Karthik's  POV...

When I opened the door, the first question I asked myself was, "When did she come back ?" She gave me a stern look before making herself inside, pushing me aside. The nerve of this girl. I knew she did not like my presence, and whenever she sees me, she never misses to give me a threatening look like I stole her boyfriend. No chance...

I was only being patient with her because of Kayal. Because I knew, for Kayal, she's more than a best friend, like a family. But now, I wanted to irritate her a little for her attitude. " Where are you thinking, you are going?" I asked in a blank tone when she was going towards Kayal's room. She halted for a second but again started to walk like she heard nothing. 

" Oh, just now, I knew that you are a deaf person too." I mocked her. Abruptly, her steps halted and turned her body towards me. If one's look could kill a person, I would have died of her sharp knife look. " How dare you! I am not a deaf person, Mr. Karthik. If I did not answer means, I do not want to waste my time by talking with an idiot like you." I gave her a hard look, hearing her come back.

I heard a door opening sound, and Kayal came out of her room. " Kayal ......" screaming her name, she ran to Kayal and hugged as if she had never seen her for ages. " Abi.."  saying she too hugged back, regaining from her shock.  " Omg ... I missed you a lot, my baby. Come, we will go to your room, there is a lot we have to catch up. Already I wasted my time with useless things." Abi said the last part, scowling at me. Kayal looked at our faces doubtfully and her questioning look stopped at me finally.

I nodded my head here to there as I did not have any idea about what was going on. Without any delay, Abi dragged Kayal inside and I felt a little bit relaxed that I got a chance to irritate her to some extent.  And now I was anxiously waiting for the moment of revelation of Kayal's and mine relationship. Abi gonna faint with this newfound information. I smirked thinking about that scenario and left from there.

Kayal's POV...

I ran to my room when I heard the calling bell sound. Still, I get goosebumps while thinking about what happened just minutes ago and my body temperature increased.  Shrugging off my head I went to the washroom to wash my face. When I came back to the room I heard Karthik's voice, with that other familiar voice which I badly missed nowadays.

Quickly opening the door I came out to see, there was standing my bestie. Both Karthik and Abi turned towards my side hearing the sound. Looking at both of their expressions I could imagine what would have happened between these two. But before I could ask, Abi came to me running and hugged me tightly. First of all, I was shocked to see her. Because amid all this chaos I forgot to contact her.

Even for Abishek, I did not inform anything because Karthik forbid me to contact anyone unnecessarily and said to me that already he informed Abishek regarding my leave.

I only talked with Ruhi and Ryan, and that too only for a few seconds. Because he told me that it was not good for me to talk on the phone for a long.

Retreating from hug Abi dragged me inside my room saying that she had to talk with me without any disturbance. Doubtly I looked at Karthik but he acted like nothing happened but I was not fooled to believe him.

Going inside the room Abi locked the door and made herself comfortable in my bed. Suddenly her smiling cool face turned into a hard one. Heaving a huge sigh she asked me to sit near on the bed. Looking at her reaction I could say that something was wrong. Probably I knew it was related to me.

" So... Ms Kayal, how is your health now? Is everything okay? " She asked in a taunting manner. How did she get to know that? Idiot, her brother should have told her, my mind scolded me. Ohhhh...

" Abi ... that was not a big issue. I'm completely okay. First, do not talk to me in that horrible manner." I scolded her.

" Kayal, please do not act like this and try to change the topic.  Coming back from a business trip, I am straightly coming here from the airport even without visiting my own house.

Abishek told me that you were on leave for around three days also he informed me that you were admitted to the hospital. But he did not know the proper information.  When I tried your number I did not get any response too. Do you have any idea, how much I worried for you?

Not only now, but I'm also noting you from recently.  Suddenly you missed calling me. Later told me that you are busy with work. Why am I thinking that you are hiding something from me, more than this?" She asked with calculative stares. Pausing for a while she said " It's okay, it seems I was the only one who thought of you as my own family where still you keep distance like I'm a  stranger.  It was my mistake " saying she let out a sigh of sadness. She always use this as a weapon to open my closed mouth. Anyhow I could not hide things from her for a long time. So I decided to tell her everything. Except something.

" Okay, do not make that face Abi. I will tell  but promise me that you will listen without interrupting me with your stupid questions and not take any decisions before I conclude. " Her face changed and I knew she should have guessed what was coming. She nodded her head affirmatively, agreeing with me.

I sat turned towards her and I cleared my throat  Started to say everything that happened during her absence.

*

*

As I said she did not interrupt me with any questions. But in the end her expression was priceless and it was hard to understand what was running inside of her mind.

" Abi,say something. You are scaring me." I said worriedly.

" You are the one who scaring me Kayal. Not me. Lots of things have happened in my absence but you did not even try to tell me a single thing. Woow..." she clapped her hands.

" You showed me an actual place,where I'm standing in your life. Thank you for making me realise it," saying she started to leave the room  taking her handbag. " Abi ...Abi...please don't leave like this. I just did not want to disturb you every time with my problems. That's why I did not tell you anything. " I said holding her hands.

" But friends are for what Kayal? Not only in happiness, but they should also be with us through our hard times too. They are real friends. What would you feel if I hide something like this from you? " tears started to appear in the corner of her eyes.

I immediately hugged her and she too hugged me back.

" Please don't talk like that. You went on an important business trip.  I knew you would be here the next moment if I told you what happened. But I didn't want to disturb you. That's why I didn't tell. " I  told retreating from the hug. And wiped her tears while she wiped mine.

" You are not responsible for anything so do not cry. If I would have been here at that time, I would have killed that bastard. So now he is in jail,right? I hope he will get a lifetime punishment and wanted to regret his disgusting behaviour.

But the shocking news was about the person who rescued you. At least that idiot Karthik used his brain for one time. Now I accept that he is a human being." She said it intently while thinking about something.

" Promise me that hereafter you will not hide anything from me," she said forwarding her hand.  Holding her palm I said " I promise. " she smiled lightly and nodded her head.

*

*

Later I made tea for both of us and served her. Having tea she asked " So this so-called selfish family was not yours. On one side I am really happy,that old grumpy man was not your biological father. And that idiots are not your real siblings. "

I nodded my head but one thing making me worry was I told her everything,except the things that happened between Karthik and me. Still, I did not dare to take that topic. Because I was not sure, how would she take that matter.

" Kayal...Kayal.." Abi shrugged my shoulder to cut off my running thoughts. " What are you thinking so deeply?" She asked but I changed the subject.

" Ah...Abi, nothing. Just thinking about the past incidents. Okay, you got your answers nah? Now leave for your house. You must be tired. So take some rest without worrying about anything. " She too agreed after so much persuasion and left for her home.

*

*

" So... you did not tell anything to your dear friend, about us." That was the first statement left from Karthik's mouth, when I told him about the conversation with Abi. His voice indicated the distaste of my action.

I shook my head,here to there indicating no, playing with the food on my plate. When I looked at him through his eyes, he was staring at me and the heat of his intense stares made me nervous. I could understand that he did not like my answer. Slowly nodding his head he stood up from his chair before finishing his dinner.

" Karthik,where are going with your plate?"
I asked hesitantly.

" No, it's enough for me. I'm feeling soo content. " The mocking hostility in his words made me wince. I understood the other meaning of his unsaid words. Without waiting for my reply he went inside the kitchen. I too lost my appetite and I was looking at my plate like it was my favourite painting.

Shortly, I heard his footsteps approaching my side but I did not lift my downcasted eyes.  " Now finish your meal..." he said like he was threatening a child. But I did not budge. Leaving a frustrated sigh he told "If you did not want to get fed by me I am warning you to finish this meal within five minutes.  Because I will not feed you by my hand. Instead of that, I will make the use of my mouth." His words and tone were proving his promise. So I quickly finished the meal before he could prove his words.
When I came out from the Kitchen after washing my hands, he was nowhere's to see. But I saw the medicine on the dining table which was allocated to have at night time. Picking them I reached the living room and I saw he was talking with Kavya who seems very tired. When she saw me she bid Good night to Karthik and left to her room.

" Did you take the medicine?" He asked coming near to me. I showed them and drank before he could threaten me again.

" Okay, now do not go to bed early. Food has to be digested properly. So walk for a while or do whatever you like. I am gonna finish the rest of the office work. I will be in my room, if you need anything just call my name." Telling that he moved to his room.

I know he was acting odd because of my answer.  But at the same time, I do not know how to make him feel better. His this distanced behaviour worries me a lot. Because previous days he did not ready to leave my side and completed his work staying next to me.

*

*

I waited for him for a long but it seemed like he did not finish his work. Going to his room, I knocked it but the door moved back since his door was unlocked. Hearing the sound he lifted his head from his laptop and asked " Did you not sleep yet? "

" No," I said in a meek voice. He gestured to me  through his eyes to come inside. When I went inside,patting his lap he asked me to lean my head on his lap and asked to stretch my body on the sofa. Handling the laptop with one hand, he started to pat my head using the other hand.

" Karthik..."

"  Hmm?"

" Karthik......."

" Hmmm? Tell me" he asked without averting his gaze from the laptop screen.

" I am sorry. It was not my intention to hurt you. I will tell Abi,about ......"

"Shhhhhh...do not talk. Just sleep closing your eyes." Saying he gave me a quick forehead kiss and turned his face towards his laptop. And I did know when deep slumber consumed me....

     
                                    ~~~~~ 

Hi Lovelies ❤️

So this is for today and hope you will like it.

📍 Sorry for the late update friends✌️Probably from next week I intend to update two chapters per week due to my work pressure and some personal things. Hope you all will understand my situation and support me.

❇️ What are you think about today's chapter? What is running inside of Karthik's mind?

Press the star button ⭐ if you like the chapter and support this new writer.

Let me know your thoughts about the update.

Love you and Take care ☘️