Rivals

Chapter 20

Trigger warning: Dubious consent.

" Why are you not replying to my messages? " Dhriti asked sitting beside Shrey as Siddharth slipped away from there.

" Well because we broke up months ago. " He replied giving her the obvious answer.

" I know. " She placed his hand on his thigh.

" Then why don't you try to move on? " He grabbed her hand.

" Because I also know the reason for the breakup. " She took his hand in her right one, freeing the other.

He asked getting annoyed by the series of nonsensical questions. " And that is? "

" For revenge. " She answered making small circles on his thigh with her finger. " You will eventually leave her after your revenge is done. Then we can get together. "

I have no use of you now. He thought as she put her head on his shoulder telling him about her plans for their future together. " Listen— "

" Shrey~ " Navya interrupted her by calling out his name with as much love she can gather at that moment. Dhriti moved her hand away and turned back to see his wife. Navya came and wrapped her hands around his neck before placing a kiss on his cheek much to the distaste of Dhriti and surprise of Shrey.

He flabbergastedly looked at her while trying to comprehend what she might be planning. " Can you help me? " She asked ignoring Dhriti who was fuming with anger deep down inside.

" …Sure? " He replied after taking a quick glance at seething Dhriti.

" Thank you. " She beamed before turning towards Dhriti. With a look of surprise she said, " Oh... Sorry. It's so rude of me to forget to greet you. "

Faking a smile Dhriti stated. " It's okay. It is my fault too that I didn't meet you earlier. "

Navya chuckled, her still arms around his neck which was an eyesore for Dhriti. " I am Navya. His wife. " She pulled him closer to her while putting the emphasis on the word wife. " And you must be his cousin? Right? "

Dhriti was taken aback by this absurd of a assumption about her relationship with Shrey. Her anger fueled, she wanted to return the favour by making Navya feel insecure about their relationship. She was about to reveal her actual relation with him, though she is quite delusional, when Siddharth interrupted her before she could even say a word. 

" Bahbhiji, hurry up we have to start making the rangoli too. " He urged as loud as he can from the stairs, taking the couple by surprise too.

" Right. I am coming. " Navya told him before taking Shrey's hand and pulling him. " Come on now. I have so much work left to do. And you... " She looked at Dhriti who was starting to get red. " Don't go without having lunch. "

Taking Shrey with her she left Dhriti mumbling curses on the couch and went upstairs to the supposedly wrong placed garland. There they, both, Navya and Siddharth argued back and forth about the supposedly wrong garland for a while.

After a while of hearing them bicker with each other, Shrey went ahead and changed the one he thought looked out of place, sparing them the hassle of taking all of them down.

In the meantime his parents were back too. The lunch was ready. Everybody sat down except Dhriti, now looking calm and composed, who was helping with serving the dishes. While serving, she specially payed close attention to Shrey. Her caring behaviour gave Navya a lot of subtle taunts from his mother with indigestion.

The lunch ended with her being able to eat only half of what she usually does. While Dhriti was busy collecting the praises from others, she and Siddharth snuck out. Shrey also went to do his work.