They never met...

CHAPTER 15 -BETWEEN US

*Flashback continues*

Mahima's POV:

The image on my phone screen felt branded onto my retinas, a cruel snapshot of a happiness that seemed miles away. Jagjeet, with a carefree smile, his arm casually draped around a woman with cascading dark hair and eyes that sparkled with mischief. A woman who wasn't me.

Insecurity, a serpent I thought long slain, coiled itself around my heart, squeezing the life out of my already fragile confidence. Maybe Jagjeet deserved someone... prettier, livelier, someone who fit better into the world of the academy he now inhabited. Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring the pixels of the picture further.

The phone buzzed, jolting me back to the present. An unknown number. A text message. With a trembling hand, I opened it.

There's a screenshot of a message from a woman_

"Hey Jagjeet! Just reminiscing about that time we aced the obstacle course together! You were a lifesaver Miss you already!"

The message was signed with a single "P." My breath hitched. Priya. This wasn't just a casual friend; there was a clear undercurrent of intimacy. A fresh wave of despair washed over me.

The days that followed were a blur of forced smiles and sleepless nights. I threw myself into work at the cafe, the clatter of cups and the murmur of conversations a dull shield against the storm raging within.

Then came another text, another screenshot, this time, from a fellow trainee named Sarah_

"Jagjeet is such a sweetheart! Always helping everyone out. We're planning a surprise party for him this weekend. Can't wait to celebrate with him!"

The carefully constructed lie, dripping with familiarity, was a cruel blow. I felt utterly replaceable, a forgotten melody in a song Jagjeet was no longer singing.

Unable to bear the weight of my suspicions any longer, I reached out to Anisha, my best friend. Tears streamed down my face as I poured out my heart, confessing my insecurities and the tormenting texts.

Anisha listened patiently, her voice a soothing balm on my frayed nerves. "Mahima," she said gently, "don't let these doubts and insecurities fester. You need to talk to Jagjeet, clear the air. Tell him what's bothering you."

I hesitated. Trust, once so readily given, felt like a fragile ornament teetering on the edge of a precipice. But Anisha's words echoed in my mind. I couldn't let misunderstandings destroy what we had.

With a shaky hand, I dialed Jagjeet's number. The wait felt like an eternity before his voice, laced with surprise, filled my ear.

Taking a deep breath,

J: hello babe

M: jagjeet....I wanna talk...talk about something....
J: Are you alright babe!!!! The panic attaks did they cane back!!!!

M: My health is okk......my heart is not

J: what... happened......Mahi

M: do you like priya....

J: what , what are you even talking about???? No!!!!

M: no nothing

J: tell me everything Mahi

I blurted out everything - the picture, the texts, the gnawing fear that had taken root in my heart. Finally, I sent the picture, the incriminating evidence that fueled my doubts.