Dancing with destiny

Chapter 8

He felt rage beyond anything, coursing through his veins. He gripped the steering wheel tightly and told himself to relax. They had kissed! Why should he be so angry? He had told himself that this was how it should be. He forced himself to calm down, but felt his heart beating rapidly.

"Oh....Is that a bad thing?" He tried to force a smile.

"It is...." She replied feeling saddened by his reaction. He seemed fine and she expected him to be hurt.

"Why is it a bad thing? That's a natural thing Anna" He didn't know what else to say

"I kissed him because I felt bad for him, not because I wanted to" She replied truthfully

Raj felt something heavy lift off from his heart. He was relieved but immediately felt bad at his relief. She was unhappy with what had happened and here he was feeling happy. He knew Jai loved Anna – or so he had shared with Raj before coming back to India, yet it was becoming hard for Raj to let Anna go so easily. He was becoming a slave to his emotions and he couldn't afford to drag Anna into his messy life.

"Then why did you kiss me?"

"Because I wanted you to be...." She sighed. "I was being stupid, I'm sorry Raj" She was calming down now, it helped her to just talk with him.

"It's okay, lets forget it then" He dismissed it all on her being confused and tried to push it back.

"I don't love him Raj" She sighed

"You shouldn't have kissed him then"

"I know! But I felt sorry for him, he looked so hurt"

"But Anna, he will think you like him now"

"I kissed you, do you think I like you too?"

"I don't know Anna, You're confused right now"

"Raj, he's my best friend how can I hurt him by rejecting his feelings?"

"Then maybe you could grow to love him" He felt his heart drop as he suggested this.

"What if, I love someone else?" She looked at him as she said this. His face stiffened as he wondered who this other man was.

"Then tell that person" He said feeling sick.

"I don't know if he loves me back...."

He didn't respond. He felt tired and a bit dizzy.

"I'm going to drop you home ok?" He said biting back his pain

"Okay" she whispered. The little time they spent together in the car helped her. Getting things off her chest felt good and she thanked God for having a best friend she could rely on.

When they arrived back at Anna's house her mother came running up to the car crying.

"Anna!! Where were you, I was so worried when Jai came and said you ran off"

Anna got out of the car and hugged her mother. Raj got out and started explaining.

"Aunty she came to my house to talk" He lied.

Jai walked out of Anna's house stone faced and looked at Raj. He wondered why Anna had gone to his house instead of back home. He didn't like their closeness. They all walked inside and Anna went up to her bedroom to rest, leaving the two men behind. She didn't want to be in their company – today's events felt too overwhelming. She felt silly and stupid for kissing Jai and then Raj and just couldn't look at them.

Raj and Jai both left Anna's house a little while later. They didn't disturb Anna so didn't say goodbye. As they walked out Jai spoke up.

"What was she doing with you?"

"Nothing"

"Why did she come and see you then?"

"She was confused" Raj had such a huge headache now and just didn't want to answer these questions.

"About what?" Jai was getting impatient

"Jai! Why did you kiss her?" Raj was becoming angry as his head hurt so much.

"Because I wanted to – what's it to you Raj"

"She was confused about that – she said she doesn't love you!"

"But she kissed me back – so I know love will happen on day!"

"She felt bad for you and didn't want to hurt you"

"Raj, help me then! Help me get her. I love her a lot"

"Jai....I don't want to see her sad"

"You think she will be happier with you? – How can you think that, we both know it's not possible"

"I'll help you somehow" Raj said feeling the weight of the truth on his shoulders. He couldn't deny it.

"Good – I know I can make her happy!" Jai said feeling positive.