Author's note: Sorry guys! This one is a shorter chapter as unfortunately this is not the complete chapter, but since I promised a chapter today, I am posting the first half of it today and then will post the next chapter sooner. Thank you for your patience.❤

The chapter is not edited

Rudra felt a weight on his chest as he looked around the room he had called his own for more than a month. It was strange how quickly he had gotten attached. He was going to miss everything about this place and all the positive changes it brought about within him and his life.

As he was walking downstairs with his bag that was now full of all his belongings, it felt heavier than it did when he had first moved in. Maybe because he was taking along tons of memories and smiles with him.

An involuntary smile bubbled within him when he noticed both Soumya and Dhara in the living room. Soumya was packing something in her bag while Dhara was sitting on the couch with her legs propped up on the table.

"Good morning," he greeted with a smile as he dropped his bag next to Dhara's packed bag.

"Don't talk to me." Dhara groaned as she threw her head back on the backrest of the couch and massaged her forehead. "I am never drinking again!"

Suddenly, Dhara moved her feet and sat up straight. "I mean Pepsi. I am never drinking Pepsi again," she said and that's when he noticed her grandmother walking towards them with a tray in her hand.

Chandni placed the tray on the table with a thud. It was hard enough for the glass to almost fall over, but it didn't. "It's lemon and ginger water," Chandni said, curtly. "Just because your Dadaji and I aren't saying anything doesn't mean we don't know. Make sure this is not a regular thing."

He watched Dhara and Soumya exchange a glance before nodding at their grandmother.

"Rudra beta," Chandni came up to him and held his arm. "Please take care of these girls."

"Of course, Dadi," he reassured with a smile.

Chandni didn't appear convinced, but she didn't say anything and walked back to the kitchen.

"How are you feeling?" Rudra asked Soumya who had gone back to packing her bag once again.

Soumya paused and gave him a side glance before quickly going back to her task. "Fine. I just have to go grab one more thing. I'll be back and then we can leave." she mumbled, evasively and rushed upstairs.

Rudra frowned at her reaction. What had gotten into her? Was it regarding last night? Sitting down beside Dhara, he nudged her with his elbow. "Is Soumya okay?"

Dhara gulped her drink before looking at him in confusion. "Yeah. Why?"

"I just feel like she... Never mind." he shook his head and smiled at her. "Are you excited to go to Delhi?"

She grinned at him. "So excited!"

Akash appeared in the doorway with his bags. When he noticed them, his look turned guarded. He walked over to them and placed his bags beside the others. "Is everyone ready?"

Dhara held up a glass of the lemon drink for him. "Almost. Di just has to grab something."

Akash shook his head. "I am good."

"Drink it," Dhara instructed, continuing to hold up the glass. "It'll help with the hangover."

"It's alright." Akash shook his head and began picking up his bag to load in the back of the car.

"Akash, Dadi has made it for you guys. Just drink it," he demanded with a scowl.

Akash rolled his eyes and grabbed the drink before downing it like a shot. "There. happy?" he said before leaving once again with his bags.

"Guess hangover just makes some people snappy," Rudra said, making Dhara smile weakly at him.

Soon they were at the stop waiting to board the bus.

"Do keep visiting," Chandni said to them when he and Akash bent down to touch her feet.

"We will." Akash smiled and hugged the older lady.

When it came his turn, he hugged her and said, "But before that, you'll have to visit us. For Mom and Dad's anniversary."

Then they moved along to Haripraksh, Tanuja and Purshottam.

"Dadu, the nurse will arrive tonight. I have given her all the instructions but I'll call her tomorrow and speak to her once again," he said to Purshottam as he bid him goodbye.

"Take care," Manoj said to him while holding Sweetie in his arms, but neither Akash nor him were having it. They both hugged Manoj goodbye. Next was the most special team member of the Awasthy goodbye. Sweetie. He ruffled her fur and pecked the top of her head.

With the tearful goodbyes out of the way, they were ready to embark on their trip. After handing over their luggage to the bus driver for storage, they climbed into the bus.

Rudra felt a pang of sadness when the bus started moving. No longer were goodbyes being and said and no longer were familiar faces been seen. He smiled at Soumya when she looked back in his direction which she returned with a tight-lipped smile of her own before facing forward once again. Since she was sitting a row ahead and diagonally to him, he could only see her side profile. He had tried to sit with her, but Akash had ruined it by calling out his name and asking him to sit beside him.

"Do you not want to sit beside Dhara?" he asked Akash who was trying to sleep with his head resting on the window.

"No," came Akash's instant reply without even opening his eyes. "You go sit beside her if you want to."

"Well..." Rudra pretended to be doing something on his phone and tried to keep his tone nonchalant. "I am not the one who is planning to run off to Belize with her, am I?"

"Just shut up!"

Rudra was taken aback by Akash's abrasive tone, but it suddenly made sense to him. "Are you embarrassed about your actions last night?"

He scoffed and shook his head when Akash didn't reply. "You were drunk and so was she. I am sure she isn't going to hold you to the promise or judge you for a plan you hatched to run away to a different country while being intoxicated."

"That's the least of my worries," Akash mumbled before closing off his body language to him which made him wonder what Akash had said to Dhara that embarrassed him to this extent.

Dhara whistled and leaned forward when the Rawat house came in her line of vision. "This... is your house? It's a freaking mansion! How do you sleep in such a big house?"

"Dhara," Soumya said and widened her eyes in warning.

"What? I am serious." Dhara argued and hopped out of the car that had been sent to pick them up.

"Wow! This is so cool. Do you have a swimming pool?" she continued as she took in the house that was sprawled across acres of green grass. Even in the nightfall, she could sense the sheer grandness of their home.

Rudra smiled at her enthusiasm nodded. "In the back. You're welcome to use it anytime you like."

Dhara grinned and waited for Akash to get out of the car. "What are the other cool things about your house, Akash?"

Akash stopped mid-stride. Shrugging, he replied, "I am not too sure what your level of cool is, but I am sure my mom would love to give you a tour around the house."

Before either of them could say anything, Apurva and Shipra appeared in the doorway as they made their way to greet them.

"Welcome! Welcome!" Shipra said as she walked to them, holding out her arms out. She first hugged Akash and then Rudra before bugging the girls.

"Your house is really lovely, Aunty," Soumya commented as they were walking through the extended foyer that led to the living room.

Shipra smiled and patted Soumya on her shoulder. "Oh Thank you, Beta."

"I bet your house has been featured in lots of lifestyle magazines," Dhara said once they had taken a seat in the living room.

"It definitely has," Apurva said before Shipra did. "All thanks to your Aunty."

For the first time, Shipra appeared flustered by a compliment.

"How was your journey?" Shipra asked trying to divert the topic. "You all look really tired."

None of them said anything, hoping the next person would make up an excuse for their appearances.

Apurva cleared his throat and tried to fill in the silence. "Obviously they are tired. It was such a long journey. Why don't you all go freshen up? And then let's have dinner, so you all can get some rest."

"Micheal!" Shipra said to the house staff who was carrying their bags into the house. "Please show the girls to the guest rooms."

"Rooms?" Soumya said, shaking her head. "No, Aunty. We really don't need two rooms."

"But-"

"Really, Aunty. We'll be absolutely fine in one room. Right, Dhara?"

"Yes, Aunty. Di and I can share a room no problem."

"Okay." Shipra smiled, weakly. "As you wish. Michael, take them to the left guest room. I am sure you'll like it. It has a terrace and a view to the lawn and pool."

Dhara grinned at the mention of the pool. "Thank you, Aunty."

Michael walked them to the most beautiful room that both Dhara and Soumya had seen in their entire lives. The different shades of white along with baby pink and grey in the furniture and decor looked like something put together from a catalogue of a magazine.

Once he left, Dhara fell on top of the bed with her arms sprawled. "Am I dreaming? Or am I still intoxicated? Because there is no way that this is real life."

"I can't believe how humble this family is," Soumya said, as she too fell on the bed beside Dhara. "They all stayed in our house like it was completely normal and not a major inconvenience to them."

"I know. This room is the size of both our rooms combined and that is just one of the rooms in this house." Dhara commented and propped her weight on her elbow. "I feel a little out of place."

"Me too, but let's be respectful to their living arrangements as they were with ours," Soumya said softly. "I'll go take a shower first."

Dhara nodded and fell back on the bed while Soumya grabbed her nightdress and walked over to the bathroom which also intimidated her.

While taking a shower, the memory of last night flashed in front of her eyes and she immediately cringed and wanted the ground to swallow her whole. What the hell had she done last night? This is why the elders say that one must never drink more than they can handle. All this time, all she wanted was to be able to keep her feelings in check for the next three weeks. So, she didn't end up embarrassing herself or make things awkward for Rudra. She was so close to the finishing line, but then what had she done? Exactly the opposite of her plans! She had told him about her silly secret and demanded a kiss that was so inappropriate. How was she ever going to meet Rudra's eye knowing that she had made him feel so uncomfortable? Knowing that she had asked him to kiss her and he had rejected her. And that's all she remembered. God knows what she had done and said to him before and after that. Rudra was far too good of a human being to make things difficult for her, but clearly, she wasn't because she made things difficult, embarrassing and uncomfortable for him.

She could never forgive herself.