Austerity

. t h i r t e e n .

Chapter 13. 

Author's POV

Roohi went to the park to find peace on a chilly evening. As she sat on a bench, surrounded by nature's beauty, her mind was in chaos. Despite the serene scene, her thoughts were tumultuous. Lost in contemplation, she hoped for clarity from nature's ballet.

Suddenly, her tranquillity was shattered by a scream as a mysterious hand touched her shoulder. Startled and defensive, she jumped up, only to find it was her friend Aarohi. Tension turned into relief, and the park became a stage for connection. Laughter replaced the initial shock, making the park a backdrop for a moment of joy.

"Ohh my god! Aaru! You scared me like hell. What are you even doing here!?" Roohi exclaimed, her heart still racing as she patted her chest to calm herself down.

"I can ask you the same, bro! What are you doing here on this chilly evening when you can cuddle with your plushies in the warmth of your home?" Aarohi replied, raising an eyebrow with a teasing grin.

Roohi sighed once again, the tension slowly giving way to a smile, as she settled back onto the bench. Aarohi, sensing her friend's unease, approached and took her place beside her. With a comforting touch, she gently held Roohi's hand, fingers intertwining as she began drawing soothing circles in an attempt to provide comfort and reassurance. The chill in the air seemed to dissipate, replaced by the warmth of friendship that enveloped them both in that quiet park.

"Roohi," Aarohi whispered in a slow and soothing voice, "What's the matter? You seem so tensed." She gazed at her friend, observing the visible signs of distress on Roohi's face. The furrowed brow and distant look spoke volumes about the turmoil within.

Aarohi raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced by Roohi's attempt to downplay her stress. "Roohi, we've been friends for a while now. You can't hide things from me that easily. Spill it out. What's bothering you?"

Roohi sighed, realizing that she couldn't escape Aarohi's scrutiny. "Fine, you caught me. It's just work stuff, you know, deadlines, pressure, the usual. But I don't want to burden you with it."

Lie. 
Roohi knew Aarohi wouldn't leave the topic so she did which found the only way to hide the matter from her. 

Roohi forced a small smile, maintaining her lie. "Aaru, honestly, it's really nothing. Just some minor work stress. I've got it under control, and I don't want you to worry about it."

Aarohi, though still skeptical, decided not to press further for now. "Alright, Roohi. But remember, I'm here if you ever want to talk or if you need help. Don't hesitate to reach out, okay?"

Roohi nodded, relieved that she managed to divert Aarohi's attention, at least for the time being. "Thanks, Aaru. I appreciate it. Let's just focus on having a good time right now, okay?"

Aarohi agreed, but a lingering concern remained in her eyes, silently promising herself to keep an eye on Roohi in case she needed support in the future.

"Roohi," Aarohi called out, her voice carrying a gentle tone, "Actually, I am sorry."

Roohi turned towards Aarohi with a puzzled stare, her eyebrows slightly furrowed in confusion. The unexpected apology left her wondering, searching for the underlying reason that prompted Aarohi to express regret. Sensing Roohi's confusion, Aarohi took a deep breath and continued, "Every time you were in trouble, and I wasn't there to stand by you."

Roohi's expression softened as she processed Aarohi's words. The sincerity in Aarohi's voice resonated, creating a thoughtful pause before Roohi responded. A small chuckle escaped Roohi's mouth, accompanied by a warm smile. "Aaru, there is no need to apologize for it," she said, her eyes reflecting understanding. "Life is full of twists and turns, and we can't always be there for each other every single moment."