"I need to use the restroom." I told Gaurav who was standing in front of me.

"Should I get you some food?"

"It is okay, I'll get some after I come back." I told him before I rushed to the washroom.

Why was Amit in this party? Was he an employee of ArcTech? I heard that he lost his previous job a few months after his behaviour changed. There was no other explanation, at least I could think of.

"You can do this Kavya." I told myself as I stood in front of the mirror. I was glad there was no one but me in the restroom. I splashed some water on my face.

"Just relax and face anything and everything that comes your way."

As I headed out, I saw my neighbour, well, scratch that. She is my ex-neighbour. She was with another woman I didn't recognize. The best part is, they were talking about me.

"So, are they back together?" The woman I didn't recognize was asking the other.

"I don't know. I saw the two of them here earlier. Amit did say leaving her was a mistake. He told my husband he regretted every bit of it."

"Maybe they would get back."

"Yeah, I think they might."

Two guys joined them and the conversation changed. I came out of my hiding place. I saw Amit standing very close to where Gaurav was. I decided to ditch him so I wouldn't have to face my ex-husband.

I texted him before I left.

I am sorry, but I need to leave now. TTYL.

Before I could place my phone back in my purse, it rang. As expected, it was Gaurav.

"What is wrong Kavya?" I heard when I answered his call. Amit might have heard him on the phone; they were standing very close. I could see them from where I stood.

"There is something I have to do. You carry on. I'll see you in office."

"No way Kavya, I brought you here. We'll leave together." I saw Amit looking at Gaurav.

"I am already out Gaurav. It is fine."

"Just stay there, I'll be out in a minute."

Before I could refuse, he had ended the call.

I saw him headed my way. Amit thankfully wasn't following him. Maybe I was being paranoid. He wouldn't have even thought about it, it is not like I am the only Kavya.

Before I knew, Gaurav was in front of me. He didn't mention anything and I was relieved.

"We should get some dinner." I just nodded when he said that.

He bought some take out for the two of them on the way. Soon they were in front of her house.

"Can I come in?" He asked holding up the food.

"Sure. Come in."

She took out the plates for them. "I'll do this; you might want to get changed."

By the time I returned, he had set out food for the both of us.

"Thank you for this." I said as we sat down. He just smiled and concentrated on the food.

The silence was getting a little awkward as the dinner progressed and he realised that too.

"I don't mean to pry, but what happened earlier?" He was a little sceptic when he asked me that.

There was no point in lying to him, so I told him the truth.

"You didn't want to face your husband. That is a very understandable situation. You could've told me that earlier itself."

"That is the thing, I couldn't do that. He was standing very close to you at the party." He seemed taken aback at my words.

"Wait, is he someone I know?"

"I don't think so. You just happened to stand next to him. I never saw the two of you talk to each other."

"And I guess I should've paid more attention to the people next to me."

"Anyways, thank you for doing this for me. I really appreciate it. You didn't have to leave the party for me."

"I wanted to."

What did he mean by that? I decided not to press the topic and proceeded to do the dishes.

"I'll help you." He said coming inside the kitchen.

"No, it is just a few plates. I can do that."

"I insist." He was so adamant on helping.

"In that case, can you get the ice cream bowls from the top shelf?" I pointed to the shelf I mentioned.

"Sure."

"And there is ice cream in the refrigerator."

He took the bowls and served ice cream for the both of us.

"I hope you like Strawberry flavour."

"Any ice cream is fine for me." He said with a smile.

We were having ice cream in the living room when the doorbell rang.

"Are you expecting someone?" Gaurav asked me.

"No."'

Who could that be? Was it Amit? Did he see me at the party earlier?

"Shall I?" he asked pointing at the door and I nodded.

"Whose car is it Kavya?" I heard my brother's voice as soon as Gaurav opened the door. Relief washed over me when I saw him. Karthik's back was towards the door and he hadn't seen Gaurav.

"Karthik." I said and Gaurav smiled when he realised it was my brother.

"It would be mine." Karthik turned to face Gaurav as soon as he heard him speak.

"Gaurav Rathore, Kavya's boss." He said before my brother questioned him.

"Karthik Gupta."

"I know. I have heard about you from Rahul and Kavya of course."

"Same here." He said coming in.

"I didn't realize you had company Kavya." 

"Oh, it is not like you think. We had gone to an office party, it was boring and we left early. I was just dropping her off.

Karthik understood. He was in town to attend a meeting. The two of them hit it off quickly and I was long forgotten.

"I should get going." Gaurav said after a while.

"Thank you for today." I said. I was grateful that he hadn't told Karthik about seeing Amit at the party.

"No problem. Have a good night Kavya."

"Good night Gaurav."

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