xi.

Even though earlier, he wanted- no decided, to put miles of distance between them but now, having her in front of him, her soothing voice calling out his name, he wanted nothing else but to erase the distance of the few steps and hide in her embrace.

Nihar heard her walking closer, side stepping the broken things and sliding beside him on the floor, " Kaha chale gaye the tum? No calls, no texts. I was so worried. " she turned his face towards her, he didn't dare to look up, " I'm still worried. Are you alright? "

(Where have you been?)

Oh, how much he wanted to hear this voice for the rest of his life! How much he wanted to be the centre of attention of this beautiful brown orbs! How much these fragile arms enticed him. Her scent-

No, he wasn't supposed to feel this. He had to end this matter. It's for her good. He must do it. But does he really want to?

Yes, yes I want to. I have to, I have to-

" Nihar- ?"

" I heard your conversation with that- that guy in the cafe. " his voice hoarse but firmer then he had imagined.

" He was talking rubbish- " she tried to explain it to him.

" No, it wasn't. I know you knew it too. I am the wrong choice. I'll always be, and after knowing- realizing the truth, I should just let you go. You didn't deserve me. " he smiled, pointing at himself in disgust, " You deserve better. You deserve the world. Tum suraj ki kiran ho aur main, ek kaala baadal. You should stay away from me. Kyuki baadal, sirf suraj ki kirano ko dhak sakti hain, nikhaar nahin sakti. Uske liye suraj ko badaalon se dur, khule aasman mein jaana parta hain, apni kirano ko bikharne ke liye. You have to do it too, Sanchita. Go away from me. "

(You are a ray of sunshine, and I'm a dark cloud. You should stay away from me. Because clouds can only obscure the sun's rays, not illuminate them. For the sun to spread its rays, it must rise above the clouds into the open sky)

" Goodness! Such deep thoughts you have. " she clapped sarcastically, " So are you going to leave me now? Letting go of me? " mist covered her eyes.

" That's what I was supposed to do, let you go. Because love is all about letting go, right? If it does good to the one you love. But I can't, because again, I love you and I can't let you go. " he looked up biting his lips, to stop the dam of tears that were threatening to spill out of his eyes.

" When you came to my life, something changed. The man, who found peace in silence, started embracing music, because music reminds me of you. Mere zindagi bhar ke dard ka sila ho tum Sanchita. You're the reward, jo ma aur papa ne mere liye bheja hain unki duniya se. And I can't part with that. Call my love selfish, but I just can't. I'm sorry. "

(You, Sanchita, are the reward for a lifetime of my pain. You are the gift sent by mom and dad from their world)

" If you're done with this, can I speak? And you'll just listen and not utter a single word, okay? " he nodded, " Yeh baat maine Ashwin ko bhi boli thi aur tumhe bhi bol rahin hu. You are the most perfect person I've met in my life coconut. So just be yourself. Because, I love the way that you are. Not more, not less, just you. And a few words from a fool shouldn't affect you. You are far more stronger than that. And trust me, iss kiran ko bhi ek baadal ki zarurat hain, taaki woh iske pichhe chupke, duniya se khudko bachake, thode pal ke liye theher sakein. " he looked at her fazed, " Toh mere pyaare se baadal should I reassure you more, ya itna hi kaafi hain ? " she wiped the tears from his face.

(I told Ashwin this too, and I'm telling you as well. This ray of light also needs a cloud, so it can hide behind it, protect itself from the world, and pause for a few moments. So my dear cloud, should I reassure you more or is that enough?)

" It's more than enough. " more than enough to assure him that, she'll always be with him.

" Then let's go and pick up naani from auntie's house. " she stood up, helping him to stand up too.

" Well, naani won't be coming today. She's going to stay the night at Mahira aunty's house. " Nihar wiped off the remaining tears with his sleeves.

" Oh. OH! " something seem to caught her mind.

" So do we really- " she pushed him roughly on the bed, hovering over him, " Do we really have the night all for ourselves? Just you and me and no one else. " Sanchita drag a seductive finger down his chest, her eyes sparkling with unholy suggestions.

He laughed, grabbed her waist and spin themselves, so that now she was pinned against the bed and he over her, " Yes, darling, we have the night all for ourselves. "

" Then what are you waiting for? Start the show, Mist- " and she didn't get to say more as a pair of lips roughly shut her up.

•

1 year later~

" Oh my god, my music album had crossed millions of views. I just can't believe it. Really my music? I'm so happy. "

" I've told you na, people will like it. You don't need any renowned company to launch you. Your talent is enough. I'm proud of love. " Nihar pressed a feathery kiss to her forehead.

Sanchita smiled twirling in happiness. An year had passed with them being in relationship. Nihar had joined his small family business. And even after roaming around almost all the music companies in the city, when Sanchita was given no scope to rise, Nihar asked her to open her own individual music channel and bring out her compositions to the people through that.

And what a success it was! Within a month, she had gained the popularity as one of the most talented social media artist. And she's happy with the netizens showering her love and support.

Now, all the three of them were in the orphanage, celebrating Sanchita's small success. Naani was praising about her ' Sanchi ' in front of the staff, while the couple was distributing sweets among the children.

Though Nihar's case was a little different. He was in a whole different mood from the very morning. He seemed like he was planning something. Sanchita tried to pry off some information, but he was adamant to keep it a secret, so she let it be. She's understand by now that sometimes, he needed space for himself to sort out things.

Sanchita was done with the children and was having some for herself when a pair of arms wrapped around her shoulders turning her around, " Hey, you need something? " Nihar bite his lips.

" I need to tell- confess something to you, Sanchita. I haven't got any chance to tell you properly but now?Uh, it seems like a correct time. " he took a deep breath and bend on his one knee in a typical proposal style, " I know, we've been in a relationship from the last year, but the next step and the bigger step, that I wanted to take with you might need- you know you might want to rethink again. "

Sanchita listened with rapt attention.

" I want to marry you, Sanchita. To keep you with me for the rest of my life. But I won't force you. It's all up to you. Kya tum meri khamoshi ka hissa banna chahogi ? " his heart thudded in his chest as a grave look spread on her face.

(Would you like to become a part of my silence?)

She shook her head, releasing his hand from hers, " No. I don't want to be a part of your silence Nihar. Silence isn't for me- " he felt his heart crack, " -I would rather break your freaking silence and drag you to my chaotic life. And well, we'll make ethereal symphonies there. Symphony of our love. " Nihar remain frozen, his dense mind hardly registering a word, " It's a yes, buddhu. Yes, I'll marry you. "

Sanchita squeaked, when he take her in his arms and twirled her in excitement, " I love you so much Sanchita, so very much. "

" Me too coconut. "

" So finally, you both realised it huh? " Maya stood there with a smirk.

Nihar lowered her and both faced the old woman, who was standing there for god knows how long, " Aapko pata tha ? "

(You knew it?)

" Ofcourse, what did you think, you can' hide it from Detective Maya? Dumbos! Nothing can be kept hidden from me, because naani knows everything. I knew it the day, you brought her to our house. " she walked closer and smiled at the blushing duo, " And I'm very happy for both of you. My blessings are always with you baccha. And welcome to our family officially Sanchi. " Sanchita smiled hugging her.

Nihar too joined in the hug, wrapping his arms around the two most important women in his life. He thanked his stars several times, for the beautiful reward he'd get in the form of her and asked blessings from his parents.

He was not done yet when Maya spoke up, " But I would prefer both of you to keep your naughty stuff to your bedroom only though. "

" Naani! "