Shivaay felt like the ground had been yanked from beneath him. His grip on the pillar tightened as Mallika’s words echoed in his ears.
“Cheated on him… with you… when we were together”
He couldn’t breathe. His chest tightened as anger, betrayal, and disbelief swirled inside him like a storm.
In his daze, he shifted slightly, and his elbow accidentally knocked over a delicate vase sitting on a nearby pedestal.
CRASH!
The vase shattered into pieces, the sound reverberating through the corridor.
Mallika and Shashank froze mid-conversation, their heads snapping toward the noise.
“Who’s there?” Shashank demanded, his voice sharp.
Before Shivaay could move, Mallika stepped closer and caught sight of him emerging from behind the pillar. Her face went pale, her breath hitching.
“Shivaay…” she whispered, her voice trembling.
The silence between them was deafening. For a moment, none of them spoke, the weight of the situation hanging thick in the air.
“You…” Shivaay’s voice was low, dangerous. His piercing blue eyes locked onto Mallika.
Mallika opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.
“I—” Shashank started, but Shivaay’s glare silenced him instantly.
Shivaay stepped closer to them, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. His tone was calm, almost too calm, but it was laced with venom.
“How long?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. “How long were you lying to me? Pretending to care while sneaking behind my back with him?”
“Shivaay, it’s not what you think—” Mallika began, but he cut her off.
“Not what I think?” he snapped, his voice rising. “I just heard it straight from your mouth! How much of a fool do you think I am?”
Mallika’s eyes filled with tears. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. It… it just happened. I wasn’t happy, Shivaay. We weren’t happy.”
Shivaay laughed bitterly, the sound cold and devoid of humor. “So instead of talking to me, you decided to warm his bed? Twice?” He jabbed a finger in Shashank’s direction.
Shashank stepped forward, trying to diffuse the situation. “Shivaay, tum meri biwi se aise baat nahi karsakte”
“I am not talking to you bastard” Shivaay roared, cutting him off. “You destroyed my trust. You destroyed us. Tumhe itna sa bhi guilt nahi hai?”
Mallika’s tears were now streaming down her face. “Guilt tha isiliye breakup kiya and Shivaay, I thought you’d moved on. I thought it didn’t matter anymore.”
“Moved on?” Shivaay repeated, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Do you really think moving on erases the pain? Do you think it erases the betrayal?”
The intensity in his eyes made Mallika look away, unable to meet his gaze.
Taking a deep breath, Shivaay turned his focus to Shashank. His voice was icy when he spoke.
“And you. You knew exactly what you were doing. You knew she was with me and you still decided to stick your dick into our business.”
Shashank’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t argue.
Shivaay shook his head, his emotions a tangled mess of fury and heartbreak. “You’re both pathetic.”
He turned on his footwear, ready to walk away, but stopped after a few steps. Without looking back, he said, “Don’t worry. I won’t ruin the sangeet. But after this wedding, I hope I never have to see your face again”
With that, he strode away, leaving Mallika and Shashank standing in stunned silence.
Shivaay walked down the corridor, his mind racing. Every step felt heavier than the last. He didn’t know where he was going, only that he needed to get away, to be alone.
Unbeknownst to him, Anika had seen him from the staircase. She watched as he stormed out, his face a mask of anguish.
“Shivaay?” she called out, her voice tinged with concern.
He didn’t stop.
"Leave me alone Anika" and he rushed to the room. She followed him
“Aap thik hai?”
He stopped but didn’t turn to face her. “I’m fine,” he said curtly, his voice strained.
Anika frowned. “You don’t seem fine. Is there something I can do?”
Her voice was calm, professional—exactly what he expected from someone under contract. But there was a hint of concern that surprised him, specially after the nonsense he said to her.
Shivaay took a deep breath and finally turned to face her. His expression was composed, but his eyes betrayed the storm inside. “Why are you even asking?”
“Because you look like as if aapne bhoot dekhliya hai” she said plainly. “Niche abhi performances hai sabke. Chalna hai hume par aapki ye haalat me to nahi ja payenge. Shall I give you company?”
Her straightforwardness took him aback. He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t need your pity.”
“I’m not offering pity, Mr. Sadu Singh Oberoi,” she said, her tone firm. “But I’ve seen enough SSO drama to know when you are about to explode. Whatever’s bothering you, deal with it before it ruins the evening.”
Her words struck a chord. He stared at her for a moment, as if trying to decide whether to let her in or push her away.
Finally, he spoke, his voice quieter. “I just found out… Mallika—betrayed me while claiming to love me. She was fucking her so called husband even when I was her boyfriend”
Anika’s expression softened slightly, but she kept her distance. “I’m sorry to hear that,” she said. “Ye aapki galti nahi thi Shivaay.”
Shivaay studied her for a moment, as if trying to decide whether to believe her. Finally, he sighed again and ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t even know why I’m telling you this.”
“Maybe because mai aapki dunia ka hissa nahi hu” she suggested. “I don’t have any stakes in this. No judgment, no expectations. Just… listening.”
He nodded slowly, his anger ebbing slightly. “Thanks… I guess.”
“You’re welcome,” she said, her tone light. Then, with a faint smirk, she added, “Par ye aadat mat daliye daily ka. I am paid to be your pretend girlfriend, not your therapist.”
Shivaay huffed a laugh despite himself. “Noted.”
Anika gave him a small smile before speaking , "Chaliye dilliwali girlfriend pe naachna hai hume" she wiped his tears with her pallu and made him stand.
YOU ARE READING
The GIRLFRIEND Deal
Romance"The best relationships usually begin unexpectedly" Shivaay Singh Oberoi, a heartbroken lover whose ex betrayed him after a successful relationship of 5 years. His faith on love ceases to zero. Anika, an aspiring Interior designer does local plays...
