The dark nights were the only solace for Ishaan. Surrounded by people, a guitar in his hands.

He was around people, trying to be okay. He knew being okay is not his thing, he didn't know how to be, yet he tried, singing in between thousands of people made him forget some unhealed wounds, some past memories and the reason he'd to lie.

"So, what's the next song request?" He asked his audience. The siblings, who were not physically present in his concert, viewed him from their screen.

All of his siblings were quite proud of him.

"Yaariyaan!" The audience shouted.

Fresh tears were filled in the eyes of his siblings, as Ishaan touched his guitar.

🎵Yaariyaan🎵 plays in background.

Alvida yaara alvida
Ho rahe tumse hum judaa
Le chale saare gham tere
Khush rahe yaara tu sadaa

Ishaan looked at the guitar, his hands trembled as he started singing the song. He closed his eyes, letting himself flow off the song.

Tumse bhi zyada hongi
Ab yaadein pyaariyan
Hum dono ki hain apni apni lachariyaan
Ab hanste hanste tumpe le khushiyaan vaariyaan

Tears flickered from the eyes of Viraj; the good days replayed in his mind. The dreams of them being together, them enjoying, siblings playing and enjoying reeled in his mind.
He tried to hide his tears, but of no use.

Marz bhi hain deti
Chain bhi hain deti
Dard bhi hain deti
Jaan bhi hain leti
Yaariyaan Woh o.

Abhimanyu, who was sitting right next to his brother looked at him. Their family was broken, shattered into small pieces. A sense of guilt came over his face, he remembered his responsibility of joining every sibling and a dejection of not being able to complete it came over.

Na chhode yaariyaan
Woh oh oh...
Ab jeene ko jaane ko, na koi raasta
Tanhaaiyon se hoga, ab dil ka vaasta
Hum khud hi khud ko, ab to kar denge laapata

Adhivik sat at his bed, as he looked at his younger brother singing. He smiled; he was proud of him. As the elder sibling, he was closest to Ishaan. A pang of sadness came at the same time, as he couldn't be there for him.

Maan le tu aise
Hain zara bhole se
Jaante hain waise
Hai nibhaani kaise
Yaariyan
woh oh ho

Ishaan tried his hard to not cry. He didn't want to express what was going through. His eyes, controlling his tears back, a sense of loneliness in the midst of the crowd was the feeling through which Ishaan was going.

Naa chhode yaariyaan
Woh oh ho..
Yaari yaari har koi karda ve
Yaari yaari har koi har koi
Karda ve.. karda ve... karda
Yaari de bus jo peh jaave
Woh pagla woh jhalla ve

Natasha watched the concert from the shadows, her expression unreadable. But as Ishaan's voice cracked with emotion, her eyes betrayed a flicker of concern. She had always been the strong one, the one who kept her emotions locked away, but seeing her brother vulnerable on stage shook her.

As the song ended, Natasha felt a lump form in her throat. She pushed it down, refusing to show weakness. But as she turned to leave, she caught a glimpse of Ishaan's tears. Her heart twisted, and for a moment, her cold demeanor faltered, remembering the countless nights she had stayed up with Ishaan, listening to him talk about his dreams, his fears. She had always been his rock, and now, seeing him like this, she felt a surge of protectiveness.

Ab jeene ko jaane ko na koi raasta
Tanhaiyon se hoga ab dil ka vaasta
Hum khud hi khud ko ab to kardenge laapata

Viraj, Abhimanyu, and Adhivik, watching from their screens, felt their hearts shatter into a million pieces. They knew the song was more than just a melody to Ishaan - it was a cry for help, a longing for the bond they once shared.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next day, Natasha walked through the college campus, her eyes fixed on the ground. She had always been a loner, content with her own company, but sometimes, like today, she couldn't help but feel like an outsider.

As she passed by the cafeteria, she saw groups of students laughing and chatting, enjoying their lunch break. Natasha's gaze lingered on a table where a bunch of friends were sharing stories and jokes, their faces radiant with happiness.

She felt a pang of longing, quickly suppressed. She didn't need friends; she had her books, her studies, and her family. That was enough.

Natasha entered the library, seeking solace in the musty smell of old books and the quiet hum of studious activity. She settled into her favorite corner, surrounded by stacks of textbooks and notes, and lost herself in her studies.

Natasha sat in the library, surrounded by stacks of books and notes. She was deep in thought, analyzing a complex psychology concept.

Akshara, the new psychology professor, walked into the library, looking for a book. She was shy and introverted, preferring books to people.

As Akshara browsed through the shelves, she accidentally knocked over a book, which fell with a loud thud. Natasha, startled, looked up to see Akshara apologizing profusely.

Natasha smiled slightly and helped Akshara pick up the book. "It's okay, accidents happen," she said softly.

Akshara smiled back, looking relieved. "Thanks, I'm so clumsy sometimes."

They both stood up, holding the book, and exchanged a brief, awkward smile. Natasha felt a connection, but neither of them knew what to say next.

Akshara broke the silence. "I'm Akshara, by the way. I teach psychology here."

Natasha nodded. "I'm Natasha. I'm a student."

They stood there for a moment, unsure of what to do next. Then, Akshara nodded and walked away, leaving Natasha wondering about their brief encounter.

Akshara sat down across from Natasha, and they both returned to their books. The silence between them was comfortable, punctuated only by the occasional rustle of pages.

As they studied, Natasha couldn't help but steal glances at Akshara, who was absorbed in her own book. She noticed the way Akshara's hair fell in loose waves down her back, the way her eyes scanned the pages with intensity.

Akshara looked up, catching Natasha's gaze. For a moment, they just looked at each other, a silent understanding passing between them.

Akshara looked up from her book and caught Natasha's gaze again. This time, she smiled and said, "You know, I've seen you in my psychology class. You're really perceptive."

Natasha was taken aback by the sudden comment, but she smiled back. "Thanks, I try to understand people."

Akshara nodded. "I can tell. You have a unique perspective on things."

They both sat in silence for a moment, then Akshara spoke up again. "I'm Akshara, by the way. I don't think we've officially met."

Natasha laughed. "I'm Natasha. Nice to meet you, Professor Akshara."

Akshara chuckled. "Please, call me Akshara. We're not in class right now."

Their conversation flowed easily, discussing everything from psychology to books to life. Natasha found herself opening up to Akshara in ways she never thought possible.

As they talked, Natasha realized that Akshara was not just a professor, but a kindred spirit. Someone who understood her in ways that few others did.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TBC!

DO GIVE A SHORT REVIEW ABOUT THE CHAPTER AND I'LL TRY TO UPDATE MORE REGULARLY!