Unhinged

Riva

Riva kept listening. Her mind kept wandering off but she was listening to every word Shashank was saying. He told her everything. From how Vaibhav got them into a group, what happened there, how he and Sharanya came close, what are their believes now. Basically how everything changed. But all Riva could hear was the sound of her dreams shattering around.. Sound of her heart breaking into million tiny pieces!

Shashank stopped talking. Riva was sitting still. She wasn't moving, she wasn't reacting. Rachit was there too. He was also shocked. Why did this happen? How did this happen?

"Can you say something please" Shashank said to Riva "I know I am wrong.. There is no excuse for what I have done.. You can yell at me, you can hit me.. You can do anything.. Just say something"

Riva was quiet. Her gaze was fixed on wall. Shashank caught her arm and shook her. Still her eyes didn't move.

"Riva.." Shashank caressed her hair "say something laado" He cupped her face "I am sorry"

Rachit felt sick after he saw Shashank doing this. He felt like slapping him but he controlled himself.

Riva understood that Shashank's touch made her feel disgusted. He was the only man whom she had allowed to be so close to her. His touch always made her feel special and happy and safe but something felt off today.. She pushed his hands away from her without saying anything.

Shashank furrowed his brows. He felt his heart getting heavy.

"Rachit" Riva said whilst still looking at the wall "Tell Shashank to go away"

"Riva please.." Shashank said "Mujhse kuch toh kaho"

"Shashank utho" Rachit stood in front of him and said.

"No. I want to talk to her.. Main baat karna chahta hoo.. Riva please" Shashank said.

"Wo tumse baat nahi karna chahti Shashank.. jao yaha se" Rachit said.

"Tum bich me mat aao.. Yeh meri aur Riva ki baat hai" Shashank said.

"Enough" Rachit shouted " Tumhe jo karna tha tumne kiya.. Nashe me bhi kiya, hosh me bhi kiya.. Ab Riva ko jo karna hai use karne do.. Usne keh diya use baat nahi karni hai toh nahi karni hai.. Do not force it Shashank.."

Shashank felt sad but Rachit was right. Forcing her to talk was not an option so he stood up to leave.

" If you want to talk, I am here" Shashank said.

Riva didn't say anything. With heavy heart, Shashank left.

****

Sharanya's mind was in conflict. She wanted to talk to Riva, she wanted to apologise but wasn't sure if she could do that. The main reason behind Sharanya not apologising was that she didn't feel like she had done something wrong. She believed that she and Shashank were meant for each other and that's what happened.

Riva refused to talk to Shashank or Sharanya. She refused to go to her own flat, she refused to eat. It had been three days since Riva got to know the truth. She spent those three days sleeping on the same couch where she was sitting when Shashank told her everything. For three whole days she didn't eat anything except some biscuits and tea which Rachit forced her to eat.

The only person who could've helped Riva in such condition was Sharanya. Her best friend! She was supposed to be there for her but she was the reason behind Riva's such condition plus Sharanya had decided to hide away rather than facing Riva.

Rachit was worried, Shashank was dying in guilt. Rachit was unable to control the situation. He didn't know what to do so he decided just to be there as Riva processes everything. He spent those three days just sitting there with her in silence. He didn't say anything, he didn't force her to talk. He spent those nights awake, watching her sleeping, worried that if he slept she would go somewhere!