45. Nitvik’s Birthday!

Arjun’s PoV

The weekdays went by with me avoiding her and she pestering me for reasons. I stopped taking her to the office partially because Praveen was so angry with me and also because I don't like to see her round the clock. I hate her for how much she had occupied my heart, that even after her betrayal, I couldn't punish her without feeling guilty.

She always pushes me to the edge with her insensitive talks. I was surprised to know that Harish was Anika’s neighbor. That reminds me of the days I visited Praveen and Preethi in Coimbatore during our college days. They studied in PSG college.

Anyways, now we are getting ready to go to Harish’s son’s birthday party. He has invited us for lunch followed by cake cutting. She came out of the dressing room with a beautiful turquoise color designer saree and open hair. She looked as if she glided down from heaven. I couldn't peel my eyes off of her. She walked past me, without sparing me a glance, towards the elevator.

I have been avoiding her for the whole week, dodging all her questions but now she avoids me and I could not take it. I went behind her but the elevator closed before I could get in. I ran to the stairs and I don't know why I am doing this. When I got down, she was already out.

“Aunty, I don't think I will come back soon. But I will be home before dinner for sure. I have already instructed maids regarding their work for the day. I also finished that crochet beanie you were struggling to complete.” She was talking to my mom.

“Wow, Anika. I was struggling to undo the last line on it where I did the knots wrong. Thank you, dear. No worries, enjoy your time at the party.” my mom told her.

“Come, Ajju. Are you going somewhere too?” Mom asked me.

“Yes, ma.” I told her but my eyes never left her.

“Anna, here is the address. Shall we go?” She asked the driver. What the hell? She is not going to come with me to the party?

“Ranjan, I will take her. You can have the rest of the day to yourself.” I told him.

“Oh, you are going to the party together? Good. Then have fun at the party.” Mom went in after bidding bye to us.

“Get in.” I opened the door for her from the inside when she stood outside without moving even after I started the car.

“I don't want to go with you.” She said.

“Don't make a scene. Just get in.” I whisper yelled.

“I will go in a bus or call a taxi. Thank you for offering to help me.” She said, that nerve of this girl.

“I don't like people talking back to me. Get in the car before I shove you in and ruin your beautiful saree.” I told her, getting out of the car. I stood so close to her that her intoxicating fragrance made me imagine her naked in front of me. She looked up at me with her heaving breasts and frightened big eyes. Her naturally pink lustrous lips are partly opened inviting me in. I took her lips in mine while pulling her close to me by her waist. She grabbed my shoulders and willfully kissed me back. We parted hastily when we heard a sound at the door.

“Shhhh, relax. There is no one. Get in the car.” I told her when I saw her all worked up.

She got in the car and never opened her mouth. She usually would never stop talking but now I want her to talk and she refuses to even turn to my side.

“Anika.” I called her.

“Mmm.” She hummed, still looking out in the window.

“You knew that I was getting ready for the party too, right?” I asked her.

“Yes.” She said. She sure is a shrewd girl.

“Then why did you ask the driver to go to the party?”

“How would I know if you are going to take me with you when you didn't even say a single word to me all week? I thought you would take your FRIEND Preethi with you.” She told me.

“She would come by herself.” I told her. I don't know what else to tell her. She is right. She has no reason to think that I am going to take her with me. But also she doesn't deserve to come with me.

“Oh, I thought she didn't know to go out alone since she seeked your help for a petty shopping.” She said, sarcasm evident in her voice. I could see a tinge of jealousy in her tone and I am happy about it.

“Preethi is my friend. Just a friend.” I reassured her. Though I love her jealousy and possessiveness, I also want her and Preethi to be friends. I cannot lose either of them because of her silly baseless thoughts.

“Why do you even tell this to me? I don't care if she is your friend or more than a friend. I don't like her. For some reason I feel like she is not genuine.”

“Shut up. You don't talk about her. This is not going to end well. How many times do I have to tell you not to talk everything that flashes on your mind? People opposite to you also have a heart that could get hurt with your words. For god’s sake, shut up.” I told her.

“See, I was not the one that started this conversation. You did. I know that you completely hate me and that is why I chose to stay quiet but you wanted me to talk and when I do, you ask me to shut up. I truly don't understand you, or your ignorance or your punishment. I truly don't know what I did to deserve this.” She said calm and composed.

“Listen, Anika. I like you. But that does not mean I will tolerate everything you say. You hurt Preethi, you will be out of my life in no second. Be careful of what you say.” I told her with compassion.

“You like me?” She asked me with her wide eyes.

“You only heard that? What are you? Do you have selective hearing?” I asked her. She really did amuse me with her question and I could not stop that smile that erupted out of me because of her silly question.

“Do you really like me?” She was persistent to get the answer out of me.

“Yes!” I told her, looking her in the eye.

“If that is true, you have to answer my question. What did I do wrong?” She asked me, that made me fist my hand.

“Look at me, we are going to a party and I want you to be happy today. Let's just pretend that we don't have any issues between us. Don't talk about irrelevant things now, babe.” I told her, drawing lines on her hand and watched her eyes grow big and her cheeks turn crimson.

“Even I don't want to be sad, confused and angry. Alright, we will talk about this later.” She bounced on the seat. I literally saw a kid there.

We switched on the music system and talked about Harish and his girlfriend Shivani. When we reached there, Preethi and Avni were already there. Just as we got in, Anika ran in to a girl who hugged her back with equal excitement and enthusiasm. I knew that it was Shivani. Harish came and received us. It was a very simple party with just us as adults and some kids.

“Please, feel at home. Sit down, Arjun.” Harish told me when he saw me standing all alone. Preethi came to me.

“Hey, Ajju. How are you doing? Heard that you didn't bring Anika to work all week, why? Is everything alright?” She asked me with a side hug.

“Everything is perfectly alright. I just wanted her to take some rest. Besides, she is a complete distraction when I am in the office.” I told her.

“You are trying to lie to me, Ajju. You know I know you in and out. Why bother to hide away from me? Tell me what is bothering your relationship.” She said. I truly don't want to talk about it right now. I am busy ogling my super sexy and beautiful wife.

“Not right now, Preeth. We are perfectly fine.” I told her without even seeing her.

“Arjun, come, you have to meet Shivani akka (sister).” Anika held my hand and dragged me with her cutting the conversation me and Preeth were having.

“I am coming. Stop dragging me.” I pulled her closer to me with a little chuckle on her behavior.

“Pch, come, Arjun. Akka, he is my husband, Arjun. Arjun, she is Shivani, Harish’s fiance.” She introduced us while Harish came along.

“Oh, you have already met. Shall we cut the cake and have our chit-chat after?” He asked us and took Shivani in his arms. They sure do make a beautiful couple.

Nitvik and Avni were playing with the kids and when called out, all the kids came running in. All the while, I just saw Anika. My eyes never left her, she is a beautiful girl with a child-like face and smile. Her laughter was filling the room. She kept glancing at me at regular intervals and I loved how she sneakily looked at me, she made me feel like a teenager. She helped cut and serve the cake for the guests and came to me to give me a slice.

“Stop looking at me like that, Arjun.” She whispered to me while turning all red on her cheeks. She looked like she was flushed.

“Looking at you like what?” I asked her, maintaining my innocence.

“Like you are going to eat me. Shivani is making fun of me. You are so obvious.” She said, still handing me the plate.

“How did you know that I am looking at you like I am going to eat you?” I asked her.

“Shhh, everyone here knows.”

“How did you know?”

“God, I saw you.” She said finally with a little girly shyness.

“Haha, I know! You are so beautiful, Anika. I can't help it.” I told her and watched her shiver with goosebumps erupting all over her hands that I could see. She is so sensitive, just my words are enough to excite her. She is under my spell. All of a sudden our little world was disturbed by chaos.

“Avni, shut up! Let’s go.” Preethi was shouting at Avni.

“Preethi, relax. What happened?” I ran to her and lifted up Avni in my hands.

“Nothing, Ajju. Let her down. We need to go.” She said.

“What happened? Avni, you tell me, dear, what did you do to make mommy angry?” I tried to ease the awkward situation.

“She did nothing, Ajju.” Preethi stopped her.

“Pch, what is the problem now?” I got impatient and irritated. But as I yelled at Preethi, she started crying.

“Shhh, calm down.” I let Avni down and made Preethi sit down on the couch.

“She asks for her dad, Ajju. She asks me why her dad didn't come to her birthday party. I have told her so many times not to talk about him. But she is very persistent to see him and be with him. I can't handle her anymore, Ajju.” She started crying on me and I felt pity. Avni is a baby and she must be puzzled to see Nitvik’s dad in his party and questions why her dad was missing on her birthday. Preethi is not at fault too, she is already hurt and Avni needs care.

“Sorry, Harish! I think we must leave now. We will meet on some other day. Anika, shall we go?” I turned to them.

“I will drop Anika in your home a little later, Arjun. Let her stay for a little more time. You go ahead.” Harish told me but with her looks, I know Anika wants to be with me. But she was so excited for this meet up and removing Preethi from the situation will bring back the enthusiasm. I didn't want to ruin it for her so I left with Preethi and Avni with a little nod to Anika.

“I will come and pick her up late in the evening. Thank you, Harish.” We left the party.