Dually Devoted ✓

CHAPTER 22

Continuation of CHAPTER 18...

'Get a hold of yourself, for me.'

Those words lingered in her mind the whole night, echoing in the darkness of the night and aching her heart. She couldn't forget his expression, the pain in his eyes, when he had said those words to her.

Were they meant to be parting words?
When he had said that, did he know he was going to leave? She wondered.

She had had no idea he would.

When she got up this morning, and walked into his room to find it empty, she had been confused but she had still had no idea. When her calls went to voicemail, when her texts remained unread, and when she called Addy only for him to not pick up, she still... had no idea.

Why would her Arnav leave her? He had no reason to, or so she had always believed.

She searched his whole room, thinking he must have left a note.
She didn't find one.
She read and re-read the text messages they had shared. She checked and re-checked her call logs like an idiot. Nope. He hadn't called, or texted her.

It was late at night already, and he hadn't texted her. That was the longest they had gone without speaking or seeing each other. Her mind was in a haze, as she sat doing nothing, thinking nothing.

She didn't know what she would have done, if Addison hadn't called her just then. Maybe... she would have gone mad.

"Harps," he dragged carefully, a hint of concern that he was trying to hide escaping into light.

She instantly knew he knew. Without wasting a minute, she bombarded him with all kinds of questions. "Where is he, Aad? Is he safe? Why is his room empty, Addy? We were speaking just yesterday. He didn't tell-"

"Shh, Its okay, sweetheart. He's okay," Addy cooed. "Take deep breaths for me, harps. Calm down," he requested.

She took in a deep breath. He's okay, she reassured herself, breathing out. "Okay. But where's he?"

"He... doesn't want me to tell you that," Addison hesitated. But she had figured that much. She had just been trying her luck.

"Is he with you?"

"No, Harps. He had called me. He's safe. Don't worry."

"Why did he leave?" Her voice was quiet, hesitant.

"Look, sweetheart... he just wants you to focus on yourself for now-"

"Wait a second... That's why he left?!" She was stunned, "Addy, how stupid can he be? What kind of a reason is that?!" And angry, "And why the hell is he not answering my calls?!"

"Woah! Our little angel is cussing!" Addy tried to lighten the mood.

"Addy!"

Addison laughed, his eyes still holding sorrow. He knew she was hurt, but he could do nothing about it. Hell, he couldn't even go to her till the next day. Perks of staying six hours away, he sighed inwardly. He felt like a horrible friend.