Neighbour Next Door

27) Let It Go

Sumedh's life was very calm, and he could shout at the top of the world. But this is the thing with people who keep to themselves, they act like nothing happened, won't talk. 

Because in the end nobody cares, right? 

People are scary, annoying and just.. people. They don't mean anything, they come make a place in your heart and leave. He scrolls again on his Instagram feed. Yes, Instagram. 

He got this new obsession of scrolling reels like a useless student does. He's a professor with tons of shit work but still he chooses to waste his time watching crap reels, which are surprisingly very relatable. 

He sighs seeing the next cringe line on his feed.  It said ' I'm like a balance sheet. All Assets and no liability.' 

he scoffs calling the creators 'fools' since balance sheets always balance each other. He scrolls again landing on some music page and hears and song softly tapping his foot. The girl sings beautifully he believes. 

Jaanam Dekh Lo Mit Gayi Dooriyan
Main Yahaan Hoon, Yahaan Hoon, Yahaan Hoon, Yahaan
Kaisi Sarhadein, Kaisi Majbooriyan
Main Yahaan Hoon, Yahaan Hoon, Yahaan Hoon... Yahaan

His imagination takes him to a 5'4 blue eyed girl whose smile was so beautiful that it lit up his heart. He gets a flashback of all small fights, cute arguments, bumping into the corridor, talking in his balcony and the rare occasion hugs they did. 

'I thought you needed a friend.'

'I really did until I met you.' 

Was his life changing? he had thought 6 months ago but here we ago. 

Coming back to square one. 

'bullshit' he gritted out. He doesn't know why he gets snappy nowadays. He talks limited, eats limited, interacts limited, does everything limited. But still nothing feels in control. 

_

"I'll be back, take the phone and reach the bus stop." he nods at Akshay and walks slowly to the bus stop. Akshay was the only one who knew about Sumedh's whereabouts apart from Arjun. Nobody asked him, even if they tried he limited his contact.

Why did you leave? Because I couldn't afford the rent anymore. 

Where are you living? Nearby College

Should we visit? I'm busy

That was all. He felt bad but he doesn't have the energy to deal with lots of people, the people who gave him happy moments. He is a disappointment and he doesn't wants to be around people who're good to him. He wants to be in that shell, and nobody asks about him that's it.

Akshay knows the pain of loneliness so does Arjun, so they tracked and stalked him down. 'creepy' was all that Sumedh had said and reconciled. 

Akshay's phone rang and he read the name 'Mikks.' His heartbeat rose. 

He can't pick it up. 

It's weird? No awkward? Speechless-

He cuts the call but then horror arrives on his face. He could have let it ring, couldn't he? Why did he has to cut it?

It rings again and he decides to pick it up by seeing 'fiancee' written on it. It must be Vedika, and he picked it up.

"Hi Akshay-

"uhm.. Hi Vedika.. I'm S-sumedh we met-

"oh Hi Sumedh, I remember you but where is-.." he hears some shuffle before the calls get disconnected. He shrugs confusingly and walked to the bus stand where soon Akshay joined. They both talked his marriage and plans until they reached his apartment. Sumedh refused to come but was dragged by Akshay anyhow. But he stood outside since he heard a familiar shrill voice and he refused to face her. But he saw how insensitive Akshay behaved and was surprised to know he's not suffering alone.