A/N: This is one of the hardest chapter I wrote... Words and I don't really get along that well when it comes to writing intense and emotional things... 😂😂😂

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It was the night before the first performance. As most of his friends already knew about his feelings towards Ayesha, Sunny decided it was only fair that Kabir knew about it too. However, since everyone was overwhelmed with managing and practicing for the show for the past week, he never found the correct time or place to tell Kabir. Since they were allowed to go home earlier to rest, Sunny thought that it would be the best time to tell Kabir and maybe even ask for his permission to date Ayesha. Sunny was a ball of nerves as he knew Kabir was very protective of his sister. 

Sunny walked down the corridor that stretched from his changing room to the stage in hopes of finding Kabir. It was late and there were not many people left. To Sunny, it was strange to see a place that usually contains so much noise and chaos be so a quiet. As he ducked into another corridor, suddenly, Sunny heard muffled voices.

"Say it again, Abhay."

"I can't, Ayesha."

Ayesha? Abhay? Sunny could understand that Ayesha had no choice but to stay back as she had to wait for Kabir and Arjun. But what's Abhay doing here? Doesn't he usually ride his bike to work? Why hasn't he left yet?

"Oh come on," Ayesha prompted. "You said it just now. How hard is it to say it again?"

Sunny couldn't help but walk towards them, curiosity getting the best of him. He listened to their voices carefully and he guessed that they were most probably backstage or at the right wing of the stage. His pace quickened. Sunny heard Abhay laughed and he followed it to the source. It didn't take long before the two of them came into view. Ayesha and Abhay were on stage, center stage, to be exact. All the working lights were on despite there being no one else around. Sunny ducked behind a curtain that separated the wing and the stage to watch them.

"Ayesha please," Abhay begged, trying to get away from her but failed. She walked past him and blocked his way.

"You know," Ayesha informed. "We're going to be here for the whole night if you're going to act like this."

Abhay nervously rubbed his neck.

"Fine," Abhay relented. "I'll say it. I like you. I like you a lot."

Sunny froze.

No. It wasn't supposed to be this way.

It was him that was supposed to say those words to Ayesha, not Abhay. And definitely not under these circumstances.

Sunny felt the sinking sensation from the pit of his stomach raise to his chest, where his heart was. The world seemed to stop, the only sound being Abhay's confession. I like you. I like you a lot. His heart thumped harder in his chest, trying to draw in more oxygen to overcome the shock. Unknown to him, his legs involuntarily brought him face-to-face to the couple. Thinking of them being together only made his blood boil.

"Arre Sunny," Abhay said, nonchalantly. "What are you doing here?"

As if another person had taken control of his body, Sunny grabbed hold of Abhay by the collar. Ayesha let out a gasp in shock.

"Himmat kaise hui (How dare you)?!" Sunny shouted.

"Sunny," Ayesha said in a state of panic. "Chod do (Let go)!"

"Nahi (No)!" Sunny barked. "Not until I hear the truth from him! Aap use pasand karte hain (You like her)?!" 

"Sunny!" Ayesha screamed at him. "Tera problem kya hai (What is your problem)?"

"Mera problem (My problem)?" Sunny fumed. "Does Kabir know about this?"

"I think you got the wrong idea..." Abhay quivered.

"Wrong idea?!" Sunny lashed out as he gave Abhay a shove before grabbing his collar once more. "You just said you liked her! Tell me, am I wrong?!"

"Sunny!" Ayesha shouted.

A loud cracking sound penetrated the air and suddenly, all became quiet. Sunny released Abhay, in shock. He brought his hand up to his cheek, where a stinging sensation lingered. Ayesha had just slapped him.

Ignoring Sunny, Ayesha made her way and placed herself between the two men. She turned to Abhay.

"Are you ok?" Ayesha quietly asked a still shaken Abhay.

"Yeah," he replied.

She turned around then closed the distance between her and Sunny.

"What's gotten into you?" Ayesha scolded, annoyed by Sunny's action. "You can't just go around beating people up because..."

"I like you," Sunny muttered, cutting Ayesha off.

"What?" Ayesha asked, confused. Did he just...

"I like you, Ayesha," Sunny confessed. "A lot. A lot se zyada (More than a lot). I... I wanted to tell Kabir tonight, to ask for his permission before confessing to you. But looks like Abhay beat me to it, like always."

Sunny's voice trailed off at the end, feeling ashamed.

Ayesha was at a loss. Those were the words she's been wanting to hear for years. However, now, she didn't feel anything, not even a single spark of happiness or excitement. All she felt inside her was rage.

"That doesn't give you a reason to raise your hand," Ayesha replied. "So what if Abhay confessed to me? He has the same right as you do."

"Ayesha I..." Sunny said before being cut off by Ayesha.

"No! You had your chance to explain," Ayesha reprimanded. "Now, it's time you for you to listen. How many times must I tell you that Abhay and I were just friends? You and my brother! You don't listen, you don't trust me... Even if I accept your confession, what type of relationship are we going to have? One based on jealousy? One where you don't respect my decisions? I thought being rejected by you was the worst feeling ever but I was wrong. This is."

"Ayesha," Sunny spoke, his voice merely above a whisper. "I'm sorry."

"Save it," she sighed. "You don't mean it."

Ayesha turned to walk away but Sunny held on to her hand, stopping her

"Ayesha," Sunny pleaded. "Please... I'm sorry."

"It's too late," Ayesha replied. "You should have thought about it earlier."

She twisted her arm releasing it from Sunny's grip. Sunny stood there, watching Ayesha slowly disappear into the wings and out of his sight. He then turned around only to face Abhay.

"Go on," Sunny said. "Laugh, mock me... Say something."

Abhay took a few steps nearer to Sunny and placed a comforting hand on his shoulders.

"I was planning to propose to a girl I like," Abhay told Sunny. "She's a big fan of VKAS and she's coming for the show tomorrow. To be honest, that's the only reason I applied for this job. I was practicing when Ayesha caught me."

Sunny scoffed. It suddenly seemed so stupid.

"Just so you know," Abhay continued. "I was never attracted to Ayesha even for a moment. In fact, I was terrified by her initially. She was so loud and obnoxious, I was just... She's mad! And she drives me mad!"

"Vishal said the same thing about her," Sunny chuckled. "I'm so sorry Abhay."

"It's ok," he replied with a smile.

Sunny ran his hand across his face.

"Oh damn," Sunny cursed. "What have I done? I'm such an idiot!"

"You know," Abhay suggested. "You should go on with your plan. Tell Kabir about how you feel."

"Kabir," Sunny huffed. "He's going to kill me. And Arjun... I'm so screwed."

"No, you're not," Abhay said. "And don't worry about Ayesha. Just give her a few days."

"Ayesha's right," Sunny admitted. "The world doesn't deserve someone as nice as you. I mean, why are you being so nice to me? I almost beat you up just moments ago."

Abhay laughed.

"You acted on impulse," he replied. "You were scared you'd lose her forever. I get it."

"You know, I rarely have a chance to speak to someone as interesting like you." Sunny commented.

"Well," Abhay answered. "If you spent less time hating me for no good reason, we might have been good friends."

Sunny chuckled.

"We still have the rest of the tour to get to know each other," he offered. "What do you say? Friends?"

Sunny held out his hand and Abhay immediately accepted it.

"Friends," Abhay echoed.

***

A/N: This chapter has been playing in my mind for so long but no matter how many times I write it, I am still not satisfied with it... I wanted it to be more intense, more dramatic but it just doesn't seem to come out the way I want it to be... Like something's missing... Feedback is very much appreciated and needed for this chapter... Tell me if you like it or hate it or if there's somewhere I need to improve, please point it out... 🙏🙇‍♀️

See you in the next chapter...