"Ananya" he whispered in her ears making her more restless. For a moment they stared at each other. Ananya's face was looking terrified.
Arjun started laughing. She pushed him.
Her eyes were still waiting for him to explain.
"I don't love anyone. Still searching for her." He uttered in between his laugh.
Ananya was still in shock. She was unable to reply for a while.
She took a deep breath.
Thank God it was a prank. Don't know how many hearts was going to break today if it wasn't.
She tried to smile back controlling herself.
"You scared me, today. Though if you wouldn't laugh then also I won't believe it. And honestly, love is not something for me to believe anymore."
She said looking lost. Arjun kept staring at her lost face. Sometimes Ananya looked stranger to him. It felt like she has kept so many things with her secret. Is Rahul the only reason for her to build up a wall around her?
"Bye. Good night."
"Good night"
After Ananya left Arjun leaned back on his car. A sudden frustration gulped him. He kicked the tire of the car. Why was everything so complicated? Since childhood complications had never left his way. And now when he had started loving someone there was always a barricade coming between them.
He left it in his car.
Thank God Arjun it was a prank. Thank God that I am not the one you love. It's better to not love rather than to love me. Thank God you saved me from getting embarrassed. Thank God that you saved me from doing the crime of breaking the heart of a nice person like you.
Ananya entered her flat. On entering her room a pillow came running towards her face hitting her.
"Idiot" Neha groaned.
"Hey, what happened?"
"Idiot. Anu, I will never forgive you for sending me with that idiot."
"Vishal. His name is Vishal."
"Whatever. I don't care. Acha tell me one thing what private thing you were discussing that you send me with that Missile."
"Not missile, Vishal. Do you really can't remember his name or deliberately doing it?" She asked dancing her brows.
"I don't wanna take his name."
"But what's the problem? Did he do something to you? Tell me."
"Nothing. Just taunted the whole way." She said keeping the last sentence in a low voice.
"I am going to get fresh. Once I came back you have to tell me what secret you are having."
She sat down on the sofa. His words were still ringing in her ears like a siren like they were still trying to give her a warning of something which she can't see with open eyes.
Who told you to ask him those? For once it seemed like he is saying the truth. But his laugh saved it all. Deep inside she felt an emptiness which was a little strange for her. After her engagement broke she stopped thinking about all this. She tried to think that she was above all this, love, lovers, and relationships.
No, she doesn't hate love or have any bitter feelings for those lovers who take pride in having true love in their life. Well, how can she when she is the daughter of a person who in her whole life tried to make people believe that love exists? But she doesn't believe her fate.
*****
"And you said you don't love her, are you serious man?"
Vishal couldn't hold himself from bursting out. He and Arjun were sitting beside the pool enjoying their drinks.
"So what should I do? You must see her face. She was like I haven't said her I love you but said I will kill you."
"She should be like this. Maybe she was shocked. But.."
"Vishal, she is still not out of her relationship with Rahul. You tell me why she needed to go to Rahul today?" Arjun brought out his frustration.
"But the more important question is why Rahul called her and what happened to him that he drank that much. You saw his condition."
"Wait, Rahul called her instead of us. Are they reviving their relationship?" Arjun stood up.
"Arjunn relax. I don't think anything like this is happening. But has he said anything to you that is bothering him."
"No, maybe Ananya knows."
"Yeah because Rahul is smart." He said mockingly.
"What do you mean by he is smart? Vishal I don't want to tell her that I love her in such a condition where I have to propose to her just because I have to prove to her that I don't love anyone else."
"What's this logic now? Couldn't say a simple I love you, now making various excuses. In normal times roams around like a boss, employees fear him, and girls drool over him but wish they know how useless is their great boss."
Vishal mumbled.
"You said anything?"
"No what would I say? It's you who had to say. By the way, I wonder how you used to manage girls in London?"
"Stop it, ok. Ananya is different. Everything is different. I can't make you understand. If you have stayed in my place then you might understand."
"Huh, I could have done this in one minute. But the matter is I see her like my sister so can't do it otherwise by now she would have been my girlfriend."
"Yeah, I see how you escaped that day at the party seeing her." He said narrowing his eyes.
Whatever, well today I'm full-on mood after giving back to that Neha. He said under his breath.
Ananya's p.o.v.
The whole week ended in a typical boring way. No, after that night we didn't talk much, in fact, he ignored me. I'm still working as Avinash Sir's assistant. Rahul called me after that night. He asked me if he did anything too bad in a drunken state. I just said him about the part of Shriya subtracting Arjun's part.
Finally, it's time for the party, Shriya's parents' marriage anniversary party. Firstly I thought to not attend but then realize it would not look good so now standing in front of my cupboard again looking for a perfect dress.
"Can't decide?" Neha asked from behind.
I shrugged my shoulder.
She passed across me and searched for something among her dresses. She took out a black off-shoulder Maxie gown and extended it to me.
"No! I'm not gonna wear it. It won't suit me. It suits you. You know how clumsy I am."
"Stop your blabbering and wear it."
"You know I'm gonna go there by scooty. I can't handle it."
"Oh, God. You are not the first girl to ride scooty wearing a gown or ask your Arjun Sir to take you."
I took the dress and went to change. It's better to ignore her blabbering. This girl doesn't know when to stop.
After getting dressed up and applying the basic make up I left. I was nervous again. I don't know anyone at the party except Arjun and his friends. But they also might be busy.
I reached the given address. The party has been held on the lawn of Shriya's house. I entered. Awkwardness gulped me. Shriya's house was also quite large. Obviously, I have heard Shriya also belongs to a rich family. I started looking for a familiar face. I saw Vishal beside the pool busy with his drink. I went towards him.
Third man's p.o.v.
"Hii"
"Wow, hii, you are looking beautiful."
Ananya was still in her awkward state so she said nothing.
"I-I am sorry. I didn't mean any harm. Just said in flow. Please don't get offended."
"It's ok. I liked your compliment. Well, which girl won't like her compliment." She said with a smile. Suddenly a question came to her mind which she was keeping to herself for the last week.
She cleared her throat.
"Vishal, can I ask you something?"
"Yeah, ask."
"Arjun and Rahul are so good friends almost best friends, right? Is everything alright between them nowadays?" She asked hesitatingly.
Vishal remained silent hearing her question. Getting no answer she thought she might have done wrong asking this.
"I. I am sorry I think I shouldn't have asked that. It's a matter among your group more precisely between Arjun and Rahul. I shouldn't have interfered or come between them." She tends to leave.
"No worries," Vishal said. You have come already.
"Arjun and Rahul are best friends since their school days. I'm also but there is always something different about them. You know, they say friendship always happens in the same status, same mindset. This sentence is perfect for them. Their goals are the same, their choices are the same, even their likings also. But there is one more thing you know?"
He stopped for a moment.
"When things are so same, the clash is seen to happen. Can you guess what I mean by 'clash'?
Ananya tilted her head in no.
"Competition. Two best friends can be two of the best enemies also. I always feel like there is always a cold war going on between them. But yeah you can't understand that easily. In my college days, even I felt like I'm an outsider between them. Well, you can see my presence more effectively when they have a serious fight. Just to make everything normal you know." Vishal said leaning back on the railing.
There was an awkward silence.
"And what about you? The potential third competitor, are you?" Ananya said with a smile to cover up the awkwardness.
"No yaar. Where they are and where me? No, it doesn't mean I belong to some middle-class family or innocent type. My family is also rich. But my plans are different."
"So what is the story of the great Vishal?" Ananya asked leaning on the railing beside him lazily.
"Hmm, average student. Parents sent London to study like the two ideal best friends but left college midway unlike them and back to India. Left home, followed my passion, fashion photography, made it a profession and now living on my own, independent. No worries, no tension. Bindass life and it goes on and on." He said casually.
"You left your home! But why?"
"Because they can't bear this fashion photographer Vishal. For them, businessman Vishal looks more perfect. They can't take the fact that the way Arjun is made for business I'm made for fashion photography."
They went silent again. Ananya took a drink.
"Be aware of your drink from now on."
"Sure Sir and I want to say that you are a nice person."
"Hope to be as nice as you, my lady."
She laughed at his comment.
"I'm being honest."
"Really? Thank you, Mr."
Can't say about nice. But there is something special about you otherwise Arjun's eyes wouldn't fall on you. Vishal gulped all his thoughts.
They stood there in silence. The party has started to fill. Guests have started coming.
"Vishal" Ananya spoke up.
"Why is Arjun still ignoring me?"
"Huh?" Vishal choked on it.
"I just asked a simple question. He tells you everything, na?"
"No. He tells everything to Rahul."
But this time he has to. As for now, he can't tell him so the only person left is me.
"Well, I can give you a hint of his behavior."
Ananya raised her one brow.
"Your answer is hidden in those last lines I told you sometimes ago. Hope you get your answer."
What lines? Which hint? Clash, competition, Rahul, Arjun. What's there that I can't see? Ananya started rumbling his words.
"See who is here?"
As she turned to the way he directed she saw Arjun in his black suit coming with Shriya. She turned back from them.
I don't wanna talk to him. Don't know why he is still ignoring me. Fine, I also won't talk.
"Hi Ananya"
"Hi Shriya"
"I'm so glad that you have come."
"I'm also happy to come."
Vishal patted Arjun's back who was awestruck by seeing her.
"Man, now stop looking at her like that otherwise she will get to know your secret. Well matching matching ha?"
Arjun glared at him.
Ananya glanced for once at him. They exchanged stares. But soon Arjun took an excuse.
Ananya saw Shriya trying someone on call deliberately.
"Any problem Shriya?"
"Yeah, this Rahul is still not taking my call."
"Wait. Let me try."
She was about to call when she saw Rahul entering.
"See, He is here."
Seeing him Shriya went to him and hugged him. But Rahul's agitated mind didn't allow him to reciprocate it.
"Hi, Ananya" Rahul proceeded towards Ananya who was standing at the back of Shriya after saying hi to Shriya.
"Still ignoring her?"
"I am not in the mood, Anu. Let her be like her and me as well."
"Did you talk to her?"
"No. She didn't let me. She already confessed her love for Arjun to me."
"But Arjun doe.." she swallowed her words which automatically were about to come out.
"But at least confess to her. There is no point in hiding this."
"Please... I don't wanna talk about this."
"What's your guys' problem? Vishal was right. You two are the same."
"Vishal?"
"Nothing, leave it."
"You know somehow both of us have started staying in the same line. You loved me. I rejected you for her. She rejected me for Arjun. I wish you never left Mumbai in our childhood and I never met them. Well, I doubt if you stayed in my life then do I need them. Why you left Mumbai suddenly Anu? Things would have been different today then." Rahul's sad confession left both friends emotional.
Arjun took another drink to get relief from the parade going on inside him.
"Drink can't help man." Vishal joined him with a grin.
"What were you blabbering to her sometimes ago?"
"Wow, so I am also not left alive from your watchful eyes!"
"Stop talking nonsense."
"Relax man!" He took a deep breath. "She was asking me about you. She is missing you I think. Why don't you just tell her."
"Yeah and then she will say sorry Arjun, I love Rahul, right? Vishal, I can't. This one-sided feeling is just eating me. And it's not new. Since childhood, my life is screwed up just because of this. I don't want to do the same mistake that my da.." he controlled himself before he loses it fully." He felt his heart pounding so fast out of his rage.
"Excuse me." He made his way to a corner with less crowd.
"Hi" her voice rang in his ears. He turned to see her standing behind him with a soft smile curved on her rosy lips.
He turned to leave the place but she stood in his way.
"Dare to ignore, Mr. Arjun Singhania." She said smirking.
An amusement rose within him listening to her words.
"You are mistaking Ms. Roy. I am your boss. Is this the way to talk to your boss?" He stepped close to her reducing the distance between them.
"No, I'm not. It's not your office Mr. Arjun."
"And I'm not your worker here who will obey your threatening," Arjun replied raising one brow.
"Of course. But I can ask you from the rights of a friend."
"I have to leave."
"Is Rahul the reason for your ignorance?"
His steps paused.
"Who told you this? Vishal?"
"And are you going to beat him for that?" Ananya raised one eyebrow at him.
"No, I'm not going to do anything to him because you are talking nonsense."
"One week. The whole week. You behaved like I never existed."
"Yes, my wish."
"Why can't I understand you, Arjun?" Her frustration finally started showing.
"And what do you want me to do so that you can understand me?"
"Talk to me, normally, like other people. Smile with me, let me smile with you, like other friends. That's it."
He was about to say something but something caught his eye.
"Shriya's parents are here."
She looked back where the crowd was a little denser and among the crowd two people were surrounded.
"Let's go."
Both of them made their way towards them. The guests moved from them one after another once they congratulate the couple. And then finally they came into view making Ananya glued to her spot.
She felt her whole body shaking. Her words were lost. Her eyes went blurry at the shock of the scene in front of her. There was standing the person whom she never wanted to see in her whole life.
She was about to fall when Arjun's protective hand hold her perfectly.
"Ananya, are you ok?" Arjun's concerned voice cooed in her ears.