UNSPOKEN BONDS

10. Proposal Turned Betrayal?

© archanaj1308 2024. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.

AMRITHASHREE SRINIVASAN

Arriving at the picnic, I was greeted warmly by familiar faces, though the atmosphere seemed chilly with Ashwathy, Kriti, and Sejal giving me cool stares. Sam's friends from Singapore and one of Kriti's closest friends were also present, making the gathering feel even more distant.

The sprawling green lawns, dotted with colorful picnic blankets and lively conversations, initially filled me with anticipation. It was an event I looked forward to attending with Sam, yet the unease of being on the outskirts of his social circle lingered, a stark reminder of the changes that had taken place.

"Hey Ammu, so glad you could make it!" Chinmay's warm voice broke through my thoughts as he enveloped me in a hug.

"Wouldn't miss it," I replied, forcing a smile to mask the growing discomfort.

Shruti joined us, her eyes conveying empathy. "Good to see you here, Ammu."

Chinmay and Shruti, our dynamic couple, had tied the knot in a grand Mumbai wedding a year ago, a beautiful memory that now seemed distant amidst the current tension.

Despite their cordial greetings, the tension in the air was palpable. I tried to focus on the positive, cherishing the moments I could spend with Sam. However, the feeling of being an outsider persisted, a constant reminder of how much had changed between us.

Dhwani and Gayatri's presence brought some relief. I was pleasantly surprised to see Gayatri, knowing she had been invited by Sam himself.

"Here, Ammu, have some Masala Chaas (spiced buttermilk)," Sam offered, handing me a glass with a warm smile.

"Thanks, Sam," I replied, my heart fluttering at his thoughtfulness.

"You should join us for the dodgeball game later," he suggested, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

"I might," I said, trying to hide my eagerness.

As the picnic progressed, I made efforts to engage in the activities around me, but the feeling of being an outsider persisted. The group had split into smaller clusters, each immersed in their conversations and games.

Finding myself sitting alone under a tree, sipping my Masala Chaas, I noticed Ashwathy, Sejal, and Kriti laughing together nearby. Their laughter felt distant, a barrier I couldn't bridge.

Sam approached me with a plate of snacks. "Hey, why are you sitting all alone? Come join us."

"I'm fine here," I said, forcing a smile. "Just enjoying some quiet time."

Sam frowned, clearly unconvinced. "Alright, but if you change your mind, we're right over there." He pointed towards the group.

I nodded, watching him return to Kriti and the others.

Chinmay approached me with a drink. "You okay, Ammu?"

"Yeah, just taking a break," I replied, trying to appear nonchalant.

Chinmay glanced towards Kriti and Sam, admiration evident in his eyes. "You know, Kriti's really something. She and Sam make a great team."

My smile faltered slightly. "Yeah, they do. They seem really happy together."

Chinmay nodded, not noticing my discomfort. "It's great to see Sam so settled. He's got a good thing going."

As Chinmay rejoined the group, Dhwani noticed me sitting alone and waved me over. "Ammu, come here! We need more players for the next game."