"Abhinay, will you never ask me why I left you all years ago ?" Niharika asked looking at the raining droplets on the window.

"Niharika, I told you, I trust our relation. I know that you'll tell me when the time comes. " Abhinay replied. "I waited all these years for you to come back. I can wait for longer to know why you left us."

"Why did you wait for me, Abhinay ?" She asked still looking outside.

"You'll get to know soon."

It was hours since they were locked up in the car. Neither did it stopped raining, nor did the jam and the water clog get cleared. It was 1 in the morning, or night.

"We're so tired from traveling and wanted to have a sleep this night and we're here stuck in the car." Abhinay complained and looked at Niharika.

He noticed that her breath was uneven.

"Aasthma ?" He asked her concerned.

She nodded without saying anything. He knew that she was asthmatic and that she gets aasthma whenever she feels suffocated.

"Where's your inhaler ?" He asked her.

"It's at home. I didn't know that we'd get stuck like this." She answered.

"Niharika, how the hell can you be so irresponsible. I know you didn't expect this coming but you should carry the inhaler everywhere you go, Mishu." He scolded her.

She looked at him, into his eyes and so did she.

"Mishu, when will you learn to be responsible. I told you to carry your inhaler wherever you go. Moreover, you knew we were going to a hill station and yet, you didn't carry it. You're 15 for god's sake. Be a little responsible." A younger version of Abhinay scolded a younger version of Niharika.

Both Niharika and Abhinay were reminded of the incident that occurred almost ten years ago. Abhinay's and Niharika's family were having a picnic at Araku valley. It was a Hill station that was very cold in winter. Abhinay, Niharika, Kabir and Alya insisted on this one last picnic before their school commenced after Dussehra holidays. It was their last picnic before Niharika left them.

It happened that Niharika had forgotten her inhaler at home and her Aasthma paid a visit to her.

Back when they were kids, they gave each other names. Mishu was the name given to Niharika by Abhinay.

"It's been almost ten years now." Niharika said.

"It's not about time. It's about memories. You're still irresponsible." Abhinay replied.

"I'm not completely irresponsible." She defended herself.

"You're right. You're only irresponsible when it comes to yourself and your health. How could I forget." He said mocking her.

"You haven't changed a bit."

"But you have, Niharika." He replied. "Stop talking now and take some rest." He ordered.

She nodded and pushing her seat back, she slept.

Abhinay watched her every small action.

Wait till the day of our engagement, Niharika. You don't know what's in store for you. Abhinay thought to himself looking at her.

The water clog slowly started clearing up after a few hours. Abhinay and Niharika were both asleep.

Abhinay woke up and looked around. He realized that the jam was getting cleared.

He looked at Niharika who was still asleep. He got off the car and went to the PCO and called his parents.

Meanwhile Niharika woke up and freaked out when she found Abhinay missing. She looked around and found him standing in the PCO. She took a sigh of relief.

After a few minutes, he came back and ignited the engine.

"We're driving to my place." He informed her. "It seems the road to your house is still clogged."

Niharika nodded and looked outside.

"Are you feeling better ?" He asked her and she nodded.

"What are you thinking about ?" He asked her seeing her lost in her thoughts.

"I'm not the one for you." She replied.

Abhinay let out a laugh and she looked at him confused.

"Why do you think so ?" He asked her still laughing.

"Because I know I'm not. I can't be the one for you. Abhinay, we weren't meant to be together." She answered.

"Do you love someone else ?" He asked her and she nodded in a no.

"You'll get someone better than me, Abhinay." She told him.

She's still the same old indecisive Niharika. She herself agreed to marry me and now. Abhinay thought.

He didn't reply and the discussion had ended there.

They reached Abhinay's house soon and were recieved by a worried Neeti.

"Finally. I was worried all night." She said. "Alya, take Niharika in and give her your clothes to change. Abhinay, you also go and change." She said in a motherly tone.

They nodded and went to do as told. They all assembled in the dining room after freshening up.

"Did you guys get the rings ?" Abhinay's dad asked.

Niharika and Abhinay nodded. They all ate their breakfast while talking.

"I just got a call from Parineeti. It seems the clog has been cleared." Neeti Maa informed.

"Okay. Sid, please drop Niharika at her place. I'm very tired." Abhinay said heading towards his room.

He didn't even bid me a bye. Is he angry ? But we weren't meant to be together. Niharika thought looking at Abhinay's retreating figure.

Sid dropped Niharika home and the next few days were spent in shopping and making arrangements for the engagement.

Abhinay and Niharika hadn't talked once thorough out these days. They completely avoided each other. Niharika and Abhinay, both felt bad for doing that but they knew it was necessary to do that and the both of them had different reasons to think so.

The day had finally arrived. Both their houses were flooded with family and friends. The ceremony was to be held at a banquet.

"Can I not get any more makeup done, Prisha. This is kind of pissing me off " Niharika complained.

"Niharika, it's your engagement dude." Prisha spoke.

"I know. But, I'm happy with my look."

"Fine, as you wish." Prisha said and told the makeup artists to stop.

"Niharika, we need to leave." Her mom said entering the room.

"Oh my god. You look pretty." Her mom said kissing her forehead.

Niharika was clad in a beautiful blue and green half saree with diamond jewellery matching her outfit.

Niharika was dressed in a
"Thanks Mom."

"Prisha, you don't look any less. Both my daughters look so pretty." Parineeti said patting their cheeks. Prisha thanked her.

Prisha was clad in a mustard and maroon pink half saree. Keeping it simple, she just paired the outfit with a choker and bangles.

"Prisha, you have the engagement ring right." Her mom confirmed.

Just then, a whole lot of cousins rushed into Niharika's room.

They weren't even Niharika's close cousins. It was all her grandmom's and granddad's siblings' grand children who she had met once or twice.

"Ohhoo. Niharika, you look pretty." Complimented one of her cousin.

"Poor guy, doesn't know he's going to faint." One of them joked.

Niharika passed a fake smile at them and leaned towards Prisha.

"Get me out of here." Niharika whispered.

"Excuse us. We need to leave. Have a great time." Prisha said pulling Niharika out of the room.

"Thanks babe." Niharika said taking a sigh of relief.

"Niharika, come down. We need to leave." Her dad called out for her from the ground floor of the house.

"Yes Dad. I'm coming." She replied descending the stairs.

They all went out and got into there cars. A chain of cars left to house to reach the banquet.

At Abhinay's house, Abhinay was setting his hair while Sidharth and Kabir were watching him.

The door burst open and Alya came in screaming.

"How much more longer will you boys take ? Even I got dressed up before you guys did." Alya screamed frustrated.

"Alya, darling, you look so beautiful." Kabir said kissing her cheek.

Alya was dressed up in yellow and black saree. She matched it with a simple diamond jewellery set and matching bangles.

"Thanks Kabir. But, we need to go." She said in the same frustrated tone.

"Alya, calm down. I'm ready. Let's go." Abhinay said satisfied with his look.

"Abhi ! Bro, you look handsome yaar." Sidharth complimented.

"Thank you ! Thank you !" Abhinay said bowing down.

Abhinay wore an Indo-western traditional dress.

Sidharth was dressed in black coat, blue denim and a black blazer.

Kabir wore a blue suit with a red tie.

"Let's move now. Neeti Maa has been waiting for us since the last hour." Alya said walking out and pulling the other along.

They moved out and left to banquet in their respective cars.

• You and I have memories.. longer than the road that streches out ahead.•
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Next update : Tomorrow, 11th April, 2017.

So guys ! Here's the update ! The next chapter will focus on the engagement. You'll get to see a new engagement ! It's going to be completely Telugu style. And note that, unlike the north Indians, in Telugu weddings, excluding the groom and dad, most men are dressed in formals and women in half sarees or sarees and not in lehengas. Only kids wear lehengas.

The next chapter will tell you more !

Also, remember, from May you will not get everyday updates. You'll only get two or three a week because I'm going to 11th class and I'm going to be very busy so please don't get used to this everyday updates.

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