Arohi's POV

There was some nervousness filled in me as I looked out of the car window. I sensed some butterflies in my stomach as we neared his mansion. Yes, we finally landed in London early morning. Raghav sent a car to pick us up. The silence was filled in the car as nobody made an effort to speak. Maybe because of the thoughts going on in the head or the tiredness of the flight. Ahana was sitting beside me in the back seat and Arjun was in passenger's seat.

I told Vivek and Aai-Baba about me helping Rohan the same day I talked to Arjun. Those three were hesitant at first but agreed for my happiness. I have a hard time convincing Jenny, she started shouting at me before I could finish my sentence. But I, Ahana and Arjun made her understand too. She just told me to be careful. I had second thoughts after all that drama. They literally behaved like I was walking into a hungry lion's den, which was somewhat true. Rohan has become like a wild animal, all the stories Arjun told me confirmed the same. But there was no harm in trying, right? I wasn't desperately following him. I made this decision to help myself from the regret I will later if something happens to him.

The watchman opened the gate for us and driver drove the car inside making it stop right before the door. We got out of the car. I gave the driver a smile and nod as he returned it. I knew him since I have lived here for a few good months. He was Rohan's personal driver exclusively for him, although he preferred to drive himself most of the time.

Ahana came and stood beside me as we got out of the car. She tilted her head to look at me. I gave her a nervous smile. She just blinked her eyes at me and squeezed my hand saying silently not to worry and everything will be alright. I again smiled at her in return.

My heart beat raised with each step I took towards the main door with Arjun and Ahana beside me. Nervousness took over me as I let out a deep sigh, trying to calm myself down.

"I still haven't told Raghav about you, Arohi. Ahana said that we could give him a little surprise." Arjun said smiling at me. Shit, I forgot to tell him about it even though I thought about surprising him all the while.

"That's what I was thinking but forgot to inform you though. I'm glad to have Ahana though." I said hugging Ahana from the side and smiling sheepishly. She let out a laugh at that. Arjun rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, whatever. Now thinking of teaming up with her as Jenny is not around?" He said with a plain face and rang the doorbell.

"Definitely," I said smiling widely.

"Arohi, come here." Ahana pulled me and made me stand behind Arjun. I let her as I tried to contain my laughter and excitement. Arjun stood straight like a statue and that was cracking us even more. After some wait, Raghav opened the door for us.

I couldn't see him as Arjun blocked my vision but could hear his laughter and voice.

"Ahana..." He said and I saw her giving her best smile as she went and hugged Raghav.

"How have you been, Rags." That was her nickname for Raghav. That was cute. I smiled involuntarily at that. At least someone from these people doesn't call him a joker.

"I'm good. I'm so happy to see you finally in London, Hana." I heard him.

"Okay, I'm here too, Joker. And I'm pretty sure I'm not small to not come in the view."

"Hey Arjun, I did see you there but I was occupied being happy by seeing my most favorite person before me." I heard Raghav say and contained my laughter yet again. Ahana let out a laugh and I could imagine Arjun rolling his eyes while Raghav giving him a grin.

"Just move you jackass. And now you guys have thought of making fun of me all the time? Have the target moved from Raghav to me now?" Arjun said in irritated voice and everyone let out a laugh including me which thankfully Raghav didn't notice.

"Alright come..." Raghav was saying but I jumped before him without letting him finish his sentence. That poor guy was taken aback and let out a gasp. I started laughing so did Arjun and Ahana.

"Arohi? How?!" He asked looking confused as hell.

"So what do you think? Only you and your best friend know how to surprise? I can too..." I said raising my eyebrow still smiling widely as I put my hands on my hips.

Raghav smiled widely with a sparkle in his eyes as he came and hugged me tight without saying anything. I hugged him back tightly smiling in his embrace. I missed him so much. I could have even cried but I managed not to somehow. My nervousness somehow faded away from the fun reunion with Raghav.

"By the way, I thought I'm your favorite person?" I said in a complaining tone suppressing my smile thinking of annoying him a bit. He looked at Ahana involuntarily as she gave him the same expressions as mine and raised her eyebrow at him. Poor guy! Arjun was just entertaining himself as he stood there looking at us with a smiling face.

"Of course, you are Arohi." He said giving me a sheepish smile and then looked at Ahana. "And so is she."

"Really Raghav? That was the best you could think of?" Ahana said folding her arms.

"Yes! Because I don't want to hurt any of my favorite ladies." He said rubbing his neck and we couldn't help but laugh at that. I shook my head a little as we made our way inside the house.

I never thought that I'll be nostalgic about this humongous mansion of Rohan Nanda. I had lived a few amazing memories in this place. It's here I met a true friend and found a monster with whom I fell in love with. I don't know yet if I have the right to call him mine but I like that feeling. I looked around standing in the middle of the living room. Not a thing has changed. Everything was right there where it belonged. I remembered the first time I visited this house. I was so furious at Rohan for rejecting to work with me and here I am now worried as sick for the same person. How time changes everything. My second visit was to directly start working with him and I remember again being angry at him for making me wait and I don't know how many times that guy made me come and go from here until I decided to live here with him. Well, that decision did play a big role in changing a lot of things between me and him. And maybe that was the reason why I was feeling strangely at home being here.

We got seated comfortably on the sofa. Raghav smiled wide at me. It was an evil smile I can tell that. Something was going inside that head. I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Remember your first day here Arohi? You could have murdered Rohan." He said laughing. I rolled my eyes at him. But that was true. Ahana and Arjun let out a laugh too.

"Raghav has narrated the whole incidence like a play in front of us, Arohi," Ahana said winking at me. My eyes got wide as I looked at Raghav. He gave me a wide innocent smile. This guy I tell you! Arjun started laughing as I rolled my eyes again. Just when John came with a tray in his hand.

I smiled widely as he came in front of me. He returned the smile.

"John!!! I missed you and your delicious food." I said taking a cup in my hand.

"I will make sure to make your favorite dishes Arohi ma... Sorry, Arohi." He said with a small smile and I couldn't help but smile at that.

"Thank you. You are the best. I'll help you out too." I said as he moved towards Arjun.

"That is not needed. You take rest." He said with his British accent.

"I have rested in the flight. Besides, I have literally nothing more to do here so I'll help you out than listening to Raghav's nonsense." I said giving Raghav a plain look. That guy smiled at me again.

"Whatever! I know you still love me Arohi." He said with a playful smile.

"I could have helped but the problem is I can't cook anything other than Maggie," Ahana said in an apologetic tone. I let out a laugh at her.

"Yeah last time she helped Jenny, she was banned from the Kitchen for rest of her life," Arjun said sipping his tea as I and Raghav started laughing.

"Yes! And I'm glad someone is worst than me. At least, I'm not banned yet." Raghav said in between his laughter.

"Whatever!" Ahana said rolling her eyes as he took the cup close to her lips. I wonder how Rohan managed to get these crazy people around him all for himself. He is the luckiest guy to have these kinds of people around him who think of him before they think of themselves but then again he does the same for them too. Rohan is undoubtedly a great friend to have, someone you know will do anything for you without a second thought, defend you with his own life and shower you with all his love. I've seen that Rohan with them. They are his world and he would die for them. But I didn't understand why he was doing what he was doing. That was something I needed the answers for and I'll find it out soon enough.

"By the way, what about that asshole?" Arjun said putting the cup down.

"Asshole is still the same," Raghav said shrugging his shoulders.

"Stop calling him that you two," Ahana said defending Rohan. I smiled at that.

"What else can we call an asshole?" Arjun said cocking his eyebrows. Ahana rolled her eyes before shifting her gaze to Raghav.

"Anyway, where is he?" She asked.

"Him? At the bar as always. I guess he might shift his room there too or maybe shift the bar to his room." Raghav said casually but I can tell he was dead worried. The sparkle in his eyes has vanished now.

"Any more updates?" Arjun asked in a plain tone.

"Updates? Not any as such but he has been worst. I don't remember the last time he spoke to me nicely. He has become too violent lately. Throwing the things at people. Punching them like they are punching bag. He even said some rude things to Ben. He knows Rohan well but I can tell that hurt him. Last week, he destroyed Eric's car when he found out that he parked it in his favorite parking spot. He is just trying to cause as much damage as he could." Raghav finished looking at his palms.

"And what did Eric do? I'm sure that guy won't leave this chance?" Arjun asked.

"He has filed FIR of course. I shut the tabloids for now. But I think it will be out once the case starts." Raghav said sighing deeply.

"And other than that?" Arjun asked again.

"He fired me! Stupid guy... He thinks he can fire me." Raghav said letting out a dry laugh. Still looking at his palms. No one said anything as he continued further. "Anyway other than that he misbehaved with his fans who came for his autograph. Denied performing at an event at last minute. Got into a fight with some guy at the bar. Passed out on some unknown street full of drug addicts. It took me ages to find him. I thought he was worse before and he couldn't surpass that but I was wrong. So wrong." I could feel the pain Raghav was going through. I think he is, in fact, a Joker, but not in the way these people mean. I think he is a brave heart and strongest among us. I've never seen Raghav being sad or moody. He's always happy and keeps people around him happy. That's a talent not many people own. And I can tell that he has seen the worst storms yet he was sitting there smiling like everything is fine. It's not easy to manage Rohan and he has been doing that since I don't know when. But I can tell the journey with Rohan is like a nightmare and he was living in that. That only screams the love he has for Rohan, his brother, his family.

Raghav looked at me as I continued to eye him even after he stopped talking. When his eyes met mine I gave him a big smile, a proud smile. He smiled back at me and I knew he got me.

"Raghav..." Arjun called him after a few minutes of silence. Raghav looked at him so did we. Arjun shifted his gaze at me with concern in his eyes. Then again he looked at Raghav.

"Hmm? He doesn't bring hookers right?" He asked and my heart skipped a beat. I looked at Raghav involuntarily hoping to hear the answer I will like to hear.

"Huh? I don't know. He doesn't tell me where he goes. But I haven't at least seen one at home." Raghav said looking at Arjun and then at me. My heart was still beating fast hearing those words. That thought never crossed my mind before. My blood boiled just thinking of him sleeping with those other women.

Hearing Raghav's words, I undoubtedly knew I had stepped on the hell. I was going to face the worst of the worst side of Rohan. It's gonna be more fierce than I've imagined. The Rohan, Raghav talked about seemed like a perfect stranger to me and it was true. I haven't met the worst part of him yet and I'm here to meet him now. And it's now that I realized the fear behind Jenny's words and the frequent warning tone in Arjun's words. Rohan was indeed a hungry lion and he will feed on my emotions and tear me apart but I have to withstand the demon in him. I didn't know if I had the strength but there was no turning back for me. I closed my eyes for a brief moment, controlling my thoughts. The journey ahead looked scary but exciting, and I was ready for it. This is a battle which I don't have a choice but to win and even if I have to go through hell, in the end, if I've him, it's all worth it. I opened my eyes as I let out a sigh.

"Alright. I'll go and meet him." Arjun said letting out a sigh and getting up.

"I'll come with you Arjun," Ahana said getting up too. I remained seated on the sofa.

"Arohi?" I looked at Arjun when I heard him.

"Hmm?... I'll meet later. He will lose it seeing me so it's better if you guys see him first." I said with a small smile.

"Alright..." Arjun said and started walking with Ahana following him.

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

Ahana's POV

We entered the bar set between the living room and swimming pool area on the back site. Rohan was sitting on the stool lying on the bar counter with a bottle of whiskey placed beside him. Few empty bottles lay on the counter as he was busy finishing another one. It was early morning and he was already drunk. The sight before me made me worry more about him.

He looked back as he heard the door open. His eyes were red. He let out a mocking laugh seeing us in front of him.

"Welcome... I was expecting you, Arjun... So Joker did his job, huh? Sometimes you know I think most of the gossip about me in media are spread by that guy only." He said coming close and hugging Arjun.

Then he looked at me. "And you, my girl, surprised me! I honestly wasn't expecting you." He said giving me a sharp look but recovered as he came and hugged me. A strong smell of alcohol was reeking through him. I didn't let my worry show on my face as I looked at him with a blank face. 

What was he doing with himself? Why can't he live?

"You shouldn't have brought her here, buddy. What's wrong with you?" He said pulling away as he looked at Arjun with a straight face.

"What is wrong with me? What the hell is wrong with you, Ro? What are you doing?" Arjun said losing his calm. Rohan was about to say something as I saw him gritting his jaw but before they could start anything, I came in between them.

"He didn't do anything Ro. I could have come to see you regardless." I said looking at him with concern. Rohan let out a sigh as he went and sat on the stool again.

"Go away both of you. I want to be alone." Rohan said and took the bottle in hand. Just when Arjun snatched the bottle from him. Rohan gave him an irritated yet angry look which was exactly the same as the one on Arjun's face. That's not good.

"What the hell you think you are doing. huh?" Arjun said gritting his teeth. Anger was bleeding through his eyes. I haven't seen Arjun like this all these years. But he was right in his place too. Even I was furious at Rohan but I couldn't lose my shit. I have to be sane.

"That's none of your business Arjun," Rohan said giving him a glare as he stood again with some difficulty to face Arjun.

"IT IS MY BLOODY BUSINESS, YOU MORON!!" Arjun shouted losing it. Finally! It made me jerk in my place because I never expected for Arjun to shout. Rohan kept to his silence looking at Arjun with murderous eyes.

"What do you think? Acting like a bastard will ease up all your pain?" Arjun said pulling Rohan's t-shirt.

"I don't want to talk to you Arjun. You are not in the right mindset." Rohan said jerking Arjun's hand with all force. Arjun stumbled a little but recovered immediately. 

"I don't believe this," Arjun said faking a laugh. "Okay! I am not in the right mindset and you are?" Arjun finished with clapping his hands. I just stood there dumbfounded watching two best friends taking out on each other. I knew they weren't fighting with each other. It was just a desperate effort of one friend to help his other friend who was playing with his life.

"IT IS MY FUCKING LIFE! And I'll decide what I have to do with it. No one else. Do you get that?" Rohan said gritting his teeth hard as he clenched his fists. 

"Do you even have any idea Rohan how much it is hurting the people around you? You are destroying your whole life for the mistake you didn't commit." Arjun said calming himself a little. His eyes now filled with full of concern for his dear friend. He kept a hand on Rohan's shoulder but Rohan jerked it away.

"Who is asking you people to get hurt? Me? I never said that..." Rohan said.

"Everything is not about you..." Arjun said making his voice a little louder.

"Then why are you here?" Rohan snapped back at him.

"Gosh, Guys! Stop seriously." I finally said coming in between them. But I couldn't break the hard gaze they were having on each other.

"No Ahana! Let him say whatever he wants," Arjun said pushing me gently to the side and locked his gaze back with Rohan.

"Just take him out else..." Rohan said moving back as he turned back to the counter.

"ELSE WHAT?" Arjun asked making his voice louder and pulling Rohan back with his t-shirt. Rohan stumbled a little but managed to balance.

"Else I will really lose it, Arjun. I am trying really hard to keep sane." He said again jerking Arjun's hand. This time the jerk was harder than any of them before.

"That's what you can do, Rohan. Just lose your shit and take it out on people around you. Because you know what? That's what you can do best. Run from your shitty problems and let the people suffer because of you." Arjun said again with pure anger. Rohan didn't let his gaze fade from Arjun. Anger held in his red shot eyes.

"WHO IS ASKING YOU PEOPLE TO SUFFER THEN? Can't you guys just leave me alone and live your own fucking life? I'm tired of smiling and acting to keep everyone happy." Rohan said shouting at Arjun.

"ROHAN..." Arjun shouted back at him. Rohan was breathing heavily, probably trying to control his rage, unaffected by his outburst.

"WHAT? You know what Arjun? If it's bothering you so much and making your life miserable then you don't have to keep worrying about me. Just think that I died too." Before Rohan could finish the sentence or I could recover from his words, Arjun slapped him hard. The blow was hard and unexpected that Rohan stumbled upon the stool behind him. I gasped at it and almost run towards Rohan's side as I held on his shoulders in an attempt to help him stand. Rohan refused my help as he shrugged his shoulders taking my hand off him. I watched as he stood straight facing Arjun once again.

Arjun was shivering with so much anger. So was Rohan!! Both of them refused to speak further. I stood behind Rohan not knowing how to stop the silent war going on between them through their eyes. I was scared that Rohan might lose it and hit Arjun but thankfully Rohan remained rooted to his place and so was Arjun. Both didn't make any movement and I thanked God for it. It would not be a pretty sight to watch for sure! 

"Just get the hell out of here, Arjun," Rohan said taking his gaze off Arjun. Arjun didn't bother to look at him and just stormed out of the room. I just stood there beside Rohan. Rohan adjusted himself on the stool again as he let out a deep sigh. I sat beside him.

"Why are you doing this, Ro?" I asked him in a low voice tilting my head to look at him. Rohan closed his eyes for a moment and looked at me.

"Why did you come? I told you not to, Ahana. Why can't you listen to me?" He said with a little flash of concern in his eyes. But blinked it away and looked at the counter.

"Have I ever listened to you? I have learned that from you, Ro." I said sighing a bit, smiling a sad smile. 

"I am serious Ahana," Rohan said giving me a glare.

"So am I Rohan. I know you too well to buy that nonsense you just said to Arjun. You can't keep hurting people like that." I said putting a hand on his. He didn't say anything but I can tell something was eating him up inside. And that was his talk with Arjun, a few moments back. He knew very well that he hurt him, so it was obvious. I continued letting out a sigh.

"Rohan, we both know that it was a pure act but you really think we will go away if you act rude with us? We can't leave you like this Ro." I said with a concerned voice. "I can't let you live like this. I need you. I can't lose you too.  We all love you and care for you and we want to see you happy." He kept looking at our hands.

"I am living Ahana. I am living... For you, if not for anyone else. And I'll always be there for you. You know that." He said shifting in his seat to look at me.

"I don't want you to live like this, Rohan. Live for yourself, not for me or anyone else. Why can't you understand this? Why is it so hard? Why you keep behaving... like this? I can't... I can't see you dying, Ro. I can't bear that pain again. I don't want to lose you too. Please don't do this. I beg you." I said breaking even when I was holding strong.

"Ahana..." Rohan said looking at me with care and concern visible on his face and voice. This jerk why he keeps behaving like an asshole. Rohan held my hand tight as he continued. "I'm here and I'll always be. Just stop crying, please." He said wiping the tears from my face. I looked at him with teary eyes unable to understand him. He has totally changed, the Rohan sitting beside me wasn't the one I knew a year ago. I don't know what is the cause of his sudden change. Rohan being rude or arrogant was not new, it was part of his character but what I saw today wasn't him. I knew this was his desperate act to push us all away and suffer alone. 

"Why would I listen to you?" I said jerking his hand away. Rohan let out a sigh.

"Don't you think you should hate me a little, at least? I am the one who snatched everything from you. Your mom hates me. Your dad and your brother..." He was saying something when I cut him in between. 

"Rohan, stop, please." I started being annoyed. "I'm tired of hearing that already. No matter how many times we tell you, but you are just not ready to accept the things. You just keep repeating the same thing. And you know what? Even we won't be able to help you when you are not helping yourself. Nothing is your damn fault. Why can't you understand? You have suffered enough. Just let him go. Holding onto him is not going to help you in any way nor it is going to change the past." I finished letting out a sigh.  

I hate the fact that he still blames everything that happened in the past on himself when he was no way near his fault. I spend years trying to make him see that but that made him push me away as well. I don't think I can ever make him understand this no matter how much I try because he is just not ready to understand anything. Even though he wanted to push me away he still made efforts to call me and keep in touch with me but he never let me visit him or told anything about him. He just wanted to know if I and my parents were happy and if I need anything. My answer was always the same. I needed him, I needed him back as the Rohan I knew when we first met. I needed him to be happy and live his damn life than spend it in regretting a mistake which he didn't even commit. 

My mother never liked Rohan, she never approved of Aryan's friends anyway, or his passion. Rohan knew that from the time he started living at our place. Her words were always sharp and it did slit Rohan's heart. She was one of the reasons he believed the lie and blamed himself. She was always protective of Aryan and wanted him to have a secure job and lead a normal life but he never wanted that. His passion was his music which she never approved of and he was forced to do something he hated. Maybe it was her possessive love and protectiveness to her son which made her say things that scared Rohan for his entire life. Things would have been so different if only everything was the same as before. If Aryan was still part of us. But it's not. It will never be the same. Rohan will never understand as his one true friend who could have saved him left him to suffer. 

"Yes, I know. I know it won't change anything, Ahana. But what should I do? I am a sinner and you know what hurts the most? The thing that I didn't pay for my sins. I ran away. I fucking ran away without facing the consequences of my actions. I should have stayed, I should have been there with you, I should have paid for the damage I caused and I should have helped in every way I can. That would have been less painful." He said shaking his head a bit. I looked at him with concern filled eyes. He looked broken, he has always been but today he looked so miserable sitting beside me, so helpless. No one was capable of helping but her, Arohi. She has some effect on him. No, he fucking loves her! But will he ever let her know? A big fat NO! 

He told me about her when he came to meet me, back in India. I was surprised by his sudden visit to India. Rohan has always been hesitant to visit India. None of us could convince him but suddenly he was there. When I asked him he told me it was because of me but I knew there was more to it. That's when he told me that he came to see her. And that he didn't know why he felt so desperate to meet her, he told me he missed her. He hasn't had that feeling in a long time. I knew then that Rohan Nanda was in love. But he being himself, said I was talking crap. Then on the night before he was leaving India he called me, he sounded broken, like he had been crying. He just told me that I was right all along, that he was in love for the first time. I remember how happy I was hearing that. I thought things were getting better for him and soon he'll learn to live again. But he broke my hope with the news that he was leaving. He was yet again running away from love. Maybe he knew that would cure him for good and he just preferred to stay ruined. 

"Will you shut up? You didn't help us? Whatever I have been able to achieve in my life is because of you. You did every fucking thing to fill the gap Aaryan left. You not even once let me feel like I lost my brother. You were always there to hold me when I broke, Rohan. You heard my cryings, comforted me. Didn't let me break. Like that you actually helped me to hold my family together when it was on the verge of breaking when Aaryaan left us. And even though my mom doesn't know this, the truth is that it's because of you that we have a place we can call home. We could have gone homeless, remember?" I said desperately making another futile attempt to make him understand the things. He has done more than enough for us even being far away from us. He took care of most of our financial problems without my knowledge because he knew I would refuse and I came to know much later. My mom still doesn't know that Rohan doesn't let me. Although there have been times when I wanted to scream at her face that the person she curses every single day is the one who put a roof over her head, he was the reason her daughter was being sane and earning. But I can't for the sake of promise I made to Rohan.

"That was maybe just to clear the act? Didn't you get it, Ahana? I might have actually tried to act like that because I felt I can pay for my sins like that?" Rohan said letting out a sad, sarcastic laugh which was pointed to himself. 

How can he say that? After all the things he has done for us. My family went through a tragedy,  I lost my brother. My parents lost their son. That was something that shattered our world but it was Rohan who helped me out of it. It was because of the strength he gave me that I could keep my family from breaking. Today my family lived in comfort whereas the one who helped us suffered every single day.

"I'll slap you hard Rohan if you keep talking that shit. You didn't kill my brother. You didn't do anything. And his sister is telling you that. Isn't it enough for you?" I said again closing my eyes for a moment, containing my anger. I would have even punched him hard at the moment but I controlled myself really hard.

"I just..." Rohan said and stopped abruptly containing his emotions, not letting himself break. 

"Rohan... How can I make you understand this? Just don't listen to mom's words..." I said holding his arm tight. It hurts me still to know that it was because of my mom he was going through something which he didn't deserve to experience.

"Ahana, just go back." He said with a blank face. Not looking at me anymore.

"I am not! I am going to stay here for a while. If you have any problem then I can stay at the hotel too."I said being determined. I won't let him win for sure. I am stubborn than him and he knows that very well.

"That's not needed. Stay as long as you want. But just a reminder..." He said looking at me again with a plain face. I cut him off again.

"I know. Nothing is gonna change right?" I asked him. He didn't say anything. I let out a sigh as I continued. "Anyway, I hope this time will be different. Just don't keep pushing to extend that you will regret it later." I finished getting up giving him his space as I walked out of the door.

As I walked out, I knew Rohan has made up his mind to destroy everything he has and push everyone away. I saw that hidden behind his eyes and words. There was only one person who could help him out of his hell. Arohi. She is his love, the only woman he fell in love with. That's exactly why I wanted her to know that and I knew I was successful in letting her know when I came to know that she was coming along. Her love for Rohan was her strength and that was all she needed to fight him and his demons. Now, I can only hope that she wins this battle and bring him back from his ruins. 

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

Arohi's POV

I saw Ahana coming as she sat beside me. Me, Arjun and Raghav looked at her waiting for some reaction. She let out a sigh.

"It's going to be really tough. That asshole is making me crazy. I'm telling you Arjun, I will beat him up before you do. He is just not ready to listen. He is just... I don't know. Now I hope Arohi do her magic at least." Ahana said in one breath looking at me. I felt a sudden jolt of fear in my heart. I was here for that but seeing all this I was losing my confidence. Arjun walked out of that room with his entire body burning in rage and it took him time to calm down and tell us what happened in there. I was shocked when he told us that he slapped him. Arjun is someone who is extremely patient and if Rohan made him lose his control, I don't know what he'll do to me. And now Ahana had the same thing to say, it is going to be tough, it is going to be hell! She is the closest to Rohan, closer than anyone else and he has a soft spot for her in his heart. He didn't even listen to her, how will I be able to something that these people couldn't do? They are his family.

"Calm down! Take a deep breath Ahana. I can understand you. And feel free to beat him up anytime. Even I don't mind doing it again if he is going to continue that shit." Arjun said sighing.

"Arohi...?" Ahana called me, pulling me out of my chain of thoughts. She looked at me with so much hope in her eyes which was scaring me at this point.

"I... don't know, Ahana. He is not listening to you..." I was saying when Ahana cut me off.

"There is a huge difference between me and you, baba. Now, don't you start. He has already ruined my mood. I feel like I can kick some asses now." Ahana said in an annoyed and tired voice.

"That I am sure you will do, Ahana. But not her, please. She is too sweet for you to kick her." Raghav said. Ahana let out a sigh as she looked at me again.

"I won't think twice if you keep talking that negative shit, Arohi. I am shameless and I was pretty famous for beating people around." She said with a plain tone. I let out a laugh at that. Arjun shook his head giving Ahana a look. She smiled back at him.

"But just don't force yourself. It's alright to back off and go back to your life anytime. He is not your responsibility." Arjun said giving me an assuring smile. I smiled back at him, although I didn't agree with him. Rohan is my responsibility, I like to believe that. 

"Don't worry, Arjun. You guys are with me and Rohan is there too. Everything will be fine." I said looking at Arjun then Raghav and finally at Ahana giving her a wide smile. She cheered up with my smile. Despite their words, I knew they depended on me to help their friend out of the mess. I can't give up on them or Rohan.

"Alright enough of that jerk. He is just ruining everyone's mood. Now go and just take a shower, Raghav. You stink." Arjun said changing the topic and cheering the mood. I and Ahana smiled.

"It's not me Arjun. It's you who is stinking." Raghav said putting his hands up and smelling to be sure. Gross!

"What are you talking Joker? What do you think ladies? Isn't this guy stinking?" Arjun said smiling and looking at Ahana and me. We let out a laugh. Raghav looked at us with his innocent face. And we three laughed even more.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?" Our laughter died down immediately as we looked at the source of the voice. Rohan Nanda was standing in front of us giving me death glare with his red shot eyes. My heart started hammering inside my chest.

He was looking really... tired. His eyes were red from the alcohol and maybe due to anger. But they looked tired with dark circles around them from lack of proper sleep. His beard has grown and his hair was messed up. He looked like his life right now. A mess. But oh boy, was he hot? I couldn't figure out how he manages to look hot even in that miserable state. I couldn't stop myself from thinking that I was in love with the man standing before me, looking at me like he's going to kill me with his look. And there was a possibility that he loves me back too. Although Ahana indirectly let me know the true feelings of Mr. Nanda, I haven't still believed that and I won't believe that until I hear it from him. That was maybe the one selfish reason I was here. I wanted to find out and hear it from him.   

"Oh hi, Rohan. It's been a long time, right?" I don't know from where that confidence came in me. But I stood and walked up to him. I gave him a confident smirk. Rohan stared back at me with the fire in his eyes. It was hard to sustain under his stare but I didn't let it show and put on a brave face. He wasn't the same Rohan I saw a year back. A lot has changed about him. I tried to read his eyes, hoping to find softness in them and maybe a little bit of love but all I could see was darkness. He has built stronger walls and his true emotions were kept safely behind them. 

"Stop with the nonsense!" He said to me as he looked behind me. "WHAT THE HELL IS SHE DOING HERE, AHANA? Who invited her?? RAGHAV??" He was having so much rage in his eyes as he shifted his gaze back at me. They were giving me death glares, it made me shiver in fear but I still wasn't going to back off. I stayed glued to my position refusing to move my gaze away from him.

"No one did, Rohan! I came on my own. Why would anyone need to invite me here in the first place? Can't I come here? It's just like my house." I said finishing off with a wide smirk. Yup! Even I was surprised at myself. Rohan took a deep breath closing his eyes for a moment. I know I was getting on his nerves but I couldn't care less.

"Stop talking shit! It's my house and I will decide who will live here and who won't. And someone like you is definitely not welcome here." Rohan said through gritted teeth.

"I'm not talking shit, Rohan. And I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to stay here as long as I want and you won't be able to do anything." I said still smirking at him. He took a deep breath to calm down his senses.

"You think I won't be able to do anything? You are forgetting Mrs. Jaykar or Ms. Shirke or whatever you like to call yourself. You are breathing in my house. And you are telling me that I won't be able to do anything?" Rohan said giving me one of his devilish smiles as he folded his arms on his chest.

"Yes you can't, Rohan. You love me too much to throw me out of the house." I said smiling wide at him. His smile died off as a frown took place instead.

"Wow man! Just wow! From where did you get that confidence? Huh? You're being way too bold." He said recovering and mocking a laugh at me, clapping his hands in front of me as he continued, "But I'm really sorry, I have zero interest in you. I thought you understood that when I last told you?"

"Really? Why did I hear the other way round then?" I asked him, raising my eyebrow at him and smiling at the end. 

"Just shut the fuck up! Didn't you find anyone to entertain yourself in the whole damn year, that you are back? I am so disappointed in you, Arohi. So what should we do now? Should I find you someone with more fame so that you will go back? Because I don't think I can go along with you as I know what you really are." Rohan said clenching his jaw.

"Mind your language, Rohan. I am not as desperate as you think. I don't need someone like you to give me fame. I can do that for myself. I have gained enough fame and money for myself. Keep yours to yourself. You'll need it to clean the shit you keep doing. And who knows in future you just might need me when you run out of it, you know." I said cocking my eyebrows with anger held in my eyes. No one has the right to point on my character. Not even Rohan. Yes, I love him but that doesn't mean that he can bad mouth about my character and question my self-respect and I'll just let him be. Nothing comes above my self-respect. Rohan closed his eyes again as he moved his hand through his hair. I know I was checking his patience now. He walked past me stopping a few feet ahead of me.

"What the hell is this shit? Aren't you going to explain, Joker?" He asked clenching his fists. Ready to kill Raghav any moment. That poor boy always being the target of Rohan's wrath. He gave Rohan apologetic look.

I honestly am feeling bad for him. He has been exposed to Rohan all the time and he is the one who is handling his rude and changing behavior all the time more than any of us.

"I didn't know she was coming, Rohan." He said in a low voice.

"I am not asking you that, you Jackass. WHY DO YOU LET HER IN? DID YOU ASK ME BEFORE LETTING JUST ANYONE COME INSIDE MY HOUSE?" He yelled at Raghav.

"Rohan... Where will she go then?" Raghav asked being calm.

"Do you think I give a flying fuck about it? I wouldn't mind if she rots on the road. You might have experienced this in the past, right Arohi? So that's not new for you. You can survive like that too." He said as he turned around to look at me again. Now it was him who was testing my patience. I was ready for this. I knew he would go to any length to break me down. But there is still a huge difference between just thinking and experiencing the same.

"Enough Rohan. You are crossing your limit." My voice held the anger I was feeling at the moment. A smirk formed on his face. No way in the hell I am letting him win this. I need to stay calm and not let him trigger me.

"Oh, I am not crossing any limit. I set the limits, sweetheart. No one else is allowed to do that for me. Anyways, so you are leaving, right? Because I don't think your self-respect will allow you to stay here. Should I book a ticket for you? Or are you going to cry for some time and buy sympathy from these people? " Rohan asked with that smirk never leaving his face. I was right with my thoughts about him. He was not going to hold back this time. This is going to be a lot tougher. But till when will I keep holding onto him? This is going to be every day now. I have to be ready to get back at him with whatever he throws at me.

"SHUT YOUR MOUTH YOU ASSHOLE!" Arjun shouted from behind him. Rohan rolled his eyes. I stayed quiet looking at him.

"No Arjun. Let him speak whatever he wants to." I said sounding calm with my eyes still on Rohan. "Let me hear everything for once Rohan. Do you have anything more to say? I'm here. Say it. Humiliate me more in front of everyone. Let me see your limits so that I can set mine." I'm not bragging but I was quite proud of myself with that comeback. 

"I never asked you to come here. You should have thought that before barging into someone else house without their consent." He said gritting his teeth looking at me with rage in his eyes which I never saw before. He continued before I could get back at him.

"And what do you say Raghav? Where would she go? The nightingale of the nation don't have enough money to buy a hotel room for herself?" Rohan asked looking at Raghav then at me with the same smirk.

"She is staying here, Rohan. Whether you like it or not." It was Ahana. Rohan kept his silence this time. He just gave a look to Ahana but she was unaffected by that gaze. Rohan let out a sigh hearing her. I knew he won't get back at her. I smiled involuntarily. At least someone has the power over him at this moment.

"Get the hell out of my house if you have any self-respect you claim to have. I don't want to see your face ever again." He said with irritation facing me now.

"Well, how can you not, rockstar. Remember? I am the nightingale of India. I'm in news for my work always. Unlike someone, I know who is in news every other day for all the wrong reasons. But anyway, the point is you can't just ignore me." I said smirking at him and I can see Arjun, Ahana, and Raghav smiling widely from one corner of my eye.

"I don't wanna see you inside my house, woman. Is it too difficult to get into that brain of yours?" Rohan said coming closer to me.

"Too bad. You will... Because I'm not going to run away this time. I'm staying here and you are going to see me every other day. Do you get that? And yes keep that attitude of yours to yourself. You might be Rockstar or whatever but don't ever think of disrespecting me because I won't take that easily." I said looking directly into those red eyes of his which held so many emotions at the time but one was clearly visible and that was anger and frustration.

"I'm warning you, Arohi. I won't go easy with you and even Ahana won't be able to save you." He said coming dangerously close to me. His warm breath was hitting my face. I could smell alcohol. I felt weak in my knees and my heartbeat racing with his mere closeness but I succeeded in not letting it show.     

"Then don't. Just think ten times before doing anything, Mr. Nanda, because I won't think twice before giving it back to you." I said still looking into his eyes with a small smile playing on my lips. I managed to come off as bold as I can but only I knew the fear I felt at that moment. But I've to go on despite my fears, otherwise, I'll end up losing him forever. And I can't afford that.  He rolled his eyes before looking at me again.

"And just get that thing out of your head that I have any kind of feelings for you. Because the truth is I don't love you. Do you get that?" He asked again raising his eyebrow at me while the irritation on his face remained the same.

"I don't even want you to have any kind of feelings for me. I will do what I am here for and go back to where I belong. I don't have any kind of interest in staying at your house or having you in my life. Don't think so highly of yourself Mr. Nanda because you are nothing but a waste. Just handle your own fucking life before pointing at me. I hope that clears all of your misunderstandings. You are lucky to have these few people around you who still care for you when you can't even respect them. Be grateful for that." I said to him. Rohan gritted his teeth and then rolled his eyes again. I smirked looking at him.

"Just get the hell out of my face." He said with a straight face.

"Gladly. If that's what you want. Even I don't have much interest in seeing yours but I can still manage that." I said smiling at him. Rohan rolled his eyes again giving me a boring look.

"Fine. Let me see, till when the nightingale will manage to stay here." He said giving me an evil smirk.

"Sure. The game is on, Rockstar." I said putting a confident smirk looking straight into those two haunting eyes looking right back at me.

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

Bravery is not the
absence of fear.
Bravery is feeling
the fear, the doubt,
the insecurity, and
deciding that
something else is
more important.

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

BOOM!! HAHA... Yup, even we are surprised as to how we updated it this early. But that's acceptable as it's our hero's birthday!

So, Rohan is backkk and the war is on!! Hold on tight because everything coming next is going to be exciting!

With that let us know what do you think about this chapter. More light on Ahana, Aaryan and Rohan. What do you think about her and her bond with Rohan?

So, finally VOTE if you like this.

AroHan will be back soon with another chapter.

Till then, Bye.

Loads of Love... ❤️