A GIRL LIKE YOU

60

Sid is here!" Preeti came running in the room and told us.
My heart beats quickened. Aarav and Ansh are going to walk in with him. God, I am not ready. Before I could bolt, Anya took my hand in hers and led me out in the hall, which was dark. Seconds later, the door swung opened and someone switched on the lights simultaneously. As soon as Sid and Ansh walked in the whole place echoed with the voices of everyone shouting "Happy Birthday!"
I stayed back in the shadows hidden by the crowd as Sid greeted everyone and kissed Preeti and the whole room burst into cheers.
I noticed Anshmove away from the crowd, lean against the other corner wall of the room staring at his phone. Some guy walked up to him and he gave him a fake smile and shook hid head. I noticed his eyes which looked oh so sad and lost. My heart ached. I can't see him like this. He looks tired. Worn out with dark circles under his eyes.
As if he felt my gaze on him, his eyes looked over the shoulder of the guy talking to him and his fake smile dropped from his face. He stared at me with such intensity and longing and sadness. He took a deep breath and then his jaw clenched. Before he could do anything else I moved away from my place against the wall. I noticed Anya and Preeti and Sid together chatting up with some friends. Aarav isn't here yet.
Its a good time. Its a right time. I know Ansh would follow me. So I ducked out in the balcony of Preeti's beautiful home and took a deep breathe in the cold calming air of the night. The sound of the music  was almost muffled out here.
I felt cold due to my sleevless dress but I had to wait for Ansh. Relax Kiara! What's the worst that could happen?
I heard footsteps closing in and I stiffened. Just as I was about to turn around a warm black jacket filled with Ansh's cologne was wrapped around my shoulders. I pulled on the collar of the jacket and let it warm me as Ansh stood right behind me silent and not speaking.
We stood there like that for god knows how long as I counted my breaths.

I don't know how I expected him to start but if I say that what he said was not expected at all then that would be an understatement of the century.
"I love you." He whispered.
My heart beats quickened even more if that was possible as I willed myself to turn around and look him in the eye. As soon as I turned around and looked up into his eyes, I felt the need to comfort him. He is in pain just as much I am.
"I am sorry." He said so quietly as if, he expected me to break if he talked any louder than that.
When I didn't say anything in response, Ansh moved a little closer to me and touched my cheek with his knucles. My breaths hitched as I closed my eyes at the feel of his touch.
"Say something." I opened my eyes to look at him. "Hit me. Slap me. Kick me in the balls. Tell me that I am the biggest asshole of this world. But just please don't stay quiet like that. Say something. Anything."
"Ansh I....I forgive you." I told him and the smile that I got from him was breathtaking.
"Really?" He asked me and took my face in his hands and leaned in to place a chaste kiss on my forehead.
"Yes but-" I said as he pulled away and the adorable frown came back on his face. "But I think we have a lot to work on, in our relationship. You- umm...you say a lot of things that hurt me and I just want you to know that it might not be that easy to forgive the next time or the time after that. You undertand what I'm saying, Ansh?"
I am saying that everybody has limits. Even the person who loves you infinitely. Isn't that why we often say that love is never enough? I hope that it would br enough for us.
"Yeah. I do understand. I promise Kiara I will never say shit like that. I will never ever leave you alone when you are upset. I would never ignore you or put you second. I would try to understand you. I would make you believe in my love. I would never let you give up on us. I promise baby." Ansh said.

I smiled at him. For the first time in a long time, I was breathing easy. Even though the promises might not be that easy to keep, but the fact that we are starting somewhere for our relationship means a lot to me.
"Aarav was held up back at home, his parents are finally coming around I think." Ansh told me. I nodded. Good for him.
"Yeah. But he's gonna come here soon. And we'll tell him as right away." Ansh said.
"You sure?" I asked Ansh.
"Pretty sure." Ansh said and then added, "I fucking missed you so much." Ansh said and pulled me close into his embrace. I hugged him back tight and clutched on the back of his shirt. I inhaled him as my head rested on his shoulder and his buried in the crook of my neck.
He pulled away a few minutes later and then he was kissing me. I kissed him back with just as much deperation and passion. His hands clawed at my back and waist and mine roamed on his chest.
We kissed and kissed and kissed. I didn't wanna stop. I didn't wanna let go. I never wanna let go.
He is my split-apart. My soulmate and I don't even believe in them. I love him. So damn much that its filling me and pouring out of me.
"Don't leave me. Ever." Ansh muttered when I pulled away to catch my breath and he continued to kiss me down my jaw, on my neck and behind my ear. I closed my eyes and enjoyed his closeness, this intimacy, this love.

And just like that we lived happily ever after.
I am just kidding.
I wish that were the case.
But, shit hit the fan when I opened my eyes and looked over Ansh's shoulder. My eyes locked with a pair of familiar eyes and the hurt and confusion in them moments before it all went down.

...