Chapter 17

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HAPPY READINGG!!!

SOMEONE IS GOING TO MAKE AN ENTRY IN THIS CHAPTER...

IMPORTANT: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS THEMES OF-- INSECURITIES, MILD STALKING. READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED. YOUR MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS TO ME MORE THAN ANYTHING. PLEASE PROCEED IF AND ONLY YOU ARE COMFORTABLE.

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A R A T R I K A

Just then, Avi and Vidushi entered.

Vidushi raised an eyebrow.

"Are you okay? You are all flushed, Aaru?" she asked.

"Y-Yeah, I'm fine." I stammered

She did not buy it, obviously; but didn't question me further.

A small, barely there, but knowing smirk played on Avi's mouth.

That goddamn smug bastard.

I narrowed my eyes at him.

He chuckled.

They took their seats.

The waiter came in with the bill.

All four of our eyes darted across each other.

Fine, we WERE this petty, okay!

I smirked. 

Aww...Ishu...You love playing games, don't you, baby?

"Ishaan..." I said softly, gently placing my hand on his arm, "Can you pay the bill?"

I blinked innocently.

Spoiler: I was not innocent. Neither in this situation, nor in any way.

He looked at me for a moment, then retrieved his wallet from his pocket.

"The things I do for you, jaana!" he muttered under his breath, loud enough only for me to understand.

He took out a sleek black card.

Of course!

He swiped it, and the payment was done.

As soon as the waiter left, we three burst into laughter, while he glared at us.

"Saalon, sharam kar lo."

(Rascals, have some shame.)

"Sorry, we do not have it." Avi wheezed.

Ishaan shook his head.

***

"Bye, good night, guys." Vidu and Avi waved at us.

"Byee!!" we both said in unison.

They both got in Avi's car and drove off.

I glanced at Ishaan beside me.

Without paying him any attention, I started to walk towards my car.

From my periphery vision I saw him following me.

I turned towards him.

"Ab kya kidnap karne ka irada hai? Mera piccha mat karo." I said sternly.

(What? Are you now planning to kidnap me? Don't follow me.)

"Theek hai, par mai to bas apni car ki taraf ja raha tha." he said pointing towards his car.

I turned, followed his line of gaze.

My car (BMW M3, btw, heheh) and then is Black Porsche.

Oh god!

Aaj to mai khudki bezatti karwake hi manungi.

(Today I will surely get myself ashamed.)

Without dignifying him with a response, I stormed towards my car.

I was about to open the door, when I was suddenly turned and was softly pinned against the car.

His features came in my view.

I let out a small gasp.

We all read stories where the MMC pins the FMC hardly.

But this man was anything but rough.

I don't know why.

"Aratrika.." he breathed out, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Yes, Ishu?" 

"Why do you keep running from me?" 

Because you are dangerous for me.

Because when you are near, all the reckless things feel right.

"...hmm?" he hummed.

"I don't know..." I whispered my answer.

"Don't run away from me, jaana, please."

Unable to form any coherent sentence I nodded.

Relief flickered across his features.

I thought he will let me go now.

"Now, tell me why did you ask me to pay the bill?"

"Because you were teasing me." I said simply.

"Accha?"

(Really?)

I nodded.

"Oh, so it's my mistake, when you were the one who asked which lip balm do I use and said my lips were soft," I opened my mouth to retort, but he cut in, "...and admitted that you enjoyed the kiss."

I huffed in defeat and looked away, but his hand gently gripped my chin and forced me to look at him.

"You know, you can repay me." he said tilting his head slightly.

"Excuse me? Now who is being petty. You earn more than what you paid there, in a day."

He smirked, "Oh, you are right. I do. But at the end of the day, I'm a buisnessman."

I rolled my eyes, "Fine what's your deal?"

He leaned down to my level, "Two kisses, one here," he pointed to his right cheek, "and other one here," then pointed to the other cheek.

And without thinking, stupidly, recklessly,

I kissed his right cheek, which was fairly smooth against my lips.

Probably, he had shaved just before coming.

Then, I kissed his other cheek.

And pulled back.

He slowly opened his eyes.

"You really don't listen, do you?" he whispered.

"Meaning?" my brows furrowed in confusion.

"Meaning when I paid, the deal was already settled, because I kissed you earlier. Instead, you followed what I asked, you should have countered. But, I am a buisnessman, so I have to settle the deal..." he said a soft smile playing on his lips.

And befor I could contemplate anything...

His lips landed on my right cheek, gently, and then on the other one.

"Now it's settled..." he whispered against my cheek and let go of me, "Good night, Aaru."

"'Night." I said still stunned.

I slowly got into my car and pressed a trembling hand to my cheek.

I steadied myself and started the car.

***

I locked the door behind me and settled on the couch.

My throat felt scratchy.

I went to the fridge and took out a chill water bottle. 

As I poured myself some water, my attention went to the to-do list on fridge.

On it, in my partially-flimsy handwriting was written,

Buy groceries. URGENT!!

Ugghh!! How did I forget?

I glanced at the clock.

8:30 p.m.

Not too late for buying groceries.

It was only a 15 minute walk from here.

First, I decided to change into some simpler clothes.

***
The cold air greeted me the moment I stepped out

I hissed and wrapped my cardigan tighter around me.

As I walked on the pedestrian path, a small kitten brushed against my leg.

Aww!!

She reminded me of Shaurya's cat, Oreo.

Such a cute baby she was.

I stepped inside the grocery store and grabbed a basket.

Milk.

Vegetables-

Tomato.

Capsicum.

Cabbage.

And then my eyes landed on peas.

No way.

I hate peas.

The moment I started cooking myself, I abolished peas from any recipe.

The only two dishes I allow peas is in, the pea curry and Matar Panner

(Matar Paneer- A curry made of cottage cheese and peas)

I quickly moved further to the fruits corner.

I love fruits.

A happy smile crept up on my lips.

I began dropping the items in my basket.

Kiwi.

Strawberry.

Cantaloupe.

Bananas. (heheh)

I was checking out the aisle when I bumped into someone.

"Sorr.." 

The words died in my throat when my eyes met with the person in front of me.

Saanvi fvcking Sengupta.

"Oh, Aratrika! So good to see you." she said tilting her head.

"Good to see you too." I gritted through my clenched teeth.

"Aww, honey. Now, don't be so mean." she said sweetly.

"Aratrika." I cleared.

Her brows furrowed.

"Aratrika Singhania, that's my name. And besides, you don't look good calling others mean." I said coldly.

Her smile faltered.

"Leave this. So, how's work treating you? Already being his plaything?" she said almost casually.

His.

The blood in my veins turned to ice.

I knew who she was talking about, but still I asked-

"Who?" 

"Come on, Aratrika. Don't be so innocent now. I am talking about Ishaan."

Plaything.

His plaything.

"What do you mean?" I asked, my face hiding the storm swirling inside me.

"I am just advising you. You really think he's head over heels and all for you."

Her words are like a poisoned knife but I don't cut in.

She continued.

"You really think he is in love with you. Again. That too, after 8 years. Please. You're just a side thing amongst his favourites. Why would he settle for less when he already has tasted better. Just think upon it." 

She patted my shoulder once and walked away.

I looked down at my basket, my vision blurring slightly.

I took a deep breath and forced myself not to cry.

I had gathered everything I needed.

I went to counter, got my items checked, paid the bill and walked back home.

***

The silence greeted me as I stepped in.

For once, I was glad.

I dropped on the couch, the bag beside me.

Saanvi's words played on loop.

You're just his plaything.

Why would he settle for less when he has already tasted better.

My vision blurred and in the silence of my home, I let myself break down.

Tears. Hot. Slid down my face in rivulets.

All his words, now, seemed like sugar-coated lies.

I cursed him.

I cursed the fate.

I cursed Saanvi.

And especially I cursed myself.

How could I be so stupid?

I had to think, to believe, that maybe, just maybe, he really loves me.

All that happened 8 years ago was a mistake.

But no.

Yes, what happened 8 years ago was a mistake.

Maybe we were never meant to be together.

I should have never fallen in love with him.

I did.

And it ruined me.

I looked down at my trembling hands.

I pushed myself to my feet, and walked towards a mirror.

It had been set up Vidushi, brought from IKEA.

From it, my reflection stared back at me.

I stared at myself.

Chubby cheeks.

Brown skin.

Short height.

She was right why would he even like me.

Maybe staying away from him is better.

Yeah, it is the best thing.

A U T H O R

Aratrika's phone rang.

She wiped her tears and went to pick it up.

The caller ID made her flinch.

Vidushi.

She picked it up.

"Hi." Vidushi's voice came from the other end.

"Hi." Aratrika steeled herself.

"Are you okay? I don't know, I was just feeling restless about you." Vidushi asked, her voice soft.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Aratrika voice breaked, but she quickly hid it.

"Okay, good. Well, good night, sorry for calling you this late."

"No, it's okay, good night."

The call disconnected and Aratrika let out a shaky breath.

She dropped on the couch.

***

At Avinaash Malhotra's penthouse...

"Come here, love. Who are you talking to?" Avi mumbled, grabbing Vidushi's wrist.

"Huh? Oh, it was Aratrika." 

Avi frowned but sat up, mimicking Vidushi.

"What happened to her?" he asked.

"Nothing. I called her, I don't know, I was just...feeling restless. Now, that I know she's okay I might be able to sleep well."

"Hmm."

With that Avi's lips dropped to Vidushi's neck.

His mouth tracing a scorching path to her lips.

"Avi.." Vidushi protested weakly.

"You want to sleep, but I don't want you to." he murmured near her ear.

***

At some other part of New York...

Saanvi smirked to herself.

She had not expected to bump into Aratrika today.

It was planned for next week.

For the party.

But, why would she complaint?

She dropped her items on the couch and settled on it.

"Oh my, my... poor soul. Always falls for my little act."

She huffed.

"Seriously, Aratrika. How foolish can you be? But who am I to complaint? If Ishaan can't be mine, I won't let him be yours too." A cold smirk settled on her face.

She scoffed and reached for her phone.

She scrolled through the contacts and her thumb hovered over a name, before pressing the call button.

It rang twice before it connected.

"Sengupta." A deep, cold voice greeted from the other side.

"My work is done. Earlier than planned, though. You can go ahead with your plan." she replied without bothering with the formalities.

"Good. You will be rewarded."

"No need... but if you insist." 

The call disconnected without another word.

***

At Mumbai, India...

The man tossed his phone on the couch.

He closed his eyes.

"Finally, Aratrika. I had been waiting for you for a long time, prey."

"Poor, Ishaan. Doesn't even know what's storm is brewing, when he is the epicentre of it."

The man scoffed.

He opened his eyes.

His cold eyes stared at the wall.

"Get ready, Ms. Aratrika Singhania."

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A/N: Who do you think he is? 👀 The next chapter will be more traumatizing than this!!😭😭 Please don't read if it is triggering.