Chapter 11 - "The Cruel Fate"

I was sleeping when the nonstop buzzing of my phone woke me up. I lifted my head a bit up and tried to open my eyes. Rubbing my hands together slowly, I reached out to the phone on the side table.

"Haan bol Rhea." I asked, picking up.

"Guess what?" She exclaimed out aloud.

I chose to stay quite as I was sure she was up with something really boring which was obviously exciting for her.

"I've talked to Neil. I told him that you love him." I licked my lower lip casually as I got up from the bed. As soon as the realization dawned on me, I fell on the bed with a thud again.

Lub Dub... Lub Dub...
I could hear every beat of my racing heart against my chest. My throat dried as the air in my lungs chose to not leave my nose. I gasped as I felt my lashes heavy. I didn't know what I was feeling but it was something that made me numb for a while. Even though I was sitting, I felt my knees weak and I couldn't help those tiny gasps that kept on leaving my mouth every time Rhea's words rang in my ears. I intentionally dropped the phone from my hand and rubbed my hands thoroughly over my face.

My lower lip was being constantly chewed by my teeth at it's corner. It was such a helpless moment for me, I didn't even know what could I do.

How could Rhea tell it to him? Did I mention that myself to her? I didn't. How tough it was for me to persuade myself for being in my boundaries but here was this girl!

I grabbed the phone back in a hurry only to find Rhea still on the line.

"Rhea. Why? W.. Why did.. yo..you tell.. it to him?" I stuttered, breathing heavily.

"Because I felt like that. It's isn't good that you keep your feelings to yourself." I gasped again at her confidence.

"Are you for real? How could you do this to me? To us? How dare you? Did I ever tell that myself to you? Did I ever say that I love him? Did I? Not one freaking time did I say that Rhea. Not one freaking time! You just ruined me completely. What did I do to deserve this? Eh? I am not going to forgive you! Never." I blurted out, stamping my feet on the floor continually. My anger roared at it's peak and it was high time Rhea needed this confrontation.

"Avni Avni Avni! Relax." I heard her say.

"Shut up. You better stay away from me now or else you'll be hanged!" I shouted, as I disconnected the call.

Rubbing my hands on my face in anticipation, I looked at the clock. It was still 3 at night. Five hours before I could meet him. "Neil" my heart whispered, knowing I wasn't able to face him. I couldn't.

What if he breaks our friendship? What if he distances himself from me? What if he kicks me out of his life? Whatever it was, I could not risk my friendship with him. Never!

I tossed on the bed but obviously I couldn't sleep. Hundreds of what ifs were making me cry and I did. Hot tears streamed down my face as his gorgeous figure flashed in front of my eyes. I couldn't loose him.

Why was fate never on my side? Why does life needs so many decisions? Why couldn't I breathe in that particular moment? Will he really leave me? Will he?

My heart skipped a beat as I imagined my life without him. Empty. Dark. Everything was there except happiness.

###

I entered the class right at the time when professor was starting the lecture. I wasn't late, thank god!

Occupying me seat, I caught hold of my heavy breathe. I hadn't dared to look around in the class to find him. Biting into my lower lip, I sighed deeply and as slowly as I could, I gazed around in the hall. With racing heart and uneven breathe, I tried to locate him but couldn't. I checked each and every bench, but he was nowhere.

Damn! My heart fluttered at the minor thought of loosing him. I couldn't leave the class to find him. A silent tear rolled down my cheek. I wanted to cry out aloud and just let all of that out.

As soon as the class got over, I ran out. Library, Washrooms, Labs, Corridor, and even Staff Room. He was nowhere. Did he take an off? But why?

I dialled his number but he didn't pick up. What the hell was happening? I literally hated Rhea for what she did.

Was he still on his vacation? No. It was just a two day holiday. Hostel? I wasn't allowed to enter the boys' hostel. How badly fucked up this all was!