A/N: Hey peeps! So I'm back with an update and a really late one.. Sorry about that.. My dear readers haven't forgotten our Vi and his darling, right?

So here's a quick recap on what happened in the last chapter:
After their return from Goa, Shreya doubts that Vishal had actually blocked her (darling's) number and calls him to find out.. Infuriated by darling's call, Vishal decides to propose to Shreya right away.. He arrives at Shreya's fashion designing studio and relates what happened a little while ago at his apartment and how Jo and Abhay had realized their love for each other while Vishal had realized who his true love was.. His darling..

Now here starts the new chapter:

Shreya remained in silence after hearing Vishal out.

"The first time I saw you when you ran away from the wedding, I really liked... I mean I felt a kind of attraction towards you. I don't know why. Perhaps it's because you were the first girl I met with marriage on my mind. Though I tried to forget you after that, I just couldn't. But when I met you again, I didn't feel the same anymore. I felt incomplete but I couldn't figure out why until now. The reason is you're not my Darling. As long as she had been in my life, my life had been literally perfect. Instead of realizing that, what did I do? I just left her like that and hurt her unnecessarily for the silly reason that she was not the girl of Granz's choice who I wanted to marry."

He realized that he loves darling, then why is he here to meet me? And why is he explaining all this to me? Could he have figured out that I am his darling? Shreya remained silent though her mind fluttered with questions.

"She created problems for me but instead of realizing how much she loved me was the reason for it, I lost my patience and snapped at her in irritation. But she is the one I really love, Shreya."

With a slight frown, Shreya lowered her gaze to the ground as Vishal paused.

"It's not that I don't like you, Shreya. But I already love my Darling that I can't love you. I never really loved you. All I felt was just an attraction towards you; anyone would feel so. What do you lack? You're beautiful, smart, caring, perfect in every which way, and the most important fact, you're my Granz's choice too. But you're just not my darling."

Shreya bit her lip, trying in vain to appear composed.

"Darling was so upset because of me that she wanted to spoil things between us. That shows how true her love was. She didn't have a reason to love me; she could have just forgotten me and found the perfect guy who valued her love and would never leave her, unlike me. But she didn't."

Shreya felt moisture starting to gather in her eyes. Love without reasons is the most beautiful one, Vi.

"Darling will definitely be angry at me now, and rightly so. If she wants to scold me, let her scold me. If she wants to punish me in whatsoever way, let her punish me. I'll bear it. I'll do anything to make up for the heartbreak I gave her. I don't care no matter how much difficulty she may give me, but I want my Darling."

Shreya's gaze began to waver; her eyes were brimming with tears.

"I'm sorry to hurt you by saying all this now, Shreya. You might feel hurt but it's better to feel it today and get over it, rather than feel unhappy about it all your life. Even if we marry, you can never be happy because I can't be happy without my Darling. We're so close without even meeting that my mind, my taste and everything.... Look, even now I'm wearing the shirt she designed for me, to propose to you."

Shreya's eyes welled, and this time she couldn't stop a tear from slipping down her cheek.

"I love her so much. I don't know why it took me so long to realize.... Wherever she may be, I will track her down until I find her though all I know about her is her phone number and now the fact that she resides in my heart."

Vishal turned and walked away as Shreya finally broke down in tears. Was this the same man on whom she had wanted to exact her revenge?

As Vishal left in his car, he recalled his conversations with Darling. She used to remember each and every detail I may have mentioned in passing. I never wanted to know more about her so she used to be careful when talking to me, ensuring that she doesn't give away anything about herself.

***

That night, Vishal was seated in the living room of his apartment. He was at a loss. He had tried calling Darling since evening but her mobile had been switched off the whole time. He had tried calling Granz since Granz had met Darling before but Granz wasn't answering his calls as she was at a wedding reception.

Vishal was lost in his thoughts wondering how he could meet Darling and talk to her when his mobile buzzed next to him. His heart racing, Vishal grabbed his mobile phone, anticipating a call from Darling.

Dad? Why is he calling now? Vishal hesitated before answering the call.

"Hello. Vishal?" He heard his Dad's familiar gruff voice.

"Hello, Dad."

"How are you?"

"I'm okay. How are you, Dad?"

"Fine. How was your trip to Goa?"

"It was okay."

"You went with your friends, right?"

"Mmm."

"Who is she?"

"W-who?"

"So there is a girl in your mind."

Vishal frowned a bit and remained silent. Dad had never seemed to care about me or my trips or if there was anything in my mind before. Why was he bothered now?

"If there wasn't a girl like that, you would have asked what I'm talking about." His Dad explained himself though Vishal hadn't asked anything.

Again, Vishal chose to remain silent.

"So after all that stubbornness in wanting an arranged marriage, you're finally in love."

Vishal glanced at his mobile, unsure of what to say to his Dad.

"So who is this girl?"

"I don't know."

"What is her name?"

"I don't know."

"Then what do you know about her?"

"Her phone number."

"Okay so I'm guessing that you're upset because she isn't answering your calls, am I right?"

"Her mobile is switched off."

"Then what are you waiting for? Find out where she lives and go meet her."

"I don't know where she lives."

"Hmm. She never told you anything about herself, her job, her life?"

"Darling's a fashion designer, that's all I know about her." What? Why did I mention "Darling" to Dad? Vishal slapped his hand to his forehead.

"I think you should call your mother and tell her about her. Now."

"Dad?"

"You heard what I said. Call your Mom now."

"Okay, Dad."

"She will help you. Call her."

"Okay, Dad."

"Call me after you've met her."

"Met who?"

"Your darling."

"Okay, Dad."

"Goodnight, son. Remember, your mother and I love you. Always."

"Thanks, Dad. Goodnight."

After disconnecting the call, Vishal hesitated for a moment before calling his Mom. The call connected within the first ring.

"Hello, Vishal?" His Mom's voice sounded surprised as she hadn't expected his call.

"Hi, Mom. How are you?"

"I'm fine, dear, going on as usual. How are you? I was just thinking of you when you called."

"I'm okay, Mom. Dad just called me a few minutes ago."

"Oh... good. What did he ask you to tell me?"

"About her. A fashion designer. I know nothing about her except her phone number. But I love her."

"And I'm guessing you're upset because she isn't answering your texts or calls?"

"Her mobile is switched off, Mom. And I'm sure she's upset because of me."

"So, what are you going to do then? Are you going to wait until your Granz comes to help you?"

"No."

"Good. Now go find a way to meet her."

"But I don't know where she lives."

"But she lives in Bangalore, right?"

"Yea."

"Do you know any other fashion designers in Bangalore?"

"No... yea, I know one." Shreya.

"Could that fashion designer know her by any chance?"

"No... wait, she might know."

"Then ask her if she knows."

"And if she doesn't?"

"Then find a way to track her number. Or wait till your Granz comes to Bangalore and helps you."

"No. I'll contact Shreya first. But I'm worried she might not want to help me find her."

"If your love is true, you will find her. You can try asking that fashion designer you know but if she wants to help you or not, it's up to her. And if you think she might not help you for any reason, ask her if she knows any other fashion designers in Bangalore. At least one of them might be able to help you."

"Okay, Mom. Thanks, I'll call her right away."

"Call me after you meet her."

"After I meet Darling?"

"Yes."

"Okay, Mom."

"Goodnight, dear. Remember, your father and I love you. Always."

"Thanks, Mom. Goodnight."

Vishal disconnected the call and looked at his mobile for a long moment. I had never felt better after talking to both my parents. Though I have never been that close to them, they both could understand me so well. Now, I have to talk to Shreya. I hope she might help me.

Apprehensively, Vishal dialled Shreya's phone number.

***

Seated on the floor in her room that night, Shreya was rummaging through the things in her bags. Though she had returned from Goa that morning, she had not gotten the time to unpack her bags till then. Where is this mobile? Vishal will be worried sick trying to call me. I thought I left it out to charge, but I can't find it now. Where could I have left it?

"Shrey, I've been watching you for a long time. What're you searching for? I could help if you tell me." Shreya heard Swati's voice from the doorway into her room.

"My mobile! I thought I left it to charge before going to the studio. I can't find it now."

"Oh, I borrowed your charger and left your mobile in the living room. It was fully charged when I checked it."

Shreya dropped the things in her hand back into her bag before spinning around to face Swati. "Oh my Swats, what would I do if I didn't have you as my friend! You have no idea how frantic I was because I couldn't find it!" Shreya gave her friend a tight squeeze before rushing over to the living room.

Shreya found her mobile lying on the table. It was switched off. Now, Vishal must be thinking I've switched off my phone because I'm upset by what he said earlier. I should call him. I have only one thing to say to him and it's better I call and tell him that before he finds a way to meet me. His darling.

Shreya was aroused from her thoughts by the ringing of her other mobile. She checked it to find that Vishal was calling. Why is he calling that number now? I thought he already spoke to Shreya and he would be wishing to speak to Darling after that. But now he's calling Shreya instead of Darling?

Shreya stared at her phone for a long moment as questions were racing through her mind before she answered the call.

"Hello, Shreya?" Okay chill, he hasn't figured out that I'm Darling yet. Then what does he want?

"Mmm."

"I'm sorry to disturb you again but I want a tiny help." Help? What help could he want?

"Mmm."

"You're a fashion designer. And I know a fashion designer in Bangalore who got your number without my help. If I ask you, will you please tell me anything you know about that fashion designer?" Fashion designer? Since when has he been interested in talking to a fashion designer? If he wants any shirts or pants made, he could ask me, right? Shreya, he is talking to you, not to his darling. As far as he knows, Shreya has not made any shirts for him.

"I know a lot of fashion designers here, who are you asking about particularly?"

"Don't get angry if I say this. Please, Shreya. It's Darling. She's a fashion designer here. I believe she knew you before me and that's how she got your phone number. So I guess you might know something about her, do you?"

Darling? Shreya froze. What do I do now? After a long moment, Shreya spoke, "She stays in an apartment."

"Apartment? You mean you know where she stays?"

"Mmm."

"That's good enough. Please tell me her address."

Shreya told Vishal her apartment's name and the locality, which he noted down mentally.

"Thank you, thank you so much, Shreya! I don't know how to thank you for this. I'll meet Darling tomorrow first thing in the morning."

"You're welcome. Is there anything else you have to say to me?"

"No, nothing."

"Bye."

"Bye, Shreya."

Shreya smiled as she lowered her mobile from her ear. Now, I have a few phone calls to make....

To be continued...

A/N: Hey peeps! Please don't forget to vote and comment..
So how was this chapter?

Did you like the way I included a little about Vishal's parents in the phone calls?

Vishal is going to meet his darling the next morning, do you think he will find out that she is Shreya?

I'm thinking of holding a one-shot contest for Love's Strange Ways.. Anyone interested?
Please let me know in the comments.. :)

Take care! Smile and keep smiling! :)