aurore - an unusual love story √

part sixty four

Bhoomi walked upto the elevator and pressed the ground button. She pretended looking at her phone meanwhile, because she knew Som's eyes were glued to her.

She had got up lying. She said she received a message from Dad, that he'd be returning home by 2 because of cancel in programs.

The truth was.. she felt awkward. However much she strengthened herself, the years of her being stamped and believed to be the girlfriend of Jai Prakash Raichand, choked her today.
Som was a friend, Som knew everything, yet she felt miniscule before him, when her ex boyfriend almost accepted that he unchoosed Bhoomi....for someone else.

She did not let that show, but her heart had broken to pieces. Jai hadn't confessed a thing, but, maybe he would.. if Bhoomi wasn't present. Maybe the face value of claiming to be in love with her for so long, did not let him.

But he needed to ease up. And so she decided offering some bro time to them. Som's face had dropped. But Jai somehow looked relieved.

That was it.

The elevator arrived. Bhoomi got in without looking back.

As she did, a lone tear escaped her eyes.

You are lucky, Sonara.
He will fight for you. You'll see.

Bhoomi Shetty realised, she needed to move on. Big time.
And that, it was the end of an era. With Jai Prakash Raichand, finally choosing his true love which wasn't she ever.

But, she had loved Jai. And she had never faked it.

The tears came in groups now, but Bhoomi banned them with her kerchief.

Nope. Not worth it. Not anymore.

__

Som and Jai sat in utter silence. Staring elsewhere.

Bhoomi's receding sillhoutte hurt Som to infinity. He knew she received no text from no one. She just wanted to escape. That's what Som had feared. The girl had completely recovered from the emotional turmoils. However, tonight was hard. Again.
He had so wished to run behind and stop her. But like every other time, he just couldn't.

Jai looked like a demolished structure. Stretching his long legs sideways, he sat scratching his stubble for a long time now, his stares meaningless.
Bhoomi's words had impacted him big time, and he had gone mute for a long time now. Maybe thinking over them, again and again.

Som calculated.
He should have been terribly happy with the fact that Jai turned secular. Fell for a Muslim girl. No, the Raichand lad never differentiated regarding financial status. He never actually was too mainstream (though he thought he was), having friends like Som and wanting to choose careers like flying...

But his heart choosing to go against what his brains had always thought to be right, was a huge thing.

Som should have basically been proud of him.
But, something pricked like a thorn.
Probably his love for Bhoomi. Probably the fact that Jai hurt her in a way she did not deserve.

Whatever, Jai was his friend, he loved Jai to levels undefinable, and most importantly Jai needed him right now.
So, he decided to push aside every personal disregard, to get him back on track.

" Jai.. "

" Hmm. "

" Can you say definitely that Sonara doesn't mean anything to you more than an aquiantant, or maybe a friend too? "

Silence. Jai did not look into his eyes. But he grew conscious and doubtful.

" Well, if you have problem in understanding, there are ways. And I can help you with them. But only if you want. "