Next morning, Sia got a call from Arjun.

Arjun: Sia, ek get together karte hain na. Main, tum, Aliyah and Raghav.

Sia: Arjun... Raghav bhi... Vo nahi manega. It will be awkward with us.

Arjun: Tum pareshaan mat ho main samjha doonga us gadhe ko. We will meet as old friends. Just four friends catching up and not four exes. Please Aliyah ko bhi convince karo. I am texting you the details.

Sia: Ok...!!

She was nervous and thinking about how to ditch the plans, "I am sick." or "Raghav has given me some work." She was annoyed at not being able to find a good excuse.

That is when her phone blinked. Arjun had messaged her.

Hi Sia, I know it's difficult for you but I have a selfish motive too. I want to get back with Aliyah. I tried a lot to forget her but couldn't... Especially now that I have seen her. This is like my last chance and you know that she loves me too. Please Sia help me... Like you did at the Mussoorie trip.

Sia knew he was right. She couldn't let her best friends suffer. She decided she will go and called Aliyah trying to convince her.

On the other hand, Raghav had met Arjun and they talked about the plan. Raghav thought this was a bad idea.

Arjun: Raghav, please yaar. I mean I am here for just one more week. Ek baar Raghav please. Just for a few hours. Ye sab hone ke pehle bhi to tum log best friends the.

Raghav: But yaar.... Accha theek hai. Sirf tere lie.

They met at the restaurant. All looked nervous and there smiles were forced. Sia sat facing Raghav but didn't look in his eyes for once. This was the same thing she did when she fell for Raghav... But now the things were different, situations were different, everything was different..

Seeing everyone tensed, Arjun decided to speak up.

Arjun: Thanks guys for coming. Actually, I am going back in a week so I decided to meet you all. And there is something more I wanted to say.

He looked at Aliyah who looked back at him with a smaal smile and tears.

Arjun: Aliyah, these years when we were not together have been a mess for me. I don't want to experience this anymore. I don't want to make sad emotional songs anymore. I love you Aliyah... Please be mine to never let go again!

Sia noticed a few tears in Aliyah's eyes which she quickly wiped. She got up and hugged Arjun

Aliyah: I love you too. And I missed you Arjun!

Arjun: Guys, if you don't mind can I steal her for a while?

Without waiting for a response Aliyah and Arjun left the duo and went outside in the garden. There Arjun lied with his head in Aliyah's lap.

Arjun: Did I do it good? Was there some loophole?

Aliyah: You were awesome. You nailed it. They couldn't see through the little skit we played. I want them to sort it out themselves.

Arjun: Ali, you know what... It was not just for them. It was for me too, for us. That little speech I gave inside had been in my mind from a long time. I want us to get back together.

Aliyah: We will... As soon as these dumbos solve their problems. I don't want Raghav to ruin his life with Saloni. Damn, I hate that girl.

Arjun: You never changed... That's what I have loved about you. Imagine what they are doing right now?

Inside, it was an awkward silence for the old flames. Both just stole glances at each other when an eyelock happened. Both awkwardly looked away and Raghav coughed to cover the embarrassment.

Sia: Do you want something Rag... I mean Sir?

Raghav: Yes. I want you...

Sia: What?

Raghav: To call me Raghav. We are out of the office. It will look awkward.

Sia: Ok... Raghav.

For a moment they felt as if they were back at St. Xavier's, with Raghav teasing her. This name still felt good on her lips.

Raghav: Hum log bhi chale bahar? Dekhe vo love birds kya kar rahe hain!!!

Sia picked up her purse and followed Raghav. There they saw Arjun with his head in Aliyah's lap.

Raghav: Woah!!! Ye sab kya ho raha hai?

He held up his hand as if he was holding a camera.

Raghav: Sia, dekh rahi ho na... Isilie aae the ye dono bahar.

The childish Raghav was back. The Raghav that Sia loved at some point of time. She looked at him excited with a small smile on her face.

Aliyah: Maybe it's working!

Arjun: I wish.

Everything was good until Sia's phone rang. It broke the trance Sia and Raghav were in. Raghav suddenly got his usual boss demeanor back and coughed awkwardly.

Sia: Hello, who is this? Kabir... You... Oh!

While talking she noticed the expression on Raghav's face. His face had lost it's sweet charm and his jaw was clenched. The look in his eyes made a shiver run down her spine. If only looks could kill....

Arjun was disappointed by the sudden turn of events. This Kabir!!! He will never leave them alone.

At home,

Sia: Mom, did you give my personal number to Kabir?

Mom: Yes, he wanted to talk to you.

Sia: Mom, there is a reason why I haven't given him my number.

Mom: What is the problem? Accha ladka hai. School se friendship hai tum dono ki. Tumse pyaar bhi karta hai. Hota hai beta, shuruat me lagta hai ki pyaar nahi hai par baad me ho jaata hai. Usko chance to do.

Sia: Mom, why are you bringing up all this? Nahin pasand mujhe vo. Friend hai bas. Kahan se laein uske lie hum pyaar?

Mom: Sia, agar tumhari zindagi me koi aur hai to bata do mujhe.

Sia: Nahin... aisa kuch nahi hai.

Mom: Ok then, Kabir aa raha hai yahan ek week me. Apne parents ke saath. Tumlog friends bhi the and he is a good guy with everything a girl desires. I want you guys to get engaged. I have had enough of your tantrums.

This came as a shock to Sia. No, she can't do this with... Raghav. Just thinking about Kabir that way felt as if she was cheating on Raghav.

Sia: Mom, are you even listening to yourself? Kya bolti jaa rahi hain aap?

Mom: Yes, I am listening to myself. This is the best decision for you. Tum usse milogi. Acche se. Pichli baar ki tarah nahi jab tum beech me hi bhaag gayi thi. If everything goes well, you are getting engaged to him as soon as you can.

Sia: No, no, no this is never happening. No.

Not wanting anybody to see her cry she ran off to her room and shut the door as she sat down with her back to the door, crying.

Her eyes fell on the picture of her father in her room.

Papa, hum Kabir se shaadi nahi karna chahte. Hum abhi bhi Raghav se pyaar karte hain. Theek hai, thi uski galti par ek second chance papa. Please sab kuch sahi Kar dijie. Agar hamari shaadi Kabir se ho gayi to hum kabhi apne aap ko maaf nahi kar paenge. Please Papa. Please.

Thinking all this she drifted off to sleep.

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                AUTHOR'S NOTE
Hi,
Sorry for late update. Was busy in some work.  Hope this was a good chapter.

New cover is here. Please tell me it looks good.

Love Love ❤️
A.S.