Zivah's POV

2 years later...

I took a sip of my dark coffee as the weather outside turned colder. I always have loved winters most of all seasons, especially winter clothes being my most favorite.

I looked outside the wall-sized glass window of the conference room. I took my gaze back to the girl giving the presentation. I adjusted my specs and shirt as I moved ahead to take note in my notepad about my understanding of the project. This is one of the big projects the company is getting. And I can't be happier to getting assigned on it.

The company is UK based and the project is a big one. So that adds on even more responsibilities on my shoulder as this is the first project I will be handling completely on my own as a project manager.

Yes, people say that I am getting this opportunity at such a young age as I have been born with the silver spoon in my mouth and that might be true up to some extent but that doesn't lessen the efforts I have taken to be able to handle this huge thing. My dad won't blindly just give this big project to me if he didn't think I was capable of handling it.

Besides this is the biggest opportunity I could ever get to prove myself to the people who point fingers at me. It's not that I care but I just can't wait to see that look in their eyes when they see me win.

I smirked a little that thought as I adjusted my specs and gave an understanding nod to the girl giving the presentation as she finished it off.

"Alright, that was all from my side. So, any queries, Ms. Chandra?" She asked with her British accent. I put a formal smile on my face.

"As of now, everything seems to be fine with me. I will discuss everything with my team and then I will arrange a meeting again to discuss the details." I said.

"Sure." She said with a forced smile coming around for a handshake. Her assistant took care of her belongings as he started putting everything inside the bag carefully.

"Thank you." I said extending my hand for a handshake. She gave me a nod with a smile as she got back to her assistant, talking something with him.

I grabbed my notepad along with the laptop and walked out of the room with my assistant following me from behind.

"Dave, inform the team that I am arranging a meeting around 4 in the evening with everyone." I said walking through the passage as the people on the way greeted me with a smile.

I smiled back at them accepting the greetings on the way with a smile as I continued with talking, "I want to discuss this project in detail with everyone."

Dave gave me a small understanding nod as he walked beside me. He took the laptop from my hand finally matching my speed.

I don't exactly like it when he does that. It makes me feel a little important which I still don't consider myself as. But he has got orders my dad so he is bounded as well and I don't want to give him any hardships so I just let him be much to my dislike.

"I want their inputs as well as to what they think about the whole idea and process. About how should we go ahead and if they have any problem with anything then why and what would be possible solutions." I said entering my cabin with Dave following from behind.

He put my files and laptop on my desk as I got seated in my chair.

"Ask them to go through all the documents client has sent till now." I said further opening the laptop as I moved my loose hair at the back of my ear.

"Yes, ma'am." He said nodding a little.

"Am I clear?" I asked looking up at him raising my eyebrows.

"Yes." He said again.

"Good, I will see you then." I said putting a small smile. He looked a little reluctant as he didn't move from his position.

I gave him a confused look raising my eyebrows at him.

"Mr. Chandra wants to meet you. I have arranged an appointment with him after lunch at 2.30. Will that be fine?" He asked putting a very serious face.

"Sounds good." I said getting back into my laptop screen.

Dave gave me a gentle node and got out of the cabin.

I let out a sigh looking at the mails in my mailbox. I looked out through the glass window again as it had already started snowing. I smiled a little looking outside.

I rested my back on that comfortable chair and moved it so I could look at the beautiful view outside more closely.

It's been two years and many things changed in my life. Well, I can proudly say this time that the change was good. All my life I followed people blindly without thinking about what I actually wanted. But not anymore. So I started the change whether in look or personality and attitude.

First being my hair. I kept my hair long since childhood because I loved Alizeh's long black locks and Vihaan loved mine. I never thought anything beyond that but then one day suddenly looking at Selena Gomez's short hairdo I finally realized how much I wanted that for myself. Then what? I just grabbed the car keys and drove myself to Natalie's. Well, she is my girl who understands exactly what I want when it comes to my looks and style. She is the one I have felt most comfortable with all these years.

So, I cut my long hairs to short which came until my shoulders. And I loved this look. They say your hair change your entire look and man, they are right. I felt like I was looking at someone new, someone different from the old Zivah. Someone who is more confident. Someone who is not afraid to take chances. I had the widest smile on my face when I looked at myself in the mirror.

Ali was going crazy when she saw me for the first time. Ahil's wide smile said it all that he loved my new look and so did Dadu and Dadi. Vihaan didn't say much as he just reminded me that I have changed a lot which I took as a compliment.

Dad anyway treats me as I am invisible so I don't even know if they noticed this at all that I had long hair and I have cut them short now. Nevertheless, I am okay this way if I don't have to communicate with him much.

Mom was surprisingly good with her reaction which was an alien thing to me. So I just thought of ignoring her.

The one thing that remains is my nose ring is still at the same place and I don't think it will change ever just like my specs.

Many things and many equations have changed over the span of two years. That number is a little when we say it like that but when I say that I have lived 24 months, 730 days, and 17520 hours of being just myself then it looks huge and I'm enjoying every bit of my life.

Whether it's my profession or personal life. I am at peace with both and I can say safely that I haven't been this happier or contain or at peace before.

My babu is still my babu. He has understood that something is off with his mama and papa so he behaves like a goody good boy like he is and spent time with both of us.

Vihaan is still the same. The busy dude. After all, he never changed and that's a good thing. If you are happy being who you are then you shouldn't change yourself for the sake of others. That's why I respect him even more now. We do talk. Well, sometimes when I am free and he is free and our schedules match. We got out for coffee and discuss our interests.

We have settled with each other and have accepted each other as friends. He also admitted in the course of time that we were never actually meant to be. We were just being in a hurry. We spent most of our school and university days together and thought we could spend our entire lives together as well but sadly the real-life starts after that. And that's what happened to us. But I am glad we got things pretty sooner and ended everything on a happy note so as we don't lose anything more.

They say you can't be friends with your ex and if you are still in touch then either you both have still some feelings or you were never in love. I don't agree with that. I know we had some kinds of teenage feelings towards each other though I don't know what exactly and I am even more sure that I don't feel anything towards him now more than a friend. The same goes for him as well. We have matured and accepted our faults and moved on for good.

I want to see him falling for someone who is equally passionate as him. Who would share the same interest as him and I hope that day would arrive sooner.

My Ali is still my Ali the other thing expect from Cody who hasn't changed. She is still my soulmate and I still piss her off with her weird nickname. Ahil has gotten busier but is still a sweetheart. His business has expanded overseas. Ali grabbed this opportunity to push the marriage away. Yes, she is still not over her fears or insecurities.

As for others, I don't know. I have lost the contact with everyone over time just as I thought.

I was still in touch with Parth through emails and Renee through phone calls for about 2 or 3 months when I came back but that's all.

I got busy settling in my career, working day and night to achieve what I wanted. At another time I concentrated on my book writing. It still hasn't finished and it still requires a lot of work but I'm not in a hurry. I have decided to go steady with it.

I just keep getting some news about The Heatstroke through tabloids and those aren't pleasing nowadays as they state the band is on verge of getting disbanded for some internal feud. I don't believe it. They all were like best of friends what could possibly break them? But I can't be sure as it's been two years since I saw them in person. This is the only thing breaking my heart nowadays. I can't think of them not being together. I thought of mailing Parth but then again, I can't.

I don't know why but I just can't.

Renee and Rupath's wedding hasn't happened till now and I won't get any brownie points to guess as to why. I just hope everything settles down soon.

As for the only person left. Ved. Sonia called me once after a few days of my arrival in New York. Ved wasn't around. She just said everything is fine there. We talked about random things. And that's all.

I waited for him to call me or at least contact me in any way for a month or two but then I just settled for the fact that he has gone for good. I tried calling him once when it got unbearable but got to know that he changed his number. That was it. Then I stopped waiting and focused on my career. I don't know where he is anymore or with whom but I just hope he is fine and happy.

I still haven't regretted meeting him or falling for him and I won't ever. I don't know what I feel for him anymore but I can safely say that he was wrong when he thought I just had a passing crush or attraction towards him. Because that was definitely love. That feeling was deeper and meaningful.

I looked back at my desk lazily when my phone started vibrating. Surprisingly, it was Vihaan. I pushed myself back rolling my chair and grabbed the phone as I pressed that green button.

"What's up?" I asked faking a cheerful smile.

"I know you are not exactly cheerful or happy as you want me to believe." Vihaan said with disappointment. I could literally imagine him giving me that unpleasant look. I chuckled at the thought.

"I just have too much work." I said pouting even when he won't see me. Vihaan chuckled.

I let out a sigh rolling my eyes as I went ahead, "What is it anyway?"

"Nothing in particular." Vihaan said making me roll my eyes yet again.

"But?" I asked pressing on the word.

"I thought if we could grab a coffee together in this cold weather?" Vihaan said. I chuckled and looked at the piles of mails in front of me.

"Vihaan, I'm really sorry but I have a lot of work." I said feeling sorry.

Vihaan let out a sigh and before he could say anything I beat him to it as I went on with my ranting.

"Two back to back meetings, then I have to prepare a plan for the whole project, assign a lead maybe then prepare a presentation, and finally brief them to the client. Also..." I was saying without a stop as Vihaan cut me off with his loud voice.

"Okay, I understand you are busy and so am I but I thought at least you could take out some time for me as I was feeling lonely without my family around." He said finishing it off a bit dramatically. I rolled my eyes again and shook my head in disappointment.

"Oh, you actually feel lonely without people around?" I asked with a dramatic voice.

"I thought you don't notice." I finished off with sarcastic tone. I knew he must be rolling his eyes at me by now. I know the past is way behind us now but I never leave a chance to taunt him on it. All in a fun way and he knows it. It's entertaining to see him irritated.

"You don't have to be that sarcastic." He said. I let out a laugh putting my head back.

"Alright listen out." I said as the laughter fade away and I got into seriousness as another mail popped up, "I have a meeting with Dad which I can't cancel so see you after that?"

"Okay." Vihaan said cheerfully.

"And I don't want coffee, Vihaan." I said making a face as a sudden thought crossed my mind and it made me excited.

"Let's grab some frozen yogurt." I said licking my lips with just a mere thought of it.

"You won't change." Vihaan said with disappointment yet again, "Fine." I smiled wholeheartedly and gratefully.

"Call or message me once you are done." He said further. I nodded at him.

"We will meet at Frannie's YoArt?" He said again. I always knew he knows me better. That's my most favorite place in Manhattan.

"Cool!" I said smiling widely by now.

"Bye." Vihaan said still chuckling as he cut the call.

I looked back into my screen still smiling widely as the smile vanished when the reality hit me. I have got a lot of work to finish.

I better buckle up.

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

I walked lazily through the corridor of last floor to reach Dad's cabin. Dave followed me behind with his plain expressions.

Well, he is genuinely good and likable but he is way too serious all the time. He has been with me for a year now and I tried everything to make him smile but nothing helped as he liked his grumpy look better so I just let him be.

I knocked on dad's cabin twice and waited for his reply.

"Come in." I heard him after a few moments. I turned the knob around and walked inside closing the door behind.

Dave stood outside. I told him not to follow me around when he is not needed but he just listens to my dad. I sometimes think that he might be spying on me as well but who cares. I am least bothered by that. My mom and dad have stopped forcing me with things now as I have rebelled against them as soon as I came back here.

First, when they mentioned Vihaan over and over again and thought they could get me engaged to him. Thankfully he was opposing it as well as forcing me was never an option. Later, when I decided to save the money and grab higher education. Well, it's still in my checklist and I will complete it in the coming years for sure. Third, is my writing. They have finally accepted the fact that they have lost all control over me. I'm happy that way.

I stood close to the table looking at dad as he was too engrossed looking at his laptop.

"Sit." He said without bothering to look at me. I let out a sigh and got seated in one of the chairs.

"How was the meeting with Wilson's?" He asked looking at me briefly.

"It was good." I said nodding at him.

"Good?" He asked looking a little annoyed by my answer.

"Good as in. We haven't discussed the details yet but their proposal was interesting. Besides they looked genuinely interested so if everything goes well then we will definitely get this deal." I said nodding my head at the end formally. Dad let out a sigh and gave a shake to his head.

He put his glasses over the table as he rubbed his eyes with one hand. He put on the glasses again and glared at me with his hazel eyes which I've inherited from him. I just stared straight at him without moving an inch.

"Well, Ms. Chandra, let me get straight to the point." He said giving me a small fake smile at the end. I still stayed the same.

"Everything won't go well on its own. We have to make it by putting efforts from our side." He said in his typical business tone. I nodded at him. He raised his eyebrows at me stating he wanted an answer from my side.

"I know. I have a meeting with the team around 4. We will discuss everything and the presentation will be ready in a few days. I'll brief everything to the representative who will be meeting them in London for further discussion." I said.

"Very well." He said nodding as he looked in his laptop again. I didn't say anything again and kept sitting there until he finally throws me out.

"I personally will be looking into everything as this is the first major project you'll be handling and I don't want anything to go wrong." He said looking up again at me.

"I don't want people to point at me saying I was biased or this was my mistake if the project fails." He finished. I let out a small laugh. He looked pissed with my behavior.

"Why you always think that I will fail? Can't you just for once believe in me?" I asked.

"There is no place for emotions once you enter the premise of this building, Ms. Chandra. All you have to be is practical." He said further and got back with typing something.

"Of course, Sir." I said with a nod.

Sir that's how I refer to my dad mostly since the past a few years as all the speaking I do with him is in the company. And it's in the rule book that you have to throw your personal relationships out once in the building.

There is no communication with him outside it. He is barely at home. At least I don't see him around in that giant house.

And home? It never actually made me feel like one. I don't even see people around except for the helpers. They might know about me more than my own parents.

"I'll send you a detailed report personally about the progress if you want me to." I said shrugging the thoughts away.

"That won't be necessary as Lily would be monitoring you." He said without looking at me.

Lily, of course. His personal secretary who thinks she owns me. Giving me her unnecessary advice about anything and everything when all in return I offer her is my rude and impolite behavior. She still is shameless as he gives me her weird smile in the end.

"As you say." I said.

"You may report her each day without fail." He said further much to my dislike. I gritted my teeth but couldn't say anything as I can't.

"Sure." I said and got up to leave before he pisses me off even more.

"And Zivah." He said sternly. I looked back at him with a questioning look.

He was looking at me with unpleasant expressions as he went on, "I talked to Vihaan's dad yesterday..."

Fine, I can't have this conversation and ruin my mood further before my most important meeting later in the day. So, I cut him off before he could finish.

"I guess we shouldn't be discussing these kinds of personal stuff in the office premises?" I said with a plain tough look. For the first time in years, dad didn't look pissed at my rude reply.

"What happened there?" He asked calmly taking off his glasses.

"You are finally asking me?" I asked giving an impressive look.

"I want a proper answer. Not those excuses you keep giving about how he changed over time and how you guys are different." He said with his cold glare which I was so used to. There he is again. He never disappoints me.

"That's one proper answer for me. I don't think I can accept him as a life partner. I won't be happy with him as..." I was saying when he banged on his table making me a jerk.

"What is your definition of a happy relationship?" He asked further making his voice a little louder.

"I should be able to share my happiness and sadness with him without getting judged. I should feel secure and carefree with him. He should respect my opinions. He should support my dreams. I should be able to imagine my whole life with him. And that's not Vihaan for me." I said with a shrug. Tired of saying same shit all over again and him still not getting a thing.

"What if he is just some random guy with a normal background? Will you able to adjust? You have lived your whole life with all kinds of comforts. You got everything even before you ask." He said in a challenging tone. Only if he knew how far I had gone already. Imagining my whole life with my Ved.

"I will, Dad." I said with a genuine smile, "You're right. I got everything even when I didn't ask for anything but I couldn't get what I asked for."

"Utter disappointment." He said shaking his head and putting his glasses again.

"Because I am not marrying for business?" I asked raising my eyebrows at him. He didn't say anything but I could feel the building anger on his face. He was just controlling it for I don't know what. He barely does that.

"I won't ever. I will marry when I genuinely like someone. I don't want to suffer throughout my life just for the sake of business." I said.

"Get out." He said as I turned into my tracks and stormed outside the cabin shutting the door loudly behind.

Dave jerked and so did Susane, the woman in her early 40s sitting outside cabin to control who goes inside and who doesn't.

I gave them a smile and walked away fast. Dave almost ran after me catching up with my speed as always.

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

"I'm just done, Vihaan." I said as the waiter put the cups filled with the yummiest yogurt in front of us.

I looked at that mouth-watering thing in front of me as I went on, "I just can't go on like this."

Vihaan gave me a weird look but he didn't bother to open his mouth for speaking instead he filled it with a spoonful of yogurt and gave even weird expressions as his sensation got numb with coldness. I ignored it as I was too busy with blabbering.

"He always keeps taunting me. And that Lily. Uhhhh....!!" I said being frustrated. "I just hate that woman with all my life." I said and dig the spoon in the yogurt.

"What the fuck she thinks of herself? Does she think that she can be anywhere close to my mom?" I asked with irritation and making my voice louder. Vihaan looked around and then back at me gesturing to lower the volume. I was unbothered.

"And dad? What is wrong with him? He trusts her more than me?" I finished breathing heavily with continuous talking nonsense.

"Relax, Zee." Vihaan said finally, "He is just being careful enough. It's not easy to sit on that chair." I rolled my eyes.

"Who the fuck am I talking to." I said shaking my head in disappointment and moving the spoon in yogurt still not eating it.

"It's not like I'm just following him blindly." Vihaan said.

"Oh please." I said rolling my eyes again.

"Anyway, just eat that yogurt before it melts." He said pointing at my yogurt.

"Melts? At this temperature?" I asked giving him a look. Vihaan shrugged his shoulders and took another spoon to his mouth.

"What do you wanted to talk about?" I asked looking at him suspiciously.

"Can't I meet you without any specific reason?" He asked giving me hurt expressions. I let out a sigh.

"That's kind of odd." I said finally putting that delicious thing into my mouth. It felt divine. I know I might catch a cold later but I don't care.

"Nothing is odder that you." Vihaan said giving me a look.

"Tell me." I said ignoring him. Vihaan let out a sigh putting the spoon inside the cup again.

"I don't know how to actually make my parents understand that we aren't together." He said with a little irritation.

"I can totally understand." I said without giving any expressions and slowly eating my blueberry yogurt.

"They just keep on forcing me to take you out on vacation and mend the things." He said making a face.

"And what did you say?" I asked curiously.

"What do you think?" He raised his eyebrows.

"Just leave them. Focus on what you like most." I said shrugging my shoulders.

"You mean my presentations and files?" Vihaan asked.

"That's what exactly I meant." I said putting a smile. Vihaan didn't say anything but just shook his head a little. I let out a sigh putting my spoon down and giving him all of my attention.

"I'm just tired of this everyday drama. Why don't you just tell them that I betrayed you?" I asked. Vihaan gave me unbelievable expressions.

"You didn't betray me, Zee. We were already over by that time. You made it clear to me." He said getting even more frustrated.

"I don't know but just tell them about Ved." I said again looking carefully at him.

Yup! It's been two years since everything happened but the drama in my family is still the same. I didn't tell them about anything happened between me and Ved and neither did Vihaan mentioned it ever. It wasn't like I wanted to keep him a secret but there was no point telling about him to anyone. He was anyway long gone. He didn't even look back once. Neither did I.

"Ved? Who we haven't seen for past two years? Neither we know where he is anymore." Vihaan asked with irritation. I gave him a blind look.

"Do you think they will actually listen?" He said the matter of fact. He is right actually. Those people are just like that.

"So you are saying that he should be visible for them to believe?" I still kept on going with that topic.

"Yes." Vihaan said plainly. I didn't look at him and took another spoon to my mouth. Vihaan let out a sigh.

"I mean no one mentioned him in the last two years and suddenly he has popped out of nowhere. Do you really think that will work? They will say that we are making stories." He said clarifying himself. I know everything very well but it just pisses me off.

"I have pictures of us?" I said without looking at him.

"Just leave it." He said shaking his head. I looked up at him with irritation.

"Are you doing it purposely?" I asked and cursed myself when I saw that look on his face. He looked hurt and I didn't mean to say that but I don't know everything pisses me off these days. My parents, his parents. Everyone.

"What? What kind of useless question is that?" Vihaan asked with utter annoyance.

"It's not useless. I am asking you with all honesty." I said calmly.

"Of course no." He said, "Look let us see if he comes back."

"He won't and I won't as well. Just understand this, Vihaan." I said gritting my teeth. "Don't make it worse." I finished off with annoyance.

"Are you going to wait for him all your life?" Vihaan asked looking pissed.

"I'm not waiting for anyone to come back but that doesn't mean I'm available and you can have a chance." I said with a little loud voice. I'm glad that there are not many people around.

I closed my eyes briefly to contain myself. What the fuck is wrong with me? What am I saying? It's not him. It's my dad who has made it worse. It's my anger on him that is getting out on Vihaan. I need to get my shit together before I hurt him anymore.

"When the fuck did I say that? I didn't even think about it." Vihaan said looking hurt. My heart sank looking at him. Yes, I know he wouldn't want that either. That chapter has been ended for both of us long back. I don't know where it came from.

"Look I'm sorry. It's just this thing is..." I said with an apologetic look.

"I am just too busy shaping my future like how you wanted me to. Aren't you happy?" I asked giving a smile. Vihaan's posture softened as he gave me a smile back.

"I'm happiest. Trust me." He said gesturing with his eyes genuinely.

"Anyway leave that. How was your meeting?" He asked again changing the topic and I couldn't have been happier. A big smile formed on my face.

"It was amazing. Everyone was encouraging and supportive. And mainly I saw some kind of trust in their eyes for me. It made me feel happy." I said giving him a wide smile and getting excited. Vihaan looked at me with amusement.

"I hope everything will go as smoothly. I'm nervous and excited." I finished. Vihaan chuckled at me.

"And I'm excited for you. And..." He said and stopped abruptly looking down.

He took a deep breath as he continued looking up at me again, "I'm sorry if I made you feel that way but trust me, I have no intentions to bind you with me unwillingly. Neither I ever had this thought in my mind. I respect you and I respect your decision. I am happier about being just a friend."

I gave him a small understanding smile as I felt guilty as hell for making him feel like shit.

"I'm sorry too for whatever I said. It was my anger towards dad, I guess that came out on you." I said genuinely.

"It's okay. I want to accept one thing honestly." Vihaan said and I raised my eyebrows in anticipation.

"It was harder at the start to accept everything. But I am doing exceptionally well from the past few months." He said with a full smile. I chuckled at him.

"I'm happiest to know that." I said with a big smile.

"And please, Chandra. Don't give yourself too much importance. What do you think? I won't find anyone else?" Vihaan asked narrowing his eyes at me. I let out a laugh shaking my head a bit.

"I will dance with joy when you find your right girl. And I will pray that you won't have a tragic fate as mine." I finished giving him a small smile.

"Don't worry. That asshole will come to his senses soon." Vihaan said taking another spoon of yogurt. I frowned at him.

"Don't you dare to call him that, Vihaan." I said giving him a murderous glare. Vihaan let out a laugh.

"Okay, ma'am. I'm so sorry." He said taking his hands to his ear. I frowned even more as he teased me a little more.

"I feel like going on a long vacation man!" He said letting out a sigh finally.

"What? You and vacation? How come?" I asked widening my eyes at him.

"I don't know. Even I'm done with drama." He said with a shrug, "Who knows I'll find someone as well?" He winked at me. I chuckled again.

"You have lost it." I said shaking my head.

"Don't you think this yogurt has become tasteless?" Vihaan asked making a face.

"Shut up. They have the best out there." I said frowning. How dare he called this divine thing tasteless.

"Please. I can make better." He said. I chocked on my yogurt.

"What? Since when did you become a chef?" I asked him coughing hard.

"Oh. I can..." He was saying when I cut him off.

"Don't Vihaan." I said making a face.

"I am going to make one for you. Just wait." He said in a challenging tone.

"I have a major project coming. I don't want to get sick." I said in a plain voice.

"You are hurting my feelings." He said dramatically.

"I'm glad." I said giving him a sarcastic smile. He gave me some dramatic expressions which I ignored grandly.

"What do you think about sending our parents on a long vacation? To different places of course. It will give us some peace of mind." He said after some time.

"I don't know about yours but my parents will kill each other in the flight itself." I said. Vihaan chuckled.

"Did you complete the research paper you were working on?" He asked randomly.

That's how we talk usually. Anything can come from anywhere and we don't even mind. We act normally like it's pretty normal stuff to do. That's how we are used to being around each other. Just talk about anything for hours without feeling awkward or uncomfortable. Even if any fight happened in between, it gets sorted out pretty quickly.

We honestly are meant to stay as friends and some things we get to know after a roller coaster ride.

"It's almost done and I have a good feeling about it." I said with a genuine smile.

"I can't wait to hear the loud applause followed by you holding the trophy." He said making me laugh

"You seriously have lost it." I said through a smile.

"But just imagine." Vihaan said refusing to let go of the topic as a big smile was visible on his face.

"It feels good." I said widening my eyes dramatically.

"I know right?" He said as I nodded.

"Anyway you know aliens exist." He said again. I gave him a weird look asking if he has gone completely crazy.

"What?" I asked with crooked eyebrows.

"Yes. I have done my research and I'm going to write a blog on it." He said casually as if it's nothing. I kept looking at him with unbelievable expressions.

"Vihaan no please." I said shaking my head a bit.

"Look I'll explain you." He said putting the cup and spoon aside and keeping his hands on the table ready to explain god knows what.

"No god, no, please. Spare me." I said putting my hands covering my ears. Saving them from further torture.

"Hey, by the way, Zee." Vihaan's face brighten suddenly as if he got some amazing idea. I gave him a questioning look, still debating if I should hear anything as he has actually gone crazy.

"I have gotten this idea." He said again with a smile. I didn't say anything and kept giving him a glare.

"When you win that award then we should let it come everywhere. Ved will see this new version of you and will come running back." He said winking again. I made a face looking at him.

"Why would he do that?" I asked with crooked eyebrows.

"Because you look hot." He said smirking. I just looked at him shaking my head a bit.

"I guess you seriously need a vacation. Working continuously has damaged your brain cells." I said.

"Yeah whatever but this yogurt sucks big time." Vihaan said putting the spoon in his mouth and making a dramatic face.

"Just shut your fucking mouth." I said getting offended.

"No, I'm honestly telling you something is off big time." He said again pointing at the yogurt in front of him.

"What?" I asked and wanted to take back those words but it was too late.

"I'll explain it to you." He said again.

"Vihaan, yaar!" I said giving him an irritated look and shook my head.

"Just listen!" He said holding my hands so I can't cover my ears.

"No." I said with annoyance and started laughing as he started explaining his theory.

We had some more random chats and Vihaan actually explained his whole alien theory to me. It was interesting but please, it was way too stupid. I told him over and over again but he was so persistent.

I laughed a little harder hearing his weird laughing when I told him an amazingly lame joke. Just like that, I didn't even know when it was finally time for me to get back home.

I said my good-bye to him and made my way towards my car.

Life has been incredibly good for me for these past two years. When I say good, it doesn't mean I was happy throughout these years. No, I've had my downs, my struggles and pain.

I've cried a river when I came back from Delhi. It took a lot of strength to show up at work and performance my best with heavy feelings weighting me down. My parents weren't easy bon me either. They were in my ears trying to convince me about Vihaan. Even things with Vihaan wasn't that easy. We did fight a lot, had a lot of disagreements untill he finally accepted the truth.

I say these two years has been incredible because it shaped me into a woman I always wanted to be. I still have a long way to go but I know I'm on the right path. I became more strong and grew immune to my parent's toxicity. I'm proud of myself for my transformation from being that scared little child who feared to even say a word in front of her parents to growing into an independent woman who knew what she wants and isn't afraid to put that out in front of others, no matter who that is.

It was hella ride and I'm proud and happy for my growth as a person and as a business woman.

Everyone in my life have helped me grow no matter if they were good or bad to me. I'm thankful to all, to my parents, Vihaan, Alizeh, Ahil, my Dadu Dadi, the Heatstroke, Renee, Sonia, my Babu and then most importantly my Ved.

He was my major reason to change myself and see my life in a different way. To stand on my ground and live my life.

Today, life's good. I've improved in my work and I'm still trying to improve. Things seem to be sorted with my parents, at least they don't bother me much now. My equation with Vihaan has been amazing. He has been an amazing friend and I never thought that would happen but it is what it is. And I couldn't be happier. Things with my family in Delhi is also great. The only thing that I regret is not keeping in touch with the Heatstroke boys and Renee. But apart from that things are great...

But on some days I still do revisit memories I created in Delhi with Ved and I couldn't help myself from shedding few tears, missing him more.

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✨Author's Note✨

So that was all for now. Let us know what you feel about this one.

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Zivah will be back with next chapter soon.

Till then, bye.

Loads of love. ❤️