Locked down in lockdown

7-The apology

Vikrant speed-walked behind Vaani after hurridly paying the bill. He did not want to run behind her, because people would assume something wrong, and then a crowd would gather. 

"Wait, Vaani. I am sorry. I have never apologized to anyone before but I am doing it now. You are mine now, I get jealous sometimes, whenever you talk about him." Vikrant confessed reluctantly, bowing his head a little, looking straight at her. She on the other hand tried to avoid his intense stare.

His claim on her had made her feel awkward now, as she did not feel any kind of attraction to him yet. She had started to like him a teensy bit but he opened his mouth and ruined everything. Even if he was not all hero-looking, she was liking his personality but what he said due to his irrational jealousy and fear had made Vaani take a few steps back.

"He is just a friend, like my other friends. I talk about him because right now, we are both preparing for our marriage, we share common things." Vaani explained one last time, standing next to his car, looking at her watch. She was going to be late now.

"Ok, I will not bring that up now. Let's go." He said unlocking the door for both of them and started driving towards the college.

While driving, Vikrant tried to lean towards Vaani, but she side-tracked him, moving in her seat. He was trying to put his hand on her shoulder, to pull her towards him.

"Nobody is here, come on," He pleaded, persuading her to lean in for a kiss as he had started to drive slowly.

"Please, look where you are driving," She said in a small voice. She did not like being touched by anyone unless they were close and she trusted them.

Vaani had started to feel anxious and a little scared. Already having a history of sexual assault, things like this were enough to make her uncomfortable and skittish.

"Why? Syed is allowed to be around you, but I am not?" He commented sardonically.

Vaani closed her eyes, tired of this. "I have known him for 3 years now and he knows better than to touch me. How did you even arrive at that conclusion?" she asked incredulous, shaking her head.

"You told me that you used to go out to eat sometimes" He reminded her.

"Yes, with my other roommate," She added on to the fact, which he had eliminated purposely.

"hmmm, still" 

"See, he and I share some personal stuff, so we are close, so what? Anyways we hardly talk now, it shouldn't bother you much. It is all in the past." She said her heart racing, as she saw his hand making way towards her shoulder again.

"What stuff, that you can't share with me?" he scoffed dubiously.

Vaani had started to see that he was not willing to trust her on the matters which involved her best friend so she choose to keep quiet.

"If you don't tell me, how would I get to know you. We should know each other's things now." He coerced her to reveal the truth.

"I told you once, I don't like being touched, because I have a history of sexual abuse." He admitted, gathering the courage to share this with someone willingly.

"Hmmm, what does it has to do with him?" He asked without any other comment.

"He was also sexually harassed, and he was the one who discovered my secret when he saw my skittish behavior around others." She whispered, rubbing her hands together due to the feeling of unease.

"Hah!, I don't believe it. He and sexually assaulted, Impossible. Who would do that to him? He lied to you," Vikrant scoffed out loud, completely dismissing the idea.