Siddharth had been having trouble falling asleep ever since he had gotten to the Haldar haveli. He had barely slept more than a few hours every night. Tonight was no different, he was lying on the bed with his earphones plugged in and blaring music.

He was trying hard to get the image of Chetna in the yellow lehnga out of his head. He was failing.

He thought about the relentless way he had been pursuing her since he got here. Maybe he was being overbearing and crossing boundaries that he should not have. He had always considered himself to be respectful of everyone especially women he dated.

In his dating history, he had either been the initiator of the breakup or always very respectful of the wishes of the girl. Yet, he could not seem to let this go so easily.

He knew why. That was definitely no mystery. He knew what he had with Chetna was deeper than what he had with those women. Not because they weren't special to him but because they weren't Chetna. He knew they shared something special. They were meant to be together

There was a faint sound in the background that he was not sure he heard owing to the music. He paused the song that was blaring in his ears. The knock on his door startled him. He took both his earbuds out of his ears and sat up. Confused about who it could be while still being hopeful that it wasn't just Veer checking up on him he walked over to the door and opened it.

Chetna stood outside. His heart skipped a beat. 

She was clearly anxious and in a hurry. 

"Meet me on the rooftop in five minutes. Make sure no one sees you. We need to talk."

A wave of nostalgia hit him when he realised that they were going to meet at their usual rendezvous spot. Their time on the rooftop was always special. He was holding out no such hope this time considering the circumstances but it still somehow felt special.

He waited for a few minutes on the bed, impatiently and then disconnected his earphones from the phone and looked in the mirror one last time before quickly heading out. Thankfully, he had learnt his way around the house and knew where the stairs to the rooftop were situated.

Siddharth opened the door to the rooftop and stepped into the darkness. The cool breeze ruffled his hair as he did and he instantly spotted Chetna in the far corner.

"Just like old times," he said with a hint of irony in his tone, "us on the rooftop, sneaking around in the night."

"Siddharth, you have to leave," Chetna said with no preamble, completely ignoring his comment.

Siddharth was expecting this pushback from her so he was not surprised when she blurted this statement out.

He kept mum and allowed her to elaborate. When Chetna could not take any more of his silence and that look in his eyes, she went on.

"I am serious. I do not know why you came here or what you were expecting from me. I think I made my intentions very clear to you when I told you we cannot be together."

"Then why are you so nervous and unsure? If you are convinced that we aren't meant to be then why are you so unsettled? Treat me like every other guest in your house. I am here to attend a wedding."

"I can't," Chetna said, surprising both of them with her honest admission.

Siddharth took a step towards her.

"Why?" he demanded.

He took another step and a startled Chetna looked up at him.

"Is it because you know you're fooling yourself?"

Chetna took a hasty step when his next step brought him within three inches of her person.

"Siddha–" she began but he interrupted her.

"You're not fooling me. Is it because you know you still love me?"

His final step had trapped Chetna between him and the railing behind her.

Chetna was speechless both by his question and his proximity. He smelled heavenly and his warmth numbed her senses. She did not trust herself in this situation at all. She leaned her head back to get a few inches away from those damn lips.

"Why are you doing this?" she asked, resigned and then closed her eyes.

"That is the question I keep asking you," he said without missing a beat.

There was a pause. Neither had anything to say. Only the sound of distant traffic and crickets chirping filled the air.

"I'll tell you what," he said suddenly and Chetna opened her eyes. "You want me to leave right?"

He paused and waited for an answer. She did not respond.

"I will leave."

Chetna met his eye taken aback. He could not figure out if that expression was just due to the surprise at his sudden change of heart or because she wasn't expecting him to give in so easily.

She recovered quickly and sighed, "Thank you."

"There is a condition though," he added.

"And what is that condition?"

"You have to mean it," he said.

"Mean it?" she repeated with a furrowed brow.

"Yes, you see these lips say you want me to pack my bags and leave but these eyes tell a different story. They tell me that you still love me and you don't actually want that."

"Siddharth, please. I don't have time for games."

"This is not a game. I am serious. The moment you look me in the eye and tell me you want me gone when you actually mean it, I will leave. No questions asked, no protests, no cajoling, nothing. My bags are barely unpacked. I can be out the doors in less than ten minutes. I have a valid excuse ready to go. No one will be wiser except you and me."

Chetna looked at him dumbfounded. Was he serious?

"So, do it," he said when she did not say anything.

"Huh?"

"Say it. Say that you want me gone and really mean it this time."

Chetna took a shaky breath in and said with as much solemnity as she could muster,

"Siddharth, please leave."

Siddharth heard it leaned in forward a few inches closer to her while maintaining eye contact. Chetna was flush against the wall and already leaning away from him so she could not get back any further. She held her breath again.

"Nope," he said simply and leaned back again shaking his head.

"I'm sorry?" she said.

"No, you did not mean it. Come on Chetna. If you really want me gone put your heart and soul into it. Really mean it this time."

"This is not a joke," she said, feeling slightly patronised.

"Exactly, that is what I have been trying to explain to you. This is not a fucking joke. I cannot force you into any decision but I can make sure that you get every chance to set things right and choose correctly. I am waiting for that one moment of sanity when you realise that this is not a joke.

"So I suggest when you tell me to leave the next time, make sure you have thought about it long and hard. Make sure you feel those words in your soul as you say them. Till then, I am going to stay. I am not going to let you run away from the consequences this time. I want you to feel every agonising second as it ticks closer to the day of your marriage. I will stay till the end. Even if it means watching you complete every marital ritual with that man and drive away with him. Unless," he paused for emphasis here, "you say you are sure that you want me gone and really mean it."

With that, he ended his speech and strode away without waiting for a reply.

Chetna stood there for quite some time after Siddharth left.

This was definitely different from all the nights they had spent on the rooftop together. 

A/N

Hi there, guess who did not make you wait another year for an update? That is right, c'est moi. 

So we're quickly approaching the end for Siddharth and Chetna here but worry not, The Great Indian Office Romance is going to begin super soon. This also brings me to my life update. 

I started working very recently. Yes, so now working an office job will give me all the inspiration needed for TGIOR. 

I am also kind of tempted to write a shorter version (maybe one shots, glimpses?) for Yug's story so that might happen. I have everything mapped out already so expect updates. 

Enjoy reading and comment please I love reading those. 

<3