MY AVERAGE LIFE

Part 47

Sharath Pov:

I text her and head toward my apartment, mind buzzing with thoughts about why Shivani took off the ring. I don't want to push her, but man, I really want her to wear it. Should I just ask her straight up? Make her wear it? My thoughts drift back to our kiss, and before I know it, I'm at my place. After everything that happened tonight, I don't feel like going back to that mess. I open the door and find Raghav chilling on my sofa.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, grabbing some water.

"Came to see you," he says casually.

"This late?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

"I knew you'd be here after the fight. Been waiting since the evening."

"What do you wanna talk about?" I sit down across from him, not really in the mood.

"Do you really love her?" he asks, straight to the point.

"That's what you came here to ask?" I roll my eyes, feeling a bit annoyed.

"Please, Anna, just tell me. Do you even believe in love?"

I sigh. What's with people and this obsession with love? "I don't know about love, but I know one thing—she's mine."

He frowns, clearly not satisfied with that answer. "So, you don't believe in love?"

"What's so great about love, huh?" I scoff.

"You won't get it if you're not in love," he says, shaking his head.

"Oh really? Then explain it to me," I challenge him.

He shakes his head and asks, "If you don't love Shivani, then why did you bankrupt your aunt's company?"

"She tried to come between me and Shivani," I say flatly.

"What did she do?"

"I didn't give her a chance to separate us," I reply, not feeling the need to elaborate.

Raghav looks shocked and then asks, "Can I ask a few more questions?"

I sigh. "Fine. I'm in a good mood, so I'll answer your questions, but after that, you need to leave." I lean back, still thinking about that kiss.

"Okay." He nods, ready to fire away.

"What do you feel about Shivani?"

I frown. "I already told you, she's mine."

"When are you marrying her?"

"Whenever she wants to," I say, my mind drifting to thoughts of our wedding.

"What if she wants to marry you in a year?"

"I'll wait."

"What about the company?"

"I know how to get it without marriage."

"Company or Shivani?"

"Shivani," I say without hesitation.

"What if Shivani likes someone else?"

My jaw clenches at the thought of her with another guy. "He'll be six feet under the moment it happens," I say, my voice turning dangerously low. I notice Raghav gulp.

"What if Shivani doesn't want to marry you?"

"Then we'll live like this—she'll be my fiancée for life. No one will come between us," I say with a smile.

"Bro, you sound like a creep," he says, raising an eyebrow.

I smirk. "I can be a creep if it means she stays with me."

"Bro, you're in love."

"Huh?" I ask, confused.

"You love Shivani, Anna."

"Love?" I repeat, almost like I'm hearing the word for the first time.

He smiles. "I'm so happy for you, bro. I thought you were marrying her for the company, but seeing how far you've gone for Shivani, I'm sure you love her."

I pause, trying to process what he's saying. Is this what love feels like?

"Is this what it's like to be in love?" I ask.

He smiles again. "It's different for everyone, but wanting to be with her, protect her, and make her happy? That's love. For you, it comes with a bit of possessiveness and obsession, but hey, that's your story."

"How are you so sure that I'm in love?"

"Do you really need to ask? Bro, think about everything you've done for her. I talked to Anandhi before coming here, and she told me everything. If it were anyone else, would you have done the same?"

I shake my head. "No."

"Exactly. You're doing all this because of Shivani. Every love story is different, don't compare yourself to anyone else. I can say with 100% confidence that you love her, and you deserve to be loved."

With that, he gets up and leaves, leaving me alone with my thoughts. All I can think now is—do I deserve to be loved? Do I have it me to love someone?