DISTANCE FROM VIRAT was going to kill Misha. She had only a couple of days left in Delhi, and had to fly back to Mumbai the day after.

As if lack of intimacy was not a problem big enough for their relationship. She felt so insecure at the very thought of leaving again, but work—the work of a doctor, especially—was so important, it always had to be her first priority. She sometimes worried that Virat would eventually realize that their relationship was not worth the sacrifices they have made in their life. That he couldn't love her in spite of everything, whatever he said. 

When people leave behind, it's hard for them because they're the ones leaving. But she knew how it felt to be left behind too. Her dad's death was a prominent time which made her realize how hard it is for people to be left behind.

She was leaving behind Virat. Again.

Right now, they were in a small, cozy party with their school friends. This was the first time she was meeting them, because the last time she had left with Virat from the school playground itself without bothering to enter the building.

"I hate parties so much. But I am sacrificing this night just for you, Vi." Misha arrogantly said, grinning to herself.

"Oh, love. It means a lot. I know how much you hate socializing." Virat replied, brushing his fingers against her nose as he said. Someone in the hall must have definitely sighed romantically, but Misha did not care. She was in the moment, and the little public display of affection barely mattered. "Remember our last party together?"

A blush crept from her neck to her cheeks as she reminisced those precious moments with Virat,  and she nodded. That was when she saw a girl in her line of sight, who surreptitiously glanced at them, hair with blue highlights and everything. Although, she couldn't place her where she had seen her. That was the case with mostly everyone though. She had a terrible habit of forgetting faces.

Not that it mattered. She remembered her boyfriend's face, and well, that was enough for her. The woman now walked in their direction, and attacked Virat with a hug. From a closer distance, she could recognize her now.

Scholar Naina. The leech who used to constantly attach herself to Virat all the damn time.

"Hi, Misha." She had a nasty smirk on her face. If Misha was prone to violence, she might have slapped her but she was the gentle sorts.

Maybe, she was an exception. "Hello, Naina. How are you? It has been such a long time!" And still not long enough. From the corner of her, eye she could see Virat glancing at her with an amused expression.

"Oh, yes! You never came for the high school reunion."

"I did. And I met the people who mattered." Her answer was not savage, it was childish. Why she still felt threatened of Naina, she would never understand. It was something ingrained inside of her since her childhood because she used to contend with her for Virat's attention. It was stupid and immature of her, to still be insecure of her, but she was.

"Of course, you did. It feels so good to see you guys still together. High school sweethearts and all."

Misha smiled at her, this time genuinely. She was sweet, sort of. It was at that time when Virat saw his friend, Karan and whispered in her ear something along the lines, be right back. She couldn't really focus on his words because she saw Naina's eyes glinting in her direction maliciously.

"He must really not have a backbone," Naina chuckled very softly.

"I'm sorry?"

"To accept back a girl who cheated and got pregnant . . ." She left the rest of the words hanging, and Misha gasped a shock. Naina laughed a wicked laugh. 

Misha had a stoic face. It was one thing to tell Virat her deepest secrets in the confined walls of his bedroom, but this . . . almost being made a spectacle when her secrets are being toyed with in public place, she couldn't bear it. Her breath hitched, and she bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself from crying.

Virat saw Misha suddenly getting upset over something. Upon seeing her white face, he had assumed, Naina must have said something mildly upsetting because they always were sort of rivals. But now, she felt almost uncomfortable. 

He immediately excused himself, and strode towards her to be on her side. Looping an arm around her waist, he used his other hand to draw small, soothing patterns on her forearm. "Whatever you said, Naina." he gritted through his teeth.

"Oh, I just said that Misha stays in Mumbai, doesn't she? And you're mostly out of the country and if not, you're here. How ever you will survive such a strain in your relationship?"

Virat had long ago realized that some people were simply like viper in nature. Always poking their nose in things that had nothing to do with them. And spitting out venom most of the time. "I am looking for an apartment in Mumbai. Misha is undergoing her residency program there, so of course, we will be living together. There won't be any strain in our relationship. Is that information enough, Naina? Or do you also wish to speculate how much time will we take to get married, then have kids, etcetra."

He then threaded his fingers through Misha's, and walked out of the hall. "I'm sorry. I should have never brought you to this insipid farce of a party. We could have enjoyed our time together in solitude instead. I am so sorry, Misha."

"I'm sorry. I got upset when she—Virat, she knows about my abortion. That was the reason I got upset." Misha clarified, feeling shock and pride at what he said earlier. He thought about their future, their married life and kids. It had made her heart skip a beat or two then. "But you did not really mean what you said about Mumbai, did you?"

"Oh," he sighed, leading her out of the building. "I'll have to find a property which is somewhere quiet, so that we can walk like this —" he brought her hand to his lips, and kissed them softly. "And do this." Then a soft and thorough kiss on her lips. "So why the hell not we move in together and live the happily ever after we deserve so much?"

Misha stopped walking, and smiled against her lips. He'd said these words casually, agreeably, as if she'd suggested rice for dinner and he'd agreed.

"Why not?" she repeated softly, her heart in her throat. Truthfully, she felt her heart in her eyes, in the expression on her face. Her heart beamed from her chest. Virat winked at her and then led her into the car.