The Ruined Rainbow

CHAPTER 22

"Love will find a way through paths where wolves fear to prey."
- Lord Byron

"

I love you not because of who you are, but because of who I am when I am with you."
- Roy Croft

*
Ayesha

"Aneesh Gupta. My boyfriend."

The words fell out before I could stop them. I didn't want to tell his name. I didn't want to be reminded of him. I didn't wish to Sahil to know. I didn't want to tell Sahil about him. I definitely didn't want to spoil both our moods now.

Saying his name aloud, All I wanted to do right now was to cry. Cry until the stars came down to earth until life ceased to exist.

I looked at the photo before looking at Sahil. His eyes were suddenly blank and shattered. His face turned pale. He stared at me for a minute before he lowered the photo and stepped backwards. He took another step back, still looking at me and then turned away, walking to the study table and placing the photo on the table. He put his fingers on the picture and moved them down as if feeling it.
I couldn't see his expression, cause he was not facing me.

After a long silence, he asked me, his voice heavy, still not looking at me,

"So, you guys are a thing? Like in a serious relationship?" His voice shook a little.

I shook my head; he obviously could not see.

"No," I said, my voice shaking a lot, threatening to break down, "No. We broke up. Two years ago."

Sahil immediately turned. His face is still blank. I close my eyes, and slide down the wall, sitting down leaning on my wardrobe, my knees shaking as I place my head on them. Two tears trickled down my cheek.

The next thing I feel his warm hands that are gently lifting my head. I look up to find Sahil sitting close to me, his one hand brushing off my curly hair from my face, while the other remained on my cheek. And once done with brushing my hair, he placed the other hand on my cheek. His thumbs, wiping away the tears that have trickled down my cheek. He then slowly pulled me closer to him, my head on his warm chest, where I can hear his heartbeat. His head is over mine and his hands around my neck. I closed my eyes, and tears continue to fall, wetting Sahil's red t-shirt. But he didn't care. He moved his hand, patting my back. I took shallow breaths, trying to calm myself. Sahil was shushing me, patting my back and stroking my hair with the other hand. After I had entirely calmed down, I pulled back and wiped out dry tears and meet the chocolate Brown eyes. He looked at my eyes directly, and I stared back.

"So, you want to talk about it?"

I averted my eyes.

I didn't want to. But I wanted to.

"It's fine," he said in an attempt to change the subject, "I'll make the coffee. The stove is there, right?" He picked up the two cups and stood up. I placed my hand on his wrist and pulled him down again.

I wanted to speak out words that were stuffed inside me. I wanted to scream the way I felt, and I had a strong feeling that I must tell Sahil.

Sahil must have sensed it cause he sat down immediately and took my hands in his and squeezed them, his eyes asking me to speak. And so I did. I spoke out for the first time, and I knew that Sahil would not stop me.