Shahana was sitting alone in the dimly lit room. The other girls had left her a while ago. She was debating in her mind about the ways to tell the truth to Aryan when he entered the room. Her eyes went up to him. She couldn't comprehend if it was the romantic lighting of the room or her imagination, but Aryan seemed like a Greek God to her. Her husband surely was handsome.

Aryan noticed Shahana lost in her thoughts. He waited for a few minutes for her to say something before breaking the ice himself.

"I know this marriage is unwanted for both of us, but you don't need to worry. I have thought of a plan. You need to stay in this marriage only for 6 months. We can mutually divorce after that and you will be free. We can put up an act of a happily married couple in front of others during these 6 months and I won't take any advantage of you either." he spoke the words with difficulty. He hoped her boyfriend won't have any problem and he could hopefully remain her friend.

Shahana was having a hard time controlling the traitor tears. Aryan had confirmed her fears. He didn't have the same feelings as she had for him. She was only a burden whom he had to bear for the next 6 months. She decided to maintain as much distance from him as possible and give him enough space.

Aryan picked up a pillow from the bed and walked towards the couch.

"I can sleep on the couch. This is your bed after all." Shahana stopped him.

"Make yourself comfortable. I'll manage on the couch." Aryan declined the offer.

Both of them began pressing the other to sleep on the bed. 

"I have a better idea. Since we will be sharing most of the things from now on, we can have turns sleeping on the bed." he suggested after realizing that no one would have won if they kept arguing.

"Ok. Who so it's my turn to sleep on the couch today." Shahana announced.

"Nope. I had slept on the bed yesterday, so it's your turn today." he reasoned and laid down on the couch.

Shahana stared at him for a sometime before going to sleep herself.

-----

Aryan's sleep was disturbed by a tinkling sound. He sat up and turned his head towards the source of the sweet sound. A beautiful sight greeted him in the morning. In front of his dressing table sat Shahana putting on her bangles. She was dressed differently than she usually did. Of course, she was wearing a saree! 

"She looks even more pretty in a saree." Aryan's brain told him.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you." Shahana's words brought him out of his dreamland.

"You didn't disturb me at all. By the way, why are you awake so early in the morning?" he asked looking at the clock.

"I and Prachi have to cook today's breakfast." she said.

Shahana was about to leave the room when Aryan stopped her.

"You forgot about these." he showed her the nuptial chain and vermilion box. "You don't have to wear these forever if you are uncomfortable but since it's only a day after our marriage, someone can create an issue." he added quickly.

"Thank you for reminding me. I think the clasp of the nuptial chain had not been fastened properly, so it had slipped down and I don't have the habit of putting vermillion, so I forgot." she said and put the vermillion. She was struggling to put on the nuptial chain when Aryan stepped forward.

"Let me help you." he took the chain from her hands.

His fingers brushed her skin sending shivers down her spine. They were standing in front of the mirror. While Aryan was closing the clasp, Shahana was lost seeing them together in the mirror. Aryan looked up to find Shahana staring at their reflection. Unconsciously, he moved a bit closer to her and stood their adoring their reflection.

"You make a good couple." Aryan's heart spoke.

"Be logical. She is not yours." his brain argued.

"It's done." he spoke out aloud and moved away.

"Thank.....Thank you." Shahana muttered shyly and almost ran out of the room.

-----

Shahana went to the kitchen to find Prachi had not still arrived. She guessed Ranbir was the reason of her delay. She decided to start the work and began cutting the vegetables. 

"Sorry for being late." Prachi apologized as soon as she entered the kitchen and began helping her.

"No, no you are quite early than I than I guessed. How did Ranbir leave you so easily?" Shahana giggled.

"Dare say any such thing again." Prachi said twisting Shahana's ear. "How come you woke up so early today."

"Leave my poor ear." Shahana winced. "If I had not woken up in time and helped you, that witch would have got another reason to insult me."

"Witch? Who is she?" Prachi was puzzled.

"The one and only Alia Mehra." 

"Hey! She is your mother-in-law now. Don't badmouth about her." Prachi chided her.

"Yeah, the mother-in-law who is suffers from such an acute case of amnesia that she can't even remember my name and keeps on repeating middle class blah.....blah blah.....like a parrot." Shahana said mimicking Alia.

Prachi could not help but laugh out loud at this.

-----

"I think you should go back to sleep again." Aryan chuckled at Ranbir who was yawning continuously. 

"I think it's a good idea. I couldn't a wink of sleep yesterday because we were......" Ranbir stopped himself realizing what he was about to say. 

"Eee..... Don't go into details. I have a fair idea what you were doing yesterday." Aryan said teasingly. 

Ranbir gave a goofy smile. "What about you? Did you talk with Shahana?" he asked. 

"Yes and we came upto a decision too. I think she is happy." Aryan said. 

"I'm glad both of you have sorted things out." Ranbir smiled. 

Before he could ask anything further, they were called for breakfast.