Damn, it is the day I am going to meet everyone at my house, I mean the house where I and Krish lived together. It is Akash's birthday today and we had planned to spend the whole day there as per the birthday boy's request.
I am going to meet Krish for the first time in six long months my excitement rises in a fraction of a second and my mind starts to wonder how has he been. Did he miss me? Is he still mad at me? Has he found any new girl for him? The thought of him having another girl in his life was quite disturbing so I try to quit thinking about him by dressing myself up. It was in because the moment I closed my eyes a vision appears of Krish's face the last time I saw him as I left the house. His angry expression, his cry, and the wounds on his face because of Mathew's punches.
Krish likes me in saree and so I drape the red saree which he had bought for me a year ago. After getting ready I look at the mirror for the hundredth time to make sure I look elegant.
I walked out of the room, everyone was waiting for me. Akash was also there with another fair, well-built guy who was a little shorter than him.
"Many more happy returns of the day Akash. Have a great year ahead", I said to Akash giving him a hug
"Thank you didi", he said.
"Who is he?", I asked pointing at the unknown man standing in the middle of the living room.
"He is Pranay, my boyfriend...", Akash started
"And your fake boyfriend tonight", Mathew continued
"Wait. My fake date. But why?", I questioned
"Because I know what you told Levi Cruz on that day. I know that you have still not moved on from Krish Malhotra. So this is what we are going to do. Pranay will act like your boyfriend the whole time we are there"
"Why should we have this act now?"
"As much as I know Krish acts on impulse at times. So, if he still has some feelings towards you, he will react out of jealousy."
"But..."
"If he doesn't then you need to move on", Mathew said and walked away without waiting for my reply.
"Trust me, everything will be fine. I am sure Krish will make a scene there", Akash said patting my shoulder.
We travel in silence to my old house of mine. We entered the house which was decorated with balloons. Not a single thing was changed in the house. Every single thing remained in the place where it was when I left. It was filled with the same smell, the smell of lavender room spray which I love. The only thing which is changed is our family. We were no longer united. Once this house was the love nest of Krish and mine, but no we were both standing in the same place with hard feelings.
Aaradh stumbled towards his father the moment he saw him. Krish carried him with a wide smile. The smile I had missed the most. He came to us.
"Welcome home", he said with a smile.
Sahana ran and hugged him. He gave Aaradh to Akash and kneeled in front of Sahana. He hugged her and said, "I missed you, dear"
"I missed you too, uncle", she said
Then we set the birthday cake and were set to start the party. Akash cut the cake and fed it to Krish first. I know he wanted to feed Pranay but what to do because of this stupid act of Mathew he couldn't.
"Who is that guy, standing next to Megha", Krish asked
"He is Pranay, Megha's boyfriend", Akash answered with a smile.
Krish's eyes were fixed on me while Pranay held my hand. I turned towards him and he tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear. We walked together to fill our plates for dinner while Krish was staring at Pranav in anger. Maybe Mathew's plan was working. Maybe he is getting jealous.
"I guess this working out", I whispered into Pranay's ears. I might have leaned more into him than necessary just to grab Krish's attention.
"Great then, you know it is too awkward to act like a lover of my boyfriend's sister", he said
"You are doing a great job. Thanks", I said and he nodded with an unwanted chuckle.
While eating Pranay fed me, added food to my plate, and kept talking to me in a flirty way. Krish was just watching us in silence. He was trying to keep calm and I was pushing him harder to react.
"Time for entertainment", Akash shouted.
"Entertainment?", Mathew asked
"What kind of party ends without dance?"
"Okay then why don't we start with a couple dance by Megha and Pranay", Mathew said and winked at me.
Pranay offered his hand and I accept it faking shyness. His hand snaked around my waist while mine circled his neck. We moved rhythmically to the slow music. Our foreheads were attached and with the fake romantic feeling, we were dancing. Suddenly Krish pushed Pranay apart from him.
"STAY AWAY FROM HER", Krish growled
"Who the hell are you?", Pranay played along
"Her husband"
"If you remember you sent her divorce papers"
"That was impulsive and I regret sending it every passing single second. YOU BETTER STAY AWAY FROM HER. DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH HER LET ALONE TOUCH EVEN IF YOU THINK ABOUT HER, YOU WILL BE FACING THE WORST DEATH EVER. SHE IS MINE. I LOVE HER", he said holding Pranay's collar.
"Krish, leave him", I said softly and he immediately let go of him. Akash rushed to Pranay and set his shirt which was crumpled due to Krish's hold. He took him into his room.
Krish turned towards me. His eyes were teary. His face was clearly showing regret and love. There was no way on Earth that this man could hate me. He held my elbow and dragged me inside the room that we used to share and locked the door.