Somewhere Only We Go (Editing)

Chapter 42

Kabir

When I asked Rishabh to look for Ishan's friends, I had no idea about what I was setting in motion. Not that I regret it, that woman had it coming and it gives me chills thinking about how Avi was always in danger around her. A danger no one would have seen coming. But I would have been better prepared to handle it. It's been a week since Reema Mehrotra was sent to a mental ward far away. That was the condition Avi's father had kept in front of her in exchange for not involving the police. It was a major bluff one we weren't sure she would take but I guess when you have done enough evil deeds, some level of paranoia is unavoidable and Avi's father leeched on to it. I am not stupid to believe that he did all of this with any consideration of Avi's safety but you have to take a win at its face value.

For all his flaws Avi's father would not want his son dead. Although he is the one who could have stopped all of this from happening he would have given even a little attention to whatever was happening in his own house. He knew Reema's hatred for Avi, he knew about the divorce plan which he refused, and now he knew that his wife was ready to make him a collateral loss in her plans 10 years ago.

I was still not okay with the idea of not going to the police, especially when Avi's father proposed it. It was when Rishabh said the same thing I agreed. There was no concrete evidence against her, if we had her confess, her lawyer could easily prove she wasn't in her sound mind for the confession to hold any value, if in case the judge decides to still hold her accountable, she could get out of any severe punishment citing the same mental issues, she did that 10 years ago after the fire incident. So when she was given an option to quietly check in at a hospital she took it. One that is far away in the US. Rishabh has assured me she will never get out of there and even if she does there are ways to keep her away from Avi. The director of that hospital is someone they know and all it took was one phone call to set up things. So these people had the power and means to stop things back then as well and they chose to not care. It makes me mad but this anger is like being stuck in a vicious cycle. I need to break from it if I want to take care of Avi because he needs me. He hasn't left the house in the past week. Rishabh is taking care of his work stuff which gives me one less thing to be worried about. His secretary has been quite helpful too. So that's one less thing to worry about.

I have tried to get Avi to talk to me but so far it's been difficult. That and the gallery exhibition happening together is quite a lot to deal with if I am being honest. There is still around a month left but things are moving fast. They liked the first set of pictures I sent, and I am supposed to send them the next set by the end of this week. Avi's face is photogenic and deserves its wall but having six pieces is a good start, although when it comes down to picking up the final pieces, I am sure which one I'll go with. Good thing it's not going to be solely my call.

"Hey." I plant a kiss on the nape of Avi's neck as I wrap my arms around his waist from behind. He hums, the only indication that he is awake. I am kind of proud of him, not that I am taking any sort of pleasure in him being depressed but he has finally allowed himself to be that vulnerable. I think it takes a lot of courage for someone to put themselves out there like this when they have been let down multiple times and for that, I am proud of him. Even though he is hurting right now I know he is going to be fine.

Avi might not be using words right now but he clings to me all the time, his actions are sufficient. Yesterday he slept with his head in my lap while I answered work emails. My career is finally taking a turn for the better. I have around 20-25 query emails for the next three months, my insta is growing and some people appreciate my work. Whosoever says social media validation isn't important, hasn't gotten it yet. Two days ago I posted a picture of me and Avi for the first time because I was done hiding myself. I don't have to worry about my parents' reaction now, and while I never truly hid the fact that I was gay, I was never openly talking about it either. Not that I am going to do it now as well, because I know sometimes it can overshadow everything. My sexuality is a very important part of me but it would not be my identity. Also, I don't like it when people comment stuff like Who is this hottie in his pictures? I want to scream back at people, he is mine, but I can't do that.

"Are you hungry?" I ask. My voice is a whisper on his neck. "Not really but I'll have some soup." "There is some left, I'll warm it up." I start to get up when he pulls me back. "Not right now." So I let him sleep some more. That's how most of our conversations happen these days. But like I said we are going to be fine. For the first time in my life, I am confident about everything in my life, and even if things kind of suck right now, it's a work in progress. 

[Thank you for reading. If you want to read more  of my work, I have started to update the other story, Stay With Me, For Now. It was on hold for a while but it's going to get regular updates starting this month. It's about a man, who is grieving the loss of his boyfriend who committed suicide and meets his best friend's younger brother who just moved in his building.]

[Aman and Rishabh's story is coming soon. Rishabh is slowly becoming my favorite character to write about, I'd appreciate it, if you guys check it out.]