Love Me...Once Again

Chapter 16

Few days backs

Riya had been on her toes since she heard from the Amisha. She was worried of the outcome. Though, her experience said when in extreme situations, people expressed in words than in silence but her heart said otherwise. Something felt off!

Riya shut her eyes tight, recalling the love Nirali and Lakshay shared and the decision was made. She was going to India, even if it meant facing the only man she ever loved. Her friend needed her. What happened in her past somehow resulted thin Nirali breaking up wit Lakshay.

She quickly booked herself a ticket and packed her stuff. Nirali deserved all, and she was going to get it for her

Present

The group stood nervous as they hoped for something positive but their minds remained scared. ''Did we goof up?'' Amisha asked

Don't know. But if this fails, there is no going back'' Varun replied

Just when they decided to check a voice behind them halt there feet. ''Riya!'' Amisha's voice came  surprised.  Varun froze, his breath got suck in his throat as his blurry eyes stayed glued to the earth below his feet

''Where are they?''

"In Lakshay's apartment. We locked them in'' Riya nodded and made her way to the elevator. Varun shut his eyes and stood there frozen. He couldn't feel, hear or comprehend anything other than her. She walked past him as if he was invisible and with a ding the elevators door took her away from him

***

Nirali tried pulling he door but it refused to budge. She used all her strength but it didn't help. She cursed the door, her life and her heart, which loved Lakshay so madly. She cursed the day they met and she decided to befriend him. She cursed the day she accepted his feelings and opening her heart to him. This was all her fault, she knew they weren't the best together; yet, she wanted more.  She waited for him, watched him from distance and now all that felt like a big mistake.

''Damn the door'' She screamed and Lakshay stepped out at the voice.  Just then there was a click and the door was pushed open. Nirali gaped surprised as Riya walked in. 

Riya gave one glance to Nirali and Then Lakshay, nodding once. ''We need to talk''

''NO'' Nirali screamed agitated. 

''I second her'' Lakshay's voice came calm. Riya moved her eyes from one to other. ''I never requested. I said we need to talk, then we are talking.'' That surprised the duo. The Riya they knew was a clam , sweet and submissive girl. She believed in making all happy but herself.

Nirali screamed in frustration as she threw a near by vase on the floor, shattering it into pieces . Riya stood her ground. ''want something more to break. Go ahead, I won't budge''

''Riya!''

''Shut up Lakshay! Both of you, sit down and now'' The couple stood frozen for a moment before obliging. ''All of you , pls come in.'' Riya called out the friends who stood out waiting for the chaos to get over. 

The group stepped in, a little worried. Lakshay glared at his traitor friends as they all quickly took a corner with AMisha leaned against the main door.

''What are you doing Nirali? This is Lakshay, the only man your loved since your understood the mere feeling.''

Nirali stood silent, her eyes simmering in anger.

Riya stood facing Lakshay. ''You waited all your life for her to come back but now when she is here, you are spoiling it.''

''Don't blame me. Its not me its her. She has been leaving me, pushing me away every time I wanted to be there. Its me who has been fighting to keep this relationship and she is the one breaking it.''

Riya smiled. ''You never trusted her.'' That came as a slap. Lakshay looked miffed. ''You know nothing. '' His friends opened their mouths but Riya's lifted palm silenced them. 

She smiled and added. ''You followed her o the boarding because you feared someone else would lure her away. You followed her every time she was spending time with someone who wasn't you. You even had her career planned out. You, wanted her to go to the same college as yours even when she had different dreams . You wanted her so bad that you decided to plan her life without even bothering to understand if that's what she wanted.'' Lakshay opened his mouth but Riya shut him off. '''Don't you deny, you know I am right.'' Lakshay stepped back crashing on the couch

Riya then moved to Nirali, ''I don't understand you . You love him, yet you push him away. You never made a move to improve this relationship. You just cooked stories in your head and decided you will lead the same fate as me.'' Riya's words pushed another dagger through Varun's heart. He took a silent breath and looked up. She stood there in the middle of the room dressed in denims. Her short hair curtaining her face. 

''I love your hair, never cut them.'' Varun recalled his words from those adolescent years. His eyes covered in thin sheen of tears.

She had not just cut her hair, she had cut him off. Varun felt walls constricting around his heart and became difficult o breath. He rubbed his chest and then collapsed, bringing his friends on toes. Riya watched all but stood frozen in her place.  Her face devoid off any expression. Amisha watched in horror as Varun was being taken to the room. She pitted him but Riya  looked unmoved and unfazed. 

On he contrary she took a seat waiting for all of hem to gather again. AMisha wanted to scream at her, call her heartless. But she refrained, she didn't know her story and was in no position to judge her. But for now , it felt right to be there for Varun. She nodded Naman and followed to be with Varun.

''Riya, you are wasting your time. Our mind is made up.'' Lakshay said walking into the room. Riya stood up , walking to the window she watched in oblivion. 

''Really?'' She mocked

''Lakshay, its never over. The pain will only add to your suffering. It will multiply with every passing day. Today, you will feel free. In few days relieved and then at the top of the world. After few days, the pain will start seeping in. You will feel recall every moment day after day after day and then would want to live it again. You will be in so much pain that you will never be able to welcome love again in your life. Living with that kind of pain will be unbearable'' 

She took a pause. ''Lakshay, you are lucky that it has always been you and no one else in her life.  Keep your anger aside for a moment and think''

''I can move on'' Nirali added

''Yes, you can. This is why you have rejected all proposal till date. This is why you have all his shows recorded and tucked safely in he corner of your wardrobe. ''

''I will throw them.''

Riya smiled. ''Great! Let's do it now, with all of us as a witness.'' Riya's words silenced them. Nirali stomped walking away and Riya stood facing Lakshay. ''She is in all your songs, without her, your music will be dead. And you are in all her moments, without you, she will destroy her very being. Think, for once.''

Riya picked her bag and decided to speak to Nirali in person. She wasn't going anywhere till she fixed them.''

***

Varun stared at the plush white ceiling , tears slowing flowing through his eyes. Naman and Arun sat next to him. ''Hey!''

''She had very long hair. They would go down below her waist. She would always keep them in a neat pleat but whenever she let them lose, guys would line up to watch her and she only had eyes for me. Yet, I broke her.'' Naman squeezed Varun's hands gently and Varun started sobbing. His small hiccups turned into deep sobs as his friends tried to calm him.

They wanted to say a million things but silent support felt right at the moment.

All of them were lost in their own thoughts. Why was love synonym with pain.

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''When a heart like mine breaks, its makes a wall around it. A wall which will protect and yet harm. A wall which won't let someone like you ever in but will never allow me to trust again. The sweet little harmless fun killed the Riya you knew.''

New story with Riya and Varun- Name suggestions pls