Viren POV

"Here" I offer another tissue to her.
She gladly accepts it and wipes off her tears but as she wipes off the old one, the new one automatically takes their place.

It's awkward, what occurred a few minutes back was a pesky event.
I don't know why but watching Maanya shout at Paakhi disturbed me.
I just wanted to hold her in my arms protectively and secure her from the world.

But why?

Because she's my best friend! This is the only reason I believe.
Paakhi is my first best friend after...

"I'm Sorry..." Viren landed out of his thoughts to hear Paakhi whispering, " I'm sorry for wasting your time."

I realized I'm too bad for this kinda situation. I don't know what to say to make her feel better.

So I nodded.

Paakhi looked at me for a second and then Unlocked the passenger door to exit.
I instinctively reached out to hold her back.

She looked at me with confusion, "where are you going?"I inquire.

She pouts at me and her eyes squint in confusion, the trait I realized she exhibits when she's confused or assessing someone.

" I asked that if I'm being a burden I can leave? And you nodded." I realized that I must have not heard her when I was evaluating my thoughts.

I immediately straightened out my shirt and asked her to close the door.

She looked at me with the same confusion as earlier but now a different emotion is also present.

"Where are we going?" Paakhi asks looking at me.
"Somewhere we can talk," I reply.

She nods and leans back in the seat. I glance at her to see her massaging her temple in a circular motion.

Then And there I recalled that she didn't eat anything this morning and might still have a hangover, topped with the stress of the event earlier.

I park my car in the parking lot of one of my favorite restaurants and unbuckle my seat belt.

"Wait!" Paakhi exclaim.
I turn towards her to see her shaking her head in denial.

"We are not going in there. If you want you can, I'll just walk from here." She said adamantly.

"Why? Aren't you hungry?" I ask exaggerated.

"There are reasons." She said glaring at me.

"Care to share! " I exclaim bemuse.

She dramatically sighs, " First, I've not dressed accordingly." She said waving towards her attire, which consists of an orange top and blue jeans.

"Second, I need peace to think, not that boring jazz music in the background. " I chuckle.

"Third, I feel like going to my favorite place." She smiles after stating.

"Okay then, let's go there," I said buckling up and reversing my car.

"What? Why are you being so nice Mr.Khadoos?" She asks, struggling to hide her smile.

"As your best friend, I feel like I must make you happy," I answered honestly.

"Thank you best friend!" She laughs at it.

"Okay then, guide me," I proclaim.

She laughs and comments, "back to your Khadoos self."

I mock glare at her but follow her directions.

We drove for a minimum of 25 minutes and I discover we are traveling outside of the city.

"Wait!" She exclaims.
Causing me to slam on the brakes and look at her concern.

"Eeks!!" She blushes and apologizes.

"Woman! We could have died. What made you shout?" I ask her.

"Umm...we need to take some food with us to that place." She nervously suggests.

I sigh and exit the car to enter the shop in front of me.

The shop is very small but entering it, the heavenly aroma of food made my stomach growl.
Thankfully it wasn't too loud to embarrass me.

I look around to see 4 chairs and 2 tables settled on the far corner.

The old wallpaper chipped from corners but still gave this place a vibe.

I walk forward towards the counter to be greeted by an old woman. She seems to be in her 80's.

She smiles a toothless grin and asks " Hello son, What can I get you?"

"Umm.." I wonder at her poise voice and forgot what I was about to do.

"We'll have your famous rolls, grandma!" I hear a voice beside me.

"Oh my, Paakhi dear!" The old lady exclaims happily seeing Paakhi beside me.

Paakhi rushes behind the counter and hugs the old lady.
I smile seeing her talking with the lady so heartily.

"Now grandma, let me introduce you to my friend, Viren Singh. And Viren this is Grandma." I step beside Paakhi and bend down to kiss grandma on the cheek.

Grandma smile and exclaimed, "my dear, you got a perfect gentleman for you."

I see Paakhi blush and immediately denying any speculations about us being a couple.

"You say that now, but in the future, you'll see that I was right." Both of us stood speechless.

"Okay, let me get your rolls ready." Grandma smiles and walks through the door behind us.

"She seems nice," I remark, dying to dissipate any awkwardness.

Paakhi nods, "She's the sweetest person in this world."

I smile and we patiently wait for our rolls.
I ponder over what grandma said but No I can't think about that.

I made a promise to myself and I'm not breaking it.

"Here! Take care, my children." Grandma blesses us while handing us the bag.

We walk out and Paakhi passes me my car keys. She must have locked the car and followed me in.

We settle in and I resume driving. " Now take a right turn" she guides.

I take a turn and a gravel road comes into view. I look at Paakhi with a raised brow, and she just smiles.

I drive on the road for a while, a few times I even bumped my head and curse aloud.
My mood dampens shortly.

On the other hand, I see Paakhi giddily looking out and holding herself with the help of the dashboard.

"Just wait..." She whisper.

I wait and wait, after what seems like an eternity, a beautiful spot came into view.

The road ahead is steady but what caught my attention is the beautiful view,

"Beautiful right?!" I hear Paakhi.

I nod, still admiring its beauty.

I hear the car door open and Paakhi walking in front.
I follow her and stand beside her.

"You know why I love this place?" She whispers.

I know it is a rhetorical question, so I just wait for her to continue.
"The sun shining through the trees is like Hope. Just as the rays refuse to be held back or hidden by, circumstances or obstacles. We should too overcome our problems and shine. " she explains.

I look at her and admire her knowledge.

"You amaze me Paakhi. " I say admiring her.
Just then the slight breeze brushes past us inducing some leaves to fall on us like a shower.

I see Paakhi chuckle and for a moment I forgot to breathe.

The sunlight falling on her face like a halo makes her look like an Angel. Her hair is ruffled due to the wind, giving her a messy glimpse.

Instinctively, I reach forward and pull out a stray leaf from her hair.
She looks towards me and our faces are too close.

I look into her eyes and see myself getting lost in them.
They are pools of innocence and honesty.

I tilt my head and inch forward, causing her to close her eyes. I expected her to move back.
But she surprised me and stood still.

I smile and lean in, our lips are about to connect but then...

Then a glimpse of me kissing HER for the first time arose.
I instantly jerk back, causing Paakhi to open her eyes and look at me wide-eyed.

I can see hurt in her eyes, making my heart squeeze.
"Let's eat those rolls before they get cold," I suggest.

She immediately nods and fetches us the bag.
She hands me one and takes another one for herself.

I unwrap the roll and take a bite, this is pure heaven. I never tasted something this juicy and tasty.
Sauces overflow, whenever I take a bite.

"Grandma makes the best roll in the world," Paakhi remark, enjoying her roll.

I instantly agree and decide to ask her more about this place.

"So how did you find this place?" I ask noticing this is an abandoned road.

"Grandma told me about it. She told me how this place changed her life." She replied with a chuckle.

"Is she your real grandma?" I ask nonchalantly, taking another bite.

"I wish, Don't you remember I'm an orphan? I don't have a family." She replies casually.

I expected her to sound bleak about it.

"Ya sorry," I apologize for forgetting about her parents.
"So how did you meet her?" I further ask.

"Oh! It was funny actually...I was traveling to Delhi a few years back something work-related, at that time this was the busiest road. But now due to a bypass that side. Nobody travels on this road." She said indicating towards our right.

"Anyway, as I was saying, so we stopped at her restaurant for lunch. At that time I didn't have any money on me. I was traveling by bus, with ticket fare given by my boss, But I was damn hungry and my stomach was constantly growling.

So I walked inside the deli and asked for a cup of water. There I saw this divine old lady bustling in and out through the kitchen door.
But still, she stayed and served me water knowing well I didn't order anything.
She asked about my order but when I said Im not hungry she just smiled and walked off.

My stomach started growling more and more when the whip of her cooking entered my nostrils. So I immediately exited the deli and waited outside it for everyone to return.

I was deep in my thoughts when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned to see her standing there with a roll in her hand.
She offered it to me and when I refused, she said that when I earn something in the future I can pay for it.

That day Viren, I gained a grandma. After several years I visited her and paid my overdue." She answers sentimentally.

"Wow..." I mumble.

"I know this is a pretty stupid word to say but I'm speechless. I didn't know there are such humble people on this planet."I admit causing Paakhi to giggle.

" she is one among them." Paakhi smiled proudly.

Looking at this woman, nobody can guess how much struggle she did in life. She is an elegant, honest, and beautiful woman. Any guy would be lucky to have her in his life.

But why did this thought hurt me?!

Buzzz...

I feel my phone vibrating in my pocket. I reach inside to grab it and see Arhaan calling.

"Hello?" I answer it.

"Where are you guys?" He asks directly.

"Somewhere," I reply glancing towards Paakhi, Who is wiping her hands with a tissue.

"Can you bring her back? I think we should talk it out." He suggests.

"Let me ask Paakhi and get back to you," I reply and hung up.

Paakhi spruce up hearing her name.

"It was Arhaan, he wants to talk it out." When I see her expression, I instantly grab her hand and squeeze it.
She nods at me and smiles.

I tug her to the passenger side and help her in.
Then I trot to my side and buckle up.

I see her wringing her hands together.

"Don't you want to ask, why I did what I did?" She asks me.

I sigh and answer honestly, "probably not; one because it's none of my business and second, Paakhi I know you are a very smart woman. You don't take action without thinking about them first. So I know you have a pretty valid reason for doing what you did."

"Thank you so much, Viren," she acknowledges.

I just nod and for the rest of the drive, we both remain silent.

_________________________________

Arhaan POV

After Maanya slept taking the pill, I leaned back and thought about everything.
I didn't realize when I dozed off too.

I woke up to find Maanya rolled up beside me. I kiss her head and carefully left the bed.

I grab my mobile phone and call Viren.

After our conversation, I move out of the room to see Shaurya and Aditi watching tv.

When they see me, they mute the tv and turn towards me.

"Now what will happen?" Aditi asks with anxiety clear in her tone.

I shrug, not knowing what to say.
Paakhi is someone I believed in. But her actions hurt me.

"They are coming back, then we'll see," I tell and walk inside the kitchen to grab a glass of water.

I lean against the kitchen counter and scroll through my phone.

After what seems to be 40 minutes doorbell rings.

I take a deep breath and shuffle towards the living room.

I see Adi hugging Paakhi and Viren taking a seat.

When Paakhi glance at me, I see my friend there. I don't know why but my heart refuses to believe that Paakhi would do something like this.

"Hi" I greet her.

She responds nervously.

"Arhaan, can we talk?" I nod my head and walk towards the couch.

I'm about to sit when I hear a door unlock.
I look towards Maanya's door to see her standing there.

"What the hell is she doing here?"

I instantly stride beside her and try to calm her down.
She jerks my hand and rushes towards Paakhi.

But what amazes me is Paakhi's behavior.
She gripped Maanya's arm tightly and yell "Enough Maanu. You didn't even give me any chance to explain myself. And don't dare to hit me again."

"Really? You have the guts to tell me what should I do? You are lying bitch Paakhi. You tried to separate me from the man I love. Just because you didn't find anyone to love you." Maanya converses with the same intensity.

"You really think this low about me?" Paakhi mumble looking hurt.

For a second I see sympathy in Maanya's eyes but it is soon replaced by wrath.

"Oh please, drop your innocent woman act Paakhi. Everyone here knows what a lying woman you are." Maanya taunts.

"Earlier I would have apologized for what I did but now I realize that I was always right. I knew you would act this way if Arhaan would have ever left you." Paakhi admit.

"I will never leave her." I assert angrily. How can she think I would ever leave Maanya?

"Nobody can guarantee that." She responds with equal esteem.

"Anyway, It was not about you Arhaan, I just wanted Maanu to become an independent woman. I wanted her to realize that we girls don't need men to fend for us, we need them to love us. I have seen her losing her sanity due to her past. I was just afraid that you are just an infatuation. I wanted you guys to stay away from each other so that you can find your way to each other; because in the end love always wins; No matter the circumstance. I just wanted Maanya to realize that what she is today is because of herself not because of you or me." She clarifies.

Hearing her I know, Paakhi's intentions were clean, she just wanted to help Maanya and in some way me too, by seeing if Maanya love me just because I was here with her and accepted her past.

"And Maanu, I love both Adi and you just like my sisters. I can never be jealous of you guys. " Paakhi confess and shuffle towards her room.

I see Maanya sobbing, So I step towards her to hug her.

"I'm such an idiot! I said so much to her when she was just helping me." She whispers in my chest.

"I even called her a bitch when she was the only person in my life who helped me, what I'm today is just because of her. She gave me food, a house, a family, and even a career. " I just hold her knowing so well she messed up and hurt Paakhi.

"It's okay, I think you should apologize to her and tell her what you felt," I advise.

Maanya lean back and nod, she walks towards Paakhi's door and knocks twice.

I turn to my brothers and sit down.

"I'll make us some coffee," Aditi mumble and walk towards the kitchen.

"What a day!" Viren exclaims when Silence became too heavy.

"Our lives became so melodramatic since these girls entered our lives." Shaurya joke.

Both Viren and I chuckle hearing him. Then Aditi returns with our coffee and unmutes the television.

All of us got lost in it while sipping our coffees.

__________________________________

Maanya POV

"Please, I don't want to talk to anyone." Came Paakhi's voice from inside.

I ignore it and enter. I see her looking out of the window, her favorite thing to do.

"Paakhi-" I voice out,

"Maanu please don't apologize. What you did hurt me. And I don't think I can forgive you right now." She says looking out of the window.

"I can't even apologize for what I did. Because no words can justify it but what I did was wrong and I can't help it. I just got angry and then every sane thought left my mind. Paakhi I love Arhaan and bearing you tried to separate us made me so angry that I babbled all bullshit " I confess.

"Please Paakhi forgive me. I love you." I admit.

She turned toward me and hug me.
"Never ever do that again, okay? Because next time you will lose me." She exclaims.

I smile thanking God for giving rise to someone like Paakhi, she's one in the million. I hope she gets someone who would love her with his life.

"By the way, you literally pushed me and were about to slap me," Paakhi asks surprised.

I blush remembering my indecent attitude and profusely apologize.

She just laughs and explains, "let's go out before Adi chew off her nails in anticipation." I laugh imagining Aditi all anxious.

We walk hand in hand in the living room to see everyone sipping their coffee and watching
Suicide squad.

"Where is our coffee?" I ask bringing everyone to turn towards me.

"Ha! You guys are okay. Thank God, I was so nervous." Aditi leaped at us and squash us in her grip.

Both Paakhi and I push her and take a deep breath.

"Why would you do that?" Aditi titter.

We just shrug and laugh at our jinx moment.

"I'm sorry Paakhi," Arhaan apologize and hug her.
Paakhi just smiles and then shouts..."I'm hungry! Anyone else? "

Everyone chorus "me".

"Let's watch a movie?" Shaurya suggests.

I look at Paakhi and she nods.

"It's not a fun watching movie on this box," Aditi whines referring to our CRT tv.

"I agree with her, it's not entertaining," I interject.

"It's okay...something is better than nothing." Our Paakhi dear assures.

"Do you always talk like this?" Viren questions her.

Paakhi looks at him confuse and asks "like what?"

"Like this ' great lady' style," Viren adds.

Paakhi glare at him causing him to smirk in return.

"I have an idea!" Shaurya proposes.

We all look at him incredulously and wait for him to answer.
"We can go to the Den?" He asks his brother.

Both Arhaan and Viren look at him surprised.

"Den? Do you mean Zoo? I'm sorry I'm too tired for it, my headache just subsided now." Aditi retorts.

"Not Zoo...He means our apartment. It has a beautiful city view, You will like it there." Arhaan smiles at me.

"Oh no no, we don't want to intrude," Paakhi responds.

"Don't listen to her. Just call Ms.Leela and ask her to make arrangements." Viren order.

Causing Paakhi to scowl at him.

I look at them amuse, It's like watching Tom and Jerry, just Paakhi is a silent version of Jerry.

We all change into something better and exit the apartment.

"Umm...I'm traveling with you guys. " Paakhi say walking with me and Arhaan, towards his car.

"Don't you think that you should let them alone?" Viren asks.

Paakhi pouts and steps back, "Then I'm traveling with you guys." She says to Aditi and Shaurya.

Viren rolls his eyes and walks towards Paakhi, we all look in anticipation and laugh when he holds her hand and tug her towards his car.

Paakhi struggle for a second and then gives up and enters his car.

"Come," Arhaan calls out while unlocking his car.
I enter in and buckle up.

"Are you okay?" Arhaan asks me.
I smile and nod at him, "Just thankful that I have Paakhi."

"She's the most honest and caring person I have ever met." He comments.

"I agree, I just hope she meets someone who deserves her, unlike me," I confess, realizing how badly I behave with her and still she forgives me.

"We don't know who is written in our destiny. Let's just wait for fate to lay its role." He explains.

"Ya, I'm happy you are my destiny," I confess.

Arhan smile at me with love expressed in his eyes.

----------

"Holy shit! This is your place?" I hear Adi aww.

I agree with her. This place is beautiful and enormous.

When they said apartment, I expected a three-bedroom flat, not a mini-mansion.

"Me too." Both Paakhi and Adi said together making me realized I said that out loud.

"Jinx" Aditi shout looking at Paakhi.
"Now you owe me a coke." She exclaims.

"Who made this game and why?" Paakhi groan.

I just chuckle and see brothers walking around so elegantly.
This place suits their personality.

"Beautiful, come here!" Arhaan calls out. I walk towards him and he leads me to the beautiful glass staircase.

"I hope you like this place," Arhaan asks nervously.

I giggle at his expression and reply"what is there to not like?"

"Everything or nothing." He teases.

I swat him lightly and say " Nothing."

He smiles and tugs me towards what I assume is a beautiful rooftop with a pool and glass hot tub that is impressive.

The city view is what stole my heart. The twinkling of the stars seems like fireflies from where I stand.

"Beautiful!" I mumble.

"I agree...This is what made us brothers invest in. It's our sanctuary, no one knows about it. Now except you girls." He admits.

I twirl toward him and hug him hard."Thank you for sharing it with me."

"What is mine is yours too!" He whispers.

I pull back and peck him on the lips but he had something else in mind and Start kissing me.

I smile at how perfect this scene would be If We were in a movie. Beautiful location, perfect couple, and starry evening.

__________________________________

Ty for reading❤❤

I hope you liked it!

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Have a great day ahead.