Her Innocent Love

3 ~ A Friend in Need

Aathiya's POV

I didn't have any relatives from whom I could ask for help. I had been sitting on the lawn of someone's place for the past hour, crying. It wasn't the act of leaving that brought me to tears, but the manner in which I was being forced out and the betrayal of my friend. Sometimes, we hold someone in such high regard that they become our whole life. But then, those very people shatter our illusions and snatch that life away when we need it most. I felt like I could trust no one anymore. I thought of calling Aaru, but after today's incident, I wasn't sure if I could trust another friend. After much overthinking, I decided not to call her. Enough is enough, Aathiya, I told myself. You will not cry for someone who has driven you to the streets. I decided not to go anywhere until the end of this month. I had paid the rent, so I would stay. With this resolve, I went back home. It was daytime, but nobody was home. I went into the kitchen, took my plate of food that I had left there, and went to my room. I ate while thinking about how I could tackle this situation. I texted Ishika that I wouldn't leave until the end of this month as I had already paid for this month and the next. I wrote that I should be given one month's notice or she would have to return my rent; otherwise, I wouldn't leave. After sending the message, I turned off the lights and dozed off because I had a shift to cover.

I woke up to the third alarm. I saw there was a text from Ishika, but I was running late, so I decided to get ready first. I could read the message on the bus. After boarding the bus, I checked the text: "You can stay for this month but not for next month. The landlord has said that your rent will not be refunded." A lump formed in my throat, but I swallowed it and replied that I wasn't leaving until I got my money back. I told her she could call whoever she wanted, but I wouldn't leave without my money. After sending this, I muted her contact because any further notification from her would increase my anxiety, and I couldn't handle that. I had to focus on my work and college.

I reached Paradise and relieved the on-duty concierge. At least my shift was going fine. I checked all the emails and saw that Aaru had seriously emailed senior management about yesterday's incident, and they had responded. The email stated that if that person ever showed up at the hotel again, he would not be assisted. I was impressed. I didn't think these high officials would take a stand for their part-time employees. I continued my regular work, and the shift passed smoothly. A new batch of cleaners came in the morning, and I handed the keys to them. A few of them asked about my health, and I replied plainly. I didn't want to bother anybody, but somehow people could read everything just by looking at my face. I attached my DOR, and Aaru arrived on site.

"Hey Aathiya, how are you?" "I am good, Aarohi, and you?" "I'm fine too, but what happened to you?" She asked, and I cursed myself inside for not being able to hide anything. "Nothing, Aaru, everything is fine." I left the desk and went to the staff room to get my bag, and Aaru followed me. "First of all, if everything were fine, you wouldn't have called me by my full name, and secondly, you wouldn't be avoiding eye contact with me. So tell me now, what happened?" I lifted my eyes and saw concern on her face. My eyes brimmed with tears. She placed her hand on my shoulder and asked in the softest, most genuine voice, "Are you okay, bro?" That was it. My tears started flowing uncontrollably. She instantly hugged me. "Hey, Aathiya, what happened? Why are you crying like this? Did someone say something to you? Tell me, bro. You are scaring me." I hugged her back tightly. Her concern for me made me cry even more. My breathing became uneven with the loud sobs. After my crying session, I told her everything.

"How dare she! That bitch stooped that low. I can't believe it, and on top of that, she's not even returning your money. This is not done. I've already told you a hundred times to leave that toxic place. Don't worry, she can do nothing. Nobody on this earth can remove you from that house like that. In fact, you can call the cops. Your landlord and this head girl will learn their lesson then."