'Here.' Rishabh forwarded a white, red helmed mug to Aashi. She looked up and smiled little. 'Masala Chai! Your favourite.' He said sitting beside her.

'Thank you.' Aashi side-hugged him, Rishabh smiled acknowledging her hug. Aashi sighed and tucked her legs properly. She held the mug with both her palms and sighed staring at the TV screen right in front of her.

'My apartment,' – She looked around sadly, - 'Feels lonely already.' – she shook her head, - 'Search for another roommate begins.' She looked at Rishabh and nodded. He placed his palm on her shoulder.

'Give the ad in the paper.' He patted her shoulder, she agreed with him.

The two friends sipped tea silently till Aashi interrupted the silence, - 'I am so happy for Suchitra.' Rishabh turned his head and looked at her, Aashi sighed.

'After Aditya, she was so hurt.' Aashi noticed Rishabh's expressions change also he stiffened beside her.

Aashi watched him as he looked away. It is now or never, Aashi – She thought to herself.

'Rishabh.' She moved her free hand and held his hand, - 'One bad relationship doesn't mean the end of the world, yaar. Look at Suchitra, she had a broken relationship. Look at Himanshu. He had proposed me first and was disheartened when I rejected him but he found love again, right?' Aashi explained, Rishabh turned his head and looked at her, - 'Aren't they happy with each other now. Don't let one bad relationship ruin your chances of finding true love.' She looked at him cautiously.

Rishabh leaned forward and placed his mug on the coffee table, he sighed nodding. Aashi watched him holding her breath. 'You are right, Aashi. When I was with Laila, in college. Everything was so perfect. I knew this is the girl I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. But...there was always something amiss, Perhaps,' – He paused and turned his head to look at Aashi, she stared at him like a statue, - 'it was our fall out that... disturbed me.' Rishabh shifted in his seat, he seemed uncomfortable, - 'I never talked about this to anyone, no one. After college, I and Laila decided to get married. But, she wanted a stable, secure life while I wanted to be a footballer. But for her, I sacrificed my dream and began to work as an Accountant. Obviously, I wasn't happy. She wasn't happy. Fights, fights and eventually-' Rishabh stopped speaking. He closed his eyes and exhaled loudly. Aashi held his palm tightly.

After few minutes of deathly silence, Rishabh looked at Aashi again. He smiled sadly.

'You know what affected me more than this bad relationship?' Rishabh asked her. Aashi held his gaze and slowly shook her head. Rishabh lowered his gaze and held her palm, - 'Our fallout.' He confessed and Aashi felt her heart skip a beat.

'The guilt, our fight, everything just depressed me further. Aashi, I really missed you so much. We were like inseparable but after we parted ways, I felt a part of me had been cut off.' He had tears in his eyes, Aashi had tears in her eyes as well.

There is silence, the two stared into each other's eyes. After few minutes, Aashi extended her hand and held his, - 'Don't be guilty, please. That was past. Promise me.' Aashi clasped his palms tightly. Rishabh looked down at their hands and then back at her, into her eyes.

'Promise me, you won't leave me?' He asked.

Aashi smiled nodding, - 'Only if you don't do stupid things.' She faked stern voice. Rishabh nodded.

He shifted and held her cheek, Aashi froze.

'I lost you once, Aashi. I will never repeat the same mistake again.' He said sincerely. Staring into his eyes, Aashi felt giddy. The intensity of his eyes made her weak in the knees.

They stared until Rishabh broke the eye-contact. He looked at his mug and shook his head, - 'Chai got cold.' He sighed and looked at her, Aashi blinked slowly at him, - 'I think I should be going. Tomorrow is office.' He said placing his palms on his thigh. He was about to get up when Aashi held his wrist, he paused and looked at her.

'Please stay.' She insisted, her gaze locked with his, - 'I will feel lonely.' She cleared. Rishabh smiled and held her hand.

'I have got my old friend back after so long, why in the world will I leave this chance?' He said. He looked visibly relieved and much better. Aashi was happy.

Aashi made Rishabh wait while she made popcorn. Till then, Rishabh switched on the TV and searched for a movie they might enjoy. Soon, Aashi got a bowl of popcorn, and a bottle of water.

'Come, I have found this awesome movie.' Rishabh said brightly. Aashi jumped next to him. They smiled at each other. The movie he had selected was an action comedy. They ate popcorn and laughed heartedly. They also fought over, "you ate more popcorn" "you finished the water." But towards the end of the movie, Aashi fell asleep, her head resting on Rishabh's shoulder.

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

Next morning, Aashi yawned and stretched her arms. She opened her eyes and frowned blinking at the ceiling. Then last night struck her, she sat up straight on the bed. Looking around she found herself on her bed cuddled inside her duvet. For a minute, she had a crazy thought if last night did happen or was it her imagination, dream? Aashi groaned and tossed the duvet from over her. She placed her legs down and wore her slippers. Yawning she left the room but froze on finding someone on the sofa. She approached the sleeping figure cautiously and realized it is Rishabh sleeping awkwardly on the double sofa. The sofa little small for him, he was all cramped up. Aashi felt bad for him but also felt touched that he was there by her side. Moreover, she was doubly happy that last night indeed happened.

She walked up to him and kneeled beside him. She admired him and slowly moved her hand and touched his hair with her fingers. He looked so innocent while asleep. She moved her hand, her fingers hovering over his cheek. Suddenly, he stirred and Aashi was startled.

'Ahh...' She yelped and fell landing hard on her butt. Rishabh woke up with a jolt. He looked around, alarmed. He relaxed on seeing Aashi sitting on the ground and massaging her backside.

'You are up?' He asked

'No, I am sleepwalking.' She rolled her eyes. Rishabh smiled little and looked away. Aashi watched him ruffle his hair and yawn.

Aashi was disappointed when Rishabh announced he is leaving.

'But at least have breakfast.' She pointed towards the kitchen.

'I wish. But we have office also, I don't want to be late.' He looked at her closely and added, - 'else my boss will eat my head.'

Aashi looked at him and grinned, - 'Yes, you better not be late.' She commanded him. Rishabh smiled and then turned around. Sadly, Aashi watched him walk towards the main door.

He stopped by the door and turned around, - 'See you at work, Aashi.' He said.

Unable to take it anymore, Aashi hurried to him and flung her arms around his neck. Rishabh was startled as she hugged him tightly. Aashi closed her eyes and smiled to herself as he wrapped her arms around her and hugged her back.