Chapter 5

*Abhilash Pov*

"We can leave now, right?" she asked checking the time while I gave her a nod as no one seems to be waiting outside and it is safe to go outside.

"We are acting there is some danger outside." I mumbled sighing while she chuckled seeing my expression.

"I could have left long back though. But had to stay back because of you." She pointed out before standing up while I shook my head knowing well I will get teased by her whenever she remembers this incident.

"Why don't I become your bodyguard to protect you from your Ex-girlfriends?" she asked forwarding her hand to help me.

I took hold of it before saying, "I think the right word would be girlfriend rather than bodyguard which would help me."

I frowned when she suddenly let go of my hand making me slip a bit and I had to support myself to stand properly without completely falling before realizing what I just uttered.

"Let's go!" I mumbled clearing my throat not wishing to make the situation even more awkward by trying to explain that it was unintentional.

I don't know why I told her everything this evening when I know it would just bring me across as a person who hurts others but it just happened.

However, it doesn't seem like she is judging me and is completely normal with the way she behaved later. I don't want to bring up the past but suddenly I want to know everything instead of ignoring it like before.

"Why are you not happy? These are your favorite foods, right?" Teja asked after the dishes were served.

"What do you mean?" I asked not understanding his question.

"Leave it! Thanks for telling her about my feelings. If not for you then all this wouldn't have happened." He said smiling and I nodded before finishing the dishes without saying much as I am still confused about how to react to all this.

"Are you in a relationship? You must be with the way you already had like three girlfriends within a year." He suddenly asked and this time I frowned.

"Why are you talking like this? Is something wrong?" I asked but he just shook his head.

****

"You didn't tell Mihi that you are leaving?" I asked when I didn't find her to send him off while he just smiled.

"I think I am really stupid. Why am I wishing for something when I know you are really stupid?" he mumbled.

"What happened to you? Why are you talking like this from that day? Shouldn't you be happy that the person you had a crush on is your girlfriend? Why are you attacking me?" I burst out not able to bear it anymore.

"Because you are really stupid. Do you know what is it that you want? Just find out what you want and never hideaway to know something. Just because you hide from it doesn't mean it is not there. I really hope you both will be happy." He said before leaving.

Which both? And why is he talking like this? Why is he not telling me directly and talking like this?

But now I understand why is he talking like that. He was really sad that because of the breakup but he could have talked it out with her instead of attacking me.

However, when he said not to hide I think I can start with today's incident, and with that in mind, I cleared my throat before moving closer to her.

"Mihi! Your parents will be home today?" I asked walking beside her while she is looking around which seems like she really took the job of being my bodyguard.

"No! Dad is out of town again while Mom needs to be on night duty for today as she took her colleague's patient today." She replied smiling.

"Then have dinner at my home. Why stay alone?" I asked clearing my throat and she glanced at me with a questioning look.

"Why? You used to do it, right?" I added and she just shook her head.

"Yeah! But then I thought you are not that comfortable with that and that's why I stopped coming there frequently during these three years. And I don't want to intrude you guys." She replied when we reached the parking lot.

"You are not doing anything like that. I will drop you and let's have dinner outside then." I offered taking out my keys.

"Outside? How can you even think of doing that? I wouldn't eat anything from outside if I can eat the food cooked by Aunty." She mumbled not rejecting the ride before sitting behind me.

"Then just come home like old times. I will never ignore you again and make you feel uncomfortable." I promised and she finally accepted when I started driving.

When we reached my home, she walked towards her home saying she will freshen up first and will come after some time as there is still time for dinner.

I thought Dad was still at college but I found him sitting in the living room along with Mom to watch a movie.

"Is it fine if she joins, Mom?" I asked looking at her when I realized I didn't think about them before inviting her.

"Why don't you pack food for both of you and go to that house while we both can have our date?" Suddenly Dad advised which made me look at them weirdly.

"Stop it! But it is your wish." Mom added even though she was scolding Dad openly but she is fine with that idea.

If I say that we will be here itself then they will definitely give me accusing looks of disturbing their date. I sighed nodding at their suggestion before freshening up myself and left for her house.

"What happened?" she asked opening the door.

"They threw me out of the house, Mihi." I complained walking inside with the dishes while she laughed listening to my complaint.

"This weekend we all are going to watch a movie. Do you want to come with us?" I asked when she placed the dishes away after we finished our dinner.

"No! I still know only Kavitha and you. She will be busy with her boyfriend and it is not right of me to disturb you guys too." She rejected the idea before sitting beside me on the couch.

"You will not be disturbing anyone but I will not force you. I... I actually wanted to talk to you." I said finally turning to my side so that I can talk while looking at her expressions and I can stop if it is too much.

"Why did you like me?" I asked directly and she stared at me in shock.

"Well, I didn't expect you to ask that directly. Should I really answer?" she asked clearing her throat.

"Your wish! I just think it was rude of me to just ignore that topic completely and it is better to talk it out before letting it go." I explained and she nodded hearing that.

"I don't know! It was not a sudden feeling for sure and it was there for a long time. But I never dared to actually express it. If not for my parents then I would have never expressed it though." Her last words kind of shocked me even though her previous ones just surprised me.

"Your parents?" I asked her frowning.

"You didn't know, right? Last year my Mom lost a patient during the delivery and kind of got depressed and my Dad was also dealing with a serious case during which he was stressed out. They were dealing with their own problems but I... I felt lonely like I wanted to hold someone and wished someone to be there. I thought as I already liked you then isn't it better to confess. But the thought of you already being in a relationship never crossed my mind." She explained and I don't have any words after hearing to all that.

"I am sorry! I should have been there as a friend at least." I mumbled hugging her and she hugged me back but started patting my back as if consoling me.

"That's why I didn't reject Kavitha when she approached me. I don't want to be alone like that anymore and that's why I even went along with your Cousin. I don't know why I became a person that needs other people's presence." She mumbled and I released her only to find tears in her eyes.

"It's not a wrong thing at all. Everyone needs someone and it is not a weird thing at all. How are your parents now?" I asked brushing her tears away.

"They went for counseling and everything is fine but they are feeling guilty for me. That's why they are not even complaining when I am skipping college as usual." She smiled saying that and I shook my head.

"Why are you still skipping classes like this? That was your bad habit from the beginning." I sighed.

"I will do that forever and will never change that habit at all. It's not like I am failing my classes." She pointed out before leaning back to place some distance between us and that's when I realized we were sitting too close and I was the one to shift closer.

We talked for some time and I realized it's really late. But is it fine if she stays alone like this?

I opened my mouth but closed it thinking it will be too weird to say anything about it. I left her house before walking into the mind and found my parents still enjoying their movie.

I just ignored them to reach my room before messaging her saying. 'I am keeping my windows open and if you need anything just shout.'

'I am your bodyguard and not the other way around.' Seeing her reply I couldn't help but smile before lying the bed to sleep and that smile stayed there.

*Mihira Pov*

This is why I told him it is not right for me to barge into their group like this. Kavitha and Rakesh are in their world while remaining left Rekha with me as we both are girls.

I gave her a smile when we stood waiting for them to buy tickets while she didn't even respond. Why do I have to bear with her attitude in the first place?

No! I know how it feels to have one side crush and I should be understanding of her. Who wouldn't feel like this when the situation is like this?

I don't know why but from the day we talked about everything, he became closer to me just like before. They all stared at us in surprise as he is even giving me a ride to college.

"Do you like this type of genre?" I asked gesturing the action movie we are going to watch today.

"Horror!" she mumbled in a dead tone.

"Uhmm... it was sudden of me to join like this, right?" I asked clearing my throat.

"Yes! Don't you have friends other than Kavitha to tag along with her like this?" she asked directly and I was speechless hearing that question.

I understand her feelings and can give her space and everything but this is like too much. I am his best friend way before her and why is she talking as if I am disturbing their friendship.

"Rekha! Why are you talking like that?" we both turned to find them standing behind us and Abhi looks mad right now for sure.

"What?" she asked frowning at him.

"She is my friend way before you guys. She is tagging along with me and not Kavitha." He pointed out and I closed my eyes seeing hurt pass through her eyes.

"Wait! Don't say anything else otherwise, you will regret it." Saying that I pulled Rekha away from them before walking towards the screen where we will be watching the movie.

"I know you don't like me right now and it's fine. Let's just be cordial at least in their presence. Ruining your friendship is not my intention and I will not be staying away from my friends too. And yes only these two are my friends for now." I rushed the words and she sighed.

"Yeah! I shouldn't have been rude but let's be cordial." She mumbled when I waited for a few seconds without letting her get her hand to loosen from my hold.

"What are you guys doing? The movie will start." I asked turning back when I found them still standing there like before.

I guess I can forget the idea of her ever being friendly with me. It's okay! I don't want to ruin their friendship though. Being cordial is enough and I need to find more friends. But... but I am having fun while spending with these people too. Ugh! I will just enjoy the movie for now. I thought sitting down and found him sitting beside me.

"I am sorry about that." He whispered and I frowned shaking my head.

"Stop apologizing for everything if you want us to be friends like before. Just treat me as your normal friend. You can't be like this and hurt them no matter what. Don't involve yourself much like this. Apologize to her later without forgetting." I rushed out every word before completely involving myself in the movie while he chuckled.

"Yes! I need to listen to my bodyguard for sure." He whispered while I couldn't help but think what has gotten into him.