ALMOST THERE

CHAPTER 32: You don't deserve shit..

Alone pt.2 - Alan Walker, Ava Max
🥀⛓️🖤🌧️

I stared at the screen, my heart thudding in my chest. Abhi's text sat there, glowing in the dark room like some twisted neon sign.

Mommy issues? Really? Was that where he's going with this?

I wanted to laugh, but it wasn't the funny kind. It was the kind that clawed at your throat and made you feel like you might cry instead.

I ignored the sting of his words, tried to remind myself why I was texting him in the first place-Tejal. This wasn't about me.

I had to focus on her. Keep my cool.

My jaw clenched. What the hell happened to the guy I knew? This wasn't him. This was like some evil twin version of Abhimanyu. The one who didn't care about feelings or loyalty, just about making digs wherever he could.

Abhi: "Honestly, it's exhausting. You two act like everyone's problems are your responsibility. Newsflash, they're not."

My jaw tightened. I could feel my pulse in my ears.

Focus on Tejal.

Focus.

Me: "We're worried about you, Abhi. Tejal is hurt. She just wants to know what's going on with you. She has the right to!"

Another text popped up almost instantly.

Abhi: "Oh, please. Don't act like you care. You're just mad because things aren't going your way. It's always about control with you, Saysha."

Control? Is he actually in his mind?

I could feel the heat rising in my chest, spreading up to my neck. I tapped furiously on the screen, trying to keep calm.

Me: "This isn't about me. It's about you not acknowledging Tejal's existence for who, Kratika? What the hell happened to you?"

Abhi: "What happened? I stopped pretending I have to please everyone, unlike you. Always trying to be perfect. Newsflash again: you're not. And you're definitely not the boss of me. But ofcourse, you're too blind to understand that."

Okay, wow. That hurt.

I could feel my fingers trembling as I typed, every word laced with the frustration bubbling up inside me.

Me: "Perfect? Trust me, nobody's trying to be perfect here. The only thing I don't understand why you're being such a jerk."

His reply was fast. Too fast.

Like it had always been right on the tip of his tongue, just waiting for the right moment.

Abhi: "Maybe because I'm tired of your crap. You, Tejal, Shahaan-always acting like you know what's best for everyone."

My heart skipped a beat at Shahaan's name. My head started spinning. With frustration, anxiety, rage...you name it.

Me: "Stop dragging him into your crap. This isn't about him."

Abhi: "Oh, but it is. You've been obsessed with him for years, and where has that gotten you? He still doesn't give a damn, does he?"

My heart pounded. His words hit harder than they should've, and I hated that they did. And hated the fact that, he might've been right. I stared at the message, hands shaking now, my vision blurring.