Running Away

Chapter 1

Unknown warmth spread through me as I notice how nothing has changed, at least from the outside. Though a little worn out, the wooden main door with the black metal grate door over it is still the same. The colourful wooden nameplate still reads the name, 'Kapoor' and the bonsai plants were still alive decorating the exteriors of the house just the way it did five years ago. Subconsciously, I find myself smiling at the sight of it. It holds so many beautiful yet painful memories.

I breathe out a sigh of relief and mustering what little courage I can, I knock on the door, twice. I could hear muffled sounds of people talking and music from the other side of the door. My palms are as sweaty as they could get. I keep wiping them against the jeans over my thighs. It's not much of help though. If I say I'm nervous, it would be an understatement. I am way beyond nervous. I'm hyperventilating.

Why?

I honestly have no idea.

Okay, maybe I do know.

I used to be close with the Kapoor family, but that is a story from a lifetime ago. Over the past few years, due to loss of contact, I feel the relationship I had as a little girl with the Kapoors has changed and maybe it's even withered. And lets not forget the change in my looks! I don't have a flat chest anymore. My always shoulder length straight hair now cascades down in soft waves till it hits my mid back section. My eyebrows are neatly plucked. There isn't a single acne mark covering my face as it did a few years back. I didn't even have braces now. And I have certainly grown a few inches taller.

You see nothing about me is the same as it was. I'm scared that they won't recognize me. Or even worse, they do recognize me and still throw me out of the house. I'll be forced to sleep in the lobby! Okay, that is a ridiculous thought. I know I have had absolutely no contact with them in the past few years. But they surely were in contact with my parents. So, at the very least I know I wouldn't be sleeping in their lobby. Though, I'm worried about how they are going to react, and I am not at all sure about how much more eventful this evening is going to turn out.

Not to mention that, I haven't even informed the Kapoor family I would be coming over. That's more of a reason for me to worry about.

I nibble on my lower lip in an attempt to calm my rapidly beating heart. After a few seconds I hear a click sound and the door opens.

"Took you lo-" A black haired guy who opened the door stops mid sentence and shoots me a dubious look. I don't say anything. 'I'm not even able to form a coherent sentence in my mind, so saying one aloud wouldn't even happen in my dreams.' I just stare at him. I am unsure and at a loss of words.

"You are not... who are you?"

"Who is it, Aryan?" Another person asks from within the room. His voice is deep and husky, it seemed sort of familiar, but at the same time very different.

"I don't know," The black haired guy whom I'm guessing is Aryan replies, unsure, as he stares at me with his mouth agape. His scrutinizing dark brown eyes make me want to cower out of nervousness.

Another person appears in the door frame. His brownish-black hair is in a disheveled state, giving out a sexy aura. His milky brown eyes hold me captive. It seemed very familiar and comforting. His eyebrows are cringed in a furrow and a big questioning look is plastered all over his face.

My breath hitches.

I recognize that face. Though it has a lot of changes in it, the main features still stand out. Like his big brown milky eyes and his rosy red lips. There is a noticeable change in his complexion colour. The pale colour of his skin has been completely replaced by a tan. And somehow the tanning and angularity to this face made him look mature and intimidating. His features weren't boyish anymore.

I still don't say anything. I just stare at him, as I continue to nibble on my lower lip. I study his facial expressions. His questioning look is slightly changing into a look that screams confusion. I couldn't help notice how cute he looks. His mouth opens and closes a few times but no words leave.

That gets me nervous. Maybe he didn't recognize me. This is embarrassing. This is 'bout to happen. I chastise myself. How can anyone remember someone they haven't seen in five years? Especially if you have hit puberty!

I have to get myself out of this situation before I end up embarrassing myself more than I already have. Why didn't I think this through? You really didn't have time to do so. Is my minds reply. Ugh. I'm going insane! I'm arguing with myself!

"Um, I'm sorry...wrong house...excuse me," I say lamely and meekly. I quickly pick up my two bags from the floor and turn around and start walking towards the elevator.

"Stupid, stupid me." I curse out loud but not loud enough for anyone else to hear.

I place the bag in my right hand down and press the button to open the elevator door. Picking up my bag, I head inside and press the ground floor button. I let out a deep sigh as I wait for the door to close.

I lean my head against one side of the elevator and close my eyes, in an attempt to clear my head. What a ridiculous idea to show up at my ex-best friend's house. This is the worst idea I have had in ages!

"What are you doing here?" A rough, breathless voice startles and drives me out of my trance. I open my eyes and they immediately connect with a pair of milky brown eyes.

Rahul.

My brain registers.

He is standing in the doorway with both his hands pressed on the either side of the elevator door, so that it doesn't close. He is looking at me with an expectant look, demanding answers. Sadly, I don't have anything for him. I just remain silent as I watch his chest rise and fall repeatedly. A big frown embraces his face.

"Answer me, damn it!" He growls. I flinch at the intensity of his voice. I still don't answer. I just stare at him. I really didn't know what to say. I am not even sure if he recognizes me.

He did recognize you, stupid. That's why he came running after you! My subconscious chides at me.

What should I say to him? The real reason I came here was to stay for the night or a couple of nights. But one look at him and it seems like a very bad idea. We have had a really bad history, I mean we ended up on bad terms. I am not even sure if he has forgiven me.

"I see you after five freaking years and you have nothing to say to me?" He yells at me angrily and shoots me an incredulous look. Yet again I flinch. This definitely isn't the kind of welcome I was expecting. He looks at me with such intensity and emotions that it sort of freaks me out. His facial expressions change with every passing second. He looks confused, hurt, angry, surprised. Whereas me? I'm just lost. Looking at his expression, all my courage about asking to stay for the night has faded away.

I breathe in a deep breath; muster up what courage I have left in me and say, "I'm sorry, coming here was a mistake." I don't dare look into his eyes. I train my eyes to the floor, too scared to make eye contact.

"Sorry? Mistake? Damn it, Avni! You have nothing else to say to me?" He asks, hurt evident in his voice.

I meekly shake my head in denial. What could I possibly say? I am not brave enough to face him yet. I thought I was, but I am wrong.

"Wow, great then. I'll let you be." He says and I see legs step back from the door frame. I quickly look up as I see the door close. I notice him standing still. His gaze fixated on me. His expression blank and his lips are in a hard straight line. He looks intimidating and hurt.

My heart swells at that sight of his saddened face. He was hurt because of me, and I didn't like it one bit. But there isn't anything I could say to make it better. I, myself, am a big mess right now. I am in no state to comfort anyone.

The door closes and the only thing before me is the dull blue colored metal door. I close my eyes and let out a deep breath, I didn't know I was holding.

This definitely isn't the way I expected that conversation to go. I see Rahul after five years and I have nothing to say to him. I knew what I was getting into when I knocked on the door, but it went all downhill when I saw him. My confidence crumpled and lied on the ground in a big heap of nothingness.

I feel hot tears forming in my eyes. I try to blink them away but it's a futile effort. They start streaming down my face, making my vision blurred. Why did I come here? Why am I set on destroying a friendship that is already so fragile?

I weave my hands through my hair, trying to calm myself. I am lost. I don't know what to do. I'm in a city I stayed in five years ago. I don't have any contact with any of my old friends. And I sort of just got kicked out of the house of the only person I ever knew, properly. Finally, I have no place to crash and worst, I don't have enough cash to stay at a hotel.

So, I really have no idea what the future holds for me.

And of course I can't forget my parents. I have literally left them hanging in between. I left the house with barely a note. And absolutely nothing about my whereabouts.

Wow, this is one big mess I have sauntered myself into. I realise.

Damn.

A big damn mess.