35.
If we say Arohi and Vihaan were happy, it will be an underestimate. The said couple was over the moon. Why not? They were finally tying the knot. Being with each other officially. Smile, never leaving their face.
As said they divided the works. The couple was busy with their pre-engagement makeover while Reyansh decided to look for a venue, and Aryan and Reva took over the work of decoration.
Reyaan decided to look for a good caterer.
Arav was helping everyone. The Seniors were busy in preparations for the puja. While Arya was in charge of dresses.
Everyone was busy with something. There was happiness everywhere.
Today, Vihaan and Arohi were going to try on their dresses and buy rings, and their best friends were joining them.
They made their way to the jewelry shop and decided to look for simple but elegant rings.
Jweller showed them many types of rings, but they liked a simple pair of rings and decided to buy them.
Arya's eyes fell on the bracelet. It was a simple bracelet with an infinity sign in the middle. It was very beautiful. She liked it but didn't say anything. Reyansh looked at her to find her looking at the bracelet.
They make their way to another shop after paying for rings.
Reyansh excused them on their way and said, "I have to make a call. I will meet you there directly." They nodded. "Come fast," Arya said, and he hummed.
Then they made their way to try on dresses. Arya makes sure to find dresses. How the couple needed it.
They entered a very beautiful shop where there were so many beautiful dresses.
They were greeted by the owner of the shop.
"Maam, your dresses are ready. You have to try them and tell us if you need any change," the Owner said, giving them dresses.
They went to try their dresses. Arya and Arohi went to the female section, while Vihaan and Aryan went to the male section taking their dresses.
__________
Reyansh went to the shop and asked for that bracelet.
"Oh, Mr. Shekhawat. Something else needed." Reyansh nodded and asked for that bracelet.
"There was a single chain with an infinity sign in the middle bracelet we saw some time ago I want that"
"Sir..that was a single piece, and that man bought it," he hesitantly said and pointed at the man who was going for billing. He made his way to that man.
"Excuse me," he said, and the referred man turned to him.
"Yes"
"My wife liked this bracelet, and I want to buy it for her, so can you give it to me and buy another one?" He said as much as politely he could. Said man titled his head and looked at him like he was trying to remember something.
"I am buying this for my fiance, and I took it first, so no, I am not giving it to you," he said.
"You can buy another one. I will pay for it. Just give this to me," Reyansh said, keeping his anger at bay.
"But I liked this one," the other man said. Not knowing that he was making it worse for himself.
Reyansh turned to the owner."I'm buying it. That's final. Do something with him," he pointed at the man. The owner nodded, knowing very well what would happen if he didn't follow his orders.
The owner went to the young man and tried to make him understand while Reyansh stood with their hands folded on his chest, looking at them, smirking.
After some time, the owner came to him with that bracelet, and after billing and giving some extra tip, he made his way out, not before giving the man one last look.
___________
They all made their way out after trying on their dresses.
They waited for Reyansh, but the other was nowhere to be seen.
"He must be somewhere attending his business calls," Vihaan said.
"This man can't give some time to us," Aryan joined him.
"Oh God, our hands are hurting from carrying these heavy bags," Vihaan and Aryan whined. While the other two giggled at their whining, shaking their heads.
"Why don't you two put these in the car and join us? We have to do some last-minute shopping," Arya suggested.
"Okay, we will come in a minute. Stay safe till then. Don't wander here and there," Vihaan said sternly, looking at Arohi and Arya.
This is not the first time Vihaan has come shopping with them. As Arohi's boyfriend, he had joined them many times. And he is known for their history.
According to the history of Arohi and Arya, if they are left alone in a shopping mall, they can't stay at one shop for five minutes. They have to look at every shop and wander around like kids.
They nodded, and the other two went to put bags in the car, leaving the two alone.
They looked at each other, gave a mischievous smile, and made their way to their first love (jhumka)shop.
__________
Reyansh came out of the shop and took his phone out of his pocket. He started to dial Arya's number to ask them about their location.
He was contacting her while walking. His focus was on the phone, and he was not looking ahead, so he didn't see someone coming in his direction, and the other one was also busy on the phone.
They were walking in each other's direction without looking ahead and
Bang!
Content in their hands falls due to impact. He looked down at shopping bags and mobiles on the floor.
"What the...." He looked ahead at the person in front of him, and his words died down in his throat, looking at none other than his nightmare.
Ritika.
He had found her address a long ago, but now he didn't want to go to her to ask her why she had left.
Now, her memories didn't hurt him; in fact, they reminded him that she was not the one for him.
He had decided to let it go and start his peaceful life with his wife.
But now looking at her he felt something
Rage.
"Reyansh," she said, her voice a mere whisper.
"Finally, you decided to show up" She looked down. She knew it was her fault. Gathering her courage, she asked.
"H-how are you?" she shuttered. He looked at her and started laughing.
"Me?" he pointed at himself. "A little different than how you left me." Venom was dripping his words.
"I am sorry," She said on the verge of crying.
"Sorry?" He chuckled. "What are you sorry for?
Leaving me? Playing with my feelings? Showing fake care?
Or what I have become today? What are you sorry for?
Tell me?" He shouted. Gathering unwanted attention.
But he didn't care. All the anger he had kept inside himself for two years was freeing.
He just wanted to let out after years of suffering.
"Reyansh stop. You are gathering attention," Ritika said to him, but his condition was far from listening.
She held his hand and took her far from the crowd. After saying sorry for causing a disturbance. She took him to the food court.
"Reyansh, let's sit and talk," she said.
"I don't want to talk to you. Leave my hand." He retrieved his hand from her hold.
"Please let me explain"
"I don't want to listen to your explanation"
"Please, Reyansh, one last time, please listen to me," she pleaded.