Days passed by and nothing changed on Chaahat's side.

She was still emotionally distant from Mithran. And Mithran was okay with that. He knows it is not easy for her to move past Rishi. He still provokes her into verbal sparring with him, which is the highlight of his days.

Her sarcastic and cold responses always give him an adrenaline kick.

A soft smile grazed his lips as he nursed a beer bottle in his hand.

Shravan and Abhay looked at each other and a smile made its way to their faces, seeing their best friend smile so happily after his sudden wedding with the mysterious Chaahat.

"What is the joke, Mithran? Share it with us. Let us also smile." Shravan teased, bringing Mithran out of his thoughts.

"There is no joke, Shravan. I am smiling for the same reason you sometimes stare into space and smile like a fool." Mithran was never the one to be embarrassed.

His cheeky response only managed to make Shravan embarrassed.

He raised his hands in defeat.

"I admit, I am not cut out for teasing others. I am always the victim." Shravan said good naturedly.

"So? You are saying that you are in love with Chaahat?" Abhay asked, just to be sure.

"Yup! Crazily.." Mithran said with a chuckle.

"That we can see." Shravan said seeing the besotted look on Mithran's face when Abhay took Chaahat's name.

"What about her?" Abhay asked and the smile on Mithran's face dimmed.

"She considers me a friend now. That's a step forward I guess.." Mithran said softly.

"Well, isn't that what you wanted, Mithran? Friendship. Not love.." Shravan pointed out and Mithran glared at him.

"I know I have been a fool to think that friendship is the only thing needed in a marriage. You don't have to rub it in my face.." Mithran said grumpily, making Shravan and Abhay chuckle at him.

Mithran was so sure of things. He had everything planned out. Marry Isha, have a nice friendship, learn to love each other slowly and have a happy married life.

And look at him now..

"So? It would have been better if it were Isha. As she didn't have a love failure, she would have fallen in love with you more easily than Chaahat." Shravan goaded, just to know what Mitharn exactly feels.

Mithran glared at his best friends.

"Nobody would do, Shravan. Only Chaahat would do." Mithran said with so much conviction.

Mithran's words hung in the air, resonating with a sense of determination that even he couldn't fully comprehend. He had always been a man of logic and practicality, but Chaahat had shattered all his preconceived notions. She had awakened something deep within him, a profound connection that defied reason.

The gravity of the moment was quickly shattered as Shravan burst into laughter, unable to contain himself.

"Remember what all he used to say? He only needs friendship in a marriage and life would be perfect with Isha. Look at him now." Shravan said, laughing.

Abhay joined in, laughing so hard that tears streamed down his face.

"Mithran, my friend, this is priceless!"

Mithran's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but he couldn't help but chuckle along with his friends. The weight of his proclamation suddenly felt lighter in the midst of their joviality.

"Laugh all you want, you two," Mithran retorted, trying to regain his composure. "But, Chaahat is different. She's the one who's turned my world upside down."

Shravan wiped away tears of laughter, finally managing to catch his breath.

"Alright, alright, Mithran. We'll take your word for it. But you better be ready for the rollercoaster ride of love!" Abhay chimed in, still grinning from ear to ear.

"Oh yes, Mithran. Get ready for the sleepless nights, the endless arguments over trivial matters, and the grand romantic gestures that might leave you bankrupt!" Shravan said in an exaggerated tone as Drishti's various mood swings flashed through his head.

Mithran shook his head, a smile playing on his lips. He appreciated his friends' teasing, knowing they were just trying to lighten the mood. But deep down, he was confident in his feelings for Chaahat and their potential for a wonderful relationship.

"On a serious note, do you think Chaahat will be able to forget Rishi and love you, Mithran?" Shravan asked softly, his worry evident in his voice.

"Love isn't about forgetting or replacing someone. It's about embracing what we have in the present and moving forward together. I don't expect her to forget Rishi, nor do I want her to. He will always be a part of her. And I love her that way. When I think about it, I fell in love with a Chaahat who is so in love with Rishi. I don't know if it makes sense. But that's how it feels to me. I don't know whether I could have loved Chaahat the way I do, if I had met her before Rishi.." Mithran said thoughtfully.

Though they didn't understand the logic behind what he said, they nodded to his statement.

Abhay smiled, looking at both his friends, so in love. An ache formed in his heart as he thought of his own unstable family life.

Both Mithran and Shravan noticed the sudden change in Abhay's demeanour. This happens almost always. One minute he would be happily talking to them and the next minute he would have this anguished look in his eyes and he would look completely lost.

"Abhay? How are things with Kiara now?" Mithran asked and Abhay forced a smile to his face.

"Everything is alright.." Abhay said.

"Your face tells another story, Abhay." Mithran said and Abhay shot a sad smile at them.

At that exact moment, Abhay's phone rang. Both Mithran and Shravan looked at the caller ID and saw it was Kiara.

Abhay picked up the call and listening to whatever was being said from the other side, Abhay pressed his forehead with his index finger and thumb.

"I am on my way, Kiara. Will talk when we reach.." Abhay said and hung up the call.

"Hey, it's getting late. Will meet up next friday." Abhay shot a small smile at them and got up from his chair, taking his car key with him.

Shravan and Mithran stared at their retreating friend with a sigh...

A/n

Here goes the next shot..

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