chapter 81

     This conflict within had stirred up my mind and I understood nothing throughout the lecture. I had said I'd be home soon but here I was waiting in canteen with Niharika so we could go to class directly from here. I haven't gotten over these weird feelings for me to face her. I don't know it felt just wrong . Sneha had taken a sick leave and so that just left me and Niharika          " Something happened between you and Vibhavari?",  She finally asked closing the book in my hand after failing to explain me the same concept for the 4 th time. I looked away not wanting to answer that.      " Did she date someone before you?", she changed the question and I hummed in response. " Is her ex still in your life?" " Not really, I mean not untill day before."" Are they still in contact?" " I don't - I am not sure. I didn't ask."" Maybe you should. I mean you need to sort things out or else it's just going to keep affecting you guys later. ", she advised and I only nodded. This all genuinely scared me and I don't want to deal with it despite knowing it has to be dealt with.      There were many calls from her and I picked none. I only answered mom's call to let her know I'd be heading to the class straight up from here . She opposed my decision but I just ended the call not wanting to explain anything. I am sure for hell receiving an lecture hours long on this.   “ Wassup dudes.”, Prisha joined in out of nowhere catching me offgaurd. I offered a smile while Niharika paid her no mind.“You look upset? About Vibhu?”, she asked as she leaned in to examine me. I backed off and nodded. “ Chill bruh. She ain’t dying from no shit. My cousin’s got the temper to take down the hell ; this random dude ain’t a big deal.”, she waved it off but I didn’t . That stirred up my temper. “And this so called chill attitude of your sister is the one that landed her in hospital. I had asked her to inform uncle but no! She believes she can deal it all on her own and now look where we are!”, I didn’t realize I was standing and yelling at her or that I had attention of half the  canteen. Niharika pulled my wrist to make me sit down while Prisha hadn’t blinked since then.“Woa- You sure are way too fierce for that sweet face.”, she commented and I could only breathe to hold back my another lash out.“Oh shut up please!”, Niharika did me the favour as she gathered our things. “ We should get moving. We have class to attend.”, she said as she packed my bag as well and dragged me along. A part of me  wanted to ask Prisha about Vibha's past but I didn’t get the chance as Niharika dragged me out of the place. “ How are you?”, didi asked as we stepped in. “ I am fine.”, I replied forcing a smile at her..“And your friend?”, she asked and I was caught off guard for a while than I smiled again, “She’s fine as well.”  I excused myself and went in to get started with the lecture. Entire time it was just me forcing my brain to focus on matter at hand and not all those thoughts from yesterday and the doubts that kept suffocating me.     It was evening when we got out. I had too many miscalls,from mom, from Vibha; yet I ignored it. “ You want me to accompany you till your room?”, she asked as we stood at the signal where we parted ways. I shook my head offering her a smile. “I am fine. I can walk back on my own. Thank you though.” “ Get back safe then. Bye.” “ Bye. You too.”     I walked back alone slowly, the heaviness of my thoughts weighed down on my feet . I took a deep breathe as I stood at the doorstep and unlocked it.      I stepped in and looked around. Mom was sitting on the couch peeling peas besides her was Vibha with phone in her hand. Both of them looked up at me at once. Mom’s eyes were threatening while Vibha’s were filled with concern.      “ Sorry , we had to wait a bit longer since mam was explaining fee structure.”, I blabbered. There was dead silence.     “ Well, did you like it though? How’s the teaching?”, Vibha took the initiative to ask.    “ Yeah- it’s good.”     “ Where’s your phone.”, mom asked , her voice pissed off. “ i-it was on silent.” “ Do you-“ “ We are asked to keep it on silent in college. They get mad if it accidentally rings or vibrates in labs or during lectures.”, Vibha stepped in to defend me. Mom wasn’t going to argue with her. “ I will go freshen up.”, I excused myself and ran inside throwing the bag to a corner and closing the bedroom door before running off to the bathroom and locking the door shut as I slid to the ground to cry.Why was I suddenly so emotional? Why I felt like crying?      The feelings were unreasonably overwhelming. I let myself cry as I watched the bucket fill. I heard the bedroom door unlock and close. I took my time in so I didn’t have to answer anything but I couldn’t stay in here forever,though I wish I could.     I came out to find Vibha dozed off on the bed . She looked so calm. A smile crept up my lips as I walked closer to her and sat besides her. I wonder how long would I get to witness this? Her sleeping so peacefully, her smile, her touch , heck even her taunts and teasing are okay. I felt it form a lump in my throat . Swallowing down the fear of loosing her someday to someone else was just too much for me. I felt myself panting and struggling to breathe despite the fan being on full speed.      I must have lost it all as I laid down besides her and hugged her as I sobbed. I must have woken her up in the process as I felt her hand on mine and her worried voice at ones bombarding me with questions, “ What’s wrong baby?” “You okay?” “ Did something happen?” “ Tell me?” “ What happened?” “ Tell me.”     I just tightened my grip in response and snuggled closer to her as I buried my face in her embrace and whispered. “ I love you. Please never leave me.”    “ It’s okay baby. It was just an accident. Nothing much happened. I am sorry I caused you so much pain. I am sorry I scared you. I promise I will take care no such thing happens again. It’s okay love. I am here with you. Nothing is going to happen to us. I promise you , you are safe with me. I promise you I won’t let anything happen to you ever and I promise you I am never leaving you no matter what. I love you and nothing, I mean it nothing can ever change that.”