girls?" he asked not sure of the idea.

"Who said it's only we girls?" Shanaya said cocking one of her eyebrows and continued "Ayan would also be accompanying us and before you ask who he is, he is my boyfriend."

Sanskar glanced at Ragini who was silent throughout the conversation and she was looking at him expectantly. He was contemplating over his answer when Ragini interjected.

"Please say yes Sanskar. I really don't wish to be a third wheel during the whole journey" Ragini said as Shanaya kept a hand on her heart showing mock hurt at her statement and the other two shook their heads seeing her dramatic response.

"I'll come" Sanskar said smiling at the duo and both girls squealed in happiness.

"Welcome to the group Sanky" Shanaya said cheekily and the trio began discussing over their travel.

***********************************

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