His word were still stuck in my mind as I stood frozen in my place, trying to process through whatever I just heard.  Rayhan Roy, the guy who knew how to annoy the shit out of me in seconds liked me? I must be hallucinating or something. As I was about to shake off the thoughts that could possess me forever, I felt someone tugging at the ends of my top.

I looked down at Arush who was watching me with curious eyes. He motioned me to move down till his height so I did, now that we were almost equal he leaned forward and whispered in my ear.

"Why are we hiding?" He questioned and irrespective of this fucked up situation, I found myself smiling.

Good thing that Arush didn't shout out that question otherwise I would've been caught eavesdropping.

"We're not hiding, I was waiting for you,let's go." I took ahold of his hand and we made ourselves appear in the living room.

After cleaning up whatever mess was left behind, we decided to prank someone. Before any of us could decide who was going to be the victim of it I gave out an evil grin.

"Krish Manchanda it is." I announced and Shanaya winked at me while Nishant and Rayhan gave me weird looks.

"We ain't pranking him, I don't like that guy." Rayhan spoke and now it was my turn to shoot him a look.

"He's my friend, your opinion about him doesn't matter to me Rayhan and on top of that, do you have any other person in mind whom you'd like to prank?" I smirked at the end, knowing that I already won this argument.

Rayhan looked displeased with my response while Nishant just shrugged with the whole idea. A random thought popped up in my head as I observed Rayhan's frown. When we ran into Krish that day in grocery store, I had my suspicions about Rayhan being jealous but I could never come to a conclusion as to why, but now that I think of his confession to my best friends, it made sense why Rayhan wasn't a big fan of Krish.

My best friend's voice made my thoughts come to a halt as she asked, "So, what's the plan?" curiosity laced her tone.

I grinned at her as I went on and explained the idea to them, it was very childish and stupid at the same time, there was no fun fact in it but at the end, it was a good time pass when all of us had nothing else to do.

"Nishant, pass me your phone." I demandingly kept my hand forward.

He passed me a warning look before setting it in my palm and I gave it to Shanaya after dialing Krish's number.

"There you go girl, c'mon just talk normally and spare the giggles." I warned her and she nodded before putting the phone on loudspeaker.

Rayhan and I were on same couch while Nishant and Arush shared one and Shanaya occupied the single couch. I had been keeping my thoughts of Rayhan's word at the back of my mind ever since I entered the room with a smile on my face but I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed about whatever he said.

I felt a hand on mine and I looked up at Rayhan who was frowning at me as he held my hand. My eyes darted towards it and I saw as he was stopping me from fidgeting my fingers. Well, nervousness isn't one of my best feelings to tolerate.

Rayhan scooted closer and the ringing went on as Shanaya dialled Krish's number. I felt hot breath tickling at my neck and I gulped, sensing Rayhan's close proximity.

"Are you okay?" He whispered in my ear and I turned my face a bit to look at him.

Actually, I am not okay. Yesterday I had an horrible experience and today I found out that the guy whom I was starting to consider a close friend of mine has feelings for me. I want to stay away from you, but I cannot because you make me feel better about myself when all I do is self-loathing. But I cannot even tell you this because I am afraid I'll lose another person from my life.

I wanted to tell him all of this,be honest with him like I'd always been but I just put a small smile on my face and nodded my head, "Yes, I'm fine."

I was thankful to God when I heard Krish's voice on the other end of the phone. Shanaya gave me a nervous glance but I plastered a grin across my face to cheer her up.

"Hey, is that Krish Manchanda?" She asked, trying to fake a seductive tone.

I almost laughed at that but Rayhan covered my mouth with his hand and that was the cue to another awkward moment for me. Rather than creating a mess, I just simply shook his hand off and tried to concentrate on the phone call.

"Yes, it is. May I know who's on the line?" Krish asked, his voice charming as ever.

"Oh thank god, I finally got the correct number, it's Ayesha this side." Shanaya spoke, her eyes closed as she tried to keep a straight face.

"Um, who are you?" He questioned.

Shanaya looked at me but I just motioned from my hands for her to go on.

"Of course baby, you don't know me. But don't worry, I know you very well. You're Krish Manchanda, B.Tech Student, IP University, the bad boy who attends a lot of parties."

I wanted to laugh out at Shanaya's fake seductive tone but I kept my lips sealed.

"Are you some kind of stalker or something?" He gave out a nervous chuckle and I looked at Rayhan who looked bored to death.

I nudged my elbow with his and he shot me a look. I pouted at him like a baby and he gave out a smile as he poked my cheeks, which successfully made me beam at him.

"Well, not really a stalker, just an admirer. I saw you at Arjun's party where you were busy trying to impress a silly girl who left the party in between. You looked really hot though." Shanaya went on and I cringed, silly girl? She did not just say that.

"Look, whoever you are, what do you want?"

"Oh darling, I want to marry you, have children and live happily ever after." She litetally cried out loud and I laughed when I heard Krish breaking into coughs on the other side.

"Marriage? Children? Are you fucking kidding me? You better not call me next time or I'll block the number."

"Oh no no, don't hang up. Just listen to me."

"You have two minutes."

"Okay, so whatever tell me why were you interested in that girl in the party?" Shanaya asked and I shot her a look, where was she going on with this? This was not the part of the plan. She was supposed to act like a creepy lover who wanted sex and nothing else. Why was I becoming a victim of my own plan?

"Since you're a stranger I'll give you honest answer, she was attractive and well, she had nice curves and looked incredibly hot." Krish spoke those words with confidence and I found myself dumbfounded.

Nice curves?

"He did not just fucking say that out loud, for fuck's sake." I heard Rayhan speaking through gritted teeth as I saw him boiling up.

"So, is that all? Just a way to get laid at party?" Shanaya went on and I got up from my seat, trying to grab the phone from her and hang up but she shot me look as she snatched it away.

"Yes, earlier it was that, but looks like she wasn't the easy one. Anyway, is Arjun's party the only way you know me? If you're interested and all, we can hang out sometime."

"Sure dick, will let you know." Shanaya hung up on him and my eyes were still wide open as I tried to process through Krish's words.

"What did you do?" I almost screamed at her but kept my tone down as I realized Arush's presence.

Though he was busy concentrating on the cartoon that was playing on television, I didn't want him to get alert with anything.

"Now that you lost two fake people from your life already, I was helping you get rid of other fake ones." She crossed her arms in front of her before passing Nishant's phone to him.

"How did you even know he's fake?" I asked, trying to get a control on my emotions. I was supposed to be getting on with my life, not experience another betrayal feeling.

"Aarav and Krish live in the same area, near Arjun's place. That's why both of them were at the party that night and when you went to dance with Krish, Aarav told me to warn you against him. Varnika tried that the other night but you're just too naive to look through anyone's sweetness. I needed to prove you that he's also the bad guy before you initiated anything further with him, because let's be honest, we know you grow attached easily. Today when I got the chance, I did it, it may hurt now but it's better for your future."

Shanaya finished talking and I just gaped at her, trying to process through her words and making myself understand the depth of the situation. Perhaps, she was right.

It's true that I found Krish charming and considered him an incredibly good friend but there was no attachment or feelings associated, which is why his words rather than bringing hurt made me feel angry at him.

Why did boys think of girls as a toy? With Karan's actions a day before and Krish's confession to a stranger who was actually my best friend, I was starting to doubt if there existed any guy out there who literally respected a girl's feelings and emotions or did everyone just thought they were meant to be played with?

"Tanvi." Rayhan took a step forward but I shooted my hand up in a gesture for him to stop.

"Nish, will you please take Arush to the park?" I requested the only guy I trusted.

He gave me a worried look as he stepped forward and embraced me in a hug. "Don't lash out, be calm. I'll take care of Arush." He pressed a kiss to my forehead before leaving with Arush.

When I heard the front door shutting I slumped down on the couch as I held my head in my hands. Shanaya came by my side and wrapped her arms around me as she rubbed her hands up and down on my back, soothing me down.

"You shouldn't have done that Shanaya, at least not today. She had enough of this shit yesterday." Rayhan told her who shooted him a look.

"It's better to process everything at once and get over it Rayhan, how many times can she manage to experience this? It's better if she just knows all of it at once and gets over it." She gave out a reasonable argument.

Are they just going to pretend that I'm not sitting here?

"I agree with you on that, but do not give her so much to bear that she falls apart in such a way that it's hard for her to pick herself up again." Rayhan's voice was calm but my rage got the best of me as I snapped at him.

"I'm not fragile Rayhan, I'm stronger than you think and will you both stop pretending like I am not here! And, do you also have some trick up your sleeve that you've been hiding away from me and I need to be aware of it, something to break me apart further?" I shouted, my anger getting the best of me as I accused Rayhan of hiding something from me as well. I observed as his expressions changed in a split second.

"Really? Are you strong, Tanvi Kapoor? If you really are as strong as you pretend to be, then enlighten me as to why the fuck you cry yourself to sleep and don't even care to tell your best friends about that because you're too afraid to be judged? Why do you keep reading those shitty romantic novels in hopes of finding comfort in those character's love when your own first love betrayed you? Why the fuck do you smoke or drink until you're not into your senses and your feelings are numb? You call yourself strong, but really, I think you're a coward who uses all the measures to find an escape through reality and hide away your emotions. If you were strong, you'd confront your feelings long ago and move on from people who don't give two fucks about you."

Has anyone ever felt that moment when you find yourself totally dumstruck? This was one of that moments for me, this guy who knew me properly from one day had my life figured out and laid it open in front of me, showing me the reality of life and I found myself tongue-tied, finding no words to speak.

"Rayhan, I-" He cut me off as he raised his hand for me stop.

"You accused me of hiding something from you, yes it fucking hurts because all I've been trying to do is be there for you yet you say such things to me. So you know what I'm gonna do Tanvi? I'll leave you to rot in hell by yourself rather than try to lend you a hand for help." He yelled out.

Rayhan had always seemed like a calm one to me, the happy go lucky guy who never felt anger but today as I witnessed this, I was taken aback but at the same time I was mad at myself for speaking things I didn't mean.

As Rayhan collected his phone and wallet and left my house, shutting the front door forcefully behind him, all I did was stand there and saw him leave.

"You shouldn't have said that." Shanaya spoke, her voice soft but I knew she was disappointed as well.

I sighed as I literally slammed my head against my hand, trying to get my mind in place. I heard the front door unlocking and I sighed, Rayhan's anger must've subsided and he would've come to talk calmly.

My hopes were crushed as I saw Nishant entering the leaving room with a worried look. He was immediately by my side as he held me in his arms.

"What happened? Why was Rayhan so mad?" He questioned, looking between Shanaya and I.

She took it upon herself to explain the situation to her and Nishant sighed as he looked at me.

Great. He was disappointed as well.

I hate this fucking life.

"I'm sorry guys, I was just mad at Krish and lashed out on Rayhan." I rubbed my temples and they both gave me a look of sympathy. Yes, that's what you get when you're the wrong one.

"You should apologise to him." Nishant said and I nodded, agreeing.

I grabbed my phone as I dialled Rayhan's number who continuously rejected my calls. I was already burning with anger and him switching his phone off after ten minutes didn't help either.

"He must've gone home since Arush was with him. I think I'm gonna go there and talk to him." I announced and my best friends gave me weird looks.

"Give him some space." Shanaya said and I huffed.

"There's no term as 'space' when it comes to us."

Nishant smirked at that and I shot him a look, picking up a cushion and throwing it at him.

"I didn't even say a word." He chuckled and I gave out a small smile.

"Whatever."

As I was done talking with my friends, I made my way to my room and after quickly combing through my hair, I pulled them in a ponytail. Stepping into my sneakers and not bothering to change, I collected my phone, stuffed some cash into my pockets and taking the car keys, I was ready to leave.

When I entered the living room again, I saw Nishant and Shanaya who looked ready to leave as well and I frowned.

"You guys can stay, Vaibhav will come back late at night." I informed them.

"It's okay, we'll leave. Shanaya has to go out with her family and I'll just head home and talk to Zara for sometime. Just let us know when you sort things out with Rayhan." Nishant smiled at me and I nodded.

After locking my house, I carried the keys with me since Vaibhav had his pair with himself. Shanaya left and after that giving a hug to Nishant I got in the car as well.

The drive to Rayhan's place was for only twenty minutes and during that time, I tried to get some peace with myself. I don't know what I was going to say to him, but I needed to apologise for lashing out on him like that.

I would be lying to myself if I say that the day didn't take a mysterious turn,all was good until I tried to play that prank and then all of the happiness I gathered during the day went to hell. First, I got to know that Krish wanted to use me for something I could never imagine of even in a nightmare and then Rayhan one by one picked each of my weaknesses and harshly threw it at my face.

A huge part of me wanted to be mad at him for calling me a coward and throwing my weaknesses at my face like that, but I knew he didn't mean to hurt me intentionally. After all that he had done for me yesterday, I knew that initiating a fight with him and being mad at each other for god knows how long wasn't an option for us. Plus, whatever Rayhan said was all true. He didn't take much time to figure me out and I was surprised beyond words as to how he was able to do that.

As I reached Rayhan's place, I parked my car near his house and keeping my demeanor cool, I went on to ring the door bell. When I'd decided to show up at his doorstep I was expecting him to open up the door but my coolness vanished away as soon as I saw a lady, probably his mother opening the door.

She stood tall as her black hair went down her shoulders, her face was flawless and she gave me a warm smile I noticed a single dimple on her cheek, much like Rayhan's.

She looked at me, waiting for me to speak something but I just stood there trying to think of what to say.

"Mom, who's there?" I heard Rayhan's voice and before I could even think of running away, he appeared at the door himself.

"I would know if this pretty girl would like to introduce herself." His mother said, trying to lighten the tension as she along with me saw her son's eyes going wide.

"I'm Tanvi, Rayhan's friend." I finally spoke, looking in her eyes.

"Tanvi, as in the one at whose place my son spent the entire night?" She questioned, frowning.

Her tone wasn't accusing, she just looked surprised with me showing up at their house like that. Well,no kidding but I was surprised at myself.

"Um, yes." I answered and she nodded before smiling widely at me.

"Come on in, why are you still standing here?" She took ahold of my hand as she made me cross the door and enter the living room with her,not even paying attention to her son.

"Mom, you have chit chat with your new guest, I'm leaving." Rayhan announced and I scowled.

He's really mad at me.

"No,how about I go to the grocery store with Arush and you treat your friend well?" She shot him a demanding look and he sighed.

"Fine."

Rayhan came and sat on the couch as he motioned for me to do the same. I hesitantly took a seat and observed my surroundings. His living room was attached to an open kitchen as the couches surrounded the room with a table in between and an LED on the wall was there.

There were stairs at the corner,leading to a hallway that was visible from living room, where I presumed were the bedrooms. I heard Arush's voice coming from upstairs and as soon as he saw me on the couch he came running down.

"Hey again." He gave me a hug and I giggled.

"Hello baby." I kissed his cheeks and he blushed.

I looked at Rayhan who was narrowing his eyes at me. Was it a crime to kiss cute kids?

"C'mon Arush, let's go." Rayhan's mother came in view. She took ahold of Arush's hand and after bidding me a goodbye, they left.

I turned towards Rayhan and got up to sit next to him which turned out to be a bad move since he shifted to another couch.

"Ray." I called out his name softly.

"Don't use that name to melt me Tanvi, it's not gonna happen." He said, his jaw clenched.

"Ray, I'm sorry, okay? I was just mad at Krish and accused you of something I didn't mean to. I am really sorry about that, can we please just not fight?" I asked, sighing as I looked him in the eye.

"I need some time and space." He spoke and I literally chuckled at that, raising an eyebrow.

"Last time I checked, those terms existed in books and didn't apply in real life." I grinned at him which made a smile appear on his face.

"Do you trust me Tanvi?" He questioned and I was taken aback.

I wasn't expecting him to ask me such a question and I didn't know the answer to that. I knew Rayhan because we always met each other in strange situations, but despite that he had managed to lighten me  up, always making me comfortable around him.

So, did I trust him?

"Yes, I trust you."

He sighed as he came and sat beside me himself, taking my hand in his and I gulped, the way he laced our fingers together holding it in place felt different but good.

"Will you trust me if I say that I would never hurt you intentionally and will keep you safe from any kind of emotional and physical pain I can?" He looked into my eyes and I nodded.

"Yes, I trust you on that."

He just gave out a small smile and traced my knuckles with his free hand. "I'm sorry for whatever I said to you back then, I was mad but I shouldn't have pointed out all those things like that." He apologized, sounding sincere.

"It's okay."

We just sat in silence after that, trying to put together our thoughts as I tried to figure out where this was leading us, or most of all, where I was leading Rayhan with this. He had feelings for me, but I wasn't sure if I would ever be able to reciprocate them for him.

I didn't want him to have any idea like that, because if he did, he would have expectations from me and I never lived upto them. Plus, a part of me would always look at him a guy who's younger than me,hence making me incapable of developing feelings for Rayhan Roy.

My thoughts were a mess, why was I even thinking about all this? It didn't matter. Rayhan liked me, but he made it clear it didn't matter to him if I felt the same way or not,in that case I had him as the closest person to me in form of a friend.

To clear out my head, I popped up a random question to him, "Is your Dad a businessman?"

Rayhan's grip on my hand went stiff and I saw as he averted his eyes away from me.

"He's no more." He almost whispered and I swear I heard myself gasp.

I found myself speechless because I never found myself in such a situation where I didn't know what to speak.

"I shouldn't have questioned it like that, I'm sorry." I heard myself say and Rayhan looked into my eyes again.

"It's okay." He gave out a small smile but I saw a hint of tears he was trying to hide. He continued, "But anyway, my mother is a Science teacher at school and she earns enough for us to live a comfortable life."

I smiled at him as I nodded, giving his hand a small squeeze which made him return the smile as well.

"Now is really not the situation I should bring this up but I cannot resist it." He said, a smirk taking over his features and I was already afraid of what was coming next. The sudden change in Rayhan's mood was never ended good.

"Um, what?" I asked, trying not to sound nervous.

"When we were coming back home, Arush informed me about your eavesdropping habits." He winked and I swear I felt as if all the blush from my body rushed to my face.

"I don't know what you're talking about." I said, as I loosened my grip on his hand but he grinned as he didn't let go.

"Tanvi, I know that you know that I have feelings for you."

X.x
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