Before we start, a quick note from your author.

Incase there is any confusions, for my lovely readers, I'd like to clarify a few things.

I've wrote this book halfway few years back on word doc. So I used different font styles & symbols for dialogues/inner thoughts etc. But transferring it to Wattpad is now difficult, since it doesn't have diff font styles. (Or maybe I don't know how to use this app 🤣🤣)
So is such case here are few things that you might find useful.

'.....' - 1 quote is a person talking.

Illlll - Underline & italic are the thoughts that suddenly pop up into main leads head. A negative voice or a counter voice to his thoughts.

Iiiiii - Only italic are text messages.

Also the story is entirely from the POV of main character. So his thoughts are written as it is. But If you still get confused in some bits, feel free to leave a comment, I'll be happy to help. ✍️🙋

Also I'm grateful for the support. It's not even been a proper month and you guys have shown love so I appreciate it. 🫂

& Try to read part 5 & 6 together 😉

BACK TO STORYTIME WITH YOUR AUTHOR BAYBAY 🤣🥳

'I am telling you. She totally winked at me.' Abhishek said slumping further into the sofa.

'You say that about every girl you meet?' Naina grated, flopping down next to Rahul.

'Deb! what you think? You noticed it right.' Abhishek said, craning his neck towards me.
I was too immersed in my mobile to answer him.

Rahul, Kiara, Naina and Abhishek had become my core gang in St. Lauren's, even though we came from 2 different places. As for me, Rahul and Kiara, we came to Goa from Delhi for studies. 'People come to goa for party and booze and not for colleges.' was the first thing Naina and Abhishek said to us; the two Goan in our group.

Today, all the 5 of us went to a movie. Afterwards, Kiara got a message from her roommate, telling about some problem in the attic. She left immediately, whereas the rest of them thought to crash at my place for a while.

'Hey. You listening?' Abhishek asked again.

'Yes!' I said, indulging myself back in the phone. I was waiting for it to buzz.

2 days ago, Lilly finally messaged me, telling about the details of her little concert. Since then, we have been chatting, a lot. It's funny how we got to know each other so quickly. She is just effortless to talk with. Even today, my entire focus was on my mobile.

'So, what you think?' Abhishek said.

'About what?' I was genuinely confused.

'What is the matter with you? Are you texting someone?' Abhishek said, a little annoyed. I gave him a slight nod.

'With whom?' he questioned.

'No one important!' I said placing the mobile back in the pocket.

'Tell me!' Abhishek looks at me accusingly.

'Maybe it is Kiara!' Naina jumped in.

'It's not Kiara.' I said with a hint of irritation. It's been 3 months. Can't she just let that go.

'Don't get angry. I was just guessing.' She winked at me.

'Stop teasing him, babe.' Rahul said putting his arm around Naina. 'Apparently, they are just friends now. You know, again; for the third time. Just 'friends'.' He added, air-quoting the word 'friend'.

'Really! That's what you guys said the last 2 times.' Naina said, shaking her head

'We are just friends. Now.' I whispered mostly to myself.

Uprooting oneself is never easy. After Ayesha, I was wary of getting close to anybody. I was reluctant to believe that I will ever have a relationship again until Kiara came along.
Even if we dated for like a year, we were always 'on again, off again'.
Even after our many breakups over the year, we never got a proper closure, until 3 months ago.
Past issues never made me fully open up to Kiara. Which led to our patch-up & breakup. Twice.

Third times the charm is what I said, but this time Kiara told me her feelings, finally shattering our chances of being together.
Since than we are friends, I don't why it is so hard for Naina and Rahul to understand.

'I think, someday you will end up marrying each other. You do make a good couple.' Abhishek said.

'It doesn't matter now. We both have moved on and quite frankly, I like this single life.' I said.

'You mean, you like being a pathetic asshole still clinging on to something that ended 4 years ago.'
Rahul had spoken in a flat, controlled voice. however, it hurt. It hurt because he inadvertently hit the point. It hurt because he is ignorant towards the emptiness, I feel inside me. It hurt because he might be right.

'Why do you think that I still have feelings for Ayesha?' I asked.

'why do you think, you only had one relationship after Ayesha dumped you?' Rahul backfired with a question of his own.

I don't know maybe I still cannot exorcise Ayesha from my thoughts. Because I am afraid to move on.

I wanted to shout but I don't think any of them wants to hear that. So, I grit my teeth and kept mum.

'Can I say something?' Rahul continued after a pause. I didn't respond. He took my silence as acquiescence.

'It's been too long. You need to move on. Quite honestly, I thought you had moved on when you started dating Kiara. You guys were good together. Then you guys broke up and got back together than same thing again. You say, your past didn't affect your relationship with Kiara but here we are FOR THE THIRD TIME. You need to let it go, Deb. Move on from Ayesha. I am not saying go ahead and fall in love, but atleast have a causal relationship, a fling. Maybe you will find someone better than Ayesha. If you give a chance.' He said, voice filled with concern. I took a deep breath as he continued to speak.

'Get it out of your system. Forget about the past bro. You know even Riya went through the same experience...'

'Hold on. Riya, who?' Naina interrupted Rahul. 'Riya Gupte?' she said just to confirm.

'huh! Yes.' Rahul said, suddenly realizing, what he had done.

'I thought you weren't supposed to talk to her.' Naina rolled her eyes on Rahul. He sensed the tension slowly building up.

'I thought you were kidding when you said 'don't talk with Riya.' Rahul said trying to sound calm.

'I see!' Naina response cold as ice. She slowly extracted herself from Rahul's grip.

I looked at Abhishek. He shook his head as if to say 'this is bad'. A simple name changed the atmosphere of the room.

'What? you seriously want to do this now.' Rahul whispered with mild anger.

'What did I do?' Naina said.

why do girls act like that? first they give a slight gesture, indicating they are upset. And when you ask them, 'what's wrong?' they act as if nothing happened.

'Don't start now, Naina! Riya is just a close friend.' Rahul whispered.

'I know how much of a 'close friend' she is to you.' Naina sarcastically backfired.

'Why you have to act so possessive all the time?' Rahul said in reflex, not knowing the weight of his words.

Naina was stunned at the callousness of his remark. However, she stayed quiet for a few seconds and Rahul immediately felt contrite.

Snapping on your girlfriend; that too in front of your friends isn't the best idea.

'I am sorry! I didn't mean that' Rahul said. Naina gave him a slight nod. She stretches her legs, arms and squints and gets up.

'I better get going. It's late.' she said with a smile.

'Yeah! Okay.' I said. I didn't want to get involve in their private matter.

'I will drive you.' Rahul said.

Naina didn't respond. Rahul took it as a consent. My phone finally buzzed. It was a message from Lilly.

'Guess, I should get going, too.' Abhishek got up from his chair as well.

'Listen, before you go! Any of you has a plan for this coming Tuesday?' I said as they stood on my door, about to leave.

'No! I don't think so.' Rahul said.

'What for?' Naina asked.

'I thought we should go to a concert.' I said.

'Count me in then.' Abhishek said. 'What time?'

'8 pm.' I said. 'What about you guys and also Kiara?' I asked Naina.

'Count me in. And Kiara as well.' Naina said.

'Me too!' Rahul said. Naina bid me goodbye and zoomed of without looking at Rahul. He tried to pursue her.

'You know, I really wanted to see a fist fight or at least some cursing.' Abhishek said after they left.

'What kind of a friend are you? you seriously enjoy seeing your friends fight like that?'

'Hey! Don't judge me. I have been single since I was born, alright. It feels good to see couples fighting. It's a default setting.' He said with a blank look.

'You are something else.' I said gently punching him in the chest, as we started laughing.

'Anyways listen, regarding the earlier conversation. Don't take Rahul seriously, okay' he said.

'No, he's right. I need to move on.' I whispered.

'You know, I truly think you and Kiara are perfect together.' he said, placing an arm on my shoulder.

I slightly moved it away. 'well, it's over now. We are not meant for each other.'

'Yeah right. I know you, Deb. You guys will end up together.' he said, with his 'know it all' look.

'Trust me, that's never happening. I guarantee it.' I said.

'I'll bet you for it.' he said with a big smile.
'what?'
'I'll bet you for it, buddy. 10k says, you guys will end up marrying each other.' He extended his hand.
'you have 10k?' I was very doubtful.
'Not now. But in future. You know, long time bet. What you say, loverboy?'
'Easy money.' I shook his hand, knowing damn well, I'll win.

My phone beeped. As Abhishek left my room.

Will you be able to make it? said the message from Lilly.

Definitely! Can't miss it for the world.
I texted back, with a smile emoji.

There were tons of other messages on WhatsApp. My fingers started scrolling down. Some from the college group. Some from my mother. A simple 'Hi' from Kiara. All unanswered. Guess, I was too busy talking with Lilly.

I don't think this is working out. I am sorry.

The very last conversation grabbed my attention. It was a message from Ayesha, four years back.

Don't open the chat my inside cried, but my fingers and eyes refused the orders.

They kept scrolling up, reading.
The wound I thought had been healed was turned out to be hollow from the inside, all this time.

Old memories started creeping on me. I am still spellbound by them. I still remember those 2 incredible years with Ayesha. I still remember that stupid struggle to hold on to her.

I still remember her last promise - 'We can make long distance work.' I still remember those desperate attempts to make it work. Make it fucking work.

I need to stop this
I scolded myself. Threw the mobile on the futon. It landed with a soft thud. Shutting my eyes, I fell on the chair.

No matter how strong a long-distance relationship is, there will always be a moment when its fidelity is tested. If you manage to maintain trust and love; you pass. In our case, we failed. A small part still curses and blames me for the break-up.

Eyes solicited me to look at Ayesha. Mind tried to protest.
Enough is enough.

I got up from the chair and navigated myself towards the desk. The third drawer was locked. I found the key dumped inside the pencil stand.

Preserving keepsakes after a relationship is over, is a bad idea. But I am stupid. Perhaps I have held on to them in the hope that it isn't over. The photo lied untouched inside the drawer. The first photo of me and Ayesha together.

The only memento left from my past relationship. We clicked that picture at India gate. She looked so cute in it. I stood behind, wrapping my arms around her. My head nestling in her lustrous hair. We had never foreseen a future without each other.

It is a picture that radiates happiness. It says 'perfect'. This symbol of our love stirs emotions that are hard to bear. Emotions that are still clinging to me stubbornly, refusing to leave me in peace.

Ayesha made two copies, one for each. I wonder if she has still clung to her copy; wouldn't let it go, just like me. Probably not. The shrill noise of WhatsApp notification disturbed my daydream.

Really!!! Lilly had replied to my previous text.

She seems excited in her one-word text. Her enthusiasm and bubbly nature made my lips form a smile.

Once again, my mind reflected on what Rahul had said earlier about moving on. Maybe it is a time to move on. Maybe I need to get it out of my system. There cannot be any more moaning around for Ayesha. I need to start my life on a clean slate.

I have to make a steady decision now. I gazed on the 'perfect picture.' I am ready to say it. Accept it.

'Goodbye, Ayesha.' comfort and relief started sinking in as the words escaped my mouth. Feels like a huge burden has been lifted from my shoulder.

Yes, really!! ha-ha. I'll see you at the concert, missy!
I texted back.

Taking a sigh of relief I took a final peek at the photo. Crumpled it up and toss it in the dustbin.

I'll never see Ayesha, again.