Word Count: 2700

October 16, 2022

NITI anxiously checked her phone again; it was almost 1 o'clock, way past the time she was supposed to meet Sammy. They had agreed to meet for brunch and even though it was only the second time he was late; she was getting a teeny bit impatient with him.

It was the end of October in Delhi, the perfect time for dates—with cool weather that wasn't freezing like in December and just the right amount of warmth from the sun. It was the season for wearing skirts with boots and cute tops that exposed just the right amount of skin.

As Niti gazed outside the window of the quaint café, she admired the girls passing by, confidently dressed in their preppy outfits. She longed to have that same self-assurance and wear similar clothes herself.

Someday, even I will. She reassured herself, taking a deep breath to gather courage.

The twenty-seven-year-old sighed. The past few months had been a blur—with work piling up, pressure from her aunts and uncles to get married, and Samarth, who seemed to be in his own carefree world.

The carefree attitude of his was what Niti had adored. She loved seeing him enjoy his life freely, without a care in the world of what others perceived of him. He was funny, and his actions towards her were very sweet. Sam showed genuine care towards her. He would act silly if he had to make her laugh. He would run around impersonating an airplane just to see her smile. But that had faded now.

Niti had noticed the tiny changes in him. He was more silent now. He would dodge questions from her, and it was always her who would plan out the dates. Despite her concerns, Niti hoped that the spark they once had could be reignited. Her heart yearned for the days when they could be free-spirited together and support each other through life's highs and lows.

Nevertheless, she couldn't ignore the nagging feeling that something had shifted between them, and she wondered if it was time to have an honest conversation about their relationship.

'Where are you? ' Niti texted him. She had been very specific about the time when setting up this date. She even confirmed with Samarth before leaving her house, but alas, he was late.

As she waited for his reply, her eyes wandered to the intricate details of the café's interior. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, with soft lighting that created a relaxing ambiance. The walls were adorned with whimsical artwork and framed vintage posters, adding a touch of nostalgia to the space.

The cafe's walls were lined with bookshelves filled with an eclectic selection of novels, art books, and board games, encouraging guests to linger and engage in conversation or simply unwind with a good read.

The centerpiece of the cafe was a beautifully crafted wooden counter, behind which skilled baristas created delightful beverages with a smile. Colorful chalkboard menus hung above the counter, showcasing an array of handcrafted drinks and delicious treats.

Her stomach growled. She was hungry, but didn't want to eat alone.

"Excuse me," she said and signaled the waiter to take her order, "can you please bring me a glass of lemon soda?"

"Would you like some cake or pastry with it?" the waiter asked her with a beaming smile.

"No thank you, that would be it for now," the brunette replied, mirroring the smile.

"Okay!"

As the waiter moved away from her table, she took a moment to browse through the photos on her phone. A wave of nostalgia washed over her as she reminisced about the times she had spent with Samarth when everything seemed perfect. Back then, their biggest worries revolved around passing exams or deciding which classes to skip without getting caught.

Samarth had played a significant role in shaping who she had become today. Without him, she might have remained just another unnoticed girl, blending into the background with no one acknowledging her presence. She had always been someone who obediently followed orders, be it from teachers or her parents. However, Sam brought out the best in her, encouraging her to step out of her comfort zone, embrace her true self, and occasionally break the rules.

With him, she discovered a newfound confidence and fearlessness that she had never known before. He helped her shed her shell of timidity and self-doubt, allowing her to glow in her own unique way. Their time together had been transformative, and she was grateful for the person she had become through their shared experiences.

A small smile crept up her face. She chuckled.

Whatever happened to us? Niti wondered.

They were perfect, but now it seemed like there were only miscommunications and a peculiar kind of distance between them. An oddness.

Not that he didn't love her anymore. She knew he cared for her as much as he did before, but life after college had been cruel to both of them. While Sam had trouble finding a good job, Niti had trouble fitting in with her co-workers.

While Niti understood his pride and desire to handle things on his own, a part of her couldn't help but feel a tinge of sadness that he didn't lean on her for support.

Despite comprehending Sam's perspective and not wanting to undermine his independence, Niti cared deeply for him and wished he would rely on her more during tough times. She wanted to be there for him, not just as a partner, but as someone he could confide in and lean on for emotional and financial support.

She shook her head with a groan. Nope, not today. She would not let the unhappy thoughts take up her mental space. She preferred calling and asking Sam what happened rather than making stupid scenarios in her head and ruining her own mood. It was something she had been trying to work on.

It had been a personal challenge she was actively working on—to approach situations with open communication and avoid letting her imagination run wild with negativity.

As she swiped through the photos on her phone, her heart fluttered. They had so many wonderful memories together and she wanted to continue making more with him.

A notification popped up on her screen. A message from Sam. Finally.

She tapped on the floating bubble, but instead of reaching her intended destination, she accidentally pressed another album.

The screen illuminated with just one haunting image, and in an instant, the entire world around her ceased to exist. The phone slipped from her trembling hand and clattered onto the table. The auto-rotate feature kicked in, and there, before her, were a pair of captivating green and brown eyes, piercing through her very soul, daring her to confront the truth.

In the photograph, a 10-year-old girl with raven-colored hair stood defiantly, her arm in a cast, and her smile held both innocence and accusation. Beside her, a majestic golden retriever offered unwavering loyalty, a stark contrast to the tumult of emotions that surged within Niti.

Her heart felt like it was being crushed under the weight of guilt and regret. The image burned into her mind, replaying like a relentless nightmare. It was a harsh reminder of her past actions.

Why is this photo still here?

Niti's breaths grew shallow as she struggled to contain the surge of emotions crashing over her. The guilt enveloped her, suffocating her senses.

The girl in the photo seemed to come to life, her eyes narrowing with a mixture of sadness and reproach. Her accusatory grin sent shivers down Niti's spine, as if the girl was taunting her, blaming her for the girl's fractured arm and all the consequences that followed.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she finally mustered the strength to whisper, "I'm sorry." But her apology, sincere as it was, couldn't change the past or erase the pain she had caused.

You did it. You did it. You. You. You. Niti's mind screamed.

A gentle voice brought her out of her trance.

"Here's your order." The waiter gently put down the glass next to the phone. "Let me know if you need more salt or sugar." He smiled, noticing her wet eyes, and pulled the tissue box closer to her.

Niti snatched her phone off the table. She had already gone through enough because of the accident. She didn't want it to resurface after so many years. Her life was better.

She tapped the screen and then clicked delete.

"Who was that?" Another voice echoed near her ear. Sam was leaning next to her from behind. His breath tingled her ear as he spoke.

She turned the screen off and rolled her eyes at him.

"Do you know what time it is?" She asked in her best attempt to change the topic.

"Erm... time to give me a hug?" he said with a mischievous grin as he playfully opened his arms, inviting her into an embrace. His dark blue denim jacket sleeve was casually rolled up to his elbow, revealing the crisp white cuff of his shirt wrapped around it. His contagious grin reached from ear to ear, and one of his pointy molars peeked out, which made her smile even wider.

"Ugh, what am I gonna do with you?" Niti half-sat, half lifted herself up, eagerly accepting the hug. As she wrapped her arms around him, a familiar scent of coffee enveloped her senses, instantly calming her racing heart. There was something about being in his arms that made her feel at ease, as if the world's troubles could disappear for a moment.

Her mind drifted, wanting to melt into him completely, to be enveloped in his warmth and care. She suppressed the desire to tousle his bouncy hair, a habit she had developed over time, as he took his seat across from her.

"Can we order something? I am starving because of you," she complained.

"Already did that before coming to the table," Sam said as he shoved a single flower in her face. "I am so sorry, Nits. I was caught up with something."

Niti's eyes shined as she took the flower in her hand. "The flower doesn't mean I forgive you."

"What about all the food I already ordered? Does that count?" he asked, motioning his eyes towards the waiter coming towards them.

The table in front of her was suddenly full of her favorite dishes. Two giant pizzas, a big bowl of pink pasta, some fries and a lot of cheese pops.

"Not impressed." Niti teased him, grabbing a fork to dig into the cheesy flavour of the pasta.

"I don't need to impress you, you're already mine." He grinned.

The atmosphere was filled with a comfortable silence as they enjoyed their meal together. Niti couldn't help but notice a hint of restlessness in Samarth's demeanor, making her feel uneasy. She wanted to ask him something important, but finding the right moment and the perfect words seemed like an impossible task.

As they continued to eat, Niti's mind raced with thoughts, trying to find the courage to broach the topic that weighed on her heart. The ambiance of the restaurant provided a cozy setting, but it also heightened her anxiety. She didn't want to ruin the pleasant evening with a tough conversation, yet she knew it was necessary.

The clinking of cutlery and occasional laughter from nearby tables served as a backdrop to her internal struggle. Her heart beat faster with each passing moment, and she hesitated to disrupt the tranquility of the moment between them.

Samarth's eyes met hers briefly, and in that fleeting moment, she knew she had to throw it out to him.

The question that ruined the day every time she asked.

"Listen," she avoided eye contact, "you know my parents, right? They know it's been a long time since we have been together. "

She could see Sam's muscles tense up, yet she ignored it. "They need an assurance, Sammy. I need an assurance." She stressed.

A moment passed. Sam couldn't look straight into her eyes. She waited, but as if on cue, the waiter came back with a drink in hand. He served it to Samarth and left without any word, sensing the tense atmosphere.

"Since you already had a drink, I ordered only for myself," he said, pointing at the lemon soda in front of her.

He ignored my questions again. The realisation pierced her heart.

Samarth had remained tight-lipped, refusing to engage in the conversation she wanted. It was as if he deliberately avoided discussing what she had brought up, and it wasn't the first time she had experienced such behavior from him.

Each time she tried to delve deeper into the matter, he skillfully deflected the conversation, steering it towards lighter topics or making jokes to distract her. The constant evasion left Niti feeling frustrated and unsure about how to proceed.

I knew the happiness was only a fleeting one.

"I need to go," she said, suddenly. "I told you I had other plans, but you were still late."

She let go of the fork and wiped her mouth on the tissues. The cutlery made an awkward noise as she prepared to leave. She saw Samarth's eyes widen as he extended his hands towards her in an attempt to make her stay.

"I am sorry," he said, removing his hands from hers. "I was stuck with something. I really didn't mean to be late."

As he gave excuses, Sam continued to fidget with his jacket.

Niti glared at him. "That doesn't change the fact that you were."

He was not looking at her even as she grabbed her bag. I hope he is not looking for his phone at such a crucial time.

It was only when Niti stood up that Sam noticed her irritation.

"Don't go, please. I wanted to give you something," he continued fumbling with his clothes. "Can't you stay for a bit?"

"I am busy. I have to help my cousin today."

Sam froze and slowly turned his head towards Niti. The sudden change in his demeanor made her pause in her tracks. She didn't like the feeling that was welling up inside her. She had a faint idea where the conversation was going.

"Again? You have been helping him out for months now," Sam complained.

"He is my cousin."

"So what?" The irritation was clear on his face. "It doesn't change the fact that he just uses you to go out with his girl."

Niti was taken aback by his response. As she looked into his eyes, she could sense genuine concern. Samarth knew her too well—he understood her tendency to say yes to everyone who needed help, a habit deeply ingrained in her since childhood. Part of her wanted to assure him it wasn't a big deal, that she could handle it, but another part of her was frustrated by his avoidance of the issue she had brought up.

A wave of conflicting emotions washed over her. On one hand, she appreciated his caring nature and his insight into her character. Yet, on the other hand, she couldn't help feeling angry that he seemed to dismiss what she had asked, while simultaneously having the audacity to be upset with her.

She took a deep breath to compose herself. It was crucial for her to assert her own boundaries and communicate her feelings honestly. Suppressing her feelings was no longer an option. Emotions bubbled up inside her, scratching her throat like a kitten wanting to get out of a locked room.

She knew she shouldn't say the next words. She knew she was being petty, but she still said it.

"Well, at least he cares enough to be with his girlfriend?"

Sam opened his mouth, and then immediately shut it. His lack of response made her feel guilty, yet she continued to look at him with threatening eyes before storming off.

As she reached her car, she calmed herself down. She needed to be rational. If Sam had left her like this, she would have cried.

Niti slammed her car door shut and groaned in frustration. She let her feelings overpower her again.

She took out her phone and typed a quick message for him.

'Will text you when I have sorted out my feelings.'

She contemplated adding another text and wrote, 'We need to talk seriously.'

The phone didn't ping with his reply, even after waiting for a few minutes.

FUCK.

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A/N

Hey guys, I just wanted to mention that the picture used in this chapter is made by me. Although, I am not happy with it and might redraw it later. That is supposed to be Niti but it didn't come up as I wished her to be. But hope you guys liked the extra-ness of it. Hehe.

Love,

Aeon