She Can Be Toxic Too (Completed) √

"It is okay to be broken"

Abhinav felt uneasy at Aashi's outburst. He knew he had been acting like a jerk, but he just couldn't get himself to live a normal life. He knew Aashi ever since they were kids and he also knew that she was nothing like Nidhi. Yet, he was unable to overcome his fears. Realising that he was about to get into a panic attack, he tried not to think about his past. He tried walking to ease himself but soon tumbled over the dining table, knocking off a couple of glasses in the process. Not able to hold himself up anymore, he fell on his knees, hiding his face between his knees to control his shaking body. He palmed his ears tightly in an attempt to stop thinking of the pain.

He suddenly shook and writhed violently when he felt someone hug him from his side. Aashi had come out to check on him when she heard the cutlery shattering. She was shocked to see him curled up in a ball on the floor near the edge of the table. She tried calling out to him and on receiving no response, she quickly kneeled and gathered him in her arms, trying to provide him some comfort.

She felt his body quiver more as she hugged and before she could realise, he shoved her hardly. Aashi almost fell on the opposite side and when she turned to look back at him, her heart broke at the sight. Abhinav had begun to drag himself backwards, muttering some incoherent words. She tried crawling towards him, only to be stopped by his shrieking voice.

"Stop! Don't come any closer. Just stay away from me!"

Aashi stared dumbfounded at him. She had never expected to see her best friend like this. He was the most confident and strongest men she had ever met, next to her father. She blinked her eyes a few times, trying to accept the scene in front of her. She surely had lost touch with him for three years when she was in Delhi, but what had happened that changed him around so much? Her reverie was broken as she heard him gasp for breath. Realising that he was going through an attack, she decided to take the risk and moved closer to him, ignoring his protests.

Once she got closer, she simply hugged him to her chest, making his face rest in the crook of her neck as she whispered soothing words to him. She tightened her embrace as he struggled to be set free. Abhinav despised her touch on him and tried his best to get out of her arms. But when he realised that he was actually beginning to feel better with her whispers, he stopped pushing her away.

Aashi smiled on seeing him calm down and loosened her hold on him. She continued to run her hands through his hair to help him regain his composure. Abhinav followed her as she swayed to and fro, the movement calming his senses. After what seemed like eternity, Aashi pulled back to look at his face. Once she was sure that he wasn't going to fight her touch, she slowly rubbed off his tears and sweat stricken face. Abhinav stared blankly at her not knowing how to respond. He had been having these attacks for about a year now and he had always fought them alone. He never had someone to console him. For once, he decided to push away his fears and accept Aashi's help. He looked into her eyes, trying to find traces of mockery or judgement. Aashi clearly observed his insecurities and simply smiled as she whispered,

"It is okay to be broken", she then held his hands as she continued, "But it's not okay to remain broken."

And in that moment Abhinav saw his insecurities disappear under her genuine concern. He smiled slightly, trying to tell her that he was fine. Aashi smiled brightly and stood up, lending him her hand. He held her hand a little hesitantly and followed her silently as she walked to his room. She tucked him into bed and settled on the chair near his desk.

"Umm... You don't need to stay up here. I'm fine, you can get to bed too", he protested.

"No, I am fine. You might need me through the night. And even if you don't, it's okay. I want to stay", she completed leaving no room for further argument.