Love that Hurts

PUSH AND PULL

♡The harder I try, the longer you stay
I close my doors yet you still find a way.♡

○Track: TU HI TU○

Aryan's temper was being put into question by Raina. He gathered himself, sighed and said in a calm tone,"Look all I asked from you was a month of us. Don't fall for me again but don't divide this time with anyone else. I don't expect you to forgive me, I just need better memories with you. I might sound selfish for wanting that, but if I don't have you by the end of the month I will have your memories then."

Raina was shocked to say the least. She wanted him to argue with her, to get angry, annoyed she expected everything of the opposite spectrum to what he had just said. She wanted to annoy and push him away, she didn't need him breaking her down again but here he was giving her sentimental speeches. But she wasn't going to be affected. She would be stronger, thicker to permeate through by his speeches.

Aryan looked at the wide eyed Raina and said, "So, what do you say?"

She eyed his smiling face suspiciously,"Fine, not because of your stupid monologue but because I don't go back on my words."

"Whatever floats your boat, sweetheart."

"Don't call me that."

"Okay, I wont-", his voice paused," sweetheart."

Raina elbowed him and Aryan let out a hearty laugh. She carefully assessed the lines of his face as it broke out into a full blown smile. It was genuine, something she was never at the receiving end of.

*Flashback*

It was Raina's birthday. Her friends back in India had thrown her a surprise party at one of their apartments. She felt like she was forgetting something, but didn't bother with it more as she needed some time off of all the things her mundane life was making her go through. She would try to make small talk with Aryan but he would just brush it off with one word answers that were laced with angry undertones. Nothing seemed to work, their marriage was at a standstill. No that was not right! Her marriage was like a cart balancing on the edge of a cliff, just one tip off and it would go rolling down, crushing itself against the hard rock and wreaking havoc along the way. Yeah, that was the perfect analogy for their marriage. And she knew Aryan was waiting for the tip off, waiting for the slight tilt, waiting for the storm that would tip the entirety of their bond off. That storm would bring about peace in his life. She was lost in her thoughts when Samapti nudged her, "Who are you dreaming about? Aryan?"

Samapti was teasing her, she knew but she felt like punching everyone who mentioned her pining after Aryan. She smiled bitterly.

"Wait, have you the tried the margarita they made here? My god its amazing!" ,she pulled her to the table, slid a glass towards her and ordered her to 'drink up'. Raina was never a drinker, she hated alcohol, never comprehended why people enjoyed indulged in it. But as she slowly let glasses upon glasses of margaritas slide down her throat she understood, why it is fun. It is fun, because it makes you forget your problems, it helps you in belittling and letting go off them, as long as they are effect. It is fun because it erases your sorrows for a small amount of time.

She was wasted, when two of her friends drove her off to her and dropped her inside. Raina bid them farewell with slurry words and stumbled up the staircase. The stairs felt like they were moving randomly. She scolded them," Stay still!"

With great difficulty she climbed up the stairs and entered Aryan's room, he was talking with someone as his laughs echoed in the room. He turned around to see Raina struggling to stand, he cut the call and headed towards her.

"Have you been drinking?"

"Nope.", she laughed.

"Raina."

"I like it when you say my name, Aryan. Why can't you like me back? Why can't you try?", Raina slowly launched her head up and tried reaching Aryan, and she was too close to Aryan for his liking. Their lips were inches away, just then Aryan pushed her away with all the strength he had, towards the ground.

"Next time, stay away."

*Flashback ends*

Raina and Aryan had  their dinner date in Aryan's suite, something she had reluctantly agreed to and had to abruptly cancel her plans with Joey for. The suite was beautifully decorated and adorned. She was busy assessing the garden the suite overlooked when music started playing. She looked back to see him holding out his hand.

Track plays

"A dance?"

"Um-"

"Please. I promise I will keep my distance."

"Okay.", she gave her hand in his and got up from his seat. Aryan directed her hands towards his shoulder and slowly wrapped his palm around her slim waist, barely touching her. He didn't want to push her away, he would take one step at a time, being abrupt and forceful with her wasn't going to be a solution Aryan had understood. They slowly swayed from one side to the other and one in a while Aryan would twirl Raina, earning a little smile from her. She kept her eyes either at his chest or on the ground, because she knew if she looked into his eyes long enough she would go all lovey dovey incompetent push over Raina like before. She would have to be better. Aryan was watching her every move, at how nervous she had become after coming into his arms. He liked it, things would get better for him if he took one step at a time. The track came to an end and Raina looked at Aryan. He slowly started leaning in and stopped just a few millimetres away from her lips. Her breathing became erratic, she wanted to pull away but couldn't.

"Raina, just say the word if you want to do this.", Aryan looked at her with hopeful eyes that pleaded with her to say yes. She would've said yes if not for all the memories that flashed by her eyes. It turned everything bitter.

She looked with at him with a cold expression and said,"No."

She pulled away, and turned around. Aryan couldn't control himself, he wrapped his strong arms around her torso and pulled closer slowly. She started fidgeting and he whispered, "Please stay like this. Please Raina. Please." She felt tears on her shoulders and cautiously turned around.

"I'm sorry Raina. That's the only thing I can say." , Aryan said as tears streamed down his face. Raina felt pain, and anger. Pain for pushing him away and wanting to do it and angry at him for not trying earlier. Her hands involuntarily reached up to his cheek to wipe off his tears when the door to his sweet open. A high pitched voice chirped in," Honey, I am here!"

Raina pulled back her hand at almost an instant as Aryan turned pale.She knew this voice, knew this voice rather well.

●●●●●●●●●●●●●●

What? Who is that? Any guesses? Well good luck with the cliffhanger.

How did you like the chapter? Do you like the arc the story is taking? I know a lot of are going to criticise Raina for acting weak but when a person whom you've admired for so long starts showing affection towards you, you loose grip over reality.

Do you like present's Aryan?

I'll see you soon. In case I vanish into thin air again, Happy Holi.

K,Bye.