Falling in love is always easy, isn't it? Realising and accepting those emotions on the other hand can be very hard for some people.
Love can happen without a reason but you can find thousands of stupid reasons if you want to hide and deny it.
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Kush began eating another flavored cookie while Julie stared at him incredulously. If I didn't know him better I would be surprised too given the big size of cookies I made. But I long given up stopping him from eating, he never listens. Ronit noticing her disbelief; shook his head in amusement.
I texted all three of them to come over after their work hours are over. When they came inside JuNit staggered a bit looking at the mount of cookies in my open kitchen. Kush who came along with them rushed forward and looked confused in choosing a flavor to eat.
"Stress cooking?" Julie asked looking at me concerned.
"You can say that. Take a seat guys I need to tell you something important about me," I said gesturing the sofa.
Kush occupied kitchen chair instead not paying attention to my words. I served JuNit coffee along with cookies and let them relax for a few minutes. Grabbing a bean bag I settled in the middle of living room. I needed a minute to gather my courage to spill the truth.
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"The thing is I am not Avi Gupta," I said out loud and they stared at me with a funny expression. Kush paused his eating and turned to look at me. He is listening then.
"Are you going through some self discovery phase? It's okay Avi, we are here for you," Jules said sitting beside Roni on the sofa.
I don't know what to say to her kind soul. She trusts me so much, she didn't even think of a literal meaning for what I said. I glanced at Roni who was looking at me patiently. I guess he understood what I am trying to say. Kush started tapping on the floor impatiently.
Since Avikam left this afternoon I am feeling all alone and I can't blame him for leaving like that. I am the one who hid the fact so long. I debated within myself whether to confess to my friends now that Avikam knows. I felt afraid thinking they also might walk away like him but they deserve to know the truth.
"I meant my real name is not Avi Gupta. That's a fake identity government officials gave me for safety reasons," I said to them slowly shrinking back into the bean bag.
"Your safety? Meaning there are people trying to hurt you," Kush asked frowning.
"You denied to something like that few days back," Ronit muttered thoughtfully.
Julie who was looking confused spoke up, "What are you guys talking about?" she asked and turned towards Roni, "Do you know what Avi is talking about? Her life is in danger? Why didn't you tell me? How long have you been hiding this from me?"
Roni surprised at her outburst stammered, "I don't ... I...."
I rubbed my forehead; my head is already killing me with a migraine. "Jules!" I called her and she turned towards me worried.
