Beautiful disaster (completed)

Chapter 42 - Going back

Kiara's pov

The harsh sunlight spilled onto the wooden table of the small café in Pune where I sat alone, a misal pav half-eaten in front of me. I stared absently out of the window, watching the hustle and bustle of Pune rush by. Four months had passed in a blur of work and solitude.

Every day, I threw myself into work, immersing myself in coding and project meetings, anything to distract my mind from the memories that haunted me.

My phone buzzed with Maya's name, and guilt twisted my stomach. My heart pounded as my thumb hovered over the answer button, the internal battle raging yet again.

Late at night, I would often find myself staring at my phone, Maya's name glaring back at me from the screen. I ached to hear her voice, to confide in her as I had done countless times before. But the weight of my confession – the kiss I had shared with Kabir – held me back, a barrier of guilt and shame that I couldn't bring herself to breach.

I know talking it out with her would help ease this awful guilt I had been carrying.

But the fear of shattering our friendship, of losing the one constant in my life, would overpower me, and I would retreat into the safety of silence.

I wasn't ready for this conversation, to hear the concern and questions in her voice. The phone continued ringing as I stared at it numbly.

Maya's smiling face swam before me as I recalled our moonlit talks on the apartment balcony back in Bangalore. Things had seemed so hopeful and happy then.

I silenced the call, just as I had done for weeks.

Now here I was, hiding from my best friend's calls, filled with shame at how horribly wrong everything had become. If I could go back and undo it all, I would do it in a heartbeat.

A message notification popped up, and I read it with a heavy heart.

Maya: Hey, are you ignoring my calls? I really need to talk to you.

Maya: Kabir and I broke up. I didn't know what to do? Please call me back.

My heart sank as I read the message.

With trembling fingers, I dialed Maya's number, bracing myself for the worst. She picked up on the first ring.

"Kiara?" Her voice was laced with pain, a mere shadow of its usual vibrancy.

"Kiara, where have you been?" Maya's voice was thick with tears. "I've been trying to reach you for days. You forgot me after going to Pune?"

"I was busy—" I began, but Maya cut me off.

"Kabir broke up with me, Kiara. He didn't give any reason or explanation. I don't know what to do. He is ignoring my calls!" she sobbed. 

Guilt washed over me. Did Kabir break up with her because of that kiss we shared? I had to know. 

"I think you need to give yourself some time," I said carefully. "Healing takes time, Maya. And sometimes, the best thing you can do is let go and move forward."

"What if I don't want to move on?" Maya's voice was small, hopeful. "What if I want him back?"

I bit her lip, unsure of how to respond. " I-I am coming back to Bangalore then we'll talk"

Without thinking much, I made up my mind. I was going back to Bangalore. I needed answers.

Hanging up, I took a deep breath and turned on my laptop, searching for flights.

I had booked the first flight available to Bangalore.

I needed to confront Kabir and get some answers, not just for Maya's peace of mind, but for my own sanity.