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Chapter 18

"Shiyu..." Akshay called behind me, waking me up from my trance. Akshay was behind me in a second. His hand touched my elbow.

"Hey," Rishab said in a pleasant voice. As if he was happy to see me. "I thought you were in Mumbai."

"I was in Mumbai," I said. "I am just... visiting someone."

"Okay," Rishab said.

Akshay suddenly stepped in front of me. "Hi..." Akshay said, "I am Akshay." He extended his hand. Rishab caught his hand and shook it, "Rishab," he said

"Ah..." Akshay said. "What are the odds of running into you here, right?"

"You know me?" Rishab asked.

"Who doesn't know Shiyu's Rishab?" Akshay said. "The betrayer..."

"What?" Rishab asked, "Look, I don't know what she told you about me..."

But I stepped between the guys. "I heard you are getting married." I said, "Did you come here with your fiance?" I asked.

"Yes," Rishab said. "Shiyu.... I mean.... Shiyuli... Can... Can we talk?"

"We are talking," I said

"No. I mean like in private." He said.

"You can talk to her while I am listening," Akshay said.

"Excuse me? Who are you?" Rishab turned to him as if he was genuinely curious about who Akshay was to me.

"Someone special to Shiyu," Akshay said.

"You mean like a boyfriend?" Rishab sounded confused.

"Could be," Akshay said.

"Akshay..." I said, trying to stop him. But Rishab just laughed. So I looked at him.

"As if," Rishab said. He laughed more. It was pissing me off.

"What is so funny?" I asked

"Like you would move on that quickly," Rishab said.

"Huh?" I asked. I felt irritated. "You moved on so quickly," I said.

"Look... Shiyu it's me. I know you. I don't know what your deal is with this guy... He doesn't even look old enough. But... I know you. Like no one in the world knows you. Don't forget that. I have known you close for ten years." He reminded me. "I was the closest to you for ten years."

I can still remember all the times when Risha was the closest to me for the past ten years. When he was my whole world. When he was.... The only guy who has touched me that way... And then.... Hurt me that way.

Some tears threatened to come to my eyes.

"Let's go," Akshay caught my hand. He pulled me. I turned to Aksyay. Seeing his face, I lost my cool. "You okay," Akshay stepped closer.... I shook my head as tears fell from my eyes. "Let's just go," I said to Akshay.

"That's what I thought," Rishab said. "Still crying... crybaby"

I turned to Rishab. Akshay looked so angry.

"Ris..." A girl walked up to us. I could recognise her. She was his finace from the photos Milky showed us. "You were taking so long, so came to check," she said. She had a slender build and was beautiful. And I noticed that she used 'aap' for Rishab. Rishab and I always used 'tum' for each other. (Akshay and I use 'tu' though). "Your friends?" She asked him.

"Ah... No, baby. I will just come. Can you go back to your seat?"

She looked confused.

"I will just come," he hugged her and kissed the side of her head. In front of me. I felt like my heart got stabbed. Why though? Why do I still feel like this? After everything... After whatever he did... I hated myself I hated my tears. I hated everything about this situation.