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
Feeling disheartened by Vinay's hurtful remarks, I returned home in a foul mood. All I wanted was to dive in my bed. I changed into comfortable clothes and gently removed my makeup, letting out a sigh. Just as I was about to crawl into bed, the doorbell chimed. I opened the door to see Aarav standing there, a bag in hand and a warm smile on his face.
"Why did you come?" I questioned, aware that Jai must have informed him about my state of mind.
"Because you're upset and needed some company," Aarav replied, his concern evident. Seriously, these two brothers were going to make me emotional wreck by the end of the day.
"Okay, come in," I stepped aside, allowing him to enter.
"So, what's the plan?" he asked, his eyes filled with understanding.
"I was thinking of just going to sleep," I admitted.
"We can't let that happen," Aarav's eyes twinkled mischievously. "I got us some cake and found the perfect crime movie to watch."
"No way!" My mood lightened a bit at the thought.
"Yes, indeed. Let's go," he playfully urged, setting up the movie on the TV. I joined him on the couch after grabbing plates for the dessert.
As the movie started, a sense of suspense filled the room. It was a gripping film that managed to distract me from my worries. Aarav's occasional jokes and comments added a layer of amusement, making the movie-watching experience even better. With each passing scene, my mood lifted, and I found myself laughing genuinely.
Once the movie ended, we started chatting about people we knew, indulging in some harmless gossip and I couldn't help but laugh at how invested we got. I cherished these moments with him. We even decided to have a glass of wine, which eventually led to a spontaneous karaoke session. Aarav's singing skills were surprising, and I couldn't help but join in the fun.
As the evening progressed, Aarav's intoxication became more apparent. Recognizing that he needed assistance, I called up Jai and informed him about his brother's condition. Despite Aarav's slightly tipsy state, he was a ball of energy, and it was contagious.
Finally, Jai arrived to take Aarav home. "Oh, you look pretty good in casuals," I playfully complimented Jai.
"Thanks, I suppose," he responded with a subtle smile.
"Did you ever see me as more than just Aarav's best friend?" I blurted out.
Jai's response was cryptic, "Let's talk about that when you're sober. You might regret asking."
I chuckled, "We'll see."
Jai left with Aarav, and I retired to bed, the events of the night swirling in my head. Waking up the next day was a challenge, as I battled a headache and soreness in my body. Recollections of the previous day's escapades gradually came back to me. I groaned inwardly at my own behaviour.
Flashes of the conversation with Jai replayed in my mind, and I felt a mixture of embarrassment and regret. I couldn't believe I had been so upfront with my feelings. The thought of facing Jai after my confession was mortifying.
Despite my inner turmoil, I had to get ready and head to the office. I left home a bit later than usual, lost in my thoughts. At work, I was engrossed in planning an upcoming party, determined to do my best despite the distractions.
After a few hours of focused work, I finally wrapped up for the day and headed back home. Just as I stepped in, my phone rang – it was Jai. I didn't lift the call though. I was embarrassed about what I said.
..................
Jai
This girl has taken over my thoughts completely. Especially the way her face fell when that jerk insulted her about her skin tone. Honestly, she's easily the most gorgeous woman I've ever laid eyes on – who am I kidding, the prettiest in the world.
It's insane how she doesn't realize her own perfection. But how on earth do I tell her that she's been consuming my thoughts since the very moment I saw her?
I was in the middle of a business meeting when I spotted her with him. She lit up when she saw him approaching, and something churned within me. Could it be... jealousy? Nah, that can't be it.
Then he opened his mouth and spewed that crap, and I felt a surge of fury. I couldn't care less about my meeting at that point. I walked right up to her, acting like her boyfriend, and planted a kiss on her forehead. The look on his face was priceless – I would've laughed if the situation wasn't so intense. Then I scared him off.
People can be so cruel. If I ever met someone like him, I'd never let loose such insults. His words haunted me, especially when I saw how deeply they affected her.
I took her to the nearest restaurant – a cozy spot with a pleasant vibe. Strangely, the thought of us sitting together felt good. I couldn't shake the smile off my face. We chatted over lunch for what seemed like hours, and it was a light-hearted, enjoyable conversation.
Eventually, we left the restaurant, and I dropped her home and went back again after a few hours to pick up my drunk brother.
He was acting like a mess, and I couldn't help but ask, "What's eating you, dude?"
"Nothing, really," he mumbled.
"Then why the drinking?"
"I feel for her, you know. Even back in college, people judged her because of her appearance. She struggled to make friends. I wish I could've done more to support her."
"You can't hold yourself responsible for that," I assured him.
He shrugged. I didn't quite grasp his meaning.
Then he suggested, "You know what we should do? We should go beat that guy up."
The idea had its appeal, but I needed to take the CEO position soon and considering the potential media backlash. "I'll think of a better solution, okay"
