Aayansh’s POV
I was working when my PA came in and said, “Sir, Miss Ava is here.” “Okay, send her in,” I replied.
As the door opened, my attention immediately went to the woman walking in. She was dressed in formals, looking effortlessly stunning.
She came forward, extending her hand. “Ava.”
I shook it, and for a second, I felt a current shoot through my body. Composing myself quickly, I said, “Aayansh Singhaniya.”
“Oh, by the way,” I asked, smirking a little, “should I call you Miss Ava or Ruhanika Raichand?”
“Whatever you like,” she shrugged, “just not Jangli Billi.” She rolled her eyes playfully.
Holy shti. She looks so damn hot when she rolls her eyes. How will she look when… What the hell, Aayansh? Stop thinking nonsense!
“Did you say something?” she asked, noticing my expression. “No, nothing,” I lied quickly. “I’ll call you Ruhanika. And you can call me Aayansh. Not Angry Bird or Akdu.”
She laughed softly. “Fair enough. That works for me.”
We discussed business for a while. She kept everything professional, not letting our past arguments interfere. She wasn’t as bad as I thought. When she left, I found myself still thinking about her. My thoughts were interrupted by a phone call.
The Next Day
I was working from home since Mom had strictly ordered everyone to go shopping together. After getting ready, I went downstairs where everyone was waiting.
“Let’s go,” I said.
“Oh bro, why didn’t you wear a suit? I thought I’d make you pretend like my bodyguard,” Arav teased.
I glared at him as everyone laughed. “Enough, don’t tease my son,” Chachi said, making me smile.
…..
We left for the mall where the Raichands were already waiting. As we walked into the store, I greeted everyone but my eyes were searching for her. Maybe she didn’t come, I thought. But then, I heard a familiar sweet voice.
“Hello,everyone.”
I turned to see her. She looked radiant. “Hello, Ruhanika,” I replied, maybe a little too warmly.
“What’s happening here?” Arav asked suspiciously. “Why are you both talking so sweetly?”
Now the families were staring at us. I shot Arav a death glare. “Do you have a problem?”
“Yes!” he said dramatically. “I thought you’d fight today, so I even brought popcorn to watch. But instead, you’re being sweet.”
God, why am I even friends with this idiot?
Before I could respond, Ruhanika cut in. “Do you mind if I punch your friend in the face?”
“Not at all. In fact, I’ll help you,” I said casually.
Arav’s eyes widened. “Bro! How can you betray me? You’re my friend, not hers!”
“Oh, but now she’s my business partner. And as a businessman, I’ll always choose profit.”
Everyone burst into laughter as Arav looked at me with his jaw dropped.
After shopping, we all went to the food court. While the ladies discussed engagement arrangements, we men talked business.
…..
Later, at home, I checked my phone and saw photos the girls shared in our group smiling, eating ice cream, clearly enjoying themselves. Arav sulked in the chat with crying emojis, making me chuckle.
Out of curiosity, I opened Instagram. In Riya’s story, I saw Ruhanika tagged. Clicking it, I landed on her profile.
Her posts were mostly family pictures, but then… some with a boy. They looked close. Is he her boyfriend? No it can’t be. Or what if he is?
What the hell is wrong with you, Aayansh? It shouldn’t matter to you. But it did. I hated seeing her with someone else. Shaking it off, I tried to focus on work.
At the Club
That evening, Aditya called, ordering me to join the boys at the club. I sighed, packed up, and went.
As usual, we gathered at our fixed spot since the place belonged to Arav. “So finally you’re here, bro,” Aditya teased. I scoffed. “No, it’s not me. It’s my ghost here to drink your blood.”
The guys laughed. Kabir handed me a glass of beer. “Chill, bro. You need this.”
We drank, joked, and tried to forget how the girls had excluded us today. But suddenly, my eyes froze.
What the hell is she doing here?
“Who?” Aditya asked. “Your sister,” I muttered.
He frowned. “Shut up, she’s at home.” “No, I swear I saw her. Black dress.”
He called her immediately. After a short talk, he sighed. “You’re right. She’s here with her friend. I told her to come to us.”
A few minutes later, Ruhi walked over. “Why did you call me here?”
“What are you doing here? You were supposed to be home!” Aditya scolded. “I took permission from Rishabh Bhai. And relax, Varun Bhai is here too.” She pointed to where Varun sat, keeping watch.
Aditya gave up. “Fine. But you’re going home with me later.” She smiled and went back to her friend.
Then I saw her friend dragging her to the dance floor. Him. The same guy from her pictures. He pulled her close, his hands on her waist, and she let him.
Something in me snapped. I downed my beer in one go, slammed the glass down, and stood. “I’m leaving.”
The boys stared at me. “I’m tired. You guys enjoy,” I muttered, walking out.
That Night
I tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her smiling, dancing with him, his hands on her.
Why do I hate this so much? All I wanted was to rip her away from him and keep her in my arms instead.
Frustrated, I grabbed my phone and opened her Instagram. She’d posted photos from the club again, with that guy. My anger boiled. I started tapping the screen harder and then
Fuck.
“What did you do, Aayansh?” I cursed at myself. I had accidentally hit the Follow button.
Should I unfollow? No, what if she already saw the notification? Then she’d think I was stalking her. But you ARE stalking her, my inner voice mocked.
Panicking, I opened her DMs and quickly typed: Hii, it’s Aayansh here. You’re on a mutual friends list, so I followed you. Don’t think I’m stalking you.
I hit send. Then I immediately regretted it. “Sh*t! Why did I write the word stalking?! Now she’ll definitely think I am!”
I threw my phone onto the bed, messed up my hair in frustration, and lay back down. Sleep was nowhere near me.
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