<After another year>
*Pia Pov*
“Finally!” I and Nikki said at the same time looking at the certificates in our hands. We are finally the graduates and left the college after looking around for one last time.
“I will stay at your house Pia. I am still emotional that we will not meet every day.” Nikki said looking sadly at me.
“Don’t think about later and get sad Nikki. Think about now that you are a graduate and that is very good thing.” I said smiling.
“Whatever Miss positive!” she said rolling her eyes when we got inside the bus.
“Miss Positive?” I asked her confused.
“Yeah! You are way too much positive in this situation than the remaining.” She replied looking at me.
“You are just negative. I mean we will meet each other frequently right so there is no reason to cry.” I said.
“Anyway there is another reason that I am happy.” I added smiling.
“I know that reason. Arthi told me that Aman is going to come this weekend.” She said and I can see the teasing in her eyes.
“Nope! Don’t start with me. As I told you both I will confess my feelings immediately when he comes back.” I said narrowing my eyes at her.
She grunted and said “You are no fun.”
I laughed and by that time the bus stopped at our destination. We bid our ‘Bye’ to all our bus mates and got down.
When we reached my house I saw that, my parents are sitting in the living room along with Arthi’s parents.
“Good evening!” I said going near them.
“Good evening Pia! We thought you will be home but Suhas told me that you went to bring your certificates.” Uncle said smiling at me.
“Yeah! All the classmates decided to go there at a time and even spend some time until evening after receiving the certificates.” I said smiling back.
“Where is Arthi?” Nikki asked.
“She is back there spending time with her brother.” Aunty said and I suddenly saw shining in her eyes.
“Through internet?” I asked her confused.
“No dear! Don’t you know he came today morning?” Aunty asked even more confused.
“What?” I asked in shock.
Nikki pinched me so that I can compose myself and said “Arthi told us that he will come this weekend.”
“We too thought that. But he came early to surprise us. We spend the whole day with him but now we came here so that he can spend his time with his friends and Arthi.” Uncle said clearing our doubt.
“Ok! We will go and meet him.” Nikki said.
After that she dragged me outside my house and she didn’t even gave me time to put my certificate somewhere safe. All this time I saw what she is doing but I didn’t said anything as I am very nervous.
“Please don’t tell me that you are expecting me to confess to him like right now.” I said when we reached near the door of his house.
“We should never postpone these matters Pia. Just do it and be done with it.” Saying this she opened the door and we both saw him sitting along with his friends in the living room.
At the same time Arthi entered the living room from the kitchen with some snacks on the tray.
“Hey.. Pia! I.. was about to call you.” Arthi said stuttering a little maybe because of the shock.
“I just dragged her here immediately when we got to know that Aman returned.” Nikki said looking at her.
“Aman! It’s been so long. How are you?” Nikki asked looking at him while I am just staring at him.
“I am fine Nikhila.” He replied smiling.
“Heard that you both are graduates now.” He added looking at both of us.
“Yeah and Pia wants to talk to you.” Nikki said pushing me forward a little.
I looked back and glared at her but she was just showing me ‘Thumb’s up’. I turned towards him to see that he and his friends are looking at me wide eyes.
I cleared my throat and said “Can I talk to you?”
“Sure.” He replied smiling a little.
“In private.” I said making him understand and placed whatever in my hands on the table beside me.
“Just tell him here so that we need not hide behind the doors.” Nikki said laughing making me want to glare at her again so bad.
“You can say anything here Pia.” He said smiling and looks like no one is going to move from here at all. I don’t think it is a bad thing to say infront of there people.
I reluctantly smiled and after taking few breaths I said “I love you Aman.”
He looked at me wide eyed but didn’t said anything. I started fidgeting with my hands and waited for him to say anything like anything.
After few minutes I said “Say something Aman.”
He blinked a few times and said “I am sorry Pia. I can’t return your feelings. I already have a girlfriend.”
“Oh!” That’s all I said and tried my best to just dig a hole beneath me to hide myself.
“What is her name?” I asked looking at him.
I don’t know why I even asked him that question. Maybe for some closure from this situation.
“Uhmm.. Priya! She is actually my classmate.” He replied smiling reluctantly.
“I.. I will leave.” I said turning away from him and saw Nikki looking at me sadly.
I took her hand and dragged her out from the house. Arthi followed us and we both walked to my house in utter silence.
Then looking at Nikki’s hands I remembered that I forgot my certificate there.
“Guys! My certificate is there inside.” I said stopping them from going any further.
“Let’s go and bring it then.” Nikki said turning around.
“I don’t think I can go back there Nikki.” I said looking down.
“No! You are strong Pia and these things happen. We both will be there as a support for you.” Nikki said smiling.
I smiled back or shall I say I tried to smile back and we three again turned to go inside Jaykar’s house.
*Aman Pov*
After Pia left along with Arthi and Nikki, no one said anything. Silence just filled around us and we all are still in our places.
Then I heard Sushant clearing his throat and asked “So you have a girlfriend?”
“And you didn’t tell us?” Dinesh added in accusing tone.
I rolled my eyes and said “I don’t have any girlfriend.”
“What? But you just told Pia that Priya is your girlfriend.” Rajeev asked confused.
“Priya is just my good friend. When Pia asked my girlfriend’s name I told Priya’s name that’s it.” I replied looking at them.
“But why? Why did you lie to her?” Sushant asked confused.
“So that she can move on and forget the small crush on me.” I replied shrugging.
“What?” we all heard new voice and turned to see Pia standing at the main door along with Arthi and Nikki.
“Pia!” I said shocked because I didn’t want her to know all these.
“What are you saying Aman? Just tell me the truth.” She said coming inside and I can see the pleading in her eyes.
I contemplated to lie again but decided against it and said “I don’t have any girlfriend. I just lied to you.”
“So that I will back off and leave you alone. You could have told me directly?” She said frowning.
“It’s not that! Pia I tried my best for the past four years to make you understand that I don’t have any feelings like that towards you. Ask my friends too that’s what I have been doing for all this time. But you understood so I took this way.” I said explaining to her what I actually wanted.
“Wait! You know about this all the time? Even your friends?” she asked and looked at us wide eyed.
Did I slipped and told her that? I shouldn’t have but it happened so I can’t do anything about it.
“Pia! The change in your behavior just made me get few doubts and they got correct each time. I don’t know to whom I should share them so I told them that’s it.” I said calmly so that she understands the reason behind my sharing of this matter.
She closed her eyes and then opened them asking “Then why did you kept on asking about my well being for these past two years?”
“What?” I asked her confused and then heard Arthi gasping.
I ignored that and said “I never asked about you. I didn’t even take your name.”
“But..” she started to say but Arthi stopped her saying “I lied to you Pia.”
We all looked at her in shock. And I saw some hurt on Pia’s face when she asked “Why?”
“So that you will not ignore your feelings towards Bhai and finally realize that you love him.” Arthi replied looking guilty.
“Love? She doesn’t love me Arthi. She just has some crush.” I said looking at her.
“What are you talking about? She loves you so much.” Nikki said standing beside Pia who is looking at me in shock.
“There is nothing wrong to have crush on someone Nikhila. At this age it happens and some mistook it for love.” I said explaining to them.
“I really love you Aman and I didn’t mistook anything. If you are saying that you don’t like me back I will respect that completely. But you can’t label my love as crush and disrespect it. That’s all I am asking.” She said looking at me and I can see the tears falling from her eyes.
“Come on Pia. He is saying right that yours is just a crush then it must be. Don’t talk like he is disrespecting you. Because if he wanted to he could have made fun of you inront of us but he didn’t.” Dinesh said looking at her and I glared at him.
“Aman! Just accept that my feelings are nothing but love towards you. I will not ask for anything else.” Pia said looking at me.
“Sorry Pia! That’s what I feel about them and I can’t change that just for you.” I said looking at her.
Without saying another word Pia again left the house taking the paper she placed on the table with Nikki trailing behind her while Arthi just stood there infront of us with tears falling from her eyes.
“She is angry at me.” Arthi said after few seconds.
“I don’t think so Arthi. She will never take it out on you for whatever happened with me.” I said assuring her.
“I definitely know that. But she must be angry at me for lying and giving her false hopes. I can’t face her again.” Saying this she went towards her room crying.
“I have some work. I am leaving.” Saying this Sushant left.
Rajeev and Dinesh stayed with me for some more time and left as it is getting late. When my parents returned they are totally normal so that means they don’t know anything that happened here.
I returned to my room and started getting ready for bed. I am really sorry Pia. I know I shouldn’t have hurt you but I don’t think I ever saw you other than some friend.
I just hope you will be fine and move on soon atleast now.
*Pia Pov*“Shh… Pia! Don’t cry please.” Nikki said sitting beside me on my bed.“Then.. what else.. should I do?” I asked looking at her between my sobs.“He is not worth of these tears Pia.” She replied.“I should have not fallen for him and should have come out of the crush way back. This is all my fault.” I said and more tears started to flow.“No! It is mine and Arthi’s fault as we were on back of you to find your actual feelings and all. We shouldn’t have and Arthi just stepped out of line than me.” She said scowling.“I don’t want to be angry on anyone. I just want to cry and forget this.” I said lying down.“Well looks like that is not happening as I saw you are crying for more than one hour.” We heard Sushant saying from my room door.“What are you doing here?” I asked him sitting up.“Are you angry at me Pia?” he asked frowning and sat infront of me. “Ofcourse I am. You all know that I like him all these years but you didn’t say anything in these two ye
*Sushant Pov*The way Pia told her answer just got struck to all of us. When she turned to go away we didn’t saw her face but her voice was still ringing in our ears.Nikhila and Arthi followed her after few minutes and then Jaykar’s decided to go home as it is getting really late.“Guys! You all stay in our home for today.” Aunty said and left Pia’s house.Aman followed them but before leaving with them I went to the Pia’s room and immediately informed her that I will meet her later. Then I left her home following Aman.When we reached his room we were all silent and sat on the chairs calmly. Aman started pacing around that too with a big frown on his face.“I know I was harsh on her. But is my decision wrong?” Aman asked looking at us.“Don’t worry Aman. You are totally right.” Dinesh replied patting his shoulder.I rolled my eyes and said “Yeah Dinesh! He is totally right.”They both frowned as each word I said is dripping with tons of sarcasm. I can’t lie to him just because he is
*Arthi Pov*I got ready as soon as I can even though it is just 7am. Today it is very important day for me as I am going to give my first presentation to an important client.I got downstairs and heard the door bell. I opened the door to see Shushant arrived correctly on time.“Hey! I am almost ready. Just wait for two minutes I will go and bring my bag.” Saying this I started going near my bag on the couch.“The meeting is cancelled for today Arthi.” He said following me.“What?” I asked him shocked because I was not expecting that.“Yeah! We have to go next week. I know you will be disappointed that’s why I came here to inform you directly.” He said flopping himself on the couch.I sighed and sat infront of him saying “No! I am not disappointed but I was just nervous from yesterday thinking about my presentation.”“How dare you to feel nervous when you are working for me for the past one year?” He asked glaring at me. I couldn’t help but laugh and he followed my su
*Sushant Pov*“Really? I can’t believe this.” I said to Arthi on the phone.“Yeah! He actually went to Kolkata to meet Pia. And then he got to know that she has a boy friend so now he accepted to marry any girl Dad and Mom chose for him.” Arthi said in one breath.“I am worried for him as he didn’t look like he is happy at all. I don’t want to do anything stupid again so I called you.” She added when I didn’t say anything.“Don’t worry! I will talk to him.” I said but there was smile evident on my face.After that lying incident she is staying away completely from all these. If she wants to do anything she just asks me and I am very happy to be her guide.She is sweet one and loves everyone near her. She is even talented as she proved in my company. I am asking her everytime to go a join in her brother’s company but she is not listening to me.After hanging up I drifted off into sleep as I need to talk to him before he does anything stupid.Next day I went to his house and entered his
*Pia Pov*I entered the company talking to our sponsor with Nikki following me. Immediately when I put the step inside mostly everyone went silent and there are some hushed whispers.When we got inside the elevator I didn’t missed the glares from everyone. I rolled my eyes and continued to talk. While Nikki chuckled from beside me.“Yeah! We are completely ready for tomorrow’s show. There will be no mistakes and everyone will love our work. We assure you.” After talking to him I hanged up and glared at the phone.“We need to have a immediate talk with Mr.Prakash.” I said pressing the top floor button.“Poor him!” Nikki said and I turned to see her controlling her laugh.“I am sure you will enjoy the show Nikki.” I said and stepped out of the elevator when the doors opened.I opened the door of his cabin but not before knocking on it. He looked up hearing the sound of closing door and smiled at us.“Pia! Come on sit down. We need to discuss about tomorrow’s show.”
*Arthi Pov*I looked at the Moon leaning against the car door. I remember the times when we all friends just sit and gaze at it.Pia just used to say something every time we sat like that. But these three years surely changed everything in everybody’s life. Mainly this year is far worse than the before years.Will it be back to normal in any near future? I asked myself and I really don’t have any answer for that question.I turned towards my right side to see my Fiancée driving the car in full concentration. I smiled remembering the way he proposed to me two months back. I never thought he can be so angry and also beat someone like that.When my Mom started to search for grooms for my marriage, he started to talk very little to me and that too only about the company.I met so many but I never felt even a little to think about them. But two months back when I met one he started to misbehave with me. I don’t know from where Sushant came but he just came and beat the hell out of that guy
*Pia Pov*The moment we stepped our foot in Arthi’s house, they dragged both Arthi and Sush for some ritual called ‘Sakhar Puda’. The few girls and boys who seem to be the relatives of both of them kept on saying that name.It is nothing but an informal marking of an engagement by giving a sari and sweets or a packet of sugar to the bride by Sush’s mother but in Marathi style.“I guess they are not going to make them even take a breath from today.” Nikki said looking at them wide eyed.“Yeah! Let’s go to my house and there is a surprise for you.” I said and we were about to step out.But out of nowhere Aunty came and hugged us both that too very weakly. After releasing us she said “You both just forgot all of us. It took you three years to come here right.”“Aunty! We were just busy. Now we are here right.” I said smiling a little.“Are you fine Pia?” She asked frowning.“I am fine.” I immediately replied and then observed her to see she became so thin and there are dare circles below
*Pia Pov*“Hey Arthi!” I said shaking her which I am doing for the past ten minutes. I looked at Nikki to see she is getting ready.It’s 1am and Arthi needs to wake up now otherwise she will get late in getting ready properly.Finally she groaned and opened her eyes. We all just got very few hours sleep and I still don’t know why did they selected this time to get these both married.She went inside the wash room to get ready and then the makeup artist came even at this time of hour. Finally Arthi is ready completely and we all went near the venue together which is quiet near to our houses.After few minutes the groom reached the venue but before he could step inside ‘Seemaan puja’ is conducted in which bride’s parents wash the groom’s feet and shower him with gifts.Sush face was priceless when this all is happening. But I saw that Aunty is kind of in pain when she was bending.“What happened Aunty?” I asked her.“I am fine Pia. Don’t worry!” She replied smiling.I helped her to stan