Solace

|9| past

Nidhi

He continued staring at me, and it started making me nervous.

"But we didn't do anything. I mean, we didn't..." Before I could finish,"shhhhhhhh," he hushed me.

"No, please, let me explain. I don't want to keep you in the dark," I emphasized.

"Nidhi, the past should be left behind. It doesn't matter to me. What matters is your present and future," Vaibhav said in a tone similar to what I heard over a phone call with Sulekha Aunty.

"But," I tried to speak again.

"No ifs and buts. You weren't bound to me then, but you are now," Vaibhav said, his gaze fixed on me.

"Still, I want you to know that," I insisted.

"But I don't want to know anything," he interrupted.

Ignoring him this time, I continued, "I never crossed any line," my head ducked down, hands fiddling together.

"Nidhi, please don't make yourself uncomfortable. It must have been a painful part of your life. Why torment yourself by dwelling on it?" he said with care on his face.

"No, it's not about me but about you. I don't want you to hear it from someone else," I said.

This conversation was emotionally draining. My thoughts went back to what Rohit did, causing my hands to shiver and my breathing to accelerate.

Vaibhav seemed to understand, shifting a little closer to me.

"May I?" he asked.

I nodded without knowing exactly what he was asking for, and he placed his hand on mine, squeezing them gently.

Feeling nervous, I lowered my head a little more. Abruptly, my head brushed against his arm, and our gaze met. His eyes had a hint of red, concern etched on his face.

Tears uncontrollably started falling from my eyes. I didn't make a sound, but the tears wouldn't stop.

Suddenly I realized, some tears fell on his hand, which was still holding my hand, protectively.

"Calm down," saying this he took out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped of my tears.

We stayed like that, I don't know for how long. None of us uttered a single word.

Suddenly, I noticed a manly figure coming closer and sitting beside me, making me jerk and making Vaibhav withdrew his hand.

"Bhai, sorry to disturb your beautiful meeting, but Ma is asking for you," Adarsh said, giggling.

Vaibhav quickly rose and gestured for me to hold his hand. Nervously, I held his strong hand with both of mine, using it for support as I stood up.

Together, we entered the temple. Taking the stairs which was exhausting me more, He strolled leisurely, perceiving my uneasiness.
The moment we entered the temple My mother shot me an angry look. "Nidhi, can't you take anything seriously? Always careless," she said, fuming.

Vaibhav heard her, and before I could say anything, he apologized, "Aunty, I am sorry. It was my mistake. I stopped her."

"Okay, stop taking sides of each other, both of you come here," Sulekha Aunty interrupted.