Part 37 | Out of Nowhere

Unedited update ! Sorry for any grammatical errors.

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NAIRA

" Did you see her? "

Aditi, munching on a cookie, tilted her face sideways.

It was early afternoon of the day.

" Sit tight. You are ruining my hardwork. " Naira scolded as she worked on Aditi's hair.

Tomorrow is the wedding. Being an intimate wedding, invites have been sent to comparatively a small group of family and friends. The stage has been put up on the shore with the decorations in it's final stage.

" See who? " I asked, continuing to dye her hair in honey brown shade.

" Ridhi. Arjun's cousin. " Aditi replied in a monotonous tone.

" okay, What's the deal- "

" She is also Kartik's Ex . " My motion paused for a minute. I met my best friend's gaze in the dressing table mirror.

" Arjun said she was the longest relationship Kartik ever had. "

" That was during my College days. I proposed her in the most cliche way, during a valentine's day with a rose and letter. "

" We dated for 3 years. She wasn't honest with me and it all ended."

So it must be her.

The women who hugged him last night on the shore.

Why is she here now?

Obvious Dummy, this is her cousin's wedding!

Kartik never mentioned she is a relative of Arjun.

Anyways, She is married!

Kartik said so.

" She is her alone? Or with her husband. "

Why do you care?

Shut up.

" Alone. I met her in the morning. Turns out that She was caught in an abusive marriage. Got divorced recently, a year ago. " Aditi explained.

Holy, Crap!

" Good for her. " I muttered calmly which made Aditi to turn completely around to face me.

" Seriously. That's all is your reaction. " Her brows narrowed.

" I am not a part of his life. It doesn't concern me, if he is seeing someone or who stays in his life. " I mumbled.

" Babes...."

" It doesn't matter to me. Not anymore." Saying firmly I removed the gloves off my hands.

She sighed, " Maybe he has a valid explanation. You should hear him once. "

" We will see about that later. Now I have to check on the decorations. Don't shower early like last time! Have patience. " I exit the room.

I dragged myself to my room. Flashes of the hug they shared last night came before my eyes.

Even though meeting after years, there's no awkwardness between them.

Ofcourse they have spent years together, whereas we hardly spent a year together.

Six months and 7 days.

" There are less chances that they might reconcile, right? Like she cheated on him!! That's big, atleast to a man like him who values loyalty a lot. "

I fidgeted with my fingers, my nails rubbing the insides of my palm.

" But what if she has an explanation and it wasn't like what it seemed back then. What if it was just a misunderstanding and she didn't really cheat on him!?

Then there's a huge possibility!!

Both are single and even if they are exes, they probably still might have their chemistry intact. "

It took me a moment to realise my motion. Subconsciously, I was shuffling on my feet, pacing back and forth in my room.

Gosh! What am I even thinking!

Just focus on the wedding, Naira. Nothing else.

Peeling off my clothes, I jumped in for a much needed shower.

I had to clear my head.

----

From upstairs I looked down at the lobby to find Kartik, Arjun with their friends I have barely met before.

Ridhi was seated beside Kartik as they all chatted, recollecting good old college days I assume from their loud laughter and teasing sessions.

" Here you go, Pasta is ready. " Ridhi announced with a broad smile as she placed the food on table.

" And this is for you. " She handed a plate of red sauce pasta to Kartik, before taking her seat beside him.

" Advocate Ridhi, it's not Ethical to be bias to a certain favourite. " joked one among the group.

Oh, She is a lawyer!

Yet an another fact I didn't know.

" Calm your asses, He doesn't like white sauce Pasta, hence the red sauce. " Ridhi said.

I never knew he disliked white sauce!

Kartik thanked her with a polite smile before the bunch of friends resumed their talks.

I have to check on the decorations.

Damn it ! I have to cross them to reach the door.

They look involved in their conversation, all it takes is a quick run.

Moreover They don't know you, haven't seen you at all.

Just walk casually to the door, Naira.

Very casual.

They probably never knew I exist in his life. Or existed.

After a quick thought I started walking downstairs.

" And that reminds me, where's your wife, Kartik? You haven't introduced us to her yet. " One of his female friend questioned.

I was just about to reach the door.

" Ahh there she is. " I heard someone say.

I stopped on my track.

shoot! bad timing, Naira.

The lady walked up to me with a smile. " Hey Naira. I'm Helen, Kartik's Friend. " She gave me a friendly hug, which I reciprocated.

" Come on Come on, join us. " She pulled me along and made me sit beside Kartik. Ridhi had no choice but to shift to the couch opposite to us.

She looked at me with a blank expression before fixing her gaze at Kartik.

Everyone introduced themselves and I greeted then with a few exchanges of handshakes.

" Wow! You got married!! " Ridhi's words held surprise to which he responded with a small smile.

" Even we couldn't believe it when Mr. Oberoi revealed about his marriage before the media. But Ridhi, you should see that video, everyone loved this couple at first glance. You both look damn cute together! " Helen spoke grinning.

" Totally agreed!! " Cheered others.

We both exchanged a look before he intertwined his fingers with mine with a full smile.

There it goes. Yet an another act I have to play along.

" So it was a love marriage? " Questioned Ridhi bluntly. " Where did you both meet? Since how long have you been together. "

Is this some interview!? Who asks so many questions!

I internally cursed but had a fake smile plastered on my face.

" Actually we... " I cut him off in the mid sentence.

" We met at work. We came together to work on a project. That's when we met each other, fell in love and got married. " I replied, tightening my grip on his hand.

" So You got married within a few months of dating? " she further asked.

" Well we... " I once again interrupted him.

" That's right. We didn't wanna wait long to spend the rest of our lives together. "

With a boost of confidence from God knows where I got, I withdrew my hand from his hold and leaned closer to him, resting my head on his chest which eventually caused him to wrap his arms around my shoulder.

" How did you know he was the right choice? " Helen asked amused with a genuine smile.

I Pictured a glimpse of his hazel eyes in the back of my mind, the day I ran away from the wedding and ended in his arms.

" Honestly it was a leap of faith. The first time I met him, he walked into my chaotic world and swore to protect me with everything in his power, love me till the very end... And I knew it right away he wouldn't break his promise. Ever. "

In my peripheral view I could see kartik stealing glances of me, but I kept my eyes glued to the front.

His friends gave me a smile, " She is definitely the one, buddy. "

The bell rang giving me an opportunity to excuse myself out of the conversation.

" Excuse me. " saying I went to answer the door.

On the other side of the door, stood the one who I haven't met in months.

" Hey princess. Did you miss me? " He stood there grinning.

" Rudy! " A soft laugh left my mouth before he took me into a tight hug.

" My god, I missed you. " sadness in those words pricked me.

" Not more than me. " I patted his shoulders.

Breaking the hug, I called him in. He was still the same handsome man except that he had chose to maintain his beard instead of opting a clean shave like everytime.

" Quickly refresh, I will get some fries & your all-time favourite cheese cake and you are gonna tell me every detail of the game against The Matadors. It was one hell of a match. " I spoke with a rush if enthusiasm.

" Did you see my matches. ? "

" Every single one." I grinned, making my way inside.

" Will you Come home, please. " I paused, turning to his pleading eyes.

" I wish Rudy, but I am sorry." I exhaled, " I don't think it will happen anytime sooner. Or even if it will. "

" Princess, please. "

I gave him a sad smile.

" I have a flight to Australia, day after tomorrow. "

*******

" That's okay. Pretending to be a perfect couple, I know the drill. I have got experience in it! "

--

" You were right ..... I have feelings for her! "

**********

Next part coming up in a few hours!!

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