Page 71 of She will Always be Mine

While he goes, I gaze around me and my mind takes me back to the last time I was here with only my mom. That night, I was so heartbreakingly sure that I wouldn’t be returning back to Pune. It had felt like a goodbye to the life I was building here. Like it was all coming to an end.

I may be back but nothing is the same.

Iamnot the same.

Since this morning, the adrenaline is pumping heavy in my veins at the long day ahead of me and until now, it kept me distracted from the turbulent thoughts of Riaan. However, the second my feet touched the ground, I could feel it slowly vanishing.

His last words haven’t stopped echoing inside my head. Every hour that passes, the louder they become.

I know I’m supposed to stay far away from him, but still my eyes searched for him and when I didn’t see him, a pang of disappointment hit me in the chest. If his absence alone is making me so weak, how the hell am I supposed to resist him when I run into him.

How the fuck am I supposed to push him away when he touches me?

Combat my feelings when he calls me his?

Fight alosing battle?

These thoughts plagued my mind, but I wasn’t prepared for the power behind them until now and it’s not even been a day. Just then, I twist and my gaze locks on my parents, my mom helping Dad with the suitcases, and the tension in my mind and body settles into calm. I can’t put them through all of the trouble yet again. Hence, I must stay strong.

I have one goal and it’s to stop Zain from hurting us again.

“Di, come on.” Pri waves toward the cab as she calls out to me.

Since it’s not compulsory to stay at the dorms after the first semester, my parents decided I should stay at a rented apartment. We tried to find one near my campus but since I was late, all of them were already filled because students search for months in advance as most prefer to live off-campus.

At last, we found one that happened to be a little bit far but came with top-notch security and the building happens to be stunning.

I was a little surprised at the cheap rent because the area it was in is one of the most expensive ones and they were willing to let a single girl live on her own when they usually prefer families.

It struck me as odd so I asked my dad about how he found it in the first place but he shushed me, saying it didn’t matter.

Two hours of slow-moving traffic and unpredictable rain for half of the ride, we finally arrive at my new home for the foreseeable future.

The high-rise building is every bit as stunning as the pictures I saw online. As obsessed as I am with the showFriends, it doesn’t come a surprise that I’ve always wanted to live in an apartment. Even if it’s without a roommate.

I had asked Monica if she wanted to come live with me, but since she wasn’t sure when I’ll be coming back, she decided to rent with the other girls from her class. Both of us were extremely disappointed, and of course, her being dramatic as hell, she gave me hell for not asking her sooner.

Even if we are not officially staying together, I have a feeling she’ll be at my place most of the time. When I expressed that, she said damn right she will. It put a huge grin on my face.

“I can’t believe you’ll be living here,” says Pri in awe while gawking at the building. I can’t help but join in her excitement.

“Jealous?” I tease.

She hits me with her small fist before retorting, “Whatever. My day will come soon.”

The four of us walk toward the lobby and one of the doormen runs behind us to grab our bags, informing us it will be brought up to my floor. The other opens the door for us and my eyes bug out at the décor inside.

There’s a sitting area in the corner with two wide sofas, beautiful plants on each side, and the glass wall through which we can see outside. Right in front of me is a short hallway with two elevators where one is marked private.

The whole atmosphere screams extravagance but subtle and now I’m even more eager to see my apartment. When my gaze meets Pri’s, I know she’s having the same thought.

“Sweetie, your room is on the twelfth floor. How about you, Pri, and Mom go upstairs while I go get the keys from the broker and meet you there?”

“Sure, honey,” my mom replies while I nod.

Inside the elevator, I gaze at myself in the mirror behind me. My eyes are dull and I notice dark circles peeking out from underneath despite the concealer. My jet-black hair is now longer, almost reaching my waist. I’ve also lost some weight due to the stress, which Mom pointed out the other day.

I promised her I’d take better care of myself when she blamed herself.

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