Present
Ved pov
As I told the entire story to Rohan I can see a lot of expression on his face. He looked like he has sympathetic pity in his eyes, he was Speechless as his tongue was tied, as I had grown something on my head.
"That was it, Rohan. Now you tell me what should I do? Were my actions justified? Am I a bad friend or a bad lover? Am I a good son? Am I a bad person who doesn't care about the feelings of the only person whom I love more than anything in the world? Tell me something damm it..." My voice became thick I didn't even realize when my cheeks went wet. I wiped my cheeks and looked at him for some answers.

Rohan parked the car and took me to the canteen. We sat at the corner table. I can see employees of the company every one looked happy. Few couples here and there. Some of them had breakfast, and some of them were sipping their coffee. Why my life has to be so complicated?? I looked in the direction Rohan went. He ordered two cups of coffee and came back to the table with coffee. He kept one cup in front of me and looked at me with his intense eyes as he wanted to tell me a lot of things. He sipped his coffee and said

"Drink first you will feel better"

I took the first sip of the coffee.
"Ved, You don't even know how strong and brave you are and I am so proud of you that you are my friend. And Ved you are the purest soul I had ever encountered in my life. And you are not wrong. I know she hates you for now but she will understand, she has to understand about all this. You are in pain for the last so many years I have seen that. I have seen your tears and agony when you knew about Siddarth and Trisha and came back here and took a job in Mumbai just to keep your pain and suffering to yourself. Away from all people you craved to live with. So that she can live freely with his love and won't be able to look pain in your eyes. It's not your mistake that Siddarth lost his life and she was left behind alone. You didn't make any move even then. I know how difficult it was for you to see her in that state when you can't see her suffer a bit. And now also it's the promise you gave to the father figure that is binding you. Maybe it was all written in destiny. Maybe now it's the time when you are going to have the love of your life. Live this life, you deserve the best. I have seen your tears and loneliness but now I want to see Ved of college time who used to smile. So, please give me that carefree, smiling friend back to me."

"I don't think it is possible Rohan. I cannot become that old Vedant of college. That Vedant had hoped to spend his life with his family and love. That Vedant knew that he is the only important person in Isha's life. But this Vedant knows the reality. I can never be the same not with this guilt. " I said to Rohan.

"I know you can and you will be. You have Trisha in your life as a wife. The love of your life is with you. Only the circumstances are not favorable. But that doesn't mean that you have to lose hope. You are a strong man Ved don't ever forget that. You have to have some patience and make yourself stronger. You just have to make your life beautiful again and you have the person in your life who can make your life beautiful again. You just have to put effort and trust the process. It will take time Ved but it is not impossible." Rohan told all this looking deep into my eyes. Like he is just making me understand all the words.
I let all those words sink into my system. Indeed I was feeling a little bit better after sharing all this with Rohan.

"Thanks, buddy," I said. Rohan looked at me with weird eyes. "Vedant Mehra, from when you started saying me thank you. Wait I have to record this precious moment. Don't know when It will come back. " He told me while taking his phone out to record it. I smiled at him. I guess the genuine smile after I got married. Friends are always the best. I thought and smiled at him.

" Now let's get back to work otherwise both your and mine project manager will make us work like donkeys if they will see us here," Rohan said and we left the cafeteria towards our workstations.

Trisha POV

The lights are penetrating my eyelids. I tried to cover my eyes with the pillows but still no use. I look at my mobile phone it's already 11 am. I woke up with a jerk. I looked around my surroundings soon I realized I am no more in Delhi I am in Mumbai at Ved's apartment. This thought only makes my morning bitter. I checked my phone there is one message by Ved.

" I am going to the office now. Your breakfast is on the dinner table. Please have it when you wake up. Make yourself comfortable."

I mean seriously this guy dares to message me. Why is it difficult for him to understand I don't want any type of contact with him? I don't want his cooked food. I get off the bed and went ahead to explore the apartment. It is a 2BHK apartment on the 10th floor. I suppose I am in the guest room and there is one more room for that idiot. I don't even want to step into that room. I came towards the hall. I looked around the painting was missing which I destroyed by myself. My first portrait painting but why am I feeling guilty and sad about it. He doesn't deserve that. Now I have to think about my life. I cannot leave this apartment because Khushi also stays in Mumbai and if she will get to know that I am living alone in a different apartment she will tell my mom. She is also no more best friend to me who will hide my secrets. My eyes fell on the dining table the food was there kept and covered with another plate. So, he left breakfast for me.

I don't want any support from this guy. I have to work now. Yes, I am a fashion designer I can find a job here after all this city is the fashion hub of India. This will keep me away from this hell hole for at least 8-9 hours and I can pay my bills too. It seems like a good idea to me. I will tell him tonight about my decision about the job. I strolled towards the kitchen and thought of making something for myself but dropped the idea and ordered some food. I don't even want to touch his utensils.
I feel suffocated in this ambiance.
"Ding ding"
I guess food has arrived. I took bath and my food in peace. I have to start looking for jobs. I switch on my laptop and started looking for jobs nearby. I applied to 5-6 companies. I have to wait for their responses. Meanwhile, I was missing Sid. If Sid would have been in my life right now. How different my life would have been? Oh god, I miss him so much.
"Ding Ding"
The sound of the call bell brings me back to my real life. I looked at the clock it was already 8 pm. Did I spend 8 hours on my computer like this? It must be Ved. I moved towards the door to open it up. There he was my hell.

"Hi," he said hesitantly.
I glared at him in his eyes. He averted his eyes from me and left to his room after giving a glance to his breakfast that he left for me in the morning was still in the same shape and situation. I can see the disappointment in his eyes but he didn't dare to ask me anything regarding that.
I felt something in my heart there was a time when a little disappointment in his face left me restless but today everything is changed. The tables have been turned. And now I don't give a damn how he feels because he doesn't even understand me now. He is the biggest disappointment in my life will he ever be able to understand this. I was lost in my thoughts when I heard his voice.

"Did you have your food?"

" Yes, I ordered my lunch...dinner not yet."

"Should I order for u?"

" No, I don't want anything from you."

"Please Ish...Trisha....have your food told you yesterday also if you are mad at me be my guest but don't be mad about food have your food properly. You will have headaches you know that."

"Look who is talking who has given me the biggest headache of my lifetime... Ok order something but I will pay you the amount and I need to talk to you as well."

"Ok, we will talk after dinner"

"Ok"

He ordered food after sometime food arrived. We had food in our respective rooms. I paid him half the bill. He was still in his room. I knocked...he didn't answer. The door was open so I went inside his room. There he was in the gallery, and what was in his hand is he smoking?
What the hell! From when did he start this? From when has he changed this much? When he was my Ved he never used to smoke and drink. This boy changed a lot! I ignored that fact and knocked over the glass window separating myself and him. He was startled by the noise or surprised I guess he thought I would never enter his room. As soon as he saw me he dropped the cigarette and crush it. Our eyes met and I can see guilt in his eyes.

"Sorry, I didn't see you. When did you come?"
"Yeah, I can see that you were busy with your errands, I disturbed you" I looked at him with my pierced eyes.
I can see guilt swimming across his eyes. With a low voice, he said,
"You can never disturb me you know that."
I wanted to ask him why he is smoking and when he started all this shit. But I restricted myself. I don't care whatever shit he does. I don't value him anymore.
"I wanted to talk to you. I told you earlier also." I told him in a stern voice.
"Yes, yes I was coming to you only.."
"I have seen that...come to the hall." I rushed out of his room leaving him behind.
If I would have waited for a second more...I may have shouted at him or don't know what? He knows how much I hate cigarettes still...

"Yes, Trisha...say what you wanted to say. I am here now." he talked from my behind.
I turned and looked directly into his eyes. I can see a little guilt and awkwardness in that.

"I am looking for a job for me. I can't live on your money. Tomorrow I got a few interviews scheduled and after that, I am going to pay you the rent and my share in the house grocery and stuff. "
"Trisha, it's not necessary I mean you can go for a job but paying me money is too much. It's your home too."

"Vedant Mehra, how many times do I have to tell you this is not my home. And now not even my friend's home. It is just like a hotel to me where I have to pay my bills in return for accommodation. The better it will be if you understand it early. Now Good Night, tomorrow I have to go for interviews." I left him in the hall and went to my room and shut the gate behind me. I don't know if he was still in the hall or went to his room. But why I am thinking about him. Tomorrow is the big day and I have to take a good nap before that. I took Sid's pic from the side table kissed him and kept it in my hand and fell into a deep slumber in the darkness.

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Hi guys,

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