Doomed

Chapter 25

      It was a nice morning, Aghanya had managed to bring everyone together for brunch. Even Janvi was there. But, the table was so silent except for the clutter of the cutlery against the plates.

     "Why is everyone so gloomy today?" She asked the table, the all raised their heads to look at her. Strangely, Janvi was the one who had an unusual smile on her face and Kushi, Dhruv, Dev and Viren had a frown on their faces.

        She heard a few murmurs of nothings. She sighed.

       "You know what we need?" She said excitedly. "We all need to go on a trip."

    "No way, I just started this hotel." Viren nodded his head.

      "I don't feel comfortable going on trips." Kushi backed out.

     "Yeah, I'm not feeling it too." Dhruv said and took a sip of his juice.

      "I have a very important case coming up." Dev said.

      "Why is everyone backing out? A trip is a fantastic idea." To her surprise, that came from Janvi. "I mean, so much has happened, a change of scenery would do us all some good."

       Nikhil followed, "I agree. It's the holidays anyway. It'll be fun but, only if everyone comes."

      "I know! Come on, Viren. Please?" She put on her best pouty face.

       "Fine." Viren smiled at her. "We never went on our honeymoon anyway." He teased.

        Aghanya choked on her drink as he laughed. "Oh shut up, Viren. We're not the newly weds here."

       "You're right, the newly weds should agree first." Viren said pointing to Dhruv and Kushi.

        "No jiju, I don't like going out on trips." Kushi nodded her head sideways.

       "It's a no from me too then." Dhruv said.

       Aghanya groaned, "No no, that won't do. You both have to come and that's final."

     "Fine. If you insist." Kushi sighed.

     "So Dhruv?"

      "Fine."

     "I'm in." Janvi said excitedly which was so out of character. Aghanya thought.

     "I'm in too." Nikhil said as they shared secret glances.

     Aghanya dropped her jaw, what was happening? She reminded herself to talk to Nikhil about the matter. But first, she thought looking at Dhruv who was sulking and decided to talk to him.

      "Tell me what's wrong." Aghanya and Dhruv were in his office.

   "Why? Nothing is wrong."

      "I can totally see that something is wrong from your face. Also, I know that you were in Mumbai since a week, I don't understand why you decided to hole up in that hotel room rather than go back home to your wife."

     Dhruv leaned forward on his elbows and pinched the bridge of his nose.

     "You do still like her right?" She asked.

       "I don't like her." He lowered his hands and stared at her. "I love her, okay?" He dragged his palms over his face massaging his closed eye lids twice indicating he hadn't been sleeping well. "It just came in so fast, I myself started doubting whether I loved her. But I couldn't push myself away. The feelings are too much. I just wanted one week to sort my feelings out. And then the incident happened and when I heard her voice on Viren's phone, when I saw her go pale in shock, I knew for sure, that I loved her, so much, I'd die if anything happened to her."