An-EXIT

CHAPTER 22 (MIXED EMOTIONS)

INAYAT

I was looking straight at the scene unfolding in front of my eyes. It all looked so dramatic, so strange.

Mitansh, I could see him running away from me. H-he was standing just by my side a second ago. His run seemed to go in slow motion, like everything around me was drifting apart. He didn't say anything to me. He didn't reply to any of my questions.

Does he know her? Know Ahaana? But how?

For a moment, I felt like my darkest fear had come alive. The emotions Mitansh showed today were beyond words. I have never seen him get so tense, so worried and so weak at the same time. I have never seen him spacing out between something let alone something which meant so much for him, this day, this opportunity, it meant so much for him.

His confidence, his charm was suddenly shattered. But because of what? And so suddenly?

The sudden rage, the sudden burst of tears, what was all that for? I felt blank and confused at the same time. It felt like I-i don't know this guy. Who is he? H-he hasn't cried in ages! Atleast, not in front of me or for me.

Then why....now? Why her?

Was something troubling him? Was he hiding something? I just don't know.

I was blankly watching him climb up the staircase. He ran as if he was going to lose.... everything. He didn't look back, not even once. A hand touched my shoulder and I gulped.

Where was I lost?

I looked to my side and saw Agastya, looking in the same direction where my eyes were a second ago. I turned my head back and saw Mitansh struggling to pick Ahaana up. Up in his ARMS.

What? Stop Inayat! Why are you feeling so jealous? Ahaana actually fainted, get back to your senses! Don't act so heartless.

"He's just helping, don't worry." A bold voice ringed in my ears.

"I know." I said without looking at the source. I knew the voice, but the intensity which the voice had was totally new. Agastya was looking a little different from the morning. I thought, maybe it was because of the stress and nervousness for the GD, but now, I think I was wrong.mEverything around me felt like a bunch of 'first time-s'. Mitansh's sudden roll of emotions and now, Agastya's intense tone of voice.

The moment Mitansh reached the bottom end of the staircase with Ahaana wrapped in his arms, he glanced in our direction. His gaze was hard to decode. I didn't see the usual comfort and warmth in them, instead, it was filled with remorse and fear. He ran towards the clinic and Agastya, Zaid and I followed him from behind. Two girls were accompanying Mitansh, I guess they were Ahaana's friends. Several thoughts ran through my mind. Suddenly I was scared to lose him. Suddenly, I was too numb to feel anything, think anything. The emotions which he used to show for me were null compared to what he had shown for Ahaana. He tried to complete the poem. He definitely said the next lines. But, how did he know the words? How Mitansh, how? How do you know the poem? How do you know Ahaana? What did you mean by "Stranger"? Who is a stranger? Ugh!

We reached the clinic, but I decided to stay outside. I decided to wait for him. I wanted to stop all the useless thoughts which were running in my mind. I stood there, leaning against the back of the water cooler. Zaid and Agastya took the seats which were placed outside the clinic. Zaid offered me the seat before sitting but I politely declined. I was not in a state to relax.

Is this a movie? Am I a part of a big film? If not, then what the hell is happening?

My relationship! Yeah right, the biggest drama ever. Absolute hit! I don't, I literally don't understand anything about my relationship. It's going to be two years! Two freaking years of our relationship, and we haven't even kissed....oh wait, what am I even saying.....Haven't even held hands. There is no bond, there is no growth, there is no fucking understanding or connection.