42 I Was Of Fond Of You

"I won't, because I like when you scold me. It always reminds me of our school days. And honestly, I too believe that I am a dumbass, in front of you."

Aliya never expected this reply from him. She felt as if she had lost her senses. She froze for some moments. His reply was like a googly ball for her, to which she wasn't able to react. For a second she was reminded of that young Rishi for whom she was ready to battle with the whole world. Rishi couldn't evaluate her reactions, but he was smiling inwardly as she didn't react in an aggressive way. But something startled him. Tears rolled down her cheeks and she turned and smiled to him. Before he could go a step near her to say something, she gave some statements that made Rishi to open his big gob.

"You know Rishi, when we were together, I considered you even more than my family. I was fond of you. I doted on you. Till today, I cherish the moments we spent together. And remember one thing, I have never regretted my decision to love you. The only thing I regret is I trusted you blindly. The reason of our break-up was only you. I had given my 100% and so nobody can even point a finger at me. Not even you! And if you are trying me out, then let me tell you that it will be too hard for you. Even harder than cracking world's most difficult exams. I have become a tough nut to crack all over these years. It will take a lot of efforts to crack it. I am at that stage where I have no mercy for people who hurt me knowingly. So you can imagine how hard was it for me to forgive you. I had this in my heart for a long time. So I told you because I know you are working hard to get me closer to you. Just to inform you that it won't be easy. Better be ready to face negative results as I know you can't bear failures."

Rishi could only gape at her. By this time, Aliya had wiped her tears and was leaving. Rishi could only see her back disappearing. He felt as if he was given a reality check.

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1 AM

Rishi was having a sleepless night. Aliya's words were still lingering in his mind. He lost all of his courage. Once again, Aliya made him doubt himself if he was really capable to win her heart. He knew that she was like a coconut. Hard outside, tender inside. But he didn't know that to reach that tenderness he has to go through so many layers. He kept tossing and turning on his super comfortable bed. Just then he felt thirsty. As he got up to drink water kept on the bedside table, he heard some noises. At first he ignored, but when he carefully moved his ears to that direction, he heard someone humming a Hindi song. It was then he realized that he was familiar with this voice. Initially he wanted to let go his thoughts, but he was already tired and to top it this irritating person was singing a song late at night. So he went to check who was it. When he opened the door, he spotted a silhouette a few steps ahead. Seeing long swaying hairs, he guessed she was a lady. But then he had a wierd expression on his face. That lady was staggering to her feet and was swaying in the corridor. For a second he thought that she is unconscious but who the hell will sing a song in such a state? He looked on both his sides and then followed her.

As he was nearing to her swinging body, he just hoped that she is not the one he is thinking

'I can only hope she is not Aliya.'

As soon as she was about to fall, Rishi caught both of her arms and tried to make her stand steady. To his dreariest dream possible, she was Aliya whose body has now no balance. Her eyes were swollen and red.