The Other Half

Chapter 18

(Kumbh: What Broke The Hide)

Shikha Vashishth, seated beside Chandani, squealed. "No way. No, no way!"

Rajveer Khan caught her wrist, and consequently, slowed down her hyperactivity. "What's wrong?"

On the other side of Advay, NK swept a look at their table. Everyone was looking at Advay, except Rajveer who was looking at Shikha.

"Jiji, is it him?" Shikha was asking, desperate for a positive response.

Pooja looked at her brother, shaking her head.

"Why did you leave?" Chandani whispered.

Advay got up in one swift move. His entourage got up as well, the food forgotten. "Why did you lie, Chandani Yashnarayan Vashishth?"

And just like that, they lost Advay.

(Nutan Street: A Stitch in Time)

Arya Khanna laid on the balcony swing as the wind did its job.

"You seem tired." Mathur had joined her.

"Yeah. It's been a bloody long day."

"Tell me about it." Aman Mathur took a stand behind the large swing, draping his hands over the seat, as if one would their own furniture.

"Honestly didn't think I would be around you lot." Arya smirked.

"You're funny, too."

"Am I now?" Arya raised an eyebrow.

"...bloody told you to keep your distance, but you don't listen!" Arya's ears perked up.

"What's that noise?"

"That's not a noise." Arya poked her head from around the balcony and got nice view of the entrance. "That's a live bomb, that is." Pooja Rathore was moving in her heels, although she was standing in the garden. Essentially home.

"Something up?" Mathur asked Arya. In answer, Arya ran inside and out the main door, letting Aman Mathur follow her.

"And what the hell were we thinking? That we're all friends? That we're all on the same side? Don't come crying to me if your dear Chandani spills to her witch of a mother about who is home!"

"I'm going to make some coffee." Aman moved towards the kitchen.

"I'll help." Arya followed him.

Pooja's next words made her eyes scrunch. "You bloody well hope she is in love with you for all the more trouble we are taking now. But she is innocent! "

"Do you know what's happening?" Aman asked her.

Arya took one look at Payal and felt proud of the game face of her boss. "Maybe a smidge. But I'll need a drink to share, not coffee."

"Mr Oberoi got a six pack." Aman smirked.

"Do not call him Mr Oberoi..."

"...you both have no damn regard about people's emotions..." Pooja still hadn't tuned down.

"...I cannot picture him as Mr Oberoi..."

"...and don't get me started on Veer. Guy gives me the creeps, whistling like nobody's business..."

"I think that will be a large for everyone." Aman nodded.

"Thank God we're skipping the coffee."

"We are skipping coffee? With that out there?" Shivaay Oberoi broke the conversative pair with his enquiry.