Chapter Ten
Arya
(Two months later)
“Hold that pose,” the yoga instructor says in a soft, hypnotic voice. “Inhale deeply and close your eyes as you slowly let it out.”
I listen to her as I stretch my back and look up at the ceiling. My muscles sigh in glee at the burn. While my mind is devoid of troubling memories.
This part of the day is when I’m truly at peace. All thanks to Anaya dragging me here one morning after the night I…
Nothing.
Not going there.
The gist is that I love beginning my day with a session of yoga before I get busy in the hustle and bustle and the stress of work. Being gone for months, my colleagues came in like vultures and threw themselves a backyard sale for my clients. I can’t blame them because I would’ve done the same.
Being a publicist is a competitive space, and not for the faint-hearted. It’s a good thing I enjoy a challenge. Returning to the office and basically starting from scratch to build my reputation has been the biggest one. Radha wasn’t kidding when she warned me that I’ll be under a lot of scrutiny.
The biggest advantage I have is the fact that I love my job, including handling clients who often throw tantrums. Nothing beats fixing their problems because it shows how levelheaded and capable you are.
To do so, have I turned into a workaholic in the last two months? Absolutely. Burying myself in work is what keeps my demons at bay.
Noor and Anaya expressed their concerns that I’ll drive myself into exhaustion. But I waved off their worries. I’ve found a way to cope with the upheaval in my life. I’m starting to feel more like my old self.
A loud commotion behind my back pulls me out of my musings.
“You made us late,” a hushed voice says.
I exchange an amused glance with Anaya, who is lying on her mat beside me.
Very late, considering we’ve already had a five-minute break & the class will be over soon. They might as well have skipped it entirely.
“This is abduction,” a second voice hisses.
The first girl scoffs. “You came here of your own free will.”
Why do they sound vaguely familiar?
“You lured me with the promise of free food. Actual food, Iris. Not the bland healthy crap I saw in the break room.”
I tense at the name, instantly recognizing the two new voices.
Bianca’s two best friends.
“Who even serves grass for people to eat?” Rosalie grumbles.
Next comes the voice I’m dreading the most, whose ex I allowed to fuck me like a whore and kick to the curb.
Ugh… here I was trying to wipe the memory out of my mind.
“It’s called a salad,” Iris retorts.
“And after a heavy workout session? Are they insane?”
“This is like beginner’s level of yoga.”
“Tell that to the cramp in my thighs.”
“Because you skipped warming up.”
“Sue me for wanting to save my energy for the actual exercise.”
“God! You’re in a mood. Did you miss ogling your husband in the morning today?”
“How do you know?” gasps Rosalie.
“Because you act grumpier when you don’t.”
“Let’s focus on relaxing and listening to our inner voice,” the instructor warns in her pitch-perfect voice. “Quietly.”
Both of them hush.
Anaya taps my arm when I remain paralyzed instead of moving into the next asana.
“Are you okay?” she mouths when I glance at her.
“Later,” I mouth back.
My mind distracted, I’m tense for the next half hour as I avoid letting Rosalie see my face. Being Bianca’s longest and childhood best friend, we’ve pretty much known each other our entire lives. I’ve met Iris only a handful of times.
Neither of them has seen me since Bianca left our family.
I can only imagine how much they hate me for hurting their best friend. It doesn’t help that I’ve slept with one of their exes. The sad part is that I regret doing both deeply.
Once the session ends, I move at a snail’s pace and keep my head turned until I hear their footsteps recede. Only then do I let loose a relieved breath.
“Okay.” Anaya sits back on her heels on the mat. “What’s with the turtle speed?”
“Those two women behind us.”
“The bickering duo?”
“That was Rosalie and Iris.”
Her brow furrows for half a second before her jaw drops. Leaning forward, she gasps, “Iris as in Nathan’s ex-fiancée?”
I nod, suppressing a shudder. “I didn’t want a confrontation.”
“I don’t think she’s on talking terms with her ex.”
“Not about that,” I huff. “They must blame me for what happened with Bianca.”
“It wasn’t your fault,” she jumps to my defense.
“It was, Anaya,” I admit remorsefully. “I’m the one who pushed my sister before she was ready into marriage because of a silly tradition. And for whom? A man who ultimately didn’t marry me. I was selfish and only cared about my own happiness.”
“I get that you made a mistake, but it was your parents who forced her out of your family by not accepting her husband. She chose to cut you out of her life and punish you alongside your parents despite knowing you were sorry for everything.” In a protective tone, she murmurs, “Bianca should’ve given you a second chance. ”
I draw in a sharp breath, staring at the ceiling while fighting back tears as I whisper, “I miss her so much. Especially in the last few months.”
“Then call her, Aru.”
“I-I can’t. I get panicked and scared that she won’t pick up. How am I supposed to show her my face? What am I going to say? I f-feel like I broke her faith in me. She’s finally happy. I don’t want to bring bad memories by walking back into her life.”
“Aww, baby,” coos Anaya, rushing to my side and hugging me. “Don’t cry. I wish I could take away your pain. You’ve been through too much. It’s all going to be okay. Shh.”
“I know I have you and Noor, but it gets so lonely some nights.”
“I understand.” She rubs my back. “I’ll come stay with you for a couple of days and we’ll have a slumber party like we did in college. How’s that sound?”
“Amazing.” I smile, pulling back and wiping the tears from the corners of my eyes. “I didn’t mean to get emotional. Hearing Rosalie brought back all the memories.”
“I’m always there for you, my Aru.”
“Come on, let’s hit the showers and get out of here.”
After folding our mats and tucking them underneath our arms, we go to the locker room. Opening my locker, I dump my stuff and grab the towel and a change of clothes.
“Arya?”
The syrupy sweet voice makes me freeze.
“Is that you?”
Licking my suddenly dry lips, I shut the locker and turn toward Iris, who looks like she walked out of the shower. Her straight brown-black hair is slightly wet at the edges.
Here I was hoping she didn’t remember me.
“Hello, Iris,” I greet her awkwardly.
She takes it as an invitation, closing the distance between us and wrapping her arms around me. She’s short and petite, so I have to lean down to return the hug.
“I can’t believe it’s been years since we last met,” she says, releasing me. A sad and sympathetic frown mars her face. “I heard about your wedding. So sorry it happened. Nobody deserves that. How are you doing?”
Her tone is warm and kind, not malicious.
In fact, she’s behaving quite friendly.
Should I take it as a sign that she, Rosalie, and Bianca don’t think of me as an enemy? My heart beats faster at the prospect.
“I’m doing well,” I answer politely. “Thanks for asking.”
“I hope you have friends helping you through it.”
A shadow falls beside us, followed by my best friend answering, “She does.”
Iris glances at Anaya, perking up again and pulling her into a hug. “Hi, I’m Iris.”
I recall Bianca calling her Tinker Bell. I understand why.
Anaya stares at me in bewilderment over Iris’s shoulder, before quickly masking it as Iris steps back.
“Are you two close friends?” Iris asks, gaze ping-ponging between us.
“Best friends,” replies Anaya with a loving grin. “We’ve known each other since middle school.”
“Lovely.”
“All righttyyyy,” Rosalie sings, rounding the corner while tapping on her phone. “I found a perfect café just across the street with real scrumptious food. Let’s roll!”
Iris clears her throat, drawing Rosalie’s attention.
Rosalie’s head pops up, locking her gaze with mine and immediately growing dark.
I suppress a frightful shiver.
The head-to-toe black outfit of hers, combined with flaming red hair and maroon lips, adds to her intimidating aura. She possesses no other color in her wardrobe, which Bianca always used to tease her about.
It takes all my inner power not to cower as she approaches us.
“Hi, Rosalie,” I say, mentally patting myself on the back for not stuttering.
“Arya,” she says coldly.
Iris pinches her arm, earning a scowl from Rosalie. A secret message passes between them before Rosalie focuses on me, and boredly says, “How have you been? Finally married?”
“Ro!” admonishes Iris.
But Rosalie is all fired up and taunts, “When are you gonna grow a pair and come hash it out with your sister? I didn’t know you had a heart of stone.”
The tears return with a vengeance.
Anaya steps forward, scathingly replying, “Oh, like Bianca has a heart of gold? Did she bother to let Arya explain herself?”
“Why?” scoffs Rosalie. “Does your best friend live in the dark ages and doesn’t know how a phone works? And yes, Bee does have a heart of gold, diamonds, rubies… EVERYTHING!”
Iris and I look at each other in panic just as our best friends go toe to toe. We both step between them at the same time and tug them away.
“Anaya, let it go.”
Rosalie glares at me, angrily accusing, “You didn’t even invite her to your wedding, Arya.
Do you realize how much that hurt her? She was devastated for weeks before eventually giving up hope that you’d call.
I get your parents probably had a hand in it, but you could’ve at least texted that you were engaged.
She found out online. After everything she did for you, that’s how you treat her? Shame on you!”
“Bianca cut her out of her life,” hurls Anaya. “Don’t go jumping to conclusions when you don’t know what it’s been like for Arya.”
Rosalie makes a derisive noise.
“I am ashamed of my selfish actions, Rosalie,” I say. “I’m sorry for everything. I’ve wanted to reach out to Bianca, but I wasn’t sure she wanted me in her life.”
“Oh, sweetheart, she does,” Iris shares.
My muscles freeze. “S-she does?”
“Of course.” Crossing over to me, she takes my hand between hers. “She doesn’t blame you or think you’re selfish. Bianca misses you so much.”
“Really?” I whisper past the emotions clogging my throat. “She’s not angry with me?”
“No. She’d love to have you be a part of her life.”
My chest expands with a sudden gust of hope. Have I been scared for no reason? I peek at Rosalie for confirmation through blurry eyes. Despite being mad, she reluctantly gives me a curt nod.
“I… I want that too.”
“Then come see her someday.”
“Does she still share an apartment with Dash?” I ask.
“No. They bought a house.” Pulling out her phone, Iris says, “Give me your number. I’ll text you the address.”
“Is her number still the same?”
“It is,” answers Rosalie. “Maybe call her first before showing up at her door.”
“What Ro means by that is Bianca is on a work trip and won’t be back for another week. So, check in first.”
“Okay,” I say, excited for the first time in months. “I’ll type my number in your phone.”
Iris grins as she hands me her phone. “This is so wonderful, minus the catfight.”
Both Anaya and Rosalie roll their eyes. I don’t think they’ll ever get along.
“I’m glad we ran into you, Arya,” finishes Iris. “Bianca and you deserve to let bygones be bygones and move forward from what happened.”
“Here we go again,” sighs Rosalie. “You and your need to meddle in siblings’ relationships. First it was Kian and Nathan. Now it’s Arya and Bee. You should’ve been a therapist.”
A knot forms in my belly at Nathan’s name. I was aware of the Singhania brothers’ rivalry, but I didn’t know Iris was trying to resolve it. And how? By dumping one brother and dating the other?
I’m so confused.
Who cares? It’s none of your business.
“Here, Iris.” I return her phone. “I’ve saved my number.”
An alert goes out on Anaya’s phone, startling all of us. She pulls it out just as Rosalie speaks while gazing at her phone. “Oh, crap!”
“What is it?” demands Iris.
Anaya nudges my arm, tilting the phone’s screen toward me. I read the headline on the celebrity gossip blog, doing a double take as the earth beneath me shakes.
Betrayal! Sham! Lies! Nathan Singhania was Allegedly in a FAKE Relationship with his Now Ex-Fiancée, Iris Mannan.
My heart racing a mile a minute, I snag Anaya’s phone and open the full article to read it.
It claims they dated for years before becoming engaged, so Nathan could remain the CEO of the Singhania and Sons empire.
Apparently, the board members were trying to push him off unless he upheld the values of the company.
When I look up at Iris, her face has gone pale.
“It’s true?”
Her lower lip trembles and she doesn’t utter a denial.
Rosalie steals her attention. “It’ll be okay. Let’s go home before anyone sees you in public.”
Iris’s phone rings. After seeing whoever it is, she quickly picks it up. There’s no disguising the tremor in her voice as she rasps, “K-Kian?”
A pause.
“I’m with Rosalie… Yeah, I’m on my way… Okay. Love you, bye.” Glancing at me, she apologetically says, “I’m sorry, but I have to run.”
“Yeah,” I mutter hollowly. “Take care.”
Soon, they’re both gone.
“Whoa,” cries Anaya. “I did not see that coming.”
I make my way to a nearby bench and sit down.
“Fake dating for years! That’s diabolical,” says Anaya in awe. “I can’t believe I ever felt bad for the guy.”
“He played me,” is all I say.
Was I just another notch on his bedpost? Did he seduce me with lies and pretend to be brokenhearted?
Of course, he did. Acting is second nature to the man.
And I fell for his act like the na?ve girl I am.
Never again.
It cements my decision that I made months ago. I’m swearing off men. They’re nothing but lying pigs and I’ve learned my lesson.