Pride vs Prejudice

Chapter 21

Ria's eyes widened. She now recognized who they were. They were Shiv's friends from school.

She knew both the girls. They had always been nice to her; and she to them.

She gave them a warm smile. "Sorry, I didn't recognize you. It is nice to see you after all these years."

Pooja smiled at her. "Come on in. Let us introduce you to the others. I am sure you know some already."

She was quickly introduced to Rohan, Arvind and Sameer (Sam).

She hugged Rohan warmly. They had been friendly at school. She had always had a soft spot for him–in a strictly brotherly platonic way–back in school. But then they had lost touch. It was really nice to meet him.

"If the Bharat milap is done, can we get on?" Shiv drawled.

Ria threw a scalding look at Shiv before turning to look at all of them.

"What are all of you doing here? I mean..." Ria wasn't sure how best to put it so that it was not offending. 

They could always have a get-together–if that was what was happening right now–but not when she and Shiv were there to talk about their brothers. 

Ria turned around to look at Shiv questioningly.

"If there is something happening concerning Shiv, we need to be there as well," Arvind answered. "And this concerns Shiv."

Ria's eyes widened.

They were there to discuss her brother and Arun Kapoor!

She wasn't happy about this development. Some things were personal–very personal–and this was one of them.

"It doesn't concern him. It concerns our brothers," Ria said primly glaring at Shiv.

Shiv shrugged his shoulders.

"If it is about Arun Bhaiyaa. It concerns Shiv. And if it concerns Shiv it concerns us," Arvind said.

"Why? Are you his girlfriend?" Ria asked annoyed.

Sam, Nisha and Rohan burst out laughing. Pooja looked like she could join them. Shiv had an amused look on his face. Arvind on the other hand was livid.

"You--," he said getting out of his seat

"--have seen right through him in the first meeting," Urmila said walking in from behind her.

"Frodo!" Arvind screamed in frustration.

"Sit down, Arvind," Pooja said softly, holding his hand.

"Sit down! Sit down! Did you hear what she said?" Arvind said

"We are here for something more important. Let it go for now," Pooja told him gently

Arvind fumed but complied after a few minutes of deliberation.

"This is supposed to be a private discussion about our brothers. I will not have it made into a public spectacle," Ria said firmly looking Shiv in the eye.

"They aren't public. They are my best friends, and they care about Big B too. They aren't going anywhere if this is where they want to be," Shiv told her tersely.

"I am not okay with my brother being discussed in front of everyone," Ria said plainly.

"Then you need to decide if you want to hear what Urmila has found out or leave and try to figure this out all by yourself," Shiv said not willing to budge.

Ria looked at him. 

Everyone in the room was silent. The silent battle brewing between Ria and Shiv could not be missed by anyone. The tension could be cut with a knife.

Ria clenched her jaw. After what felt like ages, she declared, "If your friends are here, my friends are going to be here too!" 

Shiv shrugged. "Your choice."

Ria looked at him for a second, narrowing her eyes, before pulling out her phone and making a few calls.

The next 45 minutes were tense. No one spoke anything.

Ria sat on one sofa chair; Shiv on the one opposite her–holding each other's glance.

Doorbell broke the silence.

Rohan and Sam leapt out of their seats to get to the door; anything to get away from the tension.

Ten minutes later the entire room was full–if it wasn't already full thanks to Shiv's friends. Three more souls joined in–Rahul, Ananya and Vicky.

"Can we get started now?" Urmila asked rolling her eyes.

Thanks for reading. The story is taking a new turn now, hope you will find it interesting. Do share your thoughts and comments to let me know if you are liking this or if this is turning out bad...and do vote.