Upon reaching the park, Abhi sits on the swing and Kavya sits on the swing next to him.
When he turns to look at her, he feels wrong. As if Kavya was trying to take Aaru's place, and no one could take her place. Not before, not now. On the swing or in his heart, he still didn't know.
"Kavya, I was friendly to you and I guess I liked talking to you. But, no I don't have any feelings for you whatsoever. So, don't keep showing up everywhere. It's uncomfortable. I already told you this, if you would just listen.", Abhi says looking away from her.
"W-what? So you love Aarushi now? That girl? Didn't you friend-zone her already? How could you say this to me?", Kavya asks outraged.
"Do what to you? I never talked to you about my feelings explicitly. Do me a favour and stop blaming me or Aaru for that matter.", Abhi gets up walking away from the swing.
Kavya pulls him to her, hugging him forcefully.
"I like you, I like you a lot", she sobs.
"Stop it. Get away from me.", Abhi says trying to push her away.
His hands fall limp to his side in shock, when he sees Aaru staring at him and Kavya as if her world had crashed down on her. Aaru turns around running from there, as tears blur her eyes.
Abhi pushes Kavya making her fall on the ground.
"Don't you dare try something like that again.", he glares at her before running behind Aaru.
He reaches her house too late, making him yell out in frustration. He walks back home, before aggressively ringing the doorbell.
"I'm opening the door Abhi, patience.", his mother says.
"Amma, I messed up.", Abhi declares sitting on the sofa with his head in his hands.
"What happened?", she asks worriedly sitting beside him.
Abhi told his mother what happened in the park, his voice thick with worry and regret.
"I shouldn't have let that girl near me.", he mumbles.
"What's done is done. Go talk to her tomorrow and tell her how you feel. How you really feel.", his mother advises.
Abhi nods before walking to his room and shutting the door.
The next day, Abhi wakes up and rolls over to see his clock. It was 1 in the afternoon.
He jumps awake, before rushing out, "Amma, why didn't you wake me up? It's literally afternoon."
His mother shakes her head, "You have the party at Soham's house today evening right? There's still plenty of time left. It's at 6. Soumya ma'am told me to remind you."
Abhi sighs and nods, "Ok ma. Don't look at me like that, I won't mess it up."
Aaru finishes getting dressed and looks at herself in the mirror. She wore a purple lehenga, with a golden blouse, and a designer dupatta.
She smiles at herself before, wearing the jhumkas that Abhi gifted to her. Wait what, she stops staring at the earrings in her hand, contemplating whether she should wear them or not.
A sudden anger overcomes her making her throw the jhumkas on her bed. No way, I'm wearing it she thought furiously. I'm moving on from him.
Aaru, you saw him hugging another girl. How can you even think of wearing his jhumkas, her brain scolded her. Damn right, she thought before, slipping on another pair of earrings.
She walks out of the room and sees her parents sitting in the hall.
"Amma, appa how do I look?", Aaru asks doing a little twirl for them.
Her dad grins, "You look beautiful Aaru."
Her mom walks to her and hugs her, "So pretty, but your earrings don't match. Wear the ones Abhi gifted-"
Her mom stops halfway noticing Aaru's glare, "Never mind, you look beautiful and that's what matters."
Aaru smiles at her parents before walking out to see Maddy and Meera waiting for her.
"Baby you look beautiful", Meera grins rushing to hug Aaru.
"Thank you look gorgeous too. Yes, you are handsome too Maddy, don't pout.", Aaru rolls her eyes.
"Where's Abhi?", Meera asks, making Maddy wince while Aaru glares at the ground.
"I'll tell you later", Maddy shakes his head at Meera who nods and keeps quiet.
The three of them walk to Soumya Ma'am's house- Maddy and Meera are quite talkative, while Aaru stays silent.
As they enter the house, they look around awed at the decoration and sweets. The entire house is decorated with flowers and light. Sweets and savouries piled high in one corner, while the rest of the space was cleared for the dance floor. Peppy and engaging music played, while a few people moved around dancing.
"Hey girl", Anya greets Aaru wearing a baby pink lehenga set.
"You look beautiful", Aaru says giving Anya a quick hug.
"You do too and listen. I heard that someone is going to ask you out.", Anya grins excitedly.
"Wait what? Really?", Aaru says, one face, in particular, coming to her mind.
"Soham.", Anya says.
"Oh", Aaru says confused.
"Wait, who did you think it would be? Could it possibly be your best friend- ok geez ex-best friend/ ex-crush who you hugged for like 10 minutes yesterday?", Anya asks blinking innocently.
"No, I did not hug him for 10 minutes. God Anya.", Aaru says blushing.
"Girl, Don't lie to yourself, by telling you're over him. Confess to him once, he might just feel the same way.", Anya says.
Aaru scoffs, "Please, do you know what I saw yesterday or how I felt? He and Kavya were hugging. In the park. The place that is the most dearest to me and him. Can you imagine how I felt? It was awful."
"He did what? But are you sure he hugged her too? Or maybe Kavya was being a bitch? Have some trust in your man.", Anya says.
"He is not my man. Would you please stop supporting Abhi. Are you his friend or mine?", Aaru asks annoyed.
"Yours. Always. But, I always speak with logic.", Anya says.
"Now where did you hear the ridiculous rumour that Soham is going to ask me out?", Aaru asks changing the topic.
"He told me himself. He asked me for help.", Anya says grinning.
"He what-", Aaru chokes.
Anya sighs, "Don't worry about it, girl. Just honestly tell him, if you like him or not."
Aaru nods looking around.
"Abhi isn't here yet.", Anya says.
"W-what? I-I was searching for Soham.", Aaru stutters.
Anya gives her a 'yeah right', look.
"I heard my name", Soham asks suddenly appearing, "Oh by the way you look gorgeous."
Aaru smiles at him, "Thank you." She sighs inwards, I don't feel anything with him, he's fun, but he has no effect on me. I guess, it's absolutely right that you don't choose who you love, after all.
"Would you do me the honour of dancing?", Soham asks giving her his hand.
"Of course", Aaru smiles placing her hand in his.
He drags her to the dancefloor before a peppy song comes on and a round of cheers is heard, as people gather to dance.
***