chapter 44

Aditya helped with the decorations and greeted the guests along with Ruhan. There were chatters in all corners of the complex and all the guests started with refreshments. Anshika peeped from behind the door to check if everyone had settled in the garden for Siya to come out when her eyes met Ruhan's. Ruhan helped in offering some juices to the guests when their eyes met. He could see Anshika dressed in a dress which extended till her feet. She had kept her hair in a bun and had applied make up on her face. A floral garland decorated her hair. Ruhan couldn't keep his eyes off Anshika when Anshika looked around and went inside.After a while Siya came in and was received by her parents. She was made seated on the constructed stage where henna would be applied to her hands. Aditya also made himself seated beside Siya where the henna designers applied henna on the couple's hands and hence the ceremony began. Anshika stood resting her back on a pillar admiring her friends and Ruhan stood on the opposite pillar. Their eyes met occasionally and everytime the eye contact was broken by Anshika. She would intentionally look aside and everytime their eyes met she would think about her love and then about her humiliation. Her thoughts were not working well and so she left the party midway to go to her room. No one but Ruhan had noticed it and followed her. Anshika discovered tears in her eyes as she made her way through the patio. She stood to wipe off her tears but Ruhan found her before that. He quickly rushed in and offered his handkerchief. They stood facing each other as their eyes locked and Anshika wiped off her tears with her palm not accepting Ruhan's handkerchief."Why are you coming behind me?""Look Anshu,""Anshu? After all that you call me that? Sorry, but this name is reserved only for people I love. You're not even close to that.""Anshika, can we please talk?""Talk about what?""Anshika I'm sorry for hurting you.""Sorry? So you think that's all?""No, but I've to apologise. I know it's not even close to how much I've hurt you but please.""What please? There's no please. If you want me to forgive you you must know that I've forgiven you long ago. So you don't need to apologise anymore. You're forgiven.""Anshika.""No more talking please. Siya and Adi would get to know we're not at the party. We'll talk later.""Sure."Anshika walked down the patio at a faster pace while Ruhan kept standing there for a while."Where have you been? I was looking for you." Siya said from her seat as Anshika took the seat beside her."I just went to the washroom. Something fell in my eye." Anshika said rubbing the corner of her eye."Aunty please apply henna on her."Siya addressed another designer pointing at Anshika.Both of the girls had henna designs applied on their hands sitting together.Ruhan stood leaning by the pillar and smiled at Anshika who refused to look at him.Drying their hands Siya talked with Anshika."Are you sure you were not with Ruhan when I was looking for you?""Huh? What do you mean?""He was also missing from here.""Oh no no. Did I not tell you that I went to the washroom?""Yes you did. But I was still thinking.""You and your thoughts. Ruhan might be trying to be good and help other people around."Siya smirked at Anshika and she knew that Siya knew she was with Ruhan.