Chapter 39: chapter 39

Prakhar was also emotional and conflicted, torn between his loyalty to Vedahi and the turmoil caused by his feelings for Riya. He had never expected that a simple introduction would lead to such complex emotions and strained relationships. His mind raced with questions, and he tried to find a balance between his friendship with Vedahi and the potential budding connection with Riya.Vedahi, on the other end, was struggling to hold back her tears, feeling the weight of the situation and the impact it had on their friendship. She never intended to cause such turmoil, and her love for Prakhar had clouded her judgment, leading to a series of unintended consequences. She realized that her actions might have hurt Prakhar deeply, and the thought pierced her heart with a sense of regret and sorrow.As the silence hung heavy between them, both Prakhar and Vedahi grappled with their own emotions, trying to make sense of the sudden upheaval in their friendship. They had always shared a deep bond, built on trust and understanding, and the sudden turn of events had shattered the foundation they had carefully nurtured over the years.After a week which seemed like an eternity, Prakhar finally broke the silence and called Vedahi. Vedahi was hesitant but after three continuous calls, she finally picked up."Vedahi, don't cut the phone, I don't want to lose you as my friend. I value our bond and the memories we have created together. But I need some time to process everything that has happened. Can we take a break from this conversation and revisit it when we have a clearer perspective?"Vedahi sniffed, she had been crying earlier, wiping away her tears, her voice barely audible. "Yes, Prakhar, I understand. I am sorry for everything. I never meant to hurt you. Take all the time you need. I'll be here when you're ready to talk."With a heavy heart, Prakhar ended the call, the weight of the situation pressing down on him like a heavy burden. He sat in his apartment, lost in a whirlwind of emotions, unsure of how to navigate through the complexities of his relationships with Riya and Vedahi. He felt a sense of guilt for hurting Vedahi, but at the same time, he couldn't shake off the turmoil that Riya's distant behaviour had stirred within him.As days turned into weeks, Prakhar and Vedahi maintained a strained silence, both trying to come to terms with the new dynamics that had emerged between them. Prakhar found solace in his work and his hobbies, using them as a means to distract himself from the emotional turmoil that engulfed him. Despite the distance, Vedahi continued to care deeply for Prakhar, her heart aching with the thought of losing him as a friend. She knew that her confession had caused a rift in their friendship, and she resolved to give Prakhar the space he needed to process his feelings and make sense of their relationship.But there was no choice left for her after Riya's indifference to Prakhar. A few days back when Riya told her clearly that she didn't want to interact with Prakhar, it seemed she would lose Prakhar if Riya didn't interact. In an attempt to calm down the situation, she brainstormed on how she could soothe Prakhar in this scenario. Which resulted in this decision to talk about her love for him though she was unsure about the rationale of that decision. But she never knew this would backfire so badly.Meanwhile, Riya remained distant, her interactions with Prakhar becoming increasingly rare and formal. He couldn't shake off the memory of their last conversation, the bitterness in her voice echoing in his mind. He wondered if he had misread the situation if his feelings for Riya had clouded his judgment, and if Vedahi was right all along.In an attempt to find some clarity, Prakhar decided to seek Alex's advice. He confided in him, sharing the details of his strained relationships with both Riya and Vedahi, hoping to gain a fresh perspective on the situation."Alex, I don't know what to do. I feel like I've hurt Vedahi, and Riya's behaviour has been so confusing. I can't shake off this feeling that there's something I'm missing, something that I can't seem to understand," Prakhar admitted, his voice heavy with the weight of his emotions.Alex listened patiently, offering his insight with a calm and measured tone. "Prakhar, it seems like there's a lot of confusion and miscommunication between you, Riya, and Vedahi. It's important to address these issues and have an open and honest conversation with both of them. Take some time to reflect on your feelings and priorities. Only then will you be able to find the clarity you seek?"Prakhar nodded, grateful for Alex's wisdom.As the silence persisted between him and Vedahi, Prakhar began to realize the gravity of the situation. He knew that he didn't want to lose Vedahi's friendship, a connection that had been a significant part of his life for a long time. The warmth and bond they shared were too precious to let go of because of a misunderstanding and hence he mustered courage and called Vedahi.Vedahi was hesitant in picking up Prakhar's call but after six continuous calls, she finally picked up."Vedahi, Please don't cut the call, I don't want you to stop calling or talking to me," Prakhar spoke, his voice softened. "I was just overwhelmed by this situation, but I don't want our friendship to suffer because of it."Vedahi replied, "Prakhar, I didn't want any of this to happen either. I cherish our friendship just as much as you do, and it pains me to see you hurt.""Let's not let this misunderstanding ruin what we have, Vedahi. We've been through so much together, and I don't want to lose that. As for Riya, I'll try to figure things out on my own, and I won't let it affect what we have," Prakhar reassured her.Vedahi appreciated Prakhar's understanding and the maturity he displayed in handling the situation. "Prakhar, I'm so glad to hear you say that. We'll work through this together, just like we've faced other challenges. Our friendship means the world to me, and I don't want to lose it."Over time, the communication between Prakhar and Riya remained minimal. Prakhar focused on his work, his photography, and his bond with Vedahi. The days turned into weeks, and the distance between Prakhar and Riya seemed to grow. The initial spark that had drawn them together had dimmed, and their conversations had become a mere formality.It was apparent to Prakhar that Riya had chosen to maintain a certain distance, possibly to preserve her existing relationship with Animesh. While he still had unanswered questions and mixed feelings, he didn't want to push Riya into a corner. He respected her decision, and it became evident that they were on different paths.He had found solace in the unwavering friendship of Vedahi, and he had learned to appreciate the complexities and uncertainties of the heart which he had no control. But deep in his heart by now he had figured out whom he loved!~~~~~