~•} C H A P T E R|25 {•~
"Raina!" Aakarsh shook her violently to bring her back from her thoughts.
"I said that we are going to Manali tomorrow!" He told again with a big smile on his face.
Raina was standing there glaring at the ground with her lips pressed in a thin line. Her thoughts and mind mashed up together not letting her think properly.
The detest for the situation visible on her face.
Everything that happened in Shimla when she went out with him alone started revolving in her mind.
She swallowed hard in fear as tears brimmed in her eyes.
That night was the worst night of her life.
It left a permanent scar in her mind which would remain forever.
The fear she felt was unexplainable.
The helplessness she felt was undefinable.
And his simple words brought back the worst memory...
Her worst fear!
A fearful chill ran down her spine as she dug her nails in her palm being terrified.
"I c-can't." She stuttered, failing hard to seem unaffected as her heart thudded loudly in her ribcage.
Aakarsh's whole demeanor changed catching the fear in her tone. His eyes scanned her from head to toe with a frown etched on his forehead.
"What happened?" He asked gently forwarding his hand to touch her cheek in a comforting manner but pulled back recalling their earlier conversation.
"The last time we went..." She trailed off confessing the truth and sighing at last. For a mere second, she lifted her lashes and glanced at him.
He exhaled deeply and gulped the guilt which was trying to surface out again. His hands balled into fists trying hard to restrain the guilt seeping through his veins. His posture was stiff and the tension in his neck chords was visible.
"Raina, I know. And that's why I am taking you out again. To make up a little bit for the previous incidents which happened and to change your mind because you need a fresh environment after whatever happened last week." He murmured lowly in a gruff voice but made sure he was audible to her.
She blinked her eyes trying to get everything he said in her head. Trying to process the meaning of his words.
"Also, who doesn't likes traveling? So thought to take you along because I love traveling and for your peace of mind." He stated with the slightest smile shrugging his shoulders a bit and looking at her with a looked at her expecting an answer or response.
She wanted to tell out loud, 'Me!'
But nonetheless fiddled with her Kurti and gave him a tight-lipped smile which was fake but he suddenly became too happy to realize.
Taking it as a positive response, he grinned. Telling her more, "You know I had to literally plea to Yuvraj Bhai for the leave. Not like I can't go without his permission but he is the one to take care of my work in my absence. At last, he agreed."
Raina merely hummed sitting on the couch with a thud. Her lungs constricted with the lack of needed air as her breathing shallowed.
"We will be leaving tomorrow morning." He informed to which she nodded her head while he went out of the room humming something to himself to the office in his formals.
He was indeed very happy and sometimes in their happiness, people weren't able to see others' problems.
Whereas Raina just sat there silently looking in the direction he went. She breathed deeply trying to calm her racing heart and unclear mind.
He was trying.
He was trying his best to make her happy and she knew it.
But the thing was, he thought that everyone became happy by the things that make him happy.
Raina wasn't an extrovert person. She didn't like traveling or mingling with others much. She liked the silence of her room as she sat down and gazed at the night sky with her loneliness being her best buddy.
Her career choice was a result of this. She liked her own company as she did her work. Seeing the pencil strokes she made, turn into a beautiful attire calmed her mind.
But she didn't want to disappoint him or snatch that smile off his face.
They had been through so much in the past week due to the rumors and news.
She wasn't much delighted here nor would she be there but the same was not the same case with him.
One of them would be happy so it was a good choice to go there.
Also, she knew he was correct about freshening up her mind.
But the thing was,
What if this change of mind resulted in another permanent memory?
Raina thought wrapping her arms around herself with a creased forehead and eyes filled with worry.
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"Let's go," Ishani said to which Ruhanika nodded mindlessly looking at Ishani's clothes.
"Any problem?" Ishani mumbled more to herself looking down at her peach-colored simple top and black jeans.
"Nah..." Ruhanika trailed off adjusting her turquoise-colored dupatta.
Ishani simply raised her eyebrows suspiciously with a thoughtful expression.
Ruhanika sighed and disclosed, "Mummy Ji won't be much happy with your choice of clothing."
Ishani frowned understanding the meaning of the words but suddenly shrieked, "You should have told me beforehand! Lemme go and change." while her eyes twinkled making Ruhanika crease her forehead in suspicion looking at Ishani's retreating back.
Strange, Ruhanika thought.
After five minutes when Ishani came back, Ruhanika's eyes widened and mouth open agape looking at her new attire.
A blue pants which ended two inches above her ankle or more precisely, Capri and a maroon sleeveless top.
Pressing her lips in thin line she shook her head at Ishani's childish approaches but made sure to not comment anything about it and gestured for her to come with her.
Sitting inside the white car, both of them sat down silently beside each other and would smile awkwardly whenever their eyes met.
"We've reached." The driver's polite voice made them sigh in relief.
Ishani looked out towards the secluded place where the driver stopped the car for them to step out away from people's stare.
Both of them stepped out adjusting their clothes along with the one bodyguard who came in another car for their safety of course.
All of them were in simple clothes not to draw unwanted attention toward them.
They had to walk a little more due to the car being parked in the secluded area but they reached the showroom from where Ishani had to buy some curtains and posters.
......
"Mam this fabric is imported from France and is so soft and smooth that it doesn't feel like clothe at all but butter. But don't worry we will give you a discount and will give you this curtain only for ₹19,999."
Ishani gritted her teeth from inside in frustration but nonetheless smiled sweetly from out hearing the salesgirl and retorted, "Maybe you heard me wrong. I asked the price of this pink curtain not of this entire shop."
"Ishani," Ruhanika warned looking here and there if someone was hearing them while the salesgirl went away muttering, "Beggars should not come to expensive shops."
Ishani turned towards Ruhanika with narrowed eyes and snapped, "What?"
"Don't make a scene... We belong from a high—"
Rolling her eyes, Ishani huffed and crossed her arms across her chest cutting Ruhanika off, "No one here knows that we are from a big family or are related to that Rathores so why should we do all the fake dramas of class and all!" Her tone was hushed not wanting anyone else to hear her.
Ruhanika opened her mouth to defend herself but once again Ishani didn't let her speak, "Have you seen the high prices over here!? What's the use of buying the imported fabrics from France and blah blah blah when all their purpose is the same? It's better to give it to someone who needs it than to spend it on all this. Plus I guess being from a middle-class family you must know the value of even a small amount of money."
Ruhanika's shoulder slumped in defeat as she hesitantly nodded her head in agreement but asked, "From where will you purchase the things you need then?"
"From the mall of course," Ishani answered shrugging her shoulders and walking ahead exiting the expensive showroom followed by a surprised Ruhanika.
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"Aadarsh," Naina called out for the umpteenth time keeping her hands on her waist glaring into his lost form who was staring out of the window.
The slight sharpness in her tone due to being irritated snapped him out of the world he dwelled himself in and cleared his throat looking at her exceptionally.
"I asked you a question, Aadarsh." She crossed her arms huffing slightly and sat down on the couch whereas he raised his eyebrows at her sudden change of mood.
She seemed very happy since the time he agreed to take her along with him but her mood seemed to change within a second.
"Why are you getting annoyed?" He asked tilting his head ever so slightly in his usual gruff voice and furrowing his brows in confusion though he had the slightest idea that it was her post menstrual syndrome messing around with her body and emotions...
"This isn't the matter Aadarsh. The matter is you don't even listen to what I say and this is not the first time it happened. You don't pay attention to me and I feel like a fool yelling for your attention." Her voice came out softer than usual as she confessed truthfully bowing down her head and looking at the floor.
Her throat felt clogged with emotions... She was fed up with his this kind of behavior especially when she always went over the top when it came to him and this relationship.
Aadarsh gazed in her direction, his chin resting on one hand while his other hand ran through his hair in desperation to feel a little lighter from all the heavy thoughts he just had.
Pushing his head up he tiredly ran his hand through his face seeing Naina still waiting for her answers with a grim face while her hands tightly clutched the soft material of the couch as if strangling the life out of it in impatience and frustration.
She was always the impatient one, wasn't she?
Like the thunder of the sky, she warned of the upcoming rain of emotions her heart was ready to pour.
And then it was in his hands that he would let the downpour and damage happen or would stop it before it.
Sighing softly he tried to make her understand, "I was thinking about Aakarsh..."
"What happened with him, now?"
"He is going on a vacation . . . along with Raina." Aadarsh replied with slight reluctance massaging his temples.
"What!?" Naina shrieked standing up from the couch staring at him with wide eyes and raised eyebrows.
"Why?" She accused with squinted eyes and fists balled together.
Aadarsh frowned hearing her accused tone and question. Tilting his head, he asked, "You're asking 'why'? And I'm thinking that he didn't even inform me about this once!" his voice louder than usual as he once again ran his hand through his hairs in irritation.
"How could I not be concerned and not ask 'why'? Your brother isn't someone to be trusted." She snarled swirling her eyes mockingly. Her voice little edgy and her tone acerbic.
His jaw clenched as his breathing came out rugged, pinching his nose he replied haughtily, "Firstly, he has a damn name, Naina. Secondly, you don't know what he has been through..."
Her breathing came in a short pant as she blew sharply through her lips before staring ahead into his eyes hard, "And you don't know what she has been through because of your brother," her tone abrasive and pointed.
"Or maybe you know... So don't make me open my mouth, Aadarsh." She stared right into his dark eyes, her voice and stare not quivering the slightest.
Aadarsh was too stunned to speak. His black eyes blankly stared into her brown ones which were blazing like an angry sun at the moment.
Instead of the usual warmth, they radiated whenever he was near her, they were emanating scorching glares brimmed with anger.
And this was the first time he had witnessed her fiery look which was ready to burn him alive for saying a word against Raina.
Not able to further defend his brother as she was stating anything but lie, he leaned his head on the backrest of the couch, enclosing his eyes tightly as a tired sigh left past his lips.
His brother,
Was his best friend and the person who supported him his whole life and somewhere brought him back to life.
Even though he talked less, showed fewer emotions, and was least interested in things involving feelings, he was alive.
All due to Aakarsh.
That man had to go through a lot yet he always supported him.
Yes, Aakarsh wasn't a good husband.
Whatever Aakarsh did in past was unacceptable but still, Aadarsh tried his best to be fair and turned his back towards Aakarsh when Aadarsh came to know he cheated knowing well enough it might break Aakarsh from inside.
He wasn't able to believe that his brother could cheat but all his previous behavior and actions, the way Aakarsh treated Raina indicated the fact that Aakarsh could even steep so low and do such a disgusting thing. And that day, keeping a heavy stone in his heart, he turned his head away and refused to maintain eye contact with the person who always supported him.
And it did affect Aakarsh and Aadarsh too when he came to know that his brother was anything but a cheater.
Now, even after several tries, Aakarsh refused to stop and listen to his apology even for once.
This was bugging him and affecting him deeply that was their bond over because of the bitterness of that one situation.
That his brother didn't even once inform him about his vacation?
Aadarsh was all set to ask Aakarsh but unfortunately, today was a holiday and everyone was at home yet Aakarsh had to go to the office as Aakarsh had applied for a vacation and he needed to compensate for that.
He snapped out of his thoughts hearing the door of their room slam open aloud as Naina strode out hot on her heels with the speed of lightning, not once glancing back to look at her spouse after the mini glaring session they had.
Aadarsh shook his head with an ever-existing frown on his face seeing her sudden change of attitude.
He clutched his forehead tight as he leaned back on the couch once again.
Naina was the sweetest person existing on this planet whenever he was around her...
Not anymore... He thought remembering their previous encounter.
This sweetest person could kill for her sister. He sighed at another thought.
Naina loved Raina to infinity... Their love was beyond the horizon.
This wasn't the first time he witnessed her losing her calm when it came to Raina but definitely the first time he saw her losing her cool this bad.
And for the first time, a thought invaded his mind which made his throat dry and a new form of fear took over his mind.
Will Raina ever affect their relationship in a bad way in the future?
He continued gazing at her retreating back with darted eyes and mind which was havoc.
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Naina was able to hear her heavy footsteps as her feet pattered against the tiled floor.
She could feel regret sprouting its roots inside her and she felt guilty for the way she replied to Aadarsh back.
That was so rude of her!
Though she didn't regret saying those words.
Raina was her sister.
Her everything.
From childhood, it was Raina who supported her through every thick and thin.
Even though being younger, it was not hidden from Naina that Raina always tried to hide Naina's mistakes and sometimes even took Naina's blame upon her to save Naina.
After their mother's demise, Raina was the only support system she had who was always there for her to support her emotionally and physically.
She didn't know why but their father didn't love Raina as much as her or her step-brother.
Or maybe he just didn't show it or else why would he bring a proposal of Aakarsh for her?
Maybe their father knew Raina liked Aakarsh and that's why he bought a proposal from Aakarsh, right?
Though for once in her life, Naina was glad that Raina was getting married to Aakarsh...
It was not hidden from her that Raina had a not so tiny-miny crush on the younger Rathore twin afterall there should be no secrets between sisters!
But her happiness was short-lived as soon Aakarsh's behavior disappointed her deeply. He was treating her sister like a rag-doll and not a human.
Still, she kept mum for the sake of society?
No, but for the sake of her sister.
Naina knew relationships were delicate and needed to be watered with care and fed with patience and time just like plants.
Still, if they don't sprout it was better to leave hope and start afresh.
But starting afresh wasn't easy as seeing all our hard work get wasted hurt a lot and just like when someone sows seed with many expectations, likewise a relationship was started with many hopes as well.
Seeing an ungerminated seed stabbed the hopes of an individual, breaking them from inside and so did an unsprouted relationship. It took a lot of courage to collect the pieces of broken hearts and hopes to start afresh.
Naina didn't want her sister to go through all that but still, starting afresh was better than crying over a dead relationship.
Her feets halted when she could see the familiar wooden door in her sight.
The door that she avoided for the last few days.
The door of the room that belonged to her sister and her husband.
Her shoulders slumped down as she breathed out softly clutching the cold metal handle in her hand...
How did it come out?
150k+ ✨✨✨finallyyyy!
Finally back! Yay!
My twin couples are so lovable, right?
Ish and Ruh ;')
Take Care❤️
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