Nick had known that Aish wasn't the type to initiate conversations, and this encounter might lead to an unexpected outcome. Yet, he was drawn to the possibility of rekindling their connection. He had been waiting for this opportunity for years, and the prospect of a new beginning filled him with hope. Despite the intensity of the situation, he refused to let it slip away. For once, he wanted to seize the moment and take a chance.
Aish, on the other hand, was taken aback by the sudden turn of events. She had never expected Nick to be so forthcoming, and her usual composure was beginning to falter. Her face etched with complaints and disapproval, she seemed to pierce a hole through him with her gaze. Yet, she couldn't bring herself to object, not when Nick's words held a gentle, coaxing tone.
Ales's voice on the other end of the line broke the silence, her delicate tone a stark contrast to the tension in the air. "Sup, Aish?" she asked, her words stirring up memories that Aish had tried to keep buried. The sound of Ales's voice emotionally drained her, and Aish struggled to compose herself. Tears welled up in her eyes as she avoided eye contact, her gaze drifting to Nick, who was staring out the window, his profile unreadable.
Aish longed to vanish, to flee from the pain and the past, but fate had other plans. She was obliged to confront her emotions and react. "E...verything is on track, what about you?" she stuttered, her voice cracking as she struggled to maintain her composure. With her blurry vision, she hid her vulnerability from Nick and glanced at him, desperate to gauge his reaction.
But Nick remained oblivious to her struggle, his gaze fixed on the window. "It's going well! Got my grad degree, back here," Ales declared concisely, withholding unnecessary details. Nick's decision to keep the conversation going seemed to be paying off, as Aish was now actively participating, her words soothing to his ears.
As Aish took a spoonful of brownie, Nick's eyes met hers, and for a moment, they locked gazes. A subtle grin framed his face, and Aish's eyes narrowed, her expression infuriated. "Ales, someone is getting worn out from our chat," she blurted out, referring to Nick, who was chugging water.
"Don't tell me that someone is big brother!" Ales exclaimed on the other end of the phone. "No, keep going. Don't bother yourself," Nick said coldly, giving Aish a stern look. Aish rose her brows, biting the inside of her cheek, unsure of how to respond.
The conversation continued, with Aish sharing her plans for internships and Ales responding with enthusiasm. But Nick's attention was caught by Aish's question about his friends. "Is she asking about them? No way! I must have heard wrong. It's been years, and she hasn't asked about them once," he thought, taken aback by his own reaction.
Ales's response, "You mean Ather and that dumbass? They won't die, so don't worry!" only added to the tension. The look on Nick's face was intense and heartbreaking, his expression visibly pale.