Radhika's POV
Rishi wasn't aware that we had seen him with Sakshi.
We went to him only after Sakshi left, and he didn't mention her name either.
Maybe he is just thinking about how to tell us.
What would they have been talking about?
Rishi wasn't smiling, but he wasn't upset either. I wonder what must be going inside his mind when he saw her.
Did he remember all the times when they were together?
Stop overthinking, Radhika! I'm sure it's nothing.
But a part of me can't stop replaying the image of them together.
"Honey!", Rishi's voice dragged me out of my mind.
"Yes?", I looked at him hopefully.
Please say it.
"Prakash was asking if we want to do a performance or something. The others are saying it's not enough time left to practice. What about you?"
Oh.
I looked away, "I don't know."
He clicked his tongue, "It's supposed to be a yes or a no, honey. And if you ask me? I really want to do it."
And then he looked at me with those eyes.
How am I supposed to say no to him when he looks at me with so much hope?
"Why are they saying no again?", I asked.
His brows furrowed, "You didn't hear the conversations?"
"I... I might have zoned out."
"Well, Ruhi says she won't have time for practice due to work. She is anyway going to have a hard time in managing everything during the fest. Aditi and Naman have to prepare for stalls, and Siddharth is, well, Siddharth.", he shrugged.
This feels like such a great opportunity to spend more time with him.
So, of course, I said, "Let's do it then."
His face lit up, "Really? Thank you so so so much, honey! You know what? Come to my home after you freshen up! We will think of something together."
I smiled, nodding my head as I watched him tell the others that I agreed and that we are going to prepare something phenomenal.
And just like that, Sakshi doesn't seem to be that big of the problem it was five minutes ago.
He cleared his throat, "By the way, I might give you guys a surprise in a few days!", he announced.
"What kind of surprise?", Naman asked.
"Something big. Something unexpected.", he said dramatically.
"What? You getting a role in a movie or something?", Ruhi joked.
He went silent for a second, before he said, "Uhmm... you'll get to know about it."
I spent a little extra time on myself, trying to find the cutest outfit and making sure my hair were hairing.
After finally being satisfied with myself, I grabbed my scooter keys and left for his house.
I have already made so many fake scenarios in my head while getting ready. Imagine we both are dancing and I trip over practically nothing and he wraps his arms around me to balance me and says something like, 'Don't fall so easily, honey.' In a deep and husky voice.
A giggle escaped me as the thought crossed my mind. It's going to be so much fun today.
When I reached his door, I took a moment to calm myself down and control my smile.
After finally composing myself, I was about to ring the doorbell, when I heard him talking to someone on the other side of the door.
Must be talking to someone on the phone.
But then, I focused on his words. I couldn't make out exactly what he was saying.
I placed my ear on the door out of curiosity.
But curiosity killed the cat.
And today it killed me, because I heard something I would have never wished to hear.
"You think I moved on? I only learned how to pretend I didn't miss you."
I stepped back immediately, my smile disappearing. I am not strong enough to hear anything else.
Was this it?
Was this what I had been so happy about all day?
I feel like such a fool right now. A fool to even think that there was something between us. Something real.
But I could have sworn he felt something for me!
Then why would he say something like this to someone else?
It must be Sakshi, right?
Is this why he didn't tell us about Sakshi? Because he wanted to get back with her and he knew we wouldn't like that? Was this the surprise he was talking about?
But why would he want to get back with someone who cheated on him?
But then again, Rishi is such a softie by heart. Seeing her again might have made him remember their past. Maybe his feelings resurfaced.
Should I just leave?
I don't know if I can face him after hearing something this heartbreaking.
Yeah, that feels right. I will just text him that I won't be able to do the performance.
I might ask him about it when I am a little calm, maybe tomorrow at the fest. Yes, I'll ask him tomorrow. Maybe tomorrow I'll find out whether I imagined all of it.
So for now, I leave.
Siddharth's POV
Hmm... It doesn't even look like they were painted.
She sure has some talent in washing shoes.
Wait- wasn't I clearing my shoe rack?
How long have I been staring at these shoes?
God! What is wrong with me?
I rearranged my shoes in the rack quickly and moved away from them.
Settling on the couch, I opened my phone, checking for any messages.
None.
My eyes somehow moved back to the shoes.
I shook my head, pulling my focus back to my phone.
There's nothing to do on my phone either.
I opened Instagram.
I don't remember the last time I doom scrolled reels. Have I ever doom scrolled in the first place?
I go to the reels section and the first reel that pops up is a business model of some random company.
I scrolled to the next reel- Top 10 universities in Mumbai.
Nope. I scrolled again.
Another educational reel.
Wow.
Even my Instagram is a nerd.
Eventually, I got tired of scrolling too.
My gaze settled on the shoe rack again.
The one good thing about calling it a truce with Ruhi is that I won't be attacked by heels anymore.
My back would be thanking Radhika.
Ruhi really needs help.
I mean, she is totally crazy.
Look at my shoes!
How are they so clean?
Did she put some spells on them to clean them?
Is that why my eyes keep drifting back to my shoes? Because Ruhi has put spells on it?
She is definitely a witch.
I looked away, clicking my tongue, "What am I even thinking?"
I leaned back on the couch with a frustrated groan, "Why is it so boring?!"
I don't even have a television.
Well, there's not much space in my one room kitchen flat for that.
Even my flat is completely clean, no chores to do.
The next semester hasn't started yet, so no studies either.
College fest starts tomorrow.
What am I going to wear tomorrow?
What was tomorrow's theme again?
Oh shit.
It is suits and gowns.
Who even keeps such a theme on the very first day?
I opened my wardrobe, searching for my suit.
It was supposed to be right here!
After successfully messing up my whole wardrobe, I finally found the suit I was looking for.
Now I will have to iron it.
And also reorganize my wardrobe.
I groaned, "It was better without any work."
I heard my phone ring with a notification from Instagram.
Ruhi Mehta liked your post.
My eyebrows shot up.
I clicked on the notification and it opened my gym post.
"Well, well, well.", I smirked.
We haven't even became friends exactly and here she is, liking my gym photos.
I guess you're also a stalker, Ruhi Mehta.
Aditi's POV
I have packed face paints, glitters, brushes, sponges, calamine lotion for any allergies, paper soaps, wet wipes, my palette and an apron. I guess that's everything I need.
I sighed, flopping on my bed.
I am so excited for tomorrow!
I glanced at the dress that was hanging in my wardrobe. It's such a pretty one, I just hope I don't ruin it with my paints tomorrow.
Naman still hasn't told me what he is going to sell.
'It's a surprise, Adi! Be patient.'
His words.
A smile formed on my face as I remembered my own surprise for him.
We have to dress up as Disney characters on the third day of the fest. And what good opportunity to dress up as his favorite character than this?
So yes, I have ordered a dress, which is going to be delivered tomorrow. I will just have to get the fitting done by the day after tomorrow, because, well,
Patli kamariya mori
Aaye haayee haayee
Um, okay. I guess Ruhi's soul had entered my body just now. But yeah, my point.
No dress ever fits me right because of my weight.
I can't wait to see Naman's reaction when he sees me in that-
A notification popped up on my phone.
"Hi Ms. Aditi Kashyap, your order #938510 is delayed by a day. Sorry for the wait."
NOOOOO WAYYYYYYY!
If the order doesn't arrive tomorrow, I won't be able to give it to the tailor on time, and well, my tailor anyway doesn't get things done on time.
What will I do now?
AAARRGGHHHHHH
I took a deep breath. Calm down, Aditi. Everything will be fine. I'll just have to pay a little extra to the tailor, that's it.
Naman's POV
There are times when you regret all your life decisions all at once.
That is happening to me right now, at exactly 01:37 a.m.
Why would I even choose to make this thing when I have never been able to make them in the first place?
I stared at the burnt batch of jalebis, in the shape of- nope, the shape is undefined.
I groaned, burying my face in my palms.
I shouldn't have flexed about my so-called surprise to Adi. Now I don't know how I will face her when she comes up to me with excitement.
I can't disappoint her again.
No.
I already feel guilty for not being able to make jalebis for her the other day.
Not again.
I have to try.
I picked my phone and restarted the tutorial.
"Jalebis are one of the easiest dish to make-"
Yeah, sure.
You know what? I am done watching your videos. I know the recipe. I don't need your help. Huh!
I blinked.
Was I just talking to the phone?
I shook my head, tapping my cheeks to bring my focus back to the main task.
I already have the batter prepared.
It's going to be simple, alright?
I just have to make one big spiral, and two small spirals around it.
And boom- we have mickey mouse jalebis ready!
Yay.
If only it was that easy.
I let out a determined breath and placed the jalebi dispenser above the hot oil.
Yes, I bought a jalebi dispenser for this.
The batter hit the hot oil with a sizzle. My hands trembled as I made the first big spiral.
Okay, this is good.
I moved for the smaller spirals that were supposed to be the ears.
Round and round and- nope.
I still managed to make something similar, and turned it around.
It got worse.
This looked less like mickey mouse and more like an amoeba.
Shapeless.
"Mummyyyyy!", I whined.
Let's try again.
Five attempts later.
My hands were shaking as I scooped the jalebis out of the oil.
I stared at them.
These are not just jalebis, they are a piece of art.
Yes, one ear is slightly bigger than the other.
But a win is a win.
Aditi would be so proud of me.
Ruhi's POV
I sat on my bed with my laptop open, earphones plugged in, face mask on, hair smelling like heaven, cold coffee in my hand, and I hate luv storys playing on the laptop.
I feel like we don't talk enough about this movie.
Life is so blissful, isn't it?
No, it's not.
My internet isn't working, earphones are almost dead, acne and pimples are all over my face, my hair- well, that's the one thing that is actually blissful- the cold coffee is less milk and more ice, and the movie won't stop buffering.
So yeah, story of my life.
These aren't even my biggest problems.
My biggest problem is that I am experiencing constant cramps, but my periods won't arrive.
And for me, the PMS phase has always been as bad as the actual periods.
I don't know when I am going to get my periods.
I don't know how I will bear them during the fest tomorrow.
But what I do know is that no amount of cramps can make me stop from enjoying myself in the fest.
Because if I don't go, I'll die out of FOMO anyway.
Speaking of the fest, I have already prepared everything I need for tomorrow.
No, I am not opening a stall, I am talking about the things I am going to need to get ready.
I have prepared all that, and right now they're all sprawled out on my living room couch.
Yes, I have also clicked those aesthetic pictures of my dress and jewelry and makeup in those flat lay kind of ways.
Got to keep my Instagram alive.
Instagram, yeah, let's open that until the movie loads.
Guess what I find on Instagram?
A green dot below Siddharth Thakkar's profile.
That's like rarer than the Haley's comet.
What must he be even doing on Instagram? Watching those educational videos?
Because I can't picture him watching all those rasmalai x soanpapdi reels or hearing people say 'Chacha vastegunahuiye' or whatever that is in four different emotions
Yes, I have a brain rot feed.
But that isn't the point.
The point is Siddharth using Instagram.
Which in my opinion is totally funny, because that guy is the epitome of 'Time is money' and knowing that he is out there wasting his time is just something else.
Wait- he went offline.
Huh.
Not that I care.
Why would I care?
I don't care.
I clicked on his profile anyway.
He has a few posts.
Some were our collaborations from cafes and all that.
I opened his most recent post.
The phone almost fell from my hand, my jaw dropping.
It's not like I have never seen his muscular body, in fact, I have seen him up close, but looking at his gym photos?
Damn bro, you're hot. I'll give you that.
I slid to the next picture from the same post. It was of him on a treadmill.
The next was of his back.
My mind went back to that day at the pool, when I had seen him shirtless for the first time.
Those abs.
I still remember how he had removed his shirt for me, and how those water droplets had clung to his body.
And when he pulled himself out of the water, those arm muscles flexed under the effort and-
I cleared my throat, shifting in my place, before sliding to the last picture.
It was a faceless picture which flaunted his collar bone and his veiny arms and his sculpted body that was hidden beneath his vest.
I swallowed hard, my eyes observing every detail.
Until I realized that I was practically drooling over him and immediately rushed to close Instagram.
Well, haste is the devil's work.
Guess what?
I accidentally liked that post.
I dropped my phone.
No.
No, no, no, no, no!
This can't happen!
Ugh!
Why am I so damn clumsy?
What must he be thinking now?
He must be thinking I am some kind of a stalker.
Or maybe a creep.
What do I do now?
The green dot on his profile returned.
Oh no.
He already knows I liked his post.
Not just any post.
His hot gym post.
The one I accidentally liked after spending an embarrassing amount of time looking at it.
I can't even bury my face in the pillow and die out of embarrassment due to the face mask.
Maybe if I never showed up to college again, this problem would solve itself.
Actually, no.
Tomorrow was the fest.
Which meant I would have to see him.
In person.
I groaned.
Why was I like this?
All I had to do was close Instagram.
Instead, I had somehow managed to create a brand new problem for myself.
Perfect.
Absolutely perfect.
Rishi's POV
I checked my phone for the twentieth time.
No new messages.
No missed calls.
No response from Radhika.
I frowned.
This was weird.
I started at the ceiling, thinking.
Radhika wasn't the type to disappear without saying anything.
Especially after agreeing so enthusiastically to the performance.
Maybe she was busy.
Maybe her phone died.
Maybe she accidentally fell asleep.
I stared at the screen.
Yeah.
Let's go with one of those.
Because the alternative was that she was upset with me.
And I had absolutely no idea why.
Did I say something wrong?
I don't remember anything like that though.
I was only talking about our performance the whole time.
I had even shortlisted so many songs for the performance.
But she didn't show up.
She didn't even text me the reason for not showing up.
And it might be for the silliest reason ever, but something felt off.
I don't know why, but somewhere in my heart, I felt like I had missed something.
Done something wrong.
Hurt her.
That thought scares me.
I will talk to her, for now, I should just stop overthinking and go to sleep.
I turned to my left.
Then to my right.
Then back to my left.
Sleep clearly wasn't interested in me tonight.
I picked up my phone again.
Still nothing.
I sighed and dropped it onto the mattress beside me.
Tomorrow.
I'll talk to her tomorrow.
Whatever happened, we'll figure it out.
The thought should have been comforting.
It wasn't.
Because one question refused to leave my mind.
What happened, honey?
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