"Fake girlfriend, huh?” Rudra’s teasing voice broke the silence like a bolt of lightning.
Shivaay spun around, his expression a mix of shock and alarm. “What are you two doing here? And kya fake girlfriend?”
“we should ask you this,” Omkara said calmly, his tone carrying an edge of curiosity. “Yeh ‘fake girlfriend’ ka kya scene hai, Shivaay?”
Shivaay straightened, trying to regain his composure. “I am not getting your point”
“Drop the act Bhaiya,” Rudra shot back, folding his arms. “Aap dono ki baatein sun kar toh yeh clear ho gaya ki jo hum initially samajh rahe the, woh sach hai. It was difficult for me to believe that you got a girlfriend and we don't know”
Shivaay glared at them, but his silence confirmed their suspicions.
“Shivaay,” Omkara said, his voice quieter now, “tujhe pata hai na ki poori family ko kitni khushi hui thi tum dono ko ek saath dekh kar? Yeh sab... it’s a lie? What were you thinking?”
Shivaay let out a frustrated sigh and ran a hand through his hair. “Haan, it’s a lie. I asked Anika to act as my fake girlfriend here. It was to stop Mom from forcing me into something I didn’t want.”
“Something like shaadi,” Omkara guessed, his expression unreadable.
Shivaay nodded, his voice tense. “Haan. I came up with this plan to keep everyone off my back. And when I got here, Priyanka told about Mallika being her sister in law and now my plan was just the best”
“Par Shivaay,” Om interrupted, his voice unusually serious, “tu samajh raha hai na ki yeh sab kisi film ka scene nahi hai? Dadi aur sabse yeh baat chhupana... it’s going to hurt them when they find out. Rudra is supposed to do all these. Not you”
"I agree O" Rudra added
“I know,” Shivaay snapped, his frustration spilling over. "I know it's ridiculous. Lekin us waqt mujhe yeh hi sahi laga.”
“Us waqt?” Omkara raised an eyebrow. “Aur ab?”
Shivaay looked away, the weight of their questions pressing on him. “Ab kya? I will drop her back to India. She will continue her life the way it was.”
Rudra frowned, his usual playfulness replaced by genuine concern. “Aur family ka kya, Bhaiya? And what was the use of hiding it from us?”
Omkara shook his head, his gaze piercing. “Shivaay, tu sach mein yeh samajhta hai ki yeh sab explain karna itna asaan hoga? You were staying in the same room, you were behaving like a couple and all of a sudden ye bologe that it didn't work out?”
Shivaay’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t respond. The truth of Omkara’s words stung more than he cared to admit.
“Bhaiya,” Rudra said softly, stepping closer, “kya aapne kabhi socha hai ki Anika didi ke saath yeh sab karte hue aap khud kaisa feel karte ho? Matlab... Aap usse kuch feel karte ho ya yeh sab ek natak hi hai?”
Shivaay’s eyes flashed, a mix of frustration and vulnerability. “This isn’t about feelings, Rudra. This was just a deal. And once it’s over, she’ll go back to her life, and I’ll go back to mine. I don't feel anything for her”
“Shivaay,” Omkara said gently but firmly, “I am not sure why you are lying to yourself.”
Om placed a hand on Shivaay’s shoulder. “Hum yeh nahi keh rahe ki apni feelings ko abhi naam do. Lekin apne aap se yeh zarur poochho—kya tu sach mein chahta hai ki Anika vanishes from your life?”
Shivaay looked away, his thoughts in turmoil.
"It doesn't matter. She isn't even a part of my life. Khanna found her somewhere"
"Oh my god? She wasn't even a friend or someone you knew before? So you randomly hired her? My goodness Shivaay Singh Oberoi. How desperate were you?" Om couldn't believe Shivaay's words.
"I was desperate, Omkara Singh Oberoi. I didn't want my family to think of me as a pathetic lover."
"No one will think that Shivaay. We are your brothers. Pyaar karna koi gunaah nahi tha tera. You aren't pathetic" Om shouted back.
"I feel I a still a kid in front of your eyes Bhaiya, but let us be your pillar sometimes. We won't judge for sure" Rudra added
"I will try. Ek din me nahi hoga ye but I will" Shivaay hugged his bros at the same time.
The hug felt so comforting for the three of them and it was difficult to let go.
"And regarding Anika, think before it's too late. She is amazing and fits perfectly in the family"
With that, Omkara and Rudra turned and walked away, leaving Shivaay alone by the poolside. The night felt quieter now, but the questions they had raised echoed loudly in his mind.
Shivaay stared at the water, his reflection rippling under the moonlight. He didn’t have the answers yet, but for the first time, he allowed himself to ask the question:
Was this really just a deal? Or was it something much more
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...
