A Lot Like Love

prologue

   "Why would you do that?"

"Because you wouldn't!" Sara snapped loudly, her voice booming in the room.

"I was handling it my way. You didn—"

"Handling your way? Really Viraj?" she cut him off, the mockery in her voice was evident.

She stalked towards him angrily "You and I both know you were anything but handling it" she hissed, her eyes piercing his with pure rage.

Viraj blinked, taken aback by her sudden accusation.

"That's... that's no... not true" he stuttered.

She couldn't help but let out a mirthless laugh.

"How long will you keep doing this?" she whispered, her eyes sad and voice almost inaudible.

"Sara, listen to me" Viraj started hoping she would just stop jumping to conclusions.

"Listen to what?" she snapped "That you tried to stop Avika? That she doesn't understand you are dating me? Is that it? That she is obsessed with you?"

Avika's breath hitched. She wanted to walk in on them and scream her lungs out that no, she wasn't obsessed with him. She had no idea that he was dating someone because he never told her.

He never told her that Sara was his girlfriend.

"YES, YOU ARE RIGHT! She is obsessed with me" Viraj lied without blinking an eye.

If what happened fifteen minutes ago hadn't broken her heart then this moment did. She stumbled behind as her heart gave a twist in her chest. She felt someone's strong arms hold her just in time, steadying her. She let out a shaky breath as she raised her head and looked into a pair of familiar warm eyes. They weren't filled with sympathy rather they were looking at her with worry.

"Are you okay?" he asked softly and looked at her with a worried expression.

Was she? Avika wondered, her eyes looking back at the door which was slightly left ajar.

"Okay then let's confront her" she heard Sara assert firmly.

"What?" Viraj gaped at her.

"I will ask her if she was aware of our relationship. If she really did everything intentionally"

"Have you lost it?" he asked loudly "How can you—"

Sara laughed bitterly "Why? Are you scared?" she mocked at him.

"Yes, I am fucking scared and the reason isn't me. It's you, Sara. You are the one acting like a psychotic bitch" he stated, his voice steady.

"You know, you are the biggest asshole I have come across," she remarked not really offended by his words.

"What are you trying to get at?" he asked, narrowing his eyes at her.

"How can you still lie?" she jeered at him.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening his eyes. He had had enough of her nonsense.

"I think I have had enough of this. I am leaving"

"You call me a psycho then what are you, Viraj? Do you think you are some saint? You think you haven't done anything wrong, right?"

He paused and looked her right into her eyes "I may not be upright but I am not a psycho either"

"Because you are a fucking coward, Viraj. A fucking coward" Sara spat out.

"Did you really think I am one of those girls who would believe her boyfriend's words only? Initially, yes. I believed you and I was a fool to do so. If it wasn't for Tej, I would never know what crap you were feeding me and Avika. You are such a fucking coward no wait! you are not a coward. You are an asshole.

You only knew me for two months of summer so I understand why your subconscious never stopped you but Avika? Wasn't she your friend for two years? Your first-ever friend in school and college then how could you make a fool out of her?" Sara yelled as tears rolled down her cheeks.

Viraj gulped.

"Do you know how everyone looked at her when she said that you liked her? While everything you did for her made her feel giddy, everyone thought about how pathetic she was. All because you never told her that she would never get what she wanted.

Do you think I enjoyed doing what I did back there? To see her heart shatter like that? But I had to otherwise she would never believe my words. I was okay being a bitch as long as she could finally start seeing you for yourself. An asshole. A moron. Because that's what you are Viraj Chavan"

Avika looked at Tej, who was staring at the door blankly. She hadn't realised until now that his arms were around her waist but it didn't bother her. It was rather comforting to have him beside her. His arms were loose around her waist but even she knew he was holding her in a protective manner.

For some reason, her heart didn't ache as much as she expected.

Being in Tej's arms didn't feel wrong. For the first time ever, she felt okay to be embraced by a guy who wasn't her brother or her father.

× × ×

So finally here's the prologue. I hope you all love it and let me know your views.