Aashi looked at him unblinkingly, the stranger looked back too, he seemed surprised like her.

'Rishabh.' Aashi said, her voice came out in a whisper. They stared at each other till the young man behind the counter interrupted them. Aashi turned to look at the man, she paid him and got her sandwich, when she turned to look at Rishabh, he was gone. She looked around, her eyes searching for him. Since there weren't many people she spotted him easily. He sat in a corner, alone. Looking at him, Aashi took a seat at a safe distance from him. She can look at him from this corner and not make it obvious. He looked up and their gaze met briefly before Aashi hurriedly looked down fidgeting with the paper that wrapped her sandwich safely. As she took out the sandwich, she looked up and caught Rishabh looking at her, he quickly looked down. Aashi smiled sadly.

Once their chats were never ending and now they have nothing to talk, they are now stealing glances at each other and looking away on getting caught. The pathetic condition of their friendship saddened Aashi.

Soon, she was done with her sandwich, she drank water and looked at Rishabh. He was done too, he wiped his hands with tissue paper. They stood up together and they looked up, their gaze meeting again.

Aashi looked longingly at him while he had straight face masking his emotions well. But his sad eyes gave him away.

Rishabh's phone beeped and he took out his phone. Aashi wondered if it is a message from John or Laila. She didn't like the thought of Laila. But then she shouldn't feel bad after all, Laila might be his wife. For some strange reasons, Aashi had a strong feeling Rishabh didn't marry Laila. The feeling was strong, but she ignored it and without glancing at Rishabh she walked out of the Cafeteria.

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

The rest of the day, Aashi buried herself with work, work and more work. By the time, she called it quits it was very late and she was exhausted. Unable to focus she wrapped up her work. As she came out from her cabin, she noted that not many people remained in the office. She took out her phone and booked a cab. Since she had planned to do overtime, she had asked Himanshu to leave. He had reluctantly left.

Much to Aashi's annoyance, the cab driver had taken the long route. She had panicked little as he took a deserted route. Aashi slipped her hand into her purse and clenched the pepper spray tightly. Thankfully, they came back on the main road soon.

Aashi was glad when the cab halted in front of her building.

After she rang the doorbell, a visibly worried Suchitra opened the door.

'What took you so long? I was worried to death.' Suchitra said as Aashi entered the apartment

'Don't ask, stupid cab driver.' Aashi said sitting on the couch.

'That is why I am telling get a license and get a car.' Suchitra said sitting beside her friend. Aashi nodded removing her heels.

'Yes, time to get serious about it.' She said massaging her forehead. Suchitra asked her to relax and freshen up while she re-heat and plate dinner. Aashi was touched when she came to know that Suchitra hadn't eaten as well.

'You sound like a Tv serial wife.' Aashi joked and the two laughed heartedly.

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

'How was work?' Suchitra asked. Aashi froze as she stuffed her laundry in the washing machine. She remembered Rishabh. Suchitra placed her palm on her friend's shoulder and asked concerned, 'What happened?'

Aashi sighed, Suchitra had confessed about her past with Aditya and she felt she should confess everything. She bit her lower-lip before saying, - 'I saw him today?' She said seriously

'Who?' Suchitra asked cluelessly.

Aashi sighed, - 'Rishabh.' She said and watched Suchitra's expression change as well. Suchitra held her hand and lead her into the room, she wanted to relax and talk comfortably.

Aashi and Suchitra sat on the bed and she narrated everything. Suchitra held her hand listening to her intently.

'And you were right, Suchitra.' Aashi looked up from their joined palms, - 'I love him, I love Rishabh.' She finished. Suchitra sighed sadly, tears brimming her eyes.

'Come here.' She said and hugged Aashi. Aashi smiled sadly, last Sunday it was her in Suchitra's place consoling her.

Suchitra separated their frames, 'You know what,' -She sniffed holding Aashi's hand again, she smiled at her, - 'if life has made you guys meet again, I think it is a sign that it wants you guys to patch up.'

Aashi smiled sadly, - 'If he isn't selected then game over.'

Suchitra smiled brightly and shifted closer, she placed her arm around Aashi and said happily, - 'of course, he will be selected. It is destiny.'

Aashi raised her eyebrows, destiny, - 'You sound so filmy. It doesn't happen in real life.'

'Well, we will see that.'

Aashi is amused with her friend's optimism. She sighed shaking her head, - 'even if he is selected it doesn't matter. He must have married that Laila. And honestly, I am done with him.' Aashi said bitterly. Suchitra shook her head.

'You know Laila more than anyone else and you are telling me this? You know her nature, right. She isn't someone who will marry a person. She is selfish.'

Aashi nodded, and her words made her think. Laila was with Rishabh only to flaunt him as a trophy in front of her friends and College. The minute, her selfish reason was done she must have dumped Rishabh like she dumped Jeet and Prakash.

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

Aashi couldn't stop thinking about this possibility. What if she had dumped Rishabh? He must have been broken then, and the sad part was that she wasn't with him, helping him, healing his broken heart. Aashi felt guilty for staying away from her best friend.

They were friends, right? And if one friend is going astray shouldn't the other one help them? True, Rishabh hadn't listened to her, but she should have tried harder rather than giving up. Aashi turned to her side and stared at the wall front, she felt pained thinking about Rishabh's condition when he was alone dealing with his heartbreak. He brought it on himself, true, but it truly hurt her for not being by his side then. She felt like she failed as a friend.

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Awww...

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