Sharon announced, "You two better hurry up and finish eating if you don't want to wash the rest yourself."

I looked at Rey and the two of us instantly started eating as fast as we could. It wasn't every day that Sharon offered to do the chores. When we picked up our plates and rushed inside the kitchen to hand them our plates, Swayam and Sharon were standing at the doorway, hands crossed across their chests and blocking our way to enter. Their hands were completely dry indicating that they were done doing the dishes and so the left over would have to be done by us.

I looked past them and the cleaned stack on plates and vessels on the drying rack confirmed that Sharon and Swayam were indeed done. "Oh hell." I whined, much to their pleasure.

Sharon replied, "Oh yes, my sister. I'm no fool." She looked at Rey and continued, "Now go on, both of you, and finish the rest. I'm going to go pick out a movie to watch."

At the same time, Swayam and Sharon moved to the either sides of the door to allow Rey and me space to enter the kitchen. Sulking, we dragged ourselves inside the kitchen. Sharon and Swayam left to give us time alone with the excuse of 'picking out a movie to watch' even though all four of us knew what movie we were going to watch.

Titanic.

Yup, that was the only movie we would ever watch on their get together. The first time we had done this, we ended up watching Titanic. We girls were tearing our eyes away and the boys comforted us, not understanding the reason why we had become so emotional. The second time, it was just a co-incidence as we were all learning about love and confused whether we were in love or not. Indirectly, we had all decided to watch Titanic. Ever since, it had just been like a tradition of ours to watch Titanic each time we got together. It was a different matter that most of the time, we weren't even watching.

I picked up the scrubber and added some liquid soap to it and started my part. Rey waited for me to get a head start and then started washing the plates.

[Sharon's POV]

Unknown to Rey and Kriya, Swayam and I were back a second later to watch if our plan had succeeded. I realized cleaning just two plates, some bowls and a couple of spoons won't buy enough time for them to spend some time together and have an actual conversation. Putting my mind at work, my eyes fell on the table where the leftover food was still sitting in the bowls. I elbowed Swayam and once he looked at me, I motioned towards the bowl through.

After a couple of nudges, Swayam got what I was trying to say without speaking. He nodded and went to pick them up. He transferred the left overs in the plastic containers and quietly snuck behind them in the kitchen with bowls in his hand and pushed between both of them seeing a good opportunity. They looked bewildered at him. He simply put the bowls inside the sink, under running water and said. "Enjoy!" He again left.

Rey and Kriya watched him go, so I quickly hid, knowing very well that they felt like strangling us for making their work load increase.

[Rey's POV]

I paused to look at Kriya's angry face and got lost in the beauty for a second.

She looks even cuter and beautiful being mad.

In time, I pulled my thoughts back to line. I couldn't let them distract me from the current work; especially when she was standing this close to me. As I turned to focus my attention at the plate in my hand, my arm brushed her hand, making her conscious of the gaze that turned to her again. The scrubber instantly dropped from her hand the second my arm touched hers. I felt her suddenly stiffen and do all she could to avoid looking back at me.

Opposite to her reaction, I was happy. Yes, I was happy, because it told me of the effect I had on her. With just one touch of mine, her body goes numb. And still she says she needs time... I shook my head hiding a smirk. One small movement of hers had brought back all the confidence in me. I, then and there, pledged that I would gain her trust back no matter what. I wouldn't be doubtful at all and would do everything in my power to make her believe in me and my love.

Kriya shut her eyes to brush the feelings away and opened them again with strong determination. She forwarded to pick up the scrub at the same time I moved my hand forward to pick it up for her. As she had moved first, her hand landed on the scrubbed and mines ended up on top of hers. Again, she shivered at the touch. I could see her fighting back as her eyes flickered to mines.

***

[Sharon's POV]

On the other side of the house, I high-fived Swayam at success of part one. Next, I pulled Swayam towards the back of the house and stopped we they reached the water line. Swayam was confused again and asked, "What are we doing here?"

"Ofo Swayam! Why are you being slow today?"

"What?! It's a genuine question. What are we doing here, outside in the dark when we should be inside? Do you have any naughty plans?" He joked taking a step towards me and circling his hands around my waist, pulling me closer in an instant. He looked at me slyly and I, for a second, blushed. I would have stayed that way, if not for the voice shouting at me from the back of my head. After a few tries, I wriggled out of Swayam's hold and replied back.

"Very funny Swayam. Right now, I need you as a plumber, and not my sweet, cute, lovely boyfriend." I started out demanding and ended the sentence dreamily.

He decided to use the romantic moment later on and finish the work. The faster he was over with what I wanted him to do, the better and more time he can have me to himself. "Plumber? Sharon, what exactly is your plan?"

"I just want you to block the line for a few seconds." She replied confident.

"What?" He stopped knowing that it was another one of my plan and if he tried to understand, he'd go crazy trying to figure out the logic. He decided to just quietly follow my instructions. "Never mind. Do not answer that. Just go get a torch."

I nodded and left, to be back in no time. Swayam had only managed to roll up his sleeves when I came back. He squatted while I sat on my knees, holding the torch for him. Being smart, I had brought the tool box along with me. He smiled at me and started thinking of a way to block the water just for a few seconds. He did a few things here and there while operating the main water tap. After a bit of difficulty, he made a hole in the pipe to let sufficient air in and sealed it tight again. I just sat there, ogling at him openly. Something about guys and them rolling up their sleeves. It's just an attractive sight, okay?

"There, done." He said while he got up, confident with his work.

Without letting him take a sigh of relief, I pulled him back inside excited. "Let's see if it worked."

He lost his balance at the sudden pull but I was already running while holding his hand. He managed himself and continued to let me lead him inside. A small smile played on his lips. Once inside, we came to a stop at the same hide out place and watched from around the corner.

We saw Rey and Kriya lost in each other's eyes. Seconds later, they moved their eyes away to their hands which lay on top of the other. Kriya became hesitant again and moved her fingers, letting him know what she wanted. Slowly, he moved his hand away. Not making another eye contact, she picked up the scrub. She looked like she was trying to control herself, while Rey looked to be having his own amusement seeing her struggle. I myself couldn't be any less happy, for it seemed to look as if it would only be a matter of days before she'd finally give in.

After putting the plate away, he picked up the bowl and the water went out. They looked at each other, and back at the water tap, confused. Rey gently tapped the tap, thinking something must have blocked it. When that didn't work, he transferred the line from tap to the sprinkler next to the tap. That didn't work as well. I giggled softly. They was my plan. The water won't come and then, it would come with such force that it'd sprinkle all over them. And that is exactly what happened. Rey moved his face closer to the sprinkler to figure out the problem when the water came splashing on his face, making him take a big step backwards immediately.

Not able to hold back my victory dance, I turned away from then and did one, with Swayam shaking his head at me in amusement.

[Kriya's POV]

I gasped as water came sprinkling all over him, and then he turned the sprinkler around and the water came on me making me squeal and turn away from the water that was aimed right at me. It had started coming again with such force that it drenched both of us. Water started to make a puddle on the kitchen floor as well. Trying to look at where the sprinkler was while avoiding the water as well, I moved my hand around in air.

In attempt to do the same, Rey moved his hand around as well. Now call it destiny, fate, co-incidence, filmy, or anything else, we kept our hands over the sprinkler at the same time. The same as before, we lost sense of the world and looked at each other. The little water that was still coming on us didn't bother me anymore. It was just him and me looking at each other in a deep sense and nothing else.

My hand lay on top of Rey's. When the cold started to take over me, our eye lock broke as I sneezed. My hands now covered my face. Rey looked away at the sprinkler and turned it off. We turned when we heard Sharon's voice.

"Oh my God! What is all this? The water's all over the floor guys! Did you guys fall asleep while cleaning just a few dishes or what?" We felt embarrassed. For cleaning just a little amount, we surely were taking a lot of time. We looked down at the floor and she continued. "And both of you are wet as well!" As if on cue, I sneezed again. "See, you're even sneezing now! Go change clothes before it gets worse. You too Rey; Tell Swayam... he might have a pair for you. I'll finish up here."

We both looked at her and stared, not sure if we should leave. She insisted, "Go! Don't just stand here!" We took a run for it before she changed her mind.

***

[Rey's POV]

I entered the room, tapping his shirt as if it was going to dry off. Once I was inside, I took off my shirt and Swayam immediately questioned seeing me, "What happened to you?!"

I just looked at the shirt in my hand and replied, "Nothing... just water sprayed on me."

"Ofo. You don't even know how to wash dishes? Shame on you." Swayam replied making a disappointed face. I looked at him with a glare and Swayam stole a glance from the corner of his eyes. A second later, we burst of laughing and sat down on the bed.

It was really silly. We knew it. But whatever it was, it was fun. I stopped after a minute and looked at Swayam. I thought, what did I ever do to receive such great friends? Then another minute later, I spoke up. "Thank you." Swayam stopping his fits of laughter, looked at me pretending to be confused. I continued, "I know you and Sharon did all that planning of water, dish washing and all."

Swayam was confused on how I knew. I explained putting my arm around his shoulder and taking a walk around the room. "See my friend; such things just don't happen as 'coincidences'. Even coincidences take a lot of planning. And knowing Sharon, I knew she must have had a plan when she invited me to come for dinner. She never offers to do any work herself unless she's planning something."

Swayam made an understanding face. Of course I would figure it out. We just knew each other so well that we could tell what the next step would be. He replied, "Yeah, um sorry about your shirt."

I looked at my shirt and smiled a big grin remembering the moment I had with Kriya. "Whatever you guys did back there, thank you. Now I know what I have to do next."

"Oi, quit thanking me. I'm your friend, and there are some things friends are supposed to do without asking for permission. Anything for friends, you see."

Getting back to my mischievous note, I replied, "And that is why, you're going to give me a pair of shirt as well to change into."

Swayam made a serious face and now he put his shoulder around me, making us walk two steps back towards the bed. "Look Rey, I'm your friend. I'll do what's best for you only. So..." He made the intensity rise as I waited for him to continue. "I won't give you my shirt."

"WHAT?" That outburst was my first reaction! I then calmed for a second and continued, "Backstabber! You just said 'anything for friends'. What happened to that?"

"YOO! Let me finish." Swayam scolded with a glare. I nodded and zipped my lips, waiting to hear what intelligent reasoning he had for denying. "I won't give you my shirt because you'll go out in that."

 "Why would I walk around the house in a wife beater, stupid?"

Swayam slapped his forehead. Looking up at me, he hit me on my bare upper arm, making me jump at the sting. "Idiot, you're the stupid one, not me. Think... you and Kriya, no shirt, all this muscles... imagine the scene man! It's the perfect occasion! Mauke pa chauka maar!"

My mind lightened. "Of course! Why didn't I think of that?!" I muttered, almost as if talking to myself and already imagining how the rest of the night would go.

Swayam pulled me back and continued the tease, "And at one point, I used to ask for romantic ideas to impress Sharon from you. Someone said right, vaqt badalte der nai lagti. [It doesn't take long for time to change]"

I, being the nice friend that I am, hit Swayam's head and gave an instant reply. "Chup kar. [Shut up]"

"Waise, idea acha hai na? [By the way, god idea, right?]" Swayam asked, instigating me to speak up more.

I get a grin on my face and got into a complete boy talk mood. "Haan voh toh hai... [Yes, that it is] Haaye, me and Kriya... movie night... maza aa jayega. [It'll be lots of fun] It's time to gain back her trust."

"Go for it. I know you'll do it."

"Thanks yaar [buddy]. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"I know." Swayam replied, taking full credit and tugging at his collar. I laughed and completely enjoyed that. How I missed times like this that we spent in college!

***

[Kriya's POV]

I walked out of the bathroom drying my hair for the third time that day. Yes, I felt a bit irritated but nevertheless, I was engrossed in the thoughts of Rey and the returning feelings for him. I couldn't help but realize how his eyes had sparkled up when our hands had touched a few minutes ago. I was completely blushing when Sharon pushed open the door to come in her room. There was no denying in my heart that I still loved him. Sharon saw the blush and how it disappeared as soon as I saw her.

She smirked while walking over to me and exaggerated, "So...."

"So what?" I simply stated, pretending to not know what she was talking about. I went back to patting my hair dry.

Sharon was agitated and she turned me towards her. Lifting my chin, she made me look at her. "Look me straight in the eyes and tell me you don't love him."

I replied instantly without a pinch of hesitation. "I can't."

Sharon smiled and explained softly, "Then what's the problem? Both of you love each other." Sensing the objection I was about to put, she continued sharply, "I know, I know; all the trust issue and all. I understand that Kriya, but the trust isn't going to come back till you give it a chance. Do you understand? I understand what you mean when you say past is past and it can't be forgotten. But you can't let it ruin your present. You can't forget your past, but you can change your present and future. Don't let the past control your present, sis. Just give it a try and see how it goes No harm in that."

I nodded silently. Even I wanted to give it a try. I was tired of being away from him when I very well knew both of our feelings for the other. I didn't know where to begin from. I sat down on the side on bed thinking. Sharon again sensed my problem and kept a supporting hand on my shoulder.

Sitting down next to me, she answered, "Like always, we're going to be watching Titanic. Just go down and go along with the flow. Stop holding yourself back. You've been hurt before and I understand you don't want to be hurt again. Trust me when I say this, Rey himself has repented a lot. In the years that you had disappeared, each day, I've seen him suffering... longing for you just as much as you have. Stop punishing the both of you. Things happen in a relationship. You just have to accept them, fix the mistakes and move on with it. Understand?"

I nodded yet again. This time, I felt a lot better about going on with the flow and giving this a chance. I looked up at Sharon, wondering what good I must have done in my previous life to get a sister and a best friend like her. I gave her a warm hug. "Thank you."

"Anything for my younger sister," Sharon replied chirpily knowing that that would make me want to say something back to her.

And that is what happened. "Hey, I am only few minutes younger than you alright?" The fighting nature was back.

As if she had been wanting to see me back like this, she grinned instead of snapping a response. "This is the 'you' I want down there when you give it a chance. Don't hold back. Say and do what your heart tells without letting her mind interfere." I nodded and got up to leave when Sharon commented, "By the way..." I stopped, turned to listen. "I'll always be minutes older and smarter than you in anything."

I gave her a one-sided look before chuckling. "Kidding; let's go." Sharon got up and pulled me out of the room with her.

***

We walked down to see the boys already in the living room. Rey was putting the DVD in the player while Swayam stayed back and relaxed on the coach. My heart skipped a beat seeing him in a simple black vest, his built-up muscles clearly visible. I stood there unable to move or distract my eyes from the scene in front of me. I was completely love-struck like a freaking teenager.

Sharon had to nudge me about thrice in order for me to snap back to reality. A deep red blush crept up my face as I continued walking down the stairs. Rey looked up just then. He smiled and I replied with a smile. All four of us took our places on the couches. They were already fixed since the beginning. Sharon sat on the couch that was to the right end of the living room and Swayam next to her. We similarly sat on the couch that was in the middle. For now, both of us were on the either sides of the couch, big gap in between.

The movie started and we watched in complete silence. Swayam would whisper Sharon's name to get her attention, and my eyes would flicker to them to see Sharon slapping his hand away and glaring at him to quit bothering her. He did give up, but not before pulling her up in his lap. She eventually rested her head on his shoulder, with his hands around her. Swayam caught me staring and I raised my eye brows at him. I knew they had to have gotten comfortable around each other, but he was never this open about being intimate. He looked away blushing, and I silently grinned at the sight. I swear. People in college used to say Rey and I were a perfect couple, but these two in front of me were the ones made for each other. I would doubt myself and Rey for a second, but never the two of them.

[Rey's POV]

I saw her looking at Swayam and Sharon, and right that second, I didn't want anything more than to have the same that they had. She got up to get us ice-creams and none of us questioned. It was our routine. I soon followed like I always does. She got the bowls and turned to crash into me. Fortunately, the glass bowls didn't break. But I was again in a trance, and so was she. Her hands lay on my chest while they still held the bowls firmly. We blinked the gaze away a few seconds later. She took a step back when I removed my hands from around her waist.

Scratching my head, I opened the freezer to get the ice-cream tub. When my face was hidden from her, I slyly smiled to myself. With the little encounters we were having, I was sure to win her heart again. I put the box on the counter and Kriya took out the scooper and started filling the four bowls. The ice-cream was too frozen up for her. It wasn't making it easy on her to scoop.

"May I?" I spoke up for the first time since we had entered the kitchen. She gave me the scooper without looking at me and moved aside. Though silently she was stealing glances at me, thinking that I wasn't noticing. She couldn't move her eyes away. The sexual tension was clearly there between us. I spoke up again breaking the silence. If I didn't, god forbid what would happen. There is only so much will-power in me. "It's not like you haven't seen me before without my shirt, you know." It probably wasn't the wisest thing to say in the situation.

Her cheeks turned into deep red shape as she realized she was caught and I had been noticing. She quickly looked away to hide the blush as well as to stop herself from continuously gaping. If she hoped I wouldn't figure out her blushing, too late.

I stood right behind her; very close at that; and whispered in her ear. "You look all the more beautiful when you blush like that."

With hearing that, she blushed even harder. To escape the situation, she quickly turned the other way to avoid crashing again and grabbed the two bowls to make a run for it. I grinned to himself seeing the old charm between us coming back. I picked up the other two and putting the box back in the freezer, went back to the living room as well.

***

[Kriya's POV]

Soon enough as the night seeped in, the room got colder due to central conditioning system. I was feeling even cold after having the ice-cream. I didn't understand why as it never happened to me before. Sharon passed me a blanket for Rey and me to share as I refused to get up and miss a scene. And if I was stubborn, so was Sharon. She simply passed it around and snuggled with Swayam, who didn't mind at all.

I shared the blanket with Rey but still, we remained a bit far from touching each other. When our hands did brush past the other; we pretended to ignore at first. Slowly, I started stealing glances at him more than at the movie, to see he was doing the same. Why were we behaving like this? We were never this careful and awkward around each other before.

I remembered what Sharon had told me about not holding back. I shifted a bit closer pretending I was still cold. The truth was that I was cold. I cuddled up in the couch and tried to not shiver but all in vain. He noticed soon enough and just then, the song began playing... And with that, Sharon fell asleep. This is how it always happened. She would fall asleep listening to the song and Swayam would follow.

Every night in my dreams, I see you, I feel you. That is how I know, you go on

We looked at each other at the same time... That was exactly our situation. I would dream him... Feel him in my dreams and in reality, we were far away from that.

Far across the distance, And spaces between us, you have come to show, you go on

With the distances between us, we still loved each other no matter what. And wasn't that enough to keep us going on?

Near, far, wherever you are. I believe that the heart does go on.

Once more you open the door, and you're here in my heart, and my heart will go on and on

Rey looked to me to see I she would do next. I slowly circled my hands around his arm and rested my head lightly against his shoulder. When I felt him relax, letting it seep in, I am sure he must be smiling to himself.

Love can touch us one time, and last for a lifetime, and never let go till we're gone

I truly believed that. I fell in love with him once and no matter what else came, I knew by now that it would never go away. I can hate him but that hate will never be as strong as my love for him. My love will always outweigh the hatred and all the other problems we might face.

Love was when I loved you, one true time I hold to. In my life we'll always go on.

Near, far, wherever you are, I believe that the heart does go on.

Once more you open the door, and you're here in my heart, and my heart will go on and on.

If the memory of our break-up haunted me, than the memory of our confession would always bring me out of that and put a smile on my face. Just like our love was stronger over hatred, the memory of confession outweighed the haunting memory and I knew that now. I was ready to put that behind me and focus on my future... focus on our future. All I had to do was let him know.

You're here, there's nothing I fear, and I know that my heart will go on.

We'll stay forever this way. You are safe in my heart, and my heart will go on and on.

I wasn't afraid of being hurt again. I knew Rey would never do it again. Something inside of me just told me that. I strengthened my hold around his arms and closed my eyes; no longer thinking about us and our past along with future while pretending to watch the movie. For now, all I wanted to do was fall asleep while holding on to him and his mere touch.

***