WIFE : BOUGHT AND PAID FOR

SHOT 37

Bhumi's POV:

Aryamann didn't even come back before leaving for Bangalore.

Ha! He didn't even leave a text message, let alone coming home.

I had packed an overnight bag and came over to the apartment I used to share with Arohi and Bani. As it is a Saturday, I would spend it here and tomorrow is my usual orphanage visit.

"It's been so long since we had a girls' night," Bani said sadly.

"Yeah. It used to be so fun when we three used to sit and talk for hours and hours," Arohi said nostalgically.

"Yeah. I understand. There is no fun without Bhumi, right?" I asked smugly, earning an eye roll from them both.

"This is what we actually missed, you know. You, praising yourself and making us laugh," Bani said with a laugh.

"Hey, I am not praising myself. I am simply stating the truth," I argued playfully.

"Yeah, yeah, we know," Arohi said with a dismissive wave of her hand.

"So, what plans tonight?" I asked.

"Let's order pizza and binge-watch something on Netflix," Bani said.

"Okay. Let's watch Originals," I said excitedly, making them both groan.

"Not again, Bhumi," Arohi groaned.

"Why not?" I asked, feeling offended on behalf of myself and Joseph Morgan.

"Because we have watched it a hundred times already. Let's watch something new," Bani said, and I nodded reluctantly.

Arohi quickly placed an order for three pizzas, with extra cheese, of course. Bani began browsing through Netflix, searching for some catchy blurbs.

"So?" Bani asked, looking at me.

I frowned at her.

"What?" I asked in confusion.

"What is happening between you and Aryamann?" Bani asked, and I saw Roohi abandoning the television remote and turning to look at me.

"What? We have a contract, and we are carrying it out," I said with a casual shrug.

"Bhumi, we might not have known you for a very long time. But we know you," Arohi said softly.

"What do you mean? There is nothing," I said without looking at them.

"Oh darling. You did it, didn't you?" Bani asked, placing a comforting hand around my shoulder. Arohi took the cue and sat on my other side.

I let out a sad chuckle.

"I am a fool, aren't I?" I asked.

"No, you are not. It is natural, sweetie," Bani said.

"Yes. But our relationship is not natural, and I should have kept that in my mind. I shouldn't have let my heart take over," I said, as beads of tears started flowing down my cheeks. Roohi and Bani hugged me from either side.

"Let it all out, Bhumi. Don't hold it in," Bani said.

"I don't know how it happened? One minute I was loathing him and the next minute I was falling head over heels. How is that even possible?" I asked, still not understanding how I fell in love with him.

"It happens, dear. What do they say? Yes, there is a fine line between love and hate," Bani said.

"Yes, I have read it in many books. I actually loved reading enemy-turned-lover types of books. But I never thought it could happen in real life too," I chuckled through my tears.