Chapter 43: chapter 43

As I reached his cabin and twisted the doorknob, I saw Neil with a girl, busy in their own converse. That wasn't uncomfortable in any way. It was normal. Moreover, I have initiated trusting Neil above the rest with all my heart. However, the upcoming instance before my eyes was disastrous for my own self. There I discerned that girl to be Princy, which  triggered my first nerve of anxiety. By some means, I was calm. My trust over Neil has reached a certain point where I overlooked the visual. Nonetheless, the words coming out of Princy's vocals pulled the last string. "I just love you, Neil. You are the best", she declared holding his hands in hers, firmly. My heart skipped a beat and my ears couldn't believe what they caught. My sights shifted to Neil immediately and my heart shattered to discern a smile on Neil's face. He, who was fuming on Princy's a few days ago was smiling at her. My cords lost sensation for a jiffy and I tripped, which made a mild thump on the door breaking their conversational indulgence.My orbs blurred out as tears accumulated effortlessly. I don't want to believe what I saw, yet all that brought back my fear and insecurities, which I accepted to be a bygone.The only thought which covered my cords was that I am still at the receiving end of what I don't deserve, ignoring what all I have been considering.AGAIN! Am I that bad? Do I deserve this?I was here to surprise him, although I was being stunned in return."Please wait, daddy's little girl..", Neil called out. I disregarded and turned in the opposite direction. He cursed under his breath and trailed behind me taking no notice of his staff watching it all. I didn't respond and walked towards parking as I was in no mood to create a fuss. I already had it enough."It's not what you are perceiving", he was being stubborn.My emotions were all over the place. "Please..", he held my hand.I stopped in my track and faced him. "What?", I let out a scream."It's not as you are..", I cut him off."You are.. what? Look, it's not like you don't know anything. Yet you did this?", I couldn't hold more."No! I didn't. Neither could I think of", he reacted."Seriously?", I wiped my tears from the back of my hands. "I can explain. Just give me a chance", he requested."Don't. You know , I literally trusted you..", I bit on my tongue to stop myself from pouring my heart out. I don't want him to take me as a fool, which really I am. He proved my trepidation correct. "I never thought I would ever say this to you. Your deed forced me to. YOU ARE ALL THE SAME", I whisper-yelled. His stare became intense as he heard those words with grief.I walked away leaving him dismayed. I could read his eyes, which were clear that he and his feelings are genuine.Still, what was all that I saw?Am I misunderstanding him? *heart-shout*Stop! I shouldn't brush aside what all you saw. *brain-shout*I settled on the latter. I can't just let go of what I perceived. I could still hear him calling my name and put a halt to my stride. Nevertheless, I didn't cease. How could I?There were so many things which clouded my senses. I fastened my pace and reached at a corner, where no one could see my helplessness coming out as a sob, which was confined till now due to sorroundings.All those moments starting from the first glance we had of each other in the airport, him revealing his identity, his confession about his feelings for me and all those tries he made till yesterday. Was that all fallacious?I broke down. I was feeling betrayed. I was confused. I wanted answers, but never wanted to face him. What will I say to Yash and Ayu?Though I held my heart strong this time yet that person made me lose it again. How could he do this to me? I wasn't expecting this from him at all. Meanwhile, my phone vibrated!*Buzz*I recieved a message from Emma!*Babydoll! Where are you?Abby wants to talk to you! Please come to his cabin! Now honey!Cya*This pulled me back to reality, which was side-lined on a whole. I had already gone through this for a week last time, giving me and my family a lot of uninvited stress. I can't do the same this time and that too because of my naivety.No, Aashi! *self-realisation*You can't do this again neither to yourself nor to your loved ones.I held myself up though I couldn't. I have to.Or at least I can pretend as if it's all well. I took a deep breath. I marched towards Abby's cabin and knocked his door."Get in, Aashika", he asked me to proceed."Morning Abby", I took my seat."Why are you sounding so tedious?", he asked."Nothing Abby. I..I am good", I lied."You are not your usual self. What happened?", he was concerned. "That's okay. Don't make me feel like an outpatient now", I attempted to shun the matter. "Not at all. Tomorrow, we have a meet with the same clients as on that unfortunate day", he slid a file in my direction. Unfortunate day?All the bygone memories hit me all of a sudden making me recall all those craps."Again with Neil?", I mumbled in panic. He scrunched his eyebrows and scrutinised me for a while. "Relax! I understand that day was very bad, but it's not going to happen again", he comforted me.Do I need to face Neil again?No!Please God! *praying*"Well! I need to discuss this with Neil Sir too. But, he already left for somewhere", he added.He left?Where did he go leaving me in this situation?And he says he loves me. Such a liar. Hate him!I came back to my cubicle and tried to concentrate on work, which being highly difficult for me.Somehow, I called it the end of the day. It was past a couple of days and I had no clue regarding whereabouts of Neil.Where was he?Is he fine?Holy Lord! I can't believe, I am still concerned about him. No matter how I spent all these nights crying and days pretending to be all fine.It was a challenge for me to hide it from Ayu and Yash, eventually, I did manage. What do I tell them?Not as of now at least. I have no energy left in me to start a new havoc. I reached my cubicle where another surprise was waiting for me. An official invitation card for a weekend vacation on trekking."Hey! All set?", Ronnie came in."For what?", I had no clue. "Oh, my bad. You don't know about this right?", he replied.I shook my head. "Oberoi's organise this trekking trip every year on an imperative basis for the entire staff", he revealed."You don't seem to be fine since that accident. It will be a great change of atmosphere for you", Ella jumped."I don't want to, please", I denied."Didn't you hear? It's imperative", Emma joined in."But..", Ella cut me off."It's inescapable, honey", twins unisoned.I couldn't deny further. And, why should I?For whom?Why shouldn't I consider my well-being and for how long?You have to be strong, Aashi. *huff*"Alright, I will join you", I agreed. I could see the happiness in their articulations and nothing could be more precious than this at this point. The day flew like an arrow. We all placed ourselves into the vehicles and left for trip. I tried my best to get out of that shit and absence of Neil made it a bit easier.We reached the spot in quite a few hours and we all worked on our respective tents.After dinner, all went to sleep as we would initiate trekking the next morning.I was heading towards my tent after a walk, nevertheless, my stride was interrupted by a drag to the corner."Who is..?", a masculine palm cut my phrase off.***************************Hey there!What do you think about Neil and Princy's conversation? See you in the next chapter!Till then stay tuned and miss me😉#KeepReading #KeepLoving♥️♥️