The Mourning Moon

Chapter 21

Two weeks. Finally two weeks of torture has come to an end. Two weeks of endless flirting from someone you did not like has come to an end. Two weeks of witnessing the person you like being flirted by some one else has come to an end. But that also meant that two weeks of having your crush being jealous over you has also come to an end. At least now Shreshth and Ansh can breathe freely and Shreshth does not have to worry about someone snatching Ansh from him. Finally some peace.

Or that is what they thought would happen. But Chetan was quite persistent. Shreshth, Somya, Vivaan, Ishita and Ansh were walking down the hall towards college cafeteria when someone called for Ansh. They all turned around to see Chetan who was running down the corridors and came to halt in front of Ansh.

"Hi", Chetan greeted Ansh, ignoring the other four which irritated Ansh. Ansh hated the people who treated others as if they did not exist.

"Mmm," was Ansh's reply.

"I am throwing a party in my house to celebrate my birthday this Saturday. Will you come?," Chetan asked.

Now, let it be very clear, Ansh did not like Chetan at all. But he also was a people pleaser so he did not know how to say no which most of the time landed him in uncomfortable situations. Shreshth knew that about him. So he decided to help Ansh. Putting his arms aound Ansh's shoulder he said, "Sorry, Chetan. We already have plans for that day."

Chetan glared at Shreshth for a moment before schooling his expression and smiling sweetly, he asked, "Really? What plans did you have?"

"Oh, you know, something like going on a date," replied Shreshth causing everyone including Ansh to stare at him wide eyed.

Hearing that , Chetan's expression hardened a little. "I see. Well, maybe next time," Chetan said before he stomped away from there without saying anything further.

As soon as Chetan was out of sight, Shreshth looked towards Ansh guiltily and said, "I am sorry, Ansh. I don't know what came over me. I just, you looked so uncomfortable and I just had to do something. So I blurted out whatever came to my mind. I am sorry." He, too, hastily left after apologizing to Ansh.

Once they reached home, Shreshth had locked himself in his room. Why did he do that? Why did he go open his mouth and say that? Now he has gone and destroyed everything.

Ansh, on the other hand, was confused. Holding the Tanzanite crystal, he thought of today's events. Shreshth had said sorry to Ansh for saying what he said. But truthfully, Ansh did not mind. In fact, he was quite happy that Shreshth stepped in to help him out. It was true that Ansh was feeling uncomfortable when Chetan invited him to his birthday party and did not know what to do. So when Shreshth stepped in, he was grateful. Shreshth did not have anything to be sorry about and he needed to know that. So he called Shreshth.

Shreshth was sulking in his bed after the disaster he has caused when his phone rang. He did not want to answer the phone but when he saw the caller id he quickly sat up straight. It was Ansh. Why was Ansh calling him? Did he want to end their friendship? Yes, that must be it. Shreshth felt like crying. But he composed himself and answered the call.

"Hi," Shreshth greeted.

"Hi," Ansh greeted back.

It was silent from the both side for a while before Ansh spoke up.

"It's okay, you know," Ansh started. "You do not need to be sorry for what you did for me."

"Yes, I do. I should not have said something like that. I should have thought of something else."

"At that moment, it was the only way you could help me, Shreshth. Also I did not mind."

"You didn't?"

"No. So you don't have to be sorry about anything."

"If you say so."

After that both of them made small talk and eventually hung up, happy and in peace once again.