Which Rathore?

A Connection with Vikram? - Part 1

"Sumera relax, it's fine. I'm here, we're all here." Ambar tried to calm me down.

It all made sense when everyone was focussed on a projection. What the hell? Did someone make a surprise slideshow? Jeez that gave me a scare.

Ambar and I walked towards majority of the people, from where we could see the screen and that's when I really felt the blood drain from my face. I could feel everyone's eyes on me as the video played.

"I...I don't know how it happened....I just, OH God I killed him!" The video of was me, sobbing as I spoke to Mili, whose back was facing the camera. I didn't know this video even existed. Clearly it was shot with secrecy as the camera was really shaky and I could even see some leaves at the edge of the frame. This was shot in secret by god knows who.

Holy. Shit.

The video was really short but was enough for everyone to stare at me, asking for an explataion. I found my dad in the crowd and he was just rubbing his forehead, probably thinking of what we can do.

"Uh, I think...um" Ambar was trying to say something, but really what could he say? What could anyone say at this point to save me the embarrassment? I just stood there.

"WOW Sumera" Apeksha started barking and I felt bile rising up my throat. What the actual hell can I do now? She was going to continue probably with a monologue she paired up with this video when she was interrupted by Vikram slowly clapping.

The lights were on now and Ambar basically had his face in his palm, hoping Vikram wouldn't ruin this and I was wishing for the same.

I think I was actually going to cry. Why is Vikram clapping? Was this his AND Apeksha's plan? Oh God in becoming friends with Vikram I was careless enough to overlook his "dates" with Apeksha. But of course, there's nothing I could say, I had no words.

"The shots in this film are completely ridiculous. I'm wondering how they even let you guys back into class at Oxford after you made this film?" He chuckled. What the heck is he talking about?

"What are you talking about Vikram this is Sumera's confession! You don't even kno-" Apeksha was once again cut off.

"Yeah yeah I know this is the confession scene in that idiotic film Sumera was telling me about the other day. Honestly Sumera if I were you and I made such a shitty short film in college, I wouldn't want people seeing it either." I started feeling a little bit better. Vikram wasn't behind this, he was helping me. Of course people were still confused, but the atmosphere was a little lighter now.

He looked at the people in the room and said, "Oh come on! You guys haven't heard about this 'passion' of Sumera Singhania?" He said incredulously, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Well I guess I'll fill them in now."

Apeksha once again started off, "Vikram! Stop coo-"

"For God's sake Apeksha let me finish! And aren't you always looking for ways to embarrass Sumera? It's my turn today" He said in a light tone, at the same time shutting Apeksha up firmly. "So I was speaking to Rohan and Arjun and Sumera one day and Rohan here cracks a joke about the 'time these guys made an abstract dark film.' Obviously I had to know about it and turns out Sumera used to try her hand at making short films, most of them terrible of course as we see her overacting in that "murder guilt" scene. Which reminds me who directed this film?" He looked at me and then Mili. I forced a small laugh out, "It was Arjun and he actually thought it was a great film when he made it, except for my overacting of course, I'm crying way too much in that shot."

After that little stunt Apeksha still tried her luck, but Vikram, once again, stopped her. He was slightly more private about it this time but both of them were standing quite close to me so I could hear them. "Apeksha you dare utter a word I will actually obliterate your reputation right here in front of everyone." Vikram said with a small smile, trying to hide the nature of his tone and words to Apeksha. Apeksha's face was like a tomato, she was furious about her foiled plan as people just started laughing at the incident and moved on with the engagement party. I continued Vikram's narrative and made it look like it was a surprise for Armaan, since he would love seeing his cousin get embarrassed as an engagement gift. The snake Apeksha left sometime before the engagement actually happened and I was too flustered to talk to Ambar or Vikram.

Once the whole party had kind of died down and most people, including my best friends (except Rohan who was hanging out with Vikram) went home after I refused to discuss today's incident, I stopped Ambar and decided to have a chat with him.

"Ambar, what happened today was very embarrassing. I would explain myself but this was just something-"

"I'm not judging you Sumera. I told you that...it's fine whatever you've done or not done it none of my business unless it's coming back and you have problems dealing with it. Then of course I'm there." He looked tired, dejected, and slightly taken aback by today's incident. I understand why he would. He obviously knew Vikram's story was bullshit, and maybe this is not what he was expecting when I said that he should know more about me. I really needed to clear the air between us, and I didn't feel like telling him the whole story. What mattered now was that I needed to clarify that maybe I'm not in love with him, I just like him.

"You're going to think of me as an idiot Ambar, but I think I took it too far on the phone that night." His expression was now puzzled. "Ambar... I care for you, I care for you a lot, but I think I might have misunderstood my feelings, and we should just keep going as we have been, as friends and professional companions."

I could see a shift in his eyes, although he maintained a straight face. Why is he getting harder and harder to read every time I meet him? "I agree with you, maybe we just kind of were bored and getting used to each other's company and took it for something else. Not to make personal comments but that happens when you haven't dated anyone for a while- I certainly haven't for years now." He chuckled and I sighed. I do care for him. He just made the awkwardness go away with two lines and a light chuckle.

I smiled at him, "thanks for coming today, I didn't know what was going to happen but I really appreciated having your support- it was an extremely awkward unsuccessful revelation (thankfully unsuccessful)." He just gazed at me before speaking. He's so conscientious with his words. He always thinks before he says anything at all. "I think I should get going Sumera, good night."

I gave him a hug before he left and I saw Rohan leaving right at the same time. My eyes were now searching for someone else. I hope he hasn't left yet. I didn't even thank him earlier for literally saving my reputation in front of the entire city, and neither did I get to tell him that I would've basically wanted to shut myself in a room forever if he hadn't been at the party tonight. Now there was barely anyone, even my dad was just sitting somewhere in the house, probably having a drink with his close friends- his version of an after party. I was walking around the house when I spotted him gazing out the glass door that faced our pond. Yes, pond. It's always been there, ever since I can remember. When I was younger that was my favourite place to hang out. He probably heard me walking towards him and when he turned around with a smile, a very small smile but a genuine one, I couldn't help but just watch him. I didn't say anything, he didn't say anything, we just watched each other as he leaned against the door and I walked towards him.

"So you think my acting skills were better than your overacting in that 'short film,' Sumera?"

A/N: Hey guys! So here was a longer chapter that you guys hopefully liked. There will be a part 2 to this chapter coming up very soon, so stay tuned!! What's going on in Ambar's head? If Sumera misunderstood her feelings how did his just disappear at the same time? And what about Vikram, did he know what Apeksha had planned? Is Sumera going to tell him the complete truth when he asks, or will she have to make up a story for him too? So many questions! SuVik fans are going to like the next chapter even more, so please please please comment your thoughts and don't forget to vote J