Somewhere Only We Go

Chapter 22 (Part 2)

Kabir

I can't believe I didn't think about Googling more about Avi's family. I was going to stay with these people under one roof for a week. Sure we stayed in our own bubble for the first four days but still. I knew he was rich but I didn't realise how rich. Why did he travel commerical, when his family owns private jets, yes jets, because they have multiple. What did he even see in me in the first place. I was basically a nobody struggling to pay bills. Even if I wasn't struggling, I would still be less.

"What are you thinking about?" Avi came in. I was sitting on the edge of the bed, my legs still on the floor.

"Why didn't you tell me about your family?" Avi paused and then took a deep breath.

"Because I knew this is how you would react." Avi folds his arms.

"No, don't put this on me." I couldn't control the sharpness in my tone.

"I thought you were okay with it."

"I am okay with your achievements Avi, I am not okay with not being told stuff that are obviously important." I got up and started pacing. I don't know where this anger is coming from. He is right, my reaction outside when we were in the kitchen was like I was okay with it.  But I don't know anymore.

"How is this important? It has nothing to do with us? Does my family' wealth changes things between us?" He was looking at us like my answe is going to the difference between life and death for him.

"No it doesn't but it's a part of you. I get it that you might not be ready to share your feelings with me but this is your life. I feel like I don't know anything about you. Did you see Rishabh's reaction? Even he found it weird that I had no idea. I don't know anything about you. Why can't you just tell me things like these? Why don't you trust me enough to let me in?" I was shouting at this point.

"And you do? What have you told me about your family? Nothing.. Don't pretend we know each other that well when we clearly don't." He is right, we don't know each other at all.

"I am not the one who invited you in my family home. You did. The least you could have done is tell me basic stuff." I was starting to sound a little unfair but I was hurt. And I blamed that hurt for what I said next.

"I am not the one pretending to be a happy family rather than face the truth because I am too much of a coward to take a stand, or what is it Avi? Maybe you are just not ready to give up the luxuries."

Avi looked like someone has punched him and taken away all the oxygen from his lungs. His eyes welled up and before I could apologize he left.

I stayed in the room for an hour pacing around, pulling my hair. God what had gotten into me. I felt ashamed of what I said. Avi has been nothing but good to me. This entire week, weeks before that ever since we met he has been nothing but his most amazing self and in return I had hurt him. He was right, nothing about his family changed anything about how I felt about him. I didn't fall in love with his family name, I was in love with him. He could quite possibly be the love of my life and I had hurt him.

A knock comes at the door and for a second I thought it's Avi but why would he knock? When I open up Disha and Rishabh are standing at the door, ready to go somewhere.

They both glance at each other than me. "Um we need to take you somewhere, get ready." Rishabh says.

"What do you mean?"

"Avi called and there is something for you, something he wanted to show you. But eh I think he is busy." Rishabh said struggling for words.

"He isn't coming?" Where is he?

"No, but I promise you will like it."

Almost an hour later we are standing at a gallery. And when we enter inside I felt like I couldn't breathe. This was one of the most renowned galleries in the entire country and they had a special section specially curated with some of the best works from photographers from all across Asia. But this section was closed for some renovation works, I knew that because I had checked it online. I wanted to come here but I thought it won't be possible. No no no no no...no way he did this. Not after how I behaved.

"This was closed." It was supposed to be a question but comes out more like a sentence.

"It is but the gallery did a coffee table book last year in collaboration with us, Avi is the one who got them and the couple that runs it now is specially fond of him. I don't know how he found out you wanted to visit this but he called in a special favor. They could only open it for you for an hour today so postponing it was not an option." Rishabh said biting his lips.

Disha went to another side of the gallery the one with paintings. Rishabh was the only one standing with me right now and my knees felt week. I felt I was going to fall right there. Fuck what have I done. I need to find Avi, I don't know where he is.

"I know what you are thinking but that's not a good idea. If you leave now he will only feel worse." Rishabh said.

"Did he...did he tell you what happened?"

"No, but I am guessing you guys fought." I nod. We fought over something incredible stupid. And I had hurt him.

"Look how about you make full use of this opportunity he got you and then when we go home and he is still not there we will look for him.  Sounds good?" Not in the slightest, how do I enjoy something so special he did for me without him by my side.

"Kabir?"

"Okay."

I didn't say anything for the entire hour we spent in the gallery. Disha joined us at some point but I tuned both of them out. I took in each framed picture, every single potrait and how beautiful the shots were. Some were happy, some looked sad, some had varied emotions all captured in one frame. Did they hurt someone they loved too? Or were they better than I was. I needed to find him and beg for his forgiveness. Tell him I love him and I'll wait for as long as he wants. Kiss him and whisper he isn't a coward in his ears until he believed me.

I needed to find Avi. That was the only thing going on in my mind when we were returning. As soon as I got of the car Rishabh told me he was going to wait in the drawing room while I check in the bedroom.

As soon as I entered to room I knew something was wrong. The room was dark but the bathroom door was open. There was the sound of water overflowing.  I ran inside and there was cracked glass, blood...lots of blood and Avi was in the bathtub under the water.