6

The next day, Tara sat cross-legged on her bed, laptop open, notes sprawled around her, trying to focus on an assignment. But her mind kept drifting—back to him. To the shock of seeing Aryan standing there in Rohan's flat, the way her heart had jolted even though she had told herself, over and over, that she was done with him.

Her phone buzzed. She glanced over. A message from an unknown number.

"Hey! It's Aakash. How are you?"

Her brows furrowed. She typed back quickly.

"Hey! I'm good. You?"

The reply came almost immediately.

"All good. We were thinking of heading to uni. Want to come?"

Tara blinked. She looked at the screen, then at her notes, then back at the screen. Why didn't Aisha or Aria text? she wondered. Before she could even type out the question, another message came in.

"Aisha and Aria are at our place rn. They're doing something, so that's why I messaged you :)"

Her lips pressed together. Of course, they were there. Their apartment... he's there too. Her stomach twisted. She hesitated, thumb hovering over the keyboard.

"Sure, I'll be there."

As soon as she sent it, regret crept in. Her thoughts raced—Why did I agree? What if he tries to talk to me? What if I break down?

Without thinking, she tapped Aisha's name and hit call. It rang twice before Aisha answered, her voice warm but knowing.

"Taru?"

"Is he there?" Tara's voice was quiet but tense.

There was a pause on the other end. Then, "He is... You decide if you want to come."

Tara's chest tightened. She pressed her fingers against her temple. "Can you... can you come up for a second? Please?"

"Of course. Give me five."

Exactly five minutes later, Aisha knocked on her door. Tara opened it, stepping aside as her friend walked in, concern and quiet strength etched into her face.

"Taru... look, I get it. It's hard. Seeing him there was a lot, I know. But don't let him ruin this for you. They're good guys. Rohan, Aakash—they're solid. Don't lose this friendship because of one guy. Especially him. You owe him nothing."

Tara swallowed, eyes prickling slightly, but she pushed it back. She nodded, finding comfort in Aisha's unwavering tone.

"You're right. I'll come."

Aisha grinned. "Good. Now, pretend you hit your head on the wall and forgot everything. Aryan who?"

Tara let out a small laugh, a little shaky but real. "Aryan who?"

"That's my girl."

Aisha turned to leave but paused at the door. She shot Tara a smirk. "And if you ever start feeling weak? Open those WhatsApp chats and look at all those ignored messages."

They both burst into laughter—bitter, but shared.

"I will," Tara said, feeling a bit lighter.

Aisha winked. "See you downstairs."

The door closed behind her, and Tara exhaled, gripping her phone a little tighter. She glanced at Aryan's chat, that last double-ticked message staring back at her like a scar.

No. You're not getting to me.

She picked up her bag, got dressed in comfortable clothing, combed her hair in the mirror, and whispered under her breath.

"Aryan who?"

~•~

Tara stood outside the door of the boys' flat, her heart racing. Her hand hovered over the wood for a moment before she forced herself to knock. She heard laughter from inside, muffled voices—familiar and unfamiliar. Her chest tightened.

Footsteps approached.

"I'll get it!" Aisha's voice rang out, light and cheerful.

The door swung open, and when Aisha saw Tara, her eyes softened. Without a word, she leaned in, wrapping her arms around her in a quick hug. Tara exhaled into her shoulder, drawing strength from it.

"Come," Aisha whispered, and they stepped inside together.

The kitchen and living area merged into one—a cozy, slightly messy but warm space. Everyone was gathered there. Rohan leaned against the counter, grinning when he saw her.

"Hey, Taraaa!" His voice was full of easy warmth.

She smiled, pushing aside the tight knot in her chest. "Hey."

Her eyes darted involuntarily to the far side of the room. Aryan stood by the stove, his back half-turned, stirring a pot of chai. He wore a plain white tee and dark jeans—too familiar, too much like the boy she had known. He turned his head slightly, their eyes nearly meeting—but she snapped hers away before they could lock. She didn't look back. But she felt it—his gaze on her.

She moved quickly, sitting down on the couch between Rohan and Aisha, seeking the comfort of their presence like armor.

Aakash leaned forward, holding out a bag of chips. "You want some, Tara?"

She gave him a grateful smile. "Oh, sure. Thanks."

The hum of small talk filled the room. Aryan was still at the counter, his back to them again, but she could feel the shift when he turned around.

"Chai is ready," his voice came, deep and familiar, cutting through the chatter.

Tara kept her eyes low. She heard the faint shuffle of him moving around the room, handing each person a cup. Aisha and Aria each took theirs with polite, clipped "Thanks." Civil. Distant.

Then he was nearing her. She felt it before she saw him.

Her breath hitched—but she didn't look up.

Instead, she glanced sideways at Rohan and forced out a casual tone.

"Rohan, can you pass me the Pepsi? I'm craving something cold."

There was a beat of silence. She didn't lift her eyes, but she sensed it—Aryan halting, his hand still holding a cup. Then, slowly, he turned and walked away.

Rohan, oblivious, grabbed the bottle and handed it over with a grin. "Here you go."

"Thanks," she said lightly, though her hand trembled faintly as she twisted off the cap.

"So, what are we doing today?" Rohan leaned forward, addressing the group.

Aryan sank into the seat across from him, his face unreadable. "I want to see the university. Walk around. Get a feel."

Rohan nodded. "Oh, yeah! There's actually a good event happening today. We can check it out."

Aisha and Aria chimed in with their agreement. Tara nodded along, keeping her smile in place like a shield.

A few minutes later, she stood up, adjusting her sweater. "I need to go up and change. I'll be quick."

Aisha teased, "Taru, don't take ages. We'll leave without you!"

Everyone chuckled. Tara forced a laugh.

"I'll be fast," she promised.

She was halfway to the door when she heard his voice—low but clear.

"I'll go change too."

Her spine stiffened. Her pulse quickened. She didn't turn, but she felt him rising behind her.

She quickened her steps, reaching the door first. She slipped out, her breath shallow. She pressed the elevator button—once, twice—come on, come on. She heard the faint click of their door opening behind her.

Her heart jumped.

Without thinking, she turned sharply and darted into the stairwell. She ran up the steps, two at a time, until she reached her floor. Her chest heaved, palms damp, but she didn't stop until she was safely behind the door of her studio.

Downstairs, Aryan stepped out into the corridor, his eyes scanning the empty hall.

He looked on.

💜