After my encounter with Aabir,I headed to one of the guestrooms to cool off my mind and to relieve myself.

"What does he think of himself ,huh?"my voice echoed in the washroom as I turned the tap on to wash my hands.

"He think he can treat me as he pleases,huh?"I just couldn't shake the anger and resentment yet that consumed me since our encounter.

"But why does it bother me so much?I am really good at avoiding people who doesn't treat me well.Then why can't I just ignore his existence just like he ignores mine?"As I questioned myself ,looking at the mirror in front ,my mind filled with turmoil and confusion.

I was wiping my hands with a tissue paper while grappling with the complexities of my emotions when I heard the door of the room slammed open,indicating someone's entry into the room.

Dropping the used tissue paper in the dustbin,I made my way towards the washroom door and was about to open it when I heard a familiar voice.

"We should talk."I paused with my hand on the door knob,hearing Umang.

"About what?I have nothing to say."It was Simi.

What's happening outside?

"What Misha and you were talking about?Who is this 'Arjun' guy?And what was all that courting ,marriage stuffs ?"Umang demanded,his voice tinged with frustration.

"You must be out of your mind.Why should I explain everything to you?"Simi snapped.

"What should I do?"I whispered to myself,feeling trapped in an awkward situation.

Should I just go out and tell them to hold their fight for a minute and let me get out of the room.But it would be awkward for them, isn't it?

But it's also not polite to eavesdrop on the personal conversation of other people either,right?

My thought interrupted by Umang's voice ringing out in the charged atmosphere.

"Is he the same guy who dropped you couple of times at the college and also came to pick you up on the engagement night?"Umang queried,his voice tinged with a hint of bitterness.

"Yes,So what?"Simi retorted.

"Why would you let him court you?Why would you agree to go on dates with him?"Umang's voice raising with frustration.

Analyzing the whole situation and listening to their ongoing conversation,I chose to stay hidden.If I make them acknowledge my presence now,it would be really awkward and embarrassing for them.

"What's wrong in it?I am single.I am free to be with anyone I want.It has nothing to do with you.We broke up already."Simi said in an edgy yet patient tone.

"You are the one who wanted to break up."Umang retorted.

"Because that's what best for us.And I
know at the back of your mind, that's what you wanted too."Simi responded,her voice trembling slightly.

Then there was a moment of silence between them,the weight of accusations hanging in the air.

"So you serious about dating him?"Umang voice peirced through the tensed atmosphere after a long painful silence.

"He's good guy.I don't see anything wrong giving it a try."Simi replied nonchalantly.

There was another silence for a minute and then the sound of the door opening and closing echoed through the room.

Did they left? That's it?

I released the breathe that I didn't know I was holding , then turned the door knob and pulled open the door.

And then I froze.

There was a silence .

An awkward silence.

Simi was standing in front of me and looking at me questioningly.

I guess I can't be spared the embarrassment of unavoidable eavesdropping.

"Zara!What are you doing here?"She furrowed her brows.

"I was here to use the washroom."I replied awkwardly.

Simi said nothing, just sat on the edge of the bed and took a deep breathe,perhaps trying to steady her nerves after an arguement with her Ex lover.

"You okay?"I asked softly with concern,taking a seat beside her on bed."I am sorry.I didn't mean to eavesdrop but I heard what's going on."

"That's fine."She dismissed my apology as if I didn't invade their privacy.

Well,I didn't do it intentionally.I was just caught up in the situation.

"You didn't answer yet .Are you okay?"I asked again,eyes searching hers for answer.

"I guess,I am."her lips quirked into a faint smile but it didn't reach to her eyes.

"Why did you guys break up?"I blurted out,not being able to hold my curiosity.

I really wanted to know what exactly happened between them?Why did they break up when I could still see the sparkle between them?

Simi fell silent for a few seconds and I was about to apologize for prying but then Simi took a deep breathe and began to talk"Well,nothing special.The days in the past were golden.We used to think our hands would link for the rest of our lives.We were young yet we already had our wedding ceremony planned.But our love faded over time and we ended up breaking up."She said in a neutral tone but her eyes betrayed her. I could see the sadness ,the pain in her eyes.

"So you fell out of love and broke up."I concluded.

She laughed,almost painfully"It was him who got away."

"But I heard him saying you initiated the break up!?"I asked , clearly bewildered.

Simi was quiet for a moment.Then she answered"We were so into eachother but as time goes by,it has changed.I knew it way before.I knew the way he look at me have changed .The way he smile at me have changed.That he doesn't love me anymore.I tried my best to make things right, though.But we weren't on the same page.We both could feel we should let go of eachother.He just didn't want to be the one to be first.So I made it easy for him."her eyes watered and my heart broke for my friend.

It was a different side of her I was witnessing for the first time.Because I'd always seen her as a jolly,fun loving girl who always smiles ,loves to take selfies and enjoy making vlogs .But the girl in front of me now was a sad, depressed girl who was struggling to deal with her feelings.

I gently squeezed her hands , offering her comfort.For someone who wasn't good at comforting others,that's all I could think off right then.

"But.....What if you misread everything?What if he didn't want to break up?"I had this doubt after observing Umang's acts around her during our stay here and I couldn't help but voice it out.

Sometimes misunderstanding happen in a relationship because of lack of communication,right?

"He didn't fight to save our relationship.He just accepted my decision and let us apart without even trying to talk it out or attempting to work through issues.So,there was nothing to misread.He clearly wanted to be free from our relation."Simi said ,her voice breaking and tears streaming down her face.

I immediately envolved her in a calming embrace.

"The time limit of love nowadays is too short.Strange, isn't it?How feelings changes over time and there's nothing you can do but accept it."She said between sobs.

I hugged her tightly ,patting her back."I know it's been hard for you.Let it all out."

I kept patting her back and waited for her to just cry it all out and she finally stopped crying after a few minutes.

"I am sorry for bringing up this topic."I said once she looked calm and composed."I re-opened your wounds and caused you pain.I am really sorry."I said, ashamed of my insensitivity.

"Oh,Not at all.I'm glad you asked.I feel so lighthearted after blurting out everything I've been holding in."Her words seemed genuine and that took the guilt off my chest.

We fell silent after that.

I watched Simi silently,her eyes were unfocused ,lost in thoughts .She might be thinking something in her mind and I waited for her to speak her mind and she did after a while.

"I just don't get him."She finally spoke and I knew she was referring to Umang.

Simi continued ,her voice tinged with frustration"We're not together anymore.We're over now.Then why does he care who I date or marry?What does he really want?"

"Well...It seems he wants to get back together."I pointed out and I knew she already knew it.Already felt it in her heart.She just wanted some clarity from someone and I happened to be that person now.

"He was the one who fell out of love first and now when I'm moving on with my life,The feeling of affection reignited in his heart.How convenient!"a bitter laugh escaped her lips.

"He might've come to realise what he had after you're gone."

We only realise the importance of someone until they're gone.

Simi grimaced"Isn't it too late for him to realize that?"

"The answer depends on you,Simi."I said."Do you still love him?"

Simi was taken aback by the question.

"That's not the point."She whispered after a moment of silence.

"That's the whole point."I interjected."So tell me ,Do you still love Umang?"I pressed but she didn't answer immediately.

Simi bit her lower lip and stared down at the floor "I'm not able to forget him yet.I'm still in the process of moving on."She confessed,there was an vulnerability in her voice.

"Then he isn't too late,I guess."I said and her silence sealed my claim.

Umang still has a chance.

"What should I do now?"Simi asked, looking tormented and torn apart.

"That's for you to decide."I said ."What do you want?Do you want to give him a second chance?Or want to give it a try with that guy?What was his name again?"

"Arjun."

"Yes,Arjun...Who is he,anyway?"I asked,my curiosity piqued.

"He's a son of my dad's colleague.He's good looking, intelligent and has a successful career.My parents likes him and wants me to settle down with him.We're currently in the process of getting to know each other."

"What you want matters the most,Simi .Tell me,Do you want to marry him?Or want to get back with Umang?"

"I want to think things through.I just don't want to get hurt again."She said, looking down at her hands.

I gave her a nod"Yeah, don't act in haste.When an old love resurface and a new one knock at the door, it's better to open the door with a wiser heart."

"You have all the right to be in a relationship where you're appreciated ,valued and treated well."I added , smiling at her in encouragement.

She wiped off her tears and took a deep breathe before nodding in agreement.

I just hoped when the time comes and she need to choose,she just listen to her heart.It always knows the right choice.

"Alright,Enough of talking about it.I don't want to ruin my expensive makeup crying over a Ex anymore."She added,taking another deep breathe.

I let out a laugh."Well..You already did."

Because of tears,her mascara had smudged and ran in muddy little rivulets down her cheeks.

"What?Really?Where?"She quickly grabbed her phone and opened the camera app to take a look.

"Oh my god!"She gasped."My makeup got smeared.And my eyes are red as drunk."

"Just relax.I'll help you fix it."With a light chuckle,I grabbed a tissue from inside my purse.

She nodded in resignation and let me handle it.

I wrapped the tissue paper around my index finger and dab gently under her eyes and cheeks to clear the stains.

"It's done." I threw the tissue paper ."Your makeup look as good as perfect."

Simi checked her face on the camera again and a satisfied smile appeared on her face "Thanks."

"You're welcome."

Just then my phone beep with a message.I unlocked my phone and checked the message.It was from Khusbu.

Bestie♥️

Zara,Where are you?Come to the dining hall.We have already settled down and waiting for you and Simi.Do you know where Simi is?She is nowhere to be seen.

Me

Simi is with me.We'll be joining you in a while.

"Let's go back to our friends.They're waiting for us at the dining hall."I informed Simi,keeping my phone inside the purse."And my tummy is already talking to me ,asking for food.It can't wait anymore."I added, with a laugh,trying to lighten the mood and it worked.

Simi let out a hearty laugh "Yeah, let's go.This emotional breakdown made me famished too ."She said with a chuckle.Her mood has improved and I was glad to see it.

As we silently made our way,I pondered over what I witnessed this evening and it made me realize that I knew little to nothing about my friends .I was so caught up with my things that I never really tried to know what's happening in their life.I hadn't put in time,efforts and care to be the friend they deserve and I felt awful about it.

I'd been a bad friend to them but not anymore.

I would be the friend they could rely on;I vowed this to myself.

"Simi,You know I don't remember how close we were in the past."I began when we were at a short distance from the dining hall.

Simi paused and turned her to look at me with a a puzzle expression on her pretty face.

I continued with a smile"But in present I can say that you're one of my friends I cherish ,care and love .So you can talk about what's happening in your life,share your problems with me. I am probably not good at comforting others but I am a good listener.I can be your shoulder to cry on."I said with sincerity and I really meant it.

She understood the implication and smiled warmly at me.

"You don't know what you're getting into.It can be tiring."She warned me playfully as we started walking again.

"You don't worry.My shoulders are strong."

Simi met my gaze with a teasing look"I have a lot of issues."

"I can give you tissues."

Simi erupted into a laughter"Then be ready to be my shoulder to cry on."

"I will ,gladly."