A PRETENSE...

Chapter 20

*Kavitha Pov*

"You dropped her home?" Rakesh asked the moment I reached them and I gave him a nod before glancing at others.

At present everyone except Abhi is sitting at the café and I can see the sadness in their expressions.

"What did she say?" Vikesh asked glancing at me when I sat down.

"She didn't say anything. Do you guys really think all this was necessary? I am still not sure doing this to her is a good idea from any angle." I commented and they just sighed.

"None of us think this is a good idea but this is what he wants. We don't know what he will do if she finds out and that's why it's better to follow his wishes." He replied looking down.

"He will get better for sure and we will apologize to her along with him. He is thinking that even after the surgery he will not get better but that will not be the case." Kalyan added.

I don't know why but it doesn't feel right even after hearing those words. However, I can't ignore the promise I made to Abhi at the same time.

"But can we act near her like this until he returns?" I asked and there is no answer to that question from them.

I glanced at Rekha who is the only one silent right now and found tears in her eyes. I placed my hand over hers saying, "He will be fine."

"Of course! I am like this because of that." She mumbled taking a deep breath as if to stop the tears.

"Because of your words to Mihira?" I asked but she still shook her head.

"I had to! Abhi is really weak right now and that slap would have hurt him. What if it goes out of control? I regret saying those words but I am ready to apologize for sure." She replied before glancing at us.

"Do you guys know that when I proposed to Abhi, he rejected me?" she asked and this is a surprise because today was the first time we heard she even proposed him but seems like Mihira already knows from their conversation.

"Mihira knows that but she didn't say those words at all. I regret not trying to be close to her and always ignoring her kindness and her friendly nature. Now, I don't think we can ever be normal friends as this will always stay at the back of our minds." She explained and I sighed not knowing what to say after hearing those words.

"When will he join the hospital?" I asked changing the subject.

"Next week as they are going for the second opinion but they may choose this hospital only as there is Mihira's Mom who can take care of them." Kalyan replied and that's another matter.

Even her parents have to hide all this from her. I hope she recovers from this soon and I will beg her for forgiveness when he returns.

"We will go to his house during that time as it will be college hours and you can also come by skipping the classes in the middle but make sure she stays in college. After that, we will visit in between and show him our support." Vikesh said looking at me.

"Okay!" I mumbled nodding at him and I felt a hand covering my hand under the table and I turned to glance at Rakesh but he just patted my hand as a way to comfort.

It's a surprise for him to reach out first like this but at present, I can't even reject because of the doubts I am bearing in my head.

****

I glanced at Mihira who is still looking absent-minded during the classes but I don't even have proper words to comfort her.

"Kavitha! Let's go somewhere today." She asked glancing at me during the lunch break.