Truthfully Yours

Chapter 43

"Hey! Vir!" Akanksha, who was waiting for me, greeted with a smile.

"Hey, Akanksha!"

"Let's sit down." She insisted and I nodded. She was smiling looking at me. I don't know how to react but I know I must be polite.

"Coffee?"

"No. Thanks! Actually I got only 10 minutes now as I got to pick Vansh up from school." I said and she nodded.

"What do you want to talk about?" I asked her again and she looked at me anxiously.

"I very well know that you know, Vir." She said and I sighed.

"It's been so long since we have met in person. And.. I want to ask you out again. Will you be my boyfriend?" She asked all of a sudden. I just looked at her not knowing what to say.

She's such a wonderful woman I've ever met after my mom and grandma. She's bold, kind and open minded person. She does not indulge in anyone's life and she respect others privacy a lot. Especially she cares for me and Raghu more than any bestfriend could do.

My answer can make me lose her forever. I fear it sometimes. We three shared an impeccable friendship since long.

"Vir.." she called me.

I was startled. I looked at her who was looking at me with intense emotions. What I saw was a thin film of tears.

"I know I'm too bold and straightforward. But I didn't know how to take this matter up to you. I'm really sorry if I'm making you uncomfortable but you said you needed time. Now, I have waited for three years. What are you going to say now?" She asked me with sadness etching with her every word. I felt a pang of guilt forming in my chest.

I broke the uncomfortable silence.

"I'm sorry Akanksha.." I said looking down. I felt to slap myself but suddenly she stood up.

I stood up too. She was blinking back her tears and smiling lightly. It was a bitter smile. My chest hurted looking at that.

"Akan-"

"It's okay Vir. I know you do not feel the same for me like I do. I'll try to understand it and move on. Sorry for being too selfish and sorry if I hurted you too. And I'm fine. I must get going." She said and picked her keys and mobile up hastily. I was just dumbstruck.

She ran out of the cafeteria wiping her tears. I felt guilt rushing up my heart. I felt cowardly of myself to not make her understand what I meant to.

She thought I just don't like her. Dies she know that I don't like any woman that way? I was not born for any commitments. I do not want any commitments and that's why I run away from any one who try to break my walls.

All my life I have only four people with me. Vansh, Grandma, Raghu and Akanksha. Now I lost one person already.

"Go to hell, Vir!" I cursed myself and left the cafeteria with my car keys. I started towards Vansh's school.

"Hey Vansh!" I said waving at him. He was walking towards me sadly. He waved at me very slowly.

What drained my little boy's unmatchable energy?

"What happened to you?" I asked kneeling down. He handed me his bag, lunch bag and his water bottle one by one and got in the car with a pouty expression.

"Vansh.." I said while placing them in the backseat and got on the driver seat. I put his seatbelts on.

"My classmates asked where my parents are."  He said with a cute pout. I chuckled.