Beyond Friendship

Chap_5

Khushi's POV

Ten days.

It has been ten days since we have shifted to our new apartment. But my condition was almost the same. I would stay locked in my room whenever Kaiden got out for his part time jobs which he got many. He would hardly be at home.

I knew there was none in this apartment apart from me and the main door was locked. Kaiden ensured the security of the building was good and there would be no harm.

He tried to get me out of the apartment but I would prefer anything than going out of this apartment, more specifically my room.

I trusted Kaiden but still I was hesitant to come out of my own world.

There was a beautiful flower garden in front of the building that I dare not go out to explore. A park was near Kaiden told but I had left the habit of jogging.

He would try to take me out to the movies or dinner but I would convince him to enjoy watching movies sitting in the living room and have dinner delivered here only.

I could not tell Kaiden to bring me sleeping pills and so sleepless nights became my daily routine.

To hide the dark circles around my eyes, I would apply some makeup and all to face Kaiden.

Sitting on the couch, I would look out of the window and stare at the sky in the night, counting numerous stars.

Today was no exception either.

It was late at night and I was sitting near the balcony. The glass was wide open.

A few hours back there was heavy rain, pouring outside. Sometimes thunder was blooming making it all around bright.

Since childhood, I have always liked rain but now seeing this rainy night, I wasn't feeling the same as before.

Now the rain had stopped and there were numerous numbers of stars in the sky.

Everything was shining brightly except for me and my thoughts, gloomy thoughts.

I never liked staying alone before but now here I was keeping myself locked alone.

Is there anyone who would like to be left alone? I guess no and I am no exception either.

Arnav's voice buzzed in my ear.

That day having him standing at my doorway all of a sudden surely made me uncomfortable and afraid. And then Kaiden wasn't home and it made me even more afraid.

He was saying something but all I did was get a hold of myself. I couldn't get much of his words at first but when he said about healing and all, I looked up at him.

There was something on his face that I couldn't get myself to keep looking at him. And when he was gone, I walked to the door. I locked myself again.

Being traumatized or hurt isn't our fault. But living with those will make us torment ourselves to death. So, if we want to live happily, we need to take it as our responsibility to heal and get over those. So, heal Khushi because only then you will allow yourself to believe someone when he says you will be safe here around him as well. That you can trust him like you trust your brother.

Arnav's words again buzzed in my mind and as if they stirred something in me. After that incident, I always kept thinking of that incident and what could have happened. And if anything, it made me living in hell.

I never got a peaceful sleep which resulted in me taking pills, fearing to meet people, stuffing me with clothes and many more.

But maybe I didn't deserve that.

I guessed I had a lot of bad traits and the worst was that I am used to remember useless things for so long and torment myself.

Kaiden was happy with his friend and I got in between interrupting their happy life.

Though this apartment wasn't huge and luxurious like Arnav's, it still must have cost him a lot. And maybe that's why Kaiden was now giving much more time in his part time jobs other than in his study.

I had broken the small family he and Arnav had created for themselves. Arnav also must be feeling lonely and here I was still drowning in my own wounds, still busy tormenting myself.

A knock on my door pulled me out of my thoughts.

"Khushi, are you awake sister?" I heard Kaiden's voice behind the door. I looked at the clock only to get it was already dawn and Kaiden must be here to get me out for jogging.

I was so into my thoughts that I didn't know when the rain had stopped.

"Khushi?" Kaiden's voice again got into my hearing.

I rose on my feet and walked to the door. Opening it, I found Kaiden, like I guessed ready for jogging.

"Enough of you remaining locked up in the room. Get ready. We are going for jogging. And that's it." Kaiden said. His voice calculative, ready to counter if I said otherwise.

"Give me 10 minutes. I am getting ready." I said with a little bit of a smile.

Kaiden smiled heartily, "Okay. I am in the living room." With his words delivered, he walked away.

Taking my jogging suit, I entered the washroom. As I brushed my teeth, I stared at my reflection in the mirror.

And what I saw disappointed me. The girl looked terrified, broken and hesitant. And if anything, it wasn't me.

The memory of Reid would always be in my mind but not like this. I needed to end this pathetic phase and turn on to a new page in life.

I encouraged myself and got freshened up. I put on my jogging suit and tied up my hair in a ponytail.

As I got in the living room, Kaiden was pacing there. Seeing me, he smiled, "Here you are. Okay, let's go now."

We jogged in the nearby park. After last night's rain, everything looked so fresh. Nature looked welcoming.

Kaiden and I talked about our childhood happy memories and laughed.

And then my eyes caught the sight of Arnav. He was standing at a little distance and staring at us. His expression was unfathomable.

My laughter stopped in the matter of moments.

Before I could say anything about him to Kaiden, I saw Arnav walking away. He didn't turn to us, not even for once as he exited the main gate of the park and vanished from my eyesight.

And for the umpteenth time, I felt guilty...