NEVER LET ME GO ✔️ (COMPLETED)

Chapter 16~ The Cracks

Few weeks later, Aashi decided to stay back and attend Rishabh's football match against the rivals. Even though he hadn't asked her to, unlike always. She sat in the first row hoping he sees her. But he didn't. Her smile faded when she saw him smile at Laila who waved back. She also blew him a flying kiss, he pretended to catch it. Tears filled Aashi's eyes as she saw the sight which pained her. She had known him all her life and now this new girl has come out of nowhere and they have become strangers. It is true what they say, it hurts like hell when best friends turn strangers. Aashi glared at Rishabh as he played, he seemed oblivious that she even existed. No, this is not her Rishabh, this is someone else. Aashi thought bitterly. And then she added sadly, her Rishabh is lost, lost forever.

The Referee blew the whistle for time out and like always Aashi climbed down and walked towards the players. She clenched the water bottle tightly in her hand. But before she could reach Rishabh, she saw Laila with him. He drank water from her water bottle and they talked something. Finally, Laila kissed his cheek and he smiled at her. Before she could turn,  Aashi turned quickly and hurried towards the seat.

Soon, the match started again. In the end, their team won. Aashi saw Laila and Rishabh pass flying kisses at each other. Aashi smiled sadly, even though he might now consider Laila has his lucky charm, Aashi knew that it was she who was the Lucky charm for him in this match, like always.

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A few months later,

'Aashi, is everything all right?' Suchitra asked as the two worked on their assignment. Aashi nodded, but her baggy eyes and swollen lips said another story.

'Are you sure?' Suchitra asked cautiously.

'I said yes.' Aashi snapped. Suchitra is taken back. Aashi sighed and got back to her work. Suchitra isn't liking this, Aashi was once a chirpy happy girl and now she looks like a zombie and behaves like a scorn cat.

'Aashi, I know why are you upset,' - Suchitra ignored Aashi clenching the pencil tightly and continued, - 'You are in love with Rishabh.'

'What?'

'This is just isn't friendship. If it were you would have been with him by his side.'

Aashi scoffed, - 'And be ignored. It is better where I am now.'

'Aren't you being ignored now?' Suchitra said. Aashi looked at her, she smiled

'Aashi, go talk to him, share your feelings. I am sure he will understand.'

'No.'

'That is not Aashi speaking, that is your ego.' Suchitra said.

Next day, taking Suchitra's advice Aashi went in search of Rishabh to talk to him. Nowadays he hardly hangs out with his gang, it is only Laila and him. How blind can anyone be in love? Can't he see that she has isolated him from almost everyone?

Aashi walked towards the corridor leading to the storeroom, Rishi, one of Rishabh's gang member said he had seen Rishabh go to the storeroom. Aashi frowned when she heard some sounds coming from the storeroom. Her heart jumped into her throat as a wild thought crossed her mind. She twisted the knob to open the door but it seemed locked. Aashi felt her palm sweating. She looked around and found a small stool. She carried it and placed it in front of the door. Carefully, she stood on it and tiptoed. Through the window above the door, she peeped in.

Her eyes widened as her worst fear came true. Rishabh and Laila were making out behind the locked door of the same Storeroom they had met for the first time last year. Aashi was already broken, if all that wasn't enough, this sight shattered her. She stood there numb like a statue as she stared at the two wide-eyed. As the stool shook little, she came to reality. Cautiously, Aashi climbed down. That time, she wished she had never come here in the first place. This sight will haunt her forever.