Chapter Thirty
Our relationship was good while it lasted.
⧠P R E E T â§
"Oh my god, it's so cold here!" I quickly pulled the open pallu of my saree over my back, covering it from the cold breeze night. I rushed to the entrance, hugging my arms, and heard a chuckle. Looking over my shoulder, I glared at Deven who wouldn't stop laughing at my condition.
I should have used a sane mind before deciding to wear this.
I need to have a sane mind for that.
I regret it so much.
Deven sauntered to the place, using all of his leisurely time. I gritted my teeth and started walking to the hallway, mentally hoping that it was warm inside. Or at least less chilly.
Looking around the entrance in such a stateâwhere one can come up to me with a shawl and I'll quickly wrap it like an old greedy politician, I found it decorated with white fairy lights glowing on the curtains in the tune of the soft background melody. White carnations and shrubs placed at the bottom in a sequence added to the essence and colour of the overall.
I could easily use this frameâwith the right lights, as an opening scene for a wedding where the bride got murdered. It would look peaceful at the start and then the colour would start to sink in, following the storyline by the same.
I captured a short video of the area for reference in the future. Maybe, it will help me someday.
Taking a whole U-turn when the idea of getting amazing pictures here clicked in my mind. My navy blue saree would contrast with the white ever so magnificently.
On my first very step, I bumped into Deven, who was quick to grab my elbow before I could trip over the surface and end up in a hospital, and I wouldn't even get my nice pictures.
"You are going to fall one day." He spoke with quiet candour.
"You won't let me," I replied with an extra sweetness lacing my words and my smile. His change of expression told me that he understood my hidden intent and questioned, "Oh, that smile! What is it, Preet?"
"What?" I decided to act innocent.
"The work. What do you want me to do?" My lips broke into a chuckle as I bit my tongue, guilty. He understood it within seconds with the help of a mere smile.
It made me feel happy for some reason, I can't quite name well.
I drew his hand closer, opened his palm, and placed my phone on it. "Click some nice pictures of mine here, please." Deven wiped the lens on the material of his tux once, something I had taught him.
The lens plays a major role while clicking something. If the lens is not clear, no matter how generic it is, it will not come out nice. And that is common sense, I know.
But it's crazy how everything depends on it. Perception. The lens is just a metaphor for it.
I meekly smiled at the camera, my index fingers of both hands entwining in the front with a good posture. My eyes switched from the camera to Deven, and his expressive smile. He has been giving me these random smiles, not the soft ones but huge grins ever since we left the house. His eyes were focused on the camera, in the very precise angle I taught him the last I asked him to click my photos.
My smile for the picture extended and grew into a genuine one, as a wave of gratefulness hit me. This man here is the reason for millions of my smiles and real laughs.
I feel so blessed that he entered into my life. Even the best set of letters mingling together with full of love would not be able to express what I feel when he is around.
He not only makes my heart beat faster but also makes it full of love.
"Change the pose." I got out of my trance within a blink and turned sideways, smiling. After a few more pictures with different poses like over the shoulder, my backless blouse's picture and a few candids, I was content.
"I'm done. Thank you so much, my baby." I pulled his cheek lightly.
"You are a baby. I'm not." He countered in a fun way as we started walking further.
"Yes, you look like a baby's father." He gasped at my mockery and halted there in his place with a half-open mouth. I chuckled at the reaction and grabbed his arm, dragging him ahead with me.
"Such a harsh thing to say. I'm hurt, now." I rolled my eyes at the dramatic queen in front of me disguised in a man's suit. "I'm not that old, come on."
He added.
"Only thirty-one. Not that old." I replied. Later when the thought clicked, I continued, "That makes me realise, I'm seeing someone so old after years now."
"So, we are seeing each other?" His expression did not look pleasant at all.
"Yes." He cringed. "Why are you making a face like that?"
"I don't like it."
"What do you like to call it then?" I questioned, raising my head to match his unwavering gaze.
"Anything less than a husband-wife doesn't work with me." I just nodded nonchalantly at his big fat words of flirting.
"Fake," I reminded him.
"Nothing is fake anymore, nor it was before." My eyes narrowed in slits for a flickering second as I kept staring at him with vagueness. A small pout settled on my lips.
He laid a soft peck on it. "I fell for you first and way before. You were too late."
Oh.
"When did youâ" A loud voice drew our attention before I could complete my sentence. Both of our heads turned to the side in an instant.
"P!"
It was Jiyan, he ran on his little legs as fast as he could towards us in his cute little black suit, all set for his uncle's reception. A smile laced my lips. I picked him up in my arms, gently and laid a kiss on his cheek.
"Hi, J."
"You look sooo pretty, P, just like a fairy." He said, his eyes were full of awe as he scanned my face. My cheeks warmed up at his remark.
"Thank you, baby. And look at you, you look like an adorable tiny man in this." I replied and watched his grin grow wider. He came closer, pressing a soft kiss on my cheek.
Deven cleared his throat, drawing our attention and making us reminded of his existence. "Hi, badman." Saying this, he giggled, covering his mouth with pure evilness.
Deven scoffed, "Ye fir shuru hogaya, dedh foot."
[And here we go, this one-and-half foot started it again.]
Jiyan's giggles turned into laughter when Deven started tickling him lightly. While I was trying to hold Jiyan, who was jumping in my arms, Deven wouldn't stop, making their laughs echo all over the place.
"Stop," Jiyan screamed.
A random family passing by shot us a look, and I passed them an embarrassing smile in return. Taking the cue, Deven stopped before anybody could think that we belonged to the gang that kidnaps children wearing fancy clothes.
"Jiyu," Someone called his name. We looked here and there to find where the voice was coming from until I spotted a young girl, probably in her late teens or early twenties, dressed in a pastel yellow lehenga with flowers on the organza dupatta. I assume she was Jiyan's cousin.
"Haan," He shouted back, not bothering to go to her. She took the effort to come walk to us, her eyes lingering on Deven for a quite nice period of time and she smiled shyly before moving it to me.
These teenage girls are unbelievable, I swear.
"Mummy bolave che." She said something in Gujrati, from which I could understand that it was something related to mother.
[Mom is calling you.]
"Kona mummy?" He countered to which she clicked her tongue in annoyance.
[Whose mom?]
"Tara, bija kona." I forced my lips into a small smile when her eyes met mine.
[Yours, idiot.]
"Ja, mummy vadhe eena pehla." It was Deven who chose to break the awkward silence where all of us looked at each other blankly.
[Go, before your mom scolds you.]
"Arey bapre, haan." Jiyan face palmed himself and looked at me signalling me to put him down. And once I followed his words, he ran towards the front of the hall after muttering. "Bye P, Bye D."
Soon the girl left, not before missing her chance to ogle at my poor Deven, who understood shit about his demand in the current market. It's better if he doesn't acknowledge it.
"What happened?" I asked him as I missed the whole point when they decided to converse in Gujarati, randomly.
"His mother called him." Oh, alright.
We chatted on a general topic, which was how I made him rate every woman's outfit there, occasionally men's as well, but they were mostly similar.
"See, her drape is very nice, but the colour could have been better; it looks dull. But she's gorgeous." I said, judging a lady in a pale grey colour with rhinestones on it. The shining stones were way too eye-catching, making it look a little less classy.
"The outfit is a four if I were to be very considerate." He replied. "Yours look the best, trust me. The draping especially, it looks like it is done by a professional." He replied with a smug look spread all over his face.
And just like this, after giving each of them a single digit number, he didn't forget to repeat how I looked the best among them, and my outfit was an eleven on ten. All because he draped it.
"What about that man's tux?" I pointed towards a man's grey blazer. Oh wait, that looks familiar. We could only see the back of the man. And the posture and body language screamed only one name.
Aniketh.
Oh god, why?
"Mm, the colour is nice but I'll need to see it from the front to judge it properly." I nodded with a faint smile and put up an excuse. "Let's sit now, I'm tired."
It's better if they don't meet at all.
Deven is going to be very annoyed after spotting him here. I know this because from the past few days after that incident, every time someone has mentioned Aniketh, he loses all the emotions present inside him and anger takes over him.
"Wait," He held my hand and looked in the direction of Aniketh, trying to see his face. I shut my eyes close. "That's Aniketh."
And with that Deven's smile faltered. His eyes narrowed throwing daggers at Aniketh from a distance, and his grip on my hand tightened, unknowingly.
Ow. He is very strong.
"Leave it. Let's go and enjoy." I replied and moved my hand to loosen his hold or at least give him an idea that it had started to hurt me. He immediately freed my hand understanding the unsaid. God bless this soul.
I turned my wrist and pressed it lightly with my other hand, biting my tongue.
Raising my head to him, I saw him still staring at Aniketh like a hungry lion, unaware of all the happenings around him. I held his arm and shook it a little to bring him back to reality. "Let's go, Deven."
"Preet," I heard his firm voice. As I quietly waited for him to continue further, his gaze landed on me, and his eyes softened in a jiffy. "Please consider this as a request, but you are not speaking a word to him today." His tone was edged and clipped, leaving no room for an argument.
If that was a request then I wonder how he orders.
I did not know what to reply, so I decided to enjoy the silence, which did nothing but raise goosebumps on my skin every time the wind blew. It did get warmer here, though; I think they have a heater somewhere.
Upon not getting a response in return, he held my hand softly and caressed the back of it with his thumb. "I need you by my side tonight, at all times, at any cost."
"Butâ" he cut me off before I could get another word out.
"I don't care." Deven snapped. Okay, but why was he getting mad at me now? What did I do? I was going to say something in his support only.
Just because of how I wore my thoughts on my face, he understood it by my obnoxious expression. "I'm sorry, that wasn't for you. He fucked up with all my nerves badly last time, so now I just don't want to risk a thing."
I huffed. "I got your point. Just say it nicely na."
"Sorry, madam." I pressed my lips in a thin line, still not convinced. "Call me jealous or a possessive freak, but I have had enough now. I just don't like you talking to him. It boils my blood. He has done enough shit with you, with us, it's better to ignore his fucking existence or it will be worse from my end." My lips parted after hearing him.
If I was Deven, even I wouldn't like him talking to someone like Aniketh, specially with the stunts he pulls every now and then.
"I understand what you are trying to say. But you are not doing anything stupid, Dev." He shrugged raising his hands in the air, giving up.
"That totally depends on him, now."
I clicked my tounge in helplessness.
The last thing I wanted was chaos tonight. Even though my gut indicated very differently.
My eyes flickered back at Aniketh, who still hadn't noticed us standing here at a distance of 2 meters. Before I could look back at Deven, he was already blocking my view, so all I could see was his plain white shirt layered below his blue blazer.
"Please, Reet." He repeated. What makes him think that I am not interested in going and chatting with him? That is the last thing I want. But I can't possibly shoo him away if he comes to talk when we are alone, I don't want to create a scene on someone's good day.
But if Deven is telling that he will be there, then I don't think so that will be a problem. Aniketh will not bother to come to me, in the first place.
"Okay," I muttered, wanting to skip the uncomfortable moment which was not going to have an endâthe firmness of his eyes told me that. We weren't getting anywhere till I agreed with him.
And I kind of got his point; last time, things were screwed.
But that was not solely because of Aniketh. All of us played a good role in it. Aniketh's motive was to do damage, so he is not even in the picture. I don't even count him. But Deven was wrong on his part, while I was on mine.
â§
The never-ending reception was very energy consuming. We had personally greeted the couple, congratulated and wished them good luck for their future, gave them the gift we bought and now I wanted to leave the place badly. Their family members were having a photoshoot done, so it wouldn't matter if we were not present.
Resting my head on Deven's shoulder who was busy typing something on his phone, I yawned. His hand rushed to the side of my hand and he patted it thrice while still typing with his other hand. Through, a distant view, I could see him texting someone on WhatsApp. I squinted my eyes to see who was it, hehe, and it was some Mr Lehri.
I closed my eyes, getting bored. He said that we will leave in five minutes after his work is done. It's been seven minutes now. "Are you tired?"
"Very tired." I felt him laying a kiss on my head.
"Two minutes only." I scanned him through my lashes and found him already smiling at me.
"You have been giving me a lot of random smiles today, grins precisely. What's the occasion, Mister?"
"You are the occasion." I smiled coyly.
I removed his hand from my back when I felt him drawing randomly patterns there. Entangling it with mine, so that it fails to find the route to where it was, I got back into my comfortable position.
After a while, my eyes opened when he did not pick up his phone which was ringing from a long time. I couldn't see the caller ID as the previous chat was still open but I observed how his face lost its colours in an instant and he gulped nervously.
"Who is it?" I asked him, drifting away sensing his hidden seriousness. His body had stiffened as he blinked cluelessly.
"Give me two minutes." He said in a voice with no solid emotion reflecting, just a blank face and removed his hand from my hold. I watched him turn his back to me and soon he left leaving me bewildered.
I let out a sigh.
The day Deven answers my question clearly in the first attempt without leaving me confused, I will throw a grand party.
Whose call could it be that it made him so anxious in a span of a minute?
I was back to scrolling seamlessly on my Instagram feed, while my mind was filled with different questions, which I know aren't going to be answered anytime soon. And it doesn't matter honestly.
It is a little stressful though.
A notification popped up, it was Neava. I tapped on it, deciding to talk to her as I had nothing to do now. She is a nice pastime.
You're coming here, right?
Reading her text made me realise how I completely forgot to inform Deven about it. I had planned to spend the night at Neava's house. She recently shifted out of the dorm and rented a small apartment using the money she earns from her Social Media. I offered to help her in unpacking and settling in there.
That totally slipped out of my mind in the haste of deciding on the saree and picking out gifts for the newly wedded couple.
Yes. It might get a little late but I'll be there.
I sent the text back to her. I can't ditch her just like that. I am already feeling that something is off with her, she isn't behaving her usual self with me. Ever since I moved to Deven's house, our meetings have reduced and I take accountability for that. Things with Deven and Aniketh had caught me up.
I stood up from my seat after five minutes when there was still no sign of Deven. I wandered around trying to search for a washroom. Spotting a waiter, I went up to ask him. He directed me backstage, providing me with some further details about directions.
I ventured following his instructions only to land up in a weird, deserted place with dull, quivering lights. This part was still not yet refurbished properly like the rest of the place.
Dusting off all the thoughts, I entered the female washroom, which was well designed unlike the space outside. Glancing at the mirror, I noticed how my face had worn off all the glow I had when we came here.
Deven behaving like this out of a sudden has started to affect me now. This is not the first time, it is very common now. I tried to keep up with it and understand it, but for how long? Things won't go on smoothly if this continues.
And my worst fear is, that one day when he won't be able to handle all of this alone, he is going to burst out. And that could be a disaster for him and everyone around him.
I am trying so hard not to let things go to that stage or anywhere near it because the first prey to get hurt would be no one else but him.
I can't find a solution to this. Or even a mere escape. Where am I lacking?
After I was done, I retreated outside with numerous thoughts capturing my mind. On my way out, I let out a groan when I saw Aniketh walking towards me. I have only one questionâwhy?
The whole time, we managed to not get into each other's sight, and now, the only time when Deven isn't there, he shows up.
"Preet, wait," I heard him say when I moved past him like I didn't know him at all. I was determined not to turn and just leave this place without saying a word until I felt a tug at my wrist.
Taking a deep breath and preparing myself for the battle, I turned and replied coldly. "Let's not, Aniketh."
"I want to tell you something," His tone was serious as he begged me with his eyes.
"And I have no interest in hearing it,"
I removed my hand from his hold and was about to leave, but the next thing he said made me stop. "I'm leaving."
Oh my god, finally.
"And what do you want me to do with that piece of information?" I asked folding my hands below my chest. I wasn't going to melt it or talk nicely to him this time.
My husband taught me better.
"Nothing. I just wanted to..." He took a deep breath. I mentally wished for him to leave at that very moment. "Apologize."
I was taken aback at this and I bet the amusement written all over my face would support my statement. I tried to give him a minimal reaction and not let him know that I desperately wanted to hear him out and know the reason behind this sudden change of heart.
"Go on,"
"I've been a huge piece of shit to you...and Deven. I'm sorry." That's all?
"You're correct. What changed now?" I added. I'm pretending so hard to sound rude, but somewhere, guilt is creeping all over my skin.
He took a step ahead towards me and I moved back immediately, as a reflex. His expression showed an ounce of hurt, but he was quick enough to cover it up.
"I have done some horrible things like stalking you..." correct. "persisting you, pressuring you," correct. "trying to sabotage your relationship," partially correct.
"And I'm not here to justify it, or reason for it. Hell, I don't have any solid reason for it. I was an asshole, maybe I still am. First, I cheated on you, and you still stayed because, of course, I emotionally pressured you to, which was wrong. And then when you finally did what was good for you, I caused you trouble."
"You did not cheat, we were on a break." I interrupted.
"Yeah, same thing. That one's still on me."
"But the truth is, I was over you a long time ago. It was my family." He confessed. I bit the inside of my cheek patiently letting him continue. "You know how shitty they are."
I gulped at the mention of the same. His family was one hell, filled with dominating money-minded people who threw orders at him and treated him like trash. He was only close to his mother, who was also intolerable but the rest were extreme.
"My father's company is facing a lawsuit. It's not out there on the internet yet because we have restricted any information related to it. We were on the verge of bankruptcy; you must know about that." He explained.
My brows furrowed in confusion after hearing the last statement. "No, how would I know that?"
"Your husband must have told you. He kind of blackmailed me with that. Not saying that it's his fault at all, but yes, he did." My forehead furrowed with deep lines as my eyes morphed in disbelief.
"He blackmailed you?" I asked.
"Mm, not exactly." He answered and added, "But it was a threat. Better words would be threatened." I licked my dry lips and maintained a straight face.
"Yes, so, because of the case...my mother wanted us to continue dating." What the fuck?
Do I look like an attorney to him? How is his case related to me?
"What?" I exclaimed in shock.
"Your dad is one of the best lawyers in India." Dude, he can't be serious.
Being speechless would be an understatement, so I just kept staring at him like a blank canvas with my jaw hanging. "I know it's stupid-"
"It's crazy, Aniketh. Crazy, not just stupid." I countered. Guilt flashed in his eyes as he lowered them.
"My momâ"
I cut in, halting his words."Do you have a brain of yours? Why don't you use it for once to stop this torture of forced opinions and actions on yourself forever? Stop being a fool."
"I did. A little late, but yes. That is why I'm here, begging for an apology. The guilt was eating me out, Preet. I might have made a lot of mistakes, I was a miserable person, but I... repent me of all I did, the most." His voice cracked in intervals, as he gulped down the heaviness not allowing him to speak in a sentence.
"I know sorry won't fix anything, but I just wanted you to know that I am extremely sorry for what I was and for what I did. I just wanted to end things on a good note. I know it's a lot to ask but I hope you forgive me." I shook my head softly and let out a tired sigh.
It's a lot to take in, man. It's a lot.
"All I can say is, stop being a coward, D-Aniketh." He smiled at my slip of the tongue when I was about to say Deven instead of his name. His smile was genuine and real this time, something I hadn't seen in quite a long time.
My lips broke into a helpless smile as well. "You glow differently when you're with him, I hope it stays that way forever."
Did he just birth as a new person, man?
I nodded and asked, "What caused you to have this sudden change of heart?"
"I met someone." I gasped and looked at him excitedly. His ears turned red within a minute as he spoke with his eyes sparkling. "She made me a better person."
"Oh my god, yes!" I have never been this happy for someone. It freed me from the one guilt I was holding on of hurting him.
"You must be thinking, Thank God he finally left my back after nearly two years." I chuckled at his statement and tilted my head, negatively.
"So, you forgive me?" He whispered softly. His eyes shone with a mix of hope and regret. I took a deep breath and said.
"What you have done was not cool at all, it was just pathetic. But if you genuinely regret all of it, then what's the point of holding on to it? So, Yes, I forgive you but I'm not sure if I can forget it. I won't lie, You have done damage." I whispered the last part, hesitantly.
There was no point in caging him in the zone of regret which wouldn't let him grow further in life. Surely, he was wrong on his part. But that is his call. Forgiving him of the guilt was in my hand.
"It's okay, it takes a lot to even say that you forgive me. Thank you so much, Preet. Once again, I'm very sorry for being such a moron to you."
"You were much more than just a moron." His lips curled up in a remorseful chuckle. "Can I ask you something?"
"Yes, go on."
"Where did you get that letter from?" I asked him. That has been a mystery that all of us were curiously waiting to be solved. Where did Aniketh get the letter from?
"I stole it from your house. The day you had Neava and some guy over and we did the silly thing of who knows you better. It was lying in a diary." He admitted. I give him brownie points for not letting anyone know about it. At least, he aced being a thief.
"See, you have a brain in working condition; use it in the required places, please." I was about to fold my hands in a fun manner but he didn't let me.
I always said he is not a bad person. It might be evil taking over, but I was sure he had good left in himâthere's always good in bad, which nobody noticed. I'm so glad he realised it now.
I might never forget what he has done to me, but somewhere deep down in my heart, there will be a tiny space for him as a friend or as a whatever.  Because we often tend to remember every single bad thing a person has done to us, leaving behind all the times they stood like a rock beside us, with us.
He is one of them.
Our relationship was good while it lasted.
Now, It feels lighter like a weight has been removed from my chest. The weight of some unknown guilt of hurting him.
"Tell Deven a sorry from my end, will you?" I nodded. I was questioning if I should tell him about the marriage shit being fake but then I thought to just let it be. Sometimes it's easier when people think that you're married.
"Sure."
"Thank you so much, Preet. I have always said this, and I still will: you're a gem of a person; never let your spark fade." I smiled and took a step towards him, initiating a friendly hug. He hesitantly wrapped his arm around my back.
"I'm really sorry," Aniketh repeated.
"It's okay. Don't be a jerk to her now."
He nodded and was about to say something while breaking the hug until we heard a loud voice. "Preet?" I closed my eyes upon recognising it almost in a millisecond.
I turned around and there stood Deven with eyes as cold as ice staring into mine with a hint of an ignited fire. His blazer was hanging on his arm. His white shirt, with the first two buttons undone, didn't fail to show the tremendous rise and fall of his chest, as if he had run miles.
His gaze darkened when it switched to Aniketh and he fisted his palm tightly. Deven did not utter a single word to him. It was barely a minute but the tension in the atmosphere could be felt. He looked angry. Very angry.
I increased my pace, and once I reached him, I held his hand. "Deven, listen to me." He jerked off my hand and strode towards Aniketh.
My eyes widened when a strong punch landed on him before I could reach there. "Deven, what the fuck?" I shouted when he was about to pounce on him again. Just in time, I came between them and his hand froze mid-air upon seeing my face.
While pushing him away from Aniketh, he resisted multiple times but did not use too much of his power because it was me. "What the fuck is wrong with you, Deven?" I screamed again when he tried to get his hand out of my hold, without even sparing me a mere look.
He's out of control right now.
"You're not hurting him." I fumed with a strict voice and held his arms, anger taking over me. He glanced at me for the second time with his eyes piercing with rage. Mine were nothing less but a mirror to his in different hue. Our eyes locked as we looked at each other with heated intensity, like born enemies. All I could see was something different, scary, and dare I name it, madness drowning in the ocean of his eyes, I have always been so fond of. At the moment, there were nothing but some crashing waves, waiting for someone to immerse themselves in.
Letting out a mocking laugh blended with a pinch of torment and yanking my hands, preventing him from going towards Aniketh, who was his prey at the moment, he left without a word.
I turned to Aniketh who was clutching his face, with an apologetic look upon seeing his condition. Blood was oozing out of his lips and his jaw had already bruised into a shade of red.
"I'm soâ" he cut me off swiftly.
"This was inevitable, I had it coming. Go, run after him, Preet."
What Deven did was already very horrifying, but what frightened me more was the sheer craziness he possessed. It was as if he wasn't himselfâ as if a completely different soul had taken over, one I had never encountered before.
And I knew it was the beginning of the storm, the one that I dreaded for so long.
â§
A whirlwind of emotions, that is what this chapter was. And also probably the longest one with 5600+ words. Appreciate my efforts, cuties ð
I genuinely, desperately need your reviews on this as it's practically my first time building up a climax and not dropping it randomly like a bomb.
And I really appreciate everyone who constantly showers the book with their immense support. The ones who comment, you are my jaan se bhi zyada favourite ones. ððð
If the shit I'm writing confused you, then I succeeded because that is what I intend to do with it, humans are confusing. Something different than what I usually write. I've no say if you find it boring :(
Okay bye. <3