In Aarav's Cabin,
Raj visibly upset stormed into Aarav's cabin and stood in front of him, yelling,
"Are you out of your mind? Shimla? How could you even think about going there with me? And if you want to go, then go with everyone else, but I am not coming. How could you even imagine that after everything… I… I just can't… I won't go there, that's it!"
Aarav calmly seated with his arms crossed, just watched Raj quietly as if he had anticipated this outburst.
"What? Why are you staring at me like that? You already know everything, don't you?"
Raj now dejected, slumped into the chair in front of Aarav.
Aarav smirked slightly, "Are you done?"
Raj sighed heavily, "Yeah… but I'm still not going."
"Fine, don't come. But then, none of us will go either," Aarav replied nonchalantly resuming his work.
"Don't do that! You know how excited everyone at home is about this trip. I have a reason and I can't come. Please try to understand, Aarav. I just… can't," Raj said distressed.
Aarav paused, looking at him seriously.
"Why can't you come? What's stopping you?" Aarav asked, but Raj stayed silent.
"Bhai how long will you keep running away? Listen, no matter what you say, I've known you since childhood. I know for a fact that you haven't forgotten her even now."
Aarav's words made Raj look at him, and Aarav continued.
"Just listen to me, give it a try. You ended everything without saying anything to her. She's probably hurting there, and you… Whatever the problem is between you two, you still have a chance.
Whatever happens, you're coming with us to Shimla. End of discussion."
Aarav's firm words left Raj lost in his thoughts. A vivid image of a sweet girl's face flashed before his eyes, and tears welled up in his eyes, which Aarav noticed.
Raj abruptly stood up and began walking toward the door, but before he could leave Aarav spoke again,
"If you don't come, none of us will go."
Raj paused for a moment, hesitated but left without looking back or giving a reply.
Raj was deeply in love with a girl named Neha, who lived in Shimla with her family. Her house was near the Kapoor family's farmhouse.
Aarav's family often vacationed in Shimla, spending a lot of time there.
This is how Aarav, Raj, and Neha grew up together as childhood friends.
However, this friendship broke apart a few years ago when Neha distanced herself from them.
Neha had always liked Raj since childhood and eventually fell in love with him. Raj too, had started developing feelings for her. They both understood each other's emotions but had never confessed.
Raj, being shy and inexperienced in matters of the heart, hesitated, while Neha patiently waited for him to express his feelings.
Aarav is always aware of their emotions, often encouraged Raj to muster the courage to confess.
One day, unexpectedly Raj called Neha to the garden to talk. Neha hopefully and excitedly thought Raj was finally going to confess his feelings.
Overjoyed she dressed up beautifully and went to meet him, thinking this was the day her love story would finally begin.
Flashback,
When Neha saw Raj waiting, she walked up to him with a radiant smile, her happiness evident.
Raj unsure of how to start, hesitated until Neha broke the silence,
"What's the matter? Why did you call me here suddenly?"
Raj began awkwardly,
"Well… I need to talk to you about something important."
Neha nodded, "Yes, go ahead, what is it?"
After taking a deep breath, Raj said,
"Look, Neha, I… I don't like you that way. I know you like me and how you feel about me, but I don't love you. We're just friends."
Neha was stunned, unable to believe what she was hearing.
"What… what are you saying?"
"I'm telling the truth. I've only ever seen you as a friend, and that's all we'll ever be. The sooner you accept that, the better it will be for both of us. And if you can't, then it's best you stay away from me," Raj said firmly.
Tears began streaming down Neha's face as she stammered,
"You're joking, right? You can't be serious… I've seen the love in your eyes for me. Why are you lying?"
"I'm not lying. This is the truth, and you need to accept it," Raj replied coldly.
"This can't be happening! Do you… do you not like me? Do you like someone else?" Neha asked desperately.
"Look, Neha, I don't think I need to explain anything to you. I've said what I needed to, and now it's up to you to move on. Stop following me around." Raj's harsh words shattered her completely.
He turned and walked away, leaving Neha standing there, her world crumbling around her.
That was the last time Raj and Neha met.
It's been four years since that day, and they haven't spoken since. Raj later found out that Neha had moved to London for her medical studies. Only Aarav knew the truth about what happened between them.
Raj still loves Neha deeply, often spending sleepless nights staring at her picture but never gathering the courage to contact her.
Aarav understanding his pain, and had tried convincing Raj to reach out to Neha, hoping things could be mended, but Raj never agreed.
Even Aarav lost touch with Neha after that incident, as she distanced herself from him too.
Since then, Raj has avoided Shimla, making excuses whenever the family planned trips there.
But now, Aarav is determined to take Raj to Shimla, hoping to resolve things.
What could have made Raj say those things to Neha when he clearly loved her deeply? Only Aarav and Raj know the truth… but we'll find out soon. ❤️❤️❤️