3600 words.

Enjoy.

Kabir's POV

I rang her doorbell and few minutes later she opened the door.

'What are you doing here?' she asked.

'I want to apologize,' I said.

'It's too late now,' she said and was going to close the door but I put my hand in between.

'Please, let me come inside. Please,' I begged and she opened the door and let me in.

'There is no use of apologizing now,' she said while closing the door.

'Kavya, it was not my intention to make you feel dirty. I just said that about Sohum because you always used to say that you can't love anyone other than Sohum.'

'Tanisha told you everything, right?'

'I am sorry I couldn't control my anger. I am sorry I said without thinking. I am sorry for my tone. I am sorry that I didn't sit and have a conversation with you, instead I shouted at you. I am sorry for accussing you and making you feel dirty even though that was not mybintentions. I am sorry I asked you not to come to teach Raj. I am sorry that I threw you out of my life like the most unimportant person in the whole world, even though that is not true. You are one of the most important person of my life.

'Let's sit,' she said and we sat on the sofa.

'I have always asked you to control your anger but you never listened to me. I have no problem with you not reciprocating my feelings. It's okay if you don't love me. I just wanted you to calmly talk with me just like we are doing now.

'I am sorry.'

'No amount of sorry can make me feel better,' she said.

'Then, what do you want me to do?' I asked.

'What do you want?' she retorted back.

'I want us to be friends again.'

'I am so angry at you, Kabir. I never wanted to slap anyone in my entire life, but I just want to slap you and ask you, why didn't you listened to me calmly that day, but let bygones be bygones,' she said and took a deep breathe.

'Okay. So, you can be my friend but you will not be my close friend. You lost that position the day I was crying and begging you to calm down but you didnt listen,' she added.

'Kavya, I can't say anything other than 'I am sorry.,'

'We will be friends but not like how we used to.' she elaborated her previous statement.

'What do you mean?'

'Look, Aashika and others in the school, who are my colleagues are also my friends. I talk with them everyday but I am not close with them. If you want my friendship back, I can only give you that because I don't trust you anymore. I know that you can never be able to control your anger and hurt me again, but, we have spend beautiful times together, so I am not cutting off fully with you,' she said.

'I promise you, one day, I will learn to control my anger.'

'Promises are meant to be broken, Kabir. Anyways, now I am not even expecting you to control your anger,' she said.

'So, how will this work?' I changed the topic.

'My friends don't come to my house, we just talk casually or they contact me if they have any problem. Other than that I don't talk much with them. I treated you as my close friend, so I gave you too much rights but now you are just my friend.'

'Just your friend?' I asked.

'Yes.'

'So we can't eat together, or go out together or spend time in each other's houses?' I asked.

'No, Kabir. I can't be what we used to be. If you want what I am giving to you, you can take it or you can leave,' she said.

'No. I will take whatever you will give. I just want you back in my life.'

'But, don't accept us to go back to how we were,' she said.

'Okay. Atleast I can be by your side or talk to you. And, I am sorry that I asked you to not come to teach Raj. Selflessly, you did everything for him and in a second, I threw you out. I am so sorry. I don't know what got over me.'

'You were angry that I fell in love with you,' she said.

'It's not like that, Kavya. It's just that---

'I wanted to talk to you about that too,' she cut me off.

'Kabir, I have endured very much. I lost my husband, I live alone and, now also, I hear many things from the society, so I will not go crazy if you don't reciprocate my feelings. It's okay if you don't love me. I will survive even if you don't love me so don't think about that too much,' she said and I didn't knew what to say so I just nodded my head.

'Is Raj recovered fully?' she changed the topic.

'Yes. Today morning, I took him for final checkup. Doctor said that he is fully recovered.'

'Good. Now you can leave,' she said surprising ne.

If our friendship was same as before, she would have asked me to stay for dinner.

So, this is how it will work? Okay. Atleast she has not fully cut me off even though I deserve it.

God! From today, I will go and check on internet how to control my anger and start doing everything they say.

'About the security guards---

'You cannot change my mind about that, Kabir. You can leave,' she dismissed me and it hurt me but I deserve it.

'Bye then,' I said and got out of her house and she shut the door. She didn't even wait till I got inside the elevator.

*****

Kavya's POV

I closed the door and closed my eyes and leaned against the door.

Whenever I see him, I remember that day, but he apolozized.

He always apologize when he says something in anger but by that time damage is done but still I forgive him everytime and this time also I did that. But, now I don't want to be so close to him that he will have the power to hurt me again.

I will not be able to go back to what we were but I can be friends with him like I am with other people.

I will be his friend till he finds a woman whom he loves and for whom who will overcome his past demons. And, after that I will part ways with him, because, frankly, I love him and I am strong enough to put a distance between us, but I am not strong enough to see him with another woman.

Yes, I am angry at him. He hurt me but I love him and I will not be able to move on so easily.

*****

As I was going to sleep, Tanisha called me.

'Sorry, I broke the promise, but I told him because he should know how much he hurt you. Please, don't get angry at me,' she started rambling as soon as I picked up the call.

'Relax, Tanisha. I am not angry. It's good that you told him, now we have come to a conclusion but you should always think before breaking a promise.'

'I am sorry. Leave all that, tell me, what happened?' she asked and I told her everything.

'Wow! That's like my friend. Now, you will see how he will confess his love for you.'

'I had not done it so that he will confess his love for me. I did it for me. I don't want to get hurt anymore by allowing him too much into my life. He will get only that part of me which every one of my friend get. He doesn't love me so there's no point of confession.'

'We will see. Anyways, don't put me in your 'normal' group of friends. I am your 'special' friend, right?' she asked.

'If you keep breaking your promise like this, I dont think you will be my special friend anymore.'

'I am sorry, na. I will be always be your special friend,' she said making me laugh.

'Yes... yes... tell me, how are you? How is work going on?' I asked.

'I am fine and work is hectic, but we have to work for money, right?' she asked.

Talking with her makes me realize how much she has worked and works to be in a position she is today.

Sometimes, she works till ten p.m.

'Can you take few days of leave, and come here? You can stay in my house or your friend's house. Your will get refreshed due to change of place,' I said.

'I never stayed at Handsome's house, but I can stay at your house. Let's see, if I can get a leave, I will come,' she said.

'Okay. By the way, what about your friend whom you liked?' I asked.

'What about him? He is happy with his girlfriend,' she replied.

'Let's leave all that. Now that you said it, I am thinking of taking a leave of a week and coming there,' she changed the topic.

'Okay. Then let's make a plan to meet,' I said.

'Okay. Bye. Good night,' I said and cut the call and went to wash the utensils.

*****

'Tomorrow is Saturday,' Kabir said as soon as I picked up the call.

Today was Friday night. It had  been two days since we decided to be friends but this is the first day we are talking with each other after that day.

'Yes. And?'

'So you don't have school tomorrow. That's why, I was thinking of taking Raj to.the museum. Raj wanted you to come too,' he said.

'Sorry. I can't come. Tell Raj that I am sorry but I can't come.'

'So, this is how it will work, right?' he asked.

'I told you, this is how it is going to work,' I said.

'So, I can't even come to your house?' he asked.

'Only if there is something important,' I said firmly.

'You will not come anywhere with me?' he asked.

'No.'

'Okay. Bye then,' he said and cut the call.

Why is he doing this?

Why is he calling me and taking me back to the days we spent together?

Why is he taking me back to the days we were happy?

Anyways, I should not think about all this.

*****

'I came back from museum,' Kabir said as soon as I picked the call.

I spent whole day today deep cleaning the house as it became very dirty.

'And?

'I saw someone ordering Baingan ka bharta, and it reminded me of you,' he said.

'Oh.'

'We had your favourite chocolate pastry. Raj wanted to buy one for you too, but I don't know how will you react, so I asked him not to buy,' he told me.

'Good! Today, I was not in the mood to have it.'

'Okay. What you did today?' he asked.

'I cleaned the whole house thoroughly.'

'Are you safe there?' he asked.

'After what happened with me, our building's security guard, put lights all around our area, repaired the cameras and even told us that there will be an alternate guard when he is not available. I don't know where he got all that money to do everything. Maybe, someone from the society gave it to him after that incident.'

'You know, after that day, this is the most you have talked with me till now,' he said.

'I told you to assure you that I am safe. Anyways, Bye. I have some work to do,' I said and cut the call.

But, in a second, again the mobile rang and again, it was Kabir calling me.

'This is worst than not talking, Kavya. So, we will never be like we used to, right? We will never spend time together and enjoy together like we used to, right?' he asked.

'No.'

'We will only talk with each other, when we are in some problem and need help, right?' he asked.

'Why are you doing this to me, Kavya?' he asked before I could answer his previous question.

'You threw away what I gave you, Kabir. Now, I don't trust you. Now, you will not be that special person with whom I share my time and feelings. Now you are just like my other friends. I am always there for them but I don't spend much time with them and never open my heart to them,' I told him.

'What can I do to have those days back?' he asked.

'Nothing. If you are not happy with it, lets never talk with each other.'

'You are saying it as if I am the only one desperate for those days. You don't want to spend time with me like we used to do together?' he asked.

'No, because I am scared that, again something will happen and your anger will take over you and you will again hurt me like you did that day,' I replied.

'Okay. So I can't do anything to change your mind?' he asked.

'No. Either this or nothing.'

'So if I choose nothing and we never talk with each other, it will not bother you?' he asked.

'The day you threw me out of your life, I had already considered that we will never be able to see or talk with each other again and shed enough tears before making myself understand that it's okay if I never see or talk with each you,' I told him.

'You had only lost a close friend, but I am with you as a friend. That day, I lost my friend and the person I started to fall in love, in a second. Imagine, how hurt I was but I came out of it now. It doesn't hurt me that much now as I came in terms with it,' I continued.

After that day, I didn't wanted to utter the word 'love' in front of him but I wanted to tell him my feelings.

'You are not there as my friend, Kavya. You are a different person now, but, okay, something is better than nothing, right? It's just that it's just very hard for me to see this version of you.'

'You will get used to it, Kabir. I will cut the call now. I have some work to do,' I said and cut the call.

This will be hard.

*****

'Go home and copy all the notes I gave you, okay?' I told Raj as I was waiting for Suraj Bhaiya to come.

'Thank you so much, madam, but, I was missing you,' he said.

Today was his first day of school and he seemed very happy about coming to school and meeting his friends.

'Sorry, I was not well, but, I am fine now,' I lied.

'When will Suraj Bhaiya come? Only you are left,' I said.

'Today Bhai will come,' Raj said and I looked around.

I am the only teacher who is left. Kabir is always late, but I can understand that he has numerous hotels to handle.

While I was thinking all this, I saw Kabir walking towards me. Now whenever we are together, it feels awkward. We were so comfortable around each other.

'Hi,' he greeted me.

'Hello. We were so happy to see Raj today. Even principal sir called him to talk about his leg and he also looks happy to be back,' I told Kabir everything, as a teacher.

'Yes, bhai. I am happy to meet everybody. Bhai, have you had lunch?'

'No. I will have it later.'

He should eat properly on time otherwise, in the long run, his health will not support him.

'I searched some yoga to control my anger and today I did it. From now, everyday I will do it and I am searching different methods to control my anger. I hope it helps,' he said making me surprise.

Wow! He really wants to control his anger.

'Uh... I need your help,'  he said.

'What?'

'Can we talk about it over a lunch? As I have to leave early, I didn't even have my breakfast.'

He should not stay empty stomach for so long.

'Okay, but I have to go home early,' I told Kabir and called Neeraj Bhaiya and asked him not to come to school to pick me up.

*****

'So, what do you want to talk about?' I asked as I took a sip of my orange juice.

Me and Raj ordered orange juice as we already had lunch in school and Kabir ordered Biriyani for himself.

'You know, our fridge is not working, right?' he asked and I nodded my head.

'So, aunty suggested to buy a new fridge instead of repairing it,' he told me.

'So, I want you to help me buying it,' he continued.

'Why don't you take aunty?' I asked.

'She spents so little time at home, I dont want to bother her,' he said.

'Okay.'

'It's strange, we have nothing to talk to,' he said after some time.

'Hmm.'

I said and again we were silent.

*****

Kabir's POV

We were in the car, going to buy fridge.

I can't take this anymore but atleast she is in my car.

But, what should I do to break the silence between us?

She has put walls around her.

Even if I say anything, she just gives one word answers.

Going to selecting a fridge was just an excuse to be with her.

Yesterday, aunty got the fridge repaired and today if she sees new fridge, she will be so surprised.

Thankfully, Raj was in his room when the fridge was getting repaired otherwise he would have blabbered the whole truth in front of Kavya.

God, I have gone crazy. I am spending so much money just to be with her.

*****

'I will drop you,' I said as we came out of the showroom.

'No. I will call Neeraj Bhaiya and ask him to come here.'

'Okay. I will wait till he comes. By the way, you liked the fridge, right?' I asked.

'It's your fridge. It doesn't matter whether I like it or not,' she replied.

My fridge which I never wanted. My fridge, which I bought just to spend some time with her.

'Did you like the fridge?' I asked Raj.

'Yes, bhaiya. I loved it.'

'Wait! I will call Neraj Bhaiya,' she said and took out her mobile from the purse.

'Madam,' we heard a voice and looked at a girl, maybe, around Raj's age.

'Sakshi, why have you not come to school on Friday, and today also you were absent?'

'Kavya?' we heard another voice and looked at the man who was holding her hand.

Kavya's POV

'Tarun?' I was surprised to see him here.

'Madam, my mom had a small accident and dad has also gone out of India for office work. So, I could not come to school on Friday but now, uncle has come so he will pick me up and drop me,' Sakshi told me before I could talk with Tarun.

'What has happened to your mom?' I asked.

'She had a miscarriage so doctor asked her to take rest for few weeks,' Tarun told me.

'Oh my god! I am sorry to hear that.'

'It's okay. It's god's wish. Anyways, yesterday, when Sakshi told me her English teacher's name is Kavya Madam, your face came in front of me but I didn't say anything to my sister or Sakshi, in case I am wrong but, really, it is you,' he was so surprised to see me.

'Sakshi, we used to attend same class in college but didn't knew each other till, in the last year, we were asked to do a project together before final exams,' he told his niece.

'Yes, those good days. I was also surprised to see you as you have changed a lot,' I said.

He seems more mature and serious now and he had also cut his hair. In college, he had hairs till his shoulders as he was a group of a boy band, but, now, he cut it short.

'I am not that handsome boy anymore, right?' he asked making me laugh.

'You are still handsome,' I said and Kabir coughed to get the attention.

'We will leave then,' Kabir said.

'Okay, I will also leave. Take care of your mom,' I said to Sakshi.

'Yes, madam.'

'Hey! Will you come to have ice-cream with us as we used to have after our project?' Tarun asked.

'Sakshi, do you want ice-cream?' he asked her before I could say anything.

'Yes, uncle. But let's not tell mom, otherwise she will scold me,' she said making us laugh.

'We will hide it from her,' he told her and looked at me.

'Kesar pista is your first favourite, and chocolate is your second favourite, right?' he asked me.

'You still remember?' I asked.

'Of course. So, you will have ice-cream with us, right?' Don't say 'no' otherwise Sakshi will be upset,' he said making me laugh.

'Okay,' I said and both of them did a hi-fi.

'Sakshi, let's go and have ice-cream with your teacher and my project partner,' Tarun said and Sakshi almost started jumping happily.

I looked at Kabir to see him staring at me.

'Uh... enjoy your favourite ice-cream,' Kabir said and left the place.

*****

I hope you liked the chapter.

After this chapter, what do you think of Kabir?

What do you think of Kavya?

Do you like this Kavya?

What do you think of our princess, Tanisha?

Did you enjoy their journey in this chapter?

Did you like Tarun? I love Tarun😄😄

Please COMMENT and VOTE if you liked the chapter.

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