chapter 91

      “Well I can’t start doing it for randomly anyone. Special treatments are for special people , you know?”        His response shocked all the three who looked at each other with widened eyes.     “Woah- that burnt bro-“, Kaustubh gave a pitying look to Prisha. She frowned and rolled her eyes, “ You guys are bullying me collectively.”         Manas looked around nervously only to realize except them three no one seemed to even take it that way.      Kaustubh probably thought it was a taunt to irritate Prisha; Aaditya and Sir seemed agree to this thought as they laughed along. Sneha and Niharika were enjoying it too from the way they smiled at Prisha. Mam was busy bargaining the price for him. Vibha and Aarushi who knew of his feelings only had a teasing smile for him.      Despite being surrounded by so many people he felt the world narrow down to just him and his racing heart. He tried to smile it away but he was too nervous for it to look natural. Rupesh however was totally unfazed. He looked completely oblivious to the effect his actions and words had on his best friend. Finally after getting the 900 ruppees shoes for 500 was mam satisfied and they decided to leave.      “Let’s hurry up. It’s already 5:15. We are going to get scolded if we don’t join them for sunset.”, sir rushed them and they quickly made their way to a small restaurant. They got their tea and some snacks.  Manas was sitting besides Aarushi . He looked so lost that she couldn’t hold back her question, “You okay?” He only gave her a smiling nod though his smile was anything but convincing. He had started to turn pale and his awkward moments were quite noticeable. Aarushi couldn’t stop herself from worrying. Vibha noticed this and held her hand under the table . Aarushi turned to face her ; Vibha gave her hand a gentle squeeze and a reassuring smile.      Sir hurried them again and they hit the road to sunset. This time though Manas walked behind with Vibha and Aarushi. From the look of it they could tell he was uncomfortable being around Rupesh for now.      “ Scared?”, Vibha asked and he just nodded. It was evident- from his pale face, nervous fidgeting and slow pace. The arriving of sunset felt like a ticking clock. “ It’s okay to be scared. You don’t have to be perfect , you know? Just be genuine. I am sure he will understand your feelings if you don’t try to mask them.”, Vibha said . He only nodded. His tongue felt too heavy to respond verbally and Vibha too didn’t expect anything. His eyes nervously kept stealing glanced at Rupesh who walked ahead with sir and the other three boys swinging the bag of shoes in his hand which he stubbornly taken from Manas insisting they could put the pairs together and carry one bag instead of two.       “It will be okay. Don’t worry.”, Aarushi assured him as well . They were already at the location and everyone seemed scattered around. “Let’s find a good spot for you to propose.”, Vibha suggested and  Aarushi grabbed his arm dragging him along though he kept protesting, " I think- I should not. I don’t want to ruin this trip- our friendship. No. I Shouldn’t.”, he started nervously rambling . “Shut up now!You have come this far. You can’t simply turn back now. Now or never.”, Aarushi scolded him but he was still  too nervous. They were a bit away from the crowd and Vibha was sure they were getting scolded for going on their own but a little scolding would be worth it.      “I will go get him. You wait here. And stop being so scared. Just let out your true feelings. It will be okay. Trust me!”, Vibha said and left him there with Aarushi . He turned to her with his about to cry face. “I know how it feels. Seems like the world would crumble , everything is about to end, the fear is about to swallow you whole and you are not ready for the hurt it may follow. All the possibilities going against you are more vibrant suddenly and it all just adds up to your fear. Running away from your feelings feels easier than facing them.”, she said and he nodded , “I understand you Manas. I was no different. But you can’t keep running away forever. And sometimes that’s where you go wrong. The one you keep running away is the one you should be running to. So, give it a try. You can do it!” Her cheering didn’t have quite a effect but atleast he felt heard.    “Where are we even going?”, Rupesh’s voice reached before him and Manas once again felt his body tense up. He looked at Aarushi for help only to receive an assuring smile. “Wow! What a view man-“, he complimented the moment he stepped in . “See , I told you.”, Vibha followed behind gesturing Aarushi to leave with her.      “Vibha- I – I need to go to washroom.”, she came up with best excuse she could and Vibha played along, “Alright. We will be back soon. You guys wait here only.”  Manas eyed them going away like a kid watching his mom dump him at school and leave.      “This is so damn nice ,ain’t it?”, Rupesh said and Manas just hummed in response. “Something wrong?”, he asked as he turned leaning against the railing facing Manas who looked at him with parted lips and a scared face. “You seemed so lost since morning. You have been acting weird these days. Avoiding people , talking less , zoning out. Anything happened? I am here for you, you know that right? You can tell me anything. I am-“     “I am sorry.”, he interrupted  catching the other offgaurd. “Sorry for?”, he asked . Manas nervously approached him keeping only a three step distance between them and Rupesh still seemed oblivious to the weight of the situation. He just looked confused at the other. “I know we have been friends since childhood. Through every phase of my life you have accompanied me, shared my every moment, I-I don’t even know how to thank you for all this. We – we have been together through everything. Our families are close and we are just like family. I-“ , he paused and Rupesh was even more bewildered, “Why are you suddenly giving me a gratitude speech? Everything okay ? Are-“    Manas interrupted him, though he wasn’t the kind to talk in between other person but now it felt like if he didn’t say it now , he won’t be able to say it ever again, “I am sorry. I am probably going to ruin it all. But I can’t help it. I can’t help the way I feel for you. I am sorry , Rupesh but I like you.” He summoned up all the courage he had and closed the distance between them pressing his lips against the taller’s . For a moment everything stilled on them. Rupesh didn’t push him away but didn’t reciprocate the kiss as well. He just stood still like  a statue.   Manas himself pulled away and stepped back waiting for response. It took everything in him to not run away and look up at Rupesh. The taller blinked at the ground and sighed. He then met eyes with Manas, they were unreadable but from the way his jaw tightened- Manas was scared.    He- he is mad , ain’t he? I pissed him off. He hates me now? Does he think I am disgusting.   Manas tried to brace himself for whatever his best friend would say.      But nothing came. Rupesh stared at him for a few more minutes then walked away without a word. His steps were heavy and his pace quick. Leaving Manas alone with guilt and regret eating him whole.   He definitely hates me now.    He felt like he would break down right there and he did. [Meanwhile]        Vibha and Aarushi had distanced themselves enough to give the other two privacy when Vibha suddenly undid their intertwined fingers confusing Aarushi , who looked more of offened than confused. Vibha turned her so they were now facing each other. She held both her hands and placed a kiss on her knuckles.  Aarushi’s face flushed at the simple gesture and she couldn’t suppress the smile.  “Vibha-“     “You know, when earlier I said- I shouldn’t have forced my feelings on you”, Vibha’s voice was heavy and Aarushi immediately tried to interrupt, “It’s all in past. We are together now and it is the only thing that matters why-“    “No baby, what I did was wrong and I want to appologise for it. Even if I knew you liked me ; by no means do I have any right to force you to love me. And I am sorry I did. I promise you it will never happen again. I promise to love you unconditionally. Would you like to give me one more chance and spend the rest of our live together?”,she asked taking both of her hands and stepping closer.       “I- I already forgave that. Let’s- let’s just leave it behind. Vibha-“, Aarushi tightens her grip on Vibha’s hand and chuckled nervously, “We are already together and yet you sound like you are throwing a proposal.” Vibha smiled but her tone was still sincere, “Just because we are already together doesn’t mean I can’t propose you again.  Even if you are mine it doesn’t mean I stop pursuing you.”     Aarushi couldn’t take it anymore and hugged Vibha tightly.   “Thank you, thank you for loving me so much. I am sorry I kept running away from you. Thank you for still waiting for me.”, she said while still lying her head on Vibha’s chest.    “I am lucky to have got to love you.”, Vibha said hugging her back. “Nope. Me. I am more lucky to have you love me.”, she wouldn’t be Aarushi if she didn’t argue back . “No me.”, Vibha teased. “Shut up. You are not allowed to argue with your wife.”, Aarushi threatened snuggling closer  in her hold. “Hey! You can’t just use your wife card whenever you want!” “I can!” “You are unbelievable” “You still love me!”      Vibha pulled away from the hug and gently cupped her cheeks. “Can I ?”, she asked eyeing Aarushi’s lips waiting for permission.    “What if someone-“     Vibha looked around and back at Aarushi giving her an assuring smile, “Don’t worry love. There’s no one here. If my queen permits, can I?”       Aarushi nodded shyly and closed her eyes. Her hands gripped Vibha’s waist as she felt the  warm pair of lips on hers. Her lips moved slowly as to pour all her love. All those promises she made, the gentle kiss was like sealing them forever. It took Aarushi a few seconds to collect herself and return the love. Vibha lead the kiss slowly , allowing her girlfriend to match her pace till their lips were in sync just like their racing hearts.   The warm rays of setting sun added to the blushed tints of their cheeks . The realization of it all made Aarushi’s heart beat at even abnormal pace and she tried to pull away. However, Vibha’s hold on her cheeks didn’t allow her to move away . After a few minutes Vibha finally let go letting her catch breath. She connected their foreheads and whispered with a smile,    “Just like the setting sun embracing the mountains, my love, my everything comes to rest at you.”