Faking Smiles

11.

He placed the glass down. How this all was anywhere, fun? He thought as he glanced at his surroundings. His nose wrinkled in displeasure as he watched the people grinding against each other on the dance floor, he had asked her to book a private one if she wanted but no, she wanted to have a regular experience. Not worth it, he'd say.

The atmosphere of the club was packed, it was Mallika's idea, he rolled his eyes as he ordered another round of drinks, there was no else who'd come up with more bizarre ideas. He was not much of a drinker but since he had nothing better to do, he had decided to drink himself until the oblivion.

Mallika had seriously condemned him from drinking more than the limit, but she wasn't here was she? He thought as he turned slightly to see Siddharth and her dancing on the corner of the dance floor, lost in their own world.

His mind have been to occupied lately, he didn't know what to feel. It was a strange freedom for him. Tia won't interfere in his life, not that she did. But she was controlling and so was he, it clashed in a different way he had expected, he was the one giving in surprisingly.

He didn't know whether it was his fear of disappointing her, or rather wish to please her. He didn't want another person to be wary of him.

But maybe she was. He had tried to change, which didn't happened when he dated Mallika. Even when he was dating Mallika there was affection yes, but it lead nothing more than that. They were better off as friends, they had mutually agreed on that. But he had been lonelier ever since.

And then Tia came. She was kind to him, at first. He took a sip from his glass. The alcohol burned it's way down his throat, the ice cubes were sinking in the glass. Too strong.

Not recommended. But he wanted to. He rarely did the things that he wanted to, not what had been expected off him.

He rolled his eyes slightly, he was Shivaay Singh Oberoi, he should do it like this, that. He was tired of it, but at the end of the day, he remained what the world perceived off him, maybe even crueler image of him on particular days.

But he had to, either it be that or the company suffered and their were many lives dependent on the company for their income. His decision may not be fair to all, but it were fair to his people, he can't break their faith in him, even if that meant being villain in other's lives. He knew what would be at stakes when he entered the business world.

He knew it was ruthless, when the emotions will be wiped out of you, you wouldn't even know. If he'd say it in his bade papa's words, it's not personal. His lips pursed as he swallowed another sip from the glass.

He was already tipsy. But when he had given up until he wasn't at edge. He wasn't the one driving, what's the point of staying sober. He thought.

"I will have whatever this gentleman is having." He frowned, and turned around to see the vacant seat beside him was now taken. He wondered if he would like some company or he'd just enjoy his solitude.

Shivaay arched his eyebrows in a silent question when her gaze turned to him.

She was looking at him curiously, her manicured nails tapping on to the counter matching the rhythms of the music that was blasting off the speakers of the club.

"What happened?" She asked as the bartender prepared her drink. Shivaay frowned. Was she talking to him?

"You are sitting alone, when every one, let's say enjoying the time of their life and you are here" she wrinkled her nose in displeasure "in the bar downing the drinks one after the other. Alone. People usually do that when they are sad." She continued.

"I am." But in contrast to his words he gave her a polite smile. "But then again, that's normal for me."

"Solitude isn't that bad." He added after a while. She turned to look at him quizzically.

"A lady, this beautiful" she grinned and he continued "giving company to a grieving man. Surely, you aren't this lonely."

She chuckled at that. "That's the politest way to say that. And flattering as well, I might add."

"I didn't mean it in an offensive way." He responded quite hastily.

She waved her hand vaguely, "it's alright, I was just kidding."

"I am." She repeated his words after a while, as an answer to his question that he had asked earlier. Her expression dulled slightly, but it was gone as soon as it came.

She turned to look at him, her eyes crinkling up around the edges as she passed him a smile. He tilted his head in confusion.

"Thank you." She said as she picked up the glass that was identical to the one in his hand and he realised that she had ordered the same one as him. Should he warn that it was concentrated one?

He watched as she took a sip and another and then later grimaced as it kicked off it's effect. "Damn. You are definitely drinking to forget. It's too strong." She winced.

His lips curved up slightly, in amusement.

"Should I have warned you about that in the beginning?" He asked bemused.

She arched an eyebrow, "that would have been appreciated." She said as she took another sip, this time slowly.

"Annika." She said after a while.

He placed his glass down on the counter as he frowned at her in confusion.

"Shivaay." He answered back when he realised that she was just introducing herself.

Her sequined dress sparkled in the low light.

"You are here alone?" She asked after a while as she placed the empty glass back on the counter.

He ordered another one for himself, this is the last one. He reminded himself. "Not really, here with my friends." He spoke quietly, his eyes snapping up to the dance floor.

She followed his gaze.

"Well, I was here with my friend as well. But apparently I lost her in the crowd." She said as she took a bite of the snacks she has ordered.

"You don't do well with crowds do you?" She asked after a while. He shook his head.

"I don't mind the crowd, I have been in there scrutiny as far as I remember." He groaned. She arched her eyebrow.

"Don't ask." He said as he looked at her, she was curious, but he had no intentions of revealing anything more.

"Alright." She quipped.

He picked up his glass that was lying abandoned on the counter, she mimicked his movements before raising hers in a toast.

He raised his glass up slightly when she raised her up, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

"Are we making a toast?" He asked as he looked at his glass. "Mine's almost empty." He spoke as he tilted it to look at the contents.

"We are. And who cares." She winked. "Cheers to miseries."

"That was slightly unexpected but very much appreciated." He said as he tipped his glass slightly.

She grinned. "Tell me about it."

And this time, he returned the smile.

.

Also, I might be adding additional chapters in between while continuing to post the regular chapters cause I am not satisfied with this, I have shown the gaslighting and isolation way lighter than it happens.
There should have been deeper manipulations there, but yeah, once it finishes they will be added.