12 December, 12:00 a.m.

Abhishek breathed in sharply as he pressed the call button on his screen. It had been days since he had actually talked to Alisha, and it felt like someone was repeatedly stabbing him with a dagger.

One, two, the phone kept on ringing as Abhishek's heartbeats quickened.

Pick up the phone, Alisha.

"Hello?" Alisha's voice came through and he instantly felt at peace.

"Alisha," he breathed out, chanting her name like a prayer.

"Abhishek," she cleared her throat, trying to gulp down the emotions stuck in her throat.

"Are you mad at me?" He didn't waste time beating around the bush. She shut her eyes, scrunching up her nose.

"No,"

"Then why are you ignoring me?"

"I'm not!" She came off defensive, shutting him down instantly. "I've just been...busy,"

"Liar,"

"I'm not a liar!"

"Just tell me why you're upset."

"Uh," Alisha struggled to form a sentence, trying to think of something. "Uh, I was a little jealous about you getting married. I mean when will I get married?" She hastily said, cooking up a delicious lie.

"I see, I'm not getting married though,"

"What?" Alisha straightened up, listening to him intently.

"I mean, they haven't found anyone for me yet. And the girl, I think...she doesn't like me, like yeah...I know,"

"So you're not getting married?"

"Literally what I said two seconds ago,"

"Okay,"

"Okay,"