Rudra's shoulders slumped in remorse when he saw my tears.

"Damn it! Please don't cry, Sia. See this was the reason, I was telling you to go away before you get hurt by my words. I can't see you like this, please calm down, Sia", he pleaded.

I wiped my tears angrily and asked him, "Why are you getting sad? Who knows, maybe these are fake tears. You can't differentiate between the fake and real Sia, right? Then how do you know that these are real".

Upon hearing my words, he huffed in exasperation.

"I just know, okay? Stop being so annoying. Your eyes are a clear giveaway about your feelings. So shut up and stop crying", he spoke while his chest heaved because of him getting so hyper.

"If you know that these tears are real then you will also know when I am being fake.

The only lie I have told you is about my family, other than that I have always been truthful.

Do you remember? At the start of our friendship, you said something along the lines, 'You don't have to fully trust me. A try is what I am asking for. A try to trust'.

I am also asking for a try. Let's start this friendship on a fresh note. Just like you had been patient with me at the beginning, now I will have that patience. I will wait for the time, you can start trusting me again.

Come on Rudra, Give me a chance. One last chance", I requested tilting my head a bit while making puppy eyes.

He shook his head chuckling while discreetly trying to wipe the tears that had managed to escape.

Unfortunately, I saw them clearly. Biting my lips, I waited anxiously for his response.

"Come here, you doofus", saying this he gathered me in a hug causing me to stiffen because of the physical contact.

Noticing my condition, he quickly broke the hug.

I closed my eyes in frustration upon being so jumpy. He barely managed to forgive me and now I did this. He is surely going to get angry, thinking that I was not able to trust him, yet again.

"I...I am so sorry", I whispered my apology while looking at my feet, feeling ashamed.

He lifted my chin with his finger and made me face him.

"Never ever feel ashamed for being scared", he spoke in a serious tone.

I nodded mutely, unable to voice out my feelings.

"Infact, I am sorry. We are best friends, I should have remembered your fears. It won't happen next time", he apologized moving few steps back.

"No, don't apologize. It's not your fault. Heck,  I am surprised that you aren't angry with me for getting scared after my continuous claim of trusting you", I spoke bitterly.

In all these months, the only thing I had achieved was making friends. Neither my nightmares stopped nor my problem with closeness.

"Sia, please. I undertood your fears even when I didn't knew the reason behind them. How can I get angry now, when I know that these fears are stemmed from your father's deeds.

You don't have to be ashamed of them. Try to get better- Yes, but belittling yourself because of it - No", he spoke sincerely.

I gave him a teary smile, feeling happy that I got my ever understanding friend back.

"You are really special for me, Rudra. Never doubt about that fact. I keep making stupid mistakes and it is only going to increase in future. Shout at me, punish me but never ever go away from me", I said earnestly.

"I hope you never make such big blunders but I promise to never leave your side.

I will stand beside you, supporting you when you are right, guiding you to the right path whenever you go the wrong way, helping you to stand up again whenever you fall, I will be there Sia at each and every path of your life", he promised.

Tears rapidly fell down from my eyes but this time they were of happiness.

"Thank you", I spoke in a whisper.

"Don't thank me now. Thank me when you get better", he said confusing the hell out of it.

"What?", I asked him a little confused but a whole lot of scared seeing his determined expression.

"Right now, I don't have any idea on how to help with your fears but I going to research on it. Heck, I would even read books if that is what requires to get you out of your fears", he spoke in excitement.

"But....", I started to tell him that he didn't need to do so much but he didn't let me speak.

"No buts...You are going to get better and it won't happen by sitting idly. We need to make efforts. Don't make that face, I am not going to take your no for it. I just gave you a long speech about helping you, supporting you and all. It's my responsibility as your best friend, don't try to take it away from me", he said sternly.

I nodded agreeing with a tired sigh. It's not like my agreeing or disagreeing was going to change his mind, so why not go along with his crazy idea.