Chapter 118 - Mystery

It was six in the evening and yet, it looked dark, dark enough to be called midnight. October had ended and, the winters had started approaching.

The birds had gone back to their nest, leaving behind a silence, utter silence.

The Rathore mansion stood arrogantly in the midst of it just like its owner.

Parking his Audi in the parking area of Rathore mansion, Vansh did not come out of it, immediately. He remained seated on the driving seat, his attention focuses on his phone in his hands, to be precise on the display photo of Whatsapp of Shanaya.

The thought of calling her, asking her if she is fine was too much, he was on the verge of dialling her number, just like every time.

But, he stopped, just like every time.

Instead, he focuses his attention once more on her display pic..

The picture was the latest one, the one where she was looking at the sky while sitting on the lawn wearing blue yoga pants and red tee.

Vansh guessed it to be her home's lawn.

The thought of her, at her home, made him remember all the shocking revelation in the past week.

Shocking would be the understatement.

He could easily recall the moments of Vihaan telling everyone he is "Saar", the guy he had hated for hurting Shanaya, the guy he so much wanted to kick, the same guy who ruined his best friend.

He had stood frozen, his friendship with Shanaya seeming nothing more than lies. He wanted to understand it, wanted Shanaya to say it was all lies, but the moment he had locked his eyes with her, he knew the truth.

He chuckled to himself when he realized their behaviour toward each other was pretty much the hints of their feelings for each other.

He just had a new task in his hand, and, he knew he was going to be busy for some days.

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Saaransh was about to end the conversation with one of his business clients in one of the coffee shops when he glanced outside the window and saw Shanaya sitting on one of the chairs on the outer area, busy on her ŀȧptop.

Shaking his hands, he moved toward the exit door and, within minutes, he was standing behind Shanaya.

Shanaya was busy looking at some documents with such intensity she shuddered when she heard Saaransh " I do not think you should start looking for other jobs."

"Saaransh! You shocked me, man!" with a surprised tone, Shanaya looked at him who had taken a seat in front of her.

"You too surprised me when I saw, you, searching for a job" arching his brows, Saaransh looked at her accusingly.

Shanaya did not answer immediately. Hiding her eyes from him, She focused her eyes on the page opened on her ŀȧptop and saw the headline of the article "Job for a Fashion designer in Australia."

"I am thinking of staying in Australia." breaking the silence, Shanaya spoke while playing with her fingers.

Just like, she had been doing for a week.

She had been feeling so guilty she had not dared to face Saaransh or to speak with him. She wanted to but she just could not.

She had no idea how to deal with it, and she did not want it to go wrong at any point.

Saaransh was an important, person in her life and, she was not ready to let him go or hurt him, that too when she had already done it once.

"Did you talk to Vansh or Avni?" watching her playing with her fingers and avoiding eyes contact, Saaransh let her do it.

He knew he had no chance of being 'special' in her life, but, he too knew she needed a friend.

"I am sorry, Saaransh" finally making the eye contact since the revelation, Shanaya continued "I am sorry I hurt you. I am sorry I hide it from you and, I am sorry I could not keep my promise."

Taking a second break, she spoke immediately, without giving Saaransh any chance" And, no, I did not talk to anyone. I just could not."

After debating for a minute with himself, Saaransh chooses to speak the truth " I knew about you both before I confessed my feelings for you."

"Pardon? What?" jerking forward on her chair, Shanaya looked at him all confused.

"What do you mean about it? How did you know?" the curiosity was too much for her.

Saaransh looked at his watch instead of answering her and, spoke:" It's time for the flight" and stood up.

"Saaransh! You can't do this to me!" standing along with him, Shanaya spoke while walking toward her father's car.

Saaransh did not answer her. Instead, he opened the passenger seat's door and, tilt his neck a little to signal her to sit inside the car.

But, Shanaya missed the amusing smile on Saaransh's face that appeared for a second.

Ten minutes later, they were standing at the airport.

"Saaransh tell me how did you know about us? And, if you knew why did you confess your feelings or why did not you confront me!?" standing beside him, Shanaya was back to her chirpy and curious mood.

Looking at his watch again, Saaransh pulled Shanaya into a friendly hug and, before she could say something more, he stopped her " Enjoy your visit to your parents and come back to India soon. I will miss you."

The night before the disclosure, a week before, when Shanaya had called Saaransh, she had asked him to go abroad with him. She had no destination in mind all she had wanted was to go away from Vihaan and to have some time for herself.

But, the moment Saaransh had informed her of his business trip to Australia, she knew where she was going.

Five minutes later, they had the revised plan, the plan in which Shanaya too was going with Saaransh to Australia.

Engulfed in Saaransh's hug, Shanaya knew she had missed his friendly warmth. She had thought she would be awkward with him, but at that moment she knew, Saaransh was not just some other boy or man in her life.

He may not be her lover, but, he was someone she loved as a human.

Smiling after such a long time, Shanaya spoke childishly" You are such a notorious man, Saaransh."

Laughing aloud, Saarnash broke the hug and spoke" I will tell you once you will be back in India" and walk away toward the checking point, leaving smiling Shanaya behind.

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Love to all <3