Mithran saw all blood draining from Chaahat's face. She looked as if she saw some ghost.

What happened to her?

"Chaahat? You alright?" He asked softly, placing his hand over hers.

Her hands were cold. And it was trembling.

Mithran wrapped his warm hands completely over hers and she looked up at him.

Her eyes were blank.

"Chaahat?" He called out softly again.

"What happened?" Abhay asked, noticing the pale face of the new bride.

"Uh nothing. I need to use the restroom. Excuse me" Chaahat said and hurried away from the table.

Chaahat splashed cold water again and again on her face.

Dhruv Khuranna!

That name! It has been years since she heard that name.

Will he recognise her? If he does, how will he react?

And he is merging his business with VK?

Why? Oh why is she being tested like this?

Is there no end to the stress and tortures she has to endure in this life?

She looked at her ashen face in the mirror.

The images of that long ago day flashed in front of her eyes.

A woman crying. A toddler in her arms. Them, being pushed away. The cold eyes of a boy staring at them.

"Chaahat? Are you in there?" Mithran's voice from the other side of the door startled her out of her thoughts.

She dabbed her face with a tissue and walked out, composing her features into her usual expressionless state.

"Chaahat? Are you alright?" Mithran asked softly, when she came out of the restroom.

"Yes" she answered and stared at Mithran in wonder.

What is this man made of?

One moment, he is all raging at her for ruining his life and the next moment, when he thinks that she is in some way hurt he becomes an extremely caring man.

The images of him cocooning her in his arms when she had a panic attack flashed before her eyes.

Every morning, she wakes up with his arms wrapped around hers. Was that just him rolling over in his sleep?

Or did he do that intentionally? For years, she has had nightmares, making it impossible for her to have a peaceful night of sleep.

And ever since she started sharing the bed with Mithran, never once she woke up with a nightmare.

She couldn't understand whether it was a good thing or not.

What will happen when the three months are over?

She will have to go away. And there will be no protective embrace of Mithran to save her from her nightmares.

"Chaahat, I can see that there are so many things that are bothering you in many ways. And I can see very clearly that you are dealing with it in an unhealthy way. Open up, Chaahat. Get it all off your chest. You will feel much much better" Mithran said, wanting to shake Chaahat until her teeth rattled.

How can someone bottle up so many things?

She has got some issues with either Vedant Khoda or Dhruv Khuranna. It was when she heard their name, she went pale. Then there is the Rishi for whom she calls out in her sleep.

What have these people done to her?

"You are just imagining things, Mr Yadav. There is nothing that bothers me." Chaahat said coolly and Mithran sucked in a sharp breath.

What will it take to unwind her?

"Right! If you say so. Just keep in mind, if you want to talk, I will be here." Mithran said

"Why should you be there, Mr Yadav?" Chaahat asked

"Why the hell do you have to oppose or question everything I say?" Mithran bursted out.

If anyone needs to take a degree in how to get under one's skin, they will have to get coaching from Chaahat. Because she is a bloody damn expert in it.

"I just wanted to know why you are taking a sudden interest in all this? If I remember correctly, ours is a temporary arrangement which will end in around two months. And you had made it perfectly clear that we are to steer clear of each other's personal life. Does this sudden interest have anything to do with what you said a while ago?" Chaahat asked and Mithran looked at her in confusion.

"What did I say a while ago?" Mithran asked, wondering what she was talking about.

"You said you found me attractive. Are you taking a sudden interest in me hoping that I would sleep with you?" Chaahat asked, shocking the hell out of Mithran.

Mithran stared at her in disbelief.

"When you said you don't trust people easily, I never imagined you have got it so bad" Mithran said, shaking his head.

Chaahat steeled herself when she uttered those words. She didn't want Mithran to care for her. She didn't want Mithran to be worried about her. She didn't want Mithran to make her long for him.

She didn't want Mithran, period!

And she needs to push him away before he gets a hold in her life.

"Let's leave after dinner" Mithran said stiffly and walked back to their table, Chaahat following his footsteps.

The others didn't probe, though they noticed the tension between the newlyweds.

Drishti tried to keep up a cheery atmosphere with her non stop chattering.

"Mithran, did Ajay call you? It's his wedding in two weeks" Abhay asked.

Ajay was their school friend, who joined the National Institute of Fashion Technology after his schooling. They have stayed in touch through social media.

"Yeah. He called me. Are you going?" Mithran asked

"Yes. Let's go together" Abhay said and Mithran nodded his head.

"Shravan, I will be going to Delhi in two weeks. Ajay's bride is from Delhi. So the wedding is held there" Mithran said.

"Alright" Shravan said with a casual shrug.

Delhi!

The mention of that place brought some fond memories in Chaahat.

It was the only place where she had experienced happiness.

A happiness that she will never achieve again!!

A/n

Here goes the next shot.

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