Just A Friend?

Chapter Forty-Eight

"Come on, Rakesh, don't leave me hanging," Kavitha urged with impatience as she fixed him with an expectant gaze.

Rakesh cast a defeated glance her way before letting out a heavy sigh.

"Oh, for heaven's sake! I swear, I'm as clueless as you are," Rakesh exclaimed frustratedly.

Kavitha's disbelief was obvious as she regarded him with a raised eyebrow.

"What on earth do you mean, you have no clue?" she asked puzzled.

"Well, it's either our dear friend is as dense as a brick wall, or I'm simply awful at hinting," Rakesh said with self-deprecating humor.

"Probably the latter," Kavitha muttered under her breath, though her words was clearly reached Rakesh's keen ears.

"What was that?" he demanded. His wounded pride evident in the furrow of his brow.

Kavitha waved off his question and urged him to recall the events that had happened in the room.

_______^-^_______

He took a measured sip of his drink, the chilled liquid offering little comfort.

His eyes wandered nervously across the opulent room, as though searching for an escape.

Rahul mirrored him, sipping thoughtfully before fixing a curious gaze on the man seated opposite.

Breaking the uneasy silence, Rahul asked, "So, Rakesh, are you finding the house comfortable?"

Rakesh was glad for the conversation starter as he managed a half-smile. "Oh, more than I could ask for. Your house is...uh quite impressive."

Rakesh felt like a deer caught in the headlights as he awkwardly sank into the plush chair, fumbling for the right words to break the silence.

He cleared his throat though his voice sound thin and uncertain, before he finally mustering the nerve to speak.

"Um, Rahul, I just wanted to say congratulations on your wedding tomorrow. You're a lucky man to be marrying Sweety," Rakesh began though his voice betraying a hint of unease.

Rahul was curious about the unexpected visit and the mention of Sweety. He leaned in with interest. "Thanks, Rakesh. Sweety's a gem, isn't she? Prabhas has told me so much about her, but I'd love to hear more from you. Getting know her would help me in the future" Rahul replied warmly.

Rakesh suppressed the urge to roll his eyes at Rahul's naivety.

The fact that Prabhas had provided information about Sweety to help Rahul understand her better only added to Rakesh's frustration.

Despite his inner irritation, Rakesh forced himself to maintain composure, recognizing that this could be the perfect opportunity to play his plan.

With a mental note to stay focused on the task at hand, he pushed aside his personal feelings.

"Ah, yes, Sweety. She's quite a rare gem of a person." The soft curve of his lips replaced the furrow that creased his brow.

"She's quite enigmatic, I must say," Rahul remarked with a hint of confusion in his voice as he thought about Sweety's quiet, hard-to-read nature.

His eyes was warm with affection though it showed a trace of uncertainty and helplessness.

"Mysterious, you say?" Rakesh responded as he gently guided the conversation in the direction he wanted.