Author's Note:

This chapter hasn't been proof-read. Starting tomorrow, I have the week off so expect updates to come faster (:

And thank you soo much for the 5K+ reads!! Woohoo :*

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Kriya's POV

Rey and I were a couple of miles away from our destination. The sun was almost right above us. We had been walking pretty much the whole morning once we'd woken up. I stopped walking gradually. My fears grew as time for us to pretend as though we were strangers came closer and closer by. When he didn't feel me walking besides him, he stopped walking as well and turned around to face me. As if sensing my thoughts, he held my hand and gently squeezed it, making me believe everything would be alright. I smiled at him, blinked, and resumed walking.

"You know what to do?" Rey asked. I nodded knowing what he was talking about. As we turned the corner, we could see the place where our friends were in a distance. Rey instructed, "You go ahead. I'll follow. Let's teach them the best lesson of their life."

I replied taking in a deep breath. "Let's." I walked a few steps but then turned back. Rey gave a confused look. I took a huge leap in his direction and gave him a tight hug, burying my face in his neck. He was surprised but I knew he was going through the same. He was trying to hold up a pretense so I wouldn't go weak, and for that, I adored him. It couldn't be easy for him either to go on knowing we'd have to spend the next couple of months away from each other.

He tightened his hold around me, squeezing me to him and staying close for as long as possible. We held each other as if our lives depended upon it. In this moment, I wouldn't be so sure that they didn't. It felt like we were each other's lives. Now, I can't imagine a day in my life without Rey's presence. We weren't ready to keep our relationship a secret. And for what? For a competition so others wouldn't think I had a bias.

He rubbed my back and pulled a little apart. "We can do this. You can do this." He made me believe looking right into my eyes and holding my face in his hands. Seconds later, I finally nodded in acknowledgement.

"I love you." I said and he smiled back. I didn't know when I would be able to say these three words to him again after this moment. I separated from him and let go of his hand. As planned, I walked up ahead to fool our friends into thinking that things had went from bad to worse between us due to their plan of bringing us closer instead of from bad to good.

***

[Sharon's POV]

"Guys look! I think I see someone around the corner." Karan announced looking out the window and we suddenly hovered around him trying to get a look as well.

Swayam agreed, "Yea... I think I saw someone too." I strained to see if it was whom we were waiting for or someone else.

Vaibhavi said after few more minutes, "It's Kriya... But why is she alone?"

"Where's Rey?" I asked the question that everyone was wondering.

Rey appeared in the distant around the corner and far away from Kriya. "They aren't walking together. Why aren't they walking together?" I was freaking out.

Swayam calmed me. "Relax. I'm sure it's nothing. Let them come back. Everyone! Act normal." And so, we rushed off to doing things, or more like pretend to do things.

I sat on the sofa pretending to read a novel. Karan played on his phone while Vaibhavi went off to get water for herself. Neha and Vicky lost themselves in their talks. As for Swayam, what better work then to annoy me a little? Therefore, he trailed behind me and kept on poking his head in the novel, making me groan and pout. Of course, all of it a pretense and we weren't actually bickering. I liked it when he bothered me to get my attention.

After what seemed like forever for to me, Kriya finally barged in through the main door and slammed it shut, making everyone jump up. None of us had expected that. "That jerk! What does he think of himself? He thinks I'm an idiot to believe the car ran out of gas? Huh! I swear, if he comes in front of me ever again, his blood will be on my hands."

Everyone gaped at her choice of language. I did not waste a second in asking as Kriya took a pause. "Kriya? What happened? Why are you fuming?"

"What else Sharon? Reyansh Singhania happened! Ever since the day he came in my life, I haven't had a second of peace. The whole night he kept me up. And what does he think? By leaking the oil, he'll get close to me? Seriously, can you imagine that? That act is just too cheap and disgusting."

I and Swayam passed a guilty look at each other. Yet thoroughly shocked. Before anyone could say anything else, Rey barged in.

"YOU! Who do you think you are? Challenging Reyansh Singhania, the famous dancer?!"

"Oh hello! Earth calling to Jupiter. Put your foot on the ground. Famous dancer my foot! I'm way better than you. So don't even get me started, all right?"

Everyone was confused. Kriya was just fuming on oil leak and her being mad at him on that. And then Rey walks in being mad at who's a better dancer? It made no sense.

"That just means you're afraid. Aww, cat got your tongue?" Rey mimicked and taunted her.

"Leave tongue. Tum toh kaali billi ho. (You're a black cat) One no one wishes cross their path. Tch Tch Tch. So unlucky. Poor Reyansh Singhania!"

"Hawww! Swayam, see what she just called me? Kaali billi. Do I look like a cat? Karan, a black one! HOW DARE YOU?" He shouted.

Kriya rolled her eyes. "Oh please. Shakal pe hi likha hai. Voh kehta hai na. Daane daane pe khana wala ka naam likha hai. Waise hi." (There's a saying, you know. Every morsel has its owner's name written over it. Just like that, you being a black cat is written all over you.)

"Mai Kaali billi toh tum snake! Kab kise kahan dans le kisi ko kya pata. Poisonous snake. A hideous one at that!" He snapped back. (If I'm a black cat, than you are a snake. Slithering from here to there all the time. No one will know when you bite someone! Poisonous snake. A hideous one at that!)

Kriya drove a sharp gasp in. "Sharon, and you want me to forgive this guy? How can you even ask that? NEVER!"

"Yea, yea. Go on and complain. Don't have a comeback left?

Both started talking over each other, driving everyone nuts! Finally, both threatened "YOU!!!" standing opposite each other and pointing their index finger at the other, eyes flaring with anger.

Rest of us stood in the middle, debating on who goes after whom and what to do. It was clearly seen that our plan had failed. We had intended on bring them closer. Instead, they were fighting like cats and dogs and it was worse. At least before, they would look at each other. Now, it was blood shed! It was as if we had let the dogs loose.

"Now what?" Vaibhavi finally asked.

"Now..." I repeated, but none of us had a single clue on what to do next. We hadn't thought about it.

"This is definitely something none of us expected to happen." Vicky spoke. We nodded, plopping ourselves on the couch.

***

[Rey's POV]

When alone, I rushed towards Kriya and celebrated our success with a high five and a quick hug. "That was brilliant! Did you see the look on their face?!" Kriya asked excited.

"Gosh. They were so horrified. This should teach them a lesson."

Kriya let her smile go and with a stern face, put her hands on her hips. "A snake, huh?"

I scratched the back of my head sheepishly. "You called me a black cat too!" I glared at her, one she returned. Then, we burst off laughing and shushed each other so no one would catch us. We knew better than to turn a fake fight into a real one now. We'd let that happen enough times in the past to not learn from it.

"We are such great actors!" I complimented us.

"And I'm still a better dancer than you." Kriya teased, knowing that would earn her another glare from me. Before I could respond or get hold of her and trap her, she ran off; leaving me to grin to myself. Happy times were finally back. And I had no intention of letting the competition and our roles affect it. I wouldn't let it. Not this time. I quickly formed up a plan and made a mental note to tell Kriya about it as soon as possible.

[Sharon's POV]

Kriya looked at her dinner plate, made a face and looked back up from Karan to me and back to Karan. Looking back at the plate, you can see perfectly burned food. "I haven't had food yesterday and this is what I get?! I knew it. I should have cooked myself. But nooo! No one wants to listen to me!" She got up continuing the rant while Karan and I hung our heads with shame.

Though internally, we were grinning at the success of our plan. At least she was cursing us and not Rey for once in the whole day. It gave us some sense of relief. Since she was distracted from cursing Rey now, I thought I'd have a better chance at talking to her.

The smile on our face vanished when we saw what she was doing. She put the food back on the kitchen counter. We had expected her to cook. Instead, she washed her hands and went up the stairs. We looked at each other shocked. There wasn't a day when Kriya would skip dinner. Without eating, she wouldn't be able to sleep. We all knew that. She had to have something. Her behavior off late was really confusing the life out of me.

I spoke, "Okay, we're missing something here."

"Yea, something's seriously wrong. You have to talk to her." Karan replied.

"Me?! Why don't you?" I exclaimed.

"Are we seriously having this conversation again?"

From Kriya's room, Kriya shouted out. "Both of you, shut up! My room's door is open and I can hear you. Neither of you are going to talk to me because I'm not gonna listen to you. So do yourself a favor and save the fight already."

Once again, both of us were stumped. What were we to do next? Neither of us had a damn clue whatsoever. Next thing we heard was Kriya shutting her room's door. We ordered food for ourselves as Kriya wouldn't cook for us. And our cooking? Well, that was already a failure, as seen.

"Even Vaibhavi couldn't talk to her?"

"I know! They had to call her away just then." I dreaded, remembering how being the judge, she was called away just when they were out of the door. "I dunno what to do. I had seriously thought our plan would bring them closer. Oh god! What have I done?"

***

[Kriya's POV]

"Come to your balcony" said the text from Rey. I got up from my desk and opened the door and walked in the balcony. To my surprise, I looked down and saw Rey waving up at me with a sheepish grin. He showed me the box of pizza and even in the dim light, I saw his wink. I laughed, and motioned him up.

I threw the blanket that was closest to my reach and threw it down. He wrapped the pizza in it, tied it to the rope and threw its other end back at me. I pulled the pizza up and Rey climbed up the pipes. Once in, I hit his head. "You're crazy, you know that?"

"Crazy, yes, but crazily in love," he said cheekily, making me shake her head once again, not being able to help the grin off my face. I quickly opened the blanket and the pizza box and started munching on it.

"You know how hungry I was?" I commented after taking the first bite.

"I know." He replied, knowing exactly how much since he took the risk to come here when we were in the middle of 'fake fight plan'.

I continued eating while Rey walked over to my desk and turned on my laptop. With food still in my mouth, she mumbled, "Password protected," to let him know.

"Since when?" He asked, acknowledging it and bringing it over to me. He was going to let me type it out, thinking I'd want her password to stay a password. Surprising him, I started spelling it out.

"K-R-E-Y-A." He typed it and at the end, he formed the word in his head. A pleasant look took over his face. "Kreya. You remember?"

"How could I not? You know, at first, I was so confused on what to put. I was never good at keeping passwords, like you've pointed out before. Finally, I ended up with this. No one knew." All of my friends, including him, could always guess my passwords.

"Our little secret?"

"Our little secret." I repeated with a smile that made me happy from the bottom of my heart. He gave a quick kiss on my forehead, melting my heart. I looked away to resume eating and he teased me at first, trying to steal a bite. When I glared at him, he started surfing the net for the things he had to. No one messes with me or my food when I am starving. I didn't question and nor was she interested.

***

Next morning, I woke up to Sharon's voice. "Wake up! You have to get to the sets!"

Confused, I rubbed my eyes and gave them a while to adjust to the bright surroundings. I looked around to not see Rey anywhere. Last I remembered, I had fallen asleep while talking to Rey, sleeping on his lap as we caught up on years lost.

Sharon asked, "Looking for something?"

"Erm, yea." I had to reply so as to not spoil our plan. "My phone. Why didn't my alarm go off?"

"How would I know? Anyway, get ready and come down fast. I'll make you some toast. You didn't have dinner either." Sharon left saying so, leaving me to smile to myself at the memory of Rey bringing food for me. I found my phone on the floor and checked the time and saw an unread message as well.

"Left early."

That was all it said and I knew it was from Rey. The number was private and that let Kriya know that Rey had changed numbers as well, which wasn't as surprising as Rey had to do so now and then. All thanks to his fame.

***

The whole day on the sets passed by before I knew it. There was no free time for anyone. Someone or other was always doing one thing or another. As it would be a live competition telecasted all around, many things had to be taken care off. As competitors, there were few things we had to do as well. After briefing, we were left in the green room, one for girls and one for boys. Everyone started doing their own things. I simply stood there and watched everyone.

Kat noticed and asked, "Kriya? Is everything alright?"

"Yea... why do you ask?"

"You seem a bit lost and you aren't getting ready either. You do know you're gonna have to soon. There's only half hour left before it officially begins."

"I know..." I trailed off. Reality was - nervousness was finally getting the best of me. I hadn't been on stage in years. I didn't have stage-fright. Atleast I didn't before. I was still afraid of forgetting a step or two. I was afraid of any unwelcomed surprise. They seemed to happen a lot in my life after all. Watching everyone buzz around the little room, I finally announced to Kat. "I need some fresh air. I'll be back soon."

"Hurry up, you don't have much time." She reminded me, and thanking her, I left.

I was just running when I crashed into someone. "Hey, watch it," came the rude response.

"I'm sorry." I apologized and continued walking.

I heard the other girl comment, "Dekh ke chalna nai aata toh chalti kyu hai?"

Rey came around the corner just then and heard that bit. Anger took over him but I gave him stiff and low head shake, making him halt. If not for that, he would have had the girl removed from the place forever. That would simply attract attention and have people buzz on why a fame persona like Rey would defend nobody... Nobody for the world... If only they knew what I meant to him.

I turned to face her. It was my battle. I had to fight my own battles. "Look, I said sorry. There's no reason for you to make a comment."

"Oh please, I've seen people like you a lot. Who are you to lecture me?" The girl said.

"You know what? You aren't worth my time." I said and turned to leave.

The girl scoffed. "Your time? Like you are someone important."

This time, I didn't turn around to look at her. I simply replied, "Time will tell who I am. Better watch out." With that, I left. I didn't fail to see that Rey held a grin on his face. The fighter Kriya was back and he couldn't be any happier. It was this side of mines that he first fell in love with before he fought through my walls and saw the side of me I kept hidden from the world. I knew I had just made an enemy in that girl but I least cared about that.

My eyes were closed and head titled upwards from the other end. I heard concern in his voice when he asked, "Are you okay?"

I opened my eyes to look at me. I nodded. "I dunno why..."

He made me turn to her, holding me by my shoulders. "Hey, listen to me. Nothing will happen. Not this time. You've suffered enough. No more tears. It time for you to shine. You have no reason to doubt yourself. Don't hold yourself back because you're afraid something will happen. Give it your best shot. If you don't, you'll simply regret later on. So do it. You have everyone one that mean something to you. You have your life back. You have me."

The words haunted me. All I could do was look at the depth of his words and in his eyes and thank my stars for setting everything right. It might seem like nothing really happened, but if you ask me, so much happened since I gave the audition. Everything was the way it should be. His words were the medicine to my wounds. It refilled my strength... my courage and I was ready to win this battle of my life as well. I was ready for what awaited. For what was truly mines. For what I should have had years ago.

He pressed his lips gently over my forehead and only I, other than himself, knew how much he was controlling himself to hold back his desires. He whispered resting his forehead against mine and letting out a ragged breath. "Go get it."

"Thank you." I truly meant it. I squeezed his hands that still rested on my cheeks. I started to walk away, stopped, walked back to him while he stood there wondering on why I was walking back. Upon reaching him, I said, "Close your eyes." When he didn't, I added, "Please?"

He did. I went on my tippy-toes, gave a quick peck to him on his lips and ran away, but not before I saw his eyes open out of shock, for he had not expected me to kiss him out in public. Reaching the door, I turned to look at him once. I knew what he would have had to tell himself to not pull me back and stopping me from running away and kiss the life out of me right then and there. I turned my back to him again, trying to control my blush and disappeared inside.

I don't know what made me be so bold, but it's about time I kiss him first instead of just responding to his kisses. And it's rare too, because even though we've slept together once at Valentines night, he knew just how shy and uncomfortable I am with intimacy. I have noticed how he would kiss my cheek or forehead or anywhere else but my lips. I wasn't going to ignore his efforts. Why hold back, anyway? Both of us love each other. Neither of us is going anywhere this time. I've never broken his heart and I know, this time, he won't break mines again.

***