Chapter 5 It's mean forever

~Shristy's pov~

I couldn't meet with Aveer till now. Aunty said he came in late last night and now he is getting ready. I can't wait to see him!

I'm sitting on a low branch in the garden surrounded by the vibrant chaos of women getting mehndi applied. Two artists are working on my hands, their touch light and precise.

Avni and Chachi are beside me, keeping me entertained with funny stories but I can barely focus. My mind keeps drifting to Aveer.

"Do you want to write any name?" One of the artists asks, her voice pulling me back to the present.

Before I can answer, Mahira's teasing voice rings out, "that's not even a question! Ask her what her groom's name is!" My cheeks flush. Everyone erupts in laughter and I playfully swat Mahira's arm.

"You are terrible!" I say, though I can't help the smile spreading across my face.

"What should I write then?" The artist girl asks.

"Aveer" I said shyly.

The artist, grinning mischievously finished her work and stepped back to admire her handiwork "there you go"

Handing my hand back.

My heart pounded as I looked at the strange, almost abstract 'A' scrawled there.

Mahira brush out laughing. "That's perfect"

"He'll never guess!"

After many hours of sitting like a statue, I was starved. I felt like I hadn't eaten in days. Everyone was busy, though, and even Aveer was nowhere to be seen.

It's okay I had to wait. My beautiful mehndi was almost dry, but I couldn't risk smudging it.

"Hey, munchkin, hungry?"

He came and sat beside me, looking at my hands with a mixture of amusement and pity. My stomach chose that moment to betray me, letting out a long, embarrassing growl. I blushed crimson.

Aviyan grinned. " Looks like I'm going to have to be your personal feeder" he said picking up a samosa.

"May I?" He asked softly, his gaze lingering on mine. I nodded.

He fed me slowly and patiently, the silence between us filled with unspoken emotions.

When the plate was empty, he helped me drink water.

"Thank you" I whispered.

"Mention not" he replied.

"Hmmmmm....Soo?"

"Soooo...?"I repeated drawing out the word.

"Still angry?" He asked, his eyes searching for mine for an answer.

I chuckled and shook my head. He smiled and left me alone again.

Time flew by. Soon, I was getting ready for my sangeet, but I still hadn't seen Aveer.

It was starting to bother me.

Finally we went to the backyard where the sangeet was being held.

I spotted him talking to my cousin, Sneha.

I walked straight towards him.

" hey can you give us a moment" I said to Sneha.

She nob and glance at him and leave us alone.

"Hey, beauty. Looking pretty," he said as soon as he saw me.

I smiled, but just a little. His words felt hollow considering he'd barely spoken to me all day.

"Hey, can you give us a moment?" I asked Sneha. She nobbed, glanced at him and left us alone.

"Is everything okay?" I Asked as soon as she was gone.

His eyes met mine briefly.

"Yeah, why?"

"Nothing" I said, the word caught in my throat. "You haven't been around all day. I was starting to worry"

"Oh" he replied looking away.

"I was busy with a client. It's my dream project, you know?"

He avoided my gaze again, looking anywhere but at me.

My heart sank.

"it's our wedding too," I murmured under my breath.

"Hmm," I replied aloud.

"Let's go, everyone is waiting for us" he said, and left me.

I wanted to ask him so many things, but the words wouldn't come. I followed him, a smile plastered on my face.

We sat in front of the stage.

Everyone was laughing, enjoying the sangeet but all I could think about was his coldness.

Was he having second thoughts?

Was this all a mistake?

"What happened? Where are you lost?" Mahira asked, sitting beside me.

I shook my head "Nothing"

"Are you sure? Because it doesn't seem like nothing"

She said, worried.

I nobbed with a small smile "just a little tired"

"Next is your and Aveer's performance, you know," she said excitedly.

I stared at Aveer, who was still engrossed in his phone.

"Veer, we're next," I said.

He just nobbed, not even glancing at me.

We took the stage. The music began, a beautiful romantic melody. As we danced.

I tried to connect with him, but he seemed distant, his movement stiff and forced.

~Aviyan's pov~

I'm sitting on a bar stool, watching the dances. I even danced with maa.

I've been doing my best to pretend Shristy doesn't exist, and I've mostly succeeded.

After dancing with Maa, I came to the bar counter.

"Ladies and gentleman, it's time for Aveer and Shristy's dance as husband and wife. Let's give another round of applause for the bride and groom!" The announcement hit me like a Punch to the gut.

I drained my glass and turned to walk away.

"Where are you going, beta?" Mom asked, her voice firm.

I didn't know what to say.

"I gotta call. I have to attend to that," I said, trying to pull away.

Mom held my hand firmly."watch their performance first. Then you can go."

I really didn't want to. She turned me to face the stage. They looked perfect together.

She was smiling, but it didn't reach her eyes. It was a fake smile.

Why?

Was she uncomfortable?

Nervous?

They began to dance, a slow, romantic.

My heart twisted. Seeing her with him... With my brother..

It was like a knife to the heart.

I grabbed another drink, desperate to numb the pain, and drained it in one go, my grip on the glass almost painful. I crushed the glass in my hand, a silent expression of my agony.

"Still love her?" Mahira asked, pulling me out of my trance. I blinked rapidly, trying to clear the moisture from my eyes.

"No" I said, not looking at her.

"You can't deny it when I can clearly see your state" she said, taking the broken glass from my hand.

She sighed. "I know you are doing this for them, but everyone misses you. They loved you."

I looked at her, a bitter laugh escaping my lips. "I'm not denying that they love me"

I said "I'm not doing this for them, I'm doing this for me. If I stay, I have to see her. Every. Single. Day. I'm trying to move on, but it's like a constant battle. And yeah, I love my family, but my...my feelings for her will destroy everything. So, this is the best way." My eyes remained glued to Aveer and Shristy.

"so you're escaping reality" Mahira said, her voice soft.

"No" I said, looking at her. "I'm just... trying to heal."

"And how long will that take?"

"I don't know," I admitted.

"Until... Until I can be around her without... Without this pain."

She sighed "Forever, then?"

"I hope not," I whispered.

She knew. She'd known since that first day I saw shristy. I called her, and ended up confessing everything. I hadn't known then that Mahira and shristy were best friends.

She's the reason we met. she's the reason we became so close. She was always there for me, a constant source of support. We were inseparable- restaurant, clubs, late-night talks... I fell hard. I was ready to tell her, to pour my heart out. But then Aveer brought her home. To meet maa. As his girlfriend. The air left my lungs. I felt like I'd been Punched in the gut.

I became her best friend, a constant presence in her life, but nothing more. She never saw me that way. The pain was unbearable.

I buried myself in work, a desperate attempt to forget. I moved to Bangalore, started my business, and slowly, painstakingly, rebuilt my life.

"I really wish you find someone who will love you as much as you love her," Mahira said, patting my shoulder.

Their dance had finished.

I chuckled "no need. I can't handle another mental case like me" I said sarcastically, trying to compose myself.

"Haha, very funny," she said with a forced laugh and a forced smile.

"I have an idea" I said smirking at her.

"What?" She asked, frowning.

I turned to her, my hand finding her shoulders. "Are you single?"

She nobbed, her brow furrowed.

"Marry me" I blurted out.

She blinked. Then blinked again.

"yikes!" She yelped, jerking away from my touch.

"Hush, hush! Don't you dare come near me, you idiot!' and ran, as if her backside was on fire.

She collided with Abir, Shristy's brother. Before she could hit the ground, he caught her, holding her by the waist.

"Bravooo! Mard se takkar kabar ki chakkar, bestie!" I muttered to myself, laughing.

[Collision with a man will give you a tour of the grave.]

But their gazes... They were intense.

Someone stop them... Or maybe not. Not my problem.

I shrugged and walked away to my room.