After the family vacation, things have perfectly smooth for Khushali and Sidharth. They both were quite comfortable with each other and seeing this their families were happy. But they still were just friends, just more closer friends than they were before their marriage.

Khushali had resumed her work a month back and easily balanced out her personal and professional life. Sidharth's parent's had no issues with her continuing her job after her marriage as even Meher, after her marriage to Aditya, continued helping her father in handling his business.

Though at first when she joined her college back, her colleagues and students asked her various questions like why she got married all of a sudden, why she didn't inform them earlier etc. She very patiently answered all the questions which were thrown at her.

If it would've been earlier then maybe she might have faced problem answering them but since her marriage to Sidharth, she had developed this confidence and self esteem which got lost somewhere after Sagar's death. Things had surely changed for Khushali ever since her marriage to Sidharth.

"Sidharth! Wake up! I'm getting late!" yelled Khushali while getting ready. Since last half an hour she was telling Sidharth to wake up and get ready. After she resumed her job, she would leave for her work at eight with Sidharth and usually come back in evening at six with Meher or with Sidharth if he wasn't busy.

After coming back from work, she would relax for an hour then cook dinner. Once the dinner was done, the Mehra family would sit together and talk about their day, after which they all retire to their rooms. And that was when Khushali and Sidharth would talk to each other about their day and then go to sleep. And so the routine went on.

"Five more minutes Khushali. Just five minutes!" said a sleepy Sidharth.

Khushali groaned and said irritatedly, "What yaar Sidharth? Since last half an hour you're saying just five more minutes. Get up Sidharth it's already 7 now. I have early lectures today. Get up yaar Sidharth." She qyucikly brushed her hairs and applied vermillion on her hair partition.

Once she was done with that, she turned back and looked at her husband, who was still sleeping. She went upto him angrily, sat near him and began to shook him furiously. Still he wasn't getting up. So having no choice she forcefully made him get up and sit on the bed.

Sidharth yawned and rubbed his eyes. He opened his eyes and saw his darling wife glaring at him with anger in her eyes.

Slowly his lips curved into a smile and said sarcastically, "Good morning wifey! What happened wifey, showering so much love on your hubby? You know you should write a book, '101 Rudest Ways to Wake Your Husband Up!' I'm damn sure it will be a bestseller!"

Khushali grimaced and said annoyedly, "No thanks! And Mr. Mehra the reason I have to wake you up like that is because you don't wake up until someone forcefully ends your beauty sleep. Now get up na Sidharth. I'm getting late! Please!" She whined at the last part of her sentence.

Sidharth made an irritated face and huffed, "Wifey can't you let your hubby sleep peacefully? Even my mom never woke me up like you do. Two days back, you dipped my fingers in that hot coffee. What if my fingers got burned or something?"

Khushali chuckled and said mockingly, "Haan I didn't think about that. If your fingers got burned then how will you impress your clients. No problem! Next time when you won't get up na then I'll throw a bucket of cold water on you. It wouldn't do any harm to you!"

Sidharth scowled at her and muttered, "Wifey don't mess with you hubby! Once I'll start troubling you na then you'll beg me to stop! You haven't seen the prankster Sidharth yet!"

Khushali suppressed her laugh and replied, "Okay we'll talk about that later. Now get up!" She got up from the bed and moved towards the cupboard to take out Sidharth's clothes and towel.

She took them out and said, throwing the towel at Sidharth, "Here take your towel. I'm keeping your clothes on the recliner. Get ready fast! I'm going downstairs to arrange breakfast for us. Come fast or else I'll complain to papa about your 'Late Latifi'!"

Hearing his father's name, Sidharth swiftly got out if the bed and moved the bathroom, but not before scowling at Khushali, who just chuckled seeing his expression. Khushali knew if one person Sidharth dreaded, then it was his father.

Once Sidharth went inside the bathroom, she went downstairs to help out Mehar in arranging breakfast.

"Umm... Khushali wo one of my clients have organised a party this evening and we both are invited to it. Would you mind accompanying me to the party? I know you don't like parties and all but we'll go for only an hour and come back. He's one of my most important clients so it's mandatory for me to attend his party. Otherwise I wouldn't have asked you. So will you come?" asked Sidharth while driving the car.

They were on their way to Khushali's college from where after dropping Khushali, Sidharth would go to his office, a law firm which he and his elder brother owned.

Khushali thought for a while and said with hesitation, "Okay I'll accompany you. But promise me for only an hour! Okay?" Sidharth smiled at her and mumbled okay.

Soon they reached her college and Khushali stepped out of the car. She took her stuff and bid bye to Sidharth, "Bye Sidharth! Take care and have your lunch on time!"

Sidharth smiled and replied, "Yeah sure and you too! Bye! Will see you in evening!"
She smiled back and moved towards the entranced of the college. Once she went inside, Sidharth drove away to his office.

"Sidharth is really sweet! You know yesterday when he was waiting for you near the entrance, I met him and he asked me about my work and all and then went on to ask about you, like if you have any issues or something because of your sudden marriage to him. So I told him that there's nothing like that and I also told him that since your marriage to him, you have changed a lot, like you smile so much more than you ever did before and are so happy all the time. So he said that all he wants is to see you happy.

"I'm your best friend Khushali and I care about you, that's why I'm telling you that you're very lucky that you have Sidharth as your husband. He's a real keeper! I know you don't love him but he's worth your love Khushu! And somewhere he's better than Sagar. He understands you better than Sagar ever did! I hope you didn't mind that," said Khushali's best friend Raima. She and Khushali were best friends with each other since the age of 12 and were now professors in the same college.

They both were sitting in the college garden having coffee and sandwiches as it was break time and they both were free. When they were done, she told Khushali about her encounter with Sidharth. She had been to Khushali's house a couple of times after her marriage and was on friendly terms with Sidharth.

Khushali kept her book aside and sipped her coffee. She very silently heard what all Raima had to say. She looked at her fingers while Raima was speaking. Once she was done, she looked up and stared at Raima, who sipped her coffee trying to avoid her gaze.

After a couple of minutes of silence, Khushali spoke with a thoughtful tone, "I don't mind that at all Raima. You're not just my best friend but like my sister. I understand your concern regarding my happiness and I'm glad that I got friend like you. Talking about Sidharth, then I know he's really nice and sweet. But better than Sagar or not, I don't know that. Both of them are different individuals, we just can't compare them like that. I know Sidharth deserves love, but it's not a movie or fiction that everything will be fine and fall into places on its own.

"Even if I try, I can't force myself to fall for him. Sagar wasn't a small part of my life that I'll forget him so easily. He was in my life for five whole years! And in those five years, I imagined and weaved dreams about my life with him. But Ganeshji didn't approve them and snatched him away from me. Since the day I lost him, I lost my interest and faith in weaving dreams about my life. I'm scared to dream again/ I'm afraid of wishing and getting my hopes up again. I'm afraid to fall in love and get broken again!"

Raima squeezed Khushali's hand and said softly, "Khushu I'm sorry! I shouldn't have said all that! But Khushu all I have to say now is, give Sidharth a chance to make you fall in love with him, to make you dream again and most importantly make you live again. I'm sure he'll be able to remove your fears and make you believe in life again. For once try to open up about yourself to him like you do with me or Meher Di. Once let him see your pain. Unless and until you won't let him see how much wounded you are, how will he know what he has to do to cure them?

"So please try to let him come close to you emotionally. I know you're comfortable with him but Khushali he's your husband, it's his right to know how much his wife is suffering because of her past. Living in the same house in the same room, taking care of him, sharing about your work, doesn't make you his wife! Even friends can do that. For being his wife, you need to share your deepest secrets with him. Sagar would never come back and you need to accept that.

"I know you loved him a lot or even still do. But Khushali he's your past and you need to move on with your life with Sidharth. I'm not telling you to tell him everything at once but just try to give out small snippets about your past and your wounds. And as far as I've understand Sidharth, he's not someone who won't understand you because in this relationship, he's the one who's giving his 200%. Okay relax now, haan? Calm down! It's your life and marriage and you have to decide what you to have do! Relax!"

Raima wiped a few tears off Khushali face and passed her water to drink. She knew her best friend was still suffering and holding onto her past. The sad part was she didn't even want to share this with anyone! Raima knew Sidharth was really nice and the one who will bring her best friend back to life.

And in fact he has already started doing that as after her marriage, when Khushali resumed her job, she looked unusually happy and cheerful, like the old Khushali. Raima somewhere felt that Sidharth was better than Sagar because as much happy as she was after her marriage, she wasn't this happy even when Sagar was alive!

Raima understood that it wasn't the easiest thing for Khushali to fall in love with Sidharth but that didn't mean that she couldn't try. Raima had noticed a different sort of happy glint in Khushali's eyes whenever she talked on phone with Sidharth. She prayed in heart to Ganeshji to ease her best friend's pain and make her accept Sidharth as her life partner!

After a few minutes when Khushali felt better, she heard her phone ring and picked it up to see Sidharth calling her. Seeing that Raima said, "Go attend his call! Mr. Mehra is so much concerned about his wifey that he calls her everyday to make sure you had your lunch. Now what don't look at me and attend his call or else he would come here to check on you! And haan like I said, he's a real keeper!"

Khushali smiled weakly hearing her best friend's remark and received the call.

"Hello Khushali? You okay na? What took you so long to attend the call? Is everything alright? Should I come there? Khushali why aren't you speaking? Say something!" cried out a worried Sidharth.

Khushali instantly had a smile on her face hearing his concerned questions for her. She pressed her lips together and responded calmly, "I'm okay Sidharth! My phone was in my bag so took time to attend the call. Everything's alright. No need for you to come here as everything's fine. And I wasn't speaking because you were asking me so many questions without giving me a chance to speak. I hope I answered all of your questions."

She smiled when she heard him breath a sigh of relief. It was their routine to talk to each other during her break time. As much as Sidharth was chilled out and funny, when it came to people he cared about, he turned all serious and would go berserk to make sue they were fine.

Sidharth felt sheer relief when she said everything was fine. He didn't know why but he cared just too much for her and kind of feared losing her. Though he wasn't completely in love with her but still in these two months of marriage he had developed this attachment with her that he himself didn't know how to explain.

He spoke after a few seconds, "Yeah you answered all my questions. But you know you just scared me. I mean normally you attend my call in one ring only but today you picked my call on the third time I called you. Are you sure na you okay? You're voice is sounding a bit sad. Were you crying a while back?" He noticed little sadness in her voice and so asked her.

Khushali became surprised with her husband's question. She wondered how was he always able to guess her so easily. She didn't know how but he always guessed her mood easily.

She composed herself and tried to speak in her normal voice, "Oh nothing Sidharth. Just a little headache. You don't worry please."

Sidharth frowned knowing she was lying but just said, "Okay! Take medicine for headache. Acha I'll pick you up by 4 today. You remember na we have to go for my clients' party. You okay with that I mean with your headache....?"

"Yeah I remember that! No it's just a small headache. I'm fine! My last class will be over by 3:45 so yes it will be okay," replied Khushali.

Sidharth grinned and said teasingly, "Seems like my wifey is missing me that's why she has no problem leaving early from her work. Waise I'm like that only, you know so awesome that people miss me like anything!"

Khushali giggled hearing his comment and said, "Yeah people do miss crazyheads!"

She giggled again and Sidharth too chuckled and said in a fake complaining tone, "You underestimate your hubby a lot wifey! But no issues one day you will realise my worth! Then you'll say that 'Sidharth I'm so sorry that I always made fun of you. Please forgive me, I've realised your worth now!' Then you'll see how much I'll trouble you!"

Khushali chuckled again and snickered, "Keep dreaming Sidharth! Acha now I have to go for my class. Bye will wait for you at the entrance of the college at 4!"

Sidharth smiled to himself and said, "Yeah sure bye!"

As soon as she ended the call, she looked at Raima, who was smirking at her. She raised her eyebrows asking what's wrong. Raima shook her head and mumbled nothing. Khushali left from there for her class.

While seeing her retreating figure, Raima hoped for Khushali to soon understand that Sidharth was really the one for her. Maybe she thought of him as her friend but Raima had seen this care in his eyes which couldn't be mistaken for a friend's care. She wished to Ganeshji to fill their lives with happiness and love.

Sidharth picked Khushali at four in evening and soon both of them reached home. They both relaxed for a couple of hours. Around seven, they left for the party as the venue of the party was at quite a distance from their home.

Khushali wore a pretty baby pink colour ankle length anarkali suit while Sidharth was dressed in a grey business suit. Their drive was fun as they kept teasing each other about one or the another thing. They reached the party venue after an one hour long drive.

Khushali didn't know why but felt a little weird when she entered the hotel where the party was being held. She felt like someone was staring at her weirdly. She had been to many business parties since her dad was himself an industrialist. She felt like going home instead of the party. But she brushed the thought away as the party was pretty much like the parties she had attended before except she could still feel someone's gaze on her.

Sidharth noticed her weird expressions and asked her if she was okay to which she just replied nothing. Sidharth wasn't satisfied with her answer but couldn't ask her anything as they both were greeted by his client and his wife.

Sidharth kept his hand on her waist while introducing her to Khuranas, who had organised this party. Khushali felt slightly better being close to Sidharth but it was just for a few minutes. They both went inside and joined few of Sidharth's friends. Sidharth introduced Khushali to them. Khushali mumbled only hello to them though she could sense one of the guys staring at her. It made her uncomfortable again and she tried to avoid any interaction with that guy.

Since Sidharth was talking about work which friends, she didn't disturb him and went towards their table to sit. She sat their quietly and soon drifted herself to a memory of Sagar......

After their first meeting, Khushali and Sagar met each other at one of Tarun's friend's party. Khushali had always been a reserved person and never liked attending parties specially the one organised at lounge style places. She was sitting alone in corner when she felt someone tap her shoulder.

She was scared to turn back as she thought it was one of the drunk guys who were ogling at her but to her surprise it turned out to Sagar, who had a warm smile plastered on his face. Khushali breathed a sigh of relief seeing him and said, "Hi Sagar!"

Sagar sat in front of her and said, "Hello Khushali! I hope you didn't mind me sitting here!"

Khushali quickly replied, "No it's okay!" Saying so she looked away as she was still feeling uncomfortable there.

Sagar saw her looking away and knew she wasn't feeling nice there. He had noticed her discomfort before only and came towards her when he saw a drunk guy making his way towards her.

"So what are you doing here in this party? I mean looking at your face anyone can guess that you aren't someone who enjoys these sort of parties," Sagar asked curiously.

Khushali looked at him with astonishment and said in a sad voice, "Of course I don't like these sort of parties! But I had no choice today. My parents, Tarun Bhai's parents and my elder sister went for a wedding and I was alone at my home. Since Tarun Bhai couldn't leave me alone at home nor he could stay at home since his friends personally invited him, so he made me tag along with him. You know I literally hate these alcohol and hookah parties. I really want to go home. But Bhai is busy with his friends so I just would've to wait!"

Sagar listened to her keenly and said thoughtfully, "Okay! So this is the problem. No issues! You know I too hate these kind of parties but since my friends organised it, it was mandatory for me to attend it. But I have an idea! Would you mind joining me for a cup of coffee in that cafe across the street? I know I'm just a stranger for you but trust me I'm not a pervert! So you can trust me. Plus your brother will be just a few steps away from you so if you feel uncomfortable with me, then you can join him back! So will you...?"

Khushali looked at him and then thought for a few minutes. She had only two options, either to trust Sagar and go away from these wild party or to stay back and feel uneasy with all the drunken guys here. She looked at Sagar and thought for a moment. He seemed nice atleast better than all these weird guys here. She should say yes. At least she'll be free from these smoke and alcohol smell. And anyway her brother will be just across the street!

She bit her lower lips while thinking and then replied after making decision, "Umm okay! Let's go! I'll just inform Tarun Bhai."

Both of them entered the cafe and instantly felt hungry. They smiled sheepishly at each other and quickly ordered coffee and food for themselves and took their seat. Their food and coffee was soon served and they both ate it.

After that they talked about themselves, their families, their dreams, their career aims, and expectation. While talking they didn't realise how many cups of coffee they drank and how many hours they talked.

It was only around 4 in morning when Tarun came there to pick her up when finally Sagar and Khushali noticed the time and realised that they both talked for straight 7 hours! They bid bye to each other and while leaving both of them felt this unknown sort of attachment and closeness with each other and this feeling which neither of them experienced before. Unknown to them but this was the beginning of their love........

"Why are you sitting alone here Mrs. Mehra or should I call you Khushali?" Khushali's chain of thoughts broke and she looked up to find the same guy, Ishaan staring at her weirdly. She shifted in her place uncomfortably and looked for Sidharth but he was no where to be seen. She looked at Ishaan, who snapped his fingers in front of her. She gave him an angry glare but it had no effect on him.

As she didn't reply, Ishaan sat on the chair opposite her and said arrogantly, "I asked you something Khushali. By the way you must be knowing my name, I'm Ishaan, Sidharth's friend's brother. You know what you're really hard to resist and gorgeous. Well I'm like that too. You can see I'm a lot better than your so called husband who left you alone here while he is enjoying the party. Still you are cold with me! Anyway the song is really romantic, so Khushali would you like to dance with me?"

Khushali was completely irked with his stupid talks, gave him a stern look and warned him, "Listen it will be better if you leave me alone here! Ishaan or whoever you are, please leave! I'm not interested to talk to you let alone dance with you!"

But Ishaan didn't budge and was about to hold Khushali's hand which she had kept on the table, when someone held his hand in midway. He looked up to find Sidharth standing there, throwing daggers at him.

Sidharth wanted to end his conversation with his friends soon as he knew Khushali was feeling lonely here. But it wasn't in his hands as his friends were discussing about a very serious topic and he needed the information about it so he had no choice then to leave Khushali alone for a while.

Though he kept glancing at her time to time. He saw her looking lost and understood that she must be thinking about Sagar because he had noticed whenever Khushali used to think about Sagar, she always had a lost look on her face and some sadness in her eyes! And this usually happened when she was left alone as then she would just let herself relive those memories with Sagar.

But somewhere a small part in his heart, Sidharth hated this. He hated the fact that Khushali still recalls her memories with Sagar. But why did he have a problem with her thinking about Sagar? Of course she was still in love with Sagar. Then why did he feel bad? He was her husband just for the namesake otherwise he was only her friend and nothing more. Why did it affect him that she relive her good times spend with Sagar, instead of making new memories with him? Did he really consider her just a friend or was he falling for her....? He didn't know!

Once the discussion was over, Sidharth was walking towards Khushali when he got a call and went out to attend it as it was quite noisy inside the hall. After ending the call, he went inside and saw Ishaan about to hold Khushali's hand, who had a disgusted look on her face. Ishaan's act infuriated him and he quickly strode towards them. He furiously grabbed Ishaan's hand, yanking him up from his seat.

He glared at Ishaan and threatened him, "When she's telling you that she doesn't want to talk to you then why the hell are you troubling her? And what were you saying that she's irresistible haan, atleast show some respect towards women. Instead of making them feel uncomfortable, try to be a real man. If I ever saw you anywhere near my wife then you'll see what I'll do with you! Now leave before I go and tell your brother how respectful you are towards his friend's wife! Leave!"

Ishaan scorned at him and looked at Khushali but Sidharth stood in front of hers. Seeing Sidharth's exasperated expression, Ishaan quickly left knowing well what Sidharth was capable of.

Once Ishaan left, Khushali got up from her chair and stood beside Sidharth, feeling much better and relaxed than before.

Sidharth looked at her with apologetic expressions and said in a embarrassed voice, "I'm sorry Khushali! I shouldn't have left you alone here. But the discussion was quite crucial so I had no other choice! I'm promise this won't happen again!"

Khushali gave him a small smile and said calmly, "It's okay Sidharth! Your work is more important! Umm..If you're done with that, can we please go home? It'll take us time to reach home so I think we should leave!"

Sidharth shook his head and said, "Yeah we should go now! Come we'll meet Mr. and Mrs. Khurana and leave!"

Both of them met the Khuranas and left for their home. This time they both were silent as Sidharth was embarrassed for his carelessness and Khushali was gloomy thinking about Sagar and Ishaan's behaviour with her.

On their way, Sidharth noticed Khushali being unusually silent and decided to cheer her up, after all it was his fault. He knew Khushali was disgusted with Ishaan's behaviour.

He saw an ice cream parlour and stopped his car in front of it. As he stopped the car, Khushali looked at him with a questioning look. Sidharth motioned it from his towards the ice cream parlour but Khushali didn't get that and asked with confusion, "What are you trying to tell me?"

Sidharth shook his head and said dramatically, "Uff wifey you're such a tubelight! I'm asking you which ice cream you wanna have. Please don't say that you don't like ice creams because I've seen you eating it secretly. Now c'mon let's have ice cream and then we'll go home."

Khushali scowled at him and huffily said, "I'm a tubelight? Haan? Go and have your ice cream I won't have it! And yeah I like ice cream so what? You called me a tubelight na, what you are Mr. Sleepyhead? That's so mean of you!"

Sidharth chuckled and said immediately, "Ohho wifey is whining because I called her tubelight! What yaar wifey you're behaving like a little kid! But you know I really love this side of yours. I really wish when we'll have kids, I want us to have a daughter with this trait of yours!"

Khushali looked at him and then looked down to hide her embarrassment. She fumbled with her words as she didn't know what to say. Sidharth understood her situation and said, "C'mon wifey, let's have ice cream!" Khushali gave him a nod and stepped out of the car.

Both of them had ice creams and again got in the car but this time it wasn't silent like before as both of them were arguing about which ice cream flavour was better. "I'm telling you na Sidharth, chocolate chip flavour is the best! Nothing can beat it in its taste!" exclaimed Khushali.

Sidharth disagreed and said, "Of course not! Blueberry is best! Chocolate chip is nothing compared to it!"

Their argument went on and on and soon they reached home. After changing her clothes, Khushali came out of the washroom, she saw Sidharth sitting on the recliner with a strange look on his face. She went towards him and approached him. "Sidharth, you okay?"

Sidharth looked up at her and asked with uncertainity, "Yeah! Wo actually I was wondering, you okay na? I mean I've seen you looking lost. Is everything alright? Is it something related to your past? If something is bothering you then you can share it me!"

Khushali was flabbergasted with what Sidharth said and looked away to avoid his gaze. Sidharth, after not getting any response from her said, "It's okay if you don't want to talk about it! I understand! It's late now and we should sleep!"

Saying so Sidharth went and lied on his side of bed and closed his eyes. He was a little hurt with Khushali's silence. He do wanted to know what she was holding inside in her heart because he had understood one thing very well that though Khushali was comfortable and friendly with him, she still hadn't let him come emotionally close to her and for understanding her and her pain better, and he needed to know her past, which had its own significance for him, he first need to make her trust him. But he would never force her for sharing it with him until she herself won't be ready. And the reason for this was simple, 'All I want is you to be happy and lively like before Khushali!'

Khushali didn't know how to react to his questions. She remembered her conversation with Raima, who told her to share snippets of her past with Sidharth. She knew Sidharth was hurt but she couldn't do anything about it. She did want to share her past with him Sidharth but she didn't have the strength to do so. She just couldn't open up her heart's deepest chambers to him. She trusted Sidharth but she just didn't trust herself to be strong enough to open herself to him and still be fine. She really hoped he'll understand her and her silence.

With this thought in her mind, she went and lied on the bed and closed her eyes. But sleep was faraway from her as her mind kept wondering about her conversation with Raima and Sidharth's question. She turned her face towards Sidharth and found him sleeping. She slowly caressed his hairs and smiled to herself, thinking that maybe what Raima said was right. She should share her past with him. But loving him..? It wasn't at all easy forhere to fall in love again and forget Sagar. But that didn't mean she didn't cherish her friendship with him. No matter what, she will alway cherish him and their friendship!

But will Khushali really be able to open her hearts' deepest chambers and let him come emotionally close to her? Or will someone from her past hold her back from doing so? And Sidharth's past? When she'll encounter ghosts from his past, will she understand him or will it break them apart?

Hey guys! Geez this is the longest chapter so far! But it's a treat for you all since TSOUHF crossed 1K! Yippie! :)

Sorry for errors and typos! Hope you love it! My pmts are over now so now I'll get more time to write chapters of this book. Once I've written enough chapters, I'll give biweekly updates. Till then bear with me! Updates will be on Wednesday! :)

Hope you enjoyed! Do vote and comment! :)