"Bas do ghante. Samjha tu? Then you have to go back home and rest."

Mihir sighed. "Samajh gaya, mere baap," he told Ahil. "Ab Mai kuch kaam karun bhi ki ye do ghante sirf Tera lecture hi chalega?"

Ahil glared at him but left his office. Mihir sighed in relief. Finally, he could get some work done.

He looked at the files that had piled up in his absence. Maybe he could take a few home. If Ayaan caught him working, though, he would-

The door to his office opened suddenly. Mihir looked up as Annie practically ran in.

"Oh thank God, you're okay!" she exclaimed. Before Mihir could reply, she came up to him and threw her arms around him.

Mihir froze.

Annie hugged him tightly. Mihir has no idea what to do. Should he hug her back, or...?

"Um..Annie-"

"I was so worried!" Annie said. She pulled back but kept her hands on his chest. "Ahil sir informed us you were okay, but...aap sach mai theek hai na?" She looked him up and down. "Chot kaha aayi hai? Why are you back in office? Aap ko to rest karna chahiye! You look so pale, and-"

"Annie, slow down," Mihir cut her off gently. "I'm okay."

At that moment, Annie realised what she was doing. Immediately she stepped back. She looked away, blushing intensely.

Mihir had to stop himself from smiling. "I'm okay," he repeated instead. "Thank you for the concern, but koi gehri chot nahi aayi hai. I'm good."

Annie nodded. She felt like kicking herself. What the hell was wrong with her? How could she behave so inappropriately with her boss? "I...I'm so sorry Sir, Mai bas..."

"It's okay," Mihir said without thinking. "I don't mind." Annie looked up.

"I mean, it's-"Mihir stammered, flustered. "I just..."

Now it was Annie's turn to bite her lip to try not to laugh. Mihir noticed it, and had to smile at how cute Annie looked.

"Anyway, you tell me," he said, changing the subject and sparing them both the embarrassment, "how's everything in the office?"

"It's-it's all good, Sir," Annie replied. "I've managed everything. Ye saari files Maine check kar Li hai, you just have to go through them once and then sign them."

Mihir nodded. He moved to pick up one of the files but dropped it as a sudden pain coursed through his hand on taking it. "Ah!"

Annie straightened up. "What's wrong Sir?"

"Oh, it's nothing Annie," Mihir replied. He examined his hand. He had gotten a little gash on his right hand during the crash, but it had been patched up. When he'd picked up the file, the sharp edge had touched his wound.

"Oh God," Annie said worriedly, "You're bleeding Sir!"

Mihir sighed. He was remembering now that the doctor had told him to change the dressing on his wound. He'd forgotten to do so and now the bandage had come loose, allowing the piercing by the file to reopen his wound slightly.

"It's fine Annie," he said. "Choti si hi chot hai bas." He tried unsuccessfully to rewrap the loosened bandage around his hand.

"Kaha se choti chot hai Sir?" Annie exclaimed. She took his hand and examined it. "Khoon abhi bhi aa raha hai. Aap-aap baithiye. Let me see."

Mihir tried to protest but she made him sit and fetched the first aid box that Mihir kept in has office. Gently, she unwrapped the bandage and cleaned the wound.

Mihir looked up at her. She was completely focused on tending to his wound. She looked really pretty up close, Mihir thought suddenly. He couldn't deny that. And the worry in her eyes, the gentleness with which she was wrapping the new bandage...it was giving rise to feelings Mihir wasn't sure he could ignore anymore.

Sensing his gaze, Annie looked up too. The two of them stared at each other. It was the second time that they found themselves so close. It was a wierd sensation for both of them. Mihir had never experienced such feelings before and Annie had never had the time for it. Now, though, neither could deny the spark between them.

"Ahem!" The sound of someone clearing their throat startled them. Annie sprang back and Mihir stood up.

Ahil stood in the doorway, watching both of them. He looked like he was trying very hard not to grin. "I'm sorry, is this a bad time?" he asked in an overly polite tone.

Mihir shot him a dirty look. Annie stammered, "I-no Sir, Mai bas wo-dressing-"

"Oh, you're dressing his wound!" Ahil said, raising an eyebrow. "Then I do apologise for interrupting. Mera bas keys idhar choot Gaye the. I'll take them and be on my way."

Ignoring Mihir's glare, he came forward and took his keys. "Please, carry on," he said, then shot a grin at Mihir and left before his friend could murder him with his eyes.

Mihir sighed. There was an awkward silence for a few moments. He was just thinking of what to say when Annie spoke up.

"I'll-I'll be in my office, Sir," she said, quickly gathering the first aid supplies and putting away the box again. "Agar koi kaam ho to mujhe bula lijiye." Mihir nodded.

But Annie had just taken a few steps when he called her, "Annie?" She turned around.

Mihir hesitated. He had no idea what to say, but he wanted to say something. He couldn't just let her go. Finally he just said, "Thank you."

Annie smiled at him. "You're welcome, Sir," she said softly. And there is was, again, for Mihir. That rush of feelings.

*

"I can't believe you've been hiding things from me, Sehgal," Ahil said in the car. As Mihir couldn't drive he was taking him home. "Kya chal raha hai tere aur Annie ke beech, huh?"

"Kuch nahi chal Raha hai Ahil," Mihir replied. "You've got the wrong impression."

"Oh really," Ahil said with a wicked smile. "Agar kuch nahi chal raha hai to ek doosre ki aankho mai konse sitaare dhoond rahe the tum dono?"

"Uf, chup kar!" Mihir whacked him on the arm.

"Oi, I'm driving!" Ahil said indignantly.

"Then focus on the road," Mihir shot back.

Ahil shook his head. "But seriously Mihir, tell me...Do you really like Annie?"

Mihir wanted to say no. But he couldn't. He was also too tongue tied to say yes. He just looked away.

Ahil laughed. "Oh God...Mihir Sehgal in love. I never thought I'd see it!"

"I'm not in love!" Mihir said immediately. "I just...."

"You're not in love yet," Ahil corrected. "But all the symptoms are there, trust me.....You should ask her out."

Mihir seemed horrified by the suggestion. "What? No way! She's my secretary Ahil!"

"So what? Kisne bola hai tu apni secretary ko date nahi kar sakta?"

But Mihir shook his head. "No, it's not appropriate. Can you imagine if it doesn't work out? It will simply complicate things."

Ahil sighed. "Aisa hua to meri secretary bana Dena use, okay? Ab try to kar!"

Mihir hit him again. "Chup kar, kuch bhi bakwas karta rehta hai. Aa gaya hai mera ghar, rok gaadi." Ahil just shook his head. His friend was hopeless.

Mihir got down as Ahil approached his home. Just then, he saw that Ayaan was also coming back from college.

"Bhaiya?" Ayaan asked in surprise. "Aap kaha Gaye the?"

"Office," Mihir replied. "But don't worry, sirf do ghante ke liye gaya tha. Just a few things that needed my sign. Bas wahi dekhne gaya tha."

"Aur Teri bhabhi se milne," Ahil chimed in from behind.

"Kya?" Ayaan asked, confused as Mihir turned and glared at his best friend.

Ahil grinned at him. "Haa, Ayaan. Tere bhaiya ne tujhe bataya nahi? Uski nayi girlfriend ke baare Mai?"

"Kya?" Ayaan was flagger blasted.

"Aisa kuch nahi hai Ayaan," Mihir said firmly. He looked at Ahil. "Tu Jaa na yahan se. Bohot kaam hai na office Mai? Jaa aur kaam kar."

"Jaisa aap kahain," Ahil replied, still smiling as he pulled out of the driveway. Mihir shook his head and turned around to see Ayaan still looking pretty shocked.

"Aapki girlfriend kab ban gayi bhaiya?" he asked. "Kon hai?"

Mihir sighed. "Koi girlfriend nahi hai meri. Koi nahi hai. Ahil ki baato par dhyaan mat de. Chal andar chal."

But Ayaan did not relent and kept asking him about the same.

"Batao na bhaiya," he whined as they sat down on the sofa in the living room. "Kya bol rahe the Ahil Bhai?"

Mihir ran a hand across his face. Curse his so called best friend and his big mouth.

"Meri koi girlfriend nahi hai," he repeated now. "It's just...," he hesitated, looking down. Who knew it was so damn difficult to talk about feelings?! "I...well...I sort of like someone, I think..."

Ayaan's face brightened with excitement. "Oh my God!!" he positively squealed, "You like someone? Really? Who?"

"Dhere bol," Mihir hissed. "Koi sun lega."

"Are wo sab chodo, batao aapko kon pasand hai?"

Mihir looked down again. He actually looked like he was blushing. Ayaan grinned. He couldn't believe it!

"Annie," Mihir confessed.

"Annie Di?" Ayaan exclaimed. "Wow!" He was amazed. "What a cracking choice bhaiya! I love it by the way....I mean, I always thought aap to khud ki jaisi kisi boring businesswomen ko hi pasand karoge."

Mihir frowned. "Just how boring do you believe I am?"

Ayaan ignored him. "But Annie Di? She's so cool! Aur sach bato to I can't believe aap ye confess bhi kar raho ho ki you like someone." He sighed, patting Mihir's hand. "Aap bade ho gaye ho bhaiya."

Mihir hit the back of his head. "Chup kar, paagal. Kuch bhi bolta rehta hai."

Ayaan chuckled. "Acha ab wo sab chodo, tell me, did you ask Di out on a date or something?"

Mihir sighed. "Nahi Ayaan. She's my secretary. It doesn't feel appropriate."

Ayaan made a face. "Are bhaiya secretary Hui to kya? If you like her, you should go for it. Aapko rok bhi kon sakta hai batao. And it's high time you think about your personal life too bhaiya...kaam se shaadi to nahi kar sakte na aap? Ladki hi dekhni padegi na?"

Mihir looked at him. He was a little suprised at how encouraging Ayaan was being. "Tu bada gyaan de Raha hai? Itni kya jaldi hai tujhe meri shaadi ki?"

Ayaan smiled at him. "Ab kya Karu bhaiya, aap ko khud ke baare Mai soch te nahi ho. Mujhe hi sochna padega na. Aapki zindagi sawaar ne ki responsibility to meri hi hai."

Mihir smiled at his words. He ruffled the boy's hair affectionately. "Itna mature kab ho Gaya tu, huh?"

"Mai hamesha se mature hi hu," Ayaan replied. "Now, tell me you'll ask Di out on a date."

Mihir sighed. "I told you Ayaan, it doesn't-"

"Are bhaiya, kya aap ek hi jaap leke baith gaye ho," Ayaan complained. "Forget about her being your secretary. Ek baar try karke to dekho! Warna bata Raha hu, kisi businessman ki beti se shaadi karni padegi agar Aisa hi chalta raha to..." He smiled at Mihir. "Lekin who knows? Give it a shot with Annie Di...maybe you'll find someone you'll actually love?"

His words struck a cord with Mihir. He knew he couldn't deny his feelings any longer, anyway. He would have to address them. Maybe he should give it a shot.

"So...what do you say?" Ayaan asked hopefully.

Mihir smiled. "Fine, I'll think about it."

Ayaan whooped. "Great! Aur aap ki date ke liye Mai aapko ready karunga okay?"

"Abhi to Maine poocha bhi nahi hai, ruk jaa thoda," Mihir told him, ruffling his hair again. "Anyways, ab jaa tu, fresh ho ke aaja. We'll have lunch."

Ayaan stood and streched. "Pasta manga do na bhaiya Aaj please? Jahaa se hum hamesha khaate bai. Bohot man kar Raha hai."

Mihir nodded. "Okay, mai manga-"

"Ayaan? Tum aa gaye college se?" Rashmi's voice was heard. The brothers looked up as she entered.

She smiled at Ayaan. "Mai tumhaare liye abhi khana laga deti hoo. Sasha aur tumhari Mom ne kha liya hai already."

"Um-that's okay, Maasi," Ayaan said, looking away. "Bhaiya mere liye paasta manga rahe hai." He wasn't really sure how to talk to her anymore. After finding out that she'd lied to him about Mihir, he didn't know what to think of her. He'd been avoiding her ever since coming back from Bangalore.

"Paasta chahiye tumhe?" Rashmi said, "Koi baat nahi. Mai hi manga deti hu. Mihir ko kyu takleef dena-"

"Isme takleef ki konsi baat hai Maasi?" Mihir cut in.

Rashmi was suprised by his firm tone. Mihir stood up. "Ayaan ko paasta chahiye, Mai manga dunga. Waise bhi mujhe hi pata hai use Kahan ka paasta pasand hai."

"Are-mai to bas keh rahi thi kyuki tum bhi thak gaye hoge to..."

"Oh, don't worry about it, Maasi," Mihir said, giving her a tight smile. "Mai bilkul theek hu, I'll take care of it."

Rashmi frowned, a little miffed by Mihir's tone. Deciding to ignore him, she turned to Ayaan. She smiled again. "Acha wo sab chodo, hum soch rahe the kyu na Mai tum aur kahi ghumne chale aaj? Mai kal Sasha ke saath gayi thi, lekin tumhare saath bilkul samay nahi mil raha hai. Ab Mai waapis chali jaugi to pata nahi kab mauka milega."

But Ayaan was shaking his head. "Mai...mujhe college ka bohot kaam hai Maasi. Hum phir kabhi chalte hai." He turned to leave.

Rashmi stopped him. "Aisa bhi kya kaam hai tumhe? Kuch hi der ki to baat hai. Ek naya mall khula hai, mujhe waha-"

"I-mujhe nahi jaana," Ayaan said again, stepping back. "I'm sorry." He was starting to look a little uncomfortable, which Mihir noticed.

"Wo nahi jaa paega Maasi," he spoke up. "Next week uska ek test hai. He needs to study."

Rashmi was irritated. She turned to Mihir. "Mai apne bhaanje se baat kar rahi hu, Mihir," she said rudely. "Tum beech Mai kyu bol rahe ho baar baar?"

"Maasi!" Ayaan exclaimed indignantly.

Mihir, however, just smiled at her. "Kabhi kabhi bolna padta hai Maasi," he said. "Jab log jhoot hi itna bolte hai, to kya hum sach bhi nahi bol sakte?"

"Kya matlab hai tumhara?" Rashmi asked angrily. "Tum mujhe taana de rahe ho? Tumhaari itni himmat-"

"Maasi!" Ayaan cut in angrily. He came to stand between Rashmi and Mihir.

"Ye kya bole Jaa Rahi hai app?" He questioned her.

Rashmi was stunned to see his anger. "Ayaan, tum...Mai to bas..."

"Bas kya Maasi?" Ayaan said. After his argument with Alisha, he found himself having zero tolerance for anyone who disrespected Mihir. "Aap hamare hi ghar mai khadi hoke bhaiya se aise baat kar rahi hai?"

Rashmi tried to calm him. "Ayaan Mai-"

"I don't want to hear anything Maasi. You cannot speak to bhaiya like this. Kyu nahi bolege wo beech mai? Pura haq hai unka. Haq to aapka nahi hai, ki aap hamare beech bole. You're just a guest, aap-"

"Ayaan, enough," Mihir cut him off gently. He could see his brother getting worked up. He did not want him to tangle himself in these things and get upset. He also did not want him saying anything that would get him in trouble with Alisha later.

Ayaan looked at him. "Lekin bhaiya-"

"Tu Jaa upar. Fresh hoke aa. Trust me, go."

Ayaan didn't want to comply, but he couldn't disobey Mihir. So he turned around and left.

Rashmi watched the exchange with confusion and irritation. "Ye kya chal raha hai? Aur tumne use upar kyu bhej diya Mihir? Mai use baat kar rahi thi na?"

"Baat to mujhe aap se karni hai Maasi," Mihir said. He did not bother hiding his anger at her as he faced her. "Aap kya kehti aa rahi hai Ayaan ko mere baare mai? Kya bola hai maine? Would you mind telling me also?"

Rashmi's eyes widened. How did he know about that? "Mai...Maine kuch nahi kaha hai. Mai nahi jaanti tum kya bol rahe ho." She tried to leave but Mihir blocked her way. "Hato mere raaste se-"

"I'm not going to bother trying to make you talk," Mihir said. His tone was level but the fire in his eyes almost scared Rashmi. "Mujhe pata hai aap kuch bolengi to nahi. But I will tell you this. Mere aur mere bhai ke beech aani ki kabhi koshish mat kijiye. I will not allow it. I don't care aap kya chahti hai, agar aapne Ayaan ko dobara pareshaan Kiya ya usse jhoot bola, then I'll make sure you face the consequences for it."

Rashmi stared at him open mouthed. Had he just threatened her?

He took a step back. "Jaaiye, apna saamaan pack kar lijiye. Kal hi aapki flight hai na." He left without waiting for a response.

Rashmi couldn't believe it! She had never thought Mihir would say such things to her. She felt humiliated. Alisha had been very right! They wouldn't be able to get rid of Mihir so easily. They had to take matters into their own hands!

*

"Aapne mujhe kuch bolne kyu nahi diya?" Ayaan complained as Mihir served him paasta. "You never let me say anything to anyone! Hamesha mujhe chup Kara dete ho."

Mihir smiled at his brother. "Agar sach me tu hamesha mere bolne se chup ho jaata to teri life Mai itne siyappe nahi hote."

Ayaan glared at him. "Chup raho aap. Aur topic mat badlo."

Mihir sighed. "Dekh Ayaan, I understand your anger, lekin wo teri Maasi hai. Tujhse badi hai. You cannot be disrespectful to her." Ayaan scoffed.

Mihir just shook his head. "Aur agar tu Maasi se badtameezi karega to Mom ko bhi bura legega. We have to think about her also right?"

Ayaan was silent. His argument with Alisha flashed through his mind. He had been so agitated after that that he'd gone straight to Mihir, wanting to talk to his brother. But he'd found Mihir already asleep.

After that, Ayaan hadn't been sure what to do. On one hand, he wanted to tell his brother everything. He could not bear the thought of Mihir living in deception. On the other hand, though, he knew the truth would shatter Mihir's heart. He had always loved and respected Alisha like his own mother. And he loved Sasha just as much as he loved Ayaan. The truth would hurt him very much.

"Kahaa kho Gaya tu?" Mihir said, pulling Ayaan out of his thoughts.

Ayaan shook himself out of it. "Kuch nahi bhaiya, Mai bas..." He looked at Mihir. "I love you very much, bhaiya. You know that right?"

Mihir was confused. "Yes I do...but ye sudden confession kyu?"

Ayaan kept a hand on Mihir's. "Just...I want you to know that. Aap mere liye sabse zyada important ho. And that will never change."

Mihir smiled at him. He covered Ayaan's hand with his own. "I know, baccha. And I love you very much too."

Ayaan smiled back.

"Chal, ab bohot hua ye sab," Mihir said. "Paasta khaale, warna thanda ho jaega."

Ayaan nodded and the brothers started their lunch.

*

"Ye lo," Rashmi said, placing a piece of paper in front of Alisha. "Arnav ka number."

Alisha looked up at her. "Lekin ye to wahi Arnav hai, Jiji. Chaar saal pehle ye hamara kaam nahi kar paaya tha, ab karlega kya?"

Rashmi smirked. "Tum sirf uske Chaar saal pehle ke kaam ka soch Rahi ho. Yaad nahi usse pehle bhi usne tumhaare liye kya kuch nahi kya hai?"

Alisha had to agree that Rashmi had a point.

"Chaar saal pehle Mihir ka bachna ek ittefaaq tha," Rashmi said. "Dobara wohi ittefaaq nahi hoga."

Rashmi nodded and picked up the paper. She took out her phone and dialled the number.

*

How was the chapter??

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And Mihir and Rashmi's confrontation?

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