Finding Love in the City

41. At the altar

Abhi had left them by the side of the road, slipping away and disappearing amidst the horde of people thronging the stores and eateries in the neighborhood. Aditya and Nandini were still reeling from the shock they had just received. An entire year without any knowledge about the other's actual situation. An entire year of despondency, hoping the other was at least happy when in reality, both were in utter melancholy.

Aditya watched a few gossiping women walk by him, using the little strip of space existent between himself and Nandini. Once their giggles died, he glimpsed around, noticing a few passersby with shopping bags in their hands, and AirPods in their ears. Rubbing his palms over his face, he let the truth sink in one more time. Exhaling deeply, he let his arms drop to his sides. "What the fuck, Nandini?" His nose flared in anger, and he ended up screaming. "For one year, I have been so miserable assuming you got married. Why could you not clarify?"

She gasped in indignation since he had attracted the attention of many people, who had their heads craned towards them due to the abrupt nature of the outburst. Losing her patience, she shouted too. "How would I know? Did you tell me? You did not bother to inform me either."

He banged his palm on the pillar behind him. "You had gone AWOL. Nobody knew where you were."

She glared at him. "My address is the same. You could've contacted me. But no! You didn't because you didn't want to."

He rolled his eyes. "I... I... I was bound by a promise. I couldn't have gone to your home."

"There are other ways to contact people as well, you know."

"Oh really?" He sneered, drumming his lips with his finger. "Pray tell, which way exactly are you talking about?"

She fumbled for a moment. "Social media—"

"Which social media handle of yours was active again? Let me see." He pulled out his phone, scrolling through the apps installed. "Facebook account? Deactivated. Instagram account? Disabled. No Snapchat account. No Twitter account. And I am sure you have changed your number."

She crossed her arms in front of her, quirking her brows. "Are you so sure?"

He glanced at his phone, not feeling so certain anymore. He had dared not text her in the last year, fearing she would get into trouble with Shubham while even he didn't wish to break the promise he had made to Piyali. Out of place for a moment, he shoved his phone back inside his jeans pocket as his jaws clenched.

She twisted her lips at his obvious reaction. "If you wanted to, you could have contacted me. Like people in the olden days used to do."

He scoffed. "Write you letters?"

"You knew where I work."

"Oh!" His brows shot up, "So, I should have barged into your office, asking for the one girl who instructed me to stay the hell away from her!"

"I did not say that," she snapped. "I said we should not meet willingly because of the promises we had made to our exes. And even if I had contacted you, I should've said what?" She faked a sweet smile. "Hey, Aditya! I did not get married. Do you want to get married to me?"

He facepalmed himself, not noticing the oodles of attention they had garnered due to their loud and public altercation. The public had gathered near the spot, chuckling at the way they were arguing, some comprehending the language they spoke while others enjoying the banter that seemed more like a lover's spat than a serious matter. Paying no heed to anyone whatsoever, he scowled at her. "You are completely insane, aren't you?"

She let out a sarcastic laugh. "I am insane? For real? You could have told me the truth when you met me at the mall, but you didn't. That's insane."

"Really?" He crossed his arms in front of him. "I should have said what exactly? Hi, Nandini. How are you and your husband doing? By the way, I did not get married. Why don't we run away together?"