Deceptive Affections

CHAPTER 26

ZAISHA

"Hi Mumma, Hi Papa! How was your flight?" I greeted my parents.

"It was good. Why are you up so late?" my mother scolded me. I rolled my eyes at it. Such a mom behaviour.

"We are here to enjoy ourselves. Chill." I replied.

She hit my head lightly, "You are here for your best friend's wedding."

"Yeah, yeah. I'll go and have breakfast." I ran out of there, before I get scolded anymore. I went straight to Aarohi's room, to see how she was doing.

When I went inside her room, I found her puking. "Do not come near me, I will kill you." She said when she found me standing behind her.

"Arey, what did I do?" I wasn't able to stop my laugh.

"Whose idea was it to have a bachelorette before the wedding day?"

"And whose idea was it to have a wedding day? If there was no wedding, there would be no bachelorette and hence no hangover."

"Get out before I kill you." She said while puking.

"Okay, I brought coffee for you but if you don't want it, I'll go." I turned around to leave but she stopped me, "Give me the damn coffee."

"We have a lot of time before you have to start getting ready, take a nap after taking a shower, you might feel better." I logically explained. She agreed and took a nap.

Everything went perfectly, Aarohi woke up on time to get ready. She was feeling well now. And looking gorgeous as well in her pearl-white lehenga with heavy embroidery. This piece was a work of art. Maybe I can incorporate something like this in my work. Not the time for this.

The venue was beautiful. It was a sunset wedding and the backdrop with the mountains and the beautiful view of the lake just completed the whole set up. It looks so romantic.

This reminds me where is Reyaan though? I haven't seen him all day after the morning incident. I called him but he didn't pick up. I saw my brother and maybe he knows where Reyaan is. There are very low chances for it but no harm in asking, right?

"Hey, have you seen Reyaan?"

"No! Why would I know where he is?" he replied.

"Because he is your friend." I stated. But after not getting a reply, I sighed, "When will you stop avoiding him?"

"You asked me to be nice to him. I am being nice by not talking to him. I can't do both." Arrogant.

"This is not going to work though. You both clearly have issues which need to be resolved. So, today, you will go and have a conversation with him and sort everything." I declared.

"And why will I do that?"

"Because dear brother, you have told me a million things, which I have kept safe. Until now. You don't want those secrets to come out. So, you better be nice to Reyaan and talk things out. Got it?" he glared at me because he knows that's true.

"And I also have an incentive for you." That got his attention. Afterall, I don't want to use my biggest weapon against him. "I was stalking your so called 'nemesis' on social media. Obviously because I was bored. And I found some really interesting information which can be helpful. I'll give it to you if you do what I am asking."

"What kind of information?" he asked.

"The useful kind."

"Fine. But if it's a waste of my time, you are dead." See, arrogant.

"I am not an idiot." I rolled my eyes. The information is actually very interesting. I did not expect to find something like this.

Perfect timing. I found Reyaan at the perfect time. I went towards him. "Where were you?"

"Checking in with the staff. Why? What happened?" he asked.

"Bhai wants to talk to you. I want you to be nice and talk to him. I don't know how but be best friends again. Work things out." I stated.

He went towards him and I carefully observed their conversation. Every now and then, I thought one would punch the other but fortunately, there were none. They both were surprisingly calm, mostly. Reyaan chuckled and my brother glared at him. I will take that as a good sign. Looks like they ended things on a good note.

My brother came towards me, "Done. We are friends now. Happy?"

"Really? So easily? What did you talk about?" I asked with a sceptical look.

"None of your business. Now tell me what you know?" no worries, I'll ask Reyaan.

"Why are you so eager to know? Huh?" I teased.

"Zaisha Don't play with me. Tell me?" Wow, he only calls me Zaisha when he is really serious.

"Okay-okay. Evidently, your Reva", he interrupted me to say, "She is not my Reva."

"Whatever, so, Reva, the "nemesis", got engaged a few months back to some dude named Tanishk. Fortunately, his ID was also public and I was scrolling through it. But there was nothing of interest. But. It was my lucky day and I checked his story. He was with a girl, making out. And guess what, the girl was not Reva."

I saw his jaw tick and he was fuming with anger. I continued regardless, "I think it was posted by mistake. Probably the girl posted it. It was immediately taken down."

"Are you sure?" he said with clenched teeth.

"100 percent. I would have screen recorded but it was already taken down." I wasn't even finished talking but he went away.

REYAAN

I went towards Aditya. I am surprised he finally wants to talk to me. "You want to talk to me?"

"Aishi wants me to talk to you." Obviously. Should've guessed so.

Looks like he is trying to say something but the awkward silence was too much too handle, so I said, "Let's just talk it out. What is your problem with me dating Zaisha?"

"The idea of my best friend dating my sister isn't very flattering. I am sorry if that bothers you." He said sarcastically.

"I get that. Okay. I am sorry you found out the way you did. But it is what it is. You have got to accept it. If you want me to break up with her, that's not happening. And our current equation is clearly bothering her, so that needs to stop as well. So, say what you want and get it over with. You want to punch me again, go ahead. But stop being an ass."

He released a sigh, "I don't want you two to break up. She looks happy with you and surprisingly so do you."

"So?" I encouraged him to keep going.

"I will try to be more accepting. But don't test my patience." He said every word as if it was really difficult to speak. "You don't have to avoid me anymore."

I gave him a small smile. "I am glad to hear that."

"No PDA in front of me. Keep your hands to yourself." He said firmly.

"That will be a little difficult." He glared at me in return. "Fine. We'll try." I teased.

"Anything else?" I asked.

"Yes. Hurt her and you are dead." He warned with deadly eyes. But there's no need for that. I would never do something to hurt Zaisha.

"Are we good?" I double checked. He nodded, "We are good."

"So, when do I get to punch you? You punched me. Twice. We should get even." Another scowl. His face is going to freeze that way. And this is coming from me. 

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