Next morning, Udayan woke up with a severe hangover. He sat on his bed trying to recall the reason for this headache, and then it came to him. He somehow forced himself to leave the bed and freshen up.

After some time, he decided to go to Mishti's place but later dropped the plan as his head was hurting and Raina wasn't there anymore. Before he could decide anything else, the door of his room opened and Mishti entered along with Vicky. She had lemonade in one hand and Raina's gift in another. She handed it to him silently and he looked at her face.

In a second he understood that she was mad at him. He dared not utter a word as everybody knew what an angry Mishti could do. He slowly sipped the lemonade.

Mishti: Why were you so late?

Udayan knew that it was better to speak the truth.

Udayan: I...I went to the pub.

Mishti: Why did you drink?

Udayan: Wo... Work load.

Mishti: Uday, don't you dare lie to me. Tell me why you didn't came to see off Raina and then drank so heavily?

She looked intensely in his eyes. As he could feel her eyes penetrating his soul he turned and faced the wall.

Udayan: I told you Mishti. It's work load.

At this Vicky forcefully jerked him towards himself.

Vicky: Tu sach bolega ki nahin?

At this Udayan couldn't stop himself and his eyes welled up. Seeing this condition, Vicky's grip loosened and he looked at Mishti for support.

Mishti hurriedly asked Udayan to sit and sat near his knees. She handed him the box Raina had gifted him.

Mishti: This is for you from Raina. Yes, she would be back but this was a thank you gift from her. She desperately wanted to give it to you but.....

Udayan opened the box slowly. He was surprised on seeing it's content.

Udayan: She... She remembered it.

Vicky: Remembered what?

Udayan: Some days back we were walking by an antique store and saw this pocket watch at display. I told her that my father used to have the same but it got lost when we were moving houses. That is so sweet of her to remember this.

He suddenly stood up.

Udayan: But this is giving me a reason to fall for her more. God. I hate this.

The couple was shocked.

Mishti: Wait... What??? You... You love Raina. Do you seriously know what are you talking about?

Udayan: Yes, I do. I never realized it before her decision to go. I don't know what to do?

Vicky: Karna kya hai, arry apne nawab sahab ko pyaar ho gaya hai. Aaj to party hogi!!!

Mishti was serious.

Mishti: No.. wait. Uday are you mad? You fell in love with her. She is your bhabhi's cousin. This relationship is not possible. This is not Hum Apke Hain Kaun going on. Just forget her. Don't call her, don't have any communication with her. Please try for your sake. Please. We don't want to make anything worse, right?

Udayan: Right. Everything is over. Argh I hate myself... And I miss her.

The last sentence he had said to himself. He wasn't able to throw away the gifts so he kept it safely in the locker.

Back at home, Raina reached. She decided to call Udayan as she hadn't heard from him.

Udayan was sitting on his bed alone. He pulled his hair in frustration. Suddenly he felt his phone vibrating and saw Raina's name on display.

Oh, how he wanted to pick it up. To talk to her. To suffice his agony. To confess everything. But then came Mishti's words back to him.

No I have to be strong. No Udayan.

He kept the phone on the bed and left the room. His phone was still vibrating.

Raina was tensed on not having any reply from him.

Raina: Udayan always picks up my calls. What is the matter with him? Have I done something wrong? What have I done? Udayan please phone pick kar lo. I am sorry.

                        *********
   
                 AUTHOR'S NOTE

Hi people,

How was this chapter? Bechara Udayan. Raina ko lagta hai uski galti hai. Do you think Mishti is right? What say?

Any suggestions????

                    Love Love ♥️
A.S.