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“Oh,” Jaya is as looks as worried as I am at the moment. “And what about the phone Mohit gave you? Is that in the purse too?”

“Yes,” I suppress a cry.

Jaya exhales roughly. She knows the consequences if Aarav gets my purse.

“Let’s tell Mohit. He is in the house so he can grab it before anyone else does.”

Yea. That’s the only option I am left with. We get down the car at the Mansion and I dial Mohit from Jaya’s phone. The moment I tell him about my purse, he vents out all his frustration on me, calling me careless and that I couldn’t do one thing right. I don’t have the patience to listen to his drama anymore but I still do considering this is my fault.

“Oh wait.” Mohit groans. “You lost all your senses when he kissed you, isn’t that right? That’s why you couldn’t handle a simple purse.”

Mohit saw us kiss? Didn’t he see it was a forced one, and I wasn’t taking part willingly at all? What hurts me the most is Mohit’s allegation. He made it sound like I was interested in Aarav’s kiss.

“You didn’t let me touch you, Jhanvi, but you could let that man kiss you as if he owns you? How fair is that?”

“Enough Mohit,” I retort. “You are drunk and you have no idea what I went through when Aarav did that. It’s so cheap of you to even think I submitted to Aarav or that I have started developing feelings for him. Of all people, I didn’t expectyouto say that. Just.. I just…”

I hung up. This is it. I can’t speak to him anymore. At least not tonight. He keeps calling on Jaya’s number again but I strictly ask Jaya not to bother answering it. She agrees.

******************

I couldn’t sleep well again last night. Thoughts of Aarav, that kiss and Mohit’s allegations didn’t let me peace at all. So, this morning, I ignored them all and focus on my work. Aarav has agreed to let me share his drawing room and the WIFI, so I am here for the same. Turning my laptop on, I work. If Aarav comes here to do his business, I will walk out. I don’t want to face him at all and I'm even unwilling to give him an opportunity to repent for last evening. Fortunately, it's afternoon by the time I am done with my work, and Aarav still doesn’t show up in the drawing room.

Jaya enters the room with her phone.

“It’s Mohit. He wants to talk to you,”

Mohit is on line so even if I don’t wish to speak to him, I don’t prefer avoiding him either. I answer the phone call while Jaya keeps an eye if anyone is coming here.

“Speak.”

“Jhanvi, I am so sorry. I literally wasn’t in my senses when I scolded you last night. Please don’t do this to me. I swear it will never happen again.”

Oh Mohit!! He always swears and I have still seen him repeating the same mistakes.

“Please meet me outside today. I have got your purse. I got it on the dance floor, and the device and your other phone are intact. Please meet me today. Let’s have a cup of coffee. Let me make it up to you. Please.”

I don’t know if I should meet him. To be honest, I don’t want to meet anyone. Neither Mohit nor Aarav.Where is Aarav?Wait. I should stop thinking about Aarav at the moment and focus on Mohit.

“Fine. I will find some excuse and will meet you at Café around 5:00 pm.”

“Great. Thanks, Jhanvi. Just remember, no matter how much apart we are, I still want you with me forever.”

I swallow nervously. I want my man to say such things to me, to make me believe I am his and I will stay his forever, but when Mohit tells me this today, I didn’t get those vibes.

I suddenly recall all those one-liners from Aarav instead.

"I’m the fire that’s going to consume you and I promise that day isn’t far."

"I will challenge every emotion and feeling you have pent up within you all these years."

"Easy Jaan. It’s your husband, not a ghost."

“Where else would I go on my wedding night if not to my wife?”

"Now you are Mrs. Jhanvi Aarav Raichand, Jaan. So better act like one."

"You look gorgeous in white, Jaan. Though I prefer to see you more in red."

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