Dheere Se Kho Gaye!

[18]

Ishi was just physically there in her house but mentally she wasn't at peace. Trying to think, what went wrong? What was her fault? Is Shrinkhal okay? Is he being able to manage himself? He's all alone and so is her.

Ishi was lying on her bed all curled up in a ball while looking at the pictures of them together and the moments they cherished. Her eyes were moist and her mind was blank. A knock on the door broke her trance and daydreaming.

Ishi cleaned her face, "Yeah come in?"

"Are you sure?"

Some girl asked her who was standing on the other side of the door. Ishi got confused and got up from her as she was smiling to herself and trying to recognize the voice.

"Alia?" Ishi guessed.

The door wide opened and a girl grinning at Ishi was standing. Ishi screamed and jumped onto her. Alia picked up her bunny and threw her on the bed.

"How are you?" Alia asked, breaking the hug but still holding Ishi.

"I'm absolutely fine. You tell me—when did you return from Canada? Do you have any idea how much I missed you?" Ishi pretended to cry, immensely happy to see her.

"Everything's good! And how could I surprise you if I told you? I asked Aunty when Ishi is coming; she said you've been here for almost a week. Even Mumma didn't tell me, and we live just next door. Unbelievable!" Alia smacked her forehead.

"Haha. You know, they only pay attention to us when they have time for themselves... Anyway, tell me, how was graduation there? How's Chetan? Please, give me some good news." Ishi sat on the bed excitedly, folding her legs.

Alia smiled softly and nodded, "Yeah, it's good news—we broke up. I'm feeling better now."

Ishi screamed and hugged her again; only she knew how her best friend had suffered in that toxic relationship. Alia had learned about the situation between Shrinkhal and Ishi through Nani but pretended as if she didn't know anything.

Gently caressing Ishi's hand, Alia asked, "What about Shrinkhal? Is everything okay between you two?"

Ishi zoned back but told everything to her from the beginning. In front of Alia, Ishi can never stop venting out. She laid back on her bed, "So, this is the story of my life. No less than a Bollywood movie, right?"

Alia lie down next to her and hugging, "All you need to do is relax and think straight before taking any decision. It's gonna affect you both for sure, you know that."

Ishi nodded but didn't say anything. Nani entered the room to call them for dinner.

"Beta, come and eat now. You both can continue talking later," she said.

For the past week, Ishi hadn't felt like eating dinner with anyone. She would simply sit near the window, eating by herself. Alia and Nani had been insisting that she come down and eat with them.

Excited to meet Alia, Ishi ran downstairs before Alia and Nani could even take a step. They burst into laughter when she tripped on the last step. Her mother gasped and rushed to help her up.

Annoyed, Ishi huffed, "Stop laughing, all three of you! Only I'm allowed to laugh at myself."

Nani simply smiled, placed a hand on Alia's shoulders, and guided her to a chair, ignoring Ishi's usual dramatics. Maa and Nani took their seats as well, making Ishi feel defeated since no one was giving her the attention she craved. Pouting, she quietly sat between her mother and Alia.

"So, beta, how was everything in Canada? Are your parents doing well?" Maa asked Alia while serving food to Ishi.

"Yes, Aunty, everything was good. Mummy and Papa were so happy to see me. After so many years, coming back here feels amazing—especially meeting Ishi Pishi... Nani, you don't know how much I missed you there."

The four of them continued chatting while eating. Nani had made kheer especially for Alia, showering her with love and attention, which made Ishi jealous.

"Oh, I see how it is, Nani," Ishi said dramatically. "Now that your favorite daughter is back, you've completely forgotten about me? You never made kheer for me till now!"

"Well, dear, she's coming home after so many years," Nani tried to answer calmly.

"But I've also come home after a full two years," Ishi retorted.

"We've been calling you to come back all this time, but you chose not to. Anyway, it's good that you're here now; there's no need to leave again," Ishi's mother said, looking at her nonchalantly.

"What do you mean by that?" Ishi asked, surprised.

Her mother stood up and announced, "Kal shaam ladke wale dekhne aa rahe hain tumhe. Be prepared. And this time, no misbehavior from you."

Without waiting for her daughter's response, she walked out. Everyone was shocked to hear this, especially Ishi, as she had already told her mother that Shrinkhal had proposed to her. Just when she thought everything was getting better, something new happened to break her all over again.

A/N: ladke Wale kyun aarahe hain? 😭 I wish Ishi and Sinku jaldi se sabkuch sort out kar lein. I can't see them apart. It's killing me. But I am also happy that Alia is back, Ishi's support system. What do you think should happen? Stay tuned until the next time we meet 🥰💜