25- The Patient

                                        

                                              
I felt I could finally breathe in peace once I reached the confinement of my apartment. Never did home sweet home felt as relatable as it did today. I let my emotions get the better of me as I fell to my knees against the door and sobbed. The way his Bua shot daggers scared me shitless. As if I snatched away her precious treasure. 
Why did my past come back to haunt me again and again? I hated it like my own shadow. Like someone skinned you to showcase the worst parts of yourself in front of the mirror. That's how naked I felt when I messed up in front of Rithik. Again. He must think I was a crackpot in need of a mental asylum. All because of that bitch today. For some reason, I always got on the wrong side of adults. Or perhaps, I was the wrong one here. I sniffed my snot away, opening my eyes to the darkness of the room. 
I bit my lip and looked around. 
Nothing. There was absolutely nothing. I clutched my head between my hands. My mind was a boulder, treading towards a dangerous territory. It was telling me to do things I shouldn't. No, I wanted an outlet for my agony and I needed it fast. Breathlessly, I stared at my wrist only to scratch it with my nails and let out a cry. I simply wanted to get rid of my agony. There must be something. Anything. I let out a cry when I found nothing and banged my head against the wall. I resigned my head against my knees, letting a familiar darkness consume me. 
Not sooner than later, Khushboo arrived. There strained was no point hiding as my tear faces was clear as day. I spilled out everything, minus the reason behind my panic attack. She believed it wasn't my fault. Neither Rithik's. Later on, she took me to a bar and even called Ayesha to drink our worries away. Rithik asked if I reached safely and whether I was alright. I simply replied fine and refrained from contacting him further. Neither did I receive any calls from him for the rest of the day. I was at peace. 
A day later, Rithik turned up to the door of my apartment, unannounced. He wanted to enquire about my lack of communication. Eventually Khushboo let him in, despite my reluctance. There were times when you loathed the very presence of someone even though they weren't at fault. Rithik was being a pain- both to my ass and mind ever since his fight with Raj. I should have simply stayed at my parents house yesterday. 
“I will not repeat myself again and again,” I told Rithik when he questioned my ignorance. “Please stay far away from me for a while. Don't visit me, don't call me. I don't wish to see you at all.” 
“You wound me, Natasha. You think I caused this? I'm the victim here!” Rithik pointed to himself, hurt evident in his eyes. “You have no idea how much unnecessary drama I had to endure at home because of that conniving bitch.” 
I placed a hand on his shoulder. “Of course you aren't the cause. I don't blame you. Tell you what? Stay away from your house for a while. Perhaps your family might come to their senses.” 
He swatted my hand away, letting out a dry laugh. “Nope. I don't run away unlike a certain someone.”
I swallowed a lump in my throat before speaking. “Yes, I ran away! I'm not you, Rithik! I told you, I'm not the commitment type.”
“So you intent on staying like that forever? Don't people adapt with time?” He stepped closer, looking intently in the eye. “I know that wasn't an ideal situation but if in future, the need arose. Will you still call your parents?” 
Would I call them, ever? Would they listen? I thought while looking at Rithik helplessly until I averted my gaze, not bearing to see the utter disappointment on his face. My voice was barely a whisper. “You know how my parents are.” 
I exhaled a sigh when he got out of my hair. He rubbed his temple. “Yes, I'm aware but... let's eliminate that situation. Imagine, you have perfectly good parents who understand you. Will you then tell your parents about us? That you'll marry only me.”