HE IS NOT MINE ANYMORE

HE IS NOT MINE ANYMORE
“Smriti, I'm fine, I just need a little time alone,” Avani whispered to her, and she nodded, understanding her need.

Avani could not contain her emotions any longer and rushed out of the auditorium. She made her way to the nearby terrace, a secluded space that she often sought when her thoughts became too overwhelming, and mind clouded with confusion. Walking briskly, she felt suffocated and experienced an abrupt onset of anxiety that left her breathless.

As she reached the terrace, at last found solace in the empty corner. The quietness enveloped her, offering a respite from the whirlwind of emotions. Taking a few deep breaths to calm her racing heart, she tried to stifle the sobs that threatened to escape.

Fighting back tears, she couldn't help but question the cruel twist of fate.

“Why are you here? Why now, when I am attempting to move on with my life? Why do you have to reappear and make it even more challenging?” Avani whispered bitterly to herself, clenching her laptop tightly against the chest. Her lips quivered, and unknowingly she bit down hard to suppress her sobs, as tears streamed down her face.

She stood there for what felt like an eternity, attempting to regain her composure, and allowing the cool November breeze to brush against her tear-stained cheeks.

Avani's hair whipped around her face as the wind rushed past, but her thoughts were once again consumed by him. His face appeared before her, vivid and haunting. She shut her eyes tightly, attempting to convince her stupid self of the harsh reality: he is married, he is no longer mine, he is not her Rishabh anymore.

"He is not mine anymore," Avani murmured to herself, trying to reinforce the idea in her mind. With a determined turn, she began to walk away.

"I was always yours, and I will always be," his voice, those words, stopped Avani dead in her tracks. Her heart raced, feeling like it was in a marathon. She turned around and was startled to find him standing mere inches away from her.

Avani looked up, and those familiar coffee-brown eyes, so deep and captivating, made her shiver in the place. She took a couple of steps back, putting on her cold, emotionless facade. She forced a professional smile onto the face and, with all the confidence she could muster, started walking away from him. But then he grabbed her wrist.

His touch, so familiar, flooded her with the warmth she used to feel when he was hers.

In the midst of her turmoil, Avani tried desperately to regain her composure.

"No, I can't fall for him again," she whispered to herself, attempting to shield her heart from the pain she knew so well.

"Excuse me?" With a swift movement, she freed her hand from his hold, determined to keep her emotions in check.

"Is my princess well? How are you?" Rishabh asked. His eyes, once so familiar and comforting, searched hers, seeking a connection to the past.

A sad chuckle escaped from Avani's mouth masking her vulnerability behind a façade of strength.

"I think you have mistaken me for someone else. Mr. Rishabh Malhotra, right? Your speech was quite inspiring," she said, her tone was icy, injecting a professional distance that mirrored the emotional chasm between them. The warmth and adoration that had once filled her eyes were now replaced by a steely resolve. This Avani was different, moulded by the heartbreak he had inflicted upon her.

He stood there, rendered speechless, unable to find the right words to bridge the chasm he had created. "Avani, please, I am so..." he began, his voice was desperate and pleading. But before he could finish, a crowd started approaching him. It was her chance to escape the painful encounter. She turned away, her heart was heavy with unresolved emotions and determined not to let his words affect her anymore.

Avani rushed to the washroom, her steps was fuelled by a mix of anger and heartache. Inside one of the stalls, she let her tears flow freely,

muffling her sobs with her palm to avoid any sound escaping. After a while, she wiped her tears and composed herself and came out of the stall and went towards the washbasin. She washed her face, and returned to her desk, determined to mask her emotions.

She quickly sent an email announcing her decision to work from home for the remaining of the day. Hastily, she gathered her belongings and headed home. Once reached to the apartment inside the closed door, she changed into comfortable clothes, tied her hair into a bun and put on her glasses. With her laptop on her lap, she immersed herself in work.

Late in the evening, Smriti arrived home. Seeing Avani engrossed in her work, concern etched on her face. She gently took Avani's laptop away, prompting a glare from her friend.

"Talk to me, Avani. This way you are coping, it's not healthy. You know it," Smriti implored.

"What are you talking about? See! I am perfectly fine. I assume Vikram didn’t tell you about this... I trust you. I am not angry with you. I am okay. I have moved on. It's fine, I think he has moved on too. Let’s not give it more importance. Just forget about it, okay? It’s the past," Avani said, her eyes pleaded for understanding as she looked at her friend while reclaiming her laptop.

Smriti cupped Avani's chin gently, forcing her to meet her gaze. "Yes, I can see that. Your eyes are swollen, like they will pop out anytime. This just happened accidentally, right? Unless you cried alone at home for hours. This is how you have moved on in your life. I can clearly see that. I couldn’t get a hold of Vikram today. But I am sure he is going to pay for this," Smriti said through gritted teeth, her frustration was evident on her face.

Avani managed a sad smile, acknowledging the deep understanding Smriti had about her emotions. They shared a bond that transcended friendship; Smriti was her soul sister, someone who knew her inside out. Just as their conversation shifted gears, Smriti's phone blinked with Vikram's caller ID. Annoyance flashed in Smriti's eyes as she swiftly dismissed the call. When Vikram persisted, Avani intervened, and encouraged her to answer the call.

With a determined edge to her voice, Smriti warned Vikram, “Yes, I am coming downstairs; don’t you dare enter my house,” before disconnecting the call.

"You're sometimes too harsh on him, don't you think, Smriti? He loves you a lot," Avani said, trying to be the voice of reason.

"I know, but he's like a wild horse that needs to be controlled sometimes," Smriti replied with her eyes rolling in exasperation, while Avani chuckled on her sudden reply.