Keeping Secrets

Chapter 18

Meanwhile, the tech team had made another interesting discovery. Turns out, Zayn had never come back, but Adi had. His new unregistered sockpuppet name was Devon. Arushi and Devon had come in contact through the chatroom and had barely chatted for an hour before he had told her he was Adi. From there on, the conversation seemed to go in a different direction.

Arushi's next four messages had been recalled. The final one she chose to send was just 'Why?"

Devon: "There's no denying that there's something between us. We both know it. We keep getting coming back to each other. There's got to be a reason."

Arushi: "What's that supposed to mean? You know I'm older and taken :p"

Devon: "Nikki, I know that you always knew who I was, even when I did not know it was you. Please don't cut me off like the other guys."

Arushi's response had come fifteen minutes later, "Okay, I'm not taken, but you are!" ;)

Devon: I'll leave her. I'll leave everything to be with you. I swear, Nikki. I hate that I was too stupid to ever see it. Maybe we never realized it, but everyone else can't be wrong. We will be so happy together!

Arushi: I'd take a bullet for you, Ryan but it's hardly been a month since I've moved on from that one-sided relationship, and trust me, I was there since the start of college. Please don't do this to me. I'm sorry, but I've moved on.

Devon: Nikki, come on! Please don't do this to me

Devon: and to us! You know we have something special.  Don't give up on me like this, and for whom? Some pervert from the chatroom who doesn't even know you?

Arushi: Why do you think that?

Devon: Isn't it obvious?

Devon: Look Nikki, what I put you through is beyond any apology. It would be a lie if I told you I never knew that you loved me. I was just not brave enough to accept it.

Devon: I want to love you, Nikki. I want to show you what being loved feels like. I'll give you everything I have. I can't even tell you how I feel for you, Nikki. I wouldn't know what to do with my life without you.

Arushi: You know the saddest part? Even a few days ago, there was nothing in the world that I wouldn't give up for half of this love. You didn't know who you were chatting with here, but that's not the girl you're in love with now. Unlike in the chatroom, you always knew her heart and everything in it. Plus, Ive heard she sits next to you in class. You could have just spoken to her!

Devon: I know, I should have, but I think I never really imagined life without you. You were someone who was always there. As terrible as it sounds, I think I took you for granted, but I really never meant to. I never thought that losing you would feel so... apocalyptic.

Devon: I don't care what's waiting for me on the other side of campus, but if it's not you, I don't want it.

Arushi: Please don't make this harder than it is, Ryan.

This time Devon's reply had come late.

Devon: I just want to know one last thing from you.

Devon: You always knew it was me. Then why did you do play this whole game with me?

Devon: The truth and nothing but, Niks. No games.

Arushi's reply had come a few minutes later.

Arushi: I think first, I was desperately trying to make you fall in love with me, then I just found myself looking for any excuse to live in this world longer, a place where you would let me be anything you needed and a place where everything I am was enough for you.