Part 20 | The Gala

NAIRA

It was all over the news, all through the day. Magazines were flooded with the news repeatedly, the media didn't seem to shut about it.

Yesterday after the encounter with the news I straight up ended in my room, blocked out everything and everyone including the people I call my family.

I wanted to be alone. I had to have a conversation with my heart, had to convince and make it understand.

" Babes? " Aditi knocked at my door.

" Naira you can't shut us forever. " Arjun said.

He's right, I can't stay in forever. I have got many things in my bucket to pay attention to. I can't let this affect me for worse.

Pushing the duvet I got out of my bed lazily and opened the door to see their worried faces.

" Where is your phone?"

I haven't touched it since yesterday morning.

" Must have kept it somewhere" I shrugged as I searched for my phone, causing them to sigh.

" Naira, are you okay? " Concern etched in his voice.

I am not Okay!

I said nothing but smiled,"yeah, I am! What's the time? "

" 5 pm "

" Shit! I am late.... I need to get ready. " I hurried up to get into the washroom.

Aditi held my hands, " Are you sure you wanna go? "

Today is the charity Gala, I had given my word to mom and dad. I need to get ready and accompany them.

And I need to face him.

" Yes. " I am not having any second thoughts.

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" And there you go. Awesome! " Aditi smiled in satisfaction after giving finishing touch to my make-up.

" Isn't this dress a bit.... " I scrunched my brows.

" Babes, it's perfect! You haven't worn such outfits before hence it feels a bit foreign. In sometime you'll get used to it. Don't worry. " I nodded my head.

God knows how these Rich chicks wear such dresses so often!

There was a knock at my door.

" Oo my hot girlfriend wishes to bury me with her beauty. " I heard Arjun's hushed compliment for his girl.

" Thanks handsome. " She pecked his cheeks.

I chuckled and looked at my reflection.

Good to go !

" You look beautiful Naira. " I smiled at Arjun who wore a grey three piece suit with a formal tie. Aditi wore a grey gown matching wth him.

" Aunty and uncle left already. You'll come along with us. " He added.

" I will accompany her. " Came Rudra's voice.

I looked beyond Arjun to see Rudra for the first time in formal suits, dressed in a white tuxedo paired with a black bow- tie. His always messy hair perfectly combed.

" You look so gorgeous! " He flashed me a heartful smile.

" Thanks. You don't look bad either. " I adjusted his bow tie straight.

" Okay then, see you both at the venue." With that the love birds left.

Later Rudra drove us to the venue. It was an unusual Silent drive. His weird calmness felt odd.

" Why is someone so silent? " No reply.

" Didn't your last match go well Mr. Player? I remember you telling me that you scored 2 back to back points. " he can talk about Basketball all day.

Silence.

" Is it some girl!? " I exclaimed dramatically gaining a chuckle from him.

" Rudy, what is it? " I placed my hands over his gear hand.

He casted me a look before focusing on the road.

" How long will you pretend as if these things don't affect you! " he pointed at a magazine that had Kartik and Sarah image in cover page.

Now I chose to be silent.

" You didn't step out of your room for an entire day. What's going on in your mind beautiful? "

" Nothing. " I sat fidling with my fingers.

" Are you angry at him? "

" No. " Came my instant reply.

" and why is it so? "

" He didn't cheat on me. I was just oblivious. It wasn't his fault. " I paused and looked outside the window.

" It wasn't his fault that I fell for him...."

When he perhaps felt nothing for me.

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The car came to halt indicating we have reached the venue. Shiver ran through my spine at the thought of seeing Kartik.

Rudra got out and came over to my side as I stepped out to be welcomed by sounds of camera clicks.

They don't know me, but for sure Rudra had their attention. He is a national level sportsperson and Oberoi's youngest son after all.

I clutched to his sleeves as Nervousness kicked in with full force. Rudra had his arm slipped into my waist pulling me into a protective embrace.

" I have got you. " He smiled at me.

He dismissed the reporters smoothly as he led me into the enormous hall, lavishly decorated with all Elites distributed in small clusters each holding a glass of champagne, exchanging greetings. Every entry pass counted, more the number of people, more the funds. Judging by the crowd a huge fund can be expected.

The black tie event hosted by The Mayer's with a celebrity-loaded red carpet, luxurious sale-cum-exhibition and dazzling musical performances by chart topping singers, Still retains its charitable core aside from the pomp of dance, fine dining, champagne.

Following a selection of speeches from the charity organisers and other people involved with the evening, we went around looking at the various fine jewellery collection that was kept for exhibition. On one side rare paintings by chart topping artist attracted many businessesman.

" The funds obtained are donated partly to the Leukemia Society, which currently funds more than 200 research projects to cure blood cancers and ensures patients' access to treatments such as chemotherapy and stem-cell transplants. The other half is given to the HIV - AIDS patient's welfare society's that had more than 100 NGO's grouped under it." Rudy explained.

" That's so noble! " Such efforts truly needs to be appreciated.

" We will be back. " Arjun excused taking Rudy along to met someone.

" Let me grab us some drinks. " I nodded at Aditi.

Left alone, I looked around and a sudden rush at the red carpet Entrance caught my eyes. My breath hitched at the sight of my Devilishly handsome husband in a perfectly tailored black bordered- light blue tuxedo with a matching bow tie.

Oh god I haven't warned my poor heart that he will be accompanied by his girlfriend, Sarah Grace.

She had her eyes set on him all the time while he scanned the ballroom as if looking out for someone.

The stupid part of me wished he was looking for me but my sane part warned me not to have expectations.

Expectations Hurt.

I hurriedly pulled Aditi to the far end of the hall.

" Wait what happened? " She asked following me.

" N-nothing, just come... Crap! " I tripped on my heels and bumped into someone who held me securely thus preventing me from kissing the floor.

" Careful my pretty lady. " Said my saviour who was dressed in checked suit.

" I am so sorry. " I noticed his sea blue orbs.

Quickly I Straightened up and adjusted the fleets of my gown.

" All good now? " He asked flashing his pearl white teeth. I nodded embarrassed for my messy steps.

" Thank you Mr. .... "

" Robert Andrew. Nice to meet you Ms. ?" He held his right hand for a handshake.

" Naira.... Naira Basu" I shook his hands.

" Naira are you okay? " Aditi questioned. I assured her with a yes after which introduced her to Mr. Andrew.

Just then the lights dimmed paving way for the ballroom lights to flash around and soft music started playing for couples to share a dance.

" Will I get the pleasure of dancing with the lady? " He held his hand out.

" Sure. " Aditi answered on my behalf earning my glare.

I gave an awkward smile placing my hands on his. We kept swaying to the beats of the soft music, and he was being a gentleman maintaining a comfortable distance while giving me a warm smile.

" That was fun, must say you dance well! " he chuckled.

"Pleasure is all mine, you are no less. So you are here with? " He asked.

" The Oberoi's. " I answered to which his muscles stiffened.

" Oberoi's? If I may ask how do you know them? " Mr. Andrew looked curious.

" She is... " I cut off Aditi.

" Friends. Family friends. " I lied with a small smile and he nodded acknowledging, slightly lost in his thoughts.

A big fat lie because I realised when you once fall in love with someone, there is no going back to being just friends.

" Once again, Thanks Mr. Andrew. " He smiled.

" It was nice meeting you Ms. Basu! I got to go, Take care. " He said and walked off.

A minute later I turned back to bump into someone.

God! Why am I so clumsy.

" Family friend, right Ms.Basu ! " I snapped my head up to see those hazel eyes that captivate me every single time.

I tore my gaze away from him.

" Where's your phone? You seem too busy to even pick my call huh?" His voice was eerily calm, but his eyes spoke a different emotion.

He stepped closer, " I have been away for almost a week and you haven't picked any of my calls in the past 36 hours. Above that now you don't even care to talk to me when we are in the same room. " He paused, his thumbs reached my face to stroke my cheeks. " What's wrong? "

" I have to go. " I whispered and turned around to leave but his hand travelled down my waist, pulling me closer from behind.

" K-kartik let go of me.... We are in public." I struggled but his hold only got firm.

" Do I look like I care? Talk to me. " I wiggled out of his hold.

" But I do care Mr. Oberoi ! " I snapped back.

By that time Arjun and Rudy returned.

" Hey handsome, Dad wants to... " Sarah's screech was abruptly cut off by Kartik.

" Not now Sarah. I am busy!" She scoffed at me before she left, rolling her eyes.

" Naira " he closed his eyes taking a deep breath, masking his anger he spoke in a soft tone like the one you use to a child.

" baby, will you come along with me and tell me what's wrong? "

" I want to go home. " I said to Rudy, my voice on the verge of breaking.

" What the f*** is wrong with you! " I flinched at his curse.

" Kartik, easy there. Media is around and why the hell are you yelling at her? " Arjun hissed.

" It's been a long day. She will talk tomorrow, right Naira? " I meekly nodded at Rudy , " let's go home now. "

He kept looking at me deeply, still waiting for my explanation. How do I tell him that my love ended before it even started!

How do I tell that I know about him and Sarah, and it f***ing hurts no matter how hard I try to convince myself.

I have so much to tell him but I don't know how? where do I start?

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I am not sure what scares me more, that you will never love me back or that I will never stop loving you!

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***********

Will He know her heart?

Kartik's pov in next chap!

Stay tuned!

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