It was a cheerful day with the sun shining brightly and filling every creature with positivity except the guy who had confined himself to a dark room filled with the pictures of the girl he loved.

"Aryan, are you in there?" Ranbir switched on the light.

Ranbir couldn't help but pity what his best friend had made of himself. His red puffed eyes and the empty bottles of alcohol told the tale.

The windows had curtains drawn over them as Aryan didn't like sunlight. In fact, he avoided everything that symbolized happiness.

"I'll be ready for the meeting in time and please switch off the light before you leave." he said in a vivid that was blank of any emotions.

"It has been longing since the two of us had a boys night out. So, I was wondering if in the evening......." Ranbir had been trying all the possible ways to make Aryan feel better.

"I'm not in the mood. You can rather take Prachi for another date. She will appreciate it." he made a weak effort to smile and went inside the washroom.

Ranbir sighed. This attempt too failed like the previous ones. He switched off the light and left.

Aryan emerged out after a few minutes. As he put on the blazer, his eyes got stuck on the button stitched the wrong way.

It was the work of Shahana. Aryan was the one who knew how to stitch and mend the loose bottons and small tears in the clothes. Once he had teased Shahana about being less talented due to him and she being Shahana had taken it as a challenge and broke off the button from his blazer to prove her skills.

A genuine smile crept up his lips as he remembered her childish activities.

"Why did you leave me? We promised to be together till eternity?" he asked the girl in the picture in front of him.

A sudden pang of guilt attacked him. If only he had been either conscious or held onto her more tightly, she would have been with him.

Flashback ~

Aryan woke up with a start. His surveyed his surroundings to realize he was in the hospital.

"Where is Shahana?" he insisted when he couldn't see her.

"Relax. The doctor has asked you to rest." the nurse informed.

"I need to meet Shahana now." he tried to get up.

The nurse was having a heard time controlling him, so she called Purab in.

"Dad, where is Shahana? Is she fine? She was badly injured." he blabbered.

"Calm down first and then I will tell you everything." Purab replied.

In spite of being impatient, Aryan sat quietly and looked expectantly at Purab.

Purab on the other hand hesitated a few moments contemplating if he should tell the truth. He decided it was better not to make Aryan live in illusion and give him false hope.

"She couldn't be found." he revealed.

"What do you mean she couldn't be found? She was with me. If you found me, how didn't you find her?" he was agitated.

"A passerby had found you lying injured and brought you here. The hospital authorities found our contact number from your mobile and informed us. Since neither Shahana nor Alia could be found, the police lodged a probe. But nothing more has been found there. They are guessing both of them have fallen down the cliff." Purab filled him about the incidents that had occurred while he was unconscious.

"It was only that evil lady who had fallen down. Shahana was with me." he protested.

"It is not possible Aryan. Where would she go then? You must have imagined things in the injured state you were in." Purab reasoned.

"You are wrong dad. I didn't imagine anything. She can't stay away from me. She will come back soon."

"Try to realize the truth Aryan. I of all the people know how if feels when the one you loved more than yourself dies but you have to accept the truth."

"Shahana is NOT dead!" be bellowed.

Flashback ends ~

"I know you are alive. I'm still waiting for you. I promise never to tease you again but please come back. Don't torture me more." he cried helplessly.

-----

Before I receive any flying sandals or shoes, I would like to announce that there is a surprise for the readers of this book which will be revealed tomorrow.