ᴇx-ʙᴏʏʀꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅ, ɴᴇxᴛ ʜᴜꜱʙᴀɴᴅ

Chapter 18

Nishtha

It had been 2 days since our wedding was fixed. 2 days since we last met.

Priya got the job. Luckily , she only has to work as the consultant at YuBM. Her starting date was also 11th July, so the three of us were free. Right now, they sat at my house as Aai went through a bunch of pictures and videos for a good wedding venue.

I was least interested.

Priya and Aditi weren't interested as well. They, too, know the reality of the marriage. There's no interest on anyone's side. Aai sat outside while we leaned on my room door, watching her.
"She's too excited." Adi said.
"Wasn't she the one who suggested you two can walk away anytime?" Priya asked.
"It was her, which is why I'm surprised why she is making this such a big deal."
"Aunty." Adi said and she turned around, "are we sure that Nish wants a grand wedding?"
"I know she doesn't, but I want her to have one."
"Aai, we all very well know the truth of this, it isn't even going to last, please don't spend so much and instead use the money for other stuff."
Aai's face fell, "I can't give you the man you want or could have had, so let me give you this."
"Aai. It's fine. I don't want anything." I sighed seeing Aai, "Okay fine, do as you want!"

We walked back in and sat on the bed, "God!"
"Are you going to manage?" Pri asked.
"I don't know. He has a whole list of rules ready. I just need to live by them."
"What about.... Love?"
"There's no love again. Let's just not talk about this. Anyway, what were we saying abo—"

I heard the bell ring. We heard Aai open it and I heard a wave of laughter and muttering coming.
"Who is it?" I asked Adi, who was peeking.
"Your future husband."
I lay down and groaned, "Ugh not today."
"We can just say we're busy?"
"Yeah, as if Aai would allow that."
"NISHTHA!" Aai's voice came echoing in my room, "Come here!"
I looked at Pri and Adi, "I told you so!"

"Aai, I'm not dressed well. Wait." I screamed back. I was just delaying it.
"It's okay beta!" I heard Aunty say, "it's not like we aren't used to you." I groaned and opened my hair from my clip and then made my way out.

I saw Yuvaan sitting there with his jeans and a classy teeshirt. They always dressed so well.
Here I am in shorts and a sweatshirt!
"Nishtha, they are here to get your ring size."
Oh.
"Give your hand." Aai said. I gave my left hand in front and the man measured my size and he noted them.
"Good?" I asked him.
He nodded and then left the house.
"You guys must stay for lunch." Aai said, "I've made jeera rice and daal fry. Yuv's favourite!"
"We would love to but I have to meet a friend. Yuvaan, you have lunch and come." Aunty said.
"Aunty... I have work to get back to."
"It's a Saturday. You don't have anything. Keep quiet and have lunch and go." Aunty said.
Ugh. Aai just him leave.
"Okay!" He said, his eyes meeting mine.

Aunty left and he sat on the couch, talking to Neel. I was going to back inside to Pri and Adi, but Mom stopped me.
"Where are you going?" She asked.
"Pri and Aditi are inside. I'm going to them."
"Bring them here. You all sit here."
"But—"
"No buts, bring them here you all talk."

I groaned and went inside, "You're being called."
"What? No I'm not going there." Adi said.
"Same, he's my boss. I'm not going." Pri added.
"Guys I can't go there alone."
"Why's he staying?"
"Coz Aai forced him and that bastard agreed."
"Because this bastard respects his olders" a deep husky voice said from behind."

I turned around and found him leaning on my door. Pri and Adi looked equally shocked.
"W..why are you eavesdropping?" I asked.
"Kya karu? You're saying such amazing things about me I couldn't help but listen."
"Go out." I said, "this is my room."
"I've been here several times Nishtha. I know."
"I... you... go..." I stammered.
He walked in and sat on my bed, me Pri and Adi standing next to each other.
His eyes met Pri's and she spoke, "H...Hi Sir."
He chuckled, "Priya stop. You don't have to be formal. I'm your best friend's fiancé."
He then turned to Adi, "Hi Aditi. How are you?"
"I'm good, you?"
"Good." He looked at us, "why are you all frozen like statues? Sit down."

I looked at my friends, who were very shocked.
So was I.
What happened to this man?
Is he bipolar?
Adi and Pri sat down. I stayed glued to my desk.

It was so awkward. No one spoke a word, but I know Adi and she won't be staying silent now.
I was right.
"So... when is the wedding?" She asked him.
I mentally slapped her.
"Whenever Mom and Aunty decide."
"Right." Aisha said, "Congrats by the way."
"Thank you."

I was getting angry.
He's acting as if everything is fine between us.
He's acting as if this wedding has nothing to do with his playboy image. The same image which I would see on the news everyday, which would break my heart everyday.

"Adi, Pri! Please help me out na!" Aai called.
As if breathing a sigh of relief, Adi and Pri sped and left me alone with him.

"Adi and Pri know the circumstances of our marriage, Yuvaan." I blurted out.
He sighed, "Okay then. I don't need to be good."
"So this was an acting too?!" I screamed.
He was going to talk but I continued, "you are ruthless, you are unbelievable. My friends have nothing to do with this?!"
"Nishtha!" He said, getting up.
"Don't talk to me." I said, backing away.
"If I want to say something, I will say it."
"I know that, you will say it, without giving the other person even a chance to think or react."
His eyes darkened, "Stop it Nishtha."
"Just go home. I don't want to see you."
"You think I want to be here with you? If it was not for your Mom, I would be at home."
"It was you, who chose to stay and it was your mom who forced you to stay." I argued.
"Because I respect olders, unlike you." He said.
"Unlike me?!"
He took a deep breath and looked away, "Go."
"This is my house Yuvaan. You leave."

He looked at me. Anger filled in his eyes. I want to look at him but not like this. I wanted to see his eyes full of love, not hate, but I know that's never going to happen.

"Yuvaan." I said before he left, "I want to add to the contract."
"What?" He said, without looking at me.
"Stay away from Aai Baba and Neel."

He turned around and looked at me. His eyes filled with anger. Then, without giving me an answer, he left the room.

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