Crystallized Truth

Chapter 21 - Search for Facts

There was just a strange addiction of being winner. No one could defeat her.

Ashley was just an exception. Besides he had cheated her. Wait what? A sour expression came on her face. She shouldn't be thinking about that arrogant man. It wasn't enough he was invading their space every second in that cursed hotel that she was even starting to think about him.

"To hell with him," Ava muttered sitting up straight.

Dhruv emerged in her view as he reached the top. Ava gave him a smile.

"How does the defeat taste?" Ava asked.

"You wanna taste?" Dhruv offered.

"Suite you better," Ava turned to sky with attitude.

Laughing and teasing, the two trodded down from mountain and walked on the rough path. Their hands entwined.
The open cafe giving a clear view of the two, Ashley held the cup of coffee without much care for it. Their interaction fuelling the fire in his heart.

He should be happy that he got rid of her big mouth. She was busy with her new boyfriend, enjoying and being happy. He got all his time to himself without her interference. He was even spared of her glares and teasing. Then why his heart was not accepting this new situation. His ego was just not liking this ignorance.

"Your coffee got cold." Honey pointed, gaining his attention for a second. "Shall I get you another one?"

Ashley looked at the brown liquid. The white froth resembling the foggy environment and yet Amelia was clear in his sight.

Honey reached out for cup, Ashley took it swiftly and doused the content on ground. The brown liquid sprawled on white crust.

To hell with everything. Ashley stood up. He wasn't going to let anyone dictate him. Neither his mind that was acting weird nowadays and nor Honey who was trying to be his girlfriend. He shouldn't have accepted her proposal at first place. Damn with his mind.

Ashley turned back to look at Honey. He shouldn't just leave her without word though. He could be cold but it wasn't her fault.

"I need to go somewhere, Honey." Ashley said curtly.

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She should tell him everything soon. Things would mess up for worse. He already seemed upset. Ava sneaked a glance at Archie. He didn't look at her. He was never this much silent and distant.

The door opened pulling her out of the miserable thoughts. A young woman observed them silently.

"Does Mrs Anbolkar lives here?" Archie questioned.

The woman looked at them silently for a long minute. Ava and Archie looked at each other confused.

"Ah, ap madam g se milne aye hain. Andar andar hai wo." The woman said at last with a wide smile.

Ava was thankful of the translator but noticed Archie didn't understand.

"She is inside." Ava told Archie.

Archie nodded and both walked inside tailing the woman they realized as servant. Seemed like servants still in fashion in this part of world, just like other long gone things.

But why was Dehradun so backward when India had reached heights long back?

Ava wondered as they entered the drawing room where a woman sat on plush sofa gushing on her nails.

"Siya, kitny bar bola hai k..." T stopped on noticing the newcomer faces.

Siya, servant, scurried away on seeing T distracted. T stood up slowly staring Ava and Archie in shock.