35) interest

MAUSAM

I felt confused , he never asked me such questions before.

" What is it?" Shiv asked peering in my screen.

" Armaan." I replied.

" Who is that?" He said looking oh-so innocent.

I narrowed my eyes on him.

" What I don't remember any Tom, dick and Harry!" He shrugged.

I decided to call him.

" Hello, Armaan." I said as he picked up immediately, I ignored Shiv and his various facial expressions.

" Mausam ." His deep voice carried through.

" Yes " I replied, my heart could be felt in its thud thud noise, and that idiot Shiv was making more self conscious.

" You messaged me?" I asked him.

" Ah, yes , where are you , there was something I needed to talk to you and I am near our home so I could maybe pick you up?" He politely said , his voice very even and calm.

My introvert self could never be eloquent on phone !!

" Oh I am not at home, I am with a friend." I replied.

" Oh friend? Where are you then ?" He inquired.

" It's far from home , tell me where should we meet?" I said instead.

" I'll pick you up, it's no trouble." He said smoothly.

"It's The  Western Library." I told him, he hmmed.

" I'llbe there in five,wait for me." He said.

" So what is it all about ? Why is he calling you ?" Shiv asked as I disconnected the call.

"we are trying to mend our relationship" I felt my cheeks burn bright.

" Oh." He narrowed his eyes.

I looked at him ," don't be cagey , if you have something to say then tell me."

" Well in that case, you think that's a good idea? I mean you two , umm , have caused each other so much hurt . Mausam I don't think living with a partner who cheated on you is easy. Things are very complicated between you two."

" I know but we have kids. I want them to be happy. I divorced him and then what became of my life! Not being in my children's life isy biggest regret. I realised too late that even if I did not have a loving husband , I could have had my children, it would not have been that lonely."

" I see. I never had children, I don't know what you feel , but I understand wanting to not hurt your family , the people who realise very late that you loved them and hurting them hurt you." I said and nodded.

" Yeah , we won't make that mistake again. " I nudged his shoulder.

"And I told Armaan that I want to be a good parent like him, they listen everything he says , he supports me in my parent duties." I laughed , remembering how Aarav and Arohi complain to Him at the end of the day , and during lunch. And how they try to hide behind me when they do something wrong so Armaan won't scold them.

" I'd like to meet them, your children." Shiv said tipping his head toward sky.

" Sure thing , I had promised Aarav that t would buy him some books. Maybe we can go together?" I asked.

" Cool." He said.

" I asked Armaan that we should see a couples therapist." I admitted.

His brows shot up.

" Oh what did he say ?"

" He said he would think about it."

" Even though it's 2022 , therapy has a lot of stigma too it , and If news got out that Armaan Kapoor's marriage is in trouble then.." he said.

" Still , I want to have a better relationship, though I don't know if we can go back yo what we were before." I said.

" What before?" He asked.

" It's not like we were very bad or very good , things were different in the beginning. He tried you know , I was happy. " I said , before I knew the truth that is , I thought silently.

" I thought you were in an unwanted arrange marriage." He asked.

" Well it was an arranged marriage , and I was in love with someone else at that time but it was probably one sided and Armaan was..very nice to me as I got to know him, he did not speak much but always listened , he used to bring me a rose everyday." I revealed to him, before everything shattered , I had only eyes for him.

" What?? I thought you loved Reyansh ?" He whispered.

" Not always , not at first , he was just my friend , it happened after.." I shrugged , remembering the painful memory of my past, tears filled my eyes .

" After what? Hey! Are you okay?" He asked concerned , as my tears spilled.

I hiccuped." Oh I am fine." I muffled as I harshly rubbed my cheek.

" Hey , hey" Shiv softly tried to console me as he kneeled down in front me.

" Get the fuck away from her !" I heard a dangerous low growl that sent shivers down my spine.

And in next second Shiv was kicked away with unhinged force.

A scream lodged in my throat.

Updated on-20/12/24