Flash back
A week after Aakriti's birthday, Ruhani's call pierced the night's silence. Aakriti answered promptly, concerned by Ruhani's late-night call.
On the other end, Ruhani's sobs echoed through the line. "Aakriti... Aakriti, Aarav left me. He left me!"
Aakriti's initial confusion gave way to alarm. "Calm down, Ruhani. What's going on? This can't be true. Just breathe."
Aakriti's soothing voice attempted to calm Ruhani's anguish. Ruhani's tears continued to flow. "It's true, Aakriti. He won't listen to me. He says he can't be with me anymore, that he's consumed by guilt."
Aakriti's gentle prodding helped Ruhani compose herself. "Ruhani, please calm down. Tell me what happened. What mistake is he talking about? What guilt is eating away at him?"
Aakriti's questions hung in the air, seeking answers.
Flash back ends
Kaushal's Bhavan, in Ruhani's room.
This time, Naina entered Ruhani's room carrying a tray of steaming tea. She placed it on the bed and, pulling up a chair, settled beside Ruhani and Aakriti.
The two friends exchanged a knowing glance, noticing the three cups on the tray. Naina's intentions were clear: she wasn't leaving anytime soon.
Ruhani and Aakriti realized their conversation would have to wait.
Aakriti picked up her cup, teasing Naina. "Look at our little Naina, all grown up!"
Naina playfully retorted, "I'm not little anymore, Aakriti didi! I'm in eleventh standard now."
Aakriti conceded, "Alright, alright. But why the special treatment? This feels like a formal tea party."
Naina smiled, cradling her cup. "Mom asked me to bring tea, and I wanted to catch up with you. You've been away for so long, and I thought, why not join you?"
Aakriti's thoughts drifted to Ruhani's unresolved issues with Aarav. If Naina lingered, their heart-to-heart would have to wait.
Today, Aakriti had made up her mind to ensure Ruhani wouldn't suffer anymore. She wanted to understand every nook and cranny of Ruhani's mind and heart, to help her move on from Aarav and focus on her future.
Aakriti couldn't bear the thought of her best friend being stuck in the past. To tactfully rid themselves of Naina's presence, Aakriti started inquiring about Naina's studies.
However, this only seemed to irritate Naina, who found the conversation dull and uninteresting.
Aakriti knew Naina well; she wasn't fond of discussing academics, especially on Sundays. It wasn't that Naina disliked learning, but the constant pressure of school and tuition wore her down, making her irritable whenever the topic arose.
Naina suddenly stood up, declaring, "You two are boring me. I'm heading to my room. Bye."
With that, she departed, leaving Aakriti and Ruhani alone.
Flash back
After Ruhani's distressing call, Aakriti was consumed by worry. She visited Ruhani the very next day, and upon seeing her, Aakriti was taken aback.
Ruhani's disheveled hair looked untouched for days, her eyes and nose red and puffy, and her face swollen.
Aakriti's heart went out to her usually vibrant best friend, now wilted and broken. She enveloped Ruhani in a warm hug. As Aakriti held her close, Ruhani burst into tears, her body shaking with sobs.
"Why did this happen to me, Aakriti?" Ruhani wailed, her voice trembling. "What went wrong? Everything was fine between us, and then...this!" Ruhani's anguish poured out in relentless questions.
"Why won't Aarav listen to me now? Why does he want to erase our love? Why? Why?!" Aakriti had no answers; she was there to uncover the truth herself.
Silently, Aakriti soothed Ruhani, stroking her hair and listening intently. Ruhani broke away, connected her earphones to her phone, and handed them to Aakriti.
"This is the recording of my call with Aarav yesterday," Ruhani said, her voice cracking. "You asked about the mistake and guilt I mentioned? This explains everything."
Ruhani had recorded her last conversation with Aarav, unsure of his intentions and desperate for clarity. Aakriti inserted the earphones and began listening to the recording, her expressions shifting with each passing moment.
Her eyebrows furrowed, and her face went expressionless, reflecting the turmoil in the conversation.
Ruhani, meanwhile, buried her face in her knees, sobbing uncontrollably. Aakriti's hand rested reassuringly on Ruhani's shoulder.
Suddenly, Aakriti yanked out the earphones, her eyes welling up. "I can't listen to this anymore," she whispered, embracing Ruhani tightly.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner, Ruhani?" Aakriti's voice cracked. "You've been suffocating inside all this time. I should've been there for you. I should've been by your side."
The two friends clung to each other, their tears mingling as they wept.
Flash back ends
*******
What happens next?
What was in the call recording that Aakriti couldn't bear to listen to anymore?
Why did Aarav leave Ruhani? What mistake and guilt was Ruhani referring to?
Let me know in the comments and likes below!
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'Chat By Fate' exclusively on Web Novel.
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