ᴇx-ʙᴏʏʀꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅ, ɴᴇxᴛ ʜᴜꜱʙᴀɴᴅ

Chapter 69

Nishtha

What was I thinking?
What on earth is wrong with me?
Why would I give into him?
Why does he STILL affect me? After all that has happened, he STILL affects me.

I ran downstairs, ignoring my tears, and before I could reach anywhere, I heard the door ring.
Not now!

I fixed my eyes, trying to dry them, and then got my face steady and composed. Then, I opened the door to see Arush and Rohan. I smiled and welcomed them, "Hi."

"Hi Nishtha. How are you?" Arush asked.
"I'm good." I said, seating them down, "I'll get chai for you two."
"Nonsense, you sit with us. Where is Yuvaan?"
"He... He is—"

"Right here!" I heard his voice coming down the stairs. He walked towards us, narrowly missing my arm, and sat down, "Hi bro!"

They got engaged in talking so I used the chance to quickly escape and went into the kitchen where I started making chai, while still trying to contemplate what had happened in the room.

I got too close to him. My guards broke again. I was also about to... kiss him. How could I?! He isn't mine anymore, he isn't the man I loved and he won't ever be the man I.... I loved.

You're lying to yourself Nishtha.
No. I'm not.
Sure.

"The chai is boiling." I heard a male voice behind me. I turned and saw Arush standing by the door.
"Oh." I said, switching it off, "Yeah. Sorry. Just a little distracted." I lied.
"Is everything okay?"
"Yes. It is." I said, pouring the cups.

He came closer and stood next to where I was pouring the cups, "I mean, you know that I know about Yuvaan and you. I... I helped him in uncovering the truth about Bua."
"I'm aware." I said.

"You can talk to me, Nishtha. I know why you have a guard around you. I understand that you have huge trust issues now, and no one is asking you to break that guard down instantly. All I'm asking for is that you be open to talking. Talk to us, yell at him, but just communicate. Don't close off."

"It's easier said than done, Arush Da—" I cleared my throat, "Arush."

He chuckled, "You can still call me that." He sat and grabbed his chai, "although that's not what you used to call me. I believe the word you're looking for is Arry."

I looked at him, slight tears about to appear, but I turned away. Arry is what I used to call him in university. I can't do that anymore, "I... I can't use that word anymore."
"Why not?"

"It's not right anymore." I said and took the tray outside with the chai, serving it to Rohan and Yuvaan. I noticed Yuvaan's gaze on me but I ignored it, not trying to even acknowledge that he might have even been looking.

Likewise with Rohan, I knew he had a concern for me but, in all honesty, I don't think I can open up anymore. I have lost the ability to open up about my feelings to anyone. I don't think it's possible by me anymore, as much as I wish to open up. It won't happen.

"So, how are things going for Vami's engagement?" Rohan asked us.
"They're going great." Yuvaan said, "it's in 2 days, and you both have to come."

"Speaking of engagements," I saw Yuvaan looked at Arush, "Why are you delaying it?"
I saw Arush smile. He has been dating Maithili, his girlfriend since college, for the last 7 years. They got together in their 2nd year.