Page 8 of Since You Stole My Heart

She had turned away instead.

‘It’s because I hated having him around, so Di never invited him to anything,’ Kashvi said, looking away as a wave of guilt rose within her.

Maithili raised an eyebrow as she noted, ‘You know, in the last eight years, this is the first time you’ve used that word in the past tense. Does that mean you don’t hate him anymore?’

‘No, I…’ Kashvi began, instinctively reaching for denial, but then admitted, ‘I don’t know.’

Maithili leaned back, tapping her pen against the writing pad in her lap. ‘What’s changed?’

She swallowed, fiddling with the tassel on the couch cushion. ‘Di and I always thought that Dhruv had it easier, that Dad actually cared about him. We assumed Dhruv hated us because he saw us as competition.’

‘But?’ Maithili prompted gently.

‘But then Di told me just how wrong we were. Dad took his anger out on him a lot, and if anything, Dhruv had it worse in ways we didn’t realise. Out of the three of us, it seems he was theonly one who actually hoped Karthik Kashyap could be a good father, and got burned for it.’

A thoughtful frown settled on Maithili’s face. ‘Kids who grow up with emotionally absent, or worse, abusive parents often carry a sea of pain inside them.’

Kashvi let out a sigh. ‘I don’t know how Dhruv lived through that and still functions like a normal human being. I understand his rage a little more now, so yeah, I suppose I don’t hate him anymore.’

‘I’m really glad to hear that. Considering how complicated your history is, this is great progress,’ Maithili said, offering an encouraging smile.

She shook her head firmly. ‘Progress or not, Dhruv still has a long way to go before he can be my brother. I respect very few men, and like even fewer, so we’ll see.’

A teasing smile spread across Maithili’s face. ‘So, what about your roommate, Swayam? Do you like him?’

Kashvi stammered, ‘I… I don’t know what you mean.’

Maithili scoffed lightly, dragging out the word. ‘Sure. How’s living with him going?’

The silly crush she had secretly harboured on him had only worsened since he moved in with her. She blamed the smoky look in his eyes, the deep baritone of his voice, and that devastating smile of his for it.

Instead of saying that, she admitted, ‘Actually, just for now, I’ve been staying at the old apartment I used to share with Di.’

Maithili’s eyes widened, caught off guard. ‘When did this happen?’

‘Two weeks ago.’

‘So you’ve been living alone for two weeks?’ Maithili asked. ‘How come Siya didn’t discourage you from that? She knows how risky this can be with your medical history.’

Kashvi shook her head. ‘Di doesn’t know I’m back at our old place. I told everyone I was staying with a friend.’

‘But why?’

Because Swayam watched her with a quiet intensity that made her feel seen, and far too vulnerable for comfort.

‘Swayam began to notice the nightmares and panic attacks. When it got worse, I didn’t want him to see me like that anymore… so I left,’ Kashvi confessed softly.

Maithili hummed. ‘You’ve been living together for, what, several months now? And even though he’s your sister’s friend, you’re close to him too, right?’

‘Yes.’

‘Then I’m curious why you didn’t talk to him, instead of leaving. As your roommate, I think he should get a heads-up if you just decide to move out on a whim,’ Maithili observed, her gaze intent on her. ‘Because what it looks like is you ran away specifically to hide from him.’

Her accuracy was uncanny, but Kashvi felt it safe not to acknowledge it. ‘I haven’t told Swayam because this is only temporary. I’ll go back soon.’

Maithili’s brows knit together in quiet understanding. ‘I see. But I must admit, from what you’ve told me about him, I find it odd that he hasn’t reached out to you.’

Kashvi bit her lip. ‘Swayam has. He called every day and sent countless messages, but I only replied a few times.’