"Kia, get your ass off that bean bag and get ready for your shoot! This isn't the time to sulk when you have a photoshoot to do and thousands of other things-" Viha shouted. Viha Shah, manager and best friend of the best model in town, Kiara Shekhawat, who was currently in her devdas mode.

"Am I too career oriented, Vi?" Kiara looked up at her best friend. Her thoughts were haywire ever since her last video call with her boyfriend which was two days ago.

"Kia, why do you have these thoughts roaming when all you ever wanted to be in life is independent and that's not bad," Viha softly spoke. She knew that Kiara right now needed her best friend's encouraging words. Especially with the work that was waiting.

"No Vi, I need an honest answer right now. And it's only you whom I can trust," she said. Having no support from her family because of the course she had selected, Viha was the closest whom she could call family and her opinion mattered.

Viha sighed. This wasn't the time to be brutally honest, she needed Kiara to first get done with the new brand photoshoot and therefore decided to divert the topic.

"Okay, how about you get ready first and get done with the H&M shoot, then we go to our apartment and have a brief chat about this?" Viha cracked the deal. She couldn't afford Kiara to be distracted right now. And she was able to complete her mission. Photoshoot was done, though it took a couple of hours more than usual, it was completed.

"That's it! Kia, what was wrong with you babe!" Viha exclaimed as soon as they got into the vanity. Initially, as the start of the shoot, Kiara was not her usual self which kind of didn't give the perfect impression to the people around and being in modelling she needed to please people with her work. Thankfully, she picked up and gave them the best she could.

"Vi, let's go home and talk," Kiara dismissed the topic and both of them were on their way home after getting Kiara changed and into a comfortable track and crop top.

Once they entered their abode, Kiara pulled Viha towards their couch and made her sit down. "Now answer my question," she demanded.

Viha sighed and began, "Kia, I am going to be honest. Career is important, you need it to be independent but we need to draw a line somewhere to manage other things around. That's where you are lost, you have been so much into the modelling thing, that things around you haven't really bothered you. I am not saying you were ignorant towards me or Ridhan or anyone, it's just that you have failed to notice some things that you should have," Viha stopped, letting Kiara process everything she just said.

"Ridhan is mad at me," she whispered.

Ridhan Kapoor, lead singer of 'Amity' and boyfriend of Kiara Shekhawat since the last 3 years. Having met at an award function, both were mesmerised by each other and eventually slid into one another's DMs. They had indeed come a long way and we're at a point where losing each other was not an option.

But the celebrity tag behind them didn't give them privacy or the space. Though their relationship was public, they didn't like to share each and everything with their fans. A selfie and lovey-dovey pictures were posted on their instagram handles frequently but not everyday. They didn't proclaim their love to the world on a daily basis but sometimes it did give them a headache with constant rumours.

This time the case was no different, two of them had an argument over Ridhan's and Amity's opening act - Ira Bhatt. The media reports had constantly linked up the two of them ever since the tour started and that did plant a seed of jealousy in Kiara's head. Two days back, Kiara and Ridhan had an outburst and said things which weren't needed.

"Heyy, how are you?" Ridhan asked as soon as the call was answered. The boys and him were touring and we're currently in Ahmedabad.

"Fine," Kiara grumpily answered, clearly annoyed about something.

"Oh! What's wrong?" Ridhan tried but he was already tired and wasn't up for some drama. "Nothing, Ridhan. Just saw some pictures of my boyfriend and his 'supposedly' new girl, Ira, leaving the club together," Kiara gritted.

She did trust him but she had lost everyone she loved except Viha and that's the reason for her reaction. Not justified but she wasn't wrong at her place too.

"Ki, I have told you a thousand times, it's nothing! Absolutely nothing." Ridhan tried to make her understand but Kiara was not in a mood to understand.

"Why can't you just clarify it, Ridhan! You have promotional events and interviews, why can't you just tell the media to stop, neither are you allowing me to say anything nor are you! What am I supposed to understand out of all this?" Kiara questioned.

"Why do we have to explain anything!" Ridhan shouted, something that rarely happened but it did scare Kiara due to some reasons. Her eyes immediately watered when she heard what Ridhan had to say.

"Why do we need to clarify anything! It's clear that you don't trust me and are acting like some psycho here who is obsessed with her boyfriend! Kiara, I have never interfered in your work nor have I asked you anytime to clarify anything, so stay out of this, you have suddenly become career oriented, that you don't notice things around you-" Ridhan said in anger and Kiara immediately ended the call not wanting to hear anything more.

That was the last conversation she had with Ridhan. The words career-oriented had stuck in her head and it made her question certain things, doing nothing except adding up to her insecurities.

"Kia, I am sure, he said that in anger, he didn't mean it." Viha tried to explain as she wiped some tears that had rolled down Kiara's cheek.

"No, Vi. He hasn't called back and neither has texted. What am I supposed to understand out of this ??" she questioned.

"Nothing! Every couple has their lows but eventually they find their highs. Similarly, you both would work this out. But Kia, you need to find time sometimes. He can't be the only one doing things in this relationship, it's a two way process." Viha explained getting only a nod in return.

"I will be in my room for sometime, not quite hungry so get done with your dinner and don't skip it due to me. I had kept white sauce pasta in the microwave, just heat it again," she instructed and rushed to her room.

She laid there on her bed thinking about everything when her phone started ringing. An incoming call from the boys. She quickly wiped her tears and plastered a smile as she picked up the call.

"Hey!" exclaimed Ishan as soon as he saw Kiara.

She laughed at his excitement and waves back to all the three boys, "Helloo, how's everything going on?"

"Great," three of them muttered, having sensed that something was right.

Akshant Mehra, Ishan Arora and Zahan Mehta and of course, Ridhan Mehra, formed the boyband which right now was ruling not only the music charts but also girl's hearts. Kiara was pretty close to all of them due to Ridhan and was thankful to him for giving her the best three people she could ever find.

"How was your modelling gig today?" Ishan asked. Ishan Arora, someone who can light up anyone's day with his humour. You could call him the joker of the group but someone who would always be there to listen to your rants. You don't expect the best advice but definitely the best listener. Ridhan and Ishan were childhood friends and met Akshant and Zahan when both of them moved to their locality and studied in the same college. Ever since the boys have been a close knit group.

Each of them had some connection with music, be it Ishan with the drums, Akshant with the guitar or Zahan with the keyboard. Ridhan also used to play guitar and sometimes drums. The four of them worked day and night with their instruments and voice to reach where they are today, all of them worked on their vocals to reach where they are today.

"Yeah! It was good," I answered. Ishan raised his eyebrows at my short reply but I wasn't in the mood to have that conversation right now. I shook my head and tried to avoid their gazes. Akshant, having had enough of the silence, said, "You know Kia, you both are very much readable. What do you think, we don't understand, him trying to avoid the call saying he is sleepy and your red eyes?"

"Exactly! I understand you two don't want us to interfere but it's difficult when we see you two suffering," Zahan sincerely said. He was the oldest among the four boys and Kiara who was a year younger to all the boys. "I really don't know what has happened Zah!" Kiara finally opened up. Talking with Viha was one thing but with the boys she always felt a sense of protection. Maybe because they really were protective of her.

"Maybe telling us would help then," Ishan jumped in.

"We have been fighting lately, quite a lot," she said.

"Every couple does," Akshant interrupted.

"Yes, but this time it feels like he doesn't want to stay together, it feels like I am forcefully tying him to a relationship with me," she said.

"That's not true Kia," Zahan softly said. "He is totally in love with you but lately the touring is making all of us snappy and tiresome."

"But does that give him the right to call me an obsessed, psycho girlfriend who is just career-oriented? Don't I have some self respect? Don't I deserve some clarification on why exactly he is not denying having any relation with Ira except for friendship? Yes, I am insecure but that doesn't make me what he said!" I exclaimed.

"You know what, come to Ahmedabad and slap him for his words, kick him for his rudeness and punch him for not being clear! Maybe that will clear his fucked up mind!" Ishan exclaimed. I laughed at his suggestion as tears rolled down my cheeks. "First of all, those tears aren't worth anybody, so quickly wipe them off, secondly, I agree with this idiot for the first time!" Akshant said.

"I am pretty sure he didn't mean what he said, oh leave that, I am sure he doesn't even remember what he said, but that doesn't give him any right to say those words! But you know what Kiara, he is stressed about something, trying to talk this out. Or maybe come here and have a face to face conversation if you are free. Now if I think he has been guilty about everything and that's the reason he doesn't want to face you.

The night you had called, I was in the room but left when you called. Just before you called, he had an argument with his dad which wasn't quite good, I think that whole anger was directed towards you." Zahan explained. Ridhan had supportive parents but sometimes you do have arguments. "Again, that doesn't justify his words but what I am trying to say is that wasn't for you," Zahan said.

"Hmm. I am planning to come to Ahmedabad on his birthday," I muttered. I needed to have a conversation and see where we stood. No, it wasn't a break up, it was just a conversation to help us be on the same page, no way in hell I am letting that idiot go. The boys helped me plan the surprise and we finally ended the call once the plan was clear. I was flying tomorrow and would reach at 11 PM where the boys would send someone to pick me up, wanting to avoid the media. The main plan was to surprise him with my presence.

A relationship is two way street, someone has to take a step forward and this time it was going to be me. I haven't forgiven him but ego never comes in between our relationship. He has made efforts thousand times even when I was wrong and this time I would be the one taking one step forward.

~•~

I had landed in Ahmedabad and was standing in the lobby of their hotel waiting for Ishan to come down because the receptionist was not accepting that I was Kiara Shekhawat! I don't blame her cause I had disguised myself to avoid people at the airport.

"Hey!" Ishan said as he approached me. I hugged him and we both moved towards Ridhan's room where Akshant and Zahan stood with cake in their hands. I hugged both the boys and looked at my watch. 11:58 PM exact. The three boys stood in front of me, hiding me behind their tall bodies, perfectly. They literally banged the door and there stood an annoyed Ridhan Kapoor, isn't he annoyed a lot these days!

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RIDHU BABY!" they shouted and teased him with a cheesy nickname, while I still stood behind them. "Shhhh! You are gonna wake everyone and get ourselves kicked out!" he complained. "Also, thank you so much, come inside," at least got some manners! Just kidding,guys!

"Umm, we have a surprise for you, bro" Akshant said. He looked confused and asked, "Surprise? What?" The three boys looked at each other and moved away finally revealing me. I smiled at him as he stood there shocked with his mouth wide open but I could see the happiness in his eyes.

"Happy Birthday, Ri" I softly said and moved forward to hug him. He closed his mouth and immediately wrapped his arms around me pulling me in a warm hug, "I am sorry," he whispered. I didn't say anything and pulled away, "Let's cut the cake, guys," I said and pulled Ridhan along with me into the room. We celebrated for an hour or so and the boys wished him again, before moving out. They did whisper to punch him if required when they were moving out. Ridhan has one of a kind best friends, I mentally laughed.

As soon as I closed the door, I was pulled in a back hug, "You know right, these kind of gestures are going to make me forgive you," he laughed at me and said, "I know you well and I know such things won't melt you nor am I justifying my act. Like those three idiots said, you can punch me if you want," he sincerely uttered those words.

"Let's talk before I slap you," I settled myself on the bed while he sighed and sat next to me.

"So...." I began.

"Let me do the talking, Kia. Saying sorry is utterly useless as it won't take away the words I said but please forgive me, I really had gotten into a heated argument with dad about something and it all came out on you, I shouldn't have said those things especially when I know that you are none of that and dare not let those words affect you.

About, Ira thing, I wasn't the only one at the club with her, we all were there but somehow the paps only captured us, I swear!" he exclaimed.

"Ridhan, I trust you! I never once doubted but those articles aren't something that I want to read. I expected you to at least clarify it considering it was you who was involved but neither did you say anything nor did you let me say anything, what was I supposed to understand?" I questioned.

"I now understand where you are coming from but I took it in a different way. I didn't want to involve both of us in this shit because we both were aware of the reality," he explained.

"Ri, it's not about us only. It can never be considering our careers. You can't expect everything to be private but that doesn't mean we open everything publicly. We just maintain a balance," I pointed out.

"I am sorry! I should have apologized before, but I couldn't face you after whatever I said. It may sound cheesy but those tears made me want to kill myself. Those aren't worth anyone, so don't drain yourself over someone. And about being career-oriented, then I was wrong. It's called being independent and I am glad you aren't dependent on anyone, I am proud of where you stand today," he kissed my forehead as he completed saying what he had.

"Happy birthday, love," I whispered.

"Thank you for coming here," he said, "I have a little secret to tell you though, I knew you were coming," he confessed.

"HOW!" I exclaimed.

"I may or may not have talked with Viha and she spilled the beans," he muttered.

We talked until the sun rised and filled out room with its shine while we slept there cuddling with one another.

~•~

"How are you doing, Ahmedabad!?" Ishan shouted through his microphone as the crowd cheered for the four boys on the stage. Nothing could be heard except for the fans and the cute boards they held for their favourite members.

I sat in the front row with some of our friends who lived in Gujarat and had visited to support the boys. It was crazy to see the amount of love that the boys received. Each of them had their own fan base and people admired their friendship the most.

Song after song, the boys did an amazing job with no dance routine but just being their usual selves on the stage. Teasing each other to messing with the mics was what they did. Forgetting the lyrics to change it to something relatable was what happened on the stage. And that's the reason why fans could connect with them.

Half way through their performance, Akshant took the mic, "Today is the day our monkey was born. Okay okay, sorry mere bhai, not monkey, but this idiot named Ridhan Kapoor was borned," he changed as Ridhan glared at him but still kept it funny as the crowd laughed at the nicknames.

"25 years, bro tu budha ho raha hai!" Ishan continued, "25 years since God made this piece who made my living hell ever since he's born,"

"Or maybe it's the other way round, Ishu," Ridhan interrupted. Again, the crowd laughed at their antics. "Whatever!" Ishan rolled his eyes.

"On a serious note, 13 years since Akshant and I have known him, he's the same! Nothing has changed. The same guy who was him but would blast when he's irritated. The same guy who loved music more than anything. Fame hasn't changed him, we hope you stay like this always, brother," said Zahan.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RIDHU BABY," three of them shouted once their mini speech was completed and a cake was brought on the stage.

Ridhan shook his head at his best friends and took the mic, "First of all, thank you so much. Zahan said, I have not changed but the truth is none of us have. We keep each other grounded and that's what binds us. Secondly, revenge will be taken for the nicknames you have used," the crowd laughed at his line. "I would have been nothing if not for these three guys. Thank you once again," and he pulled them for a hug. The fans had their phones out recording everything and were 'aww-ing' at the scene.

As they got apart, Ridhan again took the mic and the three boys were grinning at him like monkeys. "Today is special, but to make it more special I have to do this," he got down the stage and moved towards me with the cameraman behind him recording everything.

He came and stood in front of me, "what are you doing?" I whispered. I looked at the boys as I got no answer from him. He started talking, "Three years ago, I met this wonderful girl, Kiara Shekhawat. Cupid struck as soon as I met you and you know that. I remember me sliding into your dms after the awards night and that's how everything began. First date to a bowling alley which was an absolute disaster considering that I didn't know bowling and assumed you loved it. Thankfully, we both suck at it. Second date, a little better than the first one, a late night long drive and I believe that's where we actually connected. Connected over things that made both of us happy.

Many more dates and of course constantly chatting later, I finally had the guts to ask you to be my girlfriend. Life is not easy but it's great with you beside me. We had our ups and downs but we have found our way back to each other every time. We have had our own journey, be it me being possessive or you being jealous, be it flying down just for a day or you surprising me randomly on my tours, we have come a long way and now I know that you ain't going anywhere even after knowing all my quirks and nor am I letting you go anywhere.

Kiara Shekhawat, I love you, thank you for being my best friend, my girlfriend, my confidant, my supporter, my strength, my partner in crime and much more but now are you ready to be my wife?" Ridhan sat there on his one knee with a ring as Kiara gasped in shock.

"Yes, yes, yes" chants were heard which brought Kiara out of her reverie of thoughts. Her eyes were staring directly at the person in front of her whom she loved with all her heart and there were no second thoughts about the answer. "Yes! A million times yes," she said and hugged Ridhan tightly as he got up.

Ridhan pulled back and slid the ring in her finger before pulling her in for a kiss. They quickly pulled back not wanting to give anyone a show. Ridhan pulled Kiara on the stage with him and cut his cake feeding the boys and his girl.

"Can we have the flash lights on and hands waving in the air guys ?" Ishan asked the fans who immediately obliged as the boys started their next song as Kiara was taken in a back hug by Ridhan.

"This one's for you," he whispered.

Mere sohneya sohneya ve,
Ve mahi mera kitthe naiyo dil lagna,
Mere sohneya sohneya ve,
Ve mahi mera kitthe naiyo dil lagna.

_____________________________________________

Hey guys,

Here's the new OS. Quite random but I always had this in mind. I feel that communication is the key to anything and I hope that is well depicted here. Of course there is much more in a relationship.

Anyways, coming to the one shot, how is it? What is your take on the situation? Would you have accepted the apology?

Thank you for all the love on this book guys, means a lot to me ❤️ see you soon, with a new short story or one-shot. Which one do you prefer?