A Web of Love and Deceit

Against All Odds

Shivada's POV

I walked over to Lilly and her group, grabbing her by the hand and turning her to face me. "What the hell are you talking behind me?" I demanded, my tone sharp. Lilly's smile flickered—she hadn't expected me to confront her so directly.

"Oh, I didn't say anything, dear," she replied in that sickly-sweet tone that didn't suit her at all.

"Well, that's not what I heard. Who are you to comment on my personal life?" I shot back.

Lilly tilted her head, pretending to look sympathetic. "Oh, Shivada, I actually feel sorry for you. I know you wanted Aadhi, but we don't always get what we want in life, do we? Maybe it's time you move on and find someone else, since you don't really have another choice." She added this with a mocking smile, her eyes glinting maliciously. "I was just telling the others to keep an eye on you, to support you through this... difficult phase."

Oh really?" I replied, crossing my arms with a smirk. "I want Aadhi, and Aadhi wants me. We're in love, Lilly. So why are you talking as if we've broken up? Last time I checked, Aadhi and I are very much still together. So you can take your sympathy and shove it up to your ass since that might be helpful for your single, lonely life".

Her face froze for a second before she forced a smile, but I could see the anger simmering beneath. "Come on, Shivada," she said, her voice tight. "I was at that dinner, remember? I saw how Padma Aunty made it clear she doesn't want you for either of her sons, and she practically ended her friendship with your mom because of your little 'feelings' for both of them. I remember your mom telling you to stop contacting Aadhi altogether." She gave me a smug, self-satisfied smile. "So, using some common sense, it's obvious you and Aadhi are over."

Her words stung as she brought up Padma Aunty and the dinner, dragging back memories I'd rather not relive. But I wasn't about to let her see that. Plastering on a mocking smile, I said, "Lilly, you're not answering my question. Did you actually hear Aadhi say he's breaking up with me? Or me saying that to him?"

She faltered, her confident expression slipping. "Well... no, not directly, but—"

"Exactly," I cut her off. "With that little bit of common sense you claim to have, it should be obvious that neither Aadhi nor I ever mentioned a breakup. In fact, weren't you there when Aadhi told his mother he only wants me? Did you forget, or is selective hearing one of your other talents?"

"Hey, Shivada! You can't talk to me like that!" she protested, raising her voice.

"Shut up, you pathetic little snake." I took a step closer, my voice low and furious. "Do you think I don't know your intentions? Since day one, you've tried to belittle me—body-shaming me, saying I'm not good enough for Aadhi. I see it now. You like him." I leaned in, forcing her to meet my eyes. "Come on, Lilly, answer me. You want my Aadhi, don't you?"

Her face went pale, her mouth opening and closing without words, confirming what I'd suspected all along.

I let out a cold laugh. "Listen closely. Aadhi and I never broke up, and we never will. Try dragging me into your little gossip ring again, and I'll make sure you regret it. Spread any more lies about me, and I'll personally shut you up by pulling out your tongue and feeding it to dogs. Got it?"

Without waiting for an answer, I spun around and stormed out of the room, feeling the weight of her silence behind me.

It had been a week since I last spoke to Aadhi. I was honoring my mother's promise, but it was tearing me apart. My appetite was gone, and I barely had the energy to face anyone. Most of my time was spent locked away in my room, staring at old pictures of Aadhi and me, trying to find comfort in those memories. Each photo felt like a lifeline, a reminder that Aadhi would never leave me.