ᴇx-ʙᴏʏʀꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅ, ɴᴇxᴛ ʜᴜꜱʙᴀɴᴅ

Chapter 27

Nishtha

When I had reached Baba's house, I met Leo, a beautiful little puppy. He is a German shepherd and my heart was set on a puppy since then. The whole day, while I worked, Leo had stayed home with me. Now, I wish to have sort of a company here as well - especially since I am alone always.

"Who do you want?" He asked.
"If possible, I want Jeena Didi to move in here."
"Jeena? Why?"
"You're going to hire them anyway. Unless the plan was to make me do everything? If it was then okay I get it, you can ign—"
"I'll ask Jeena to come from tomorrow." He said, cutting me off.
He was about to leave when I stopped him.
"One more... thing..." I said, looking down.
"What?" He turned to me.
"I.... Nothin." I said and then walked away.

I couldn't ask him. I don't want comments on how ungrateful I am again. I sighed.

"Nishtha. Come here." He said from upstairs. I went up and saw him between the rooms, "Take your pick, between these two". He pointed.
"What?"
"Pick your room. We're not sharing a room."
Right.
It's for the best.
"Yeah." I said.
"This is my room." He pointed to the corner one.
"You can take whichever you want."
"Okay."
"You know the rules."
"Yeah."

I don't want to live like this.
Should I ask him how long do we stay together?

"How... long do we stay together?" I asked.
"What?" He said, confused.
"I know that you don't want to live with me and I..." I want to live with him, "I just... wanted to know how long is this act going to last."
Why was his jaw clenching?
"2 years." He replied and walked off, slamming the door of his room shut.

I looked at both the rooms and then picked the one next to him.
No, it's not because I want to be close to him.
This room has a beautiful balcony and was small compared to the other one. I didn't want a big room. It makes me feel uncomfortable when I know that I am temporary. I don't want to hear things like I'm taking advantage. I entered.

The room was beautiful. There was a bed in the top left sight, with a balcony door ahead. To the opposite side of the bed, was the entrance to a walk-in closet and the washroom. Next to the balcony door, was a good office table, which I plan to use when I work from home. There was a dresser with a mirror in the walk-in closest. But, what I loved the most was a small sliding door into a small room, maybe to just store anything extra, which was near the entrance of the room, just behind it. I will use that as my temple.

I opened the balcony door and my breath got caught in my throat. It was beautiful. The night sky with the slight drizzles. I could just leave the balcony open and sleep. The whole room had windows, which would allow enough sunlight. I quickly got up and started to unpack.

Within 45 minutes, the bed had a nice bedsheet, my clothes were arranged, my table was ready with my laptop and additional stuff, and my temple was ready as well. The sliding door would always be left open. The room was designed so that the person would have to walk a little after opening the door before actually entering.
I like that.

Next Day.

10am. I'm up. I have showered. I can go to work.
Why am I not going?
Also, why haven't I gotten any email asking me if I am going to come? Strange. I guess they know.
I was in a basic salwar suit and patiala pants, the ones I wear at home. I went down and found the home empty. Where was he?
I guess he left to work already.
Could he not even tell?
I felt tears falling down my eyes. I needed to cry.
I haven't cried, openly, in so long, but now I'm getting too bottled up. I have to let it out.
You know what.
I need a solo trip.
I'm sure he won't mind.
Would he?
Just call and ask?
No.
A solo trip where, though? Paris? That's too far. Not in my budget.
I quickly asked Aditi and Priya to come over.

Within 30 minutes they were at my house.
"Girl! This house is amazing!"
"Yeah, but very lonely." I chuckled.
"Hey. It'll get better." They said, "wait for a bit."
"Nope. I doubt. He hates me."
"Do you still love him?"
"I never stopped. That's what hurting now."
"Hey. Come on!" Pri said, "we're going out."
"No yaar! I don't want to. Can we sit at home?"
"I don't mind." Aditi said.
"Do you guys have work from home?" I asked.
"Yep. I can get it whenever I want." Pri said.
"Same. I can. Can you, Nish?" Aditi asked.
"I think I can."
"Okay. So, let's just work here today?"
"Will Yuvaan mind?" Adi asked.
"I don't know. I'm scared to ask him." I said.
"Pri, you do it!"
"Why me?"
"You work with the guy. Come on, ask!"
"Ugh fine."
"Put on speaker."

Pri called him, and he answered within one ring.
"Hello?" Pri said.
"Hi Priya, what's up?" He said, on the call.
"Are you already at work?"
"Yes. It's 10am." He chuckled, "Why?"
Come on Pri! Ask! We nudged her arm to ask.
"Um, actually... Nishtha is alone at home and I was wondering if you don't mind if Aditi and I spend the day here, working with her?"
"Why is Nishtha working? Rupert knows she's on holiday."
So that's why I didn't get any emails.
"Yeah but you know her!" We glared at her, "I... I mean like, she has become very workaholic and she is bored so she is working. So can we?"
"Sure! You don't need to ask me. You guys can come anytime. Does Nishtha know?"
"She's... she's with us already."
"Okay. Enjoy."
"We'll leave before you come, don't worry."
He chuckled, "I don't mind. You guys can stay."
"Okay. Thanks."
She cut the call.
"Why's he so nice to you?" Adi asked, "I think he hates me."
I chuckled, "I think he hates all of us."
"Anyway, now that we're free, let's work till 4 and then we go out for dinner or just a party?"
"Okay."

It was 10pm. I got back home after spending the day with Adi and Pri. We worked till 4 and then we went out till explore new restaurants.
It was fun!
I met Leo on the way as well and I spoke to Baba about his restaurant. He was happy because we were soon to launch. I had been gathering up money to pay back the loan of 25cr to Vermas but weirdly I hadn't heard anything from them.
Strange.

I opened the door and got greeted by my named husband - who was walking around shirtless.
My eyes widened and I instantly looked down.
I was able to picture his body though.
He got more tattoos.
He got a tattoo, an eagle along his shoulders at the back. He had also gotten more fit.
"Are you done staring?" He asked.
I looked up, "I'm not. I looked away."
"Sure." He smirked, "Where were you?"
"I... I was with... Aditi and Priya." Him slowly walking towards me was making me nervous.
His steps got closer and closer until I felt his arm go behind me and shut the door and lock it.
I let go off a breath had been holding.
"Lock the door instead of staring."
"I wasn't staring." I replied.
"Sure darling." I looked up. What did he say?
"I... I'll go.."
He grabbed my arm, "Not so fast. I need to talk to you. Come."
He pulled me onto the couch next to him.
I was nervous.
"W...what?"
"I spoke to your Dad today. He's ready to launch and he was asking when I can come in to help with the launch."
"I see. That's good."
"So, we are leaving tommorow. At 9."
"What?"
"Nishtha, have you become deaf?!"
"No. I just thought... you have to go the launch."
"And why don't you? They're your parents."
"I just..."
I felt strange. I suddenly got up. My head... was spiraling. I tried to walk but I felt myself losing balance.
"Nishtha?" He said, "are you okay?"
I couldn't answer him. I was falling.
"NISHTHA?"
The last thing I heard before I fell down.
Darkness.

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