Karan's thoughts were all over the place. He sat in the silence of his living room, with his head buried in his hands. Aditi wasn't wrong. She had perhaps sensed Preeti's inclination towards him, what bothered him more was that he didn't. He didn't want to lie to Aditi. He didn't want to lose the trust she had on him.

He wondered what he should say if she asked about dinner. There was no way he was going to tell her whatever happened. At least, not on the call, not today. 

He picked up his phone and called her. 

"Hi!"

"Hey!" 

"Had dinner?"

"Yup. What about you?"

"Just finished. Was going to clean the dishes."

"How was your day?" 

"Same old. You seem a little low today."

Karan squeezed his eyes shut. A man with woman issues had to sound low. On one end his wife was pissed at him because he spent time with his friend and on the other end his friend had confessed that she had feelings for him. 

"Just a tiring day!" 

"Hmm, I can relate to that."

"Are you still upset?"

"No. I am sorry, I may have overreacted. I thought over it..."

"Hmm,"

"Karan, are you mad at me?"

"No.."

"It's just that, I was jealous okay. I mean, after a long time i have someone I can count on, I can talk freely too. I just don't want to lose you."

"Adu, I feel the same way."

"And... well, since we are talking about our past. I think it's only fair that I tell you that I had a boyfriend, during college days too."

"Oh, okay.."

"Karan?"

"I don't know what to say. I mean, I may have assumed I was your first."

"You were. But I did date a guy for two years."

"Okay, that's pretty long."

"We were in the same class in college."

"Hmm,"

"It started off with friendship and then after two years we pushed it to see if we worked out. I mean we were very... compatible."

"What went wrong?" 

Karan hadn't felt anything when she was telling him about her ex. He knew she loved him now. But the pause she took to answer was slowly messing with him. Four years was a long time together.

"It's never a single thing. It just didn't work out."

"Did he mean as much as I mean to you?"

"No. No. You are an altogether different species, Karan!"

He chuckled and said, "taking that as compliment", eliciting a chuckle from her.

"God, this is so so exhausting. Talking about exs."

"Yeah, but I am glad we both opened up about it."

"Yeah."

"Adu, is there anything more you want to tell me?"

"Hmm, that I miss you. I could use a hug right now, your hug. But I guess I have to use the cushion as a substitute."

"I miss you too."

"We should talk about other things now."

"Yeah,"

"Hmm... Mom wants me to attend Deepali's wedding."

"Your US cousin?"

"Yep."

"You should. It's in Mumbai right?"

"Yes. On the Thursday... next week. I don't want to."

"Why not? You'll get a chance to meet your parents as well."

"I am not ready to have comments on our long distance relationship and be plagued with questions on when is the baby coming."

*chuckles* "Common sense, the baby won't come if we are in a long distance."

"Shut up, Karan. It gets really annoying. My relatives can be very inquisitive."

"I think you should go. It will be a good break from everything. And you know you can shake a leg, drink and look sexy."

*laughs* "I'd rather stay home and watch wedding movies."

"Such a lazy bee. Okay, what if I say, I will join you?"

"OH, you want to?"

"If you ask me, I would love to attend the wedding."

"The invitation was for Mr. And Mrs. Karan Shenoy."

"Really? Then let me do the honors. Aditi, will you be my plus one for this wedding?"

*laughs* "jokes apart, it's going to be a bad idea."

"If you're thinking about the expenditure, then please quit. If you're trying to say that we won't get time for ourselves, then, you do make a valid point."

"You seriously want to go? For my cousin's wedding?"

"It's going to be fun, Adu. Besides I am the son-in-law , your folks must be missing me!"

"You're crazy."

"Please, please. Let's go? I can put in a leave."

"I thought you ran out of your leaves."

"I have three sick leaves pending."

"You need to produce a doctor's prescription for that."

"I know. That's sorted, we have Raaj's cousin for that he is a doctor."

"Jeez, how old are you?"

"Things you learn in high school never go waste. Are we going?"

"..."

"Say, yes please!"

"..."

"Aditi, please!"

"Yes!"

"OH, I wish I could kiss you for saying that."

*laughs*

"I am so excited!"

"But, wait, you'll have to do my packing. I don't have any of the hi-fi clothes here."

"Don't worry, I will do all your packing and do a good job at that."

"Okay, I will book our tickets and let mom know."

"I can't wait for next week!"

"Me either!

"But remember, we haven't seen each other in the past five weeks, okay?"

*giggles*

"What?"

"Nothing, I can't wait to see you!"

"That's it?"

"Shut up. Let's sleep, I don't want to be late tomorrow, again."

"Uff, bad habits!"

"Yes, you're my bad habit."

"Bad habits can be alluring, I had once heard."

"Karan, no time for small talk. Let's sleep."

"Fine, sleep."

"Bye!"

"Bye!"

"Sleep well!"

"I will. Same to you."

"Take care."

"You too."

"Bye."

"Bye."

"Bye bye!"

"Bye bye!"

"End the call Karan."

"Nope. You end it."

"Fine, bye."

"..."

"Ugh, bye!"

"..."

"Take care!"

Karan smiled as she finally ended the call. Eight days until Thursday arrived. His smile broadened. He couldn't wait to see her, have her in his arms. 

His smile faded as he caught glimpse of the text message from Preeti. 

Preeti:

Thanks, for today. Just reached home. And, I am sorry if I made you upset, I had to let you know, couldn't live with yet another regret.

Curiosity got the best of Karan. What did she mean by yet another regret? What did she regret? His fingers moved quickly typing a message.

Karan:

What do you mean by another?

Preeti:

I never told Vikram that I was madly in love with him. I was waiting for him to say it first. That wait never ended. 

Karan sighed, throwing his head back on the head rest. He felt bad for Preeti. She was an amazing person, just had an awful choice, screwed up fate and very wrong timing.

Karan: 

You should move on.

Hope you liked it. Would love to know your thoughts. 

-Anami!♡