ᴇx-ʙᴏʏʀꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅ, ɴᴇxᴛ ʜᴜꜱʙᴀɴᴅ

Chapter 30

Yuvaan

The sun's rays hit my face as I stretched and got up. I turned around to find my bed empty.
Where was Nishtha?

Her closeness yesterday, her massage on my hair... everything brought back the 4 year old wounds which I've been trying to hide. Her effect on me was still the same, infact more. I did not like that, but at the time, she is my wife. I felt happy to call her that. I've been wanting to call her that since I was 20. She knows exactly how to make me feel better, what to do and what helps me around. I groaned and got up fast.

After finishing my morning business and having a good, warm shower, I went downstairs on call with Nishtha's dad.
"Yes Baba... how is it going?" I asked him.
"Very good beta! Customers are increasing!"
"That's good."
"Yes but...."
"But?" I asked, "what happened?"
"No you've already done so much. Don't worry."
"Come on baba, tell me."
"Beta, Manoj Verma..."
My fist clenched, "What about him?"
"I'm scared. They don't know the truth behind everything and I know that you and Nishu aren't happy together. I feel bad for everything."
"Don't think about all that. You just focus on Ghar, I will handle everything else."
"Beta... what if he tells Nishtha?"
"He won't. He has no leverage to tell her."
"I hope so."
"Don't worry Baba. You take care. I need to go."
"Sure."
I overheard Aai in the back, "Tell Yuvaan!"
"Tell me what, Baba?" I asked.
Aai came on the call and spoke, "Beta, it's not a big deal but when Nishu had gotten back she had gone to the doctor."
What?!
"About what?"
"Beta... she has some infection, which at times causes her to get weak and unconscious."
"Is that why she fainted the other day?"
"What? She fainted?"
"A day before the opening."
"Oh. She didn't even tell us."
"I'm sure she didn't want to worry you. I handled it don't worry, what's happening to her?"
"She has this infection which weakens the muscle a little. It's healing now, she's on medication but she stopped taking it after the wedding, I think. I haven't seen her take her meds there, her bottles are still here."
"Oh." This girl and her stubbornness, "I'll have someone come and pick it up today. When will it get better?"
"Hopefully in 2 months."
"Okay. Someone will come to get it. Take care."
"Take care beta!"

I cut the call and went downstairs.
Why didn't she share this with me?
Maybe because you want nothing to do with her.
Whatever.

"NISHTHA!" I yelled, trying to find her.
"Yes." Her voice came as she came in the hall.
"Did you take your medicine?"
She nodded, looking away.
Why won't she look at me?
"It's Sunday. I'm at home, what about you?"
"I... I'm at home too."
"Okay. Do you want to go somewhere?"
"What?" She stared in shock.
I understood where this came from, but to be honest, I wanted to spend time with her. Since last night, all I'm craving is her. I want her near.
"I said, do you want to go out?"
"I.... I don't know."
I sighed, "That's not an answer Nishtha."
She looked away, then looked back at me, "No."
"What no?"
"I don't want to go out."
"Okay." I said and walked away.
I was hurt by her words, I know I shouldn't be. I went back to my room and punched the punching bag multiple times.
She's a gold digger, Yuvaan, who ditched you once and is most likely planning to do it again. It's good she said no, you dodged a bullet.
"Guys. We're going out in the evening." I called Rohan and Arush, "be ready at 9."

I walked down at 8:30pm. I hadn't seen Nishtha since our conversation in the morning. I felt torn. On one hand, I had to keep Baba's words and make sure that bastard Verma doesn't find out about us, and the other part of me wanted her as well.... But the reality of things was that I needed to stay away from Nishtha. Miles away. I went downstairs and I found her sitting and reading a book on the couch. She looked up when she heard the car keys click in my hand.
"Are you going somewhere?" She asked.
"What does it look like?" I scoffed.
"I'm sorry." She said and looked back down.
Ugh.
"Nishtha." her eyes cameback on me, "I'm going to be late. Sleep on time and take medicines."
"I don't have any medicines to take now."
"Sure. You totally don't have some infection you're getting treated, right?" I said, standing in front of her.
Her eyes widened, "how do you—"
"It doesn't matter. Your meds have come from your house. Take them."
"Why do you care what I do?"
"Don't trigger me, Nishtha. Just do as I say."
She got up, "Don't boss me around, Sir. Why do you care if I take the medicines or not?"
I pinched the bridge of my nose and then grabbed her hand tightly, pulling her to me, her back colliding with my chest, "I care because I'm not heartless, as much as you made me, and for the last time, my name is Yuvaan."
She breathed sharply, "Some people think that me taking their name is like poison."
That stung me.
I said that to her.
"Nishtha. I was angry that day. I may be civil to you but I don't want you around my sister after what you did."
"I didn't do anything, you didn't realize it then and you don't realize it now, but when you do, you should just pray it's not too late." She said and walked away, leaving me wondering.

I was pulled away from my thoughts as I got a call from my friends. I instantly drove away, her words still playing in my mind.

"She keeps on bringing that up... that I didn't listen, it's annoying me now." I complained as we drank in the bar, "she's pressed old wounds."
"I think the opposite. If she's constantly saying it, you need to think about it." Arush said, "see, think about it - you fought and threw her out and then completely ghosted her, she called you several times you didn't reply. Do you think you might not have heard the whole story?" 
"No. I know what I heard and saw."
"You saw something but we all know looks are deceptive." Rohan argued.
"You're saying my family is wrong?"
"They love her, as far as I know, so if anything it's just your Bua." 
"Bua always only wants good for me. Why would she separate me and Nishtha?"
"I don't know bro. I just think it's suspicious how she left India as soon as you and Nishtha separated."
"She went because of a medical emergency, which Nishtha caused. Bua was too shocked by what happened and it affected her health. She went to US for her own health."
"Anyway, that's my opinion. Other than that, how is Nishtha now?"
"I don't know. She barely talks to me."
"Sounds like you're upset." Rohan smirked.
"I don't care."
That's a lie.
Shut up.
"Anyway, let's get going now! Work tommorow!"
"Yep!"

Once I reached home, I checked the time. 2am. I walked inside and locked the door and grabbed a glass of water when I noticed a plate, covered with another plate. I walked closer and saw the note next to it:
In case you haven't eaten.
Nishtha.

A small smile crept its way to my face. I checked and found my favorite food: Pav Bhaji.
I was about to heat the food up when I heard the faint sound of an anklet coming towards me. I looked up and saw her walking down the stairs. She was lost in her book as she came down and entered the kitchen and opened the fridge, not noticing me.
Bookworm.
I cleared my throat.
She looked up and her eyes widened, "Y...You."
"It's my house. Who else do you expect?"
"No... like..."
"Why are you still awake?" I asked.
"I couldn't sleep..."
"Why not? Did you take your meds?"
"Yes. I just...." I saw her bite her lips. She's nervous and hiding something.
"Tell me Nishtha." I said, sternly.
"I... thought... I'll work. I was working."
"Okay." I said, not convinced by her answer."
"You can eat. I'll go back to my room." She said.
"I can eat even if you sit in front of me."
"What?"
"Are you deaf?"
"No."
"Then come. I don't want to eat alone."

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