The Only String Attached

9

"You all are making me mad by telling these dialogues, asking these questions, why are you all playing with...", I din't complete and heard Vyom.

"Bela loved you", said Vyom.

It was like the world around me was spinning. I felt blank. I sat on the bed with a thud.

"Bela...Bela loved me"? I asked.

They both were not uttering a single word.

"Yes...yes bhai she..she loved you", Yuvi said stammering.

"Why din't she tell me"? I asked.

"Ask that to her yourself", said Vyom.

"We can't tell more than this Mahir bhai", said Yuvi.

Bela loved me. No. She was my best friend and I never knew she loved me.
Why dint she tell me about this. I'm speechless. I never expected this.

"You are a bastard Mahir", said Vyom with disgust.

"You hid about your love for Bani in front of us and gave Bela mixed signals", Vyom spatted with anger.

"Vyom please, we don't have a right to talk in it", said Yuvi.

"I gave mixed signals"? I asked.

"Stand in Bela's place and think Mahir bhai", said Yuvi.

"Talk with Bela, you will get to know your mistakes", said Vyom.

"Bela will never point a mistake at him", said Yuvi scoffing.

"You people are confusing me, tell me in detail", I said.

"Sorry Mahir, we can't. Ask Bela yourself. Only she has the right to tell and you have the right to know", said Vyom patting my shoulder.

I slumped on the floor after they left. My mind isn't working.  We were on good terms in the past as best friends. I thought a girl and a boy can be best friends. But my story is twisted. Bela loved me? If she loved me, why din't she confess to me? Does she love me even today?

"Mahir"? I heard a knock on the door.

"Come in", I said and Bela came with a sleeping Mahira.

"Mahira slept, I will lay her on her crib", she said and my eyes pooled with tears looking at her.

She is hiding her pain from me. Now I understand. She left because of me. But I need to know more. Did she tell to Bani about it? Does Bani know about it? She left the room kissing Mahira.

I took out my phone from my pocket and looked at Bani's picture.

"What is happening to me Bani? I'm feeling pain after knowing that Bela loved me. It should not bother me, but I'm feeling guilty and I don't know why I'm feeling guilty", I spoke to her picture.

"Do you know about her love for me? If you know, why din't you tell me"? I said wiping my tears.

I looked at Mahira, she was sleeping peacefully. I kissed her and went out.
I saw Bela working on her system.

"Mahir..I think we should take Mahira to doctor once, she was sneezing", Bela said.

How is she able to act normally. Is it not affecting her to be with me?

"Ok.. I'm sorry, I will not give her ice cream from next time", I said.

"Ya, that's better. I will take tomorrow's  appointment", she said looking back at her system.

I was sitting idol there staring at her. My dad and Bela's dad must have known about this. Of course, everyone except me knows I guess.
I was staring at her without a blink. She has changed a lot. She is no more looking like that chirpy girl I know. She is looking like a matured women now. She felt my gaze on her.

She looked up at me and looked back at her system. I got up and sat beside her. I felt her getting stiff. She was trying to concentrate on her work but she couldn't because of my gaze. I was feeling proud for the effect I have on her.

Wait.

Why am I feeling proud? I don't know whether she still loves me or not. And I myself don't know the feelings I have for her. I guess I'm mad.

"Bela....can I ask you something"? I asked.

"Yes...yes Mahir you can", she said.

"How did you stay alone in London when you can't sleep alone"? I asked and slapped myself internally for beating around the bush.

"I.. I stayed with my friend Suhani", she said.

"Oh", I said. Now I thought to ask the actual question but it again turned out into something else.

"Did you get your dream job", I asked and I was pissed off myself. Why am I not able to ask her a single question properly.

"Yes..I..I..did", she said.

Ok, now no beating around the bush. She was my friend and there is no awkwardness in asking her.

"Bela"? I called her.

"Yes", she said.

"Nothing..nothing", I said.

Come on Mahir. She will not eat you. You can ask her. You can do it buddy. It was more difficult than proposing Bani in front of everyone. God. Please help me.

She is Bela. My Bela. My best friend. I am comfortable with her and so is she. Come on Mahir. Go ahead. You can ask.

I shifted close to her and kept her laptop on coffee table. She was looking shocked. Slowly I went close to her and took her hand in mine. She was warm. Her cheeks were getting red. God. Is this my effect?

"Bela I want to ask you something", I said caressing her hand. She was shivering under my touch. I could feel her. She just nodded her head in acceptance.

"Did you love anyone in the past, or do you love anyone now"? I asked.

________
Oh my god. Did these people just spilled the beans? Mahir got to know about Bela's love. Don't you think Mahir started developing feelings for her?

Hey people. The next chapter will be intense and emotional people brace yourself up. I guess I'm going to make you all cry including my self. Hope you liked this chapter.

Next update after 160 votes. Silent readers, I love you all too.

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Eid Mubarak to everyone🤗🤗.