She was driving her car at full speed not bothered about the traffic or the afternoon sun. A feeling had crept into her heart. That feeling was gnawing at her heart but she paid no attention to it lest she should drown in the depths of anguish and rage.

She pulled the car in the driveway and hastily went out. Ringing the doorbell, she waited impatiently for the door to fly open.

Akshit opened the door only to come face to face with a woman he barely recognised. It wasn't his Saumya. It was a broken and angry woman. A woman whose vulnerability was well hidden behind the garb of her angry demeanor. A woman who would be sure to lash out at just about anyone.

"Where is Pia?" she asked, looking around frantically, clearly tensed.

"Her right arm is sprained and she is currently sleeping."

Trying to push back the fear, the dread and the tears, she said, in a quivering voice, "You could have texted me at least." Hurt was clearly evident in her voice.

"Why Akshit? Why did you not tell me? Was I not in the hospital? Why did you not text me? You could have asked Pihu to let me know? Why? Why Akshit? You know Pia is my life but you did not bother to let me know."

Her overflowing tears were threatening to escape so she turned around facing the door and said with pursed lips, "I am sorry Akshit. I am not in a state to talk to anyone. Please leave."

Akshit who was not only baffled but also worried, complied to her request.

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Lying on his bed, Saumya's words kept replaying in his heart. He didn't know why he was so worried. Why he had only stared at her stupefied as she lashed at him? It had been three days since that incidence. The two hadn't even talked in these past days. Even now he was wondering why she had behaved so strangely. Was it the fear of losing someone or the hurt and guilt for not being there when Pia needed her the most?

What was even more puzzling was the fact that he seemed to be bothered by her indifference and the pain that she was going through. He had never allowed anyone to shout at him yet there he had stood mutely as she had shouted at him. Was he developing feelings for her? No, it would be damnation to think so. Sighing loudly, he turned on his side and let sleep creep into his senses and lead him to a subconscious awareness.

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Sitting on the settee in her room, the words of her friend kept ringing in her mind.

"Saumya have you gone mad? It was Akshit because of whom Pia had been treated properly. Had he not been there, I wouldn't have been able to go to her school. My car was at home. How can you let your frustration, apprehension and fear take a toll on you? How can you blame Akshit when all he has ever done is help you?"

Tears started rolling down her eyes.

"I am sorry, Akshit. I shouldn't have shouted at you. Mummy, I miss you. I wish you would have been here. I don't even know why I am like this. Only you could have helped me."

Taking a deep breath, she wiped the treacherous tears which had escaped her eyes and got up to sleep.

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"Hi Akshit," Surbhi greeted with a beaming smile.

"Hi," he said with an equally radiant smile.

Sitting down on the hospital's cafe chair he said, "So howdy?"

"Great but you don't seem so good."

With a surprised countenance and a slow smile he said hastily, "I am great. What makes you think that I ain't?"

With a serious expression she looked at him. He had a vague idea as to where this conversation was going.

"I know you like Saumya."

With widened eyes and a racing heart he spoke up hastily, "No it's..."

"Please Akshit, I can see. I know you like her. It would be good if you realise it soon. I just wanted to ask you something...."

"Sure."

Her eyes had turned red as she said, "Please try to understand her, Akshit. You're the only guy she has laughed with in the past so many years. She has gone through a lot and she definitely didn't deserve it. That day she shouted at you because she had expected you to tell her about Pia. She had expected you to understand her, to trust her."

After a long pause she continued as Akshit stared intently at her. "Her trust has been broken many times Akshit. Please don't break her trust. She has been trying to make herself understand that expectations only lead us into the dark seas of sorrow and anguish. I have tried many times to make her understand that. She has really started trusting you, Akshit. Please stay by her side. You will understand her the day she unleashes her vulnerable self. She always had childlike innocence in her and I believe it has not been tarnished yet. It has only been covered in the dust and soil of cold isolation."

Surbhi was struggling to not let her tears lose.

"It's your choice, Akshit, but please if you don't want to help her then go away now. I don't want my friend to suffer again."

Finally finding his lost voice, Akshit said, "What about the fact that she ignores me?"

Smiling lightly, Surbhi said, "She has always been awkward in apologising to someone who means a lot to her. You should try to talk to her."

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