I Need You..

Chapter 18

Rishi

"Pia.. can we talk once?" "No" "Hey! Please" Rishi said, as he held Pia's arm and and turned her around to make her look at him. "Stop it Rishi! Just leave!" She said and pushed him away. "Pia! Please! You heard what your father had to say! I should get a chance too!" "He is my father Rishi!" "But..." "But what!?" Pia said looking straight into his eyes. "Don't I mean anything to you?" "And what do I mean to you Rishi!?" Pia's eyes were moist. Rishi could see some tear drops contained in those beautiful dark brown eyes. "You.. You mean alot to me.. Pia.. alot!" Rishi's voice broke, he could not bring himself to say anything else, how could he? He knew exactly what he had done, he knew he was at fault. He cursed himself every second, somewhere in his heart he knew he did not deserve being forgiven. It was cruel of him to even beg Pia to listen to him. But what could he do... he had to say something. He had to tell her how much he missed her, how much he cried the day she left, how every single day without her was difficult to survive. He wanted to tell her that.. he loved her.

"No... that's not true!" She said and her tears flooded her eyes. "Yes Pia! You do! You do!" "Stop it Rishi!" She said as she turned away. "Pia.. I.. I love you! I've always loved you! Since we were kids! And.." "No! No! No you don't! You never did!" Pia was now facing Rishi, her eyes, filled with tears, and numerous questions. Rishi knew why she said what she said, and why she felt that way. He placed his hands around her shoulders, gently squeezing them between his palms, he pulled her closer. He wiped her tears off, looked her in her eyes, and said, "Pia.. I do, I did! And I always will! I love you.. and.. I am sorry.. I know you've been through a lot! I know, you were all alone. I know you probably hate me. But one thing Pia, I.. have always loved you. Be it the day I cried in your arms, or the day I asked you to go away from me, I've loved you since forever! I just couldn't deny Uncle when he said going to Australia would make your life. How could I? How could've I not wished the best for you? How could've I asked you to stay? I could not. I had to push you away from me, even when it shattered me into pieces! Even when my heart ached! Every day, every night, the only thing I thought about was, you! I acted as if I didn't care, but that's not true Pia! I hate myself for what I did! But, that Rishi was just an 18 year old kid, who could not value what he had, enough! Who lost the best thing that ever happened to him. I was at my worst when I met you. Drifting away from my own family, hating onto my own self! And what not Pia! It was you! You, who helped me, helped me get through everything, you made it all look so easy. That kid didn't realize that having someone, let alone a girl, who stands with you through everything, is nothing less than Godsend! I.. I am sorry! I am really very sorry Pia! Don't go, don't leave this time. I.. I won't be able to forgive myself if I lost you again!... Pia.. please..." Rishi held Pia's hands and kissed them. He bent his head and was sobbing hard, when Pia placed her right hand on his shoulder. He looked up, saw Pia's sad face turn into a beautiful smiling face, and smiled back.

Pia

"You dumbass! 5 saal lag gaye ye samjhne me!?" "I.. actually.... it was.. I was..." "Shut up!" Pia placed her hand on his cheek, gently rubbed her thumb against it. Rishi closed his eyes and bent his head towards her hand. "I am sorry... I am really very sorry Pia! But I promise, now that I am here, you won't have to face anything alone." "Okay!" She said with a huge grin. Both of them paused, they had to, a lot had been said in the moments that had just passed. Pia recalled each word Rishi had said, she repeatedly played the "I love you" in her head, with all the beautiful memories of their childhood playing in the back. With Rishi standing in front of her, a few inches away, smiling, and a bit shy. She could see the relief and calmness in his eyes, which were earlier filled with fear and regret. The innocence on his face made her heart melt. She wanted to hug him, and cry her heart out, she wanted to complain, about everything, everything that happened in his absence, she wanted to tell him how strong she had been all this while and how lonely she felt. Alot to say, yet, she preferred to stay quite. She wanted him to know everything, it was her eyes, she choose, to convey it all. She knew it was easy for him to comprehend every word, every emotion those eyes portrayed.