TILL INFINITIES END

14. AARUSHI

ONE WEEK LATER

I sat in the corner of the café, my hands wrapped around a cup of coffee. I stared into the steam rising from my cup, but the warmth didn't reach me within. my hands were numb, like so numb. 

The past few months had been a trail of arguments and fights, and what made me even more tired was that I couldn't see a way out. it all kept me feeling like I was constantly failing—as a wife, as a mother, as everything. I felt like I did good at being a doctor, but not a successful wife and a mother. Varun and I hadn't spoke much since that day. I was so shocked that he might want an end to all this, and that was scary. I really needed a change in the air, and for me, it was Nidhi.

The door of the cafe chimed, pulling me from my thoughts. I looked up and saw Nidhi walk in, her usual smile and charm like a breath of fresh air in the scenarios I was stuck in. She looked just the same— full of life, with that pretty smile that I had kept missing so much. let me tell you, Nidhi has not changed, still the same chirpy bubbly girl (now a woman), the problem solver, just the she's married now. 

"Aarushi!" her voice was bright, filled with joy and energy. She spotted me immediately and made her way towards me, coming in for a hug.

I managed a small smile as I stood up to hug her back. Her hug was warm, comforting, the one I've needed the most.

'Hiiii !!' there's so much excitement in her voice i can't even replicate that.

'Helloo!' i tried to sound more cheerful.

I saw her expression change. Her smile faltered as she looked at me more closely.

"Aaru... is something wrong?" she asked softly, her hands still resting on my shoulders, her eyes full of concern.

"Nothing, Nidhi," I said quickly, trying to brush it off. I sat back down, holding my cup, avoiding her gaze, hoping she would let it go.

of course Aarushi, she's buying this, that you're okay, even though the dark circles below your eyes are loud enough, even though the crackness in your voice is evident, even though you've lost weight, even though you look so much pale. she'll believe it.

But Nidhi was never one to let things slide, especially when it came to me. She sat down across from me, her eyes fixed on mine.

She was searching, as if trying to read the thoughts I was trying to shut down. 

"Come on, Aaru. I can see it in your eyes. Something's been bothering you. Talk to me."

I sighed, gripping my cup tighter. no Aarushi, no.

I didn't want to bring all that pain to the surface, especially not now, not when I was supposed to be enjoying this time with her. 

"It's really nothing. you know how life of doctors are, just the usual work stress! " I tried to say it casually, but even to my own ears, the words sounded very unconvincing.

Nidhi was clearly not convinced. 

"We haven't seen each other in months, and this is how you greet me? With a fake smile and a half-hearted excuse? Aaru, I know you better than you think, okay?"

I could feel the mask I had built around myself starting to crack. 

she is right Aarushi, you can't fool her. But the weight of everything was so heavy, I didn't know how to begin. 

"Nidhi, I don't want to ruin our time together" I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

"oh shut up. You won't ruin anything," she replied, her tone gentle but firm. "We're friends, and i have every right to know what's bothering you.'