|VIRAJ|

I watched her retreating figure. She looked so beautiful today. She was wearing a jacket with causal t-shirt and track pants with sports shoes. Very much like my outfit. I stared at her for a few more seconds and admired how amazing she looked with Veer in her arms. I'm still shocked that someone called us a family.

I hate to admit this but it does have a nice ring to it. This is going to be a train wreck if I don't restrain myself right now. This is insane I'm so stupid! I'm acting like a love sick puppy.

When I reached the location where the car was parked before they went to drop off the captives, I could see Arjun and Neel texting on their phones leaning against the car and smiling like cheshire cats. Oh god the interrogating session is about to being. Looks like they've already dropped our captives off and were back so soon or it's just me, I did take my own sweet time to come back. I'll stick with the first one, don't want these idiots to give another reason to tease.

" May I know what's so amusing that both of you are smiling like that?" I asked them crossing my arms and giving them a stern look. "Also before you answer that question I would like to know if you handed the captives to the headquarters and what about the other bodies? Are they taken care off?"

" Yes boss! Job done! Captives successfully handed over and yes the bodies of those vile men are taken care off." Neel replied and Arjun nooded his head agreeing with Neel.

"Okay then looks like our job is done here boys why don't you guys go join your girlfriends while I go home and take a long much needed shower. Sounds good." Both of them raised their eyebrows at me and looked at me with a bored expressions. Before anyone of them could open their mouths and ask me about Naina I got into the driver's seat.

I put my seatbelt on and honked the car asking the both of them to get into the car. I could see through the rear view mirror that they were discussing something more like arguing and shoving each other. I shook my head and sighed, this is what they do all the time when they're sacred to ask me something.

They have a misconception that I'm going to blast off with anger and not talk to them for days. To be honest I don't blame them, it has happened on many occasions hence their hesitation. I honked the car once again and gestured them to get inside the car. The day just started and I'm already done with it.

Finally after another 5 minutes they got inside the back seat. That's weird, usually one of them always sits in the front seat or sometimes they even fight like children to sit in the front seat. Something is definitely brewing. I have to answer else they'll start spying on me once again and I value my privacy a little too much to let that happen.

"Guys what the hell is going on??" I asked irritated with all the whisperings and started the car. "Nothing nothing at all. We were just discussing what to gift Annie. She's going to start a bakery here remember. The inauguration is tomorrow." Neel replied discretely with an extra coat of sugar to cover up the real reason.

I sighed, I knew it was not about that. Idiots can't even come up with a better excuse we had already purchased all the gifts for her bakery's  inauguration.

I cursed under my breath deciding to concentrate on my driving I ignored them and played some calm piano music mentally preparing myself for the future conversation. Annie had started her second bakery, she already had a small cozy restaurant in Pune. This is going to be a franchise. I'm so happy for her.

Her restaurant has been doing so well for the past two years initially it took a while for it to become popular but once it picked up the pace it had become so popular. All five of us invested in the restaurant. She was so hesitant to start and was constantly doubting herself. One fine day Arjun was so sick and tired of seeing her miserable like that he rented a spot and surprised her with it.

Finally after long conversations and fights Annie decided to start the restaurant quitting her then job as a chef. It's actually quite popular and the talk of the town. The name of the restaurant is ANNIE'S DINER. I could not be more happy. At such a young age she already has a really good restaurant and now a proud owner of another bakery. She's such an inspiration.

I was purposely driving slowly. "Dude why are you driving so slowly? Even that auto went faster than us. Hell people are walking faster." Arjun asked with an amused look on his face and Neel chuckled.

"What are you talking about? I'm going at the right pace it's you who's  lost in such an important conversation without my presence. Just so you know this road is slightly elevated and I just want to be careful. It's an accident prone area." I was bluffing and making up stupid excuses. That was probably the dumbest excuse I have ever made.We had come this way so many times and I had never I mean ever driven this slow.

" That's such a lame excuse! Seriously we have come this way so many times and not once have to driven this slow." Neel spoke the exact same words that were running in my mind and Arjun was trying to control his laughter, he better. Assholes they knew I hated when they kept things from me. I took a deep breath, I'm not going to spoil my mood right now. I had a great morning captured terrorists and had an amazing moment with Naina.

I closed my eyes and shook my head. "I don't know what you're talking about. I drive at this pace here all the time." I replied looking at the both of them through the rear view mirror. Idiots were smirking. I'm in for a long morning. Lord save me.

We reached the army housing society in another 10 minutes. I parked the car in front of my cottage and got down. Just then Arjun and Neel yet again texted someone on their phone. Within a few minutes Annie and Indu appeared with huge smiles on their faces and waved at their boyfriends excitedly. They hugged and kissed each other. Oh god I think I'm going to be sick.

I shook my head ignoring them and unlocked the front door and moved inside. The love sick couples followed my queue. Annie had yet again made some yummy breakfast. I think she made some egg toast and hash browns. The aroma made my mouth water. " Make yourselves comfortable people. I'll take a quick shower and join you guys. Give me 10 minutes."

They nodded their heads and started talking about the inauguration that is going to take place tomorrow. I took out a casual shirt and track pants from the wardrobe. Moving towards the washroom I discarded my clothes into the hamper.

I turned on the shower standing under it and bracing my arms against the wall. I let the hot water cascade through my body and tried to relax. The 10 minute shower turned into a 15 minute one, I didn't mind I needed this. I rubbed myself dry with a towel, I pulled the shirt and tracks over my body then moving towards the dining room that was right next to the kitchen.

Arjun and Neel were having a serious discussion about something while Annie and Indu were chatting excitedly about the bakery. I stood at the threshold and stared at them. Why am I hesitating to share things with these people? They are the ones who have been with me through thick and thin. They're my family and I cannot hide things from them.

I mentally warned myself to not get frustrated or angry. They have the right to know. I took a deep breath and moved towards the table. I pulled the chair out sitting down at the end of the table. I served myself with Annie's yummy breakfast and started relishing it. There was an eerie silence, the chattering had stopped and everyone was staring at me intensely waiting for an explanation.

Well I'm not going to give them one until and unless they as me. What I do have some boundaries okay. From my peripheral vision I could see Arjun poking Annie's arm to start the conversation. Annie glared at him gesturing him to keep his mouth shut and also assuring him that she'll ask him.

I was acting like I didn't give a damn and scarfing down the food like this was my first meal ever. Once I was done Annie cleared her throat to get my attention. I looked up with my mouth still stuffed with food and raised my eyebrows. She folded her arms in front of her and stared back at me intensely.

" Umm so I'm really glad that all of you are safe. Thank you for keeping the boys safe as usual. You know how careless they can be at times." With that she hit Arjun on his head. " Hey we were safe." He replied raising his arms in surrender and looked at his girlfriend offended while Indu glared at Neel who was smiling at her sheepishly.

"Oh come one Annie what's with the formalities. It's my job and you girls don't worry. We have each other's backs at all times. Right boys?"

Arjun and Neel saluted together " Sir! Yes Sir." I smiled at them and shook my head. Why do they have to go  around so much why can't they get straight to the point. I was losing my patience. " Okay guys that's enough. Just get to the point. Ask me whatever you want to and I'll answer if I think it's worth answering. Stop beating around the bush." They were shocked.

Shocked would be an understatement. Never have I ever given them such an offer. I'm usually  the one who has secrets so I'm not surprised they were shocked. " See I told you it was good decision to bring the ladies with us else he would have busted our asses by now." Neel whisper yelled at Arjun, which was clearly not a whisper.  Arjun rolled his eyes and gave him the finger. The usual banter.

I rolled my eyes "Guys I'm waiting ask me before I change my mind." I told them with a blank expression. Indu and Annie took a deep breath " Here it goes. Who was that girl?" Both of them asked me together the boys were staring at me with anticipation  like I will pounce on them with anger, dramatic much.

" Her name is Naina, I think she's is 22 years old and she's one of the volunteers at St. Thomas home for children. Before you ask how I know her I meet her at the orphanage the day I went with Sameer to make the donations. That's actually not the first time I meet her. We first meet at the airport. Your guesses are right, this is what happened at the airport. How do you ladies guess everything so precisely?"

I completed my rant and looked at them. I was lost thinking about Naina when I ranting. I can't help it not my fault at all. Everyone was staring at me with their mouths wide open. I frowned " Why are you staring at me like that? If there something on my face." What is wrong with them?

"Oh my god!" All of them screeched together and started hugging each other. "Dude you just meet her three times and you're already whipped." Neel stated laughing and Arjun gave him an hifi agreeing with his point.
" That is not true at all!" I stated irritated.

" Viraj I have never I mean ever seen that look on your face. You have smiled before but it always seems like you were forced to do it, it looked more like you were grimacing or cringing but it is very rare to see that full blown smile on your face." Annie added her point with a small smile on her face.

" Oh my god! Viraj I know that look on your face. You really like this girl I think I think she could be the one for you." Ishu nooded her head vigorously and exclaimed with excitement. Neel and Arjun looked at her and nooded their heads. I was getting annoyed.

"Okay that's it! Viraj remember you asked me what I wanted as a gift for the inauguration and I denied your offer. Now if you really respect me and care for me you will invite her tomorrow. I want to see her and consider this as the best gift. Will you do that for me please, please invite Naina." Oh god I hate it when she puts conditions like that.

I was ready to gift her the most expensive gift and here she's asking me to do something that I didn't want to. I was trying ways to stay away from Naina but no it's turning out to be such a difficult task. Indu joined her as well and together they started a pleading fest.

I groaned I hate it when they do this. I looked towards Neel and Arjun for help both of them raised their hands on surrender gesturing they can't do anything.

" Okay both of you just stop it. I know what all of you are thinking but no it's nothing like that. I'm not in love with her or anything. Hell that's impossible, I just meet her thrice okay and I don't even know her properly. It's just a coincidence okay, these things happen all the time. You can't always rely on such situations."

They all looked disappointed. "Really? So you stalking her for the last three weeks meant nothing at all?" Arjun asked with his eyebrows raised and everyone else gasped with shocked expressions.Oh fuck! How does he know about it. Time to cover up.

I put on my best blank face and tried not to react. " I don't know what you are talking about Arjun. I don't have the time to go stalking people especially a girl. Are you insane?"

" Oh please cut the bullshit! I followed you one day and I'm surprised you never noticed that someone was on your trail which was so unlike you. I saw you staring at her with a smile on your face, Naina was with a small boy. Don't you dare deny it!" Arjun pointed his finger at me.

"It's true, even I have never seen you like that before. He's not lieing I can vouch for him. You want to how, well the next day I followed you because I couldn't believe what Arjun told me and I wanted to see it for myself." Neel added his point with a relaxed expression.

"I have to admit, it was great to see you smile and not be on your gaurd 24/7. You were happy and are always happy when you're with her. What's the problem in asking her out?" Arjun asked me I was still shocked. How the hell did they manage to be on my trail  without my notice. Fuck! What had you done to me Naina?

" You've been following her like a creep all this time. That's not at all nice Viraj. If you want to see her so badly and talk to her you should ask her out boldly not following her like a stalker." Indu said looking at me sternly.  "Yeah I agree with Indu. That was a cowardly thing to do. Just please call her for the inauguration."  Annie agreed with Idhu.

There's not point in hiding anything from them now. Might as well come clean. " Fine I like her a lot okay. She makes me feel things that I have never felt before but I'm not going to date her. I'm not a creep nor am I a stalker.  She just makes my day better so I'm trying to do that by staying away from her." I made my point strongly.

"Exactly our point! If you ask her out you don't have to sneak around like that. You can meet her whenever you want and all your days will be good. It's as simple as that." Neel replied in an airy voice. He makes it sound so easy.

" Yeah right! It's not that simple guys. You know things aren't exactly going well these days and have you forgotten someone is still out there to get me. I'm in the army and there will be long separations. I don't want to bring her into this web. What if someone tries to harm her to get to me? What if something happens to her and it's all because of me? I can never live with myself if anything happens to her because of me. My life is complicated right now and I don't want anyone. I can take care of myself and I'll be just fine." It was a lie but I spoke the truth. I don't want anything to harm her ever. I took a deep breath. Today was scary enough, I was there to save her today but what about the time when I'm not with her.

"So please please it a humble request let it go people. It's not going to happen. I want her to be happy and have a normal life not a complicated one filled with angst."

All of them looked stunned. I'm not surprised I just discreetly confessed that I love her but like I said before I'm not going to acknowledge that. I don't care I'll live in denial. After a few minutes of pin drop silence Annie put forward a million dollar question.

"So you're okay if she starts dating another man and you're totally cool if she marries another man who's not you?" I hate this question and moreover I hate lieing to them but it was necessary. With a blank face "Yeah I really don't care if she starts dating someone else or if she marries someone else. I just want her to be happy." My insides where quivering with anger. I can never ever imagine her with anyone else besides me. Too many conflicting emotions.

"That's absolute bullshit and you know it! Viraj you can't push away happiness all the bloody time. I agree we don't have a normal lifestyle like that of the civilians but that didn't stop us from falling in love. It is harder than any other relationships but we have all faced it together and are doing just fine." Arjun retaliated with anger Annie was holding his arms trying to calm him down with concern in her eyes.

" I don't know who you're lieing to. We're not buying your lies. You can lie to us Viraj but don't lie to yourself at least. That's the least you can do, you owe that to yourself. I have never seen you so happy before sure you have been happy but that spark in your eyes was never present. I haven't even meet her and I'm so thankful to her that she has made you happy." Neel said emotionally.

I was clenching my fists and trying not to blast off because everything that they just pointed out was all true. Ever single word of it but I did not want to acknowledge it.People say it takes years to get to know someone and fall in love but I disagree. It just takes one split second to know that someone is your soul mate and is just made for you.

They were still waiting for my response. I breathed through my nose close my eyes trying to compose myself. "Look I don't want to date Naina nor do I want to persue any sort of relationship with her. I don't want to jeopardize her safety for my selfish reasons. So can we please leave it at that."

I looked up to see their reactions all of them looked disappointed. They were all shaking their heads in disapproval. Indu sighed " Yeah whatever, I don't see any point in discussing this any further. You have already made up your mind and you're stubborn too. This whole discussion is pointless. Just leave it guys. As usual he'll do what he wants to do. I'm going home. Have a good day Viraj." With that she walked out Neel waved his hands and followed her.

"Yeah well, have a a good day. I would still insist you think about this. Usually volunteering programs are not for long. Maybe she's here just for another month or so. I'm going to go now, I still have to make some arrangements for tomorrow. Please come to the bakery as soon as possible. I need your help." Annie waved a goodbye and moved out. Arjun was still sitting there and staring at me.

"Don't lie to yourself Viraj. You want this and I know that, but at the end of the day it's your choice. Choose wisely. I want you to be happy all of us do. Take care man." He patted on my shoulders and left the house.

God this was worse than I imagined.  Not cool at all. I cleared the table and kept the leftovers in the fridge after washing the utensils. I'm need a nap, I jumped on the bed with a sigh. I'm sure they'll be fine tomorrow. I just want to be left alone today.

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

Phew! I had a million emotions while writing this. Finally Viraj  confessed but he's still in denial. He's too stubborn.

If he thinks his friends are going to leave him at this the he's in for a ride. Poor Viraj has no idea what will happen in the inauguration ceremony. His friends are his family so they have the right to decide for him when he's being such an asshole.

Viraj is such an intense aura around him. Well that's how he's built. Who wants to know what will happen next? Do you think Viraj will get his head out of his ass and make the right decision even though it might be hard?

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! If you did please do vote and comment! I would love to know what you think.

Have a great day!