Aarohi And Dev

CHAPTER 2

Aarohi POV

I headed in their direction and before I could utter a single word, a resounding slap echoed through the air, finding its mark on the cheek of one of the bullies, perhaps the leader among them.

"Make another attempt, and you will live to regret it" Tara cautioned. She has always been bold in her commitment to what is right.

A proud grin spread across my face. Holding onto my hand, she said, "Time to go." Entering the corridor, we were unsure which way to proceed.

"This way" The sound resonated from behind. The same guy from earlier showed us the way. "Thank you for helping me" he continued.

"Its okay, but dont let others walk all over you" Tara shattered the silence with the words. She may not be an introvert like me, but she prefers to keep her distance unless she chooses to interact.

To lighten the mood, I started the conversation by asking "Are you also doing the MBA?" He gave a nod in response.

"Mayank, Nice to meet you", he said cheerfully, extending his hand for a handshake.

"You can call me Aarohi, and this is Tara" With a warm smile, I extended my introduction.

We entered the class in unison.

As we found our places at our desks, a sense of familiarity enveloped us, only to be disrupted by the arrival of an unfamiliar figure. This stranger, with a commanding presence and a physique that demanded attention, confidently strode up to Mayank's desk and casually took a seat, leaving us intrigued by his sudden appearance in our midst.

Shortly after, the lecture started, and we were occupied with it. As I was absorbed in the lecture, unexpectedly, Tara piped up "So, any predictions on when our Prince Charming will make his grand entrance?"

A look of surprise appeared on my face as I asked "Why would you bring this up all of a sudden?" As far as I've seen, she doesn't enjoy conversations about love and relationships, which makes her sudden remark all the more surprising.

"Everyone's tying the knot, and here I am, the lone ranger, feeling a bit left out in the love train." Tara continued dramatically looking at her phone, "It feels like God was busy crafting masterpieces and maybe got a little sidetracked from making our soul mates!"

I couldn't help but laugh at her dramatic statement. "Let's hold tight; maybe he's gearing up to handle our awesomeness!" I blurted out in astonishment.

As the lecture concluded, Mayank turned around and casually asked, "Interested in having a boyfriend?"

"Eavesdropping on the juicy details, are we?" I laughed out.

"What's with the curiosity? Trying to set up a boyfriend bazaar?" Tara inquired with a friendly jab.

"Well, if I were, I'd have a 'Buy One, Get One Free' sale every Friday!" Mayank replied.

His words had us all laughing.

A slight smirk appeared on a guy sitting next to Mayank. It didn't went unnoticed by us.

Mayank initiated a conversation with a warm greeting. "Hi, I'm Mayank," he said wholeheartedly.

"Rajveer," came the blunt reply from the newcomer, casting a subtle air of mystery over the interaction.

"Khadoos much, isn't he?" Mayanks whispering attempt was unsuccessful.
[Grouchy much]

"I heard ,you" Rajveer said in a monotone voice. "Sorry for the epic fail, I blame it on my quirky charm" Mayank continued.

Mayank is inadvertently adorable and amusing.

"Let's go, Ruhi," Tara said, her voice filled with determination. Standing tall, we gathered our belongings and prepared to make our way back home. "See you guys tomorrow," Mayank stated, his tone filled with anticipation for the next day. After exchanging farewells, we parted ways, each heading in a different direction.

After arriving home, I quickly freshened up and joined my mom in the kitchen to lend a hand with cooking. "How was your day, beta?" my mom asked, her voice filled with warmth. "It was good," I replied casually, as we began our routine of cooking together. My mother and I share a special bond, I confide in her about everything, yet conveniently leave out certain aspects about myself. As we worked side by side, we quickly got caught up in the whirlwind of family gossip, enjoying our time together in the kitchen.

As we worked together in the kitchen, my Dadi's presence loomed over us like a dark cloud. With a venomous tone, she announced to my mom, "I won't eat anything prepared by her; it's all poison to me." Unlike my dad, whose disdain for me remains veiled, my Dadi wears her hostility like a badge of honor, seizing every opportunity to express her contempt. It's a constant reminder of the strained relationship I endure within my own family.

As my Dadi's hurtful words hung in the air, my mother offered me a comforting hug, silently urging me to ignore the negativity. With a gentle touch, she encouraged me to step outside and help arrange things, providing a brief respite from the tension within the house. It was a small gesture of support amidst the storm of hostility.

With the dining table arranged, everyone took their seats around it, the atmosphere thick with tension. Midway through dinner, my dad shattered the silence with an unexpected announcement. "I have a suitable match for Aarohi," he declared, his words hanging heavy in the air, casting a shadow over the meal.

Listening to my dad, my heart felt like it was being torn apart, I felt crushing weight on my chest, tears were on the brink. I blinked rapidly to hold back the tears threatening to spill.

"What do you think?" with an emotionless gaze, Dad looked directly into my eyes and asked me. As usual, playing the role of the obedient daughter, I replied, "Whatever you think is best, Dad."

Even without glancing at the others, I could feel the shock radiating from them after Dad's unexpected comment. Silence fell over everyone, knowing well that once my dad makes a decision, it's set in stone.

"Alright, I will arrange a family gathering soon to fix the alliance" My dad announced.

All I wanted was to flee and find solace in someone's embrace, releasing my pent-up tears. Upon finishing my dinner, I promptly dashed away from the scene.

Upon reaching my room, I headed straight to the balcony, staring up at the stars, struggling to keep a calm facade while tears streamed down my face. "Why am I emotional now? I've prepared myself for this reality. An arranged marriage has been my wish, so why this sudden unease?" I murmured to myself.

I heard my inner voice whispering, 'It's not because of the marriage itself. It's about my dad's indifference towards my life decisions. There has never been love in his eyes for me.'

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