27- The Departure

                                        

                                              
One might brand me as a compulsive liar who kept her boyfriend in the shadows. Trust me, I contemplated telling Rithik a million times. But then, he would pine for my upcoming absence. So much so that he'd tell me to reconsider at times. And that was when I said 4-5 months. Imagine how much the actual truth would impact him. I didn't have the heart to. Not in his sorry state. 
I was barely present for his welcome party. I simply clapped for him in the background and smiled his way. Rithik noticed that and called me out. Instead I hugged him and thanked the stars he was safe and sound. 
* * * 
"This is Chanel Quinn. She's my good online friend from Boston whom I met once. Reach out to her after you arrive. She'll help you settle in," Ayesha explained, showing me an Instagram picture of a red haired Hispanic woman with long curls. 
"Thanks, Ayesha." I said, sharing a smile. She proceeded to show me a bunch of other pictures from Chanel's Instagram account. A few of them featured a light blonde woman. "Who's this cutie?" 
Ayesha let out a chuckle. "I think her name is Kylie. She's Chanel's friend." 
Just then, Khushboo appeared in our peripheral vision, faking a cry. "Ugh, I can't bear to look at your room right now. It's all empty."
"You were the one who insisted since you wished to move out this year. I had to shift all my belongings back to my home," I said, shrugging. We walked back to what used to be my beloved nest. Now it was just a plain-ass block with four walls. 
There was a pregnant silence. 
"I think I should go before any of us starts crying like a hyena," Ayesha said, her eyes already appearing glassy. She turned around, composing herself while Khushboo and I laughed. The three of us hugged and wished each other best before Ayesha left for her office. I had a strong urge to thank them for being the first female friends in my life, despite not being perfect. Nah, too cheesy! As if friends did that shit in real life. 
It was just Khushboo and me now. Khushboo enquired about Ayesha's firangi friend. I showed her pictures from her Instagram public handle. 
"Damn, hot stuff! She's voluptuous." 
"Nah, her friend is more." 
"You must be blind then," Khushboo rolled her eyes and the next moment we laughed out loud. I admitted how I'd miss our lesbian jokes. "You are so lucky. You'll get to see all sorts of exotic women out there." 
"No, you woman fanatic. Think about men. Possibly British men with their saucy British accent. Ah, just thinking about the diversity gets my titties in a twist." I humored while holding my chest though I dropped my hands when Khushboo noticed that. My smile died as she regarded me with a deadly look. 
"You really are breaking up with Rithik then." 
"I have to, Boo. I've thought long and hard about it. If it wasn't for his accident, I'm damn sure things would have remained strained between us." I sighed heavily. "Besides, he doesn't deserve a partner who can't make up her mind about marriage. It's too big of a commitment for someone like me and I don't even know why..." 
"You can try explaining it to him. I'm sure he-" 
"No, Rithik won't get it! We are too different in that regard," I cut her off. He is full of promises while I have nothing noteworthy to offer. I thought. "Please console him if possible. Tell him I'm a heartless two-faced bitch or any crap to get over me. Tell him he deserves better." 
"Sure, I'll use this golden chance to badmouth you all I want," Khushboo answered sarcastically while walking away with a thump. "Stupid woman." 
A few minutes later, I was at the door with my luggage and bag. The rest of my belongings were at my home. Khushboo sighed right behind me. She was busy fidgeting with her fingers, avoiding meeting me in the eye. It wasn't her first time behaving weirdly like this and honestly it was pissing me off.