A GIRL LIKE YOU

24

"It was an accident Preeti. My dad did some time for an accident."
The lie burnt my tongue but I had to tell her.
Preeti seemed to relax a bit after that. Although Ansh is still not saying anything.
"Okay fine. But I don't want to be a part of this. Its too much." She said and collapsed on the couch.
"Yeah. Preeti always leaves when things get difficult." Ansh said.
Suddenly, I had a feeling he is not talking about this, and the right now.
I looked at both of them. Preeti flinched when Ansh said those words like someone slapped her hard.
Oh boy! Am I missing something? There is something here.
"What do you want to do now, Kiara?" Ansh asked me, pulling me out of my head.
"I guess, there's only one thing I could do."
"Whats that?" Preeti seemed to find her voice again.
"Talk to dad."

***

Preeti wanted me to talk to him. Ansh didn't. But I had to do something. For Aaliyah and for Preeti. They don't have to be a part of this. So I left Ansh and Preeti in the living room as I came to the bedroom. I unblocked my dad's number. I took a deep breath and dialled his number.
God help me.
"Kiara?!" His voice almost killed me.
He sound angry and worried and hurt.
"Dad." I whispered. My voice is almost gone.
"Where the hell are you? What do you think you are doing?!" And he began the yelling and shouting.
I want to cry.
"Dad I need you to calm down. I'll tell you everything."
"Calm down?! How dare you just leave like that? I thought you're with Aaliyah. We even gave you space for a day. But then you go ahead and get lost with some other girl I've never heard of. Why do you do this Kiara? Why do you always have to do these things? Can't you be a normal daughter for once."
The tears came like a flood. My voice broke down but I still talked.
"If you'll just let me explain. If you'll just trust me for once."
"Don't cry now! I want you to come back home. I want you here."
"Will you trust me if I come back? Will you believe me that I didn't do anything this time?"
"What do you think Kiara? When have you never done something? You always mess up. I don't know what your problem is. Sometimes I even wonder if you're my daughter or not."
So he won't trust me. No matter what I say. He probably just wants be back so that he can show the society that his daughter is innocent and haven't run off with a guy on the day of her wedding. That's all he cares about.
I wiped at my eyes and took a deep breath. I'm angry now but I can't shout at him. But I can stand up for myself.
"You know what dad? Fuck all of this."
"How dare you use that word?"
I ignored him and continued. "I am not coming back. Not until you and mom try to trust me again. And if you think that you could go to Preeti's and threaten her then you're wrong. I'll tell her to call the cops if you show your face at her doorstep."
"Kiara!!!"
"Yes. Who do you think the cops will believe dad?"
"You're the worst daughter."
I believe you dad.
I hung up the call before he could say any other bitter words. A sob broke out and started crying.
Before I knew it a arm wrapped around me and pulled me towards a solid chest. Ansh. I didn't know he was out there listening this whole time.
I quickly wound my arms around his neck and buried my face in the crook of his neck. I need comfort. I needed him.
He pulled me closer by the waist and I felt his hand stroking my hair.
"Shh... It's going to be fine. You did good. You did so good, baby. You stood up for youreself. I'm proud of you."
Baby. He called me baby. I cried harder. I think I'm falling in love with him. He carresed my back and ran his fingers lightly down my spine. I shivered.

Once the tears stopped coming, I pulled away and looked at Ansh. I want him to take it all away.
He ran his hands on my cheeks, wiping the moisture. He looked at me like I'm the prettiest thing on the earth.
His eyes ran from my eyes to my lips. Our proximity did nothing but made me hotter. He is so close. We are so close.
Just another few inches. And then our lips will meet.
"I'm sorry. I was just-"
The voice broke the moment and Ansh pulled away as I glanced at the door to find Preeti standing there, uncomfortably.
"I heard what you said to your dad. So I guess he won't be bothering me." She said, while looking anywhere but at me and Ansh. I stood up and realised, how bad it must look from there.
I wanted to tell her that there's nothing between Ansh and me, because she looks like she is about to cry. But who am I kidding? I can't tell her that. There's definitely something between Ansh and me.
So I said the obvious. "No he won't bother you. If he does, call me."
"Okay. Then I'll probably get going." She said and turned on her heels to leave.
"Preeti?" I called and she looked over her shoulder. "Thank you so much. For everything." I said and closed the distance and hugged her.
She didn't hug me back. But it doesn't matter. I released her and she gave me a small smile.
The next thing we know, she was leaving and Ansh still haven't came out of my room. I locked the door behind her and went to Ansh.
I have to call Aaliyah, but before that, I need to know what just happened.
I leaned at the door step and looked at Ansh, sitting on my bed staring at his shoes.
"Is it just me or you also think that Preeti has feelings for you?"
Ansh looked up quickly. He swallowed.
Okay there's definitely something there. I ignored the jealousy and walked up to him.
"So...you guys have a history?" I asked him.
Ansh didn't say anything. He just collapsed on the bed and closed his eyes. I kept sitting and waiting for him to tell me as Ansh ran his hands down his face. He looks tired.
"Scoot up." I said.
He opened his eyes.
"Come on." I said and crawled to my side of the bed and lay on my pillow, looking at him. I patted the pillow beside me.
It's a friendly thing, I don't have any bad intentions.
He saw that in my eyes and he did what I asked. We lay on our sides facing each other. There was appropriate distance between us.
Ansh took a deep breath and finally told me about Preeti and his history.

...