Friendship is precious, and so is love-but what happens when life throws unexpected challenges your way?
Shruti, Siddharth, and Mahika share a deep bond as best friends. While Mahika has loved Siddharth since childhood, fate has other plans-Siddhart...
Gautam studies Mahika for a few more seconds, grasping her words. The pain she's hiding is no longer hidden from him. He smiles gently.
"Ms Mahika, I know you're happy for your friends. But is there something you'd like to share?" he asks, not wanting to hinder her personal space.
Mahika smiles, concealing her own emotions. "Nope, Mr Gautam. I was thinking that time flies by fast," she says, diverting the topic.
She's aware that the remnants of her pain might be visible on her face, but she doesn't want to involve anyone else in her emotional turmoil. However, her gaze softens as he speaks further, concern etched in his voice.
"Main jaanta hoon, Mahika, mujhe aapke personal life mein interfere nahi karna chahiye, lekin main ye bhi jaanta hoon ki koi toh baat hai jo aapko pareshan kar rahi hai. Main shayad help kar sakoon, if you tell," he says, his gaze lingering on her for a longer time than necessary.
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Mahika smiles, touched by his words. "Agar aisa kuch hoga toh main aapko zaroor bataungi, Mr Gautam, lekin aisa kuch bhi nahi hai, trust me," she says, trying to convince him.
Gautam smiles, "Sure, Mahika. I trust you, maybe more than you realise," he says, his voice barely above a whisper.
Mahika smiles, "Thanks! And- since our coffees have turned cold, shall we go for a coffee in the evening? I want to wrap up the project first, Paridhi must be waiting for me," she says, giving an excuse.
He smiles genuinely, "Sure, Mahika! The coffee is on me, see you at 5:30 pm after work," he says, acknowledging their little meeting.
She nods respectfully and takes her leave while he watches her retreating figure. He has already figured out, in the last three months, that every time she mentions her friends, an ache settles in her chest. He doesn't know why, but he feels determined to help her forget her pain and start afresh. However, for now, he's determined to wait for the right time to find out the real thing.
*****
The next day is Sunday. Shruti and Siddharth are elated that their parents are meeting to discuss their wedding. They're talking on WhatsApp.
"Sid, come soon. I'm waiting for you," she texted.
Siddharth replies, "I will come soon. Ma and Papa are making last-minute preparations."
"Yeah, same here, Sid! Mumma is prepping lunch. But, I can't wait to see you. Okay, Mumma calls! See you soon, my love," Shruti texts him and puts her phone away.
She rushes down to help her mother. Siddharth and his parents are arriving at their place for lunch and also to talk about the alliance between their children. He has promised Shruti to arrive by 1 p.m. so that they can get some time to chat. Their parents know about their love and they approve of it. But some things are mandatory, and the elders can't skip them.
