A Tale Of A Few Friends

Part 2, Chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE

Rakshay picked up Rhea and Krish from their houses. Krish lived two buildings away from Rhea, so it made sense for them to go together. They got to the bistro and walked in together. All their friends were surprised and a bit confused at seeing them together but didn’t say anything. Instead, they greeted Krish and welcomed him back into the group.

Coffee, brownies and ice-creams were ordered and the whole gang dug in. Krish sat opposite Rhea and studied her face. He missed her – a lot. Though there had been girls in England who he found attractive, there was no one like Rhea. She was amazing. Not only beautiful, she was intelligent, caring and sensitive. He loved her for who she was but he had to leave her. He had to pursue his education and get what was best for him. He didn’t tell her about moving away before because he couldn’t get himself to see her upset. He wanted things to be perfect for as long as they could be because he knew he was going to lose her one day, very soon. And so he left and they broke up and she was now with Rakshay… his friend Rakshay. He didn’t hate Rakshay for anything, he was just upset. He let her go and Rakshay was there for her when he wasn’t.

He had felt lost without her when he first went to England. But now there was nothing he could do. He was back here to reunite with his fiends for a month, to have fun and enjoy himself. He didn’t want to make Rhea feel uncomfortable, though he knew it was inevitable at least he would try to keep the atmosphere light. He wanted to joke around and laugh with Rhea like before, but before that could happen he had to speak to her and apologize for everything.

Krish decided not to wait any longer. He caught Rhea’s attention and said, “Rhea, could I talk to you outside for a minute, please?” his eyes pleading with her.

“Umm,” Rhea stammered and looked up at Rakshay who gave her a nod, “Yeah sure…”

“Thanks.” Krish was relieved that at the very least she was willing to hear him out.

Krish and Rhea walked out of the bistro and sat on a bench. There was air on discomfort around them but they realized that even though things were different now, they still had to talk about it. After a few moments of awkward silence, Krish started off.

“How are you, Rhea?”

“I’m okay, Krish, and I trust you are okay as well…” Rhea replied, uncertain about where the conversation was going to.

“Hmm yeah. I really miss you Rhea. But I don’t want to have a conversation about this because it’s not fair to you. I am not exactly happy that you are Rakshay now and I will always love you, but I respect your decision and I will try to get over it. All I wanted to say to you was that I’m really sorry for what I said to you over the pho-“

Rhea cut him off and looked away, “It’s okay, Krish, we don’t really have to talk about this.” Rhea felt uncomfortable and wanted to go back to Rakshay. She felt strangely heavy hearted and it felt like they were breaking up all over again.

“No Rhea, let me finish please,” Rakshay put his hands on her shoulders and turned her so she looked at him, “I am really sorry for everything I’ve done to hurt you, Rhea. I called you because I missed you and wanted to hear your voice and I got jealous when I heard you say Rakshay. Please forgive me. I really want us to go back to normal, I want to enjoy the time I have here with you and the others. I don’t want us to be awkward around each other. Please help us become friends, Rhea.”

Rakshay pleaded with Rhea and she knew she had to forgive him. She was shocked at his apology, but relieved at the same time to find out that he shared the same thoughts as her. She felt a little uneasy when she realized that he was still in love with her and perhaps somewhere, so was she. She didn’t quite understand what she was feeling. It was easier before because she was angry at Krish but now that he was sincerely apologizing, she couldn’t stay angry and she was scared that the feelings she had kept locked away for so long would slowly come back.

She shook her thoughts away and led Krish back into the bistro, hoping that things would get better from this point onwards.