Frenemy Companions

Chapter-42

☆ Step one☆

People's beliefs about their abilities have a profound effect on those abilities. Ability is not a fixed property; there is a huge variability in how you perform. People who have a sense of self-efficacy bounce back from failures; they approach things in terms of how to handle them rather than worrying about what can go wrong.

All the Singhal siblings had this ability and it was proving to be a good thing.

The flight back to Mumbai was uneventful as everyone was busy absorbing the environment and accepting the changes.

Annika slept during the journey not wanting to talk to anyone about anything. Minute by minute she was spending with everyone she wished to go back to Delhi to her empty apartment where she didn't had to worry about confrontations coming her way.

It was not just her who wished to go away. But she had her mother to support in that. Madhuri was silently praying for herself because she knew things were not in her control now.

Adhiraj had made his mind to try and understand the reason behind Annika's behaviour. The whole wedding was perfect to the T. Nothing went out of place , she took care of everything and then she herself would never spoil the wedding day. Her absence from the morning felt absurd.

She knew Annika had already warned her that the wedding was the last time she let Madhuri win. But this time she was scared to think of the consequences of the pending confrontation.

****

Aditya smiled as Kartik walked down the stage and hugged him.

"Thank you Kartik , for everything." Aditya said patting his shoulders.

"You don't have to bhaiya I  am your brother."

They were halfwaythrough the reception when the closed one's to the bride and groom were asked to raise the toast or express themselves.

"So I read this somewhere that if you are wrong and you shut up, you're wise. If you're right and you shut up, you're married" Shivaay spoke as he stood at the centre of the stage.

"Since we met roughly some twenty years ago, I don’t think a single major life event has happened that we didn’t share with each other. Sure, we’ve had to keep a few secrets from each other, but it was never long until we were allowed to spills the beans to each other.

Do you realize how hard it is to not tell your best friend that his girlfriend would a yes if he proposed ? I always knew that he is a romantic at heart but his love story just proved it. Adi has been my partner in crime, and the keeper of all my embarrassing secrets…which actually aren’t that secretive because he loves telling those stories whenever he gets a chance."

"Sanam, you are a sister but I know Adi better. Always know and remember this Adi has his priorities clear and at the same time he knows what his responsibility is. He'll always be there. Wish you guys a hundred years of togetherness."

The sound of claps filled the surroundings and Aditya got up to hug and already approaching Shivaay.

"I know my responsibility Shivaay. Thank you for reminding me." Aditya said slowly getting the meaning behind his words.

He had to fulfill his responsibility. And he knew he will.

Annika smiled at them. They had a very strong bond and she admired that. Shivaay was Aditya's support.

Actually Shivaay was her advisor too. He was Kartik's shoulder and Om , Rudra's strength.

He was rightly named the great Wall of Shivaay Singh Oberoi.

But she didn't realise that now slowly this wall was standing in front of her. Now she'd free of the pain in heart.

****

The most confused you will ever get is when you try to convince your heart and spirit of something your mind knows is a lie.

Aditya was going through the same. All the happenings running in his mind like a short film. No doubt his mother was at fault but he wanted to find out the truth behind her words.

He tried to recall something, anything that could prove that what Madhuri said was a lie. Because from what he could recall he didn't go to the hospital.

On the top of everything  the woman in the photo was not leaving his mind. It was like everything was pointing in one direction but he was not getting it.

Alongside he had also had his plan of action prepared. First step was to see if his and Annika's DNA matched with Adhiraj or not.

It felt useless to him but Shivaay suggested to go for one. And it seemed right too.

"You should confirm,  we never know if you misheard or may be there's more in to what has been said " Shivaay had said and Aditya couldn't agree less.

****

"You didn't attend the reception." Mrs taneja spoke as her son showed up at home after two days.

"I can't always attend all the functions that you want me to and who knows what announcement you will make ?" Sameer sarcastically spoke.

He took a seat right end of the table beside his mother. He knew she didn't like having food alone.

Mrs taneja signed "Sameer , why you don't understand that Annika is the right choice?

"I didn't choose her so I don't know " he taunted.

"You were in relation with her , weren't you? "

"That doesn't mean I want to marry her. I care for her immensely, she has done a lot for me but even she doesn't want to marry me" he urged to make her understand.

"Then why didn't she speak her heart that day on the dinning room when her brother asked her?" Mrs taneja wondered.

"I don't know nor I want to know because it doesn't make a difference. You and her mom are not going to budge I know."

"You don't want to marry her? " she asked

"No." He stated

"Give me a single reason to break this alliance. " Mrs taneja demanded

"The biggest reason, I love someone else."

"That doesn't count , say something else." She dismissed his words.

Sameer got up banging his hand on the table. " I don't want to give you any reason because I know you'll just turn them down." With that said he was going to leave.

"At least complete your dinner! " she called.

"I have lost my appetite!" The sound of the door slamming was heard next.

                ****************

The next chapter is here!
It's a small one because I am running a little busy.

Do vote and comment on all the chapters.

Keep smiling

Jiya