Raabta - when the present is haunted by the past scars

4. Hidden Pain

Advait.

Mrs. Mehra mentioned the clubs, and maybe it's time I pick up basketball again. It'll keep me busy, and maybe, just maybe, it'll help take my mind off Mishti.

Though... I’m not sure anymore. She still loves her Ved, doesn’t she? I can’t shake that feeling, but I can’t afford to hurt her again. Not even by mistake. I’ve done enough damage in the past. Hurt her enough.

No more. Not ever again.

After class ended, we headed to the common room. We had an hour to kill, and it was the perfect spot for friends to just chill. But as we walked, my eyes drifted to Mishti.

She’s been quieter than usual lately. She used to be this vibrant, bubbly girl, always lighting up the room. She still tries to be, but there’s something she’s hiding.

Those eyes... those chocolate-brown orbs. They hold so much, something deeper than she lets on. I can see it—she’s masking whatever pain or hurt is buried inside. Trying to cover it up with all that brightness.

But, Mishti... you can fool the world. Just not me. I know you far too well to be fooled by this 'bubbly girl' act.

And as I was thinking about her, we reached the common room. We settled ourselves at our space and Kabir suggested we play Truth and Dare, as we have some time in hands.

And we started playing.

It was Kabir's turn to ask Naina the question and I knew he'll ask her about her crush. I knew about his lil crush on her.

He almost had an attack when he heard about Naina having boyfriendS. Then got a bit relaxed after realising she's talking about fictional characters.
His poor lil heart.

They're cute together. I hope they end up together and have a good story for them. Much unlike me.

Then it was Mishti's turn to answer. Adi asked her the question that was going on my mind from a long time now.

Mishti's last relationship. Or is she currently with someone.

To my utter shock and also some relief that she has not dated anyone after Ved. No one was there except Ved. She said it was complicated and it was 'fault in our stars' for them. Which was true. There was a fault in Mishti and Ved's stars for they couldn't unite.

But now the time came to correct all the faults, all the mistakes.

Adi felt he had made her sad about asking about her relationship, but she assured him it's nothing like that..and held his hand!? Why? I mean she just met him, what's there to hold hands.
And Adi is of flirty nature. He'll take the wrong ideas.

I'm not saying he's a bad guy or a playboy or something. But he can be a big flirt if he wants to.

And am not going to tolerate it around Mishti. As I said before, enough of mistakes, now no more. Am not going to let anyone hurt her.

"Truth or Dare, buddy?"
Pakhiee's voice broke my trance.

Naina said, I should choose dare as everyone was choosing truth, and hence I chose dare.

Pakhiee asked me to sing a song, and I was happy to do that.

I chose a song through which I'll be able to express myself to Mishti.
Hence Kuch toh Hai.

After finishing it, everyone praised me but I had my mind somewhere else.

On her.

I could sense I, and the song had an effect on her. Her expressions said she was thinking about the things I want her to think.