NAVYA POV:

"Kartik, which flavor ice cream do you want ?" I asked.

"I want chocolate chips," Karthik shouted happily. I ordered two ice cream. As we were eating ice cream, shisha walked towards us. Sirisha was glaring at me. I just ignored and continued to eat my ice cream. She held my hand, dragged me outside.

I didn't say anything. I let Sirisha do what she wanted to. She stopped and said," look, I know you were Arvind's ex, but he is mine now. Stay away from him, okay."

I didn't like her way, so I said," we are okay with each other. He still loves me a lot. I, too, love him."

She smiled and said in a challenging tone," okay, then prove it. If you prove it, I'll forget Arvind," And she walked away after this."

I started to think about what I should do. That night when we got locked in the office. He asked me to play truth or dare. I thought of using this game as per convenience. So, I asked Arvind to arrange a date for me.

I wanted to teach the lesson to Sirisha and had to prove a point that Arvind was mine. So, I gave the dinner menu I needed to the catering guy and asked him to call me when he reached the area ayyappa society where Sirisha stays.

I messaged her that I would prove her today and asked her to come along with her Id card.

When the catering guy informed me that he has come near ayyappa society, I sent a catering guy number to Sirisha and said, "Call him and show him our office. He knows where our destination is".

Later I messaged her on WhatsApp. "Come to the rooftop when the catering guy comes to you and say we finished dinner. Till then, be down."

After finishing our dinner, I asked the guy to inform her to come up.

I played music and encouraged Arvind to dance with me. His touch on me makes my legs weak every time. I may have started this game for her but, whatever I am doing with Arvind is not fake. While dancing with him even, I forgot Sirisha would come. I lost my senses when he dances with me.

I put both hands on his shoulder to support myself. He holds me by my waist. He started to swing his body according to the rhythm. I matched his pace. His hands are on my waist, and My hands are around his neck. My legs were getting weak. His hold was getting strong — heat running into my cheeks. I looked into his eyes and kissed him.

We are disturbed with the footsteps sound, and I got to my senses understood Sirisha saw us and going away.

Arvind POV:

Sirisha has seen us in the office when engaged in a dance with a kiss. It's an embarrassing moment at present to face her. What to state?

She proposed to me. I continued postponing without saying my opinion. Have to talk to her, lest she makes the issue complicated.

I called Sirisha to my cabin. She came within seconds and stood in front of me without a word. Her face claiming sadness and silence is more dangerous than her words. One thing I didn't understand was why she came to the office on Sunday.

"Hey, Sirisha... "I ended quietness.

"It's OK, no compelling reason to clarify, "she cut me.

"You both love each other. All issues of the past seem sorted.so, your Ex-Girlfriend changed again to present ".

What was she talking about? Did she say Navya as my ex-girlfriend?

"Navya, my Ex? Who told you? " I asked her.

"Navya said to Arpana. Eh? Wait, was she, not your girlfriend? " she questioned

Did Navya say that? Wow! Why did she say that?

Should I say her No? If I say No, then I should accept or reject Sirisha's proposal. So, better tell her, Navya as my girlfriend.

"Arvind? Answer me? "she disturbed my thoughts.

"Mm...yeah, she is my Um!, my girlfriend "

"Yet, for what reason did you come to the workplace? "

"I challenged Navya to prove you are still in love with her "

"she asked me to come there to show me."

What the heck? Did she plan a date to show Sirisha?

"I was somewhat impolite with Navya inevitably. So, say her sorry on behalf of me."

I could see water rolling from her cheek. I felt dismal for her.

She went till the entryway, only to turn back and come running towards me, embracing me tightly and kissed on my cheek. My heart turned heavy for her. She drove herself back for two feet, cleaned her tears, and said, "sorry. "

"I hope you would have an extraordinary life. But, remember, if things turn south between you both, I always here for you, "she gave grin with the substantial heart and left the room.

....................................

I called Navya to talk about our project. She came and started to clarify what she has done as of recently? Furthermore, what amount of work was left to do? I need to talk about the date we went to. The fun fact was after having such a romantic date between us; she was acting normal as if nothing happened between us. Did she act on the date? Or is she having feelings for me?

"Navya, I want to talk to you about our date. "

She becomes flushed "this is an office, sir, we are not here to discuss personals."

"will you marry me? " I smiled and came to the point.

"no " she replied

"I am not kidding, "I said

"Me too, sir," her answer was hurting me.

"So, what date all these do you mean?"

"That all happened as per our game."

"Then why did you kiss me?"

"That happened because I went with the flow."

"So, do you mean the date between us meant nothing to you?"

"No"

"No? So all that was just a show for Sirisha?" I asked, slamming my hands on the desk and getting up with anger. She flinched a bit on my reaction.

"Oh! Yeah, you know that. then why are you asking me?"

"You mean nothing to me in person. In the profession, of course, you are my team lead". Her words are like daggers, stabbing my heart.

"Alright, you can leave, " I said, not wanting to lose my control.

..........................................................

Days went on. Next weekend Kavya and Sunil asked me to help them in shopping for Mrudhula's seemantham function, as we have no female members in our family. Sunil's mom and Kavya were helping us to make the arrangements.

As I reached there, I saw Navya with them. I tried to stay away from her as possible as her words hurt me; I need to respect her opinion. We roamed all most all malls in Hyderabad. I tried not to be as close as possible as I can.

"I need to leave now; my sister is coming tomorrow. So, have to go home," Navya said.

"it's OK, come to Arvind's home tonight. His sister's seemantham, right? " Kavya reminded her as she is leaving.

She nodded and went away.

"Something going on here, what happened between you two?" questioned Kavya

"We planned shopping today to make you close. But, here, you both are behaving like enemies."

"nothing, she was behaving like I mean nothing to her," I said

"so, no logic in talking or be near her"

"come on, Arvind, have you ever seen a girl accepting a guy's proposal within a first attempt. It happens to be very rare."

"once she loved you. means she gave some space to you in her heart.right?"

"now, she may need some time to digest and accept you again."

"Do you believe she loves you?"

"Mm!some times she behaves like I am her world and some other times she would deal with me like I am nothing to her"

Have you proposed her directly?

Nah

I didn't propose. but, asked her to marry me

"Oh!you said that. I am proud of you, my friend. I can see myself in you as I am locked" Sunil said giggling

"If You dare to propose, your body will become a meal to vultures," Kavya warned

Just chill!

"I joked," he said.....

"Bro, maybe she was expecting love from you. first, propose her."

Hmm!may be I need to. Better propose her and face the consequences later.

NAVYA POV:

I hurt Arvind. Ahh!this is bothering me! He is not talking with me, trying to avoid it. After all, I am the one who needs to get blamed for this; he asked me to marry.my experience with him when I am in deep didn't allow me to accept even I love him; moreover, he loved my sister once.

First, I need to check with my sister whether she is happy or not. By any means, I should talk with Divya regarding Arvind and take the decision.

I was getting vomiting sensation from two days and fell unconscious once. I should go to the doctor; food poison might have happened to me.

Anyways, I need to attend Arvind's sister, seemantham. I should behave normally with him if he talks to me. Still, my guilt was eating me about my behavior in the office.

As I entered the main gate on the lawn, I saw a small stage that decorated with flowers and lights. I saw Mrudhula beautifully dressed in an orange kanjeevaram saree; she is delighted and excited about her function. Arvind, Sunil, and Kavya were busy in receiving the guests and making the arrangements.

Kavya screamed, " Navya!! Come here,". As I was walking towards them, Arvind gave a formal smile, which I gave back in return. After a few minutes, Arvind and Sunil left us as Arvind's father called them.

"Oh!!! Is she the other twin girl?" Arvind's brother-in-law asked Sunil while they were talking.

"Let's see what Arvind will do to sort out the issues between them," Sunil said.

Seemantham function started. Being the elderly woman, Sunil's mother started the rituals, by applying sandalwood paste and kumkum to Mrudhula. She put glass bangles to both hands of Mrudula, gave saree and sweets on behalf of Arvind and his father. Remaining guests also blessed her and repeated the same rituals. Mrudhula's in-laws were also there and can see the most happiness in them. Mrudhula and her husband were enjoying every moment as they were waiting for this for quite a long time.

They both spoke about Arvind and Navya, and what's going on for a few days.

"I wanted her to be my sister-in-law," Mrudhula said to her husband. They decided to talk to Navya about this after the function.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Navya POV:

Kavya and I were standing at one corner of the stage. As the rituals came to an end, Mrudhula invited us for some photographs as we can't bless her.

Kavya called Sunil and Arvind for the photos. With different permutations and combinations, we had few photos together.

I saw a person who was quite close with Arvind, might be his cousin.they are talking about me as their gaze while talking up on me. that person after conversation moved towards me and greeted "hi."

I too did the same

"I am Ramesh, Arvind's roommate in Bangalore."

"Oh! nice to meet you."

"Bangalore? where are you from?"I questioned

"I am from Bogaram village."

"is it? even my grandmom is from that village."

"where, in Bogaram?"

"near Sri Anjaneya Swamy devasthanam temple."

"is it? what is her name."

"Satyavati"

"OK, we will meet you again. Arvind is waiting from me.bye," he went towards Arvind.

Kavya and Mrudhula both whispering in each other's ear and started laughing at me. Mrudhula pulled me closer, kissed me on my cheek, and said: "Can't wait to see you at my home in my mom's place." I felt the warmth and hugged her, which remind me of Divya.

Deep in my mind and heart said, "Me Too," a drop of water rolled from my eye.

Kavya asked me to stay with Mrudhula as they were busy in arranging dinner for the guests. She enquired about Divya and her married life. I asked about her health condition. She started telling how she felt in the 1st trimester(1-12 weeks).

"Argh!! God, it is horrible. I had severe morning sickness, full 1st trimester," she said.

"What is morning sickness?" I asked.

She said, "it is a sickness we have in this period where vomiting and unconsciousness will be throughout."

"What?" I screamed. She holds my hand firmly and said: "Navya, what happened?".

I kept quiet. The guests started to leave, and the crowd in the dining place became vacant. Sunil came and called for dinner.

I didn't utter a word while having food. My thoughts are troubling me where everyone there is happily talking and eating. After the dinner, Mrudhula asked Arvind to drop me at my place. He or I didn't insist back.

I was silent until we reached my home. I got down and walking towards the gate. "Navya, I need to tell u something," Arvind claimed.

"U look so upset quite a long time, please let me know if something went wrong."

"should I have to believe you?"I questioned

His face paled with my words and asked: "what happened?"

"Did something happen between us on that day when drunk?" I questioned, looking intense in his eyes with anger. Arvind stuck with my words. I repeated. I could sense his anger; by the way, he kicked the gate and how the pot next to it broke it multiple pieces.

Street dogs nearby feared and barked on us due to his action.

"God!! How can I make this girl understand what is me and what happened between us?" He said, looking up.

He holds my hand firmly and pulled me closer to him deep into my eyes " I really can't understand why am I roaming behind u when someone is deeply in love with me."

"what?" I exclaimed.

"When Sirisha asked me whether you are my girlfriend, I said, "YES." I wanted U to be in my life forever. So I decided to take it to the next level, so I confessed U that "I want to marry you," his eyes were with the anger I hear his breath sound vibrant of the gate.

"you said no."

"sometimes U behave as if I am everything to u, and in a moment or other u changes to as if there is nothing between us."

"I still can't understand why your mood swings east to west all the time."

"See!! Now too, I am here to propose you, and I return do I deserve this from you".

Silence traveled between us for a few seconds; street dogs go on barking. "Arvind" I uttered his name

"What the fuck?" he picked the stone and threw at the dogs that are barking on us.

Dogs ran far away from us.

I never saw such anger from him. I clearly understood this is not the time to argue.

"Poor Sirisha!! Wished us good luck, where no luck is favoring me". When things go poorly between us, she said she would support me.

"Do u think I deserve this when I am a person who trusts me when she knows I am not his."

"Anyways, I am sorry for whatever happened now the ball is in your court, will never come around U with this proposal."

" As u said, let us be team lead and employee forever," he said with despair and started walking towards his bike.

I was in complete shock to see my Arvind going through this because of me.

Can't imagine what decision he may take. I need to show him that I love.but, this is not the right time for conversation.has to show in some other means.

He was about to get onto his bike. I ran towards him, pulled him closer to me, and kissed him. We were in the trance of kiss for few minutes ignoring the surroundings.

Clouds started kissing each other to make a thunder sound, which made us conscious. I pushed him back, placed my forehead on his; before he utters a word, I said: " please, Arvind, let's talk tomorrow, bye" and walked inside the house without seeing back.

.............................................................

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