Manya' s Pov

It's a perfect day.

The weather is not too chilly, but chilly enough to keep me cozy up with a book in my blanket.

Plus, HE IS HERE TOO!

I was surprised when he made the suggestion to see the sunrise together.

That too JUST ME AND HIM.

JUST US. ALL ALONE.

I don't know where I should just curse him or kiss him for looking this good even though he just woke.

It's been a long time since I saw him in casual.

The cutest part is HIS MESSY, FLUFFY HAIR standing in all direction possible. He is looking just like a puppy.

" what's the time?" he asked while yawning.

"6:30- Ish" I replied.

" Good, the sun is about to rise."

" And we are about to reach?"

" Yeah, that's where we are sitting.... I have heard that area has got the best view!" He said while grinning.

By the time , we reached the spot , the sun has risen.

" Wait!" he shouted.

He removed his jacket and laid it on the floor.

" Now sit" he said proudly.

" Are you sure?" I asked.

" Yeah, wouldn't want your pants to get soiled."

" What about your jacket then ?"

" Too late, it's already on the floor, now sit." He pushed my shoulder making me sit on his jacket.

" Thank you!!"

" Here" he said while giving me a wild flower.

" It's quite cute, Thank you."

He smiled like a literal puppy.

The comfortable silence dawns on us. No one speaks and continue to admire the rising sun.

I looked at him and found him looking at me.

At that moment, my heart skipped a beat as our eyes locked, a rush of warmth flooding in my body. In that silent exchange, I sensed an echo of my own feelings reflected in his gaze—a connection, an unspoken bond.

" Manya" I heard someone shouting from afar.

"Manya" the voice almost shouted coming nearer.

" MANYA" I felt a shake waking me up from the daydream.

" Didi aap zinda hai???" Anshika asked sarcastically. " Main itni der se bula rhi hu sunn nhi paa rhi ??? Kya socch rhi thi?"

" kucch nhi .... Bas ek nightmare."

" Uske baare mein socch rhi thi na..*sigh* Bhai..."

" Nhi socch rhi thi uske baare mein ... bas yuhi dimaag mein kucch chal rha tha"

" Kya chal rha tha ?" She asked while giving me a weird smirk with a side eye.

" Sharam kar le .... Khule aam aise baare karte hue sharam nhi aati " I asked rhetorically.

"Naa" she said with no shame.

" Hello"

I turned and I regretted coming here.

Here he was, the biggest regret of my life, standing in his all glory.

Even after all this time his physical appearance has not changed that much.

He was still paradox embodied – round face with soft features giving him a puppy face but an enigmatic allure of Black cat.

And those glasses.

He wore the same glasses.

" Hi..." Anshika replied awkwardly.

I just turned took a glass of peach mojito from a passing by waiter's tray.

Hi, Hello kare meri jutti

".... Okay" he chuckled uncomfortably.

" So..." Ved said.

" So...?" replied Anshika.

" How are you " he asked.

" Been better" she replied.

I know why Anshika is replying like that . I may hate him but Anshika loathes him. After seeing me in that condition, she took a vow to make him pay the price.

But I didn't think she would start that like this.

" Hey Manya, looking beautiful "

I ignored.

The situation was getting awkward. But both me and Anshika were determined not to talk to him.

"MANYA!!!!" Shouted abhav happily.

" ABHII!!!" I cried out.

He came running and embracing me in a bone crushing hug.

" Kaisi hai ?"

" Mera itna life kharab ho gyaaaaa" I said while wiping my invisible tears.

"Aur lo architecture." Chimed in Anshika.

" kya kisi ne aap se aap ki rai mangi ?" I deadpan.

"Oh hey Anshika" Abhav greeted.

" bade jaldi dekha" she said sarcastically.

" I like to save the best one for the last" He said flirtatiously.

" please aap humse door rhe ... aapke irade theek nhi hai" said Anshika while making a digusted face and shifting a little away from him.

With a wink aimed at her, he conveyed " Abhi toh aapko humare irado ke baare mein pta bhi nhi hai."

I am cognizant that were I to mention her blushing, she would be overwhelmed with embarrassment more like to be mortified, yet she would not admit it. But those rosy ears and neck is not fooling anyone.

" Uhmm, would anyone like to drink something ? I was going...... " Ved tried asked awkwardly.

I took a champagne from a waiter, gulped down the entire thing in one shot and forced a smile at him.

"Wow" he said while gulping.

" Uhm Anshika ...." He turned towards her.

" Anshika, take this" I said by handing a glass.

" Abhav , here" offering him one as well.

" Thank you" he accepted awkwardly, seeing his best friend getting ignored.

" Manya, you look....." Ved tried to speak again.

" So abhav, how's work ? Any new projects? It still baffles me to Know that YOU became a lawyer. Don't take this wrong, I just mean like I never imagined you as a lawyer, you always looked like a successful entrepreneur or an army man."I said while interrupting him.

"Well, I was always decided that whatever Ved would choose it would be the right path for me as well." He said while clapping his hand on Ved's shoulder, eyes filled with pride and brotherly love.

" Yeah, someone once suggested me to become one due to my personality." Ved said while looking at me like remembering something.

And my heart dropped.

Before I could reliaze I heard myself saying " Well whosoever said must know you well enough,

I mean ek lawyer ko dhokha dene ki toh aadat hi hoti hai, tumhare liye koi nayi baat toh hogi nhi . Haina?"

Anshika gasped loudly.

Abhav was shocked.

Ved went pale, he looked hurt.

And I felt sick to my stomach. No matter how much I hate him I would never say that to anyone.

Seeing him after all these years with my pent-up frustration from work and overwhelming emotions; is really bring my worst side out.

All four of us went silent.

No amount of Abhav's joke and flirting can make this situation less overwhelming.

I'm divided into two sides :

My rational side is screaming to apologize to him, no matter what happened a decade ago, he should not be treated this way.

But my petty and emotional side is trying to convince me to just say all things you have to say to him, SAY IT , and get it over with it. I have already started this so I should just take it all out.

Contemplating what to do I saw two familiar faces afar behind ved and abhav.

This is it!

" Excuse me" I said while walking away again like I did all those years ago.

Ved's POV

I just don't know what to say.

I know that she hated me.

I mean any sane person would do after pulling a nonsense like that.

And I know that I should have excepted a reaction like that ... but it hurts.

It hurts a lot.

There are so many things that I wanted to know about her.

How has she been?

What's her favorite pastime ?

Does she visit all the places that we used to hangout at like I do ?

Does she still reads that book that I gave her? I made special annotation for her. Has ever opened those books?

Or

Does she still misses me ? Our time? Our moments? Like I do ?

But I guess I should have scratch such thoughts after that DAMNED day.

I felt Abhav pulling me somewhere while saying something to Anshika.

I couldn't hear him.

My mind was all jumbled.

I guess all those memories, all those presents, those books where like a nightmare to her now.

I guess I'm the only one whose still stuck in that memories. Hoping that maybe she would let that mistake go.

But I was so wrong.

So

So

Wrong

About her.

AGAIN.

"VED!" I felt abhav shaking me.

" Bhai tu theek hai ? Mujhe laga nhi tha ki Manya aisa react karegi." He said worriedly.

" it's okay man, I mean what was I expecting?"

" lekin ussne aisa kiya kyu ? You said that she was busy with her exams and practicals, so you two just drifted apart. But I don't think that's how you react to someone you just naturally drifted apart with."

He asked seriously, with determination.

"Ved, tu mujhse kya chhupa rha hai ?"

__________________________

Thank you for reading :)
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