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No!! Why am I thinking of Aarav again? But agree to it or not, the intensity with which Aarav claims to need me in his life, I have never felt or heard from any other man. At times I wonder if it’s true that my father had chosen Aarav for me. Did Aarav tell me the truth? If yes, would Dad be happy seeing me as Aarav’s wife now? I don’t think so. He can never see me in this much pain. It’s high time I navigate my life the way I want. So, despite Aarav’s explicit command of not meeting Mohit or Daadi without his presence, I agree to see and spend time with Mohit in the café this evening. Even if Aarav gets to know this, I don’t care.

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

Café Day

Mohit is already there when I reach the Café. I didn’t have to tell Aarav anything because I didn’t see him at all after last night. Jaya said even Aman was missing, which meant I had the liberty to walk out of the house whenever I wanted to, without needing permission.

The moment Mohit sees me, he quickly strides towards me and gives me a hug.

“Thanks for coming.”

I smile and follow him to the table. Like the gentleman he is, or ratherhe wasin London when we were friends, Mohit pulls out a chair for me and then takes his.

“Firstly, I am sorry. I didn’t mean any of that what I told you last night. Seeing you and Aarav so intimate made me lose my mind.”

Me and Aarav intimate?The images of our kissing flash in my head. Obviously, for the onlookers, it would be intimate. Aarav had cupped my face, angled my head so perfectly that he could kiss me without any hindrances, even though I wasn’t really participating. I still feel his taste in my mouth. Stop!!

“Jhanvi?” Mohit clicks his fingers to bring me out of my reverie.

“Sorry, I am listening. What did you say?”

Mohit rolls his eyes.

“Where are you lost these days? Anyway, you know if Aarav had got this purse before us, all our plans were doomed.”

Plan? Yes, the device which he wants me to fix in Aarav’s study room. Mohit places the purse on the table and I quickly check the contents. It has that device and my other phone. Thank God!!

“I will attach this device to his desk when I get the right opportunity,” I say.

My assurance makes him grin.

“I know you will. Let’s order? I am damn hungry.”

He orders coffees for us and I realize just like every other time he forgot I loved Latte more than Cappuccino. Mohit and his ways of forgetting my choices. That will never change. Again, the thought of Aarav’s gifts and the way he had taken care of my favorite brands and colors in terms of outfits and other accessories hits my brain. Never thought a man whom I hardly knew would remember my choices, whereas the man I was going to marry never bothered about it. Suddenly the urge to ask Mohit what our future will be after all this is over, pokes in my head. But though that thought is right on my lips, I don’t ask him. It feels weird being married to someone and making plans for the future with some other man. I should probably wait for all this to end. Only then, I can think with ease about my future with Mohit.

He keeps getting calls in between, and I see a change in Mohit’s expressions every time his phone buzzes.

“Any problem?” I ask him to ensure this time he tells me what’s happening so that we both are on the same page, but he ignores it.

“Nothing that concerns you for now. How’s Jaya? I am glad she is staying with you.”

And the topic changes.

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

I am back home and find Jaya and Aman arguing again. Seems like Aman wants to know where I am and Jaya is disinterested in sharing.

Aman is the first one to see me entering the house. He takes a sigh of relief.

“You had been out?”

I am amused at his inquiry.

“Why should I answeryou?”

“Because Aarav has asked me to make sure you are comfortable in his absence.”

How very typical of Aarav. He can’t monitor my movements so has appointed his friend to do so?

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