AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Hai guys! I updated!

I am writing after long time. I didn't get the courage to write again. Thought of deleting the account and all but past is past. Let's forget it.

Like J.K.Rowling wrote, even best of friends have misunderstanding.

Let's enjoy the story.

I will write the last chapter of her dreams later. I will write.

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26) Death was Addar's old buddy.

THIRD PERSON'S POV

Addar didn't know how to react at all. Only thing he could think at that moment was that Catherine's brother died. He died! 

He couldn't process Harini's any other words even though he heard her say that Catherine suffered a lot.  Death!  That's the only thing he could think of as his mind went to Jenny.

Harini who was waiting for him to react, shook him. So Addar's mind didn't  go to any other worst things. Catherine was still in a shock.  Her mindset was much worse.

There are two types of truths. Truths which can be revealed and truths which are best to be kept a secret. Truth which can be revealed gives peace of mind and solution to a problem. Truth which can't be revealed causes pain and complicates the problem. 

Catherine knew her truth is out but the question is which type of truth was that for Addar. Will he believe me or others?

So the question is whom he believes. Catherine didn't have her hopes high. It  is better to keep your hopes low.

Harini was sure that she will stay there to help Catherine. She knew that Catherine had enough troubles in her life. She was ready to argue with Addar even. She was even ready to make Addar realize the purity of Catherine.

But Addar was still silently staring at Catherine as if she was an alien. Catherine's mind didn't let her eyes to see Addar at all. She knew that he was seeing her but didn't speak at all. She also knew that silence at some places is more dangerous than violence. This was one such place.

Addar was still thinking about death. Death was Addar's old buddy. He had faced many deaths in his life. He thought he won't have to face death for some time. He knew the pain of losing someone close. 

Harini watched Addar looking at Catherine with some unknown feeling and Catherine was seeing her feet. As all of them were glancing at each other no one saw the outline of the shadow guy who was near the edge of the shadow the moment he saw Addar.

It was a miracle for the shadow man as no one had seen him till now. It was a disaster for Addar, Catherine and Harini as they didn't see him.

Suddenly they heard Sri shout, "Addar, you are needed here. Come here." Shadow man edged inside when he heard Sri shout.

Addar didn't take his eyes off Catherine but she glanced ahead when she heard Sri shout. Her eyes landed on Addar's eyes. He didn't let her take her see anything else.  She also wanted to see Addar's eyes and find what he was feeling. He said to Sri without seeing back, "I need to talk with Catherine alone."

Harini was shocked when he said that. She thought he will judge Catherine like others.  After all he is a man. Men can't think much at all. They are lazy even to think so they quickly come to judgment.

Harini was not sure if Addar was one of them but she knew that she will do everything to make Addar realize that all those news related to Catherine was false.

Harini tried to say something but Addar stopped her without looking at her. He motioned her to wait outside. Catherine gave a nod and Harini went out. Catherine knew that Addar won't hurt her even if he doesn't believe her.

The moment Harini went out, Addar closed the door. He caught Catherine's small hand in his large hand and started to walk to the edge where Catherine was talking with Harini. When they reached the edge, he left her hand and stood still without seeing her face but she was seeing his eyes. It was a contrast compared to few minutes back when Harini was there. At that time Catherine was trying to hide from him but now Addar was trying to hide from her.

She wanted to know what Addar was thinking. She knew that his words will have a big impact on her life from now.

Suddenly Addar turned and caught Catherine's small hand in his hand with teary eyes.  He said while seeing her, "I am sorry for all I did. I was a stupid guy to judge you on a single day. I knew you for 4 years but still I judged you on a single day."

Catherine's mind was paralyzed for a moment. She was thinking that this was all a dream. I can't have two people to support me. I will wake up and after that I will find that Harini and Addar didn't say any of this.

Addar made her sit on the floor and sat beside her after apologizing for it. Slowly, he gathered courage and interlinked her hands but Catherine didn't hold it. She was still paralyzed and she was not at all reacting. Addar said, "I realized that I was being stupid that day. Yes, I loved you and I wanted to propose on that day itself but I should have left you when you said no. I pressurized you to say the reasons."

Catherine's mind was even more shocked when she heard him say about that incident. She wanted to say the truth to him. Addar said, "Catherine,I never knew the pain you had to face. When you were facing this pain, I was busy with a stupid love problem."

Addar continued, "I can understand your pain of losing your brother. The worst is when people think you are the reason for it. I am sorry for not being with you." His thumb was brushing her fingers. Slowly Catherine edged towards him. It was not like Harini.  After all he is her best friend or was her best friend. She didn't know if he is her best friend now.

Addar was seeing the door to avoid her eyes. He was feeling guilty. He continued, "I am sorry for judging you.  I should have acted like a best friend and came back to you next day. I could have demanded an explanation when you were alone but I was a stupid idiot to judge you. As a best friend I should have stood by you but I judged you too. I am the worst best friend."

Catherine's mind was feeling guilty too. She knew that she didn't say most things to him. He thinks that everything happened after that canteen incident but everything happened during college itself. I didn't say anything to him. I avoided him. I am worst too.

But still she didn't have the courage to say it. She had been blamed for years. When Harini was comforting her, she said her mistakes. She knew those silly mistakes and even she knew that she doesn't deserve this punishment but still she was accepting it as she didn't have any other option. When Harini was comforting her she didn't accept it but she wanted to accept Addar's words.

Addar's hold on her hands tightened and she started to hold his hand weakly now. He continued, "I should have stayed with you. It was just your words like di*k and all." He realized what he said and mentally scolded himself. He wanted her to forget it but he reminded her.

Catherine's face turned immediately on hearing his words. She said with a sense of urgency, "What! When did I say that?" Her mind was in a panic state. He said with a broken voice, "You said that a fact that I had a di*k doesn't mean I am a man." Her mind was more shocked, is this why he said he is not a gay on the hotel?

Tears started to roll down her eyes. Addar rubbed her wet cheeks using the back of his palm. He understood something and said, "One guy came to me as I turned back and he said you said that." Even when he was saying he knew it was a mistake and she confirmed it by saying, "I asked him to comfort you by saying that I didn't mean the things I said but he was also a part of them. He back stabbed me too."

It was her last resistance. She leaned on his shoulder and he wrapped his arm around her shoulder. She sobbed in his shirt. Her tears made his shirt wet and he was rubbing her arm. The shadow man's smile was even visible from his dark position but no one saw it.

Addar wanted to hug her tight but he knew that she didn't love him. He was doubtful if she would accept his hug. He tried, "Catherine, can I..." He couldn't gather himself to ask her if he could hug her but he decided not to do it. He stood up after he felt that she stopped sobbing.

She stood up with him and he turned towards her side. He cupped her face and took his kerchief. He rubbed her face and removed the wet marks. He felt assured that no one could find that she had cried but the shadow man was watching them. They came out of the room but the shadow man didn't get a chance to come out so he was still inside the room. 

Harini was shocked when she saw Addar and Catherine coming out hand in hand. She also saw  Catherine's face and saw that she had freshened up. Harini's face broke into a smile.

Sri on the other hand had a weird feeling seeing them like this. He was scared if Catherine might hurt Addar again.

They were meeting all celebrities. Shah Rukh Khan was at his usual self. He was cracking jokes and teasing Addar. Once she would have felt like jumping up and down as she saw Shah Rukh Khan but she was not like that now.

Catherine met Alia Bhatt and for some reasons she was sad or less vibrant. She used to be cracking jokes all the time but now she was silent and too formal.

That is when she realized that she was rumored with Addar. Addar's hold on her tightened and she could see the camera's flashing more intensely.  She smiled at Alia.

Next she met Varun who was funny as usual. Catherine was bit shocked to see Addar talking freely with Varun Dhawan. As Addar is married, Varun might have lost his only competition to get Alia.

Addar and Catherine met Deepika and Ranveer. They were talking with Addar with genuine smile. Deepika was fresh from her controversy which killed her career.

After they met all celebrities. Addar and Catherine looked at each other. He smiled at her and she smiled at him. At the same time, someone laid hands on Addar's shoulder and he turned without removing his smile.

When they saw who touched him, both of their smile vanished as it was Ravichandran. Catherine felt a shock in her spine. It's him. He is back.

His smile is same. He has never changed. She ran from that spot to an adjacent room.

****

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Hai, How was the chapter?

I didn't have the help of Ms - Word.  Was it full of mistakes?

Next chapter would be about Ravichandran.

What do you think about his return?

What do you think about Addar in this chapter?

I am not the type of writer whose books are about how long two people hold grudge on each other for a single mistake. Those books have hero and heroine hating each other throughout the book and chapter ahead of last chapter they understand the truth. On last chapter they will ask sorry and in epilogue they are with a baby.

Too cliché so sorry. That's not me.

Any suggestions.

Take care be safe and stay blessed.

-Yagappar