SAHIL FF-AASHIQ BANAYA AAPNE-PT25-THE REAL THING-NEW-PG-108 - Page 46

Originally posted by: heena24

In love with all your stories

This story is really very nice Aahil and Sanam broke

Wondering what will happen next

Update soon and please pm me the next part please😊

Part 17 - "Tu Jaane Na!"

*"Milake bhi hum na mile tumase na jaane kyun, milon ke hai faasale...Tumase na jaane kyun anjaane hai silsile...Tumase na jaane kyun...sapane hai palakon taley...Tumase na jaane kyun... Kaise batayein kyun tujhko chahe yaara bata na paaye...Baatein dilo ki dekho jo baagi aankhein tujhe samjhaye...Tu Jaane Na..."

"Api!"

Sanam thought she heard a voice saying something to her, and then she felt a hand shake her.

"Api wake up!"

Sanam opened her eyes slowly and saw Seher standing over her, staring at her. Sanam tried to sit up and as she raised her hand to rub her eyes, she saw that she was wearing several gold bracelets. She looked at her hands and realised that she was still wearing the long sleeved net blouse that went with her Mother's sari. It then dawned on her that she was still sleeping in the clothes she went to the Architects dinner in. She didn't even realise that she had fallen asleep on the couch. She groggily sat up.

"Seher? What are you doing back? I thought you are coming tonight?" said Sanam, blinking her eyes.

"Things wrapped up last night, so I took the early flight out. But Api...what on earth are you doing sleeping on the couch and that too in Ammi's sari?"

"I was at the Architects dinner last night!"

"With Aahil? I bet he loved your hot sari look!" said Seher with a grin.

Sanam winced. "No I went with Saif!"

"Oh..." said Seher. "How did Aahil feel about that?" said Seher with raised eyebrows.

"Seher, I'm feeling pretty grubby falling asleep in these clothes. I need a shower! I'm sure so do you. Let's talk later!" said Sanam avoiding the question, as she quickly scrambled to her feet.

"Api...what's wrong?" asked Seher as Sanam turned to try and leave the sitting area.

"Wrong? Nothing is wrong!"

"Really? Then why are you not looking at me?"

"I'm just tired Seher! What's with the inquisition? I'm going to have a shower!" Sanam snapped as she walked towards the staircase and started to walk up.

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Rehan woke up on Sunday morning and ventured out to the hall. He walked past the pool and stopped short at what he saw. Aahil was laying on the couch next to the pool. There was a half empty bottle of whisky on the floor and an ice bucket that was clearly empty and a glass that had toppled over. Rehan frowned. He knew Aahil had gone to the Architects Association dinner last evening. Why on earth had he spent the rest of the night getting wasted by the pool? He walked over to Aahil.

"Bhai!" he said, as he leaned over Aahil. "Bhai!" he said again, as he kept his hand on Aahil's shoulder. "Wake up!"

"Rehan?" said Aahil as he opened his eyes. "My brother...how are you?" said Aahil with a faint smile.

"Lagtha hain...kal raath ka uthera nahin abi thak?" said Rehan shaking his head.

"Raath gayi, baath gayi bro...at least...THAT is what she thinks of me!" said Aahil with small laugh.

"SHE?" said Rehan with a quizzical expression.

"Ms Khan...the talented, beautiful and cultured Ms Khan! Way too discreet to be seen with a playboy she is having a fling with in front of her Abbu's illustrious friends!"

Rehan frowned at this statement. Aahil sounded a bit out of it, but it appeared that something serious had happened between Aahil and Sanam last night. Why else would he drink like this? But what was Aahil talking about when he was referring to Sanam's Abbu's friends? He must mean the crowd at the Architects dinner. But as far as Rehan knew, Aahil had said that Sanam could not make it last night. "But Bhai...Sanam? She was not there last night? You were going with Nida right? Didn't you say Sanam was busy?"

"Yes she was busy Rehan! Busy being escorted to the SAME event by Saif Abdullah. The eligible and esteemed bachelor who is also an Architect like her Father was! He fits right in with that crowd, and Ms Khan's idea of what a suitable escort for her should be like! Trust me, I don't even feature!" said Aahil with a bitter laugh.

Rehan's eyes flew up in shock. He found it tough to believe that a usually straightforward girl like Sanam, would actually lie that she was busy, and then go to the same event with someone else.

"Is it that she didn't realise you were inviting her to the same event? Maybe it was just a misunderstanding?" said Rehan, trying to defuse the situation.

"Yeah it was a misunderstanding all right! I misunderstood my importance in her life. Your right. She didn't know it was the same event. I didn't tell her coz I wanted to surprise her by taking her to an event where her Abbu's friends and colleagues would be. People she knew. She told me she had a work related function to attend, and didn't once tell me she was going to the Architects dinner with Saif Abduallah. Ruhi had already RSVP'd for a guest for me. So I asked Nida to go. When Neil, Maya, Nida and I turned up there, Sanam was already sitting at the same table we were going to sit at, with Saif Abdullah by her side! So no. It was not a misunderstanding Rehan. It was crystal clear!"

To say that Rehan was beyond shocked by what he heard was an understatement. He didn't understand why Sanam would do such a thing?

"Bhai...I didn't want to ask, but I noticed you didn't say you were going anywhere with Sanam this week. I was pretty busy too, so I didn't think much of it. Also, Seher was out of town, so I didn't hear anything about things from her either. Did something happen between you two? Did you have a fight?"

"To have a fight, I have to see her Rehan! She was avoiding me for the past whole week! You know why? Coz she overheard Simran talking to a friend of hers at Espresso. Simran was complaining that I dumped her coz I got bored of her, and I fancied Sanam over her. Apparently she saw us at the movies together and recognized Sanam from the night we went to "S2". Sanam asked me if I used and discarded Simran, coz she reached her "use by date", and if it was only a matter of time before I would do the same to her?"

Rehan looked at Aahil in shock. "Bhai...This is just...I mean...I'm surprised that Sanam didn't discuss this with you. I mean she is usually a very straight forward girl. Seher is too. They both are!"

"You know what the most ironic part is Rehan? I have always been so clear with all the women I have dated that I didn't want commitment. Sanam was the ONLY girl I never said that to, coz I actually wanted to see where this would go? I thought that maybe there was something here...something more than attraction. Despite myself, I knew this time it was different. I couldn't stop thinking about her for weeks. Yes, I admit I called it off with Simran after meeting Sanam. But that was coz meeting her made it clear to me that I had no interest left in Simran. We just dated for a few weeks it was going nowhere fast! But with Sanam...I actually thought this WAS going somewhere?"

"Bhai...I'm sorry...I really don't know what to say!"

"It's fine brother. You don't have to say anything. I know Sanam and I didn't work out, but that doesn't mean you and Seher wont. You don't have to feel bad about it. Sanam didn't think I was worth the risk! Maybe I'm not! After all, I was the player right? Once a player always a player? Isn't that what people say?"

"That's not true Bhai! There is so much more to you than that and you know it!"

"Do I? Well she doesn't seem to think so. She thinks I am just good to have a fling with. She had no expectations of more! I don't know what hurts more Rehan...that she didn't think I was worth more than that, or that she thought that is ALL she can expect from me?"

"If that is what Sanam thinks of you Bhai, then she doesn't know you at all. Also, you're not the type that betrays those you care about. So in my book, that makes you the best Risk ever!"

"Thank you for the vote of confidence Rehan. But you're my brother, so you see the best in me. But having said that, Abbu never saw the best in me. He didn't ever show me any affection. My own Father didn't think I was worth loving. I thought I was over all that stuff with Abbu, but last night just proved to me, I will always be found wanting. My Father never thought I was worth it, Sanam doesn't either! Anyway, it's time I had a shower. It's time to "shake it off" bro!" said Aahil as he stood up from the couch. He made his way to his room.

Rehan watched Aahil walk away with concern. He knew Aahil had a deep seated wound from the neglect that he had suffered at the hands of his Father. It hurt him deeply to see Aahil in so much pain. Since childhood he and Aahil had been close. He loved him dearly and he knew the feeling was returned. All his life, he had counted on his brother. Aahil had always been there for him, so in HIS eyes, he was a guy worth taking a risk on. Aahil only had a select few he was close to, and he always came through for those people. Rehan felt himself getting angry at Sanam for causing this much emotional hurt to his brother. WHY didn't Sanam see that Aahil was in love with her? That he could NEVER use and discard her, as she had implied?

Rehan would not normally get involved in something like this, but he could see that Aahil was seriously hurt and disturbed. The least he could do was ask Seher what she knew about this. She had texted him late last night to say that her project wrapped up a day earlier and that she was taking the early morning flight back to Bhopal. Just as he thought he would check to see when she would be back, his phone beeped. It was Seher, and she said she was back and she wanted to talk, and can he meet her in an hour in town? Rehan frowned. He wondered if she wanted to discuss the same subject that he did. He texted her back and said he will meet her. Even Rehan was curious to know what Seher knew about the big bust up between Aahil and Sanam.

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Rehan and Seher met at a cafe in the city that had a great breakfast menu. Seher brought breakfast there whenever she was in town in the morning. She asked Rehan to meet her there, coz she wanted to catch up with him, and also coz she wanted to discuss Aahil and Sanam. She knew no matter what her sister said, something was wrong. After her so called shower, Sanam had not come out of her room. When Seher had tried to go talk to her, she had said she had a headache and wanted to sleep. Seher had seen the look on her face and known there was no point pressing her. Her sister can be a tough nut to crack when she was determined to shut people out. She was just like Abbu that way. She went into shutdown mode. Ammi used to tell her that this was one of the things that had frustrated her the most about their Father. It remained one of the things that frustrated Seher the most about her sister. This had made her more determined to find out what was going on. Her only resort was to see if Rehan knew anything, and so she had texted him and asked him to meet her in an hour. Otherwise she had intended to see him for lunch, so she gets a bit of time to unwind from her travel. But she felt too restless by Sanam's behavior to feel like unwinding anymore.

Seher reached the cafe, and soon after, Rehan walked in. She stood up from the table she was sitting at, and they hugged each other, and Rehan gave Seher a quick peck on the lips.

"Missed you babe!" said Rehan with a smile.

"Me too!" said Seher, returning him smile. They both sat down, and Rehan went and ordered their meal and coffee. Just as soon as he came back to the table, Seher looked at him. She could tell he looked a bit disturbed. Is it possible that he was disturbed about the same thing she was?

"So...can you tell me what on earth is going on between Aahil and Sanam?" Seher said without any preamble in her typical Seher style, as Rehan sat down in front of her.

"I was hoping YOU could tell me more about it?"

"Trust me, I know nothing. MY sister refuses to speak of it. So I think you know more than I do! Sanam has totally shut down. Please tell me, coz I am starting to get worried!"

"So you don't know anything?"

"Nothing at all!"

"Ok then...here goes!" said Rehan, as he explained what Aahil had told him. Seher was starting to look more and more shocked as Rehan told her what he knew.

"I don't believe this! This is insane!" said Seher shaking her head. "What is Api thinking?"

"I don't know Seher. But Bhai is gutted. I have never seen him this miserable. Not even when our Abbu died!" said Rehan. Seher gave him a speculative look. "I am telling you this in strict confidence, but there is a lot about Aahil Bhai's Abbu, my step father, that you don't know! Most of it is not pretty. Bhai won't be happy if he knows I told you this. But given what has happened and how badly Bhai has taken it, I think you should know this, and so should Sanam!" said Rehan, as he explained to Seher about how Aahil's dad had always treated him, and what sort of man he had been. "I was quite young when Ammi married Abbu. But I don't think Ammi was ever really happy with him. They fought a lot. He was very controlling, and he was very hard on Bhai!"

As Rehan narrated the story of their life with Nawab Raza Ibrahim, Seher was shocked. She had no idea how abusive and controlling he had been, and how miserable he had made Aahil and sometimes the rest of the family, including his wife Begum Tanveer.

"Bhai doesn't believe Abbu ever loved him. He doesn't talk about it, but I know it has colored his perception of himself. His Mother died when he was very young, so whatever love he got from her was not enough for him to disregard the neglect and abuse he got from Abbu. Even the love our Ammi gave him was not enough to erase the effects of Abbu's abuse. I know deep down Bhai thinks he is not worthy of love. What happened with Sanam has re-enforced this to him. He may come across as a devil may care guy with an attitude, but he is very vulnerable inside Seher. THAT is one of the reasons he has never got emotionally involved. I guess he hates to expose himself to hurt. He doesn't like putting his guard down. But with Sanam he did, and this is what he got in return. Lies and mistrust. I know Sanam is your sister, and I like her. But how she acted with Aahil Bhai was wrong. I am disappointed in her!" said Rehan gravely.

Seher looked at Rehan. She could see Rehan was looking upset and he was worried for his brother. But as Sanam's sister, she felt the need to defend her.

"Rehan...I know where you're coming from, and I don't blame you. But I know my sister, and I know she is not one to lie and deceive. What she did was wrong, but I think I know why she did it. Sanam sometimes gets all tangled up in her own thoughts and insecurities. She is very much like my Dad. He used to internalise a lot of things too. Ammi and I are the opposite. We just blurt out what we think. Sanam will only do that when pushed. Don't get me wrong, she can be very vocal about her feelings, but when her emotions get involved, it's another story. I think I know what the problem is. My sister has fallen for Aahil, and she's not sure how to deal with it. I don't know if she is even sure how she feels about it. Especially coz she may have had reason to believe that Aahil may not want a long term commitment, and he is not her usual type. My sister doesn't fall easily. But when she does, she is the kind who will fall hard! They are not that different you know?" said Seher with a small smile.

"Seher...are you sure Sanam is serious about Bhai?"

"I am sure Rehan. You said Aahil struggles with emotional involvement? So does Sanam. Our parent's death changed Sanam. I'm not saying our parent's death didn't change me, but it changed Sanam more. She was always more like Abbu, reserved with her feelings. That only got worse after Ammi and Abbu passed away. She fears getting too attached to someone, in case she loses them. Maybe that's why she resisted falling in love all this time!"

"But what about Saif? I mean...does she have any feelings for Saif?"

"Safe Saif?" No way!" said Seher with a laugh. "They are good friends. Very good friends. Sort of like Aahil and Nida. They will never be more! Trust me Rehan...Sanam is in love,...whether she admits it or not! The question is...is Aahil?"

"Without a doubt! I know my brother and I have never seen him like this before!" said Rehan without a second's hesitation.

"In that case...we know what we have to do!"

"What?"

"Knock some sense into our siblings. Get them to talk!" said Seher.

"That will be easier said than done I'm afraid!"

"Trust me Rehan...there is nothing Seher Ahemed Khan cannot do!"

"Humility will never be your strong suite Seher. But I love you anyway!" said Rehan. Seher stared at Rehan for a second, and blinked. Rehan suddenly realised what he had just said.

"Did you just...?..." Seher didn't finish the sentence.

"I guess I did!" Rehan breathed.

Seher looked at Rehan for a second, and then she broke out in a smile that almost felt like the sun coming out. At least that is how Rehan felt, basking in its warmth.

"Rehan Imran Qureshi...THAT must have been the most unromantic declaration of love ever! BUT...I love you anyway too!" said Seher shaking her head.

Suddenly Rehan stood up and pulled Seher out of her chair.

"What...?" Said Seher as she got yanked up. "I haven't finished all my food?"

"How unromantic are you Seher Ahemed Khan, to be thinking of your stomach at a time like this?"

"I always think of my stomach, no matter what the situation is! But...where are we going?"

"Somewhere I can kiss you senseless!" said Rehan, as he pulled Seher out of the door of the cafe.

"And here I thought you were a nice boy?" said Seher with a lift of her eyebrows, as Rehan pulled her close to him.

"Haven't you heard...Nice boys can be naughty too!" said Rehan, as he dove in for a kiss. Seher giggled as her Rehan's lips met hers.

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"You've really done it this time Sanam!" said a voice from behind her, as Sanam was putting a DVD back in the slot it belonged in the alphabetized DVD collection they had in the hall. She had taken to cleaning this morning. Sanam had alphabetized the DVD collection in the hall a long time ago, but some of the DVD's were in the wrong place courtesy of Seher. So she was re-arranging it all. She had already vacuumed the house, cleaned one of the Linen closets in the hallway, and then started to clear up the DVD's. Sanam always cleaned when she was disturbed and one look at the pristine looking hall told Seher that Sanam was at her OCD best today.

"What are you talking of Seher?" said Sanam, as she turned around to look at Seher. "Didn't you say you were going for a run?" said Sanam with a frown, as she took in the three quarter length jeans and peasant style top Seher was wearing. She was not dressed for running. Also, had she just called her "Sanam?" She only did that when she was mad at her for something, or wanted to hammer her point home.

"Yeah well, since I had to talk to you through a door, I didn't think there was any point being honest with you!"

"Where were you then?"

"With Rehan!"

"Oh!"

"Oh indeed!" said Seher with a raise of her browse. "Are you wondering what he told me?" Seher knew she had defended Sanam to Rehan, but that didn't mean she was going to let Sanam off the hook either.

"What would he tell you?" said Sanam in a defensive tone.

"What you did of course. I have to give it to you...this time you really pulled a fast one? Going to the Architects dinner with Saif, and pretending to Aahil that you had some business related do to attend? Smooth Sanam! Very smooth!"

"Cut the sarcasm Seher! I don't want a lecture!" said Sanam as she turned away. Seher came forward and stood in front of Sanam.

"Not so fast. You may not want a lecture, but you most definitely need one! What were you thinking? Have you any idea how gutted Aahil is?"

"Yes...he is so gutted he broke up with me, and told me that he is out of my life. Happy?"

"No I am not happy, and neither are you! I can eat my dinner off the floor, and that is a clear indication that you are anything BUT happy! WHY didn't you just talk to him Api?" said Seher in a softer tone, as she saw the misery that was clearly etched on Sanam's face.

"I didn't know what to say to him Seher. After hearing that girl Sim complain about how Aahil got tired of her and dumped her, and also how she thought it was coz he fancied ME, I was totally confused. I avoided him, so I can avoid the conversation. But lying to him about the Architects dinner was a big mistake, coz I know it backfired on me. But I had NO idea he was talking of the same event!"

"He is very hurt Api. Rehan is pissed at you, coz he has never seen his brother this upset. Did you know Aahil spent all night last night getting drunk? Rehan found him asleep on the couch next to the pool this morning. Somewhat like I found you on the couch this morning too! Ironic really, how alike you two can be sometimes! Accept for the drunk part that is!" said Seher with a small smile.

"Aahil got drunk?" said Sanam, her eyes clouding with concern.

"Yeah he did. Full on Devdas mode! He has it bad for you!"

Sanam looked away with a pained expression.

"So what are you going to do?"

"You sound like Saif!"

"Well he has a point. You can't just leave things the way they are. You have to talk to him!"

"What exactly will I tell him Seher? I mean, I didn't trust him and he doesn't want me in his life anymore. Like I told Saif, maybe what I felt for him is not enough. Maybe what he felt for me is not enough to forgive me for my mistake. Maybe he is hurt right now, but he will probably get over it and..." Sanam was cut off by Seher.

"Don't be so sure about that. There is a lot about Aahil you don't know!" said Seher in a serious tone. Sanam looked at her quizzically. "From what Rehan told me, it didn't sound like he will just "get over it!" as you seem to think. Becoming emotionally involved is a big deal for him...!" Said Seher. Seher explained what Rehan had told her, about Aahil's Abbu and how controlling he had been, and how he had never shown Aahil any affection. Sanam was looking shocked at these revelations.

"Rehan told me that Aahil has this deep seated belief that maybe he is not worthy of love. That is the main reason he has steered clear of emotional attachments. He's only close to a very few people and it takes him a long time to put his guard down. Rehan told me that he thinks that's why Aahil always had flings, coz he could compartmentalize such relationships. But with you, it went further than that. He couldn't compartmentalize this one. He fell for you Api. Badly. He actually started to have some expectations from this relationship. That is why what you did hurt him so much Sis!"

Sanam moved towards the couch and sat down, like she was having trouble being supported by her feet anymore. "I feel awful Seher. I swear I had no idea!"

"Of course you didn't! But now that you do...maybe you should talk to him?"

"I don't even know what I will say?"

"How about the truth?"

"The truth?"

"Yes...! That you're in love with him too!"

Sanam stared at Seher. "How can you be so sure that Aahil is in love with me?"

"I'm not sure, but Rehan is. And considering how close they are, I would give his opinion some credibility!"

"Did he say he loves me to Rehan? Because he never said anything to me Seher!"

"Some things don't need to be said! You just know. Rehan just knows!" said Seher and suddenly her face broke out in a smile. Her smile looked like she was reminiscing something.

"What is that smile about?" said Sanam, at which Seher blushed. "Did you just blush?" asked Sanam incredulously.

"No I didn't ok?" said Seher turning her face the other way. She didn't know if she wanted to tell Sanam that Rehan had told her he loved her for the first time today. Considering how Sanam was feeling right now, she almost felt guilty at being so happy in her own love life.

"Did something happen with Rehan?" asked Sanam perceptively, at which Seher looked at Sanam. "I am not your twin for nothing!" said Sanam in a quiet tone. "It's OK to be happy Seher! I can tell something has happened to make you happy, and I would like to know what that is! If you can share my MISERY with me, then I can share your happiness with you?"

"Rehan told me he loves me!" said Seher with a smile. "I mean I KNEW he loved me, and that I loved him, but we never actually SAID it before! So I guess some things DO have to be said for them to actually mean what it should mean! I have to say, hearing him say it was a thrill, which was unexpected! Coz you know I'm not the senti type?"

"Yeah RIGHT! You so are, but you pretend not to be!"

"Whatever! Stop dissing me and call your boyfriend!" said Seher rolling her eyes.

"He's not my boyfriend. At least not anymore, if he ever really was. As for him loving me...I bet he HATES me now Seher. You should have seen the way he looked at me when he said goodbye!" said Sanam and her voice wobbled on the last word.

"Come on Api...you know people say a lot of things in anger. Also...I noticed you didn't deny being in love with him! THAT was the whole problem wasn't it? I'm not your twin for nothing too!"

"Would you believe me if I denied it?"

"No!" said Seher instantly.

"Then there really is no point denying it is there?"

"Call him Api. Talk to him!"

"I don't know Seher...I don't know if he will even want to hear anything I have to say? What if he doesn't want to know?"

"You mean...what if he rejects you right? That's a risk you're going to have to take I'm afraid!"

"Easier said than done!"

"Love is a leap Sanam...sometimes...you just have to jump!"

Sanam looked at Seher. Sometimes Seher called her Sanam when she was being extremely serious and wanted to make a point. This would be one of those occasions. The idea of calling Aahil was very intimidating to Sanam. The anger she had seen in his eyes when he left her on the balcony last night haunted her. He didn't seem like the sort of person who would take being insulted lightly. What she had done would have felt like an insult to Aahil. The way he had looked at her when he said he was out of her life, didn't make Sanam feel he would be in a very forgiving mood now. But talk to him she must. No matter what. At least to apologize for the way she had acted. She owed him that much at least. In light of what she found out, she knew it was important to at least try to apologise. Whether he accepted her apology or not was up to Aahil. "Love is a Leap" Seher had said. Looks like it was time to jump.

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Aahil was sitting in his office the next day, and he was distracted. He had pretty much spent most of yesterday catching up on some gaming he had ignored for weeks. But not even hours of playing Call Of Duty seemed to ease the ache in his chest. He had tried so hard not to think of Sanam, but that was easier said than done. He still could not believe that Sanam had avoided him for a week, lied to him, and then told him that whatever that was between them was a fling. He couldn't believe that he had broken up with her. But then what other choice did he have if THAT is how she viewed their relationship? Did she really not have more feelings for him? Was she only just attracted to him? Because even though he had resisted naming the feelings he felt whenever he was with Sanam, in the back of his mind he knew the "Name" of his feelings. Yes he was in love. He knew that and as much as he wanted to deny it, he knew there was no point.

By the time he had realised just what this feeling was it was too late to stop it. If he was honest, from the moment he set eyes on her, it had already been too late. For the first time in his life, a women had rendered him speechless. He had forgotten why he had asked to even see the head chef. He had never felt less smooth or suave in his life. That itself should have told him, that this was a losing battle. She had taken over his thoughts and from that moment onward, nothing had made her leave. This was just so ironic. Women had pursued him since his teens. Mostly for his looks and title. They were attracted to the glamour that was Aahil Raza Ibrahim. Little knowing the damaged and flawed individual that actually inhabited the glamorous facade. Would any of them have been interested in him, had they known his true self? If they had known what he really felt inside? Sometimes he had doubts. Most had acted like they wanted his love, but had he really offered it, would they have wanted it? The only women he had ever wanted to offer his heart to had been Sanam. Aahil laughed at this thought. The word "offer" implied that he had a choice in the matter! The fact was that she had taken it. But the problem was that she didn't want it! Aahil closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the head rest of his chair.

A tap on his office door broke Aahil from his train of thoughts.

"Come in!" he said, almost on reflex. Ruhi walked in. "Yes Ruhi?" said Aahil distractedly.

"Sir, the party from Deora Group are here!" said Ruhi. At that, Aahil's head snapped up. He had forgotten that they had a meeting with the Deora group today. They were meeting to discuss phase 2 of their joint venture.

"Who exactly has come Ruhi?"

"Mr and Mrs Deora, Mr Vyas, and Ashish Deora" said Ruhi. "They are already in the conference room!"

"Ok Ruhi. Have you called Neil and Rehan?"

"Yes sir. They are both already in the conference room!"

"You go down. I'll be there in a minute!" said Aahil, and Ruhi nodded and went into her office. Aahil picked up a flash drive from his drawer that had all information relating to the Deora project and got up to leave. Work was a welcome distraction from his heartache. Little did Aahil know that his heartache was about to re-visit him.

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Sanam was at work. She had decided to give it a day before calling Aahil. She wanted to give him time to cool off, and she thought if she gave it a day, it would be better. Today was Monday, and he would probably be busy today, so tomorrow she will call him and see if she can get him to meet her. She needed to discuss this in person. No point trying to have a conversation like this over the phone. It was a face to face situation. She would text him and see if he was free to see her. But even she needed a day to come to grips with things. So tomorrow it will be. Sean noticed that Sanam was very quiet, and he asked her what the matter was. She told him what happened at the Architects diner and Sean had looked at her as if to say "I told you so!" but then he had been very caring and told her that everyone makes mistakes and to give herself a break.

"Just talk to him Sanam! " said Sean.

"I will Sean. I'm going to call him tomorrow!"

"Don't wait too long! Let me know how it goes!" said Sean. Then the sous chef Danny had arrived, and that had ended their discussion. Sanam had to go and change now anyway, because Neha had to go out of town suddenly for a family emergency. So she would have to manage the restaurant floor today. Since both Sean and Danny were here, she was not needed in the kitchen. She made her way to her office to change. She changed into a Black dress that had short capped sleeves, and ended just above her knees. The dress had a thin red belt at the waist to hold it in, and she wore black pumps with a small heel. She knew being comfortable as well as stylish was important, because she was going to be on her feet all night. She had her hair pinned up and off her face and wore her pearl studs. She looked cool and business-like.

It was 6.20pm and the restaurant was opening at 6.30 for dinner. Sanam went around the restaurant and made sure everything was ready to start service. She knew the kitchen was always ready. Sean would make sure of that. Wait staff were all on standby. All she needed to do was check the reservations. She went to the front desk and checked the reservations page on the computer. All reservations that come over phone, website etc were entered into a spreadsheet. They were fully booked most of the time these days, and hardly had space to fit people in at the 11^th hour. She checked the spreadsheet and realized that they had a booking for 6.30pm itself. Suddenly one of the reservations stood out. "I.H Group. Party of 8. Contact person: Ruhi Singh" said the reservation details, along with Ruhi's contact number to call back.

The I.H Group, as in Aahil's company was having a party for dinner tonight? Was Aahil coming too? No surely. He won't come after what happened between them? He would probably send Neil and someone else? Then almost as if on cue, the door to the restaurant opened and walked in a party in formal attire. 3 men and a women in formal clothes walked in followed by Ruhi Singh. Sanam recongised Mr & Mrs Deora and also Mr Vyas from "Deora Group". They had been the same party that came for the Digestation Menu dinner a few weeks ago. There was another younger man with them, who Sanam didn't recognize. Then walked in Ruhi. Right after her came Rehan, and then Neil Singh. Sanam thought maybe Aahil was not coming after all? Then she realised only 7 people had come in, and the reservation said 8! Just when Sanam was about to turn away, the door opened again and in walked Aahil. Sanam almost felt like her breath stopped for a minute. She didn't realise how much her eyes had missed seeing Aahil. Even though it was only 2 days, it felt like a lot longer than that! She saw that Aahil had not looked her way, and she quickly looked the other way as well. She didn't want to be caught staring at him.

As the party moved closer to the restaurant floor, Sanam moved away from the front desk and came forward to greet them.

"Good evening Ms Singh" said Sanam formally as she greeted Ruhi. "Please follow me, your table is ready!"

"Good evening Ms Khan!" said Ruhi. They all sat down at the table. Just as they all sat down, Mrs Deroa spoke up. "Ms Khan, it's a pleasure to see you again!" she said.

"Likewise Mrs Deora!" said Sanam with a smile.

"Remember I told you I would introduce my son to you next time we are in town? Well here he is. Meet my son...Ashish!" said Mrs Deora, pointing out the tall and handsome young man who Sanam had not recognized. "Ashish, this is Ms Sanam Ahemed Khan, the head chef of S2. I told you, what a great time we had here last time?"

"Pleased to meet you Mr Deora!" said Sanam formally.

"The pleasure is all mine Sanam...please call me Ashish!" said Ashish Deora with a smile. Sanam noticed that Ashish Deora had a certain gleam in his eyes as he looked at her. He seemed a bit taken with her. Sanam felt her cheeks flush. She felt decidedly uncomfortable, as she felt a pair of eyes watching this exchange. Sanam gave a quick glance towards Aahil and for a second her eyes met his cold gaze. His eyes held hers for a moment, and they reflected barley veiled displeasure. Sanam gulped as she quickly looked away.

"Please take a look at the drinks menu, and in a few minutes I will send a waiter to take your drinks order!" she said as she quickly moved away from the table.

Aahil watched Sanam move towards the kitchen with a contemplative look. He thought at the irony that had brought him here tonight. He had obviously not wanted to be here tonight. But he had no choice as the Deora's had insisted they have dinner at "S2". They had such a good time last time that they had been quite emphatic that they wanted Ashish to try the food here. It also appeared that Mrs Deora had not been kidding when she had told Sanam last time that she wanted her to meet Ashish. From where Aahil was sitting, Ashish seemed quite taken with Sanam. Aahil didn't fancy some other guy hitting on the girl he had been seeing until 2 days ago. He was also aware of the speculative looks that Neil and Ruhi were sending towards Ashish Deora. Neil was aware something was wrong since the Architects dinner, and Aahil knew that Ruhi must have noticed that he and Sanam had barley looked at each other. Apart from Rehan, no one else at the table knew the whole story. Aahil glanced at Ashish Deora and saw that his eyes had followed Sanam to the other side of the restaurant. Despite himself, Aahil felt jealousy claw at him. He was wishing himself anywhere but here right now. Aahil was determined to show Sanam that he couldn't care less if someone else was interested in her. But as the evening progressed Aahil realised that this was easier said than done.

To be continued...

* Lyrics derived from the song "Tu Jaane Na". Movie: "Ajab Prem Khi Gazab Kahani (2009)

Hi folks,

So as promised, here was part 17. I have set the scene for a confrontation between Aahil and Sanam in the next one. Also, there will be some good light moments in it too. It will be worth it. Stay tuned! As always hit the "Like" button and let me know what you thought of this update!

Cheers

Mandy

Previous part - Part 16 - "Love Fool" Next Part - Part 18 - "About A Girl!"

My poor darlings!

Both of them are so heartbroken!

Lovely update!

Their pain and hurt was evident and I hope they reconcile soon!

Please update the next soon!

Can't wait to see their confrontation!

Both of them are right in their respective spheres and have been hurt deeply unknowingly by the other.

Thanks for such an awesome update, loved it cannot wait for the next update..hopefully we can get it soon...😊

Awwwesome update...Love SeHan...what are siblings for?? poor Aahil and Sanam they are torturing themselves but eagerly waiting for the next update!!

Awsome update 👏 sehan r so cute i really hope misunderstanding will be clear in next update plzz continue soon 😃

Thank you for this awesome update.

Nice story
I loved it
Superb update
Do pm next part

Great update! Finally confession time. All four realise they are in love. Nice. Foursome.😆

res
unres
amazing update
waiting for confrontation between sahil..
Update soon
pm me nxt part...