A GIRL LIKE YOU

13

Havana Oh na na! Half of my heart is in Havana oh na na!

My ringtone jolted me out of the trance. The moment break in a second as Ansh realised what he was about to do. The expression of horror on his face mocked mine. He got up abruptly and I did the same. Stupid! Stupid ringtone.
I avoided his eyes as I fished for my phone. Its dad. I picked up the call and left the room.
"Hello?"
"Where are you?"
"I'm at Aarav's." I am not telling him about Ansh. Not yet.
"Its late. What are you doing?"
I am not giving him my flower dad. He doesn't even turn me on.
"Dad we just lost track of time. We were just talking about books and stuff."
"Do you want me to come and pick you up?"
"No dad. I'll just come home. I'm on my way okay."
"Yeah okay. Be safe."
I hunged up the call. I looked at Ansh standing in the doorway looking at his feet. Why did he do that?
He is feeling guilty. But I was just as wrong as him. He is not calling me out on my shit. I think we can be kind to each other and this moment doesn't have to leave this room.
I trust him even though I don't have a reason to. I know he wouldn't just try to kiss me so that he could check my loyalty towards his friend. And even if thats the case, then I'm glad. Because that would mean I'll get rid of Aarav.
"I should go." I said and he looked up.
"Yeah. I-"
"Its fine Ansh. We're friends. Nothing happened." I said. Relief washed over his features. What did he think? What was I going to say?
"Thank you. I just- I don't know what happened back there but-"
"Nothing. Happened." I said once again. He nodded in understanding. I picked up my purse.
"How are you gonna go?"
"I'll call a cab."
"Are you sure? I could drop you off."
"No Ansh. I'll be fine. Although I would really appreciate it if you tell your bestfriend to not bother calling me."
"Wait what do you mean?"
"I mean I am not a doormat."
"Kiara.."
"Don't you dare defend him." I said and he shut up quickly. This whole things started because of him. I blame him. Thats easier than blaming myself.
"Bye Ansh." I said and left him standing there.

***

"I'm sorry okay. I really am."
"What do you want me to say Aarav? That it's okay. Because its not okay. You can't just leave me like that and not pick up the call...."
It's been 2 days since that night when Ansh and I almost kissed. And Aarav had tried to talk to me every hour of those 2 days. Mom kept bugging me to pick the call up so I finally gave in and picked it up.
"Okay. I want to tell you the truth."
I walk up to the window of my room and feel the wind on my face. I closed my eyes.
I don't know what he's talking about. He texted me several times, saying he'll tell me the real reason for going. I thought it was just a ploy.
"What is that?" I asked barely hiding the irritation in my voice.
"It was my ex girlfriend."
Dead beat silence. What the fuck?
Elaborate you stupid fucker.
"What do you mean?" I urged him.
"I had a girlfriend, the one and the only serious relationship I've ever been in. We dated for all 4 years of college. We wanted different things so we broke up. After that we've maintained contact. I mean every now and then we would talk sometimes. She got engaged last year and well 2 days ago, she broke up with that guy. She called me and she sounded really hurt and...I had to help her Kiara.
I know it sounds bad but really nothing happened. I went to her home, made her eat, talked to her until she fell asleep. I'm sorry I made you feel un-important. But that's not the case. Meera is just a friend and I had to help her. She's been there for me so many times and I couldn't just leave her alone when she needed me the most."
He sighed.
"She do not have anybody else?" I tried to keep tye annoyance out of my voice.
"No. Her family never supported her decision of being with that guy so they were not on good terms lately. And she doesn't have real friends, they are just jealous of her. And ..."
"Its fine Aarav. I get it."
I actually don't get it. I've never been friends with my ex. That never works. But I had to give it to him. He was there helping her. I can trust him. It's not like I was loyal to him either. I almost kissed Ansh. Almost. Dammit.
"You do?"
"Yeah."
"Thank god. You scared me there. I was going to come to your home tomorrow."
"Aarav?"
I have to ask. "Yeah?"
"Do you still have feelings for Meera?"
"God no! Kiara, no, I don't have. I wouldn't be telling you this if I had anything else in my heart. Trust me. She is just a friend for more than a year now. And I really want to get married to you. You are right for me and I am more than ready to move on."
I am positive that Aarav never got into another serious relationship after this Meera girl. Which says something, right?
"Okay."
"Yeah. And Kiara, can you do me a favour?"
"What?"
"Try and not mention anything about ex girlfriend in front of my family and Ansh."
I am taking that his family knew about Meera.
"Even Ansh?" He is his bestfriend.
"Especially Ansh. He is like a brother but... he won't understand. He never really liked Meera for a lot of reasons and if he found out that I am friends with her, he will totally flip out."
I wonder why Ansh doesn't like Meera. It's probably a friends thing. I hate my best friend's ex more than my best friend hates him.
"Don't worry about it." I say it even though I'm pretty sure I'm going to avoid any chance of running into Ansh before the wedding.
I've made my peace with the fact that, Ansh would never betray his friend. I saw the guilt on his face that night. And I'm never going to be the reason behind it. So it's better if I just keep my distance.
Aarav and I hung up the call after a little small talk and a promise of a do over of our date. Aarav pretty much made it clear what he would be talking to me on our next date : Exes.
I am so not gonna be honest. Telling him about my exes means telling him about that girl. And I am not her anymore.
"Hey did you two make up?" Mom stuck her head inside the bedroom door.
I am pretty sure she was listening this whole time from the door. I want to tell mom that I think Aarav is still hung up on his ex. But I don't. Mainly because my mom would made me see how honest and a great friend Aarav is. Even though I know those are the right words to define him, its still bugging me. I was never sure about him and now this ex angle is just making me feel that Aarav might have feelings for Meera that he hasn't admitted to himself.
So I keep the shit to myself and tell my mom what she wants to hear.
"Yeah. We made up." I smiled up at her and she beamed at me and left the door.
I collapse face down on the bed and hoping that Aarav admits his feelings for Meera before we get married.

...