My hands reach for her knees—
And she looks at them like they’re filth. LikeI’mfilth.
I flinch back.
“Baby, I... I’m so fucking sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I don’t—Idon’twant her. I swear. I was drunk. I—fuck—please...”
Still nothing. Just those hollow eyes, watching me like I’ve already disappeared.
“You once told me,” she says softly, “that your past relationships ended because they got jealous over stupid things. Was Rohi the‘stupid thing’in those, too?”
My jaw slackens.
Because... yeah.
She usually was.
I’d hang out with Vikram and Ishika, and Rohi would be there.
“Did you know,” Greesha continues, “you look at her more than anyone else in a group setting? Even more than your owngirlfriend.”
I have no answer. Because that sounds somewhat true. And I don’t know why.
I never felt the kind of pull to Rohi that I feel for Gree. Not even close.
So then why the hell was I always watching Rohi? Was it because she was leaving?
“Bab—”
“I’ll tell you why,” she interrupts, with another one of those soul-cracking smiles.
And my stomach turns.
“Becauseshe’sthe one you want. The one you’ve always wanted. She holds your attention—and your heart—in a way you haven’t let anyone else touch. Not your exes. Not evenme.”
I shake my head, hard, denial ready. “That’s not—”
“You know I’m not even mad. I’m sad, yeah. But notmad. Because I saw it. The signs were small, subtle—but I saw them. You’ll always want her, Advik. Maybe not out loud. Maybe not enough to chase her. But enough to make whoever you’re with feel...less.”
No.
That’s not true.
Except—I can’t deny it. Not when those horrible words left my mouth last night.
Sure, I’ve found Rohi attractive in the past. But notnow. Not while I’ve been with Gree.
Not while I’ve been withher.
My Gree.
“I don’t secretly want her, Greesha.Bhagwan ki qasam,I don’t. It was a stupid,drunkcomment—because she was leaving. I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry.” (Bhagwan ki qasam = Swear to God)
She doesn’t respond. Just smiles—serene and soul-killing—and leans sideways.
I barely keep myself from falling on my ass when she nudges me aside and reaches for my laptop.
She flips it around, screen facing me.
