[A/N- Since I need perspectives of multiple people, I decided to write this chapter in third person point of view. Enjoy!]

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28- “You'll always be the one who got away.”

“It's good that all of us got together in this nice weather, isn't it?”

Leave it upto Vansh to come up with some of the dumbest starting lines. 'Seriously, dude? Weather?' he questioned mentally. In order to hide his lameness, he smiled and continued to wear that smile like a joker.

Ahana bursted out laughing.

In order to continue being feeble, Vansh laughed along until he knew he had to stop, “Okay, you can stop laughing. I admit that was a lame thing to say.”

“No, no!” Ahana sharply denied. “The weather is nice! It was bloody hot in the afternoon but now it's not. It gets cooler in the evening.”

“That's sounds even more pathetic than what I said.”

“That's why I said it.”

“Then let's make it more pathetic, shall we?”

The laughs both of them were suppressing in their tight lipped mouths, erupted as they laughed to their hearts content. Why they were laughing exactly? Vansh had no idea. All he knew that he was loving to be in this limited passage of time. The face Ahana made right now was far better than the one he saw at the door. He may have wanted to talk to her, hug her and what not, but for tonight, these few seconds were enough for his heart. Enough to sleep with a smile on his face.

The rest of the group returned soon after, and had a chatty dinner together. Lisa and Ahana left to stay at Ahana's apartment for the night while Pragya and Dhruv stayed at Vansh's. Everyone was pumped up for the road trip tomorrow and the surprises it held for them.

~

After a random game of rock/ paper/ scissors, it was decided that Vansh would drive first. The group were set for a long journey with their attractive summer casuals and sunglasses. Pragya didn't reveal their destination obviously but she instructed Vansh to drive out of Delhi so that was a start. After a while into the highway, they realized they were heading somewhere via Agra, where Taj Mahal was. Pragya denied going there as it would take a whole day to roam there and they didn't have much time.

“Maybe this place we are going to, has a deadline,” Lisa spoke after sometime which got their brains rolling.

“I get it. It's a surprise bachelor party to a surprise wedding.”

“No, concert.”

“Inauguration party?”

“Shamshaam ghat (Haunted place).”

Pragya, who was seated next to Vansh in the front, let out a sinister laugh at their guesses. “Didn't it enter your minds that I could take you on a resort, too? Most probably, I had booked it for a limited amount of time which might be why I'm telling you guys to hurry.”

“Don't tell me I came all the way from Chandigarh to Delhi, to an unknown destination for a fucking resort?” Dhruv added, angrily.

“I meant that for staying purposes, you blockhead.” She then turned to Vansh. “And what does Shamshaam ghat has to do with timeline?”

“Haven't you heard that there are more paranormal activity during full moon or no moon? I thought something like that.” The group laughed at that, commenting on Vansh watching too many horror movies. He then added. “You know, I'm starting to like this guessing game. I don't think I ever went on a trip where I didn't know my destination before. Good one, Pragya. It's safe to say that you have successfully inherited my DNA.”

Vansh wasn't even surprised when he received a smack on his back at that. Pragya's nose crinkled in disgust at his remark. “Just concentrate on your driving, you dirty minded fool!”

A Toyota car drove through the highways with the sun, catching up above them. But that was of no consequence with the collective laughter and chatter happening inside the car. It was a blissful, Saturday morning for the five of them.

A little more than an hour later, the group stopped by a *dhaba (kind of restaurant) for a washroom break and snacks. Ahana returned to the car to grab her purse for snacks, when she noticed a pack of patties and a small bottle of mango juice.

“Vansh bought it for you.” Pragya answered, eating a sandwich herself. Ahana glanced at the snacks once again. Vansh had bought exactly the things she was going to buy. She wasn't surprised at what he bought. Rather, she was surprised at what he remembered. These were her get- to- go snacks, during the first half of a roadside journey.

Ahana swiveled her head around and spotted Vansh standing with Dhruv at a distance, having tea. For a split second, it seemed like Vansh was already looking at her, before she noticed him but maybe that was her imagination. She walked upto him.

“Thank you for this,” Ahana flashed her *patties. It was still uneaten. Her gaze then shifted to Vansh who was eating an omelet sandwich.

Vansh noticed this and extended his half eaten sandwich towards her. “Want some? Here, take it.”

Now he was offering it so kindly with a gentle smile on his face that she was finding difficult to ignore. She took a hold of his sandwich, her hand grazing over his. Before Vansh could think of backing away, Ahana stepped forward and took a bite, right where Vansh left off.

“It's good,” Ahana said, looking elsewhere. 'What was I thinking?!' Her mind shouted in embarrassment. She was so used to eating from his food in the past that for a second, she forgot things were different now. Or subconsciously, she wanted to do it. She stole a quick glance at Vansh who was apparently suppressing his smile but was failing miserably. If that wasn't enough then he surprised her by taking the next bite of his sandwich from where Ahana left off.

“I think it's my cue to leave before I see something else being exchanged other than a sandwich,” Dhruv intervened after watching the unusual exchange between his two friends.

“No, I shall go. Gotta eat.” Ahana quickly dashed off the scene before the boys caught a tinge of red on her cheeks.

“What's that creepy smile on your face, Ahana? Perhaps there's a joke you wanna share.” Lisa casually asked when Ahana returned to the car.

“Ah, nothing. Let's just eat this quickly,” and got to eating her patty, smiling internally.

The group had been traveling in the States for three hours now, passing through the villages and agricultural fields. They passed by the sign board earlier, entering yet another district. Pragya knew that her gang would be smart enough to figure out the destination by the next town. She wanted to play her game for a little while longer. What's more, it was she who was in charge of the steering wheel now. A detour was underway.

After a while, she brought the car to a halt by the side of the road. When asked why she gave a lame reply, “This car says it needs to rest for a hour before it sets off again. Meanwhile you guys can explore the surroundings or whatever.”

The group protested against it since there wasn't a dhaba or any kind of restaurant spotted nearby but Pragya stuck to her decision. The group finally gave up and decided to click some selfies outside. While everyone was stepping out of the car, Pragya held Lisa's hand, silently telling her to stay back.

“Now is your chance, Lisa. You know what you gotta do.” She told her quietly.

Lisa gave her a knowing look. The two girls had discussed this before planning this trip. She hugged her. “Thank you, Pragya. Thank you for everything. I'll remember this.”

Pragya reclined her seat backwards to make herself more comfortable. She watched Lisa telling something to Dhruv from the window. A few seconds later, both of them excused themselves from the group and set out somewhere in the woods. Having suddenly left alone with the company of one another, Vansh and Ahana sought Pragya's company as they approached her but she rejected, saying she needed a short nap.

Pragya sighed in defeat. She was beginning to wonder if it was really okay letting Lisa go like that. Idiot, it's not like their destinies would have changed without you. You were merely a mediator. She sighed again.

The sun was finally successful in rising right above the car after a while. Pragya got out of the car after a while. She raised the water bottle to her mouth, gulping down the water then gathered some of it to her hands to wash it off her face. She took a moment to notice the lack of people around her. She almost laughed at that. Seems like Vansh and Ahana trailed off on their own as well. Having got nothing else to do, she fished out her smartphone and plugged in her earphones. She was indeed doing those stupid couples a huge favor. They better thank me later.

~

Somewhere, not too far from Pragya, two people were walking side by side, making wild guesses regarding their unknown destination. And although, Vansh and Ahana were cracking jokes and making silly theories, their minds however, churned a different story.

It had been a day since they met again, yet neither of them had addressed their issues. Even though Vansh loved spending time with Ahana, he was starting to grow agitated. He had been trying to direct their conversations towards their relationship. Either she didn't catch his hint, or she was avoiding it on purpose. She was behaving as if their past relationship never existed. It cannot be that she moved on, right? That thought alone scared him. No, he had to address this. If not anything, then atleast he should know where they stand.

He stopped walking. 

After noticing the lack of his presence, Ahana turned behind, slightly puzzled. “Aree, why aren't you walking?”

“Ahana,” Vansh felt his whole body grow rigid. He was unable to make eye contact with her as guilt crept him. He closed his fist, “I don't think we should avoid this anymore. I have something to say. Something that I should have—”

“Stop right there,” Ahana cut through Vansh's words mid way. Sighing, she walked towards him. “I'm not an idiot,Vansh. I'm very well aware of the elephant in the room. There are things that you have to obviously tell me. There are things that I have to tell you too, but now is just not the time. My limited time with my college friends matters more. Why confront now and ruin our moods for the rest of the trip? As much as I'm dying to know your truth, why you did whatever you did— I would rather wait till this trip gets over. I'll meet you at your apartment to make sure that we have all the privacy we want. So this is my request to you, Vansh. Please let's just keep our issues aside for now and enjoy this trip to the fullest. Alright?”

Vansh looked at the sincerity reflected in her eyes and his hands that were gently held by her soft ones. He tightened his grip, “Fine, I promise not to utter a single word about us during this trip. My lips are sealed.”

Ahana chuckled, “You can still talk about everything else, you know. Even Boston.” They eventually let go of their hand and resumed walking.

“Oh, yes! Remember the three students I mentored in my office? So once this strange thing happened...”

Ahana listened keenly as Vansh recited what happened in the office and giggled at some points. Funny, she wasn't resenting him as before. She should have been angry with him. She should have been hurt for things he said while he was in Boston. Yet, she was listening to every word he said, every time he laughed, and every time that same voice uttered her name. Almost as if she was starstruck. Even though they should be wary of the huge elephant in the room, its like she wasn't aware of it. No, she simply decided to go with the flow.

The dead leaves crushed under their feet as they walked while at times, the trees protected them from the scorching sun. They continued down that path until they stopped at a clearing.

It was a scene straight out of a digital wallpaper. The clear blue sky with few clouds floating around and below that sky, laid a vast stretch of golden field. They quickly hopped outside the green vegetation behind them to take a closer look. Vansh plucked a piece of that gold on his hands. “Woah, it's wheat! It looks so ready to harvest too. I'm taking this home.”

“You just stole that, idiot. Ugh, fine, I'm taking one too,” and plucked one as well. Vansh chuckled at her copying him. Just then, a strong gush of wind passed by and they swore they could hear every wheat amongst those thousands of them, rustle. It was music to their ears. It certainly stopped them from thinking everything else and close their eyes for a second. The winds eventually grew calmer and they turned to each other with a knowing smile on their faces.

After sightseeing through the field for a while and taking snapshots amongst them, they returned to the green, grassy area and took a shelter under a wide banyan tree. They sat on the side, facing the golden field.

For the next half an hour or so, Ahana and Vansh did nothing. By nothing in Ahana's terms meant they simply watched their surroundings. In the midst of it, she felt her fingers slowly being lifted from their still position as his fingers came in contact. His touch was as gentle as the warm breeze touching her face. Eventually, she intertwined her soft fingers with his, thus clasping their palms together. She lowered her head, a smile escaping her lips. She didn't need to turn left to know he was smiling too. She just knew.

They didn't talk, they didn't laugh. They simply sat there with their hands intertwined and yet, she felt the closest to him in a while. She wished she could blame it on his smile, his laugh, his pranks or simply the way he looked at her but it was none. Instead, she wanted to bask in this long stretch of silence with him. Ahana never in her entire life, thought that she would find silence fascinating, that too, with Vansh. There was a thrill in knowing they were the only ones in that ten acres of land (or atleast she'd like to think so). Funny, how they descended from being an excited couple that always found ways to kill their boredom, to being a normal one to spend a date in Vansh's apartment, to being mute. It felt like they were making a safe landing to the ground.

Vansh also seemed to be basking himself in the surroundings with his hand still on hers. They were sure they would find this moment boring before. Then what changed now? How did this transition took place without them staying in contact for months? 

“Basically, you are in a blank space with your partner.”

“Then, what?”

“You fall in love again.” A wide smile tugged at Maitree's lips before she lifted her eyes at Ahana, “You fall in love with that version of a person who has been with you for a long time. You begin to discover things you never would have in the beginning. The smallest of things. It's love in its most naked form. Basically you fall in love with their soul.”

That flashback came back to Ahana like the strong gush of wind from earlier. It brought chills down her spine and shook her to the core. She finally saw the results of their break, reach a conclusion of sorts. Maybe not everything had been in vain. Not everything they did had been a waste of time. She wasn't sure if that was enough to bring them back together but this feeling was good enough for now.

That doesn't mean she'll fall in love with Vansh again. A definite no- no.

Or perhaps, just a little.

~

Somewhere, at the other end of the same wheat field, were two more youngsters enjoying the scenery before them.

Or atleast they tried to.

Even though Dhruv and Lisa were talking merrily, reminiscing something about their college days, there was this underlying tension between them that begged them to acknowledged. Yet another elephant in the room.

Dhruv was beginning to sense something wrong. Being the blockhead that he was, he didn't think of anything, even when Lisa asked him to spend some quality time with him. It was later when she started to talk more and more about their college days did he suspect. It almost seemed like she was stalling time but for what, he didn't know. Though that didn't stop his curiosity. He brought upon a strange question.

“So, did you find someone else?”

“No, not yet,” Lisa answered confidently. Then she thought to ask, “You?”

“None after you, shorty.”

“Okay.”

A minute passed.

It was quite an awkward silence for both of them to bear until Lisa couldn't take it. She had been finding the right time to to say it but then she realized there was no right time for it. She had to do it today, for both of their sakes. She had to free herself. She inhaled a sharp breath. “Dhruv, I'm sorry.”

Dhruv's eyes slowly lifted up in realization to her words. It was then he understood everything. Why she called him here? Why she said what she said and why she possibly came to India? It was for him to hear these words.

She was here to break his heart.

“No worries, it's okay.” It wasn't like Dhruv never expected this. They broke up for a long time after all. More than a year passed since the big argument over the phone. They continued to stay in contact but never made it clear whether they were separated, once it for all. Lisa must have mentally prepared a lot before this moment. Although it would have been a lot better if she had hinted about this beforehand. Unlike her, he wasn't ready. Heck, he would never be ready for something like this. He held his shaky palms together, trying to stay in focus that he was beginning to lose. His eyes never left the ground. “By sorry— Do you mean sorry for being a bad girlfriend or sorry for breaking up with me? Don't mind me, I just... you know... want to make it clear.”

Lisa let out a small laugh despite the pungent atmosphere, “For both, I guess. By the way, I'm not the only bad one here. You had been a bad boyfriend, too.”

He also laughed, despite the clog in his throat. “Yeah, I know, I know. I was just uh...”

“Making things clear?”

“Yeah, that.”

“Hmm.”

A minute passed followed by another.

“Dhruv?” Lisa turned to him, worried. “You, okay?”

His body grew rigid at her voice. His eyes never left the ground. “Ye- ah, fine.”

“Dhruv?”

“Hm.”

“Look at me.”

He held his palms tighter. “Me fine.”

“Please look here.”

He shook his head sharply. “No!”

“Please!”

Lisa willed herself to shift besides his lap. Raising her two tiny palms, she held his face and lifted his head to meet hers. She instantly regretted it. His eyes— They looked completely shattered. He wasn't tearing up or anything but from the redness in his face, one could see how much he was holding it in. Her eyes instantly welled up. She felt guilty to the point where she almost thought of taking her words back but she knew couldn't. That was the only thing she couldn't do.

Somehow Dhruv willed himself to look into those familiar sea blue eyes and found various images of the Lisa he knew: Her shy smile, her blush, her broken cussing, her pout, her laugh. He then reminisced various moments they spent together: Their tennis match practices, him twirling her around when they won the match, their first date in the taxi, their first time, his birthday when she wore a saree, their confessions and promises of their lives together. It was all coming back, only to pierce his heart, one by one. Only to remind him of what he lost forever.

His head was heavy, his throat was heavy, his heart— everything felt heavy. It was like he wasn't in control of his body anymore. Coming back from all those broken memories, he looked at the woman helplessly.

“Lisanna...”

The way his voice choked out shook Lisa to the core. She sat on his lap and threw her arms around his neck in a vice like grip. His body shook under her embrace as he silently cried. She bit her lip to stop her own sobs from escaping.

He buried his face on the side of her neck, his wide arms hugging her back. His emotions were all over the place. So much so that it became hard to point what he was feeling anymore. He simply wanted to cling onto something— a hopeless hope or maybe just her to keep himself sane. He drew away, sniffing. “I'm sorry, too. I... I never met your expectations. I never loved you properly.”

She hit him, though it was barely a tap on his cheek. “Idiot! I should be the one apologizing for being an over demanding girlfriend. I could never...” Her eyes blinked rapidly as tears rolled down her cheeks. “Be the kind of lover you wanted.”

“No, no.” He sniffed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. It was such a pity they were admitting these things while bidding goodbye and not during the years of their relationship. They really were pathetic. “I loved you the way you are.”

“I know, dear. It's not your fault nor mine,” Lisa assured him. “Not entirely anyway. We were just too different and set in our priorities and desires. Then there was that issue with your family, too. Guess we were just those college couples. Meant to love but never meant to stay.”

He lowered his head, “Then I wished we never loved at all.”

“I could never say that despite how much it hurts.” She raised his head to her level, looking at the person she had developed feelings for, all these years. She had made up her mind to not cry today. She already cried enough in the confinement of her room but who was she kidding to, really? Her chest hurt knowing that she would never be able to love Dhruv again. Knowing that, she lifted herself to kiss him on the lips. Dhruv, understanding her wishes, readily complied and closed his eyes, losing himself in her warmth, one more time. Even the kiss was bittersweet, mixed with their bitter tears.

Eventually they broke away from the kiss and took a moment to stare at each other. Dhruv brought his finger near her eye, wiping her tears. Then trailed his fingers to her nose, cheeks, to the strands of her hair, locking her face in his memory. “I swear I'll see you in every blond haired girl I spot on a street. I'll never forget you, Lisanna.”

“I'll never forget you, too. Even our fights.” They shared a bitter laugh and her lips trembled, “But we will have to move on, Dhruv. We have to. And even if we do one day, remember this— You'll always be the one who got away.”

Dhruv's chest heaved as took in her words that cut through his heart like a knife. It suddenly became hard to breathe, hard to stay in her presence. He wanted to get away from her as soon as possible. “If you don’t mind Lisa, could you go ahead first? I want to be by myself for a while.”

Lisa didn't know what hurt her more— Leaving his side or him calling her Lisa. She stood up but didn't leave. “Will you be alright?”

He lifted his head to meet her eyes for a split second. “I'll be fine. I just need some time so please...”

Lisa sighed. Even though she was terribly worried about him, she couldn't do anything. She had already lost that right. She stared at his lumped figure long enough before excusing herself. Dhruv heard her retreating footsteps against the fallen leaves on the ground until he heard no more. He heaved a sigh. She was finally gone out of his sight.

Dhruv raised his head to clear blue sky which was the complete opposite of what he was going through. Out of the two of them, Lisa was the first one to fall in love with him and the first one to confess, too. But it seemed like he would be the last person to fall out of love with her. He could sense it ever since he encountered her yesterday. It wasn't like she was faking her tears. Her emotions were genuine. However the Lisa he knew was a lot more emotional than this. Rather than crying together, it seemed like she was the one comforting him. He couldn't even think of moving on and there she was talking about it. “You went ahead of me without letting me know, Li. You are already moving on,” He addressed to the Lisa in his mind. He wondered how someone would feel in his place. Someone who helplessly watched their partner move on before them. There was no going back.

He finally allowed himself to cry under the shade of the tree that protected him from the sun.

The afternoon had witnessed a strange sight. While two people had joined hands on their visit on the golden fields, the other two had left their hands forever.

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Chapter dedicated to

TrushaGandhi

A u t h o r s   N o t e

Sorry about that last part, but in this case it was needed. It felt weird for me to edit this chapter because the first half was so positive in contrast with the second half. And also sorry for such a late update. I realize it's been more than fifteen days since I last updated. Some bunch of things happened in real life that kept me busy.

So thoughts about this chapter. About Vansh and Ahana's supposedly blooming relationship. Where do you think their relationship is heading to? Is it right for them to feel this way? Do you think they should confront now, like how Dhruv and Lisa did? Coming to Dhruv and Lisa, you think they were right to break things up or should they reconsider (wink)?

Oh and where do you think Pragya is taking them? Do comments your thoughts. 😊

Just a heads up- If you are liking Vansh and Ahana together right now, hopefully you all gonna LOVE the next chapter. 💕 (And the next...)  Look forward to it. 😸😸