Monica hurried through the corridor and stopped in front of the apartment. She took out the keys. She was still shaken from the incident and so, she struggled with the keys. Finally, she managed to unlock the door. Then, she entered and closed the door. Once inside, she breathed a sigh of relieve. She gulped closing her eyes. Her throat felt parched. She turned around and frowned upon finding the entire apartment pitch dark. She blinked her eyes and moved her hand. Aimlessly, she moved her fingers as she searched for the lights. When she found the switch to the lights, a dim night lamp switched on. The entire dark living room was suddenly illuminated by the dim yellow night. She looked towards the double sofa from where the long night lamp shone the light. Under the light, Eshaan was sitting on the couch. He had held the arm-rest tightly, his one leg resting over the other and an ice-cold look on his face.

'Eshaan?' Monica tugged her hair behind her ear and walked towards him. Eshaan kept glaring at her. From his expressions, Monica felt her heart sink.

'How was the meeting, sweetheart?' He asked in a steady tone. Monica was confused. Why was he addressing her as sweetheart? She opened her mouth to reply when he interrupted her.

'Tell me the truth.' – He leaned clasping his palms on his thigh, he looked intently at her, - 'Only the truth.'

Monica gulped.

Should I tell him the truth? Now, that I have broken off with Kabir it will be best to tell him – She debated.

But before she could answer, Eshaan got up angrily and marched towards her. She flinched with the sudden movement.

'You went to **** Kabir, right?' He said. Monica looked at him wide-eyed.

He found out. But how? – She thought fearfully.

'Answer me.' His tone high. Monica shook her head.

'No.' She said truthfully.

'Yeah, right.' – He scoffed placing his palms on his hips, - 'I saw you going inside Kabir's farmhouse and you two-'

'Yes, I and Kabir, what?' Monica asked sternly and folded her arms. Eshaan pressed his lips tightly and continued to glare at her.

'You know what.' He said.

Monica rolled her eyes, - 'You are speaking as though you saw me and Kabir having sex.' She said unabashedly. Eshaan clenched his jaw.

'I left before that, but I knew you-'

'I had gone to break off with Kabir and-'

'And he let you go just like that?' – Eshaan snapped his fingers, - 'I don't believe you.' He said seriously.

Monica sighed, - 'Eshaan, I am telling you the truth. I broke off with him, he was mad, but I managed to escape. Eshaan, you got to believe me.' She said, her tone changing into a pleading tone. Eshaan shook his head and Monica's heart fell.

'Till now, you have done nothing that will make me believe in you.' He said seriously. Monica shook her head.

'I know, I haven't but this time I am telling you the truth.' – She extended her hand and held his hand, - 'Eshaan, I love you.' She confessed while she held his gaze. Eshaan's expressions changed. He gazed into her moist eyes and for a moment he melted but then he was reminded of them hugging and Kabir touching her backside. His expressions turned stern again. He jerked his hand from her grip. Monica blinked at him.

'Just being with each other isn't enough to be in love, Monica. I don't trust you, a bit.' – Monica bit her quivering lip, - 'I love you too, Monica.' – She felt relieved, - 'But I am sorry, I can't be with you- we can't be together.'

'Oh, Eshaan.' Monica leaned throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly. Eshaan moved his arms but doesn't hug her back. She held the back of his neck tightly and closed her eyes, a smile on her lips.

'I love you very much.' She confessed. Eshaan felt very tempted to hug her back and confess many times that he loves her a lot, but his brain kept alarming him. She had manipulated him before, what is the guarantee that she isn't lying now. What if once again, she is playing with his heart.

Eshaan hardened his heart and held her arms, he separated their frames and glared at her.

'You are lying again.' He said, and Monica shook her head. Tears dropped from her eyes and he felt guilty. But he kept a straight face. He has never seen tears in her eyes and so he wondered If she was really acting or...

'I am not lying, Eshaan. I really love you and-' She stopped when she saw Eshaan's unmoved gaze. Then, he pressed his lips tightly.

'Fine, you don't believe me? Then, don't believe. But the truth will not change.' – she said and then turned around, paused and turned back to face him, - 'I have put everything on stake for you, Eshaan Ranawat and even though you don't trust me I don't regret my decision.' She said angrily. Eshaan kept looking at her, then she turned around and angrily walked into her room and slammed the door shut. Eshaan kept looking at the closed door for some time, before turning around and silently walking into his room.

******************************

Eshaan sat at the edge of his bed and held his head in his hands. He closed his eyes and recollected Monica's eyes. For the first time, he saw tears in her eyes. They were screaming to him that she was telling the truth. His heart wants to believe her but then the past...

He sighed standing up, he placed his palms on his hips and began pacing in the room. His brain working on over-drive.

Monica clenched the wash-basin tightly and stared at her reflection. Tears poured down her cheeks and her lips parted as she breathed from her mouth. Her mascara and lipstick smudged. Slowly, she moved her hands and splashed water on her face repeatedly. She gasped and pushed back her hair from her face and clenched her head.

She risked everything, now Kabir will take back everything that he had showered her with and maybe destroy her career as well. And the very man for whom she risked everything she had worked so much for doesn't believe her. She smiled sadly, knowing very well that it is because of her that she has landed up in this situation.

******************************

Next morning,

Monica was sitting facing the dressing table and applying a cream on her palms. She was dressed for today's modeling assignment. After she was done with the cream she placed her finger on the neckline of her peach tube dress and pulled it up. She looked at her reflection and forced a smile. She pulled back strands of hair and blinked at her reflection. She was about to stand when there was a knock at the door. She paused and turned her head. She sighed softly and looked back at the dressing table.

'Come in.' She said.

The door opened and Eshaan walked in. Monica shifted in her place and looked hopefully at him. He walked towards her with his head lowered. Slowly, he looked up at her and her heart sank seeing his sad eyes. He sat at the edge of the bed and Monica turned the chair to face him. She placed her palms on her thighs and looked intently at him. He looked at her and sighed.

'Last night, I thought a lot about everything and I think you-you were telling the truth.' He paused for her reaction, she let out the breath she had been holding and hesitatingly smiled. Eshaan sighed.

'A part of me believes you but another part doesn't.' – Monica's smile faded, - 'This lack of trust is very dangerous for our relationship.' He said seriously. Monica shifted and extended her hand but before she could hold his hand, he moved it away. She paused with her hand in the air for a moment and then retracted her hand.

'I know, Eshaan that I have wronged you in the past and I am truly regretful. Please, give me another chance- Please, I will win your trust back.' She pleaded. Eshaan exhaled loudly and looked at her.

'You are not the problem here, Monica. I am. Once we lose trust, it is-very difficult to start trusting again and, after last night I realized that even if we are together this lack of trust from my side will result in fights and I- don't want that.' He said seriously. Monica felt tears prick her eyes. But she kept looking at him. Eshaan looked up at her, she was surprised to see tears in his eyes as well.

He sighed, - 'No doubt that I love you, Monica but we can't be together. I am sorry,' – He stood up, but Monica kept staring at the place where he was sitting, - 'I am going to marry, Jhanvi.' He informed and slowly, Monica looked up at him. Eshaan blinked rapidly and was about to take a step when Monica interrupted him.

'I love you too, Eshaan,' – He turned, and she stood up, a teardrop escaped her left eye, - 'But if you have decided to marry Jhanvi then go ahead.' – She exhaled softly, - 'Have-have a goo-good life,' – her lips trembled, and her voice quivered, - 'Eshaan.'

He smiled sadly, - 'Thank you.' His voice shook as well. Monica nodded and looked down. He looked at her momentarily and turned around.

'I will be moving back to my apartment, Eshaan.' She said, and he turned back to face her.

He looked confused and concerned, - 'But Kabir?'

'Don't worry. I will handle him.' She said confidently. Eshaan wanted to say something when her phone rang. She looked at her phone and looked back at him.

'You leave, I will come to the office in a while.' She faked a smile and placed the phone over her ear.

'Ramsen, yeah...' She turned around. Once, she had her back against Eshaan she bit her trembling lips. Tears rolled down her cheeks and she clenched her fist tightly. To prevent her cry, she bit her lip so harshly that she felt hot bitter liquid enter her mouth.

Eshaan kept looking at her back before turning around and walking out. After the door closed, Monica fell on the bed and dropped the phone.

'Hello, Maam...Hello...' Ramsen kept speaking but Monica didn't reply. She placed her palm tightly against her mouth to muffle her cries.

********************************

Oh, No! What has happened... How did this happen?

What do you, guys think? Is Eshaan right on his part? What will Monica do now? ... I am so excited to find out. *smiles* What about you all? 

Drop your comments, please *smiles*