"Agar logo ko jaane se mai unka character judge kr pata toh all that wouldn't have happened. I thought I knew Akansha."

Sriansh's jaw ticked at the mention of her name.

"You said she's going to breakup with me. Maine nhi maani. And she did break-up. I thought I knew her. I thought she loved me."

She did! Sriansh wanted to yell. But it wasn't his place to tell. It was her decision and she's taken it.

"Please Sri. I just want you to see her once. Observe her and tell me if she's good for me. Please. Mere liye bhai."

Sriansh couldn't win in front of him. He was the only family Sriansh has ever had.

"Fine! But where will I meet her?"

"I know her address. Teri kl chhuti hai na. Tu uske PG ke bahar wait kr lio. And when she comes out you can test her."

"How the fuck do you know her address dude?"

He asked shocked and Soham rolled his eyes.

"I dropped her home bro. How else?"

Sriansh grumbled. The idea was really absurd but if it gave Soham happiness and didn't harm anyone, he could do it.

"How will I recognise her?"

He asked and Soham picked up his phone. He started searching for her socials and showed him her picture when he found it.

Since he wasn't following her, they could only see the profile picture.

"Hmm! Ok."

Sriansh said and that's how he found himself parked near her PG waiting for her to come out. He wasn't even sure that she's going to. Who says we only do things for love. We do things for friends too. Sriansh sighed and waited.

He sat up in attention when he saw her step out of her PG. She was dressed in a simple jeans and top but still managed to look perfect.

She took a rickshaw and Sriansh followed her in his car. Her rickshaw stopped at a side and she stepped while saying something to the driver. She rushed to the flower shop nearby and Sriansh found the perfect opportunity to talk to her.

He too stepped out of his car and rushed behind her. He first saw her from the window of the shop. She was talking to the salesgirl there. Seemed like she was confused about something.

Let's help her then! Sriansh entered inside gaining both the girls' attentions.

"Aap flower shop mai kaam krte ho lekin aaoko ye nhi pata ki kaunsa flower kis occasion ke liye sahi hai?"

Shatakshi asked the salesgirl who said.

"Mam I'm just a salesgirl here. Mera kaam flowers sell krna hai. I don't know anything about flowers other than the names of the flowers."

Shatakshi sighed and pouted. She wanted something meaningful.

"What do you want it for? Maybe I can help."

Sriansh said and Shatakshi looked at him.

"I want to give a bouquet to one of my relatives. She just got her chemo done successfully and is free from cancer after years of battle. And I want to give her something meaningful."

"I think you should go for peonies and sunflowers then. They represent health and speedy recovery."

Sriansh said and Shatakshi beamed.

"I'll have a bouquet of 5 peonies and 5 sunflowers."

She said turning of the girl who nodded and went to do the work.

"Thank you. I'm Shatakshi by the way."

She said forwarding her hand. Sriansh smiled and said.

"Hi Shatakshi! I'm Sriansh."

As soon as their hands met for a handshake, Sriansh felt a current run down her body. Seems like she felt it too because her eyes clashed with his. He quickly pulled his hand back and rubbed it on his jeans.

He had seen things like this happen in movies. But they couldn't be true right. For God's sake! He was here to approve this girl for his bestfriend. Not declare her as his soulmate. But he just couldn't help feeling drawn towards her.

"Waise how do you know so much about flowers?"

She asked and he smiled.

"Because that's what I do for a living."

"Aapki bhi flower shop hai?"

She asked confused and he chuckled.

"No. I'm a botanist."

She looked at him surprised.

"I've read about the science but I've never met an actual botanist before."

She said with awe and he bowed before her dramatically.

"You've seen one now."

She giggled and he chuckled again.

"That means you have a lab of your own?"

"Not my own but yes, I do work in a lab."

"That must be so amazing! Surrounded by flowers all day."

He smiled. Why did it feel like he wanting to talk to her and listen to her all day?

"Nor just flowers. All kinds of plants. You know what? You can visit the lab sometime. I'll give you a tour."

She looked at him with her eyes wide in surprise.

"Really? Allowed hai aise?"

"Haan haan. Aur agar kuch bole toh show them my card. Here you go!"

He said handing her his visiting card.

"The address and my contact number is written on the card. Waise toh entry mai problem aayegi nhi but agar kuch ho toh you can call. I'm at the lab on Mondays to Saturdays except the second and fourth Saturday, 10 to 7. Kabhi bhi aa jaana."

He said and she nodded keeping the card in her bag safely. Just then the girl came with her bouquet. Shatakshi paid for it and thanked the girl.

"Thank you so much. And be ready to give the tour. I'll visit soon."

She said with a wink and he nodded laughing. He kept looking at her until her rickshaw disappeared from sight. When he realised what he was doing he shook his head and sat in his car.

He went home and saw Soham sitting on the couch.

"You're home? Did you see her? Talk to her? Kaisi lagi? Is she good for me?"

"Umm-nhi- I couldn't talk to her. I lost sight of her rickshaw."

Soham slumped back a little disappointed and Sriansh gulped before walking to his room. Why did he lie? Why didn't he say that he met her, talked to her and liked her. He did like her. But not for Soham. He didn't want to imagine her with Soham.

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