SS: Main Jiyoongi - Part 2

Part 2

Arnav didn't hear the numerous congratulations coming his way. He didn't hear anything. He looked, but he didn't see anything either. He didn't see her.

This was what he had wanted. He wanted her to leave him alone; he wanted to be free of her questions. So why were his eyes searching for her?

He didn't want to care, he didn't want to be affected by her tears, he wanted to be free. Lavanya could give him that freedom. Couldn't she?

Still his eyes wandered. Lavanya had returned to his side and all Arnav wanted to do was shake her and ask why she'd returned alone. But he didn't.

Then finally he saw her, smiling, happy. She was happy and his heart broke.

When she cried, his heart cried with her. So now that she was happy, his heart should be happy with her. So why wasn't it?

He had felt a sadistic sort of pleasure watching her cry earlier. It had been confirmation that he was right in his decision. Right in stopping himself before he lost all control over himself, before he submitted himself to be ruled by somebody else's emotions, somebody else's hopes and dreams.

'Chamkili! How are you feeling now?

'I'm fine Lavanyaji, thank you.'

'That's good Khushi. You'll never believe my news! Guess what? ASR has agreed to marry me!'

'Wow! Congratulations Lavanyaji! I'm so happy for you!'

Happy? That wasn't the emotion he'd seen on her face earlier. Where did she get this resolve from? Where did she get this strength of character? Had her tears been fake or was it her smile now that was the lie? He watched her smile but he wanted her to cry again. He wanted her to break down and he wanted to know that he was the reason for her anguish.

'What happened, Khushiji?'

'Oh Di, Chamkili was feeling sick before, but she's better now.'

'It's nothing Anjaliji, I just ate too much. You know what I'm like.'

Arnav listened as they asked her question after question. Every question except the one he wanted an answer to. An answer her actions were refusing to give.

'Congratulations Lavanyaji, have some mithai! Congratulations Arn...Arnavji.'

Arnav looked from her outstretched hand to her eyes. She was close enough now that he could see the redness lining the corners of her eyes, the strain around her smiling mouth and the trembling of her lower lip. He had his answer.

He closed his eyes as he bit into the mithai. It tasted wrong, bitter and foreign to his usually diabetic tongue but he knew he would have to endure this brief bitterness if he wanted his life to return to normal.