Aarav really did go to meet an old friend of his, who had settled in Delhi, at a Cafe.
After reliving some great memories with him and enjoying his company, Aarav stepped out of the Cafe and was looking for an Autorickshaw for studio apartment.

While looking around himself, he saw Keya.
Keya was with her trekking rucksack on the opposite side of the road, in front of a huge hotel.
Keya was in Delhi itself?
Didn't she leave for Mohali?
A girl, younger to Keya by 4-5 years approached her from behind and closed her eyes.
Keya smiled, Aarav had never seen that smile of Keya ever before, it looked like she was genuinely happy after a long time.
Keya turned around and hugged that girl tight and kissed her forehead.
The girl and Keya disappeared in the hotel.
Aarav was seriously confused with all the happenings around Keya from the time they were in India.
He reached the studio apartment, cooked Pasta for himself and ate it while watching stand up comedy videos on the internet.
Still one side of his head was constantly concerned with Keya and her mystery.

On the right time, he checked out of the studio apartment, and went to the airport where he directly had to meet Keya.
She soon came in and they left for Mumbai.
Sam and Zahra were at the airport already to receive them.
"I told them not to come and spend sometime alone.", Aarav whispered when he and Keya, walked over to the two.
"I see the bracelet!", Keya excitedly said to Sam, hugging Zahra.
Sam flashed a grin.
"Zahra, I am still taking this wonderful duty to ask you, will you be fine with this idiot?", Aarav asked jokingly giving Zahra a side hug.
"Yes, more than you I will be okay with him.", Zahra replied flicking her hair.
"Wow! 3 v/s 1 now, is it?", he asked the other three.
Sam and Keya just shrugged whereas Zahra hugged him again and said, "Nope, You are my best friend and I am always on your side."
"You two?", Keya asked.
"Best friends?", Sam continued.
"Yes, idiot! Where do you think I got the idea of dressing nice and getting you a gift too from?", Zahra asked.

"Traitor!", Sam exclaimed kicking Aarav.
"Ouch! Okay, What do you want me to do? The poor girl could have got scared. And I didn't tell her the plan, I just told her you might love your India trip for different reasons.", He said making an innocent pout.

"I didn't mind the hint it even made me more excited! ", Zahra said smiling lovingly at Sam.
He kissed her back on the forehead.

"How was Mohali, Keya?", Sam asked as they sat in Uber, driving up to Aarav's house.
"Good.", Keya replied with a brief smile.

Why was she lying? Thats what Aarav thought. 
She was not in Mohali but in Delhi and a straightforward person like Keya doesn't lie usually. What was making her do this?
__________________________

Aarav knocked on and his mother opened the door.
"MAA!", he said hugging her and kissing her forehead.
His mother looked so happy hugging him and welcomed him inside and welcomed Sam and Zahra in an equally warm manner.
Keya was standing up last.
"Welcome home Beta, Please come in.", Aarav's mom said with a smile and hugged her.
A lone tear escaped Keya's eye and she quickly wiped it up before anyone saw.

"Come on! You all must be hungry, have already set up the dinner table.", His mom said and ushered all the kids at the dining table.

A middle aged man came down the stairs with a warm smile.
"Papa!", Aarav's instantly lit up and he rushed to him and touched his feet and hugged him.
Keya realised he was close to his dad, as he always told.

Everyone settled at the dinner table, with Aarav catching up with his mom- dad, jokes and fun going around the table.

Everyone post that departed to their rooms to sleep.
With the parents in their room, Aarav and Sam in Aarav's room, and the girls in the guest room.

____________________________

Mr. Kohli (Aarav's dad) on the terrace of their row house to write his diary as usual.

"Keya? Beta what are you doing here?", he asked.
"Nothing much uncle, I was not getting any sleep, so I came up to have some fresh air.", she replied with a polite smile.
"Oh that's okay. How is college?", he asked trying to strike a conversation.
"Its great.", she replied with a smile.

"How is Aarav, does he irritate you?", he asked with a chuckle.
"No uncle. He is a gentleman and he is doing very well too.", Keya said.

All the jokes and teasing on a side, Aarav was a great person to be friends with, the way he carried himself, the respect and compassion he had for the people he cared for, was indeed a commendable quality of his.
After moments of silence, she advanced towards the terrace door to go to bed,

She stopped in tracks, "Uncle, he will make you proud one day, whatever he pursues in life, irrespective of it, he will make you so proud.", she said.

"I am already proud of my kiddo. I know he is already working on his dream startup, he is going to be big soon.", he replied looking at the night sky.

Keya smiled and got in the house from the terrace. She stopped the record button on her phone, it was creepy but she knew those words from his father's mouth were very precious for Aarav, when the time comes she will gift the recording to him.
Afterall, they were bestfriends.

______________________

Mumbai, the city with a heart beat.
Next day morning, Aarav and his friends were out and about in Mumbai, looking at monuments, places that Mumbai was known for.
They had lunch at a local hub serving local delicacies.

Aarav's POV
We were going back to home in my car.
My mind has been only on one thing sincs the past two days, its Keya and her behaviour that night.
I know it shouldn't matter to me nor should I poke nose in her personal life but  something is drawing me to her and her behaving so strange, bothers me for a strange unknown reason.
I will have to do something.
"Lets play a small game till we reach home.", I suggested with a smirk playing on my lips.
"Okay!", the other three chorused.
"The game goes like, each person asks three questions to the person sitting opposite of them in the circle, since we are playing this in the car we can go in the anti-clockwise manner, that is, Zee asks to Sam, Sam to me, I will ask Tom and Tom will ask Zee.", I explained.
"Weird.", Keya commented.
"But it sounds fun.", Sam said in my agreement before I could debate with her further.
"Here is a small twist in the game.", I said smirking implying my plan, "Whatever 1st question the person asks to you, you have to answer yes! So make your question as much fun as you want!"

3rd person's PoV
"Where did you learn this stupid game?", Keya asked rolling her eyes.
"I am a creative guy, I created it!", Aarav said with a smirk.
"Stupid creation.", Keya muttered.
"Whatever, jealousy is speaking within you.", he said smirking.
"Okay! Lets play it!", Keya said giving in.

"I will start!", Zahra said.
"Do you really think Durjoy Dutta is super gorgeous than you?", She asked Sam the first question.
"UGH... Aarav Kohli you will pay for this stupid game.", Sam said.
"Yes.", he further said defeated.
" Do you really like me or love me?", she asked with a blush.
"Yes of course, I love you.", He said intwining hands with her.
"Lastly, Okay since i am out of questions, Can I hug you?", she asked.
"How mushy are these two?!", Aarav exclaimed shaking his head and Keya nodded absent minded, she seemed lost.

"Okay softy, 1st question, Do you agree that you are an absolute shit head of a person and I am stuck being best friends with you?", Sam asked firstly.
"Yes.", Aarav said rolling his eyes.
"Do you believe that some poor innocent girl is really going to say yes to marry you?!", he asked giggling.
"Can anyone say no to this charming face?", he asked pointing to his face, flashing a grin.
Keya and Zahra quickly exchanged glances and chorused, "NO!", and started laughing, joined by Sam.
"Whatever, with you two it's different. Zee has bad choices in life and Tom you are not even a proper girl!", he said sticking out his tongue to both like a five year old.

"Third Question, What are your plans with Sonali?", he asked a little serious.
"Lets see where it goes.", Aarav replied looking at the road.
"Why do you always say such things?", Keya asked shrugging.
"I said the truth. Anyways, back to the game. Tomboy, its your turn.", Aarav said with a smirk.
"First question, Am I allowed to ask you more than 3 questions?", he asked with fake puppy dog eyes.
"I hate you Aarav. Yes.", she said straightening up.
"Okay Tom, this is a rapid fire.", he said.
Aarav smiled to himself, he needed his answers.

Aarav-A
Keya-K

A-Favourite food?
K- Subway, Mexican Patty with Extra Mustard.
A-Favourite movie?
K- Sivaji The Boss
*It got more spontaneous and quick*
A-Place?
K- Sydney
A-Memory?
K-Childhood
A-Person?
K- Aka...Avani, my sister Avani.

"Keya!? We are friends since so many months, you didn't tell me you have a sister?", Zee asked shocked.
"We never really talked about our families.", she said suddenly a little nervous.
"You have got be kidding me, K, you practically know about all of our families.", Sam said shocked.
"Okay, you never really asked me.", she said shrugging her shoulders.
"Maybe we never asked.", Aarav said smiling to himself.
They reached home meanwhile.
Aarav now knew that the girl he saw with Keya that day was Avani, her sister.
The dinner was good again and then everyone spoke for a while before going to sleep.
But not Keya and Aarav.
Aarav was still wanting more answers, he didn't really know what was he doing but he really wanted to know her better.
Keya was not getting any sleep, so she was listening to music sitting on the front porch of the house.
Aarav had gone to take a bottle of water for himself when he saw Keya.
He quietly went up to her from behind to scare her.
As he was going to put a hand on her waist and lift her up the ground, she turned back and floored him, literally.

"Ouch! Keya! You need to stop doing that to me.", he said getting up and rubbing his shoulder with his hand.
"Never sneak up on me.", she said pulling out her earphones.
"Why aren't you sleeping?", he asked sitting beside her.
"Not sleepy.", She briefly replied.
"Want to go out for a bit?", he asked.
"Okay.", she said getting up.
Aarav and Keya got into the car and Aarav tuned in the keys, but the car didn't start.
He tried it again but no results.

Keya got off and signalled him to open the hood of the car and he did so and got out.
Keya was examining a few strings here and there and she looked out at a few other chosen wires.
"There is some bigger issue with your car. You will have to get a mechanic tomorrow.", she said closing the hood and taking out the car keys and handing them over to him.
"Care for a walk?", he asked.
"Okay, lets go.", she said.
They got out of the house and started walking in a random direction.
"So you are a part time mechanic too?", he asked with a chuckle.
"You can say so.", she replied briefly.
"So.. Who is Avani?", he asked as they strolled.
"My sister.Told you already.", she said with a shrug.
"Nope, I mean you never really told about her.", he suggested.
"Avani Mittal, age 21, my younger sibling, lives in Delhi for studies. I love her a lot. Is the information enough for your CBI inquiry?", she asked raising a brow.
"Okay sorry, I asked just like that. Did you meet her in Delhi?", he asked.
"Nope. I had to go to Mohali, remember?", she said lying.
"I see.", he said with a smile.

"Apni Bandi ko leke raat ko kya karne nikla hai shaane?", they suddenly heard
a rough voice demanding.
They looked at a distance, there was a person standing a little away, under streetlight.
"What's wrong?", Aarav wondered aloud, since being in Australia from many years, he had picked up a bit of accent when it came to English.
"Angrez hai?", the man came nearer asking.
"Keya we might be in a trouble.", he whispered.
"Don't panic Aarav, just be calm.", Aarav saw an unusual confidence in her voice.

In the course of this brief conversation, four other goons popped up out of nowhere.
Aarav held Keya's hand and protectively shifted her behind him.
"Jo kuch bhi hai hume de de!", the man from the former conversation who seemed like the leader of the gang told.
"Kuch nahi hai humare paas.", Keya said calmly coming in front.
"What are you doing?!", Aarav whispered.
"I am doing what I should.Stay calm.", she replied.
"Aapas mein chikchik mat karo! Jo hai woh hume de do!", the other member said in a raised voice.
"Nahi denge!", Keya said straight away.
"Tu bhughtegi tera anjaam fir ladki!", the guy warned.
"Filmy dialogue mat maar! Kuch dam hai bhi?", Keya said chuckling.
"Tu ruk!!", the leader said and advanced towards Keya.
Aarav came in the way to save her and the goon's punch landed on his face.
"Oww!", he winced.
Two goons held Keya and the other two held Aarav and the leader started punching and kicking Aarav.
"I have to do something." , Keya told herself.
She applied her karate skills in bringing down the two goons who were holding her. She then advanced towards the guys who held Aarav and taught them a good lesson, at last she was beating the leader when one of the gang members came up to her and said sorry and also to leave their chief.
After they went, Keya asked Aarav, "Will you be fine walking back home?", with stern expressions.
He nodded wincing in pain.
They had only come a little away from home so it took them a few minutes to reach back there.
"Keya..", he said panting a little, "Please don't wake up right now, everyone will get tensed.",he said with a smile.
Keya sighed and asked, "First Aid?", Aarav told that it was in the kitchen.
She went to the kitchen got the first aid kit and supported up to climb up the stairs till terrace.
She made him sit on one of the edges and started doing his first aid.
"What about you?", he asked in pain as she applied the disinfectant.
"Keep you hand straight!", she said in a raised voice.
"Are you fine Keya?", he asked a little scared at her approach.
"What is wrong with you Aarav Kohli!!? I was tackling the issue but you thought, 'Oh! Keya is the lady I am the man, I have to protect her!', and you pounced in the front! I can protect myself Aarav! If you cannot handle something, you stay away from it!", she suddenly bursted into a speech.
"I was trying to help you Keya! That's it!", he shouted back, getting up from the edge.
She went towards the staircase that lead into the house murmuring, "I can't afford losing more people!", but Aarav caught it.
This shocked him so much.
Keya cannot lose more people? What did that mean?
Was someone special to her in trouble?
Was someone close to her under life threat?
More specifically, why was she so concerned about Aarav?
Were they that close now?
All these questions made Aarav twist and turn in bed all night...
______________________
*Next morning*
All the bags were packed and the gang was all set to go back to Australia.
"Aunty it was so great to meet you and uncle.", Zahra said touching their feet and greeting them goodbye.
Keya didn't know what ran over her head, she touched his dad's feet and rushed into his mother's arms, who got startled at first and then responded with equal love.

"Take care of yourself! Don't do stupid things like this.", Aarav's mom said hugging him and his dad just patted his shoulder and smiled.
At the breakfast table, they explained what happened and were asked only a few questions luckily. Keya and Aarav had not talked since the night before.

"I will go to the washroom and then join you guys in the cab.", Keya said and went to the washroom.
"I forgot my phone in my room, will get it.", Aarav said going up the staircase.
The others proceeded out to arrange the baggage in car trunk.
She came out of the washroom, to see Aarav standing right outside.
"I am sorry. I shouldn't have shouted at you.", he said with a genuine smile.

"Aarav, I am sorry too! I overreacted. Its just that I don't like when people put themselves in danger for me. Okay?", she stated straightforwardly with a smile.
"Will keep that in mind. Waise you are a full-on tomboy, I thought I had the special privilege of being your Karate victim but god! I pity those goons!", he joked and ran outside.
"You!!", said Keya running after him.

Back in Sydney, everything would be fine..Or Not?
Also, What is Keya's mystery? (No commitments but most probably in the next chapter)
_____________
Hello Readers!!
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Monu-Unique🌚