13 Reasons Why... I 💓 you

#7

I love you,
Cuz you were honest with me about how you felt!

Niti saw from a distance, leaning on the wall beside that window as Parth said something to Jiya, in his characteristic sweet manner. It didn't sit well with her, which was ridiculous because what was so bad about having a really well liked guy as her best friend? Nothing, especially since she was sure she wasn't envious of his popularity.

But even though she had tried to not let the thought invade her mind, she was, maybe, finally beginning to realise the cause of  feeling like this.

The past few days had been feeling strange really. She was free from all her prior attachments and she had finally allowed herself to think differently. And as a result, a solution to this had pieced together in front of her. And subconsciously she had been aware of what it was, but conciously she didn't even wanna think about it up until this moment.

She saw Parth walking up to her.

"What was that all about?" She asked frowning.

"Ah... it was Jiya asking me on a movie with her" he said, scanning the hallway, to make sure she was out of ear shot.

"She asked out on a date" Niti stated the obvious, rolling her eyes.

"That's what she did" Parth said shrugging, "except she didn't phrase it that way!"

"Does Jiya have no other work? She always finds opportunities to flirt with you!" Niti said irritatedly.

"What now you hate her too?" Parth asked amused. Niti raised an eyebrow questioning him. "What? You always sneer at girls and bitch about the girls who flirt with me- which is a lot of them. Of late you were a bit down so I thought you wouldnt notice-"

"Notice what?"

"That Jiya flirts with me ALWAYS! It's true but I only noticed that recently" he explained.

"She makes it glaringly obvious! And she's a bim- dumb girl, if she's so into you she can just ask you out" Niti said gritting her teeth. Parth chuckled.

"She did actually, I doged it. And come on she isn't so bad" he said.

"Why did you dodge it?" Niti asked quietly, biting her lip.

"Because I don't really like her so much... and I don't gel with her. When I find someone I get along with, I will" he said like it was obvious, while scrutinizing his friend in front. "Niti what is this about? You don't look happy?"

"I don't want you to" she said honestly. "I don't just want you to not go out with Jiya, but with anybody else. I don't want you to date them or even flirt with any of them."

"Sorry?" He asked a little bewildered.

"I- you never dated anyone?! At one point I thought you weren't into girls-"

"Not dating doesn't automatically mean that!" Parth countered.

"That was presumptuous, I know. But that's not why I'm saying this. I like you Parth, like you more than as a friend! Maybe a part of me always did and that's why I sneered at those poor girls... which I shouldn't have. You're perfect, who wouldn't like you? But honestly, don't know since when, but I realised it only now and that's why I'm saying this" her tone became a little sad at the end when he didn't reply. He just stood there, mouth open.

"What?" That's all he could muster and he didn't need to say any further, the bell rang loudly indicating dispersal.

Parth hung his head and went home alone that day. His head reeling from the confession.

■■■

Niti was walking up to the open pier where Parth had called her. She had got an unexpected call last night,when he asked her to meet him. It was Sunday and after zero news on Saturday from him, she thought she had scared him off.

She saw Parth was there already.

"Hey" she said.

"Hey" he said and gave her a hug. "Nothing needs to change" he said earnestly and she nodded.

"Look Niti I don't want to hurt your feelings. I really care for you and I love you, but I have only ever thought of us as friends. It never occurred to me that we could be something else" he said , looking at the sea ahead and she did the same. "On Friday when you told me how you felt, I thought it over. I really only did that. All our moments and how we keep each other safe and happy, all that rolled in my head. Everything you told me and all that you hinted, I thought about it a lot and... well I don't know. It's all so new to me and I really can't be sure of it. I can, maybe, think of you differently... of us differently, maybe I already have. Maybe I have in times felt more, not knowing my doing but bottom line is Niti I can't give an answer or a even a reaction to your confession" he completed.

"I need time" he said and finally looked at her. "It's a very big thing; it's overwhelming and I need to process it before I can say anything. I don't want to be that guy that gives hope only to crush it."

Niti kissed his cheek gently. "I love you" she said and his eyes widened, "as a friend. Only like you a bit differently. And I'm glad you told me the truth. Whatever it is, yes or no, it will never change our friendship" she said and he gave her a relaxed smile.

They were gonna be okay.