Espresso Love (SanDhir)

Chapter 31 - Fresh Harvest

Hey everyone!  I'm finally back with the next update, and I hope you guys really enjoy this one!  Don't forget to let me know your thoughts/opinions upon reading this chapter. 

Take care, and enjoy!

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I stood there at the bus stop, leaning awkwardly on the wall of the shelter. With a dozen files in my hands, I tried to grab my phone. Unsuccessfully so, but good timing as Parth had just come.

I somehow managed to open the door without struggling much, and sat in, crashing into the seat. "I'm so glad you came to pick me up today Parth. You have no idea how tired I am from work today. I didn't even manage to get a seat in the stupid bus," I went on a rant, fuming about the long and strenuous day I just had. But as I straightened myself out, I focused on Parth who hadn't said a word yet. "What's wro--," but I stopped midway as I realized it wasn't him.

"Randhir?" I asked, taken by complete surprise. I stared at him, confused to be honest. "I'm sorry I didn't realize," and I hesitantly put my hand on the handle.

"I'm here to pick you up..." he paused for a moment, before adding, "Actually Parth was busy so..."

"Yea of course," I replied a little too quick, for I could see his shield back up again. "Thanks for coming!" I said, trying to casual out the atmosphere.

I put my seat belt on as he drove off, silence engulfing the air. "Erm, so how have you been?" I asked him, dreading the silence. We might not be together but that doesn't mean we are strangers... right?

I was hopeful that I was right, but to be honest, I didn't know. Let what we could be alone, I didn't even know what we were anymore.

"Not bad, I guess. Keeping myself busy with work!"

—

"You know Sanyukta, I really want to forget everything, but I can't. I just can't pretend nothing happened and move on. But what's even worse is that the more I try, the more I fail!" He threw his head back and closed his eyes, almost looking as if he felt... defeated.

Tears made their way down my face as I saw, in front of my eyes, what I had turned him into. "Randhir I am so sorry," I finally let my emotions free. "I should never have come back. I don't know how I'm going to forgive myself for making you so vulnerable. I swear to you Randhir, this wasn't how it was all supposed to go down. When I returned back here, I wasn't even expecting to meet you, let alone work for you. If I didn't need this job as much as I do, I would've left the minute I saw you in the interview room."

He smiled, his eyes still closed, "I know you would've," he said softly. I paused, unsure of what to say. He always saw the better in me, and proved it today too.

"I'm angry Sanyukta, I'm just angry. All these years I waited for you, but now that you're back, I don't know what to do."

I turned and took his hands in mine, "Randhir tell me one thing honestly. Are you ever going to be okay with me around?" My heart broke as I said the following words, but I knew if I had to make a decision now, I would deal with it. "I know moving me to another branch was a good solution, but that doesn't change the fact that I am still here in this city. If I am only making it harder for you, then I promise you I will go away. You have no idea how guilty I feel every single day. Guilty, and ashamed. I feel like I've always taken advantage of your understanding, and this time, I can't. I can't and won't."

In all these years, he always gave. This time, I wanted him to take.

He took his hand away and let out a small laugh. "It's not you," he whispered with a sharp exhale at the end. "I just can't picture you with another man. Even though I know what happened. Just the thought of..."