Present day

Aria

I was stunned. What was he doing here? And why didnt surya bhaiya tell me about it. With a nervous smile I said,' Hi.'

'Hi? Aria I haven't seen you in 5 years. Where did you go? You vanished! You see me after all this time and hi? That's what you want to tell me?', he was upset.

I started playing with my fingers again, which is something I do when I'm nervous.
Little did I imagine that I will be seeing shreyas after 5 years and somewhere I would have never expected.

I did leave without telling anybody, but he was reason behind that.
He sighed and took the seat beside me.

'Im sorry I should not have yelled at you like that. But see where I am coming from Ari. It's been a long time and I was worried. You can't blame me for taking it out on you', he said looking at me.

'Im sorry too shreyas. I left because I couldn't stay there anymore and I also got into a better college. So leaving was the only option for me', I said trying not to look into his eyes.

He came forward and took my hands in his. This made me look at him.
'Aria I know you loved the college in mumbai and that's not the reason you left'.

Ofcourse he did. There wasn't one day that I didn't annoy him about how much I loved the college.

I tried changing the topic,' So tell me how is everything. How are your parents and shreshta?', I paused before I asked the next question,' How is layla?'.

'Everyone is fine. Layla and I are not together anymore. Im sorry Ari I should have trusted you. You were right about her. And I had to learn it the hard way'.

5 years ago.

Shreyas

I was upset with Aria. I really thought she was happy for me but all she did was try to sabotage my relationship with layla.
Layla always told me that Ari was not happy about us but I never believed her. But this was the line. Ari should not have accused layla of cheating.

In the fit of anger I asked her to leave.
I didn't even tell her about my IPL selection. I was too busy with layla and cricket that I completely forgot about her.
When she said congratulations and left with tears in her eyes, I realised how big of an asshole I've been. But I was still very mad at her. So I took a few days off and flew to Goa. A few days to myself and family will help me cool down.

When I came back home from Goa I decided to go meet layla. I hope she still isn't very upset about what Ari said.

I went to her house and knocked once. There was no answer. I knocked again. Still no answer. I pushed the door and realised it was open. I got suspicious. Where did layla go with the door open? Or did something happen to her.

'Layla! Are you home? Why is your main door open', I yelled to see if she was home.

I could hear music from her bedroom so maybe she couldn't hear me come in.

When I walked in, I froze.
There she was in bed with another guy, naked. I could feel my world shatter.

'Shreyas! It's not what it looks like', she said grabbing the bedsheet to cover her up.

'Oh then care to explain what it looks like then layla. I'm not blind! I can see what's going on here. How can you do this to me? I believed you instead of Aria.', I was furious.
This girl cheats on me and has the audacity to tell me it's not what it looks like.

'Well then run back to your Aria. If she means so much to you then why did you date me', she spat back.

'Dont forget you asked me out layla. You're the one that wanted to be with me'.

'You are dumb aren't you. I was with you only for your fame and money shreyas. Why do you think a girl like me would want to be with you. All you spoke about was cricket and I don't even know the C of cricket. You don't even satisfy me like he does', she sneered pointing to the shameless guy next to her.

The more she spoke the more furious I got.  First I get cheated on and then I get to know that she was using me.
I feel miserable. Aria was right. I should not have believed layla over Aria.

I barged out of that cheating witch's house and drove as fast as I could. I had to apologise to Ari. I had to take back all the mean things I said to her.

As soon I reached I ran up to her door and banged on it. No answer. Maybe she was in college, but it was 5pm. She must be home by now. I rang the door bell again. Still no answer.
I slumped down on her door and sat down. That's when I saw the "To-let" board.
I was too late.
She was gone.

Present day

Shreyas

When I told everything that happened to Aria she remained silent, playing with her hands on her lap.
I took this time to see her properly. She has changed so much. She's more beautiful now. With beautiful curly hair and those cute chubby cheeks I always loved pinching.

I took her hands in mine again and said,' Look at me Ari. I'm sorry for everything I said and did. If I could go back in time and change everything I will. In a heartbeat I would make everything go away. Please forgive me'.

She slowly looked up at me. Her beautiful eyes glistening. Before she could say anything someone came to our table.

'Bubbles I've been looking for you everywhere. Why didn't you call me before coming here?', a tall guy asked her as he came to our table.

Bubbles? Who the flying fuck is this guy? She took her hands away from mine and stood up introducing him to me.
'Sagar this is shreyas and shreyas this is sagar, my colleague'.

'Colleague, best friend, and knight in shining armour', he said making her giggle.

I rolled my eyes. I hate him already. What'd he say? Best friend? I'm supposed to be her best friend.
What is this weird feeling? Am I jealous of this dumb head I just met?

I let the feeling slide and shook his hand. I wanted to be nice to him for Aria's sake.

'Bubs the conference is tomorrow and we have to be perfect for it. So shreyas if you don't mind I'm gonna steal her away now', he said picking up all her books.

I didn't want her to leave. I just met her after 5 painfully long years.

'Shreyas I have to leave now. I'll see you around', she said smiling at me.

Oh how much I missed her smile. I couldn't help but think how much I missed having her around during my matches, our late night craving and just her being there for me. I'm not gonna lose her again. Not this time.

As she walked away I ran up to surya bhaiya's room.
I have to win her back.
Win her back? Shreyas Iyer calm down, she hasn't forgiven you yet.
Whatever my stupid mind is upto I had no idea but all I know is that I'm not going to let her slip away from me.

Whoosh.
I was devastated after the match yesterday y'all. Doesn't your heart break when you see him sad?
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S❤️