She really couldn't give herself one reason, as to why she was meeting that bastard. He had even one big reason to hate him all her life however there she was going to meet him. Aarush has no idea about this. "Maybe tomorrow I will tell him about the events of this night." She thought. She parked her car and found him right beside hers. He was already inside and this was already making her anxious.
She can but she doesn't want to deal with this right now. She somehow got the courage and got out of the car. She made her way to the door of the restaurant and found Tarun sitting on the table, fidgeting his fingers. His clear sign of nervousness, so she is not the only one. She got inside and he noticed her. He got up but stood there, even though she was frozen. They just looked at each other blankly. "This was so awkward," Sam said to herself. She couldn't think of what to do.
Finally, Tarun spoke, "Sam, it's great th-that you came." she smiled and took the seat in front of him. She was just looking at the table because she didn't even want to look into his eyes. "Hey, I already ordered spring rolls, Hakka noodles, and fried rice. I know you love them." she gave him a faint smile.
"That's sweet," she said. Another awkward silence. For her, it was the silence before the storm. "It is nice to see you giving me a chance to explain myself. Samaira.." he took her hand in his and she instantly freed it and kept it on her lap. "There is no way he could even touch me today." she thought and moved her gaze sideways. Maybe he understood that she was uncomfortable and took his hand off the table.
She couldn't comprehend what to do. "Tarun, I think I should go. This won't take us anywhere," she said and was ready to get up. "No, wait. Samaira, this is the only chance where I could save our friendship. Please."
Anger boiled inside her, "Really, Tarun. Did you ever respect our friendship when you were cheating behind my back? No, at that time you were just being selfish." she said and turned towards the door. People were looking at them but she didn't even give a f**k about it. He held her hand and stopped her right there.
She took her hand swiftly from his touch. "Sam, you have the right to be mad at me, and your anger is justified. I agree that I made the biggest mistake of my life and I am truly apologizing for it."
She was reluctant but looking at her friend like this she forgot all her anger and hatred against him. Tarun is a good boy and she knew it well. Being her senior in the university, he has helped her through thick and thin.
Been with her when she needed a friend. "Okay, fine," she said and both settled down. "This is weird, I know. You have to trust me. I wanted to tell you the very same day Anjali and I were officially together but she stopped me and at that time I really believed what she said."
She was not buying anything he said however she knew the true culprit behind it was Anjali. "So, why were you taking me to dinners and all that show-off ?". She wanted to learn everything. Not wanting to leave any stone unturned. "It was not a show-off, first of all. Second, if you remember we used to go all these dinners way before our parents fixed their damn deal."
Before she could speak anything their food arrived and it was mouth-watering. "Yeah, I agree but you know how a man behaves when he starts cheating. So I just thought. Let's first dig into this food and have the conversation."
She took the spring rolls and served them on both of their plates whereas Tarun served noodles and fried rice. She was so hungry that she had literally attacked the food. "You don't want a drink?" she asked him. "Why not? Beer" he responded. She looked and called the waiter. "Can we have two chilled beers please?" and the waiter went inside. "So how is Anjali?" she inquired.
After all, she should be happy. "About her, she is not fine. I mean it is difficult to explain. She told me about everything from school till college, how every boy used to ask her about you and her jealousy. Sam, we are not here to talk about that. I am here to fix is not your's and Anjali's friendship." she wanted to hear all of it.
"No! I want to know and talk about Anjali, this will help our friends to heal faster," she demanded. Tarun had no choice but to tell her everything. "After you left something strikes me and I asked Anjali why she didn't lemme tell you about our love? She was hesitant at first but blabbered out everything. You were better than her in every aspect, from sports to academics, dance to debate, and many more. Even getting attention from boys was like a piece of cake for you and in that process, she became jealous of you. For her, your friendship was a cage, where you overshadowed her." Tarun stopped and glanced at Samaira. She was alarmed by what Tarun had said to her.
She never in her nightmares thought of doing any harm to Anjali and there she thought that I am being a hurdle for her growth. Tears started flowing from her eyes. She unintentionally had harmed her best friend for years.
She had lost her place in her good graces. "Sam, look I don't know what should be done but she has been with you since your kindergarten. I think you should sort out everything. I mean I have Anjali and you have found Aarush back. I think we should get back to normal."
She couldn't agree more. Even though being cheated, she wanted her school friend back. She grabbed her phone and texted Anjali. 'I apologize for things you had to go through because of me. I never meant to do anything like that. We need to fix a few things. It would be great if we could meet up.' and she sent it. She saw that there are texts from Aarush also. She felt guilty for ignoring the Aarush text. She thought of calling him in the car.
"So, when are you going back to Delhi?" she asked him when the waiter came and cleared their plates. "Tonight, I mean I have an early flight tomorrow," he smiled. At that time they got up and left the restaurant.
"I guess, this is it," Sam said to him. "Yeah, tonight has changed many things," he said by putting his palms in his pockets. "Hope I will see you soon." she did by unlocking her car. "I can drop you home. I know you have your car but I could come with you in my car." Tarun insisted. "There is no need for it." she protested however Tarun was beyond stubborn to let her drive alone.
Finally, she had to agree and both the cars headed towards her apartment. She even called Aarush's number but because of the low battery of her phone, she thought against it. However, she needs to tell Aarush about this soon. The drive was not too long and they reached the parking lot of her building. She parked her car and took her handbag with her.
"Come, I will drop you," Tarun said. "It is really not needed, Tarun.." but he stopped her. "It is." and they took the elevator together. Tarun got a call, he hesitated to pick but Samaira took a peek at the screen, Anjali was calling him. "Pick it up," she said. "No it's fine I will just text her," he said and they reached the 8th floor.
Sam grabbed her house keys and unlocked them. "Come inside" she offered to Tarun although she was a bit reluctant. "No, actually I can't. I have to leave for the airport. But here are your apartment keys." he handed her the keys which he had. "Oh! Yeah, I forgot about these," she said. Tarun extended his arms for a hug. She was not sure but then hugged him.
It was a long and soft hug. "I am sorry for everything that happened but I guess this is the way things start mending," Tarun said while retrieving. "I guess, do come back soon and bring Anjali along," she said. "I will. See you soon." he quickly hugged her and vanished into the elevator.
At that time she felt anxiety building inside her. That was a weird feeling but she couldn't help but feel uneasy. It was like a sudden sense that something wrong is gonna happen.
Nonetheless, she tried to ignore it and called Aarush. He was not picking up. She kept trying until she finally gave up. She thought of giving him a text in the morning.
She freshened up, completed her office work, and went to bed. Having a feeling of displeasure. She was becoming nervous every passing second. The restlessness and fear of missing out on dinner which Aarush had planned. But why on earth did he ignore all her calls. Why is her heart racing so fast? She even thought of even going and checking on him but the distance and time made her stop. She closed her eyes hoping that sleep takes over her soon.
The next day she found herself outside Aarush's cabin. She was going to submit a proposal to him. She knocked on the door and went inside. Aarush was sitting on his desk with a bottle of whiskey. "Aarush, what are you doing? Stop drinking."
But he didn't listen. She grabbed his arms and the glass but he loosened from her grip and chugged down the entire glass in one go. "Aarush, stop it," she said to him. "You don't get to say what should I do and what I should not," he said to her while he poured more whiskey from the bottle. "Yes, I do have that right. It will kill you to stop it."
He was not going to stop so she took the bottle away from him. "Samaira, give it to me." he barked. "No I am not." she protested. Aarush anger was boiling and was about to burst any moment now. He smashed the glass on the floor. "Aarush have you gone insane? What is wrong with you?" Samaira asked him. She was so worried to see him like this, so vulnerable and fragile. "I am fucking fine Samaira. Please just leave. I don't want to see your face."
Ouch, that hurt her. "What are you talking about Aarush?" she spoke. "You, I am talking about you, Samaira Malhotra. Ever since the day I have met you, there is either love brimming or emptiness inside me. When we met again hopes filled in this time. Though I didn't know that Thor's Stormbreaker would come and whack it." he said with rage.
"Aarush, what is all this about? You know I love you with all my heart.". "Please stop this dumb act Samaira. You were always his even after he broke your trust. But I was there for you when you thought of this world only filled with shitty people." She was so confused about what he was talking about.
"Who are you talking about?" she inquired. "Tarun Saxena. I saw you two together last night and you didn't even inform me while I was here making plans for our dinner." he was hurt. "Sushi, " but he cut her short.
"I gave you my trust, my heart, my loyalty, and my whole life but all you did was to tear me into pieces.". Aarush was mistaken and she did try to explain. She stepped towards him and grabbed his shoulders.
"Aarush, last night.." on the other hand he was done with explanations. "Look, I don't want any drama. You went with him while I waited for you. You are the one I've waited for but now no more." he brushed her hands off his shoulders.
"I am just done, Miss Malhotra. I will find you in another lifetime," he said. "Aarush, let me explain. There is a misunderstanding.". "Samaira, please leave my office now." "Aarush, " but he looked in the other direction. She had no choice but to leave. She was about to open the door when Aarush spoke, "You know I wish I would have never met you." he said, looking in her eyes blankly.
She screamed "Aarush" and got up from her bed. She sensed the reality, it was a nightmare. Her heart was racing. Her body is sweaty. She had the worst one tonight. She checked the clock, it was 3:00 at night. She would not like to hear any of those nasty things Aarush said to her.
Her heart was heavy. Why was she having such dreams? Are things really going ugly between her and Aarush. The answers she got were none. It was an indication of something which has not come to attention yet. Would Aarush be fine? She checked her phone but there was no single call from him.
Tears started coming down her cheeks. She can't lose him after finding him again. She has lived without him for long but not now. She dialed the first person which came to her mind. Vydehi. She is a night owl and would be up till now. "Samaira, why are you calling now?" she said as soon as she picked up. "Vydehi, Vydehi. I..I.".
Nevertheless, Vydehi spoke, "Sam, are you alright? Tell me?" "Vydehi, I saw I saw that.." "Yes, what did you see?" Sam was too shocked to speak. "I had a nightmare. The worst on ever." Vydehi did give her time to speak but rather Sam kept on crying. "What kind of nightmare Sam. You know that when you were five you have a nightmare that your doll was dying, I tell you that was hilarious." she started laughing. "Vydehi. I am not a little girl. It was awful." Samaira started sobbing. "What is it, Sam?" Vydehi said with a concerned tone.
"I saw that Aarush is upset with me about something but I don't understand what. He even told me that I have broken his heart. And for the fact that he wished that he never to met me." she broke again. "Sam, this is a dream none of this is true. Okay, and there are hurdles in every relationship but that doesn't mean that it can't be overcome. You keep this shit out of your mind and back to bed peacefully."
"But, Vydehi that seemed so real. Last night was also a bit weird. I had an intention that something will go wrong between me and Aarush. This dream has made me 100% sure that something will go wrong. I don't want to lose him again." Sam said. She couldn't even imagine her life without him.
"Sam, none of this is gonna happen. Okay? And talk to him first thing in the morning and maturely clear everything. Got it ?" Vydehi said. Sam hummed and hung up the phone. She lay down on the bed again but sleep never occurred to her.
It was very long that she had kept staring at the ceiling. All the words which Aarush said in her dream were echoing inside her brain. She was now convinced that Aarush is disturbed about something, however, she didn't know what.
It was nearly 6:00 when she finally gave up and got out of bed. She changed into her gym clothes and went for a walk on the beachside. This will help her to calm down and relax a bit. The cool breeze blew against her face. It was like it wind was enchanting soothing words in her ears.
It was not a long time she came here before her interview. Things seem to be taking the same path as before but she hoped that she doesn't get separated from Aarush once again. Looking at the horizon, she thought of how senseless her life would become without Aarush. It takes energy to invest life with meaning and at present, the energy was lacking. Aarush was at the stray.
Walking by the sea, she had a daydream of her and Aarush walking there, teasing each other, and the surrounding filled with giggles. 'What a perfect started of the day it would be' she thought but indeed her day started with nervousness, anxiety, and fear.
She sighed and closed her eyes and the face of happy Aarush came into her consciousness. She needed to message him so bad and she didn't even think twice. She took her phone and typed a message for Aarush. "Hey Aarush, sorry didn't see your text last night. Was busy. Want to meet for breakfast or lunch anything is fine? ;)" and waited for him to reply. She kept waiting but never got one.