TISHNAGI

CHAPTER 14: NAINA

8:37 PM.

My attention was diverted by a notification sound. I looked at my phone and it was a WhatsApp notification by him.

I read it from the panel, instead of opening it. I won't let him have his attention.

"Come out, I am waiting."

My heart beat increased, I got up and went to the windowsill, I pulled out the curtains to see him standing down nervously fidgeting with his fingers.

I took a step back and kept a hand on my heart to stop it from beating so fast. I was upset from him, it wasn't supposed to beat so fast even while being angry.

I intentionally took my time and made him wait for 15 minutes, I would pretend I didn't read his message.

I walked outside the building and saw his face lighten up. I continued walking without looking at him.

"Naina!" He called out my name loudly. Goosebumps spread across my body.

Don't give him attention.

I put on my bitch face and turned back.

He gazed at me softly, walking slowly towards me. "Your reason to come here?"

He gulped before answering," I came here to pick you up."

"I don't need your help, I could have come by cab."

"You're angry right now, let's talk in the car."

I crossed my arms and acted like I didn't care. When of course I did. I cared so much that at the end it started to hurt me.

"No, I am not angry at all. We have nothing to talk Mahir ji." I talked in a slightly high pitch voice which strained my sarcasm.

He took a deep breath before coming closer to me. I didn't budge from my position. He held my shoulders and looked deep into my eyes.

"Okay, but I still want to talk to you and explain myself. So, let's go inside the car."

I removed myself from his hold and went towards the car and sat inside. Even if I am angry, I won't waste my money on a stupid cab.

He entered the car and ignited the engine. He stopped the car on a signal and gazed at me.

"I am sorry."

"What are you sorry for?"

"For not informing you that I would get late."

"It's your life, why would you message me?" I said it as a matter of fact. He sighed before taking left from the signal.

"I should have. When I noticed it was late, I was about to message you but my phone died."

"It doesn't really matter Mahir ji, you don't have to explain yourself. I am fine, you're fine, you're friend is fine, EVERYTHING IS FINE!!" I said with the biggest smile,I could feel my heart shatter piece by piece.

"No Naina-" I was thankful to the person who called me. For the whole ride, I talked with my friend. On reaching home, I got out of the car without giving him a chance to speak anything.

On entering the room, I quickly took out my clothes and was about to enter the washroom when, I heard him calling my name.

"Naina?"

I turned back and looked at him, I plastered a smile on my face. I was good at hiding my emotions, a thing I learnt while being in a relationship with Yash.

Sigh.

"Yes?"

"We need to talk."

"There is nothing to talk about Mahir ji. I am not angry at all, I don't know why are you even thinking I am angry, when I am clearly not!" I acted like it didn't matter to me. I said it smiling so big that my cheeks started to hurt.