His Arranged Wife

Efforts at Stake

I tried to switch on my phone after collecting my luggage as Bhavya and Anushka were collecting theirs. I sighed when I failed to switch on my phone. 

" The ride is here. You don't have to book." Anushka said while coming beside me and I nodded my head. We haven't talked since our disagreement in the morning. 

" Won't you talk to me?" She asked and I looked at her . 

" We need to talk but right now I am not completely sane." I said and she nodded her head. 

" What are you guys talking about?" Bhavya came while looking at her phone and I raised my brows.

" The ride is here." We all sat in the cab and headed towards the hostel. 

It must have been around three when we finally reached the hostel and I slumped down the moment I entered the room. We all were tired. On the way I told them whatever happened between me and Rudra. 

When I got up, I searched for my phone which was plugged into the charger. It was fully charged. I freshened up and took a bath. I got ready with my papers and finally had a look at the phone. 

There were several text messages from Rudra while two from Vidhi and one from my mother. 

I read the text from my mother.

We are about to hold the ceremony of Godh Bharai in the month of February as your sister will complete the fifth month of her pregnancy. Make sure to ask for leave as soon as possible. 

( Godh- Bharai or Seemantham is a ceremony which is being celebrated as a festival after the completion of certain time period of pregnancy. ) 

 Then I read the messages from Vidhi.

Maa holding ceremony, Chini. Do you know anything about it? 

Where are you? I am unable to reach you. Will you please call after you see the text?

I quickly typed a reply.

I will call once I am free. 

Then next was Rudra's texts

Why?

Shridha, give me a chance to explain, please. 

I am coming from the first flight tomorrow.

Shridha, I am sorry for hiding things. I didn't mean it. 

There were many other texts in which he tried to explain himself and also apologized. 

No need to come here, Rudransh. I am busy with my thesis and I won't have time to meet you. It's better to give each other some time and process whatever is happening in our lives. 

" What are you doing? Are you going somewhere?" Bhavya asked in her sleepy voice while opening her eyelids half. 

" I need to meet the Professor and also handover my thesis. I will be back in an hour." I said and she hummed in response. 

I was about to get out when I heard Anushka's voice.

" The professor's adopted daughter." I didn't say anything to her comment and closed the door behind me. 

I met Trisha and Vibhanshu on my way as they were heading to the library. 

" You never told me you were dating Mr. Kapoor." Trisha said and I narrowed my eyes at her.

" I told you at the hotel if you remember and also I haven't dated him actually." I said and she nodded her head when realization hit her. 

" That day I didn't know that you were really talking about him. It was dark so I couldn't even see the face of the man in the car." She said while keeping her phone in her bag and I shrugged my shoulders.