ᴇx-ʙᴏʏʀꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅ, ɴᴇxᴛ ʜᴜꜱʙᴀɴᴅ

Chapter 9

Nishtha

Should I be happy or be sad?
I got the job I wanted but with my ex boyfriend.
I can't work with him.

I should leave the job. I can just apply anywhere else and I'll get it, or... I'll just move to the US. I can't work here. He won't let me. He'll make life hell for me. He hates me already.

After Rupert Sir dropped me back, I ran to my room and cried. 4 years of tears came out once I saw him. Aai and Baba tried to console me but there was no helping. Not even Priya and Aditi could help. No one could.

I didn't know when I slept and when I woke up, but when I got up after crying, it was 4:30am. I sighed and checked my emails and noticed a welcome email.
I checked it. Everything was perfect. Work from home, free food, fuel coverage, everything... but one problem: my ex.

I walked out into the balcony. I needed air. It was drizzling and I needed that rain. I quickly changed into simple track pants and a sweater and stepped outside the house after checking that Aai Baba were sleeping properly. 

The cold wind hit my face and the rain drops hit my face. I felt good. Relaxed.
"What are you doing here?" A deep voice asked. I turned around to see the man who made me lose my sleep staring right at me. He walked towards me in his track pants and a simple tee shirt. I don't want to talk to him so I turned and walked away but he blocked my path.

"I asked you something." He repeated.
"I... I... c..couldn't sleep..."
Why am I stammering?
"So you decide to walk around at 4am?" He scoffed.
"I... I wanted the rain."
"Go home. It's dark." He said, coming close.
"I don't want... to." I said, "why are you here?"
"What makes you think you can ask me that?"
That hurt me. I guess the hate hasn't gone. I didn't answer, I just looked down.
I heard him sigh, "I'm jogging."
I nodded, looking down.

He came closer, held my chin and looked me up, "Look at me when I'm talking to you Nishtha."
I felt tears in my eyes.
He let go.
He took my name after 4 years.
I turned and walked away. He didn't stop me.

I ran home and dropped to my bed.
Why is this happening to me?

I sat at the airport, waiting for Neel. It has been months since I saw him.
"Di!" He said, giving me a bro fist.
"Neel! How are you?" I smiled.
"I'm good. Let's go?"
I nodded. I called a cab and we got in.
"If you're working here now why don't you get a car?" He asked.
"I... I don't wanna add a burden on Aai Baba yet, let me get wait for a few months then I'll see."
"You're getting paid heavily man."
"Still. Anyway, I'm dropping you home and then going to work."
"Can I come with you to your work place bro?"
"Why?"
"It's closer, I have an assignment to complete."
"Neel... I'm working at—"
"Doesn't matter. One hour I'll need, please."
"Okay fine."

We stopped to IBM. I had worn a chikankari kurta with jeans and had gotten ready as usual. We got down and started walking inside.
"Damn. Amazing." He said.
I smiled.
"Wait doesn't your contract start on 1st?"
"It does, but I'm working with another firm as a joint venture - a consultant."
"Oh nice. Which one?"
"Umm... YUVA."
He stopped walking, "w...what?"
I nodded slowly.
"Are you able to?"
"It's my first day today. I don't know."
"Okay. Just... see how it goes. Don't stay there if you can't."
I nodded.

We walked in. I was fixing my bag when I ran into the one person I didn't want to - him.
"Watch where you're—" He stopped when he saw me and Neel.
Awkward.
But suddenly, Yuvaan turned to Neel, "Hi bro."
Neel relaxed, "H..Hi."
"How are you? How's your studying?"
"G..Good."
"Final year done?"
"Yeah."
"So, internship now, right?"
He nodded.

I watched in horror as Neel and Yuvaan spoke. They used to be close when we were together. Aai used to trust Yuvaan enough to let Neel go on his night outs with him. After we ended, Neel and Yuvaan haven't spoken. Until now.

"You can come apply in YUVA. I'll see what I can do." He said.
"Don't worry Da—" I almost cried as Neel was going to say Dada, "Don't worry."
"Yeah. I need to borrow your sister, for work."
I snapped my eyes at him. I was scared.
"S..Sure." Neel said, "Di... can you give me a..."
"Huh. Yeah." I snapped back.
"What do you need?" Yuvaan asked.
"I thought I'll study here. I have an assignment to finish."
"Come! I'll take you." Yuvaan said.

I watched Neel follow him and I stood rooted in my place. Then I heard Yuvaan say, "Neel, please tell your sister that she needs to go to the room, the room doesn't come to her."
Neel chuckled slowly. So did Yuvaan.
What's going on?!

I followed him. He dropped Neel to a nice room. "Neel, eat whatever, do whatever. It's fine."
Neel nodded and closed the door.
I stood standing alone with him. He was walking ahead when I stood grounded. I felt scared to go anywhere with him.
I saw him come back, "Are you coming or not?"
I nodded and followed him into the main room.

We got to work and I met my team, and started working. It was going great. Yuvaan had left the room within 10 minutes so I was able to work at my own will and freedom without feeling scared. But, to my horror, he came back.
"I need to speak to Nishtha." He announced.
I panicked but got up and followed him. "Yes? I asked when we were out of sight.
"Neel is leaving." He said, Neel behind him.
I turned to him, "Neel. I'll book you a cab."
"I did it already." He said.
"Why did you book a cab?" Yuvaan asked.
"We..." I tried to speak.
"Neel." Yuvaan said, "Don't. I'll ask someone to drop you."
"No. It's fine. The cab is outside." Neel said, "Di, I'll see you at home."
"Okay. Take your stuff."
Neel left, leaving me with Yuvaan. Before he could speak, I ran away. I can't deal with this.

I sat in my office. I should change my work.

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