Destiny or Coincidence?

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Athira Patel

The tension between both of them is so clear that the air around us eased with the tension. I'm scared as to what will happen next but thanks to aunty that she handled the situation wisely.

"I think Athira needs rest. So will take her inside" she asked looking in between the both of us and eventually they nodded by averting their eyes from each other only to look at my direction.

I felt self-conscious and uncomfortable under their intense gaze so I pleaded aunty with my eyes to let them walk inside and stop this staring contest.

Nodding she pushed Dev aside and dragged Abhilash inside by catching his shoulder. After entering inside he put me on the couch and sat beside me scanning for any more damages when aunty sat in front of me by dragging the chair from the dining table. She looked closely on my knee injury when Dev went into the kitchen and bought water for me.

I took it gladly smiling at him with a grateful look on my face and completed the whole glass within three big gulps. Only then I got to know how thirsty I was.

"How did it happen Choti?" Dev asked taking a seat on the other side of me and inspecting my hand by taking it in his hand.

"Sorry Athi, I didn't know...," Dev said looking at me with an apologetic and concerned look on his face. When I controlled myself I shook my head saying it's fine.

"Its ok Dev. I'm fine. Don't worry" I said to him giving a small smile in assurance. But I know how much it's paining. Still, I just controlled my pain because I don't want them to worry because of me. I can see the worry and concern in their faces already and I don't want to add more to it. So in spite of feeling pain, I just acted normal as if there is no much pain.

I observed the silent glares between Dev and Abhilash whenever they think that I am not seeing one of them. Meanwhile, aunty just cleaned my knee injury once again and tied the cloth around it after applying the ointment.

"Did you eat anything beta?" asked aunty with a motherly voice looking at me with a kind smile which I came to like very much in these past few days.

I just shook my head in denial saying that I didn't eat when aunty suddenly got up leaving to the kitchen saying that she will prepare something for us.

We all tried to stop her from doing it but she didn't listen and instead commanded us to sit here in the living room while she prepares something for us within 15 to 20 minutes. Abhilash protested that he will take a leave now but she insisted him to have dinner with us and go. Reluctantly he agreed and then she went inside satisfied with his response.

Once aunty left, Abhilash too left the living room to attend a phone call leaving me and Dev in the room. Suddenly the atmosphere became tense in between us remembering the other night together.

"I am sorry Athira," Dev said breaking the awkward silence between us by looking at me with an apologetic and shameful look on his face.

I turned towards him with some effort and looked into his pleading eyes which are asking for my forgiveness. I have never seen Dev being this vulnerable in front of me. He was always my supporter and a person to trust in the worst cases. He was my strength.

And today seeing him like this is making me hurt and to know that the reason behind is because of my lack of response for his proposal.

Quietly I took his left hand in my right hand and squeezed it by assuring him that everything is fine between us.

"No Dev. If anyone has to say sorry here then that would be me. Not you. It's not your fault that you love me. It was never your fault." I said looking into his eyes. I know this is the time I need to clarify the things between us before it's too late. And I even know that I am going to hurt him when I say this. But it had to be done so that we might be the same as before all this happened.

But I am scared to know his reaction in fear of losing my true friend. Before I backout from saying I made up my mind to clear the things out. Taking a deep breath I clutched his hand tightly while looking into his eyes with a serious expression so that he too will know how serious I am about this.

"Dev, I..." god. This is tougher than I thought.

"Dev I know that you love me. May be even before you said to me. Somewhere in my subconscious, I think I know about it from the start but I was not ready to face the fact so instead, I refused to see what is there in front of me and always believed what I wanted to believe" I sighed looking at him. He wanted to open his mouth but I shook my head because I was not completed "And I am sorry for hurting you. Knowingly or unknowingly I think I have hurt you a lot. Especially now because I know that I can't reciprocate your feelings." the moment I said the word, his face expressed the hurt he is feeling but tried to compose for me by smiling sadly. Seeing him like this is making my heart crush even more than it already is. Tears started rolling down my eyes but I was not aware of it until he wiped it with his left finger.

"I don't deny the fact that I used to have a crush on you Dev. Yes, but that was before Akash and Nidhi chapter. But after that, I always saw you as my best friend and nothing more. You were always there for me whenever I needed you and I think you became a brotherly figure to me in the process. I really don't know why I can't return your feelings, hell anyone would feel lucky to be in place of me. But here I am, rejecting the one whom I thought will make the best lover and husband for a girl. I always used to think that the girl will be lucky to whom you will give your heart. But I never thought that I would be this unlucky person." I said hiccupping in the middle which made me stop and drink the water he gave me silently looking at me tear face sadly.

After I became stable I once again continued where I left it because I want to let out the storm that is running inside me.

"I want to accept you Dev, I really want to, but I don't know why but somewhere in my heart, it is not making me do it. I am sorry Dev. I am soo sorry that I am hurting you because of my words and because of my rock heart. I am sorry.... Please don't leave me..." I pleaded sobbing and he took me in his arms by hugging me tightly being cautious of my injuries.

It's hurting me a lot to reject him and seeing him hurt like this because of me but I don't know what to do to make it easier for him.

I was crying like a baby by holding him tightly while he is trying to make me control by saying sweet nothing to me and assuring me that everything is going to be ok. After a few minutes, I stopped crying and we both stayed like that for a few more moments before he loosened his grip on mine and created some distance between us to look into my eyes searching if I am alright or not. Once he was sure that I am not going to cry anymore, he gently wiped the remaining tears from my face and kissed my forehead affectionately lingering his lips there for a while longer before looking into my eyes again by catching hold of my hand in his.

"Baby, I can understand if you don't love me back. There is no rule that if I love you then you should also love me back. And that won't make me turn away from you. Got it. You were always my Choti and will always be there. I will always be there for you whenever you want me. Now please stop crying" he said smiling at me with affection in his eyes which made me smile in return and nodded my head in acceptance.

"Good girl. I don't want to be the reason for your tears. Got it" he said placing his hand on my right cheek and rubbing it with his finger gently.

"Thank you Dev," I said feeling grateful that he understands me very much and I am lucky to have him in my life. Even when I have hurt him with my words, still he is not ready to see me cry. I don't know what have I done to get a friend like him but I am glad for it and I will always treasure our friendship. I hugged him again feeling grateful and happy that everything is fine between us now.  

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Hai my lovely readers,

Here is your new chapter within a day. I hope you enjoy it. Please do comment, vote and share it if you like it. Don't forget to let me know your thoughts about this chapter. Have a happy reading...

Love you all...

Sprinkle.