A GIRL LIKE YOU

55

Its been a whole two days. Two days since Ansh left me on my couch. Two days since he haven't texted or called. Two days since we saw each other.
I know, two days is not that big a deal. But you see, a guy who texts you whole day, calls you whenever he is free, and basically can't sleep without you at night, when this guy completely ghosts out on you, then its definitely something you to worry about.
I know that he is busy with Aarav. But sending a text basically takes 10 seconds. I would've texted or called but I didn't. Only because I don't wanna disturb him. But enough of that shit. I've been driving myself crazy the past two days, picking up my phone every two seconds to see if he has called or not. I'm gping to disturb him now. Whatever. I miss him. And I wanna know whats going on.
I walked up to the terrace of my office building. The weather has been great for the past week. I stood in the daylight as the cool wind soothed my nerves as I dialed Ansh's number.
It ranger for a whole minute before it disconnected. Okay. Thats never happened before. I tried again. It disconnected again after ringing for a minute. Either his phone is on silent whilst he is driving or he is ignoring my call on purpose. Why would he ignore my call on purpose?
I decided to text him. 'Hey, I was just wondering where you are. Are you okay? Pick up my phone.'
I waited for another 5 minutes got a reply or a call back. Nothing. I sighed. Somethings up. I am sure of it now.

***
I drove myself crazy for the whole day and checked on my phone repeatedly. When no response came, until 6 in the evening, I made up mu mind to go see him. I don't know if its a good idea or not. I'm worried about him now. Whats going on? I have to see for myself.
I hailed a cab right from my work place to Ansh's place. I prayed whole way there for everything to be alright.
I walked slowly in the hall silently giving myself a pep talk. As soon as I rounded the corner I saw what I was not ready to see.
Aarav. Its Aarav. Coming out of his apartment and locking it up. So he is back and he looks alright.
Where is Ansh? Ansh's apartment's door is closed. I don't even know if he's here. I should go back. I don't know what Ansh has told Aarav. I don't know how Aarav will react when he sees me. I have to leave.
Before I could turn around on my heels, Aarav saw me. Oh fuck!
You should've just picked up my call, Ansh!
"Kiara..." He said, his eyes wide and shocked.
No escaping now. Face it. Face it you idiot.
"Aarav." I said maintaining my poker face and pretending that its normal, that I was expecting him.
"You-what, I mean- what are you doing here?" He asked moving towards so that theres only a few steps between us.
"I'm here to see Ansh." I blurted it out before I could even comprehend what I should've said to him. OMG! What if he asks for a reason? What if Ansh haven't told him yet? I am messing up these two. Or wait, they are messing with my head.

But to my surprise, Aarav smiled as if he totally understood and relief washed through me. Okay I think Aarav knows and he is cool with mine and Ansh's relationship. Cool. I smiled in return.
"Yeah, he told me he helped you with your new place. Is there a problem there? I mean, Ansh is not here. He is at his parents'. I was going there too. You can tell me whatever is wrong and I'll convey the message."

Ohhhhhhhhhh. So Ansh has told Aarav that he helped me with my apartment. Ansh had lied to Aarav. And he is at his parents? Then why is he ignoring my calls and texts?

I don't have to think about all of this in front of Aarav. So I decided to play along.
"Yeah, actually there is a problem and he was not picking up his call so I decided to drop by. But its okay. I'll call him tomorrow. You don't have to convey any message." I said.
"Okay." Aarav said.
"Okay. Umm...I should get going then. Bye." I said and turned on my heels. I have to leave before I say or do something stupid.
"Wait, Kiara?" Aarav called and I halted and looked over my shoulder at him.
"Do you have a minute? Can we talk? I don't know when I'll see you again, so..." Aarav proposed hesitantly.
What does he have to talk about now? This day just keep getting better.
"Okay." I went inside his apartment, to listen to whatever he has to tell me because if I had not the I would've been up all night thinking about it.

***
Aarav and I settled on the couch with the glass of water in my hand. I eyed the place and remebered how the first time I came here seems like forever ago.
"So I umm...I don't know how to say this. I mean it'll probably won't mean a thing now but still...I am so so sorry Kiara." Aarav started and I just stared at him.
"I am sorry for leaving like that. I know how bad it gets for girls and I was so selfish. I just left without even leaving a note. Ansh told me how your family blamed you and I could've avoided that if I'd just put more thought into it and left a note before talking off."
Ansh told him? What else has he told him? What has he left out? I'm pretty sure he left out the part where he kissed me on rooftop, fucked me in his bed, told me he loves me.
"Look, I liked you okay. I still do." He said after a pause.
Still do? What the fuck is wrong with this world?
"But I realised now that the only reason I even said yes to my mom for you because I wanted to somehow make Meera jealous. I- I never got over her. She got engaged and I wanted to get back at her. I know how shitty that is. You didn't deserve that. Up until one day before the wedding, she didn't let on her feelings. But then a night before she called and cried and I just had to go to be with her."
I almost feel sorry for Aarav. Almost.
"But now I realise how stupid I was. She might love me but she doesn't know how to be in a relationship. She never did."

Aarav sighed. Why are you telling me this? Am I supposed to feel sorry for you?
"Look I'm not telling you all of this to gain sympathy or anything. I'm just trying to make you see that I did it because of myself and not you. You are amazing you can find a way better guy than me and I'm sure you will find him one day."

...