Shades Of Purple

Chapter 16 - More than friends

PIHA'S POV:

"Di, I'm here, okay? Just pour out your feelings," I say and pat her back.

"Pihu, I'm okay. I just need some time. Anyway, I do feel a lot better,” she says.

Why? Because Rahul Bhaiya and Di broke up, or as she says— he dumped her, but that doesn't sound so pleasant. So, I'll go with the first one.

It's not his fault. In fact, I appreciate that he was hundred percent honest with Di, and they didn't end it on terrible terms. 

Sighing, I make my way to the living room to give her some personal space.

//Flashback//

"Araya and Piha, I want to talk about something really personal. I am afraid to discuss it because I'm not sure how you'll react." He takes a pregnant pause. There's no magical phrasing; just clear wording."I've realised that I'm gay. I felt nervous about telling you because it seems like this might make you insecure, or you'll feel like I deceived you."

//Flashback ends//

And then I thought it was my cue to leave. I do feel guilty. Had I not shipped them, then maybe they wouldn't have taken each other as more than friends and given this relationship a try. But I'm happy for both of them. It has been a few weeks since Di started telling me that their relationship wasn't quite working well. She says that it feels like a burden off her shoulders as they ended it upon friendly terms. 

Think, Piha. How to lighten her mood?

I smirk as an idea flashes across my mind.

The sand park in the outhouse. Di and I used to play there when we were kids.

_________________

"Yes, and then I pushed you off the swing!" Di says.

I fake glare at her. "How was your conference last week?" 

"It was fine. The chief guest was too rude for my liking." She scrunches her nose. 

Oh. I probably forgot to mention that Di works as a Project Manager in Swiss Ltd India. "The Birla guy?" I ask.

She nods. 

Utkarsh Birla, heir of the Birla Industries. He's known for his ruthless and arrogant behaviour. It might be scary facing him.

"I'm not even exaggerating. He was ogling at me throughout the conference," she says.

The way Raghvansh Birla looks at you, Piha. I groan.

"What is that supposed to mean? When does a person stare at you?

"You're so naive, Pihu. It means that the person is falling for you. They're attracted to you or more like you're mesmerizing them." She winks at me playfully.

Huh? Nonsense. I snort. It might be in her case, but mine? Nah, Raghvansh sir stares at me because he probably finds me weird and dumb.

We continue to talk until I see a man approach us.

___________________

UTKARSH'S POV:

"Park your car opposite to that garage and go and wander at the end of the street. If I see you here, you'll regret it," I say as I see a small sand park in the backyard of the house.

Probably this fucker didn't even catch what I said. I get out of the car and slam the door behind me. Rolling the sleeves of my shirt, I look around—a few old people who should've been dead by now, but never mind. I open the gate and reach the backyard.