The Love Maze

41) Prom, poetry and rain

Vivan's POV

"What are you doing?" she peeked over the fences.

I glanced up, startled, and saw a girl with a bright Mickey Mouse jumpsuit and bear-shaped buns in her short brown hair.

"Drawing", I answered shortly.

Without waiting for an invitation, the girl clambered down into my backyard.

"I want to play. Can we play together?" she jumped up and down in excitement.

"My mom tells me not to talk to strangers", I ignored her.

"I'm not a stranger. ", she grabbed my arm with a determined smile.

"I'm Aditi Desai. I moved in next door"

Adjusting my tie once more, I stepped into the campus, resembling a nervous wreck. It's just prom... not like I'm at the altar for Tania and promised her forever.

"Looking good, Sharma", a voice complimented me

At the entrance, this girl looked like an angel with a burgundy satin gown, her hair in a loose bun.

"Damn", I uttered that loud and she smiled hearing me

"Let's go?" she gleamed in excitement.

Naturally, that smile reflected on my face and I extended my arm for her to take.

The gymnasium was unrecognisable with its glamorous makeover - from fancy curtains to fairy lights, the college shimmered in the young night.

We were getting drinks as my eyes caught sight of Aditi entering the venue. Her dress glittered under the lights as she walked no less than a model. My breath got caught in my throat as she brushed her hair off her face. Then I saw him, holding her by the waist.

"Hey", I smiled, walking towards them.

Aditi hugged me, grinning teasingly as she eyed me and Tania while Sanjay simply drifted his gaze away in disgust.

"We... We're gonna get some drinks", I put up a smile, leading Tania away.

That's when I remembered the sunflower corsage in my hand.

"Oh, yeah. These are for you"

While I tied it around her wrist, my mind still stuck around Dee.

"Really, Vivan?" Tania giggled out loud earning stares from a few people around. Finally, she composed her to speak, gently touching my shoulder.

"You are gifting a corsage with her favourite flower", she stated.

Shit

"Who told you?"

"No one needs to. I can see it myself"

A grin formed across her face as I fiddled with my fingers.

"I knew from the moment I met you both. Aditi is blind-like terribly blind not to see it"

"I'm sorry, Tania", I managed to say

"Sorry? Do you think I'm heartbroken cause you did some basic romantic stuff?"

"I mean... you seemed pretty into me", I blurted out dumbly.

"I like you, Vivan", her features relaxed as she said that.

"But I'm not that stupid to fall in love with someone I very well know I can't have"

It strung a different chord to hear that. Guess, she is truly a brilliant one among a flood of love fools.