It's a Yes!

Arya realised that he was actually being rude to his friend who was just trying to help her. "That's it? That's how much you can tolerate me?" Arya said. "I mean Sana knows that Arya is a damn introvert already! And, what happens to introverts when they're pissed?" He asked.

"Ah alright! Seems like Mr. Introvert is indirectly apologising huh?" Sana asked and giggled. "These giggles, I miss them at times and Yes, I am sorry," Arya replied gently.

"Okay now, So Maya is that girl. Now can you tell me what your family was saying about her, while praising her?" She asked.

"That she is a complete Workaholic and is not any ordinary girl, who dresses and acts cute. She is reserved yet compassionate." Arya replied. "Hmm, okay go on! What else?" Sana inquired.

"her introverted nature has not stopped her from becoming a bright student, she still finds it difficult to express her emotions appropriately, as her mother keeps saying, Blah Blah," Arya added.

"Bright student!... Right," Sana remarked. "It has to be her, I tell you. Okay, did aunt Stella tell you anything about The High-gate International?"

"Umm…I guess she did. I was so annoyed, I just couldn't focus." Arya replied.

"No worries, we can approach her and narrate her our side of the story. I bet she will agree to not give her accent to this marriage. Your mother must have told you how compassionate she is, which she actually is!" Sana explained to Arya.

"Sounds good Sana!" Arya said happily.

"Alright, I gotta hang up now but man, you have to ping me if anything disturbs you and regarding the execution of this plan, alright?" Sana asked him. Her tone was like that of a protective sister which was reassuring to Arya.

"Sure!" Replied Arya and hung up.

Meanwhile in the living room, Stella and Wini were contemplating Arya's response. "Mother, should I go check on him?" Wini asked. "No honey, let it be. He must handle this on his own," Stella replied. "But what if he needs us?" Wini asked. "No honey, all he needs is himself at this moment. He needs to face the truth himself and understand the need of the hour. He cannot keep holding on to a grief forever. Only he alone can unleash himself from this." Stella explained to Wini.

Arya plops into his bed. One hour passes. He is tossing and turning his body from one side to the other. He wants to go to the lake again. He wants to sit beside it and think about Jay again.

"8 years have passed"

Arya cries while speaking to himself.

" Why didn't I die that day too? "

Arya starts sobbing,twitching his pillow.

He recalls that very day of misfortune, just like everyday. He recalls what happened that day..

~flashback to 8 years back~

*Haha..hihi..* (echo)

Giggles of two children.

Holding their hands, two young boys run around the lake side of Volis city. They bunked their elementary school and were now hopping around the grasses beside the lake.

"Look! There's a bunny! " Shouted one of them.

"Oh dear! How cute! Let's catch it Jay" exclaimed Arya.

"Oh Yess! " Jay sprung with thrill.

Jay gave a small peck on Arya's cheek in excitement and started running behind the bunny.

"I will catch it for you" Jay screamed while chasing the bunny.

Arya was blushing. " I know you can! " He

cheered.

*sounds of grasses brushing*

Arya looks at Jay from far, who seemed to have been very engrossed in catching the bunny. Arya perhaps didn't know the meaning of dedication nor the word itself then, but he could certainly sense it for him from Jay. He was standing with his eyes on him, full of pride.

Arya, while standing, starts to think about all the fun they have together in class and of course outside.His friendship with Jay has crossed ordinariness.Their 4 year long duo feels like ever since. He fathoms himself with Jay forever. Suddenly..

" Aryaa..! "

Arya awakens from his daydream. It was Jay's voice.

" Arya! Help me " Jay shouts.

Arya rushes towards Jay to find out that he had slipped into the lake, while chasing the bunny. The bunny was nowhere to be found. Nervous Arya starts sweating profusely.

" Don't worry Jay.. Don't worry at all

Arya consoles Jay but he was confused himself.

"Hang in there." Arya continues.

He runs back in search of someone. The sun was about to set. It was getting dark and no one was to call for. His legs were shaking. He didn't know how to swim.

He ran back to Jay. On reaching the spot, he was dumbstruck. Jay was nowhere. His shoe was floating on the lake.

" Jay! .. Jay!.. " Arya starts sobbing.

"Saa-ve! ….Noo! ..Save!....Jay!.." He panicked.

"Jay!!.."(echo)

*Buzz*

Arya's phone has a notification.

His remembrance is interrupted.

Arya rubs his face. He is not feeling like moving. He slowly lifts his phone. The notification was from Stella. She has shared Maya's LinkedIn profile. And a text saying..

"Honey! Look! What a workaholic she is. Do you think she will ever become a burden to you? She will always remain busy in her own world"

Arya clicks on the LinkedIn link and goes through Maya's profile.

..*Vice-president at High-gate International School

*State level Chess champion

*Winner at International Mathematics Olympiad

* Intern at Ruberiks Corporation

Arya is blanked. Maya seems to have achieved more than he could ever think of.

"She might be a big time workaholic for real"

Arya muses.

Arya texts his mother:

"Did she agree to marry me? "

*Buzz*

A reply from Stella.

"A coin always has two sides baby! Like you have known about her now, she also knows about you. Her priorities are not getting hurt in marrying you. So, she has agreed to the marriage. "

Arya drops the phone on the bed.

"Independent girl! Minds her own business…"

Arya keeps tossing and turning around. Two hours have passed.

"I will not be disturbed any further! Neither Mom nor Wini. Let's deal with this"

*Buzz*

Stella's phone has a new notification.

She sprang up off her couch.

The notification read:

"It's a Yes."