Chapter 14
Reyansh
I check my wristwatch only to see it’s already seven p.m., yet these girls are nowhere in sight.
They must be taking forever to pick the perfect outfits for the nightclub.
I slump onto the nearest sofa, eyes falling shut for a brief moment of peace only to have flashes of Karan holding Amyra by the waist this morning jolting me back to reality.
I instantly sit upright, jaw tightening.
I always hated him hovering around her. After proposing to her back in university and now knowing he’ll be working with us, especially working with her, boils my blood.
I saw the spark in his eyes. He’s not here just for training. He’s here to win Amyra’s heart. I could feel it in every lingering glance he threw her way, every look still filled with admiration despite her rejection.
He’s on a mission. And now that we’re out of the college phase, Amyra has no reason to reject him again.
She’s single, ready to move forward and that could mean dating Karan.
That would not only inflate his ego, but it would also erase me from her life completely.
She’s already acting indifferent toward me these days, which is not helping either.
God, Rey! You’re overreacting! Aren’t you already in a relationship? Amyra never complained, so why are you suddenly insecure about her dating?
Why does rage coil inside me whenever Karan is near her? Why am I terrified of losing her when she can still be my friend?
Just imagining Amyra and Karan together for the next few months feels like pure torment, but I can’t change reality, can I? And why the hell is my mind filled with Amyra when it should be Aditi?
Heat floods my face as my phone buzzes inside my jacket. Aditi’s name flashes on the screen.
“We are outside.”
“I’m coming. Stay there.” I reply, voice stiff, before hanging up. No way will I let them enter the club alone. I stride out and halt at the entrance, scanning the crowd for my girls. A light tap on my shoulder startles me. They’re already standing in front of me.
“Shall we?” Aditi asks.
“Sure,” I say, taking a moment to appreciate her look.
A full-sleeved black shimmering cocktail dress skimming her knees, red lipstick, glittery eyes, and pointed stilettos, she looks stunning, perfectly fitting the night.
A faint smile touches my lips… until my gaze shifts to the woman next to her.
My breath stutters.
A gold-hued sequin full-sleeved sweatshirt tucked into a black leather pencil skirt, her open hair frizzy yet glowing with glitter, light makeup highlighting her star-like features with pink-tinted lips and a soft blush warming her cheeks.
My eyes trail to her perfectly sculpted waist, and a nervous gulp follows, my heart pounding wildly.
Absolutely breathtaking, but this is not how I am supposed to feel for a friend. What kind of inappropriate thoughts am I letting myself slip into?
I keep a poker face and silently lead them inside the club, guiding them to a corner sofa. The girls settle beside each other while I sit across from them, my gaze skipping toward Amyra more often than I’d like to admit.
“Get some drinks?” I ask, and the girls nod, listing their preferences. I head toward the bar to order three mocktails, using the moment to level my shallow breathing.
What is happening to me? Why do these strange emotions flare just by looking at Amyra—emotions I’ve never experienced before?
It would make sense if this were about my girlfriend, Aditi. But this is wrong. So abnormally wrong!
I shouldn’t feel this way for another woman, especially not for my girlfriend’s elder sister.
“Sir! Your order!” the bartender calls, snapping me out of my thoughts. I grab the tray and return to the girls, handing over their drinks.
Aditi smiles widely, fingers brushing mine deliberately. Amyra, on the other hand, keeps her expression guarded and avoids even the slightest contact. That tiny move stings more than it should, but I mask it by sipping my drink.
“Wait, guys!” Aditi raises her glass, and we follow.
“Cheers to your one month at the company!” she squeals, grinning while Amyra smiles at her.
“And to your graduation completion,” Amyra adds gently, warmth in her eyes for her sister. A small smile tugs at my lips. She truly adores Aditi.
“Thanks, Di.” Aditi beams, and we take quiet sips.
“I heard your University mate Karan joined the company today, Reyansh. It must be exciting to have acquaintances at work!” Aditi smirks, just as Amyra and I exchange tense looks.
“Yes, Adi. I didn’t get a chance to befriend him in university, and since we’ll work together, I’m looking forward to it now.” Amyra says it casually, but for me, it feels like a bomb dropping inside my chest. More interactions between them. More conversations. More proximity.
And enough to drive me insane.
“You should focus on your job instead of making new friends,” I mutter under my breath, irritation leaking into my tone. Amyra rolls her eyes, glaring.
“Oh, come on, Reyansh! It’s not a crime to meet new people. You’re seriously intimidating my sister.” Aditi chuckles, her hand brushing mine again, but my eyes remain glued to Amyra.
“Okay, guys. Let me explore the place; music, dance floor, everything. I’ll give you both some privacy.” Amyra stands, but I quickly grab her wrist to stop her.
“No need to leave. We’ll go together. Come on, Aditi. And it’s not safe to go alone.” My gaze shifts to her, only to notice Aditi staring at our joined hands. I withdraw mine instantly.
My girlfriend is right here.
“No, Rey. I’ll be fine. And I need some space instead of sitting here third-wheeling you both.” She lets out a small laugh, so obviously fake.
“But your safety—”
“Let her go, Reyansh. Maybe she wants to look around alone. Sit here with me,” Aditi insists, patting the spot beside her. My eyes refuse to leave Amyra as she forces a quick smile at Aditi, then walks away with her head lowered.
A powerful urge rises to follow her, to make sure she’s okay, but I force myself to stay put. As she said, I’m not a single man chasing after her best friend. Her words hit hard.
And honestly… they shake the peace I was pretending to have.
“Reyansh!” Aditi’s soft call makes me shift beside her. She looks up with a bright smile.
“I’m not a big fan of loud DJ dancing. I prefer sitting in a corner and just vibing to the music. And now. I like having you beside me.” She wraps her hand around my arm and rests her head on my shoulder.
Immediately, memories flash. Amyra and I dancing like fools to rock music, laughing until our stomachs ache. We share the same tastes without even trying. We just click together effortlessly. I want to say it out loud, but I stop myself.
“And why would you stop Amyra Di from giving us space? Don’t you want to spend some alone time with me?” she asks, lifting her head with a small frown.
“O-of course, yes. I just reacted out of an old habit. We always move together, and I felt it odd the way she was allowed to be left alone.” My eyes automatically prickle, and I scan the club, searching for Amyra.
“Then you should change that habit for yourself, Reyansh.” Aditi chuckles, leaning back on my shoulder.
I should agree, but every cell in my body refuses to do that. My gaze keeps drifting until I finally spot Amyra sitting alone in a secluded corner with another drink, not dancing.
Why does she look uneasy? Why do I feel she needs me?
“And Reyansh! You look so handsome tonight. I can see girls trying hard to get my boyfriend’s attention.” Aditi giggles.
Meanwhile, all I want is Amyra to look at me.
“You look great too,” I reply sincerely, for which Aditi blushes.
“But that silver chain… I always feel it clashes with your outfits. Why not try removing it?” she suggests lightly. She doesn’t know that it’s part of me. Amyra once called it my identity. She always admired that I wear jewellery confidently despite me being a man.
“But I like carrying myself this way,” I whisper, already glancing back toward Amyra. My brows furrow. A clearly drunk man is talking to her. She looks uncomfortable.
Damn it.
I yank myself free from Aditi’s grip and rise abruptly.
“Ames is in trouble!” I call out before rushing toward her. I step between them, shielding her behind me.
“What the hell are you doing?” I bark, fisting the guy’s collar. A small gasp escapes Amyra as she moves beside me.
“You touch me, I-I’ll show you who I am—” he slurs, eyes drooping.
“Rey! Leave him! He’s not in his senses.” Amyra grabs my arm, trying to stop me, but I stay glaring at him.
“He messed with you. I’m not letting him escape,” I growl, raising a fist.
“What is happening, Reyansh? Put your hand down!” Aditi shrieks, irritation evident.
“You want me to ignore someone who troubled Ames?” My voice booms louder than intended. The drunkard blinks clumsily, swaying his body abnormally.
“He’s drunk, and he didn’t even touch me improperly. Let him go,” Amyra insists, tugging again—this time by my waist. He suddenly loses balance and collapses. Instinctively, I pull Amyra close with an arm around her shoulders. A bouncer rushes over, apologizing before hauling the man away.
“Are you alright?” I murmur, turning to Amyra with worry pounding in my chest. My hands instantly cradle her face before I even think.
“Yes. He only stumbled toward me, and I warned him to stay away, but he lingered,” she explains, gently stepping back as her gaze shifts to the left side. Aditi stands there, arms folded and her eyes stormy.
“You should’ve informed security instead of taking everything into your own hands. Control your temper, Reyansh,” she scolds, disappointment dripping from every word.
“I can’t stay silent when Ames is in trouble, Aditi. It’s been like this forever,” I say flatly. No one gets to dictate how I protect Amyra—it’s a reflex, and it will always be one.
“You need to control your emo—”
“A lot has happened already. I don’t want you both here anymore. Go home,” I cut in sharply. Staying here longer doesn’t feel safe.
“Rey, come on! I should be the one leaving if you think properly. You stay with Aditi. I’ll take the car and leave first—”
“You think I’ll let you leave alone after what just happened? Absolutely not. Also Aditi and I didn’t have any big plans except meeting you today.” I glance at her, softening my tone. “Aditi, please go with her.” She stares at me, disbelief flashing across her face.
“You’re wrong, Rey. Aditi wanted to have dinner with you after this, so I planned to leave early. And now you want to cancel those plans because of me—”
“Leave it, Amyra Di,” Aditi snaps bitterly.
“He clearly doesn’t want to spend time with me anymore.
Let’s go.” Without waiting for a response, she turns and walks away, not even bothering to utter a goodbye.
My gaze returns to Amyra, who looks shaken, eyes clouded with disappointment and something deeper.
“What are you doing, Reyansh? Why would you hurt my sister like that? Weren’t you trying to balance things? Then why didn’t you? She’s your girlfriend. You’re supposed to prioritize her,” she says, voice tight with frustration.
The weight of her accusation lands hard, but I still can’t see what I did wrong, except for not having intentions to spend time with Aditi after this nightclub meeting.
“But Ames… shouldn’t she understand how important you are to me as my best friend? I’ll never stop caring for you just because I’m dating someone.” Being in a relationship shouldn’t mean abandoning my best friend.
“I knew this would happen. That’s why I avoid joining you both,” she sighs, and something sharp twists in my chest.
“What?” Did she really expect this chaos from the start? Why would she think so? Why did she assume that the three of us being together would go wrong?
Does that mean she was already bothered by this plan?
“For now, just put this damn thing into your head that no woman likes sharing her man’s attention.
Even if it’s with his female best friend.
Learn that before things get worse.” With that final, heavy statement, Amyra walks away, slipping out of the club and out of my sight.
And I’m left standing there, gripping onto a truth I’ve been trying hard to ignore.
Something is definitely wrong with the way I’m handling things… And I need to fix it before everything spins beyond my control.