The Path I Crave!

Chapter 7

Adi

Face is definitely the index of mind. The second I walked through the door, I could tell something was wrong by looking at Rishi's face. From the moment she left the office weeping, I feel terrible. Her tears, it does wired things to my heart. The ache becomes unbearable, every time tears fall from her eyes. And that lie about exam being difficult, both of us don't buy it. We know her better than that.

'Do you need a drink?' he asks, before I could reply he pours both of us a drink from new bottle of Jack Daniel's single barrel. I was patient until we finished our first drink and then couple of more drink. The silence is killing me, but I didn't want to disturb the silence, simply because I'm petrified about his answer.

'Okay! Just tell me Rishi' I refill our cups with another drink. I want him to speak to me.

'What happened in office today Adi?' the seriousness in his face is scaring me. I have no idea what happened in the office. I noticed her walking towards the exit and when I grabbed her arms, she yelled at me.

Get off me! Thinking about it, I feel a prick inside my chest.

'Please tell me' agitation took over me.

'I have no clue what happened between the both of you. She wants me to tell you, not to come here anymore. She wouldn't tell me the reason' Rishi couldn't even face me anymore. Why would she say something like that? I couldn't digest the fact. She yelling at me was a bigger shock but this is far worst.

I pace around the living room. Three of us practically grew together, how could I not see them anymore? How can I not see her? A glimpse of her every day, makes my day. I don't remember a day I have gone without seeing her. As much as I love her, Rishi has been part of my life since forever. I rewind the entire day's event again and again but I don't remember anything unusual.

Why do you not want me coming here?

I galloped two more drinks at a stretch, calming myself was rather important at this point of time. I want to barge into her room and ask her the reason for kicking me out.

'What scared me the most for all these years is she rejecting your love' he inhales making me feel more dejected, if that is even possible. 'I know how she is, capricious most of the time. You knew, whatever happens between the two of you would affect all of our life. I also know, I can never find a guy who loves her more but I can't interfere between the two of you' Rishi stares at the ceiling for a long time before speaking again.

'Sort this mess, Adi' he says before sauntering towards his room.

How the hell will I sort the mess, when I don't even know what is the mess?

I have thought of every word Rishi told for a hundredth time in past 15years. My friendship with Rishi was always going to be the collateral damage in my love life. I knew that too well, that is also the very reason I have waited for so many year. If she doesn't want me coming here that's what I will do. Not until I know the reason for being kicked out and telling her my true feelings for her. I'm done waiting.

God, Help me!

I'm absolutely into silence but the quietness here is tearing me. Feels like the silence before the uproar. I have sufficient liquor in my system, anything going wrong tonight is going to be blamed on the Jack Daniel's Single Barrel. I stroll towards Chandni's room.

Wait! Is she whining?

The first sound that breaks the silence is the whimpering noise coming from her room. What is going on? Why is she in so much pain? I could do anything to take away her pain and sorrow. Is my presence causing this? But why?