When she did not say anything for some time he banged his hand on the table making her flinch.

"Answer me dammit!"

He said in a harsh voice and regretted immediately seeing her look scared.

"I am sorry. Please tell me Meher."

This time his voice was pleading. Meher felt her throat clog. She got up and started collecting her things.

"Mujhe kuch samajh nhi aa rha aap kya keh rhe hai. Its late i think you tired. I should leave. Take care Sir."

(I don't understand what you are saying.)

Vihaan kept looking at her intensely. He got up from his chair making her go still. He stood near her with his hands in his pant's pockets.

"Ek baar tumhe jaane diya tha. Iss baar nhi."

(I let you go once. Not again.)

Meher looked away and continued doing her work.

He held her hand and made her face him. She kept looking down not able to meet his eyes. Her heart was squeezing in her chest and her throat felt clogged.

"Please tell me Meher. Please. Please Repunzal."

The way he spoke it, the softness, the pleading in his voice tore her heart and a few tears escaped her eyes.

He cursed himself under his breath for making her cry. He made her sit on the chair and gave her water.

He settled beside her and rubbed her back lightly. She held his hand and sobbed lightly.

"Vihaan! I am sorry! Mai-mai-I don't have any explanation jo kuch bhi hua. I just- i am sorry."

(I-i don't have any explanation about what happened.)

He patted her hand while trying to calm her. He wanted to take her in his arms but decided against it lest he makes her uncomfortable.

"Shh! Its ok. Its fine. Shh!"

She stopped after some time and sniffled lightly. 

"I am sorry. I won't force you again. Tum bas rona mat."

(Just don't cry.)

He said and she nodded lightly.

"Tumne ek dam se sabse contact chhod diya. Na phone pick krti thi na messages ka reply. Mai darr gaya tha ki pata nhi tumhe kuch ho toh nhi gaya. Tum thik ho na?"

(You broke contact with everyone like that. You did not pick up calls nor replied to messages. I was scared if something happened to you. Are you okay?)

The sincerity and fear in his voice made her all the more guilty. She nodded and he smiled slightly.

She noticed that she was still holding his hands and pulled back slowly and wiped her tears.

"Tumhe mai yaad tha?"

(You remembered me?)

He finally asked the question he has been dying to since the past one month. She gave a little smile and said.

"Bhuli hi nhi thi."

(Never forgot.)

"Toh phir pretend kyu kr rhi thi ki nhi jaanti?"

(Then why did you pretend you didn't know me?)

He asked pretending to be upset and she smiled at his expressions. He was still the young teenager boy she had a crush on.

"I don't know. Shayad aapko itne saalon baad dekh ke i freaked out."

(Seeing you after so many years I freaked out.)

She murmured guiltily. He noticed it and said dismissing it.

"Achha chhodo. Let's forget about the past and focus on the present. You won't believe mai kitna khush hu. Mujhe meri Meher wapas mil gyi."

(Ok leave it. I am so happy. I got my Meher back.)

Meher looked at her surprised at his statement and Vihaan realised the blunder he did.

"I mean meri dost mujhe wapas mil gyi. Aur iss baar mai tujhe kahi jaane nhi dunga."

(I mean got my friend back. And i won't let you go this time.)

He said twirling her around and she giggled making him chuckle. He stopped at looked at her.

"Iss baar chhodkar nhi jaaogi na?"

(You won't leave this time right?)

"Nhi jaaungi."

(I won't.)

She said and both of them smiled.

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

A few days later, Meher was sitting in her cabin doing her work when her phone rang and a smile formed on her face.

After their reconciliation, Vihaan was back to his old self, just like he was in school.

He started calling her on her phone to ask for the silliest of things. Once it was a file he needed and couldn't find. Another time he wanted to discuss about an upcoming meeting. 

And everytime he did so they used to end up chitchatting about what all they did during the past years. 

As promised Vihaan never forced her to tell anything that happened and why she left so abruptly. She did not want to tell him because she did not want his sympathy.

Her smile faded seeing the number. It was her father's doctor.

Taking a deep breath she picked up the call mentally praying for it to be positive.

"Hello Miss Meher?"

"Yes. Doctor."

"There's a good news. Aapke father ki reports ke according he is recovering well."

"I know doctor. Aap harr baar yahi kehte hai. Agar he is recovering toh phir hume kyu nhi dikhta."

(You say this everytime. If he is recovering then why can't we see it.)

Meher was irritated. His doctor called every month and said the same thing but she could not see any improvement in her father whatsoever.

"Mai samajh sakta hu but kabhi kabhi cheeze internally hoti hai toh we cannot see. Aur phir reports toh jhooth nhi bolengi na."

(I understand but sometimes things happen internally. And reports won't lie right.)

She hummed and disconnected the call after thanking the doctor. 

She kept her elbows on the table and her head on her hands. Her mind started going back to all the things she had been doing from the past so many years for her father's health.

Tears formed in her eyes thinking about his condition and just then her phone rang again. She closed her eyes seeing Vihaan's name flashing.

She picked up the call.

"Boliye."

(Tell me.)

Vihaan frowned at her voice. It seemed to be cracking. 'Was it because of the network? But why did she sound so low? Was she crying?'

"Meher? You ok? Aisa kyu lag rha hai ki tum ro rhi ho?"

(Why did it seem like you are crying?)

Meher closed her eyes as a tear leaked her eye.

'Why did he had to ask that?'

"Mai thik hu. Aap ko kuch kaam tha?"

(I am fine. You had some work?)

She asked trying to conceal her heavy voice but he caught that.

'She is definitely crying.'

He got up and went to her cabin. He entered and saw her sitting with her phone above her ear. 

She looked at him surprised and he sighed looking at her.

"I knew it. Tum ro rhi ho."

(You are crying.)

He said going near her and that broke her strength. She burst out crying and he held her in his arms shocked at her reaction.

He let her cry for some time and then made her face him.

"Kya hua hai? And don't you dare say nothing."

(What happened?)

She sniffled and looked at him with glassy eyes.

"There are certain things i have been trying for years to happen. Lekin jo bhi mai kru it is never enough. I am never enough."

He cupped her face and said very softly.

"Don't think that ever. You are enough. I promise you're enough. Just believe in yourself. Aur yaad rakhna i am always there for you."

She nodded and he kissed her forehead making her breath hitch.
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