Eleven - Payal

A/N: Happy New Year, 2023 everybody! Hope this year brings in happiness and prosperity in our lives!

The year ending brought about an avalanche of work and working weekends, and I had to stop writing for sometime. But as they say, better late than never! So here's the first update for 2023!

Hope you enjoy!

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"You're late." Payal said Vivaan got into the passenger seat of the car.

"Sorry. I had to change. I was in scrubs the entire time between yesterday and today." He said before turning to her and smiling his "special" smile. "Good morning, Ms. Fiancée." He wished her.

Payal laughed. Her heart fluttered every time he said that. "Are you trying to divert me from your tardiness?" she asked him teasingly.

He picked up her left hand, which now sported the engagement ring, and kissed it. "Is it working?" he asked, still smiling.

Payal's heartrate jumped up as it always did at his touch, but now it was a charged sort of jump. Usually when Vivaan came close to her, or held her hands, or hugged her, she would feel nervous and shy. But since the last week post their engagement, she also felt a different sort of flutter in her stomach, which she couldn't put words to. It was a mix of anticipation, eagerness and excitement. Something which caused her to be pulled toward him instead of becoming nervous and looking away.

"Payal?" he asked when she didn't answer. The air was suddenly charged. Payal found it hard to look away from his eyes. With some effort, she tore her gaze away from his, shaking her head to clear it.

"No distracting the driver!" she replied, managing to make her tone light.

"You sure everything will go alright?" he asked, suddenly nervous.

Payal sighed. It was the next Sunday after their engagement. Since neither of their friend circles could make it to the engagement, they had decided to go meet both groups when the opportunity presented itself. Miraculously both ends seemed to be free today. So, they were spending the first half with Payal's friends from college and work; and in the evening, they were going to meet Vivaan's colleagues.

Vivaan had had been up for about thirty hours at this point due to a double shift, so Payal insisted that he shouldn't drive; and had picked him up instead.

They pulled into the restaurant where the get together was planned. As they got out, Payal noticed Vivaan smoothing his hands on his shirt nervously. He looked amazing, as usual. Probably, that was the only thing he shouldn't be worried about.

"Hey." She slipped her hand into his. "It's okay. I'm not going away just because they don't approve of you."

He smiled, tugging her closer. "I know that Ms. Shah. Let's get this show on the road." He said, squeezing her hand and making her smile.

It was pandemonium when Payal stepped inside the restaurant. She heard at least three different voices scream before she was hugged by so many people that she had to focus on Vivaan's hand in hers in order to stay sane.

"That was soooo cute!" was the first thing Payal heard when she was finally able to pull away.

"What?" she asked, dazed.

"That little stare-at-each-other moment?" Payal realized it was Ashwini speaking. Ashwini had been the gossip queen back in college. Everything around her was tinted in pinks and reds and valentine colors. She was famous for creating couples when none existed. Clearly, that hadn't changed yet. "It was so dreamy and romantic. OMG, Hi! I'm Ashwini!" she gushed at Vivaan.

Vivaan looked like someone had sucker punched him. "Um. Hi. Vivaan." He managed, shooting Payal a what-just-happened expression, before Ashwini gushed on how "cute" his name was. Payal wanted to laugh at the now helpless expression on his face.

"Ash." She stopped her hyperactive friend by placing her free hand on her arm. She faced the rest of the group of excited friends. "Hi guys." She tugged Vivaan forward lightly.

"Vivaan, meet my friends from college: Aarohi, Sahil, Swati, Ashwini and Vikram. There was one more person I had invited – Surveen, but she's not in India at the moment. Rohan and Sunaina, my colleagues from work whom you've already met are on their way still." She introduced her friends, pointing at each of them in turn. "You guys, this is my fiancé, Dr. Vivaan Mehta." She felt a zing of pleasure introducing him as her fiancé.

There were polite hi's and hellos all around. "Its so nice to meet you, Vivaan." Sahil said, stepping forward and hugging him. "Now I know where Payal has been hiding all this time." He teased, making Payal groan in annoyance.

"She even forgot her best friend due to Mr. Surgeon here." Said another familiar voice. Payal turned to see Rohan entering the restaurant along with Sunaina. His gaze was focused on Payal and Vivaan's linked hands, his expression unsmiling. Taking a deep breath, Payal let go of Vivaan's hand and stepped forward to hug Rohan. He briefly patted her back.

"Thanks for coming today, Rohan. And I can never forget you. I will always need you by my side." She said with a smile, as she pulled away. "You're my best friend."

"Sure." He said, still unsmiling and stiff. Payal had to make an active effort to control her rising temper.

"Let's order something, you guys!" Ashwini said, moving to the table in order to diffuse the tension.

"A moment please, Ashwini." Vivaan spoke up. He seemed to be more relaxed now. "Rohan, can we talk, please?"

Rohan frowned. "I'm sure it can wait until after we've eaten, Vivaan. I'd rather not lose all my appetite" he said, making Payal cringe. Rohan was being short with Vivaan.

"Rohan, that's really rude." Sahil stepped in.

But Vivaan held out a hand to stop Sahil. "No, its okay. I do not want to ruin your appetite Rohan, but what I want to talk to you about concerns Payal. Please, can we talk?" he requested again.

Rohan still didn't reply, but stepped outside the restaurant.

"Why don't you guys order something for us as well. We'll be back in couple of minutes." Vivaan asked the rest of the group. He gave Payal a reassuring smile before tugging her outside with him. Confused and hopeful, Payal crossed her fingers behind her back, praying that nothing untoward would happen.

"Rohan, I take it you don't like me." Vivaan said, and Rohan snorted in response, making Payal wince at his rudeness. But Vivaan said nothing, only looked at his hands. His stance told her he seemed to have thought out his words beforehand.

"I might not understand the equation you share with Payal, but I do understand the value and importance of a best friend in one's life. You are Payal's support system. The first person she goes to when she wants to share anything. And yet, ever since I met her, she has not talked about you, or introduced us unless absolutely necessary. And when she does refer to you, it is with some sadness. As though there is a heavy burden on her heart when she thinks about you." Vivaan said. Payal was surprised that he had noticed this. She had been careful about her disappointment, but Vivaan seemed to have picked up on it.

"Rohan, there is no perfect relationship. Each relationship has its sweet and sour moments; and no one can judge whether a relationship will work out unless its given time. I get that you think I'm not the perfect choice for Payal –"

"I never said that." Rohan interrupted.

"Okay, but you did say that our relationship won't last. Right?" Vivaan asked calmly.

When Rohan didn't reply, Vivaan took it as a confirmation and continued. "Every relationship takes time to nurture and grow. Rohan, all I am asking of you is some time. You have already decided that Payal and I won't work out. Give us a chance, at least. Give me a chance. Don't make your decision without giving us the time to grow."

Rohan was already shaking his head. "Vivaan, decisions aren't announced when the relationship is already destroyed. Besides, I'm not against anything here. I accepted Payal's choices a long time back. That does not mean I have to like the choice as well." He said.

"I don't think you accepted her choices, Rohan." Vivaan countered. "Acceptance means support, in both happy and trying times. Not criticizing the said choice at every turn and then jumping up and saying 'I told you so!' at the first opportunity."

"Watch your words, Vivaan." Rohan's tone was eerily calm but Payal knew this meant her best friend was furious.

"Rohan, you tell me then. When have you last had an honest conversation with Payal about this relationship? Ever since she said yes to me, you have only predicted the downfall of this relationship, or been condescending toward me, or Payal or both of us. Have you ever felt happy about your best friend finding her life partner? Have you lived that happiness with her? Have you ever thought of this relationship as more than a ticking time bomb?" Vivaan was surprisingly calm in the face of Rohan's anger. "You haven't. If that were the case, Payal wouldn't have just accepted your non-approval and continued to try making amends. But she has clearly given up, because she does not want to lose your friendship. Haven't you felt that?" Vivaan asked him.

Rohan's expression was...stunned. Payal could see he was able to see Vivaan's point of view, even though he didn't want to accept it.

"Like I said earlier, in order for our relationship to breathe and grow, it needs oxygen. Friends are that oxygen supply, Rohan. If your care and support are not there, Payal will not be able to maintain our relationship with the same maturity as she has until now." Vivaan explained. "If there is anything we have in common, it is the protective instinct for Payal. Just like you, my foremost concern is her protection. But on account of that, I won't judge her choices. I request the same of you, don't criticize or doubt her choices. Let her be free, let her choose freely, without the shadow of doubt. Protect her, but don't kill her freedom to choose. If she makes a mistake, then correct her and support her, but don't stop her." He finished.

Payal had to look down to hide her tears. Whether Rohan understood Vivaan's point of view, she didn't know, but Vivaan's speech had made her realize how much he understood her and what she needed. Without her saying anything, he had gauged her thoughts on Rohan's non-acceptance perfectly. Rohan had to be wrong. Payal thought, as she saw her best friend grudgingly shake hands with Vivaan. No one can be more perfect for me than this man.

***

"That was the first and only time I ever saw Payal cry." Vikram finished. "There was so much desolation on her face when the event was canceled for such a stupid reason."

After Rohan and Vivaan's talk, things seemed to have mellowed down and the atmosphere was a lot more carefree and fun. Payal's friends seemed to have decided that Vivaan needed to know who Payal Shah was in college, and so they were regaling him with all the incidents from the past.

"What about past boyfriends?" Vivaan asked with a teasing smile. "Anyone I should be worried about?"

"That was never a point of trouble." Ashwini joked. "Everyone used to think that Payal and Rohan will end up together down the line. No one even tried to link these two up with anyone else."

Payal tensed. Ashwini's words were true to a certain extent, but that was not something she had wanted to be revealed in this manner, given that the tension between Rohan and Vivaan had only just reduced.

"Remember that time when she fell asleep in college while working on a moot?" Ashwini continued, apparently not realizing that she should drop the topic. "Rohan was so sweet, draping his jacket over to keep her warm while she slept. Had they been a couple, they would have been the most popular campus couple ever!"

Aarohi glanced at Payal apologetically. "Which was obviously not true." She awkwardly covered up. Rohan was sitting quietly, deep in thought, so he was of no help. Helpless, Payal just nodded to affirm Aarohi's words.

"As we told them countless times, Rohan and I were just friends back then, and we continue to be just friends even now." Payal spoke lightly but discreetly glared at Ashwini to shut up. "And in any case, you already know I don't seem to have eyes for anyone but you." She looked at Vivaan beside her, smiling at the smile that appeared on his face at her words.

As they dug into their meals, the conversation broke into smaller conversations between groups.

"Are you really happy with this relationship, Payal?" Aarohi asked, her voice low. Payal glanced at Vivaan – he seemed to be deep in conversation with Vikram and Sunaina.

"Of course, I am happy Aarohi." She assured her friend. "Why do you ask that?"

"Because this seems so much more rushed than what you used to tell us back in college." Aarohi said. "You used to say that you would take at least two years to get to know a guy before taking the next step with him. And now, you're engaged to Vivaan within four months of meeting him. You aren't under any pressure, are you?"

Payal wanted to laugh at that statement. If only Aarohi knew that in only about a month after meeting him, Payal was heartbroken thinking that Vivaan would reject the marriage proposal.

"I'm not under any pressure." She told Aarohi. "I know what I said in college, but Vivaan is just... different. When we were in college, I romanticized the idea of love so much, I had built too many expectations from it. And so, I felt that all those walls of expectations would take at least two years to be wrecked." she joked.

Payal paused to see if Vivaan was listening in. When she noticed him still busy with Vikram, she turned back to Aarohi. "He isn't just someone I find attractive or someone I crush on, he also holds deep respect and admiration in my heart. He's smart, but never cocky about it; he's handsome, but never takes advantage of the fact. Even his flirting makes me smile and blush. And he knows his priorities, his responsibilities. Jab zaroorat thi, Vivaan dhal ban ke saath khade rahe, bhage nahi. The time I spent with him, I realized that you don't need so much time to understand someone. Sometimes, one stroke of the sledgehammer is enough to break all walls." She said. (When I needed him, Vivaan stood beside me as a pillar of support, he didn't run away.)

"I can see he's perfect for you." Aarohi said. "You will not notice this, but when you talk about him, your eyes shine with happiness unlike anything I've seen before. I'm so happy you finally found your Mr. Perfect." She pulled Payal in for a quick side hug, just as Vivaan turned toward them. He frowned.

"Anything I should know?" he asked.

Payal shook her head. "Girl talk."

***

"Rohan, zara ek minute aana. Kuch baat karni hai." Payal pulled Rohan to a more private corner while the others bickered about the bill. "It's related to work." She added when he frowned. (Rohan, can you come here for a moment, need to talk about something.)

"Yes, what is it? Don't tell me Finkleson called. It's a Sunday for gods' sake." Rohan asked, coming over.

"No one called. That was just to get you here." Payal said.

Rohan raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Did you mistake me for Vivaan? Although I'd appreciate a little less PDA." he teased, then winced when Payal slapped his arm in retaliation. "Okay, fine. What is it?"

"What Ashwini said at lunch..." Payal hedged. "It got me thinking."

"About?" Rohan prompted.

"Did your feelings for me ever go beyond friendship?" Payal asked.

She had been thinking about this ever since Ashwini's words at lunch. It wasn't as though their friends hadn't suggested them to date each other in college. It also wasn't the case that Payal hadn't ever considered seeing Rohan as more than a friend. But when she had tried to see him in that light, she found that she wouldn't prefer dating him. Rohan's friendship was special to her, but going beyond that...no. Strangely, even to this day, if someone asked her why she didn't want to go beyond being just friends, she didn't have a clear answer.

But Ashwini's words at lunch made her realize that while she had only wanted to be his friend always, Rohan might have not been on the same page always. The topic had never been addressed between them, and it might be possible that Rohan's antagonism toward Vivaan might not just be his concern for her.

She wanted to set the equation straight. So, she decided to clear the air as soon as possible.

"Are you asking this because I don't approve of Vivaan?" Rohan asked her.

"That would be part of the reason, yes." She answered carefully. "We never discussed this, back in college. For some reason, neither of us got into a serious relationship, or faced a situation concerning our love lives where we would be on opposite sides. And it just got me wondering whether actually being in that kind of situation changed something."

Rohan held up four fingers. "You used 'would be part of the reason', 'concerning', 'would be' and 'whether'. You need a break Payal, you have started using contractual language in everyday conversation."

Payal rolled her eyes at his snark. "Are you avoiding the question?" she asked him.

Rohan sighed, a small smile on his face as he shook his head. "Of course, I love you, Payal."

He paused, as if thinking how to convey his point best. "You were the first person who saw me as just Rohan. Not Rohan Kapoor, son of the industrialist Sudeep Kapoor. Not Rohan Kapoor, the guy whose parents have gone through a messy divorce. I was always Rohan to you, and I can't tell you how relieving that felt. I always looked up to you when I had a conflict or dilemma. Of the two of us, you were always the more sorted and mature one, and you don't know just how much your perspective and outlook helped me get over the mess my parents had made. I managed to turn over a new leaf because of you." He began.

"So, of course, I care for you and I value your space in my life. And that is love for me. Caring for someone, valuing someone – you don't do it for just anyone and everyone." He continued. "Then you met Vivaan. And suddenly, you needed me. For the first time, my best friend needed me in the same way I needed her in all these years. As much as I want to support you, I don't have a good example to fall back upon. My parents were not very different from you and Vivaan when they first met. They were so in love when they got married, but when they weren't able to give each other enough time, love didn't hold meaning anymore. When someone you love doesn't sit up to your expectations, that feeling of betrayal you get just consumes you, Payal. I have seen it consume my parents. They didn't care about anything other than getting back at each other and taking revenge. They even forgot that they have a son, who needs them. After watching my parents fall apart, when I saw my best friend start down the same path, it was only natural for  the protective instinct in to kick in. I had lost my parents to bitterness. I didn't want to see you in the same state." He explained with a rueful smile.

Payal touched Rohan's arm gently, a gesture of comfort. She had no idea his fears went so deep. Rohan smiled as he put his hand on hers where it touched his arm.

"So, yes, I do love you, Payal. But I'm not in love with you. I just didn't want to lose my best friend, the only person who understood who I am." Rohan finished. "I was trying to protect you and the only way I could do that was by pointing the negatives. By being the bad guy. But today, Vivaan made me realize that in protecting you, I'm restraining you. That isn't what I wanted."

Payal smiled up at him through a thin film of tears. "No one can ever restrain Payal Shah." She started.

Rohan laughed. "Because she's an unstoppable force of nature." He finished.

"Despite all the negatives , your fiancé does seem to be a good find." Rohan said, looking at the billing counter, where Vivaan patiently listened to Ashwini blabbering about something. "Anyone who can stand Ash's dreamy attitude is a keeper. So I think I'll give him a chance." He said with a grudging smile.

Payal beamed up at him. "Thank you for being my support system, Rohan." She sincerely thanked him.

"For you, anything." Rohan answered, using the same line he used back in college as he pulled her into a side hug.

Payal couldn't help but feel elated. She had her best friend back. All thanks to the man smiling at her from across the room. She mouthed a 'thank you' to him.

As he winked and mock salutedher, Payal couldn't help but admit it: she was falling for Vivaan Mehta,falling head over heels.

Glossary:

Moot - a reference to moot court competitions and internals. A moot court is a court room simulation. Students are given a mock problem focusing on certain principles of law. They are required to prepare arguments from both sides and appear before a 'judge' in a 'courtroom' to present their arguments.

(A/N: This is a common form of assessment in law schools and may sound simple enough when explained in layman terms; but is actually a grueling experience. Students have to research everything, right from the correct forum and jurisdiction to which points of law have to be covered. Detailed written submissions including statements of issues and arguments along with a prayer to the court are also prepared. It is an exercise that takes at least a month of preparation and has varying stages of submission - which, speaking from personal experience, is a lot of sleepless nights. But moots are a tremendous learning experience, and although I used to be exhausted by the end of one, I did enjoy them :P).