Don't feel guilty.

"Riya's point of view,"

"Riya, good morning."

It startled me to find Rachit in front of my eyes as soon as my eyes opened in the morning. That meant me and his last night... oh god, what have I done? But I had agreed with him. I had to finish the deal now.

"Good morning. Can I return now?" I inquired as I rose from my bed.

"Riya Last night, I was a bit of a jerk. I didn't know you were so much in love with Harsh." I studied his face while listening to him.

It impelled me to wonder how Rachit understood this, seeing the serious expression on his face. I tried for days to persuade him I loved Harsh, not him, but he was not ready to accept it. What happened when he suddenly accepted this situation?

"However, what's the point of my love? I made the same mistake I made in Shimla years ago with completing the contract I struck with you last night. Whatever happened last night was not my intention, but I can only regret it now."

"Relax, Riya, you don't have to feel guilty because nothing happened between us. It should embarrass you."

"What exactly do you mean?" I'm not sure what he's trying to say.

"Last night, I slept on the couch while you slept on the bed." With his gaze fixated on the room's floor, he said.

"It means nothing like this happened last night between us." Because I couldn't figure out why Rachit didn't do what he wanted him to do, I'm not sure what happened last night.

"What about our agreement?"

Rather than making a presumption in my head, I asked him directly.

"I don't want to conclude a relation with you if you are only physically there with me, but it focused your thoughts and feelings on someone else. You know what that even in your sleep, you were repeating Harsh's name.

Riya, I wanted to claim you as my own at any cost, not only your body but also your heart and soul. As though you were in Shimla with me. You were entirely mine, but seeing you last night; you were not that Riya, but someone else."

"I'm sorry. But I merely came to you to finish my deal. And nowhere in that agreement did it state that I would have to be mentally present with you."

"Yes, I understand."

"So why are you making fun of me?" I'm sure he's disappointed that he wasn't able to realize his dream.

"No, I'm not trying to be cruel; I'm only stating that the wild Riya I met in Shimla will never return to me, no matter how hard I try. And I fully comprehend this. That is why I am ending our agreement."

While extending the pen and paper towards me, he said,

"Yes, there is one thing, and I am canceling my second condition. Between us, the first condition still exists. In this project of yours, I am still your partner."

Rachit's remarks were becoming increasingly difficult for me to comprehend. But, no matter how difficult it is for me to accept his second condition, I will deal with his first condition in my unique way.

"I appreciate it." I snatched the paper from Rachit's grip, signed it, and returned it to him.

"Riya I'd like to say something to you." After listening to Rachit, I halted just as I was ready to go out the door after opening it.

"What happened?"

"I am deeply sorry for what I have done to you."

"If that's the case, then why are you instantly becoming my project partner?"

"Because I don't want to be a menial COO for the rest of my life. My father has given all of his riches to my younger brother because of my one mistake, and I now have nothing."

"Rachit, why do you want to win by stealing it from others? You have skills, and if you put them to good use, you will be successful one day."

"Why should I waste time on the lengthy path when there is a shortcut available?"

He is still on the wrong path, but he will not follow the right path.

"Okay, do whatever you want.

This time, I've accepted your apologies. I've forgiven you for your misdeeds."

I exited the room and returned to my hotel after saying this.

"What's the current state of Harsh's health?" I called Ankur to inquire about Harsh.

"He is doing well and has been moved from the intensive care unit to a normal room."

"Did his family come to meet him?"

"Yes, she is with him."

"Have you met Harsh?"

"Yes, he had inquired about you."

"So, what exactly did you say?"

"I said, you don't want to meet him. Whatelse I am supposed to say to him?"

"Its ok, you didn't inform him about my and Rachit's agreement."

"No, but he was double-checking his medical records. Seeing him, I have my doubts that he will learn the complete truth soon."

"Oh no, he can't keep doing this." I said, my voice troubled.

"But how?"

"Find a way out. You're a doctor."

"Don't worry, I'll come up with something." He said this as he hung up the phone.

I'm not sure how Harsh will react if he finds out that I made a deal with Rachit in exchange for blood.

"Please, Riya, return to my life." The words of Harsh are still ringing in my ears.

I'd like to see Harsh one more time, but what if someone notices me in the hospital? No, I'm not going there. However, I'd like to meet him. I was going to have a conversation with my subconscious.

In the end, I had to give up and go to the hospital, where I was forced to accept the terrible reality of my heart's insistence.

Because it was late at night, the hospital was rather empty. This is the chance. I'll swiftly return to the hotel after seeing Harsh, and no one will notice.

I peered inside Harsh's room after opening the door. He was soundly resting in his bed. It still wrapped his head in bandages.

"Sorry Harsh, but this condition happened because of my actions." My eyes welled up with tears when I saw him in such distress. I'm not sure why my hands felt compelled to touch his face. Who knows if I enter the room and sit by him for a while? His family is not around, and he is also sleeping soundly.

My feet instinctively walked towards the stool at the foot of his bed.

"Please forgive me." I whispered while holding his hand.

Oh no, my presence will disrupt his slumber. I need to get out of here before he wakes up.

"Riya, why do you always attempt to leave me alone?" As soon as I let go of his hand, he opened his eyes.

"Harsh, you woke up." I inquired, my voice shaken.

"Yes, how did you end up here with me late at night? I inquired about you with everyone, but no one will share any information with me. Why did you leave me?"

"It all happened because of me?"

"Riya, please stop sobbing. I'm perfectly fine." With a smile on his face, he said But I know he won't show his distress in front of me.

"You are aware of my strength.dont you?"

"Yes, I recognize you; only then can I assess your ability to deceive."

"Yes, and you, too, have mastered the art of concealment."

"What exactly do you mean?" I stared at him, speechless.

"What source did you use to get blood for me?" It took aback me when I heard him ask how he found out about this. I had made it clear to Ankur that he was not about to tell Harsh anything. Rachit didn't tell him about this. No, how can he tell when he doesn't even know who the blood was collected for?

"How did you learn about blood arrangements?" I figured it was best to ask him than to guess for a long time in my head.

"Tell me what you're hiding from me first." Hearing his statements, I had the impression that Harsh had already learned everything. But how and who would have told him there remains a mystery to me.