chapter 54

Ruhan stayed in his room for a while. He was sitting on the couch and then sat spreading himself on the bed, leaning his back on the headrest. His eyes didn't have tears but guilt. Anshika stood for a while outside Ruhan's door shedding tears and after a while ran to her room. She couldn't afford to ruin Siya and Aditya's wedding because of her own relationship problems. She carefully dabbed her face with tissue paper in order to not spoil her makeup. She went out after a while to Siya and Aditya whose rituals were about to begin. Aditya was called for the ritual while Siya kept seated on her chair. Meanwhile, Anshika went to her and they had some conversation. "Where's Ruhan?" Siya asked after a while. "He's inside I think. He said he had something important."Siya was half convinced. However, she soon had to go and sit beside Aditya for their auspicious wedding to occur. Anshika stood by the pillar and threw flowers on the couple like everyone else did and found Ruhan doing the same from the opposite side. Anshika deliberately broke her eye contact with him. She kept on showering flowers at the new couple. They versed and took vows and were formally declared married after Aditya put vermillion on Siya's hair partition as well as the mangalsutra. Everyone clapped for the couple as they came forward to seek blessings of the elders. The blessings were taken and Siya came running to Anshika, who was equally excited and hugged her. Not finding Ruhan around, Aditya came to Anshika as well and they hugged. "Congratulations to you both! You've made it! I so love you guys."Anshika said as she hugged both of them together. "Thank you so much Anshika. You made our wedding day so special.""Are you seriously being formal with me?" Anshika said collecting a tear drop from the corner of her eye. "It's so emotional to see your childhood best friend get married." Anshika said controlling her tears. "Where's your guy by the way?" Aditya asked Anshika acting a bit dramatic. "Ruhan? He is I think with the guests."They exchanged another round of hugs before the new couple went to attend their guests and prepare for their homecoming at Aditya's place. An emotional session followed as Siya went with Aditya in his car which was already decorated. While their car left, Anshika stood in a corner sobbing a mixed feeling along with the other guests. She turned behind to bump with Ruhan who was standing behind her holding his handkerchief out. "You need it.""No I don't." Anshika said as she removed his hand and walked towards the villa. The garden soon was vacant and the decorations were started to dismantle. The beautiful lit up garden was now dark and everyone settled to their respective rooms. While Anshika removed her jewellery and loosened her hair, she heard a knock on the door. She was hesitant since she had already unhooked her blouse and asked the person outside that she wasn't able to open the door. However, the knocking increased and feeling that the knock might wake all other guests, she quickly grabbed a shrug that lay and put it on over her lahenga before she opened the door. As she unfastened the lock and slowly opened the door, she found Ruhan standing at the door, still in his formals. The only difference was his tie was a bit loosed hand hung from his neck. "You here?" Anshika said without making an eye contact. Ruhan didn't respond to her. He just stood looking at her. "I think you should leave now." Anshika said as she tried to shut the door. "Anshika, I leave in a while. I've my flight.""You didn't mention that before. Will you be attending their reception party?"Ruhan tried to enter inside without answering to Anshika, however, Anshika tried to resist. "You can't enter like this, Ruhan."In the struggle to keep him out, a side of her shrug fell on the side, since it was already loosely tied, exposing her bare shoulders. Ruhan stopped pushing while Anshika pulled up her sleeves."Leave." Anshika said, while Ruhan took a step back. She slowly shut the door but a gap was left open with which she looked outside at him. As Ruhan made his way through the hallway, Anshika called him.