His intentions were transparent, I did not need to misunderstand. What made me more pathetic was it happened again, I was ready to walk away but he drags me into it again so innocently and I get defeated before him. I pressed my eyes with both hands and sighed. The cupboard was still loaded with the beddings just like when I was there. I drew them out and set the bedding for me below Prakash's bed. I don't know but he was watching me throughout sitting there awake instead of resting. And it bothered me, I stopped and looked at him defeated.
"Do you need something?", I shouldn't but my voice was sounded irritated rather than worried. I chose to ask and I had to wait for his answer.
"Just… Ummm…", he stammered. It was so unusual of him, "Good night."
"Good night?", I blinked and said, "Okay!"
"That's cheating!", Tom was fierce and was so into the story Swara was telling.
"What're you talking about?"
"Swara's friend..", he snorted, "you won't believe… this is an absolute shit story about her friend whose girlfriend just ghosted on him when he was in the hospital to attend the so-called high school get together? Moreover, she did that to meet her high school crush."
"Why do you think that?"
"Because she has talked about that guy with my friend… He saw her close friend's social media update, where she was sitting beside that another guy."
"That's… I feel sorry for your friend… But shouldn't he talk things with her before concluding?"
"He was hospitalised, Sita! It already is stupid to leave your boyfriend when he is sick for a get-together.", he calmed down himself with a sip of fresh juice and asked, "What would you do, Sita?"
"ME?"
"Yes, you! Will you go to a 'party' when Prakash is sick?"
"Uh!? Prakash?"
"Yes!", Swara and Tom were staring at me waiting for my reaction.
"But...he's not my 'boyfriend'", I choked on my juice trying to act normal.
"We know! You guys have a thing.", Tom smirked, he seemed to have jumped off the topic.
"Ridiculous!"
He spread his hands out and shrugged, "We see it on daily basis, you know?"
"Don't you see him belittling me with all his might? Who does that to a girl with whom you have a thing?"
Swara kept quiet, she acted just as a listener there. Tom was continuing his argument saying, "I see him enjoying this in his own way… I know he's an asshole for tormenting you but you don't see the way he is protective of you."
I eyed Swara but she was of no use there, I sighed in disappointment and pouted. And then Swara started, "Don't tell me… you confessed, right?"
I did not say another word. Tom was frozen in front of me with his jaw dropped to the ground and he eyed me to talk. And I nodded, "But, he says he's not ready."
"Uhhh! This is frustrating!", Swara messed her hair and Tom looked like he was about to go and hold Prakash by his collar.
"What he is doing is idiotic. He's an idiot.", Tom was furious, "He is unaware of what he feels in front of his fear. I wish he shits his pant today in public..."
"Please…", I stopped Tom, "I understand, maybe it's time for me to move on after all…"
"Don't force yourself.", Sware pressed my hands.
"He's gonna miss the time by the day he realises his real feelings. Too bad!", Tom moved to the kitchen to wash his mug, "He is such a scardey-cat.", he shook his head.
"Scared? Of what?", my phone pinged showing a message from Reema.
"It's because of her…", Swara pointed out the message, "You might have heard from Prakash since you're mutual friends with her, I was her classmate and she fucked up the happy ending fairytale love stories for Prakash, not only him, many of us who were witnessing that were made wide awaken of the reality."
"I heard about that but he wouldn't tell me the details and also, I thought Reema was close to me but I never heard about this from her either.", I should admit that I was disappointed that Reema did not tell me about it and had to hear about her from others. I wanted to stop myself from asking them to tell me what had actually happened.
The creaking sound of the doorknob made us jump for a second, Prakash stood there cluelessly while Tom and Swara glared at him with eyes full of fire. He made us forget about Reema. After staring blankly back at them, he brought in the veggies for the day and organised them in the refrigerator after a thorough wash. He eyed me to ask if there was something wrong and I shook my head. He asked, "If you want something else, buy it for yourself." and shut the door behind him.
"Look at him being cocky…", Tom threw his fist in the air.
"Ah! Tom…", I whined. He walked to me and patted my back, it was so assuring and calming. Swara smiled at me and Tom when she left the table, she made sure to tell me, "He'll come around…"