Raghav's POV:

She kept blinking continuously and finally smiled saying...
'Sorry for what Mr Prabhu...

I mean...Rag...Raghav' she said softly...

How can someone be this casual.
I wasn't understanding if it was sarcasm, ignorance or just that she's moved on!!!

But I gathered confidence and took a step closer to her...
Just then my mother came there and interrupted...

'Siyaaaaa... Charda(child) how are you' and she hugged my mom warm...
'Aunty...I'm good how are you' she smiled and next minute she bent to touch my mom's feet.
I kept looking at her...
She's so homely.
My mom caressed her cheeks and said...
'Im so so happy Siya that you agreed to stay at 'Prabhu Nivas'... thank you Amani (sweetie)...'

To which she tried to convince my mom...
'Actually aunty there's really no need of it...you know I can stay at a hotel'

'Siyaaaa... again...Ammu...I told you on the call also... That's your house...few relationships end forever but not all...right?' she said rolling her eyes and giving me a death glare. My mom hates me for what I did.
I know Amma...and I'm sorry too!!!

But then she somehow convinced Siya to stay at our home.

I was somehow glad. Yes we couldn't be husband and wife. But I really hope to earn a 'Its Ok' so my heart would feel ok...I wanted to put up a heartfelt apology to her.

And I had an entire month for it. Im glad!!!

***

Vish and Appy got married with blessings from elders and friends and it was a grand affair. Vish was a happy bride, no crying no drama.
The only one who looked super excited about her Bali honeymoon. 😶
Such excited that I could see fear on Appy's face 🤭😂

I actively participated in welcoming guests and organising seating arrangements for the wedding reception party however my eyes somehow couldn't get away from her!!!

How can someone look this etheral and breath taking in a simple pink floral lehenga.

She probably wore the most simple outfit with the least jewellery and makeup yet looked like a whole moon tonight!
I couldn't take my eyes off her!!!

Her hair permed to land on her shoulders...her blue jhumkas kissing her cheeks...
She saw me looking at her and looked elsewhere...

I did the same but couldn't stop myself from looking at her...
Another time...
Yet another time...
Again...
And again...

Until I felt a smack on my shoulder from my bestie Radhika...

'Dont even think Raghz... Don't!!!' she said while I looked at her and said...

'No Radz... Nothing like that'

'Bro....you would probably eat her raw...it's been 2 hours and she's running away from one corner of the hall to other and you are helplessly gawking at her!!! You like her is it???'

And I literally dropped the glass off my hand.

'Shu..Shhh... Shutup Radz... what nonsense...you know she's my ex-wi'

'Ex-wife!!! I know!!! And Naman told me about yesterday's Phool Muddi function too...Look Raghz ..
Siya is a very good girl.
Although she divorced you...she maintained a good decorum with all of us all these years ...and by the way let me remind you ...you guys stayed together only for a month and within that span of time she became our friend and family.

It's been 5 years and I still receive a 'Happy Diwali'
'Happy Samsar Padvo (Yugadi)'
Wish from her... although not from you...

Don't hurt her this time...last time I understood because you said you love that Vedika and shit although we all knew what a gold digger she was but for your sake we all nodded and she as expected dumped you!!!

I so wanted you to reconcile with Siya then but you were insensitive Raghav!

But looks like you now realise the difference between a diamond and a pebble!!!
So this time careful!!! If not...
I swear I'll kill you...'
She warned and left from there...

I sat down thinking for a while...
'Is Radz right??? Am I attracted to her?
Shutup Raghav...
Don't act like an idiot...
Last time you acted too fast...
This time take your time...
Be sure...
You don't wanna hurt her again!!!'

And somehow I felt what my brain told me was right... otherwise it always gets pervert thoughts!!!
😶

Raghav's famous dirty brain 🧠

So finally Siya shifted to Prabhu Nivas.
She was going to stay in the guest bedroom. Somehow I felt a tingle in my stomach...🙃
The guest bedroom was next to our...my...my..my room!!! 🙄

There was a sense of calmness since she was here...

Days passed...I wouldn't get to see her too frequently. Although my eyes always wanted to see her.

She wouldn't be in the living room. She would either be in Aditi's room or Aadya's. Sometimes in mom's room.
Both our rooms had balconies seperated by a single wall.

It's literally like I could climb the reeling and go to the other balcony. She was that near!!!
But yet so far!!!

I wouldn't meet her at breakfast as she was early riser and even after attempting for an entire week of she staying here I couldn't get a glimpse of hers.
Not even on a Sunday 😶
I thought I was a workoholic. But heyyy I had competition!!!
But this time I was also stubborn.
Mom Dad, Aditi Naman Addu had to go for a wedding and Siya hadn't accompanied them. No one asks me because they know I hated attending such functions.

So it was only me, Vishwa and Her!!! At home...

At lunch Vishwa asked me what should I prep...
I knew she loved Mangalore buns and chutney and Pompfret Ghee roast with Neer Dosa was her comfort food. I remember she made it multiple times in first month of our marriage and the only time I saw smile on her face.

I asked Vishwa to make it all.
Vishwa however couldn't get fish as it was already 12 past 10.
So I ordered Pompfret Ghee roast from my friend's restaurant.

Post which we waited.
It was 1:30...
2...
2:30!!!
3!!!

Yet she didn't step out of her room.
I asked Vishwa to ask her to come down.

But soon Vishwa came back saying...
'Akka denied coming down, she is in a meeting!!!'

I asked Vishwa to have his meal and waited for her...
I waited till 3:30!!! She was still not coming down!

So I quickly took food in a tray and walked upto her room.

I could see the room door slightly open...
I could see her angelic face and I somehow had a smile on my face...She was wearing a white t-shirt and a floral pink hot shots.

The glasses were back!!!
So I was right...she wears lens now!
But those glasses were cute!!!
It was nostalgic!!!

I waited outside her room expecting her call to finish soon and
Soon I saw her pushing away the laptop and throwing herself on the bed... removing her glasses and rubbing her forehead.

Like a little bat she was upside down...
She was relaxing her neck!
I know it's her spondylitis!!!

I always found it wierd when I was married to her but today she hanging out her neck outside the bed such that her hair almost was kissing the ground and she closing her eyes looked heavenly to me!!!

She was scintillating!!!
I swallowed dry when she placed her one leg on the other.

Her silky skin and her long legs...ohhh those....sexy calf muscles!!!
Shutup Raghav!!!

I knocked at the door...
While she opened her eyes and noticing me...

In one go she jumped out of the bed and stood infront of me...

And here my heart was in my mouth!
She is mouth watering!!!
Gorgeous!!!
Beautiful...

How can someone look this desirable in a simple tshirt, messed up hair and those pink hot shots!!!

I couldn't help but stare like an owl!!!
I felt she was conscious as she tried to pick her laptop and helplessly tried covering her legs...
She's so cute!!!

I didn't want to make it more awkward...
'Um....I brought lunch for you' I said and she opened and closed her mouth multiple times without being able to speak up...

I smiled and said...
'May I come in???'

'Ohhh...ummm...sure...Mr Pra...I mean Raghav...'

'Ummm you didn't come down'

'Ohhh ummm sorry I was in a'

'Meeting I understand...Ummm I brought buns and there's Neer Dosa with Pompfret Ghee roast' I said and she smiled.

'Ummm thanks Raghav...I ....was in a meeting so I had apple and dry fruits...so I'm...good' she said...

'But that's not lunch right...this'

'Is Nonveg... which I have quit years ago and buns I'm sorry is oily...Isn't good for my cholesterol levels...just a bit health conscious' she said and I tried hard to keep a straight face...

Come on Raghav...
People change!!!
She has changed!!!

Now there was a awkward silence.

She didn't ask me anything...
I couldn't say...

So I smiled and said..
'Ummm ok ..then... bye'

'Ohhh...Umm...bye Raghav' she said..

Damn.... Raghav talk something!!!
Siya...stop me...
Urgh Raghav she won't...
Think of something..

'Ummm...Siya... actually everyone will come by night...if you need anything please tell me or Vishwa' I said while almost leaving..

To which all she said was 'Sure'

Damnnn!!! Think more Raghav...
Anything..

'Ummmm Siya...do you guys deliver cakes for hotels???'

'Ummm yup...we do'

'Oh....I was thinking if you could be able to deliver to Prabhu Group of Hotels...' I said and she blinked...

'Ummmm...I....I don't mind...but you folks are ok with veg cakes??? I mean'

That was my chance...
I quickly pulled down a chair and sat down.

'Ohh... of... ofcourse...I mean all this is so in... healthy...it's great infact...by the way I haven't eaten but'

Just then I noticed her eyes following my gestures and I realised I was acting desperate...

'Ummm...I guess I'll...ummm no...I'll...I'll ask my PA Anu to send you a mail on this ok???' I stood up...

And she nodded.
I turned towards the door...

'Ummmm... Siya... Anu as in Anupam my PA... he's a guy...'

And she narrowed her eyebrows...

Raghavvvvvvvvv 🙄
What the 😖
Why does she have to know that?
She's least bothered!!!
I just thought to clarify!!!
Did she ask?
Does she care!!!
Damnnnn....

I was cursing my little stupid tiny brain while I heard her voice...

'Ummm Raghav I'm making the cake for Addu's birthday... You can taste that and be the best judge...mine is a small chain of bakeries...yours is a big 5 star hotel chain...we are nowhere equal!!!' she said...

While I quickly turned around and said...
'Exactly... You are self made and I'm self destructive' I said and walked out picking the plates along.

I wasn't hungry!
So I kept the plates on the table...

Vishwa tried persuading me to eat but I wasn't hungry...
I don't know why was I feeling so disappointed!!!
It's when I realised...
How much am I effected with her behaviour towards me!!!
Why do I care so much 🥺

I just silently walked into my room and hit the bed.
After sometime I had a knock on my bedroom door and I opened the door to see Siya standing there...

I was shocked, happy, overwhelmed...
Multiple emotions!!!

'Ummmm Raghav...I thought you must try some sample snacks...
So I bought you my strawberry crush pastry, palm sugar wheat bun and wheat millet waffles.

My eyes twinkled seeing the basket full of snacks.
I quickly pulled it from her hands saying...
'Ohhh that's really sweet of you Siya... thank you...' I mumbled and sat on the bed with the basket unboxing each snack but I began with the strawberry crush pastry which melted in my mouth...

Anyways strawberry flavour is my favorite.
I gobbled shamelessly while I kept praising her but I noticed she didn't step into my room.

'Siya what are you doing at the door.. please come in' I invited her but she looked uncomfortable and it striked me
..
This was the room that had our past attached on to...

She looked elsewhere... Pretended like she got a call...I felt like the pastry was now stuck in my throat...

It's not so easy to forget the past right!!!

***
Days passed ...
Siya was still trying to be cordial with me however she was having a gala time with everyone else.

She would cook pasta with mom, have coffee chats with Naman and Aditi, feed with Addu telling her stories about Tinkerbell... secretly serve pastries to dad hiding from mom's eye however would later drag him on a daily walk after that. She even taught Vishwa to use social media and became friends with him. But with me she would be all good when with everyone but everytime I try to talk to her alone... she would jump away like a rabbit.

Then something unbelievable happened ...
Which left me... restless!!!
We were all on breakfast table.
I finished my breakfast and was walking away to wash my hands while I heard

'Siya you know right Hotel T cafe today at 5 pm' my mom told Siya...

'Aunty please' she whined.

'Siya...look I have spoken to your mom...you are my responsibility and what is wrong in meeting the guy' mom said...

And my ears caught the word 'HIM'

Who is this 'HIM' that mom wants her to meet...

While I heard Aditi...
'Siyu please yaar... See the guy is ok with all your conditions ...just meet him once na...don't tell me you don't ever wanna Marry'

That's when my heart stopped!!!

They are looking for proposals for her??? 😳

I felt a pang of fear in my chest..
It's like someone is beating a gong too loud!!!

Entire day in office I was restless...
I couldn't work... concentrate...eat...

T cafe...5 pm..was all in my head.
I saw the clock it was 4:45pm

I couldn't help myself...
I quickly took my car and drived to Hampankatta which had T Cafe located!!!

I quickly entered the cafe wearing my goggles and noticed Siya sitting in the corner smiling to a certain someone!!!

A man!!!
She looked happy...
My heart was thundering here...

Is she gonna say yes???
She'll marry someone???
Ummm No...
I felt a terrible choking feeling within...

Siya with someone else...
I couldn't imagine that

That's when I felt.
Huhhh....she saw you running behind Vedika...

Remember????
My eyes filled with tears as I saw him hold her hand...

'Im sorry Siya... Just once chance' my heart was crying...
But I know...
I don't deserve it!!!

I didn't want to go home. So I went to Radhika's place and broke down badly. She and her husband Yash consoled me. Yash offered me some drinks and although I don't drink I took a few glasses.

I don't drink usually but today I needed it.
Yash dropped me home and it was almost 2 in the night...

Lights were off, everyone had slept...I slowly took steps to my room but I lost my balance only to have been caught by someone...

Honey sweet voice hit my ears...
'Ra...Raghav??? Are you drunk?'

I lifted my head up to meet the gaze of the most beautiful pair of eyes in the world...

'Siyaaaaaa.... You are still awake...'

'Raghav...you are drunk...let me call Naman...' she mumbled..

'Nooooooo one will come Siyaaaa...I'm a bad boy na...I hurt them all...I hurt you... I ....I lost you' I said looking dreamily into his eyes...

While I noticed her eyes pooling up

'This is all I can give you... tears' I said and leaned on the staircase reeling.

'Raghav...come' she pulled me upstairs...

'Nooooooo I wont come' I swatted my hands..I was feeling light... like I have wings...

Siya's POV:

He was drunk till throat and unable to stand straight.

He doesn't drink, so alchohol was showing terrible impacts on him.

I somehow managed to drag him till his room.

But I had promised myself to never enter that room.

So I was in a dilemma!!!

'You won't come in Siya....it's your room too baby' he said dragging me inside...

The force he pulled me I crashed into his chest!!!

My breath hitched at our proximity!!!
His hot breath mixed with alchohol hit my nose...

His drunk gaze was on my lips...
His expressions turning intense

I knew it's not right to stay here longer...
So I began to walk towards the door..

But before I could reach the door...
He came and stood infront of me and closed the door in one go!!!

His back pressed towards the door...
And here my heart was beating in my mouth!!!

'Let me go Raghav' I said firmly...

He nodded a no ...

'Raghav I said move'...

He nodded a no again like a little stubborn child!!!

I tried to push him

But in one go he flipped our positions and now I was pressed against the door...
His hands caging me...

I could see him breathing heavily on my face...

Our lips were too close...

'So you are going to marry him?' he asked...

And I mouthed a 'Whattttttt'

Just then he pushed his body on me...

'Dont marry someone else please' he said and my eyes widened in shock..

'You...you are drunk Raghav' I said trying to escape his hold.

I was trying my best to get of his hold...

While next second I felt him hold my waist tightly and pulled me in one go into him...

Such force that literally my body shivered...

His intense gaze on my lips while I felt his finger enter my t-shirt...

Next second I froze

As I felt his cold ice like fingers trailing my bare waist...

Crazily squeezing my flesh and here his gaze was on my lips...

My chest heaving crazily and I couldn't escape his hold!!!

Before I could utter a word more
..
I felt his lips brush against my lips...

And I was now a statue!!!