Advika's POV

"Come on, Barbie, let's go partyyyyy!"

"Ahhh!"

A small yelp escaped my lips as Arya burst into the room singing the Barbie song and playfully smacked my butt.

She doubled over laughing at my startled reaction.

"I bet you were expecting Shravan, weren’t you?" she teased, a mischievous glint in her eyes. I could feel my cheeks and ears turning red.

"What?" she asked, feigning innocence. "Why do you guys react like you don’t do Ilu Ilu?"

Flustered, I turned away and busied myself with the wardrobe, hoping she wouldn’t read my expression.

"Arrey yaar, I was just teasing!" she said, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Okay, I won’t say anything if it makes you uncomfortable."

"No, it’s fine. I’m just a bit shy," I lied, still avoiding her gaze.

"Okay," she said softly.

Suddenly, her touch disappeared. Thinking I might have offended her, I turned around to find her sprawled across the bed, flailing her arms and legs like a jellyfish.

She looked adorable, but I couldn’t help wondering what she was up to.

"You know, it’s only because of you that I’m here," she said, grinning. "Shravan is so possessive about his things—he never lets me touch anything here."

I stifled a giggle.

"Since childhood, I’ve always snuck into his room when he wasn’t around and done something to drive him crazy, making him pull his hair"

She laughed, hopping off the bed and touching everything she could reach—even me.

She thinks I’m his possession, but only Shravan and I know the truth.

"You really enjoy teasing him, don’t you?" I asked, amused.

"A lot!" she exclaimed. "We’ve been fighting since the womb!"

I laughed along with her.

"So, what have you packed for the trip?" she asked, eyeing my bag.

"Just T-shirts, jeans, and co-ords," I replied.

"Isn’t that what you wear at home?" she said, giving my loose pajamas and T-shirt a pointed look.

"You’re going on your honeymoon, dude. Pack something sexy."

I gulped nervously.

"Move aside. Let me pack your bag," she ordered, diving into my wardrobe.

Before I could protest, she started pulling out dress after dress.

"You haven’t even worn these yet!" she exclaimed, holding up some lingerie and silky nightwear. "You’re newlyweds! What exactly are you guys doing at night? Frying bhajiyas?"

She shook her head when I stayed silent.

"Where’s the other suitcase?" she asked, glancing around.

"It’s enough, Arya. We have to carry all of this ourselves," I said.

"Let your husband play coolie," she giggled, stuffing two more suitcases full of dresses, makeup, and jewelry.

Ahh, that's a nice idea. I didn't stop her when she stuffed two more suitcases with every possible kind of dress, makeup, and jewelry.

Just then, we heard a soft knock on the door, and a helper came with two cups of coffee.

"Perfect timing!" Arya chirped, plopping onto the bed in an Indian-style sitting position and patting the spot beside her. "Come, think of it as your room!"

With a soft smile, I joined her. She handed me a cup of coffee, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"So, how’s your relationship going?" I asked, trying to start a lighthearted conversation.

The smile on her face vanished at the mention of her relationship.

"I… I haven’t seen him in days," she said quietly, looking down at her coffee.

"What? Why?" I asked

I can't understand how someone can stay away from such a sweet and fun-loving girl for so long.

"He’s busy," she muttered.

"Oh." My lips formed an ‘O.’ "I’m sure he’ll come running to you once he gets time," I said, trying to sound optimistic.

"I don’t know," she replied softly. "This time, he hasn’t even texted me."

I couldn’t believe it. No one is that busy—especially when we carry our phones everywhere.

"He used to make time for me even when I was abroad," she said, her voice tinged with sadness. "I came back to India to finish my studies because of him, and now..."

"Arya," I said gently, "I don’t know if I’m right or wrong, but I think you shouldn’t make life decisions based on someone else. You deserve clarity. Have a proper conversation with him, so you can make informed decisions. This is a precious time in your life—you shouldn’t waste it waiting for someone who doesn’t value you."

She sighed, a bittersweet smile forming on her lips.

"You’re younger than me, but you’re so much more mature," she giggled.

I smiled and quickly changed the subject, asking her about makeup. Within seconds, her face lit up again, and we spent the rest of the afternoon talking about how she was planning to launch her makeup brand.

•••••

Shravan's POV

The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was Advika's face.

Last night, I carried her to my bed after noticing how uncomfortable she looked on the couch. It wasn’t the first time I’d seen her curled up there, her arm acting as a makeshift pillow.

I don't know why I did that, but seeing her like that stirred something within me that I couldn’t quite explain, and I acted without thinking.

I knew that the time of my gym was passing yet I couldn’t bring myself to push her away. There was a strange kind of serenity on her sleeping face that held me captive.

It was the first time I’d seen her this closely, and I won’t deny it—she was beautiful.

I have seen prettier girls than her, but there was something on her face that didn't let me look away. Even in her messier, no makeup look, she caught my attention.

Her thick eyelashes brushed against the cheek. Her nose, small and slightly upturned, carried a touch of innocence—a trait I am sure she doesn't possess.

She is anything but innocent!

But what caught my attention the most was her lips. They were plump, looked soft and had a natural pink tint which looked too inviting and tempt...

My thoughts were abruptly cut short with the ringing of my phone. It instills senses into me.

I shook my head scolding myself.

What the hell was I doing? I’d never looked at a woman like that before, let alone someone like Advika. She was the last person on Earth I’d allow myself to feel anything for. I needed to get a grip—this wasn’t me.

Pulling out my phone I found that the call was from Aditya.

Aditya had only sent a short congratulatory message when I got married, but he hadn’t come to the court with his parents, even after I went to him personally. He hadn’t tried to meet me since.

What made him call me now?

"Hello"

"Hello Shravan"

"Yeah"

"Are you free?" He asked.

"Yes, I was just returning home," I told him.

"Uhh, I needed help." I could hear a bit of hesitancy in his voice.

When did hesitation creep into our friendship? We used to give orders to each other, not ask for favors.

"Hmm?"

"Actually, you know I'm out of station. Mom and Dad are at a wedding," he said. "I got a call from Ayesha’s friend. She told me they went to a club, and Ayesha drank a lot. Could you pick her up from the club and drop her home?"

Ayesha drank?

Since when did she start drinking?

"You know, I would’ve asked someone else, but the time and situation don't allow. With Ayesha, I can't trust anyone else but you."

I didn’t want to pick her up, not in her drunken state. But I knew that in the past, when Aditya was busy, it was always me who picked Ayesha up. He never trusted any other guy around her.

"I know, Shravan, things aren’t like before, but I’m really helpless right now," he said. I could hear the concern in his voice.

No matter what happened, he was still my friend. I couldn’t let him down when he needed help.

"Fine," I said.

"Thank you."

Thank you?

Since when did we start thanking each other? But before I could say anything else, he hung up.

My phone pinged with Aditya’s message, sending me the club’s location. I turned the car and drove toward it. When I arrived, my eyes scanned the club, looking for Ayesha among the dancing, intoxicated crowd.

"Shravan," her friend approached me.

"Where’s Ayesha?" I asked.

"She was making a scene here, and some guys were approaching her, so I got her a room."

I nodded.

"Shravan, if you are here may I leave? It's getting late" she asked.

I nodded again.

She mumbled a small thanks before walking off. I made my way to one of the private chambers where Ayesha was still drinking.

"Bring saline solution," I ordered one of the bartenders.

My blood boiled as I looked at her in that state. Aditya and I had never touched alcohol. We’d promised our mothers we wouldn’t, and now Ayesha was here, vulnerable, out of control.

"Shravan," she slurred, looking up.

Her eyes were glossy widened with surprise as she saw me, her cheeks flushed, and her nose and eyes were red. She looked so fragile, so unlike the Ayesha I knew.

"You came?" She asked with a bitter-sweet smile on her lips.

I swallowed hard and stepped closer. She suddenly got up, rushing toward me.

"Tell me you’ve come here for me," she said, grabbing my collar and pulling me closer. "Tell me."

The way she was acting, it was clear this wasn’t her first time drinking. She was taking advantage of her family’s leniency. We all thought she was the innocent one.

"Come with me. We need to get you home," I said, grabbing her wrist.

"No!" she freed her wrist from my grasp. "I don’t want to go anywhere." She slurred, her words unclear from the alcohol. "I know you’ll leave after dropping me home. I want to stay with you." She pouted.

Suddenly, she threw her arms around me, locking them behind my back in a tight hug.

"Spend the night with me, Shravan."

~~~~~~~

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