"Left?" I asked incredulously, "What do you mean he left?"

"We walked in on you with whatever his name is," Yug said dismissively and started walking away.

The world spun around me and I tried to steady myself against the wall. Angad saw me with 'whatever his name is'? Did he mean Parth?

"What are you talking about?" I cried somewhat angrily following him.

"He saw you with someone, who I am assuming is an ex-boyfriend, and he lashed out. Things got ugly and he left. We do not know where he is," Siddharth answered quietly. 

"What are you talking about?" I demanded. 

"You should keep your voice down. People are sleeping. It is past three in the morning," Siddharth advised. 

"I need answers first." 

Yug clasped my hand and led me to his room Siddharth gave us one last look before leaving for his own room. 

Once inside I collapsed on his bed. Yug sat himself on the dresser chair gingerly. His room was immaculately clean. Even his bed was made, I noted distractedly. 

"What happened Yug? Please tell me." I begged when he remained silent. 

"Meera you tell me what happened today. I am trying to make sense of the information I got from Angad and what I saw and what might actually be the truth." 

I took a deep breath. My eyelids weighed heavy, my head was pounding and my feet were killing me. All my body was begging for was some sleep. I couldn't. Not before I cleared whatever misunderstanding had taken place here. 

So I started from the beginning. 

I related how I had bumped into Neel and he had tried to hit on me. I gave Yug only the most essential details about our encounter so as not to hurt him. He listened and tried to conceal his own feelings but failed. 

"I guess it's better I know now," he said in a shaky voice. 

"Yes," I nodded and placed my hand atop his to comfort him.

"What happened after that?" 

I told him how Angad had come in and punched Neel and we left him drenched and in pain. Yug smiled a little at that. 

"Then I took your advice and told Angad how I felt."

Yug grinned triumphantly despite himself. Only I couldn't return his smile knowing what I knew now. 

"It wasn't a good idea," I said and told him how Vahni had seen us and I had to chase after her to explain myself. 

"Wait," he stopped me, "You left the party to chase after Vahni?" 

"Obviously!" I said, "I feel like a terrible friend here. I mean I reassured Vahni so many times that nothing was going on between Angad and me. I just made sense of my own feelings, how was I supposed to talk about it to Vahni before I had even confessed?" 

"No, no," he interrupted my rambling, "I get that part but I am sure she will come around. The problem here is that Angad thought you left with that boy. That was why he was so upset when he asked me to get back to the hotel." 

"What!?" I exclaimed. 

Angad thought I had left that club to go after Parth? Why in the world would I do that? I thought back to the scene after our kiss. His back was turned to Vahni so he maybe he hadn't seen her. Did I tell him who I was running after? 

Oh no. I had asked him to wait there till I came after him. Which I never did. 

"Why would he assume that?" I wondered out loud. 

"No idea," Yug said leaning forward, "So you came back here and then what?"

"Then Vahni refused to hear me out and slammed the door in my face. And then my piece of shit ex made an appearance." 

I related my end of the conversation that had taken place in the lobby. 

"Was that when you walked in on us?" I asked. 

"Unfortunately, we walked in on the worst possible minute. Angad saw you embracing him and turned around and left. I wanted to get your attention but you seemed... busy. So I just followed him out."

"Oh god," I buried my head in my hands. 

"Then things got even worse. We ended up at the bar nearby and Sid was there too. I called him over to join us. I figured that three heartbroken people are better than two. Big mistake. I went to the washroom and by the time I came back Angad and Siddharth were at each other's throats." 

My jaw dropped open. 

"It took three people to separate them. Angad took most of the damage. Sid refuses to tell me why they fought." 

"Why!?" 

"Again, I do not know." Yug shrugged and looked away.

He tried looking unbothered but I could tell he was really upset. First the thing with Neel and then a fight between his best friends. 

"I can't believe this is happening. I never should have told Angad I liked him." 

"You think that was the problem?" he asked. 

"That certainly seems to be the first domino that led to the chaos." 

"Meera, you confessing your feelings was the sanest part of this crazy evening," he assured me. 

I bit my lip and tried to stop my foot from bouncing up and down. 

"We should go and look for him." 

"I am sure he is fine. He needs time to cool off. We should get some sleep now. You can explain yourself tomorrow morning." Yug said and then yawned.

"Are you sure?" 

"I've known the man since we were kids. Trust me when I say he just needs some time."

Which was true. Yug had known Angad way longer than I had. I should take his word for it. He obviously knew better. 

Yet I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling as I slipped into the shirt Yug lent me for the night and got under the covers. I didn't think I would be able to rest easy till I talked to him and explained myself. 

This time couldn't go like all the other times. This time had to go right. 

***

I woke up before Yug the next morning and brushed my teeth using a spare toothbrush and knocked on Angad's door the first thing. 

Unsurprisingly, he didn't open it. 

Next, I went to the room Vahni and I were sharing. I knocked for a few seconds and she didn't open either. But that was probably because she was sleeping. Vahni was a heavy sleeper as I had come to notice in the few days we had spent sharing a room. 

Then I went to Siddharth's door and knocked. I am sure it must have looked very weird to anybody watching me knock on every door on this floor dressed in oversized pyjamas.

Siddharth did open his door. 

His eyes were half-closed and he had pulled on a rumpled shirt hastily not bothering to button it. He stood there rubbing his hair and squinting at me. 

"Hi, I am sorry I woke you up," I apologized.

"No," he said gruffly, "It's fine." 

"Can we talk?" 

He seemed to deliberate for a minute before finally beckoning me inside. I followed him gratefully. His room, unlike Yug's, was messy. 

He picked up a stray piece of clothing from the armchair and gestured for me to sit.

"I am sure you know what this is about," I said. 

"I have one idea," he said distractedly, not meeting my eye. 

"Parth ambushed me." I blurted out, "I don't know how he found out we were here but he did and he came in to try and win me back or whatever." 

I sighed waiting for him to react or say something. He didn't so I went on.

"Obviously, I said no. I don't think you know yet but he dumped me on the day of our last board exam. It was humiliating and I cried for weeks. Maurya was a fresh new start for me and I promised myself that I wouldn't fall for anybody because relationships are just emotional trauma and I didn't want that. I hadn't anticipated that all of this would happen."

I gestured around vaguely.

"Whatever happened yesterday was a huge misunderstanding," I added.

"I don't know why you are telling me this," Siddharth spoke finally. 

"Because I need my friend Siddharth in my corner," I implored. 

Siddharth met my eye and something steely flashed in his own.

"What do you want me to do?" he asked.

"You could start by telling me what happened yesterday between you and Angad," I said.

"Why are you asking me this?" he countered, "You could talk to him." 

"I could and I intend to but he isn't answering my calls or texts or knocks on his door. I also need to hear your side." 

"What if I don't want to talk about it?" he obstinately. 

It was like the first time we had met all over again. The same unfamiliarity and hostility. Months of friendship that apparently didn't mean too much to him. 

I swallowed back the tears that threatened to spill and nodded. 

"That is understandable. I am sorry I bothered you." I said and stood up. 

For a second it felt like he would stop me and say something. But he looked away and I walked out of his room. 

I stopped in the hallway to collect myself and Vahni opened the door just then. She looked at me and stilled. 

"Vahni..." I said. 

"I am going out for a bit," she informed curtly and left. 

I sighed and walked into our room, took a much needed shower and changed into the comfiest piece of clothing I had brought along which was a cotton dress. 

The landline in the room rang breaking me out of my reverie. I answered it and a voice enquired if they were speaking to Ms Sehgal. I confirmed that they were. 

"You have a guest downstairs," they informed me. 

"Who is it?" I asked puzzled. 

"She didn't give her name but she is waiting in the lobby for you right now," they said. 

My first thought was Parth but I didn't think he would come back so quickly after our conversation yesterday. Besides, they had said 'she' so it was a woman.

I walked downstairs trying to think of who it could be. 

"Hi," I said walking up to the reception, "I got a call saying I have a guest?"

"Meera," an unfamiliar voice called out, "You are Meera right?" 

I turned around and came face to face with Sonali of all people. 

Yes, the same Sonali who Parth, my ex-boyfriend, was now dating. Although, he had tried to win me back yesterday so were they dating? More importantly, what was she doing here?

"Yes," I confirmed. 

"I am Sonali."

"I know who you are," I told her. 

I had nothing against Sonali but I didn't have the time or patience to deal with whatever this was about. 

"I just came here to know if you are still in love with Parth," she said getting right to the point. 

My eyebrows shot up.

"No!" I answered instantaneously. 

"Then why are you still after him?" 

"Me?" I asked incredulously. 

"That is why you are in Goa right? You followed us here," she said haughtily. 

 "Sonali I have no interest in your boyfriend." I managed to sputter out. 

"Are you sure about that?" 

I exhaled deeply and noticed the receptionist hanging on to every word in the conversation. He didn't have much work to do so I guess this was his afternoon entertainment.

"Sonali, walk with me," I said and headed out of the doors. 

Sonali followed close at my heels and we walked on a quiet path outside the hotel. 

"Okay, let me make one thing clear. I am not about to let us fight each other over a manipulative man-child." I said and Sonali opened her mouth to protest but I cut her off.

"Listen to me. I have been over Parth for months now probably. You have nothing to worry about if you still want him, that is. In fact, nothing would delight me more than the prospect of never seeing his face again."

Now she seemed stumped.

"I did not follow you to Goa. I have been here with my friends for almost four days now. We will be leaving the day after tomorrow. If anything I think Parth came to Goa with the objective of seeing me. I am not flattering myself. He did actually come here yesterday."

"Are you lying right now?" she asked me suspiciously.

"Would I make this up?" I asked her, "Listen, Sonali, I am in love with another person now. You met him when we came to your college? Angad? Parth is so out of my headspace right now that you can't even imagine. I do not want your man."

"What did he say? When he was here?" she asked. 

"I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news but he said he wanted me back. I didn't think he was still dating you but I am not surprised. He has done this in the past."

Sonali stopped in her tracks. She looked at me with wide eyes that were beginning to pool with tears.

"I know how you feel because I have been at this exact spot. He did this to me when he started seeing you. I am guessing he told you we were broken up? We weren't. He finally dumped me after the board exams."

"Oh my God," Sonali whispered. 

"I am sorry," I said and patted her shoulder lightly. 

It was sort of awkward trying to console someone who was accusing you of boyfriend stealing a few minutes ago. 

"I should have known," she said tearfully, "Surprise trip, my foot. It was all to come and see you." 

"If it gives you any joy I almost broke his nose yesterday when he tried to touch me." 

Sonali just sobbed again. 

"There, there," I said and led her back to our hotel. 

I gave her tissues and sat her down on one of the lobby sofas. 

I didn't know the girl and yes, I had spent a good month being jealous of her but that didn't stop me from being outraged on her behalf. 

I didn't think Parth could stoop any lower but he did it. 

"Sonali, we don't know each other but I know you deserve so much better than that POS. Dump his ass. You are pretty and nice and smart. You can do so much better than him." 

Sonali nodded and composed herself somewhat. 

"I am sorry," she said finally.

"It's all good," I brushed it off.

"No, I am sorry he did the same thing to you. I know now how much it hurts. I swear I had no idea and I came in here accusing you of..."

She dissolved into sobs again. I looked around helplessly. 

"It's okay," I said helplessly as she wiped her tears furiously.

It took a few minutes but she had composed herself again. She stood up and I walked her to the gates.

"Thank you for being so nice and understanding." 

I smiled at her.

"Of course. Now go dump him brutally. Live your best life." I cheered her. 

She managed a weak smile and hugged me. I was taken by surprise at the hug but hugged her back. When she was out of the door I sighed and headed back inside. 

I was about to go upstairs when I noticed Yug standing at the reception talking to the nosey receptionist. His brow was furrowed and he seemed upset. I walked up to them.

"Hey, what's wrong?" 

Yug turned to me and paused. Then he picked up a key card lying in front of him and turned away from the reception desk. 

"I was here to check if Angad had been in last night since he wasn't in his room and he isn't taking my calls," Yug said, "The man says he checked out."

"What do you mean he checked out?" I asked.

"He left early in the morning and asked his room key card to be delivered to me with the message that he was leaving. The man says he had his luggage with him."

"What does that mean, Yug? Our flights aren't till Thursday." 

"I know that. Maybe he checked into another hotel but that seems unlikely." 

"So you think he left Goa? Like he went to Delhi?" I asked incredulously.

"I don't know Meera. It seems to be that way. I am going to talk to Kirti Aunty to check." he said taking his phone out. 

I just sank down on the nearest sofa and buried my head in my hands. Worst case scenario.

Worst.