The Ahluwalias left yesterday. Turns out Kiya was getting engaged next month and She invited her personally which Dhwani was obviously going to ignore.
Kiya had sobbed in Veer's arms about how she was going to miss him , once she leaves for America.
Dhwani didn't know if she should feel angry or happy. On one side , she wouldn't have to see that female canine again but on the other hand , she was in her husband's arms.
They had tried to pick on her a couple of times but Dhwani was too tired nowadays.
She was drained.
Physically and mentally.
She felt like crying and screaming out loud but somehow the tears never showed up. She even tried reading her favourite books again to atleast feel something but she couldn't even concentrate on that. Her tension was ruining her. The constant strain on her body was not helping too.
Her overthinking mind always had something bizzare to make her worry.
And the biggest one yet was , is she right? Is her decision to leave Veer right?
Dhwani always thought about it. Maybe she was wrong. She could still give him a second chance. But the small ohm necklace on her neck always bought her back to reality.
She caressed it with a small smile.
"Papa? "
"Ha beta? "
"Why do you always wear this chain around your neck? "
Mom looked up from the vegetables she was chopping.
"Why are you suddenly so curious? "
It was a Sunday and all of them were sitting in the kitchen, just enjoying each others presence.
Her brother was playing with his new toy cars and Dhwani was sitting comfortable on the lap of her father who was reading the newspaper.
"Bas. Aise hi. "
(Just like that)
She traced the intricately carved ohm with her fingers.
"It was given to me by my mother. " Her father answered her , looking up from the newspaper
"Really? "
"Really. "
"She wanted me to wear it always so that I'll remember her even when we were not together. "
The young girl was looking at the locket with more fascination.
"Do you like it?"
She looked into his eyes and nodded with innocence.
He smiled at her cute face and removed the chain from his neck and tied it around hers.
It was definitely too big for the small girl but she couldn't care less as she giggled with happiness.
He kissed her forehead lovingly.
"Ha go on. Spoil your daughter by giving in to her every whim. I am so done with you and your daughter. "
"Papa, looks like mumma is angry. " She said hiding her face on her father's neck laughing.
"Then lets un - angry her. "
Dhwani and her father hugged the women from both sides , kissing her as they did so.
Her brother jumped in with the fun, giggling every time ma asked us to stop.
Once all of us stopped, we were all laying on the floor and had tears in our eyes with all the laughter.
Her hands travelled downwards to the mangalsutra that was resting just below the ohm necklace.
No she was not wrong.
All Dhwani Taneja had after the age of ten were her brains , self esteem and the memories of a beautiful childhood. She was who she was , because of all these. No one helped the poor intelligent orphan girl.
So Dhwani transformed herself from the damsel in distress to the badass woman she is.
She was not going to sacrifice any of these just for love. She survived well enough without it. She was sure she can do it now too.
But the thing is , love is like a drug. Once you know how it feels , you start to crave it until one day you realise that you just can't live without it.
She had already packed most of her stuff. She was waiting for Aarohi to leave for London. That was the only thing she asked once Dhwani stated that she was going to move out. And Aarohi left for London today morning.
She had hugged her and asked her to look after her family and Dhwani promised her the same.
A promise she was starting to regret.
"Have you finished packing?" Veer asked coming into the room.
"Hmm"
" I can drop you , if you want. "
I nodded in affirmation.
He came forward to help her with the luggage which she politely refused.
She didn't want anything more on the unfinished businesses they already had.
Dhwani didn't like this silence between them.
There was always sound and voices. Happy, sad or angry.
She wasn't used to this.
Dhwani brushed aside her thoughts and looked out of the window at the scenary.
Her old apartment looked the same that she was getting Deja Vu.
For a moment she got lost in those beautiful memories of the past.
Veer would visit her here , in this same car everyday with the excuse of giving her a lift. But both of them knew it was just a facade for them to spend time together with each other.
The whole ride they would just talk about random things and along the way they fell in love.
"We've reached." Veer said slowly tapping my shoulders.
"Ahh.... Yeah. "
I cleared my throat quietly and tried to open my seat belt which was not coming out.
"Let me help" Veer whispered leaning in.
They were really close that she could smell his musky scent. Her whole body were alive with goosebumps by their proximity.
Veer was focused on untying my mangalsutra from his shirt and Dhwani stared at her husband, the only man that could ever affect her this much , merely with their closeness.
Thank you I said with a shaky breath once he was done. Before I could leave he held my hand and said
" Dhwani "
"Whatever happens, remember one thing Dhwani. I don't think I can ever stop loving you. "
"How are you feeling?"
"So damn nervous"
Avyaan chuckled at my words.
"You can't be serious, you have planned for this your whole life. "
"Yeah I know but still. I have a right to be nervous. "
"Whatever you say. "
I signalled him to give me some water as I stopped the music playing in the background.
"You finished with your practice? " He questioned passing her a water bottle.
"Almost"
I drank the whole bottle and was about to open another when I asked him.
"Why are you even here? "
"What now I can't even visit you? "
"You know that's not what I meant"
"Nothing. I came to see you and... Give you ..... Emotional support"
"Right. Do you even know what emotional support is. Pretty sure you know what emotional blackmail is. I think you are confused avy"
Avyaan showed me his tongue.
"By the way where's Reshma? "
"She...... I don't know. "
"Romeo , I am your Juliet. I know you are not here just for me. "
"Yeah you are right. But I really do want to know how you are feeling. "
"I don't know Avyaan. I really don't. I have been too restless. "
"You just need a breather. Whenever I call you, you are always practicing. Did you even go home the last few days? "
"Of course I did. " I scoffed
"Is Dhruv coming tomorrow? "
"I don't know" I replied my voice hardening on its on.
"Did you talk to him ? "
"No. "
"Mahi it's been two days. Talk it out. "
"A conversation happens when two people talk not one. " I rolled my eyes.
"Mahi come on. I'm sure he has a reasonable explanation"
"I don't care. Actually I have cared enough. I have cared too much. "
"You know whatever you do I'm with you. But atleast tell me the whole story. You never tell me the full truth when it comes to him. Dhruv was your crush from the day I knew you then suddenly one day you married him which I still don't have an explanation of. "
"It's complicated. "
" Duh. I know but it can't be that complicated that you can't explain it to your bestie" Avyaan said giving her puppy eyes.
"Okay I will. Not now. But later. "
He gave me a cheeky grin.
I chuckled. " You are just an overgrown retriever. "
" Hello madam , girls think that dogs are cute and now days cute guys have more chance than hot ones. "
"I will never understand you and your logic. "
"Same "
I playfully smacked his head.
"Ouch "
"But what happened.
Last time I talked to you , he was engaged. "
He asked getting serious again.
"He was. They got into a car accident and she didn't survive. "
"Dhruv?"
" He wasn't supposed to but he did. "
" That girl must have been really special if he still loves her this much. "
" You have no idea"
"Let's play a game. "
" Like what. "
" I don't know? Let's just tell some facts about each other. And no lies. "
Arya and Rehan were walking by the banks of river Sienne.
Today was officially their last day on France. They were going to London tomorrow. They had wandered all around Paris, enjoying the views , not like a couple on a honeymoon but like two new friends getting to know each other.
Arya was now in awe of the person Rehan was. He wasn't what she thought he was. At all.
But there was a small speck of doubt still.
She always had trust issues and old habits die hard.
Okay you go first I said looking up at him.
"I once helped Dhruv Bhai bunk a class but snitched on him right after. "
" That's so evil " but I couldn't stop my giggle.
We walked a few steps more until I decided to break the silence.
" I have never been in any kind of relationship till now. "
" Wait really. I find it really hard to believe with this beautiful face of yours but if I think about it , all of them probably ran away because of your personality"
I rolled my eyes.
"Ha ha. But I'm not kidding. "
"Wow
Good for you I guess. As a professor I see true love and toxic relationships on a daily basis. "
"But You know friendship can be just as toxic as a relationship. I have first hand experience. "
He raised an eyebrow in question.
I was in highschool and had a lot of teenage drama around me as one does during those times. But anyways that's not my point. So I had this friend group of like six people and omg we honestly thought it was going somewhere.
I changed into a typical teenage girl during that time.
I didn't realise they were toxic until it was too late. They would always pick on me , tease me for the things I love , fat shame me etc. I don't even remember the reason but I decided enough was enough and I confronted them. They apologized a lot but thanks to them I have had this insecurity and trust issues from then on. I had insomnia, severe eating disorder and was on the verge of break down when I joined my College.
That's where I found Nandana and Kavya. Honestly they cured my depression. "
"You know, Everyone talks about toxicity and how why and when it happens. The thing no one acknowledge is the long term after effects. "
"You never talk about Nandana and Kavya. Why? " He asked confused.
"Nobody knows I'm so close with them. I didn't want anyone to. Only a few people who I trust know them. "
"So does this mean you trust me?"
"Maybe ,maybe not. " I responded not looking at him in the eye.
"Come on darling you just have to accept it. For how long will you deflect all my questions?"
He showed me our engagement ring on his finger.
"We are tied together for life. You have to get used to this one day or the other. "
"I'll try postponing that one day till the end. "
He chuckled shaking his head.
"You are impossible. But that's great cause I love to prove things possible" he said with a wink.
I lowered my head to hide the pink blush and small smile on my face.
A sudden gust of cold wind made me shiver a bit. Suddenly there was a warm hand around me covering both of us with a coat.
I gave him a questioning gaze.
"What? "
"Nothing" I shrugged
Still the smile refused to leave my face.
" I bought you a gift. " He said handing me a package.
I gave him an exasperated sigh.
"What? Friends give each other gifts."
I gave him a playful glare and said "Seriously?"
"Come on. You have to accept it. It's my first gift ever to you. "
"Fine. Thankyou" I replied this time with a genuine smile
"You have to wear it tonight when we go out. " Rehan said in one go.
"Wait what?"
"Why are your favours getting more bizzare as they go on? "
"Just wear it for me please will you? " He said squirming under my gaze. He seemed really nervous.
"I guess I'll try. " I responded shrugging my shoulders not giving him any direct answers.
Rehan left the room with a forced smile.
Arya opened the package to find a beautiful black sequined saree. It was gorgeous. Arya was just lost in the sheer beauty of it.
He might be an idiot but damn he had a great selection.
She didn't know if Rehan knew this , but her favourite colour was always black and this saree was exactly her style.
Something traditional and embraces her culture but a bit trendy and modern at the same time. People always told her that she looked great in black and Arya herself felt confident in it. She was made to wear that colour.
She changed into the saree and decided to tie her hair in a loose braid.
She didn't pack any heavy ornaments to the vacations so she went with her diamond mangalsutra and a simple hanging.
She didn't wear any make up. Just her lip balm.
These were the times when she wished she knew atleast the basics of make up.
She could do a heart surgery without any reaction but the moment she touches an eyeliner, her hands act as if they are holding ice.
Arya was greeted by her well dressed handsome husband at the suite. He was also dressed in a black monochromatic look and she officially take back everything she said.
If she was made to wear black , black was made to be worn by him.
Once he saw me, Rehan came towards her and took her hand in his then lifted it to his mouth , placing a soft kiss on the back of her hand.
"You look breathtaking. "
"You don't look so bad yourself. "
"Let's go "
He took me to the rooftop of the hotel which was beautifully decorated by fairy lights and candles.
"This is so pretty. Did you do this for me? Why?" I asked in confusion.
He just scratched the back of his neck and gave me a million dollar smile as an answer.
We ordered our dishes and the whole dinner was filled with just silly talks and laughs.
When it was time for desert the waiter brought out a small cake with the words ,
"HAPPY 25"
I looked at him astonished.
" Happy Birthday Mrs Singhania. "
â
After a long time.
Don't kill me. I feel like I'm just back from the dead.
For the people who don't know, I was really ill this week and was even bed ridden. I did promise you guys an update earlier and all I had to finish was the editting but the screen time was causing me headaches.
So I'm sorry for the late update, for it not being upto the mark
Literally sorry for everything.
I still don't know my update schedule.
Once everything settled I hope to get a bit more time.
I have already started the next chapter so it won't be as late as this one.
And yes friendships can be toxic too. I just had to say it.
Hope you all are having a much better time than me. I really do hope because even I don't want to be me rn.
Love y'all
(Hope u guys still love me too)
Aswa_maya