Hasan paced in the corridor of their floor. He kept glancing at his watch and then towards the elevator. It has been more than one hour since Priyank has gone searching for Anaisha. The clock was about to strike one and his worries kept growing.

Sometime later, the elevator door opened, and Hasan jumped on the spot. He scurried towards the lift. Priyank stepped out dragging with a visibly knocked-out Anaisha. She had drunk out of her senses again. Hasan pressed his lips and exhaled. Priyank stopped at her apartment door, and Hasan fished out keys from her golden clutch purse. He opened the door and let the two enter.

"She was going with some stranger. It is so unlike her." Priyank huffed after he had dumped her on the bed. Hasan avoided looking at her. Her white sequin mini dress had slipped up and her arm dangled from the edge of the bed, and her hair was open and messy. At an outward glance, it looked like she had been making out with someone. The V plunging neckline was also misplaced, slightly.

It was decided that Priyank will sleep in the living room. Someone was needed with her. Hasan felt pity for her. Also, he was distraught because he wasn't able to help her. She was Sanam's friend and had selflessly helped them, especially to get engaged. And here, he was powerless.

Hasan prepared tea for them. The two men were still in her apartment. Priyank sat on the double couch. He looked troubled as well. Hasan passed him a teacup and sat beside him.

"It is so funny that we are using Naisha's kitchen so coolly like we own the place." Priyank smiled.

"How did you know where to find her?" Hasan pondered out loud and took a sip of his tea.

Priyank exhaled deeply, - "Whenever something happens that upsets her, she ends up doing something rash. It's mostly her family problem."- He paused, throwing an arm at the back of the couch, - "Honestly, she was better off in the US. She was happy. If you minus Yuvaan."

Hasan gulped his tea, - "Don't you know what is troubling her and help her solve her issues?"

Priyank shrugged, - "We know each other since we were nine-year-old, but she doesn't tell her problems. I don't know what is up with her dysfunctional family. I just know that her grandmother is a Kamini b***ch."

Hasan choked on his tea, Priyank passed him his handkerchief which he politely refused. The two men sat silently, drinking the hot beverage. Priyank leaned and placed his empty cup on the coffee table, sighed, and slopped back.

"She writes diaries. We can read that to know. I think she must have—" He got up, but Hasan held his arm and pulled him down.

"That is not right. That is an invasion of privacy. Reading her diaries without her consent is unfair. It will hurt her more to know that we have read her most intimate words."

Priyank hummed, nodding his head, - "You are right. But there must be some way to find—Naisha has never been so reckless to make out with random strangers or go in the car with them. Something huge must have happened." He said grimly.

Hasan agreed. He was restless to help her. But a passing thought came to his mind, - Why was he bothering so much? It is her personal matter. If she hasn't shared with Priyank, who is the closest to her. Why in the world will she tell him?

Nevertheless, he wanted to help her because she has done a lot for him and Sanam. Besides, he had bad-mouthed her behind her back, perhaps if he helps her, he might earn her forgiveness.

The next morning, Hasan was restless to find out about Anaisha. But he knew he needed to restrict himself. Priyank, her friend, was with her. He would be better support for her. Nevertheless, keeping her in his mind he got ready for College in a pastel lavender shirt with a grey waistcoat and matching trousers.

As Hasan exited his home, he glanced at Anaisha's apartment door but was distracted by Mahajabeen's angry purr. He patted her and talked to her before shutting the door.

And as he drove to the college, his mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Anaisha.

Around lunchtime, Hasan gathered with some of his colleagues. They were chatting amongst themselves, but he was quiet. In his mind, he kept debating if he should talk to Priyank or let it be. Then, he noticed a familiar figure walking in his direction. He straightened and looked at the approaching person.

Anaisha kept walking with poise, as though nothing had happened. Hasan observed her. She was graceful in floral printed mustard organza saree matched with a black noddle strapped blouse. Her hair in a sleek side-parted low ponytail. What Hasan noticed was her oversized sunglasses and her full lips curled tightly forming a thin line. He kept looking at her as she passed by him without sparing a glance at him. Perhaps, she missed him or peeked through her sunglasses. Hasan turned and kept watching her fade away. He smiled a little. She was a bit normal, or so he thought.

Anaisha knocked at the Principal's door and then adjusted her sunglasses. After getting a response, she cleared her throat and walked inside.

Principal Mukherjee straightened in his seat and welcomed her with a smile. Anaisha doesn't smile though. Jindal was there too, he smiled bowing a little. He went unknowledge by her.

Before Jindal could, Anaisha pulled a chair for herself and sat down facing the principal.

"Miss Singhaniya, we are happy to inform you."- he leaned a little, - "the useless block will now be converted to the music department, as you wanted."

"Good," Anaisha replied dryly, placing one leg over the other. In any other day, this would have been an exciting day.

Mukherjee frowned, - "I thought you will be happy. Why are you wearing sunglasses indoors? Is everything alright?"

Anaisha cleared her throat aggressively, adjusting her glasses with her hands, - "I have gotten conjunctivitis." She lied smoothly with a poker face. Mukherjee seemed concerned but Jindal flinched and swiftly stepped away from her. Anaisha remained perfectly stilled.

Mukherjee led Anaisha towards the block. There were a lot of memories attached here. She and her friends used to sneak here, smoke, drink, and have a fun time. Her lips twisted in a slight smile as Mukherjee expressed his shock and disgust at the broken alcohol bottles and died out cigarette buds.

"I think you should worry more about bats and cobwebs, Principal." She cheekily replied.

There were some construction workers and an architect who supervised the renovations. Anaisha was surprised to find a woman amongst them. In grey handloom cotton saree with full-sleeved, boat neck pink blouse, she stood out like a pleasant site. Her waist-length hair was braided in a thick braid with beautiful jasmine flowers adorning her tresses.

"Miss. Iyer." Mukherjee called and the woman turned. Anaisha inhaled sharply, her eyes beneath her sunglasses widened. She couldn't believe that her idol; her crush was standing in front of her.

"Shambhavi Iyer." She mouthed. Mukherjee was stunned as she slowly removed her sunglasses and continued to ogle at the woman. She was flawlessly beautiful. Like Anaisha she had beautiful honey complexation. Medium-sized red bindi adorned her forehead, matte lipstick and Kajal enhanced her beauty. She had stunning large eyes.

"Namaste." Shambhavi joined her palms and greeted them. Anaisha's hands moved on their own accord. She was in trance. The woman's radiance and warmth made her heart flutter. She felt so familiar in her presence.

"I am Anaisha." She tried to not let her voice waver as she extended her hand. Shambhavi smiled kindly and shook hands with her.

Shambhavi glanced around, her expressions turning a little sore. She looked at the Principal, - "Where is your trustee, Mr. Aryaman? I want to meet him."

Anaisha noticed her clench and unclench her fist.

"Um, Mr. Aryaman has retried. She is Anaisha, his daughter and now, she has taken up the role of her father. This was her idea." Mukherjee chirped.

Shambhavi's mouth slightly opened and swiftly she threw a look at Anaisha. Now, she felt conscious under her gaze. Shambhavi looked at her as though seeing her in a new light.

Some moment later, she moved her gaze, - "Great. It is wonderful to see youngsters interested in classical music." She looked at Anaisha again, - "Hopefully, we will keep meeting." She observed her from top to bottom. Then, turned her attention to Mukherjee who showed the women around.

Anaisha was in a relatively better mood after her meeting with her idol, Shambhavi. Even in her forty's, she has maintained her grace and beauty. One thing that irked Anaisha was her eagerness to meet her family. Yet, she needed time to meet Aryaman Singhaniya. The prospect of her knowing the Singhaniyas was very enticing for Anaisha.

She returned home in the evening and was shocked to find Priyank and Hasan in her apartment.

"What the hell are you two doing in my flat, that too without my consent?" She was appalled. Priyank grinned while Hasan looked guilty. He opened his mouth to answer when Priyank nudged him silent. Anaisha dropped her handbag on the single couch and folded her arms, eyeing her friend.

"Come on, Naisha. Since when Yours and mine came in between us." He opened his arms for a hug. Initially, she pushed him. But then hugged him.

"Thank you." She whispered into his ears and his smile widened. Hasan looked away, sitting awkwardly on the double couch as the two friends embraced.

Anaisha held on to her friend as tight and as long as she could. After they parted. She looked at Hasan and he too looked at her. In the background, Priyank talked about ordering tea online.

Anaisha exhaled deeply and sat on the couch beside Hasan. There was silence for a moment,

- "Thanks, Hasan. You and Priyank were my support in this tough—"

"Let it be, Anaisha."- Hasan smiled gently, - "Just be careful. Don't be rash. We are with you."

She nodded, - "I am sorry, Hasan. You are too good but I—"

"Please, Anaisha. I am not that immature Hasan anymore. You don't have to say sorry."

She smiled hesitantly. They continued to look at each other until Priyank flopped on the sofa beside Hasan and in between them. He huffed and looked at Anaisha.

"Naisha, Harlyn is coming tomorrow and we have planned a trip to Goa with you. I offered Hasan to come with us."- He slapped his thigh, - "But the nerd is refusing." He chuckled. Hasan shook his head.

Anaisha giggled, - "Are you mad, Priyank? Does Hasan look like a Goa person to you."

Hasan nodded, - "Exactly."

Priyank frowned at both and sighed, raising and dropping his arms.

"I am going to Delhi for the weekend. There is some emergency." Hasan said sincerely. Anaisha shifted in place, but she kept quiet.

Once their order had arrived and Priyank disappeared from the scene, she shifted a little closer and spoke in low volume, - "Is your Bhabhi okay?" She asked, concerned.

Hasan was touched by her concern, - "Zahir is again creating problems. He had remarried and now, his new wife is creating more troubles for Bhabhijaan." He explained.

Anaisha drew in a sharp deep breath, - "Men." Slowly, she curled her slender fingers into a tight fist. Hasan eyed her hands, but before he could say something Priyank came in with three ceramic cups of steaming hot tea.

Later in the night, Anaisha found herself sitting on the bench swing and staring out into the night sky. She reminisced her college days and Hasan. His words struck chords in her heart. He was the only one, she has met who acknowledged that she was misunderstood. He was the first to selflessly help her. And unlike other men in her life, he was a loyal husband. Then, another thought troubled her. He has, for the most part, been on her mind, and now, she wondered if she was on his mind too or not.

Hasan was asleep when his phone rang. He was startled. Tension built up more in his chest as he checked it was Anaisha who was calling him. Quickly, he picked up the call but before he could answer, she spoke from the other side.

"I am coming to Delhi with you."

Hasan and Priyank are truly good friends for Anaisha. At first, I had thought to make Anaisha and Priyank lovers in college, then break up and all, but then I thought let's have a friendship between a guy and a girl that is platonic. Even though they are besties with once having a no-strings-attached kind of relationship yet they have no romantic feelings for each other. I thought it would have been different, rather than the same cliche. What are your opinions, my lovelies?

Also, is it just me, or Anaisha and Shambhavi have some deeper connection than just idol/crush? We will soon find out? Till then, tell me your guesses, please *smiles*

And Anaisha is coming to Delhi with Hasan. Beta Zahir, now you are gone *Evil Laughter*

So, my lovelies, how was the Chapter? Please drop in your thoughts and Stay Tuned for the next update *Lots of love* *Hugs and Kisses*