He doesn’t strike me as the sort of person who would sabotage Priti’s chance at love because he has feelings for her. Then again, how well do I reallyknow him? I can’t be sure he isn’t secretly vindictive like that.
@notkrishnakumar
It doesn’t, I know, but can you blame me if I want to see Priti happy again? Her smiles barely reach her eyes anymore. Soumyaroop looks like he might have feelings for Priti too. If getting them back together makes her happy, isn’t that the right thing to do? For not just Priti and him, but also Mansi, who might be getting into a marriage with someone hung up over their ex?
I almost wince when I read back through my messages because oh god, why do I sound so corny?
@rudradesaimusic
i didn’t think you cared about her that much
@notkrishnakumar
I didn’t think I did either but Priti has always meant something to me.
I’m not sure I can forgive her after everything but I understand her, I guess.
@rudradesaimusic
you don’t owe anyone forgiveness, but I do think you would both be happier if you were able to give that to each other
@notkrishnakumar
Maybe, but thanks for seeing my side of things too.
With Priti, I mean. You barely know me. At least you barelyknewme up until yesterday.
Rudra doesn’t type anything for a long minute after that, so I assume he’s done with our conversation. I move my index finger to the lock button to click my phone closed, but then the three dots appear below my message, and I hold my breath as his text comes through.
@rudradesaimusic
maybe we never really spoke to each other until yesterday
but i’ve known you since we were kids
I stare down at the message for a long while after that, even when Rudra shuts his phone and rests his head back, not looking at me. Something warm cradles my heart, making me all fuzzy from within.
I inhale deeply, glancing out the window as I finally set my phone down, watching the remaining trekkers approach the bus. They get in, chatting among themselves, and their laughter fills the silence of the space.
Right now, I wish I could reverse time, back to when I was an eleven-year-old, when I met Rudra Desai for the very first time.
Only this time, instead of letting him stay a still figure in the background of the memories I have from my childhood, where I’m dancing at the very front with all my cousins while he remains quietly seated on the chairs by the wall, I would walk up to him...
And I would befriend him.
16
Gujju Boys Will Kill You If You Interrupt Their Bhai Fest—Unless You’re Pretty (OrPriti. See What I Did There?)
Pune, Saturday
I’m just about to doze off when Jalaj starts clapping his hands together. Charu nudges me gently, and I sit up in my seat, my eyelids so heavy it’s a struggle to keep them open. We’re on our way again, off to Prabalmachi.
“What’s happening?” I mumble, glancing around through my lashes.
“Group bonding sessions,” Charu says, grinning with excitement. “This is always my favorite part of the trip.”
“I’m too sleepy.” I yawn, leaning back against the seat. “Can I skip it?”
