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Rahul and Athiya were looking at each other. Rishu being Rishu whistled seeing them lost which broke their trance and they stood at some distance. Athiya almost ran from there whereas Rahul too went from there sensing the teasing gazes above him.

The entire day passed like a normal one when Rahul and Athiya didn't really get time with each other and whenever they got Rahul used to run away. Once again Rahul has actually run away and was at terrace pacing here and there. Rohit and Virat came there and saw him. They shook their heads on this idiot kiddo of their.

Rohit: Rah..

Rahul: Haan..

Virat: You should be in your room. Phir se Sardi lag jayegi

Rahul: Haan jata hoon abhi

Rohit: Athiya will be waiting for you Rah.

Rahul: Haan..

He said biting his nails. Virat smacked his hand.

Virat: Rah stop this and tell me what's the problem?

Rahul: Vi Bhai.. B-Ro woh..

Rohit: Kya hua?

Virat: Kuchh hua hai kya Rah? Anything which is disturbing you?

Rahul: Nahi.. It's just that.. Main.. mujhe nahi samaj aa raha usko kaise batau apne decision ke bare me.

Rohit: Apne muh se

Rahul gave him a look.

Virat: Is it only this?

Rahul looked at other side. RohiRat looked at each other.

Rohit: Main coffee leke aaya Vi..

Rohit went from there giving them some privacy as he knew Rahul would not say everything in front of him. Rahul sighed as he sat on the bench there and burried his face in his palms.

Rahul: You guys don't have to reschedule your time because of me.

Virat: We aren't. Ro coffee laye tab tak ka time hai tumhare paas. Now spill the beans

Rahul (sighing): Bhaiya..

Virat took him in a side hug.

Virat: You okay Rah?

Rahul: I don't have any other option bhaiya..

Virat: Rah aisa nahi hai kiddo..

Rahul snuggled more into hug.

Rahul: I can't fall weak bhaiya.. at least not now..

Virat: Achchha theek hai. I am with you okay. Now tell me clearly what's the problem?

Rahul broke the hug.

Rahul: I don't know how to tell her my decision Bhaiya..

Virat was about to say something to joke about it but Rahul continued

Rahul: Without giving her any false hope

Virat dropped his idea of joke about it as he got the seriousness of the situation Rahul was dealing with.

Virat: Rah.. bahut sensitive matter hai. Aur isme misunderstanding ki koi jagah nahi hai. So be clear with your words. Agar dil se bologe to woh samjegi. Kuchh bhi otherwise nahi legi. Aur tumhara man bhi shant rahega

Rahul: Lekin main usko bolu kya?

Virat: Wahi jo tum usko mante ho

Rahul: Wife??

Virat: Na.. Yeh tum kaha mante ho?

Rahul: Bhai aisa nahi hai..

Virat: Aisa hi hai Rah.. warna tum dono ke beech ki itni sensitive aur personal baat itni asaani se bahar nahi aati. Sab ko dikhna ek baat hoti hai aur khud acknowledge karna alag. She acknowledged it. Tumne kaise bola tha Rah that usko yakin sa ho gaya ki tum uske sath uncomfortable ho and tum dono ke beech me aage shayad kabhi kuchh nahi hoga.

Rahul looked down.

Virat: Rah.. She is very much vulnerable and fragile right now. Aise time pe tumhara uske sath hona hi uske liye itni badi baat ho gayi hai to socho kitna akela lagta hoga usko. Choose your words wisely Rah. I won't spare you if my sister got hurt by your words

Rahul: I'll take care of her Bhai.

Virat nodded in yes. Rahul got up to go when Rohit came there with coffee.

Rohit: Rah you want some?

Rahul shook his head in no.

Rohit: Okay.. So all set for confession?

Rahul (confused): Confession??

Virat glared at Rohit who bit his tongue looking down.

Rohit: Ab.. woh decision ka confession

Rahul: Oh.. Haan. Bas ja hi Raha hoon niche

Rohit: Cool. All the best

Rahul: Thanks B-Ro

Rahul looked at Virat and pouted.

Rahul: Kisi aur ko to wish hi nahi karna

Virat: Bhai main na tujhe tab wish karunga jab tu usko woh batayega jo tune Aaj Tak nahi bataya kisi ko.

Rohit: Wohoo.. sounds like a secret..

Virat: A BIG ONE

Rahul almost ran from there without even sparing a glance at laughing Virat.

Rohit: Vi.. kya secret hai?

Virat: Woh to waqt aane pe hi bataunga. For now we have to think ki inn dono ko kaise close laaye

Rohit: Hmm

They both were sipping their coffees when Rahul came there.

Rahul (whining): Vi Bhai.. mujse nahi ho raha..

RohiRat facepalmed themselves. They both got up and took him downstairs by holding him from either side and stood at the door of his room. They saw Athiya was still up and was doing something in her phone. RoHulRat were talking in low voice.

Virat: Dekha abhi bhi wait kar rahi hai tumhara

Rohit: Rah.. itna wait nahi karwate..

Virat: Now go..

Rahul: Bhai.. nahi hoga..

Virat: Rah Go.. ho jayega tumse. I know My Rahuliya can do this okay. Now go..

Virat and Rohit almost pushed him inside and closed the door from outside. Athiya looked at Rahul who smiled at her nervously. She too smiled back at him. Rahul sat on the edge of the bed. Athiya sat properly sensing he might want to talk about something but as soon as she sat properly, Rahul got up from the bed abruptly making her quite startled too.

Rahul: Main change karke aaya

Saying so he almost ran to washroom while she gave him a small confusing nod.

Rahul was inside the washroom and was looking at himself in the mirror.

Rahul: Are yaar Why am I getting nervous? Properse karne thodi na ja raha hoon.

He shook his head to shrug off the nervousness and went out. He sat again on the edge of the bed.

Rahul: I want to talk to you

Athiya kept pillow in her lap nodding in yes.

Athiya: I thought so too

Rahul smiled seeing her sitting with pillow in her lap

Rahul: You know jab bhi koi aise baithta hai na iska matlab in general aisa hota hai ki usko samne wali ki baat me interest hai ya usko woh Sunni hai ya khud ko koi baat karni hai samne wale se

Athiya: Okay to main yeh wapas rakh doon kya?

She asked confusingly.

Rahul: Are nahi. I was just saying

Athiya: Oh..

There was a silence for a while. Rahul rolled his tongue over his lips feeling nervous.

Rahul: Tia..

Athiya (smiling): Ji..

Rahul closed his eyes tightly.

Rahul: I want to give one chance to us

He said in a go and then slowly opened his eyes after few moments. He was surprised to see Athiya looking down. He has expected her smiling face as he has noticed her antics and they were very much otherwise to her this reaction.

Rahul: Tia..

Athiya looked at him with red eyes. She was controlling her tears.

Rahul: Hey..

Athiya: Aap Please khud ko force mat kijiye. I know you are not comfortable with me.

Rahul: Tia aisa kuchh nahi hai

Athiya: Achchha.. to ek din me aisa bhi kya ho gaya hamare beech ki apka faisla badal gaya?

Rahul: Tia look..

Rahul stood up and sat near headboard in front of her on the bed.

Rahul: Look I am sorry the way I said it yesterday.

Athiya looked down.

Rahul: I am still saying the same Tia

Athiya: To phir aap chance Dene ki baat kyu kar rahe ho?

Rahul could heard how much hurt she was in her voice.

Rahul: Tia.. Firstly I am sorry. I really don't want to hurt you in any way and you are getting hurt.

Rahul paused and looked at Athiya who was still looking down.

Rahul: Tia.. I really don't know hum dono ke beech me yeh jo dooriyan hai woh main kabhi khatam kar bhi paunga ya nahi. I really don't know. And main tumhe koi false hope nahi dena chahta Tia.

Rahul paused and looked at Athiya only to find her having tears in her eyes but she was holding them back.

Rahul: Tia.. It's not you jiske sath main uncomfortable hoon. Tumhari jagah koi bhi hota to bhi main uncomfortable hi hota. Tia the fact is I was not ready for getting married. Tumse kya kisi se bhi.. Forget marriage I was not mentally ready for any relationship.

Athiya's hurtful expressions soften hearing this.

Rahul: Aise state of mind me jaha main relationship ke liye bhi ready nahi tha waha pe Papa ke bare me pata chalna and then suddenly hamari shaadi.. Everything.. all exhaustion I took upon you aur kal rudely bol diya. I am sorry for that.

Athiya (in low voice): It's okay

Rahul: Tia.. You are a nice girl. And I would like to have only nice people in my circle. Will you be my friend?

He asked while forwarding his hand.

Rahul: Waise to we were always sort of friends as having known each other though we didn't meet for long time technically after childhood and even if not friends personally, we were always family friends. Agar yeh sab nahi hua hota aur hum milte kabhi to I would have definitely liked to befriend you. Kya hum dost ban sakte hai?

Athiya was looking at him as if she was trying to figure out whether he would be comfortable or not with her being his friend. Rahul cursed himself internally for scaring her like that.

Rahul: Tia..

He said this much when he felt her soft hand in his.. An instant smile came on his face seeing their hold. He looked at Athiya and smiled widely. They shook hands. Rahul has still held her hand.

Rahul: Tia.. I know it's not easy to accept and move on with whatever happened with US. Lekin iss friendship se hum kam se kam easily ek dusare ke sath baatein share kar payenge. Bina husband wife wale relationship ke baggage ke

Athiya: Ek second.. Main apki sari baat se sehmat hoon lekin aakhri baat se nahi. Shaadi ka pavitra rishta kabhi baggage nahi ho sakta.. woh rishta hai aur hamesha rahega. Hum chahe kitni dosti nibha le lekin yeh sachchai hai hamare rishte ki ki we are husband and wife. We have to accept it. Without acceptance, iss rishte ke sath aap kabhi aage nahi badh sakte

Rahul: I know may be I as always chose the wrong words. I just wanted to say ki..

Athiya: Agar dost banenge to zyada easily baatein share kar payenge compared to husband and wife.

Rahul: Haan because I feel friendship me ek freedom hota hai. It's not like husband wife ke relationship me nahi hota lekin woh laane ke liye usme

Athiya: Pyaar aur Vishwas dono ki zarurat hoti hai

She completed and Rahul nodded in yes

Athiya: Mujhe hamari dosti manzoor hai

Rahul: Mujhe bhi..

They both chuckled and leave each other's hand. There was silence for a while but it was a comfortable one and not an awkward one.

Rahul: So tumhe kuchh kehna hai?

Athiya shook her head in no.

Rahul: Okay then.. Good night

Athiya: Good night

Rahul got up and took the pillow

Athiya: Aap yahi so jao. Main sofe pe so jaungi. Mushkil se back pain kam hua hai

Rahul: Tia.. mere hote hue tum waha Sone jaogi to mujhe khud neend nahi ayegi

Athiya: Achchha to dono bed pe so Jaye?

Rahul: Tia.. don't mind.. lekin woh thoda awkward sa ho jayega.

Athiya: Ek minute..

Athiya kept some pillows between them and prepared a border.

Athiya: Yeh side meri aur woh apki

Rahul: Idea to achchha hai lekin tum shanti se so jao na pure bed pe

Athiya: Apki tabiyat Mushkil se sahi Hui hai. Pata hai subah jab maine apko dekha aur room me tissue papers and boxes dekhe to kitni chinta ho rahi thi apki.. Mujhe to dar lag raha tha ki kahi bukhar na aa jaye. Uper se check bhi nahi kar payi subah ki bukhar hai ya nahi.

Rahul: Kyu?

Athiya: Aap kal those uncomfortable the na mere sath to..

She said while looking down.

Rahul: But I was sleeping na

Athiya: Haan to kya hua? So rahe the to kya bina puchhe hath pakad loon? Ya touch kar loon?

Rahul: Tia.. you can touch me. Mujhe tumhare touch se uncomfortable feel nahi hota. Agar aisa hota to main yaha nahi aata wapas.

Athiya smiled at him. They both talked for a while before laying down on their respective sides.

Athiya: Thank you.. Mujhe apna dost banane ke layak chunne ke liye

Rahul: Thanks to you Tia for being my friend

Athiya turned to his side and hugged the pillow nearest to her. She always needs something to cuddle. Rahul saw her antics and smiled. He too then fell asleep covering both of them and their pillow border with comforter.

Rohit and Virat have opened the door from outside. Ritz and Anu too were there.

Virat: Nushkie.. see inside. Uss gadhe ne bola bhi hai ki nahi

Anu: Wh.. what??

Rohit: Ritz tum dekho

Ritz: Ro aise kaise kisi ke bhi room me dekh sakte hai

Virat: See.. to the point baat kar raha hoon. Aisa to hai nahi ki Rah ko kabhi shirtless nahi dekha tum logo ne. Uss gadhe ne khud social media pe Dali Hui hai post and we have number of pool parties. And Aisa bhi nahi hai ki they both will be..

Anu: Vi...

Virat: Samaj gaye na great. So it's better you guys see so in case kuchh Aisa waisa ho to..

Rohit: Look We are worried for them. You guys know na Rah sab ulta pulta karta hai sabse pehle. Baad me Jake kuchh akkal aati hai usko

Ritz and Anu both looked at each other and then reluctantly peeped inside whereas Rohit and Virat both were back facing the door with closed eyes. Ritz and Anu saw the couple sleeping on the bed at their respective sides and sighed. They closed the door and turned to their respective husbands.

Anu: Backfacing khade ho phir kon eyes close karta hai..

Virat: Are yaar dar lag raha tha Rah ka dimag jo time pe chalta nahi hai uski wajah se

Ritz: Relax dono so rahe hai bed pe

Rohit (happily): Yes..

Anu: Apni apni side pe

RohiRat (quite sadly): Oh..

Ritz: Guys.. kya hai yaar tum dono ka. Vi.. tum abhi abhi bol rahe the na ki aisa waisa kuchh nahi hoga then..

Virat: Nothing.. was just hoping against the hope. She is only him to hold onto Ritz. Agar Rah ne galati se bhi koi galati kar di na.. she won't be able to handle.. I know this..

He went from there.

Rohit: He is missing uncle hai na..

Anu sighed and nodded in yes.

Anu: He understands what she was feeling bas iss liye thoda over protective ho raha hai. But he will be fine. Main jati hoon uske paas

RohIka nodded in yes and they all went to their respective rooms.

*********************************

Rahul was all ready and was just pretending to be busy in the phone when Athiya came out of the washroom after freshening up the next day. She was getting ready in front of mirror. Rahul was stealing glances of her but was actually waiting for her to call him. But to his surprise, he was not called and Athiya has herself filled her hairline with sindoor and went downstairs. Rahul sat there on the bed with grumpy face.

Rahul: Mujhe kyu nahi bola? Kal to bada bol rahi thi ki Box khol diya to maang bhi bhar dete aur aaj ready hoke baitha hoon to bola hi nahi.. huh

He sat there for a while but then went downstairs for the breakfast. Virat sat beside him. He was making sure to be around him as much as he could until Rahul got comfortable with the changes in his life. He was talking with Rahul in low voice.

Virat: Decision bataya?

Rahul nodded in yes.

Virat: Bina koi mess create kiye?

Rahul gave him a look to which Virat looked at him with raised eyebrows.

Rahul: Haan.. I guess so..

Virat: Then why are you looking like a grumpy kiddo?

Rahul (whining): Usne Aaj bola kyu nahi?

Virat: Kisne kya nahi bola?

Rahul: Are woh Tia.. chhodo..

Rahul pouted whereas Virat was controlling his smile looking at his antics.

The ladies came there with breakfast. The aroma of Dosa and Coffee was refreshing the atmosphere.

Rohit (teasing): Waah.. Dosa and Coffee.. someone is having feast in the breakfast.

Rahul: Haan to aap kyu jal rahe ho. My bhabhis love me more than you.

Sakshi: Well of course Bhabhis love their kiddos more than their husbands but.. this was not made by the bhabhis of yours.

Shrey: Yeh to pakka kisi aise ne banaya hai jisko yeh banana aata hai. I mean dosa is soo on point. And coffee too. As if we are in South India.

Anu: Hoga hi na.. Kisi ne specially aaj banayi hai coffee. Aur sare Dosas bhi instructions deke banwaye gaye hai.. Kyu Athiya?

She bumped her shoulder with hers.

Athiya: Kya bhabhi aap bhi na.. aisa kuchh nahi hai

She said while slightly blushing. Rahul made a face. Athiya gave him his plate while talking to others and he again made a face.

Virat (teasing and singing): Scowliya.. Scowliya..

All chuckled and Rahul glared at him.

Ishu: Bhabhi ab se Dosa apki responsibility

Rishu: These are the best ones

Athiya: Thank you

Rahul: Tia.. sach me coffee kafi achchhi bani hai

He genuinely said it as it was perfect for his taste.

Ash: By the way, I am noticing kal se you are calling her Tia.. From where this nickname come Bhai?

Ritz: Are Rah ne diya hai na Rah?

RahIya: Yes/No..

All looked at them.

Athiya: Maa Papa sab mujhe Tia hi bulate hai bachpan se..

Rahul: Haan but they didn't give you this nickname. Com'on now don't tell me you don't know who gave you this nickname.

Athiya shook her head in no.

Rahul: How mean of them yaar!! Mera credit le lete hai. I have given you that name jab unhone mujhe tumhara nam bataya tha. Mujhe Athiya lamba lag raha tha to.. I made it Tia..

He said last line sheepishly and rest all chuckled. Athiya was blushing too amidst her chuckle. Rahul was done with his breakfast, so he cleaned his face with the tissue kept with his plate and was about to throw it in the bowl where they were keeping all used tissues but stopped seeing Athiya. She was signing him to not throw it.

Rahul confusingly looked at tissue and then at her and then he raised his eyebrows asking what happened.
Athiya signed him to open it. Rahul frowned but was about to open it casually but stopped seeing Athiya was again signing him to not do it. She looked at others and he got that she doesn't want others to know about it. He took his hands down and opened the tissue below the table.

"Hamari iss nayi dosti ki shuruaat apke favourite breakfast ke sath.. Thank you for being my friend. I promise I'll try to be a friend more than a wife"

Rahul was happy and sad at the same time. He was getting that even if they are friends now, she has to hold back a lot. She has seen wives doing everything for their husbands.. she has grown up seeing way too much traditional things and may be that's why she has accepted him the way he is but he knew she was still somewhere hurt but was happy that he was giving her a chance. His one step was making her eyes shine like anything. He was realising what he means to her. Though he knew.. even Virat was reminding him almost daily.. but now she has said it without saying it. He at the very moment decided to always protect her from anything and everything. And if he feels even 1% that she is the one, he will give his 100% to give her a chance as his wife too.

Rahul composed himself and looked at her with a smile and blinked to which she smiled widely.

Virushka looked at each other as they have noticed RahIya's signed talk but for once they didn't interfere giving them their space though Virat being Virat was not gonna stop from teasing his Rahuliya.

Virat: Ishaaro Ishaaro me..

Rahul quickly put the tissue in his pocket and Athiya started drinking her coffee.

Mahi: Kya bol rahe ho