<After One Year>
*Pia Pov*
“So he is not coming for this year’s holidays?” Nikki asked sitting beside me near the window.
“No!” I snapped at her and looked outside. I don’t know why they just keep on talking about him for the past two days when I am trying my best to tell myself that I can get over him.
“Pia! What happened? Why are you behaving like this whenever we take his name?” Arthi asked and I turned to see concern written all over her face.
“I am tired Arthi.” I replied sighing.
“What are you talking about?” She asked confused.
“I am tired of telling myself that whatever I felt for Aman can just disappear with this distance for sure. This whole year I didn’t saw him or talked to him but his memories took it as their job and just revolve around my head all the time.” I replied frowning.
“So does this means what we are thinking?” Arthi asked excitingly along with Nikki.
“Yes! I have fallen for him that too very badly. I am done fighting with this feeling.” I replied smiling at them.
“And this calls for a celebration.” Nikki said standing up.
“Oh really? What do you have in mind?” I asked rolling my eyes.
“We will go out now and celebrate.” She replied in ‘Duh’ tone.
“Are you mad? We are actually here because our both parents went for some business party and we three can be there as a protection for each other. Now you are suggesting for going outside. Sit down calmly.” I said glaring at her but seeing her pout I laughed.
“I will go and bring ice cream for us.” Saying this Arthi left the room and returned after few minutes.
While eating Nikki suddenly asked “Your Bhai is still asking about Pia’s well being right?”
“Yeah he is.” Arthi replied mumbling and continued to eat her ice cream.
“Is there something you need to tell us?” I asked her.
“What? There is nothing.” She replied immediately.
I smiled nodding and changed the topic. But still felt that there is something she is hiding from us.
*Arthi Pov*
I shouldn’t lie like this to Pia but if I don’t I am sure she will decide herself that he doesn’t like her and will try to forget about her feelings.
My Bhai is also so stupid that he is not asking about Pia at all. I hope he is just hesitating to ask about her and actually feel for her.
They both are perfect for each other. They have same kindness and have very interesting views about life.
I just hope I am not doing anything wrong by not telling her the truth and lying continuously. I am happy that she finally accepted that she loves him and I hope Bhai to get to that conclusion.
“Ok guys I am very tired. I will go and sleep.” I said getting up.
“We will too.” They said and we three drifted off into deep sleep with our own thoughts in our minds.
*Aman Pov*
“Hey Priya!” I said entering inside our classroom.
“Hey Aman! You didn’t come yesterday. All the professors missed you so much.” She said side hugging me.
“Why would they when they have the topper present in the class?” I asked smiling.
“Well even though I am topper you are their favorite.” She replied shrugging.
“So tell me where you were yesterday?” She asked in serious tone.
“I was just not feeling well.” I replied and took our places.
Priya is actually my friend here whom I respect so much. She is very career opinioned girl and wants to reach heights in future.
She has dedication and everything but she is just a practical person. I think there is nothing wrong to be unemotional.
“So are you going to India for holidays?” She asked bringing me out of my thoughts.
“Nope! I want to assist one professor and learn some more about the subject. What about you?” I asked her.
“Thank god! I am also not going and thought that I will get bored but looks like I will not.” She replied smiling.
We continued to talk for some time until our professor entered the class. As usual we concentrated totally on the lecture.
After reaching my room I called Sushant and waited for him to lift his phone.
“Hi ex-best friend.” This is the first thing he said lifting the phone.
“What?” I asked him shocked.
“Heard that you are not going to come here for holidays. How could you?” he asked in the most dramatic voice.
I sighed and explained the details what actually I wanted to do in those holidays which will help to improve my knowledge.
“Ok. So how are you?” he asked.
“I am fine. How is everyone there?” I asked him even though I talked to them two weeks back.
“Everyone is fine. Even Pia is fine.” He replied but the second line even more excitingly.
“Why are you so excited?” I asked him confused.
“Oh she got some award in the project conducted by one fashion line in their college.” He replied.
“That’s great! She has talent but alas she will not pursue that career.” I said shaking my head.
“Whatever! Will you call and congratulate her?” He asked suddenly serious.
“Nope! I don’t think there is any need for that.” I replied frowning.
“You are a cruel man.” He mumbled but I heard that.
“What do you mean? Does she still like me?” I asked him shocked.
“Looks like that anyway I need to go. I have to go and meet her.” he replied.
“What? Why?” I asked him confused.
“Nothing! We are just volunteers in the support for Handicrafts event. We have to meet and discuss something.” Saying this he hanged up.
I looked at the phone for few minutes and placed it on the table. I shook my head and decided to take some rest before going outside for dinner.
Why does she still like me? I thought before letting the sleep consume me.
*Pia Pov*“Finally!” I and Nikki said at the same time looking at the certificates in our hands. We are finally the graduates and left the college after looking around for one last time.“I will stay at your house Pia. I am still emotional that we will not meet every day.” Nikki said looking sadly at me.“Don’t think about later and get sad Nikki. Think about now that you are a graduate and that is very good thing.” I said smiling.“Whatever Miss positive!” she said rolling her eyes when we got inside the bus.“Miss Positive?” I asked her confused.“Yeah! You are way too much positive in this situation than the remaining.” She replied looking at me.“You are just negative. I mean we will meet each other frequently right so there is no reason to cry.” I said.“Anyway there is another reason that I am happy.” I added smiling.“I know that reason. Arthi told me that Aman is going to come this weekend.” She said and I can see the teasing in her eyes.“Nope! Don’t star
*Pia Pov*“Shh… Pia! Don’t cry please.” Nikki said sitting beside me on my bed.“Then.. what else.. should I do?” I asked looking at her between my sobs.“He is not worth of these tears Pia.” She replied.“I should have not fallen for him and should have come out of the crush way back. This is all my fault.” I said and more tears started to flow.“No! It is mine and Arthi’s fault as we were on back of you to find your actual feelings and all. We shouldn’t have and Arthi just stepped out of line than me.” She said scowling.“I don’t want to be angry on anyone. I just want to cry and forget this.” I said lying down.“Well looks like that is not happening as I saw you are crying for more than one hour.” We heard Sushant saying from my room door.“What are you doing here?” I asked him sitting up.“Are you angry at me Pia?” he asked frowning and sat infront of me. “Ofcourse I am. You all know that I like him all these years but you didn’t say anything in these two ye
*Sushant Pov*The way Pia told her answer just got struck to all of us. When she turned to go away we didn’t saw her face but her voice was still ringing in our ears.Nikhila and Arthi followed her after few minutes and then Jaykar’s decided to go home as it is getting really late.“Guys! You all stay in our home for today.” Aunty said and left Pia’s house.Aman followed them but before leaving with them I went to the Pia’s room and immediately informed her that I will meet her later. Then I left her home following Aman.When we reached his room we were all silent and sat on the chairs calmly. Aman started pacing around that too with a big frown on his face.“I know I was harsh on her. But is my decision wrong?” Aman asked looking at us.“Don’t worry Aman. You are totally right.” Dinesh replied patting his shoulder.I rolled my eyes and said “Yeah Dinesh! He is totally right.”They both frowned as each word I said is dripping with tons of sarcasm. I can’t lie to him just because he is
*Arthi Pov*I got ready as soon as I can even though it is just 7am. Today it is very important day for me as I am going to give my first presentation to an important client.I got downstairs and heard the door bell. I opened the door to see Shushant arrived correctly on time.“Hey! I am almost ready. Just wait for two minutes I will go and bring my bag.” Saying this I started going near my bag on the couch.“The meeting is cancelled for today Arthi.” He said following me.“What?” I asked him shocked because I was not expecting that.“Yeah! We have to go next week. I know you will be disappointed that’s why I came here to inform you directly.” He said flopping himself on the couch.I sighed and sat infront of him saying “No! I am not disappointed but I was just nervous from yesterday thinking about my presentation.”“How dare you to feel nervous when you are working for me for the past one year?” He asked glaring at me. I couldn’t help but laugh and he followed my su
*Sushant Pov*“Really? I can’t believe this.” I said to Arthi on the phone.“Yeah! He actually went to Kolkata to meet Pia. And then he got to know that she has a boy friend so now he accepted to marry any girl Dad and Mom chose for him.” Arthi said in one breath.“I am worried for him as he didn’t look like he is happy at all. I don’t want to do anything stupid again so I called you.” She added when I didn’t say anything.“Don’t worry! I will talk to him.” I said but there was smile evident on my face.After that lying incident she is staying away completely from all these. If she wants to do anything she just asks me and I am very happy to be her guide.She is sweet one and loves everyone near her. She is even talented as she proved in my company. I am asking her everytime to go a join in her brother’s company but she is not listening to me.After hanging up I drifted off into sleep as I need to talk to him before he does anything stupid.Next day I went to his house and entered his
*Pia Pov*I entered the company talking to our sponsor with Nikki following me. Immediately when I put the step inside mostly everyone went silent and there are some hushed whispers.When we got inside the elevator I didn’t missed the glares from everyone. I rolled my eyes and continued to talk. While Nikki chuckled from beside me.“Yeah! We are completely ready for tomorrow’s show. There will be no mistakes and everyone will love our work. We assure you.” After talking to him I hanged up and glared at the phone.“We need to have a immediate talk with Mr.Prakash.” I said pressing the top floor button.“Poor him!” Nikki said and I turned to see her controlling her laugh.“I am sure you will enjoy the show Nikki.” I said and stepped out of the elevator when the doors opened.I opened the door of his cabin but not before knocking on it. He looked up hearing the sound of closing door and smiled at us.“Pia! Come on sit down. We need to discuss about tomorrow’s show.”
*Arthi Pov*I looked at the Moon leaning against the car door. I remember the times when we all friends just sit and gaze at it.Pia just used to say something every time we sat like that. But these three years surely changed everything in everybody’s life. Mainly this year is far worse than the before years.Will it be back to normal in any near future? I asked myself and I really don’t have any answer for that question.I turned towards my right side to see my Fiancée driving the car in full concentration. I smiled remembering the way he proposed to me two months back. I never thought he can be so angry and also beat someone like that.When my Mom started to search for grooms for my marriage, he started to talk very little to me and that too only about the company.I met so many but I never felt even a little to think about them. But two months back when I met one he started to misbehave with me. I don’t know from where Sushant came but he just came and beat the hell out of that guy
*Pia Pov*The moment we stepped our foot in Arthi’s house, they dragged both Arthi and Sush for some ritual called ‘Sakhar Puda’. The few girls and boys who seem to be the relatives of both of them kept on saying that name.It is nothing but an informal marking of an engagement by giving a sari and sweets or a packet of sugar to the bride by Sush’s mother but in Marathi style.“I guess they are not going to make them even take a breath from today.” Nikki said looking at them wide eyed.“Yeah! Let’s go to my house and there is a surprise for you.” I said and we were about to step out.But out of nowhere Aunty came and hugged us both that too very weakly. After releasing us she said “You both just forgot all of us. It took you three years to come here right.”“Aunty! We were just busy. Now we are here right.” I said smiling a little.“Are you fine Pia?” She asked frowning.“I am fine.” I immediately replied and then observed her to see she became so thin and there are dare circles below