Raashi listened to her friends’ laugh and chat and savored the bliss she always felt when they were around. She was genuinely happy for Keya. Listening to her and Sheena talk excitedly about the baby made Raashi feel content. She watched them quietly as they spoke nonstop.
Suddenly becoming aware of her silence, Keya turned to her and clasped her hand. “You know honey, I know it’s not the right time to mention it, but I know.”
Raashi gave her a blank look and turned to Sheena who looked back at her with a straight face. Raashi squinted her eyes at Sheena in a silent question and she nodded back.
Raashi turned back to Keya, her heart squeezing and asked, “Just to be clear, what exactly do you know?”
“I know about him and you and what happened between you both on the night of my reception.”
Raashi turned to Sheena and before she could even form a question, Keya held up her hand to stop her from speaking. “She didn’t tell me, Kabier did. Sameer told Kabier and Rishi recently.”
Raashi was stumped. What exactly had he told them? Oh, this was just too callous. Why had he discussed that night with them? Why now? Was it because of the land? God! Sameer just made her so angry all the time.
Keya squeezed her hand again.
“Raashi, relax honey. Perhaps that didn’t sound right to you. But honestly, he didn’t give Kabier any details. You don’t need to be embarrassed. I promise he didn’t say much.”
Raashi released a ragged sigh.
“God! I am so sorry, Raashi. You must have gone through so much emotionally and I wasn’t there when you needed me the most. I didn’t figure it out until recently that you were hurt so awfully.” Keya said sadly.
Raashi took Keya’s hand in hers.
“Keya, no, don’t be sad. I am fine. Besides, I am sorry for having kept it from you. I just didn’t want my problems to come in the way of your new found happiness.”
“Please, Raashi. Don’t ever feel that way again. You mean the world to me. You and Sheena. I love you both to bits,” Keya said. A tear spilled down her cheek. She rubbed the tear away and said, “God, I cry so easily nowadays. It’s all these pregnancy hormones going haywire. Kabier doesn’t know how to handle it.”
Keya laughed reaching out to Sheena and squeezing her hand as well.
“My cousin is an insensitive idiot. I am still angry with him for walking out on you like you were one of his usual flings. That dog. He knew you’re my best friend and I hate him for treating you so cheaply,” Sheena roared.
“Absolutely,” Keya said, agreeing with her. “You know I am going to give him a piece of my mind when I meet him next.”
“No. You will do no such thing, Keya,” Raashi implored. “And please don’t talk about him like ‘he who shall not be named’ around me? I am not afraid to hear his name. So stop it you two.”
She looked at both of them for a second to gather her thoughts before continuing, “I took his hand that day and went with him already thinking of forever. But he didn’t share that sentiment. So, really, I shouldn’t blame him. Although I did for a long time, because I truly thought that he cared about me. There are so many scenarios that have played in my mind about that night and each time they always have the same ending. I wanted him that night and that’s why I went with him. I am at fault as well for assuming he wanted more when he obviously didn’t.”
Raashi took a deep breath. “I have to move past it. I refuse to keep holding on to it. And most importantly, this cannot and should not be causing a rift between him and his family. ”
She turned to Sheena. “And you need to drop it as well. I know you’re hurting for me, Sheena. But let it go now. I have moved on and so has he. In all likelihood, he may marry Natasha. You guys have to move on. So many people have one-night stands. It’s just that my emotional quotient is too high even for my own comfort. It has taken me time to get over it but I am fine now. I am stronger. For my sake you girls have to let it go. Okay?”
Her friends remained quiet but nodded in agreement.
“And by the way, I have some really funny and interesting news,” and then looking at their expectant and waiting faces, Raashi said, “Rithwik asked me to marry him.”
“No way,” Keya said.
“Oh. My. God,” Sheena remarked looking stunned.
“Explain. Now,” Keya ordered.
Raashi explained Rithwik’s situation to them, his father’s ultimatum and how she was at the top of his father’s list of prospective brides for Rithwik. She also told them how serious Rithwik was about marrying her and that he had asked her to think about it.
“It’s so crazy, isn’t it? I mean Rithwik and me? I can’t even imagine it.”
“Why? I think you’d be perfect together. You’re both smart and independent, you’ve been friends since years and you care for him. I don’t want to say it but let’s not forget he is the heir to Fortuna. Really Raashi, what’s not perfect here? Say yes and marry him,” Sheena said in her usual dreamy way.
Raashi saw Keya watching her carefully.
