ᒪOᐯE YOᑌ TOO ᗰᑌᑕᕼ TO ᕼᗩTE YOᑌ

8 ✦𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅✦

The car ride home was filled with an oppressive silence, broken only by the occasional hum of the engine. Meksha's hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles white from the pressure. She could feel Akshar's presence beside her, but he was a world away, staring out the window. Her heart still raced from the kiss that had taken place in the bar-a kiss that had felt too real, too raw.

It had stirred something in her she hadn't anticipated.

Suddenly, Akshar's voice sliced through the silence like a blade. "It was a dare. Nothing else."

Meksha's heart sank, her chest tightening as his words pierced through her. She had tried to convince herself that maybe there was more to it, that perhaps the kiss had meant something, but hearing him say those words broke whatever fragile hope she had been holding on to.

Akshar didn't stop there. "I feel disgusted, to be honest." He rubbed his lips harshly, as if trying to erase the memory of the kiss. "Out of everyone, I had to kiss trash."

Meksha's throat constricted, and the sting of his words hit her like a physical blow. Her vision blurred with tears as she fought to keep her emotions in check. But it was no use. She couldn't hold it in any longer.

The car swerved slightly as she pulled over to the side of the road, her hands trembling. Her breathing was shaky as she turned to face Akshar, her voice cracking as she asked the question that had been gnawing at her since the beginning.

"Why are you doing this to me, Akshar? What did I ever do to deserve this?" Her voice was desperate, pleading for answers she had never received.

Akshar's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing as he finally snapped, something inside him breaking loose. "You really don't remember, do you?" His voice was low, almost dangerous, as he turned to face her fully. "You ruined my dreams, Meksha. You ruined my whole life, and now you dare to forget it like nothing happened?"

Meksha blinked, confusion flashing across her face. "What are you talking about?"

Before she could react, Akshar's hand shot out, grabbing her by the neck, pulling her toward him with a force that made her gasp. His grip was firm but not choking. The distance between them vanished, and in one harsh, unyielding motion, he kissed her.

But this time, it wasn't soft or tender like before. It was hard, punishing, filled with anger and resentment. The force of his lips against hers was brutal, and she could taste the metallic tang of blood as her lips split from the impact. Her tears mingled with the blood, dripping down her chin, but Akshar didn't stop.

"I fucking hate you so much," he growled against her mouth, the words vibrating through her as he kissed her again, just as rough and unrelenting as before.

Meksha struggled at first, her hands pushing against his chest, trying to break free from his furious hold. But then something strange happened-something she couldn't control. Her arms stopped fighting, and instead, they circled around him, pulling him closer. It was as if her body betrayed her, reacting to the intensity of his emotions, the rawness of his touch.

But she hated herself for it.

Akshar pulled away suddenly, his face twisted in disgust. "You're shameless and cheap," he spat, his voice venomous. With that, he shoved her back into her seat, pushing her away as if the very sight of her sickened him.

Before she could say another word, Akshar flung the car door open and stormed out, leaving her alone on the side of the road. Meksha's hands shook violently as she sat there, her breath coming in ragged gasps, her mind spinning from the whirlwind of emotions that had just crashed down on her.

What had just happened? Why had he kissed her like that? Why did he hate her so much?

The taste of blood lingered on her lips, and she wiped it away with the back of her hand, her tears flowing freely now. Her heart felt like it had been shattered into a million pieces, and she didn't know how to put it back together. Akshar's words echoed in her head, over and over again, stabbing at her chest.

He hated her. He really, truly hated her.

---

Meksha drove back to Akshar's house in a daze, her mind replaying the events of the night. When she arrived, his car was nowhere to be seen. She hoped, in some part of her heart, that he had just needed space, that he would come back soon and explain himself. Maybe there was more to this story-something she didn't know, something that had caused him to act out in such a terrible way.

But when she stepped inside, the house was eerily quiet. Akshar's mother and sister were already in bed, and there was no sign of him. Meksha stayed up, waiting, hoping that he would return.

He didn't.

The next day, Akshar was still gone. Meksha's heart sank as she realized that he hadn't come home at all. She didn't know where he had gone, or if he was ever coming back. His absence weighed heavily on her, and the guilt she carried from their last encounter gnawed at her insides.

She thought about going to his room to check if he had left any clues, but the thought of facing the memories from the previous night made her feel sick. Instead, she spent the day quietly, helping his mother with household chores and trying to distract herself from the hollow ache in her chest.

Two more days passed, and still, Akshar didn't return. His family seemed worried, but not overly so, as if they were used to him disappearing like this when he needed space. But for Meksha, every day without him felt like an eternity. The guilt, confusion, and hurt gnawed at her relentlessly, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible had happened.

Finally, on the fifth day, her parents returned home. Meksha packed her things and left Akshar's house, but even as she stepped into the comfort of her own home, the weight of Akshar's absence hung over her like a dark cloud.

He wasn't at school, either. Meksha looked for him everywhere, hoping to catch a glimpse of him, to see if he was okay, but he was nowhere to be found. She asked around, but no one seemed to know where he had gone or when he was coming back.

Every night, as she lay in bed, Meksha's mind replayed that night in the car-the kiss, his hateful words, the look in his eyes. She couldn't shake the feeling that something deeper was going on, something she didn't fully understand. But without Akshar here to explain, she was left in the dark, her heart heavy with unanswered questions.

What had she done to ruin his life? What had happened to the boy she had known all those years ago? And why couldn't she stop thinking about him, despite everything he had said and done?

The days stretched on, and the silence between them grew louder. Meksha didn't know where Akshar was, or if he would ever return.

But one thing was clear: their relationship, whatever it had been, was broken beyond repair.

Or so it seemed.