Page 26 of Since You Came Along

‘Monitor her condition,’ Swayam added. ‘Sometimes, she sleeps so much she gets dehydrated.’

Before Raghav could respond, Swayam turned to him with an accusing glare. ‘Where the hell were you?’

‘I was in the other room, sleeping,’ Raghav admitted. ‘She didn’t wake me up. I’m not a heavy sleeper. If she’d called out or knocked, I would’ve heard her. But she didn’t.’

Swayam sighed, patting Raghav’s shoulder. ‘Makes sense.’

‘What the hell is that supposed to mean?’ Raghav snapped.

Instead of answering, Swayam walked to the living room balcony, his shoulders tense. Raghav followed, his patience wearing thin.

Swayam leaned against the railing, staring at the setting sun. His fists clenched and unclenched as if he was struggling to find the right words. ‘She never asks for help, even when she desperately needs it,’ he said, his voice low.

‘Why not?’ Raghav asked, his voice rising with frustration.

Swayam laughed bitterly as he said, ‘In her defence, it has become a habit now.’

Raghav didn’t have patience for riddles, so he asked, ‘Explain, Swayam. What are you talking about?’

Swayam sighed and admitted, ‘She thinks if she asks for help, she is being weak.’

Taken aback by that, Raghav asked, ‘Why?’

Swayam clenched his jaw as he spat out, ‘Rutvik.’

The name hung in the air like a curse.

Raghav felt a surge of anger. ‘She spent the entire night on a cold floor, half-passed out from exertion. She was in pain, and she didn’t say a word. Instead, she acted like it wasn’t a big deal.’

Swayam’s expression mirrored his anger. ‘A relationship with Rutvik would do that to anyone.’

‘I don’t understand, Swayam.’

‘Neither do we,’ Swayam said. ‘No one does. At least, not completely.’

Sighing, Swayam continued, ‘When I met Meera in the first year of college, she was already in a relationship with Rutvik. The first time I met the guy, I couldn’t understand what Mihu saw in him. He’s one of the most self-centred people I’ve ever met. Needless to say, we didn’t become friends.’

Raghav listened, his hands curling into fists as he struggled to take in Swayam’s words.

Swayam leaned back and ran a hand through his hair, anguish written all over his face. ‘One time, Meera wasn’t feeling well and told Rutvik, but he insisted she still come over for a get-together he was hosting for his friends.’

‘What happened then?’

‘She collapsed. Right there, in the middle of his living room.’ Swayam exhaled, his voice laced with poison. ‘Instead of getting her help, do you know what that bastard did? He told her she should leave because she was “ruining the vibe”.’

Raghav yelled, anger bubbling in his chest, ‘He did what?! He just sent her off on her own? What kind of man does that?’

‘He does,’ Swayam spat, his disgust clear. ‘He stayed back to entertain his friends. She had to drive herself back, Raghav. You saw how she was today, so imagine her in that state, driving alone. He didn’t even care enough to drop her or call someone to pick her up.’

Raghav shuddered at the image. ‘She still stayed with him after that?’ he asked, his voice low and disbelieving.

Swayam replied, ‘Because Meera is too kind for her own good. If the two of you were caught in a storm with only one umbrella, she would give it to you without a second thought.’

Raghav frowned. ‘I don’t understand.’

Swayam turned sombre and sank into the chair. ‘That’s who she is. She is the kind of person who would forgive the world for hurting her but can’t bear the thought of hurting anyone. She is an even bigger fool when it comes to love.’

He understood. ‘And Rutvik took advantage of that, didn’t he?’

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