As I sat alone in the waiting area, I realised Anika was the only person I couldn't imagine living without. She shattered all the damn walls I had built around my heart. I was so deeply in love with her.
Anika Sharma, a typical event planner, is thr...
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Anika-
"Hey, sorry for being late," I explain to Aarav as soon as I spot him. "Mom had some work I needed to take care of." I offer a quick hug.
"Nah, no one is here yet" he responds.
Aarav's friend's wedding is in full swing, and I've planned the entire event. My boss claims all the credit, but I must admit I did a pretty decent job. I'm glad everything turned out well.
"You've done a fantastic job," Aarav acknowledges as we step into the main hall.
He has had my back since our college days. Despite his good looks and his knack for bringing laughter, my love for him has always been platonic.
But when it comes to his brother... It's been three years since graduation, yet Jai's memory hasn't faded.
"Shall we go and say hello to the family?" I suggest, leading the way to meet the groom's parents. They've always treated me with warmth.
"You look lovely," they exclaimed.
I wore a pink lehenga, with subtle makeup featuring a pink lipstick and eyeshadow. The top had a V cut in the front. I paired pink bangles that matched the look.
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The bride and groom radiated happiness and love, perfectly matched for each other. I approached them to offer my congratulations.
The event is running smoothly, and we're on stage dancing to the tune of "Tenu Leke" when, I catch him gazing at me.
Jai's seated at his table, with his family. Even amid the crowd, he stands out. There's an aura of charm and beauty around him. He rocked a black suit that seriously upped his hotness quotient. And yep, he had a tie on too.
Our gaze holds for about 3 seconds until Aarav's goofy antics distract me.
We continue dancing to a few more songs, or maybe many.
Then comes the part I love the most about weddings—the food! The wedding food is a total bliss. From salads to desserts, they've got everything covered. The whole event goes smoothly.
Originally, I planned to leave with Aarav, but he had to leave due to a work emergency. I book a cab and was waiting when I hear him say,
"You didn't leave?" Jai's always seen me as Aarav's friend, nothing more. Clearly, there's no other intention from his side.
"No, I had some things to handle," I explain.
"How are you getting home then?"
"I've booked a cab," I confirm.
"No way I'm letting you take a cab at this hour," he argues.
"It's okay, I'm used to late-night cabs," I respond. My job's led me to take quite a few midnight cab rides.
"Get in, Anika" he insists, and I stand there, taken aback.
"Shall we?" he suggests, leading the way.
His car is definitely more appealing than a cab, and it's safer too, so I join him. A sleek BMW stands before us, and he unlocks the door, holding it open for me. He's always the gentleman. I can't help but wonder why he's single.
Back in university, he was the undisputed heartthrob. Even though I was 2 years younger, I watched as girls flocked to him. He even had a girlfriend back then.
Jai, Aarav and I studied in the same uni, Jai being our senior. Aarav and I became fast friends. We were in the same class, we just clicked. Both of us were not extroverts so we bonded over quickly.
His parents embraced me as one of their own. While I couldn't make it home often, I'd often tag along with him to his place. They're the sweetest! My thoughts snap back to the present.
"So, when did you come back?" I ask Jai.
"Just a week ago." With his global company duties, He has been to India only a couple of times in the past few years.
"Oh, that's nice," I comment. The silence is comfortable, but I'd rather not prefer it.
"What have you been up to? How's the company doing?" I interject, eager to break the quiet.
"Not much, really. I'm stepping into the role of CFO at the Hyderabad branch," he casually reveals, as though it's a minor thing. We were friends of sorts, and my feelings for him have pretty much faded. If he decides to stick around, I hope I can manage.
I guide him to my place, the rest of the drive proceeding in silence. The night view of Hyderabad is breathtaking, a sight I cherish despite the rarity of these drives. Finally, we arrive at my apartment.
"Thanks for dropping me off."
"No big deal," he assures. We exchange farewells, and he catches me off guard.
"You look stunning today," his words made my heart skip a beat.
"Thanks, and you always look good, Mr. Singhania," I respond, the blush on my face clearly visible.
I go home and with utter exhaustion I dive straight into sleep after swapping my attire for pyjamas and wiping off my makeup. The night is peaceful.
