FAKE DATING

Day 5 (Part I)

Rivaan's POV

As I was cleaning my cupboard a box dropped at my feet suddenly. I picked it up and realized that it was the gift I had bought that day for princess but didn't have the guts to give it to her. The box had a bracelet of pearls. I missed her more now. Holding the box I closed the cupboard door and sat on my bed.

I kept regretting and replaying the same incident that happened day before yesterday. I couldn't change anything now. The guilt was eating me up. I wanted to disappear too.
I decided to open the box, along with the bracelet the contract paper was also present inside. I don't remember stuffing that in. I opened it. I smiled reading it. In the contract we both had written down things we could do while pretending to be a couple.

1. Holding waists - allowed only when Diya would be around
2. No hugging or lip kissing
3. Holding hands - allowed only when Diya was around
4. Only pecking on the cheeks - allowed when Diya was around
5. Attending parties together
6. Going on dates
7. Be together during recess time in school
8. Flirting - allowed when Diya was around

She was so adorable. I chuckled to myself suddenly going back to being somber remembering she was not with me anymore. Again filled with guilt I threw away that paper and pushed aside the box.

I was not really sure about my feelings for Natasha but I liked being around her. Holding her close to me made me feel warmer. I liked the way she would stare at me then look away as soon as I would move my eyes in her direction.

I started shaking my head to get off her thoughts. I liked Diya not Natasha. What was I even feeling ? Maybe a kind of mixed feeling of guilt, denial and attraction. I don't know how to put these feelings into words. All I prayed and hoped for now was her to comeback.
I didn't understand this but I was longing for her presence. The desperate feelings I had for Diya were fading now.
I couldn't believe I would become a person this frantic and ridiculess to take advantage of someone's vulnerability for my own selfish reasons.

"Rivaan", mom knocked on the door.
I quickly got out of my bed and opened the door.
"Yes."
"Wanted to give you updates about Natasha's whereabouts" she came inside and sat down on the couch.
"Did they find her? How's is she ? Where was she?" I throwed all these questions on mom at once.
She looked up,"they have traced her sim card location which was found near about Pune. The phone was discovered but the girl still hasn't been located yet. Police is carrying on with the searching."
My heart sank down again. I got back on my bed and lied down, staring at the ceiling. The only thing going on in my head was let her please be alive and fine.
Mom got up from the couch and sat near me. "Rivaan, beta I know you are really disturbed with all this but what's the use now. It's your fault too that the two girls having this difficult time." She gently touched my hair and said, "get ready we are going visit Diya and see how she is doing. Your father and me are all ready. We are waiting downstairs, come in ten minutes." I nodded.
She closed the door behind her.
I quickly went to take a shower. I had forgotten to even maintain basic hygiene now. Come back soon princess, I whispered to myself as I was again breaking down. I didn't wanted to see Diya's face again not because I hate her or anything instead I was going to hate myself more if I see her condition. All this, everything wrong happening right now, is all because of me. I screamed silently inside my head.
After the quick shower I decided to wear a pink t-shirt because pink is Diya's favorite colour and a brown bermuda.

"Rivaan sit at the back and hold those boxes or else they'll fall down" mom ordered while we were getting inside the car.
"What are in these boxes", I asked getting in.
"Some chocolates, dry fruits, candies and a get well soon card", she answered.

Sitting in their drawing room I was just staring at the floor without paying much attention to what mine and Diya's parents were talking about. I didn't wanted to get included in the conversation, I was feeling nauseous.