Jaanvi punturing Kiaan's tire.

Typed On -20/10/2018 - Finished typing on 24/10/2018

Chapter 15- Jealousy

Jealousy It's our enemy, believe it or not. We all get jealous at some point in our lives. Whether it's clothes, food, cars, houses or even humans.

Just like Rashi is jealous of Aditi since the day Dhruv walked in their lives. They weren't particularly best friends but the girls got along well. Aditi spent most of her time in the Ahuja house, she was like another daughter to Ansh.

But everything has changed. Rashi forgot all the advice Aditi gave her in cooking, homework or in general life. All because of a man. A man that doesn't have any interest in her. She forgot about their funny and happy moments as teenagers and even now.

Because of Dhruv.

Rashi is attracted to Dhruv but it looks like he feels for Aditi.

Jay has started envying and disliking Dhruv because of his closeness to Aditi. Aditi wasn't an object or owned by Jay, he had no right to behave possessively. She wasn't his. She was no ones. He forgot about his childhood days when he played with Kiaan and Dhruv just because of a girl.

The twins certainly got that quality from their mother, Juhi.

She was always jealous of Ishaani and Jaanvi. Why? Because she knew they were more talented and simple—down the earth—and gorgeous than her and her daughter Rashi.

But did killing Ishaani change anything?

No.

Everybody still loves her, perhaps, even more than before. They still remember her and talk about her. Because of Ishaani's death, Jaanvi got even more love from everyone—she learnt what empathy meant at a young age. She grew up way before her age—after all, she was the first grandchild of the Ahuja family and a motherless child.

"Thank you," Jaanvi fake smiles at Kiaan, "Now get lost."

"Woah." Dhruv raises his hand in surrender, "Damn, you're a bit too straight forward for your good."

His comment satisfies her, earning a proud smile from her, "Because I can't fake my opinions or my expressions. So being straight forward is the only option I have. Now goodbye."

All four of them are standing outside Jaanvi's café. The boys decided to drop the girls over there since they didn't have their car with them. The whole ride Dhruv was talking to Aditi and sometimes Jaanvi while Kiaan stayed silent. Observing her.

Kiaan couldn't believe how much his brother was talking. Talking to Jaanvi was normal for Dhruv since they grew up together but it was the first time he ever met Aditi at the Ahuja house. This surprised Kiaan considering his brother is quiet and shy but spoke carefree with Aditi. He likes seeing this side of Dhruv.

"I'm not going," Kiaan declares locking the car. "I want to taste some food from your weird looking café." Her mouth opens defensively to argue and make him regret everything he's said without thinking twice but he beats her. "Let me add, cheap café." He mutters wearing his sunglasses.

"Cheap?" She repeats directly to which he nods casually, "Hello, Mr. our price rate starts from four hundred rupees, so please explain, how is this cheap?" The red Jaanvi folds her arms. Furrowing at his shades.

He leers, "I meant the appearance of this café seems cheap to me. The price isn't too expensive, so I'd still go cheap." He loves getting on her nerve.

Aditi was sure—from what she's seen for the past few days that—if they start, they won't finish talking—arguing so she glances at Dhruv, seeking for help.

"Hmm?" Dhruv questions silently looking at Aditi. He adapts himself to the situations. Giving Aditi a knowing tiny head bow Dhruv puts his hand on Kiaan's shoulder. "Let's go, we have work."

"Work?" Kiaan questions. His surprise is obvious.

"Yeah, remember, the call?" He indicates to Rashi's phone call a few hours ago with a wiggling eyebrows, eyes a little irritated with the lack of communication he received in return by his brother. Dhruv pulls at his shoulder a little.

"Right." Kiaan understood. Before leaving he stares at Jaanvi, who was busy staring back. Leaning closer to her ear he whispers, "Cheap." And moves towards his car, his face grinning toothily at her mad face.

"I'll kill him today." She exclaims raising her hand to choke him to death but is stopped by Aditi's hand holding hers. Jaanvi frowns at her. Kiaan passes her a victory smile—and a flying mocking kiss—sitting inside his car.

"Bye." Dhruv waves to both of the young ladies. Aditi smilingly waves while Jaanvi just glares, "What did I do?" He asks unclear with the hateful expression he was getting by his sister-in-law.

"You are his brothers, that's what you did," Jaanvi replies madly. He sighs out-loud and sits inside the car giving her one guilty look.

Jaanvi is aware she can't kill him but she can annoy him for sure. Once he starts the engine, she pushes Aditi's hand away from her and takes her bobby-pin out. Crouching down to the tire in the back—passenger seat—she stabs it in hard and tries to twist it around a little. Aditi's mouth goes wide in horror. She covers her mouth, preventing herself from gasping. 

"Cheap, nah?" Jaanvi mutters smiling evilly. She skims her finger around the bobby pin and feels the air slowly coming out.

She hears a gasp. Looking over her shoulder she sees Aditi covering her mouth. "Don't overreact or they'll know," Jaanvi mumbles in a hushed voice, putting her index finger to her mouth. Getting up—like nothing is wrong—she grasps Aditi's hand and takes her inside. "He deserves it."

"But Jaan—"

"Oh please." She stops halfway into the café. "Now let's quickly get changed into our work clothes."

____

"Why do you think Rashi has something to do with Jaanvi's fight with uncle?" Kiaan finally breaks the silence. He was driving the car looking ahead but glances in his brother's direction once in a while to catch his expressions.

"I don't know." He answers with full honesty. He shakes his head looking out the window, as if thinking deeply to comprehend why he feels this way. "I-it just all seems connected. Rashi has been with Jaanvi since forever yet why did only Aditi go behind Jaanvi last night? Why not Rashi? I mean, they are cousins. They live in the same house, why wouldn't Jay and Rashi stop Jaanvi?" He points out the basic facts he's collected.

"Maybe they did, we can't be so sure Yuv," Kiaan mutters. Eyes on the road.

"Fine." He replies irritated. He is also short-tempered like his brother but he can control it better.

"But answer this, she called me this morning. Lied that you weren't picking up the phone when she never called you. When she spoke to Aditi before why would she call me again? I'm not getting positive—good vibes from this girl. She seems, off to me."

Kiaan chuckles making Dhruv frown in his direction, "I never knew you observed Rashi this much for someone you hate." He playfully punches his brother's forearm.

"I don't hate her. I just don't know her," Dhruv responds instantly. Hate was a very big and meaningful word. "And I don't want to know her. Far as I know, you notice Jaanvi more than I notice Rashi. But here's the difference, you hate Jaanvi and I don't hate Rashi." He mocks.

His little brother sure observes a lot more than anticipated. He wants to get under his brothers skin and squeeze out his feelings for Jaanvi but Kiaan remains silent. Either he was fairly good at keeping secrets or he was lost in his dreamland.

Dhruv receives a text message from his mother asking them to meet at the Ahuja house for some marriage related decision—arrangements—with Kiaan. Hearing this Kiaan narrows his eyes feeling bored. He wants to get married but without making these small arrangements. Will Jaanvi be there? He wonders turning right towards Ansh's house.

They reach the house in around with Rashi opening the door. Her smile rose to see Dhruv, unlike her the happy Dhruv didn't return the gesture until his brother places his hand on his shoulder. Kiaan demandingly smiles—and eyes go wild—at Dhruv. Respecting his brother he obeys with a small smile acknowledge Rashi.

"Hello." Rashi moves back giving them space to walk in.

"Hi." Kiaan returns the greet and walks inside with Dhruv following his footsteps.

The boys notice their parents sitting with the Ahuja family discussing the marriage hall, food and clothes. Things which Kiaan was unbothered about. He would do anything to leave right this instant. Ansh's eyes find the tall man and smiles a kind smile.

"She's at the café with Aditi," Kiaan says. He knows Ansh is worried about her, in such a short amount of time he understands what Ansh wants to ask. He's getting used to the old man's muteness and hand gestures for future. Jaanvi's father nods, delighted and light-hearted with the information.

The mention of Aditi's name causes Juhi's to frown, her face turns sour. Dhruv was observant enough to see it. He's still a little confused, wondering why'd she react like this, but whatever the reason is, he certainly doesn't appreciate her facial expressions.

They all gathered themselves in serious discussion related to the wedding arrangements, in between asking for the groom's preferences. "I don't mind what colour the decorations are. Jaanvi can choose whatever she desires." Because, indeed, he has no desire to go through serious collections of designs and colours. The brides are usually obsessed with weddings, so he reckons Jaanvi should handle this department of work so she wouldn't blame him for his choice of colours—which she'll find pathetic, he's sure of that and won't think twice to add this—in their future arguments.

Kiaan engages himself in the attention-worthy conversation with cult nods, thinking expression and few suggestions—all fake just so he can look responsible—before moving into the garden to catch some fresh air. He is a little surprised to not see Jaanvi here. Whenever he visited her she was either in the garden—by the flowers—or in her father's room as a teenager. He, later on, recalls she isn't talking to her father, so attending this little meeting is out of the question. Kiaan is stalking to the bench when he saw Rashi watering the plants. Taking this opportunity to interrogate her—or just talk—he walks over to her,

"Nice flowers." He compliments, eyes peering at the red roses. His voice was deep and a little uninterested too. Rashi turns around.

"Yeah." She smiles gently, "Everyone in our family loves roses." She adds, moving to her right to water the little flowers on the pot.

"They are very likable." He continues speaking, praying an awkward silence doesn't fall, "W-what happened last night?" Kiaan finds himself asking the urgent question that's occupied him since last night, itching for an answer. Rashi freezes. She isn't watering the plants or flowers now, she stands still with her lips shut. Her posture has more to say then her mouth.

Kiaan sees the flick of expressions and discomfort. Almost regretful. Now he is sure Dhruv was right with his accusation and theory.

Kiaan is aware she probably won't answer his question or talk now judging by her rigid stance, so he adds, "I'm sure Aditi did something." He detects Rashi's eyes zooming into his face in curiosity. Almost shock. "I don't understand that girl. She's always with Jaanvi. Doesn't she stay in her house? Staying with another family for so long is strange. I'm sure Aditi was behind it, she's always butting in into someone else's conversations."

If there was something he excels in apart from his undoubtedly incredible swimming skills or his master's degree in pissing Jaanvi off, it's working his way around someone skin.

"She's Jaanvi di's best friend, she's always here. Mum told me today that her parents are out of the city so she'll stay with us." Returns her rather too quiet reply as she continues to water the plants and the flower pots. "There were some miscommunications last night, that's it. Jaanvi di said something she shouldn't have said. Something which nobody her age should say to elders. She was wrong, and she got punished by earning a slap." (Sister)

Kiaan is stunned. Not because of what his sister-in-law said but because of the attitude hidden—or visible—in her tone. There was no remorse now. Or any emotion to signal negativity remembering whatever happened last night. To his utter surprise and taken back state she spoke with venom. Like an old corrupted lady. So much hatred, so much anger and disagreement.

Her nasty expressions and voice-tone are provoking Kiaan into snapping rudely and viciously at her. 

He still isn't aware of the whole situation but he knows for a fact that Jaanvi would never do anything intentionally to hurt anyone's feelings. Yes, she may come across brutally rude but it's never without a reason.

"She says the truth." He raises his voice. Eyes end up glaring at her, despite controlling himself. Rashi sees his furious eyes. "I've known her forever, Rashi. She says the truth which hurts. I don't know what happened but one thing I am sure about which is; this family is fake. Full of fake people wearing masks."

That's true.

He perceived in these few days how Juhi spoke, behaved and looked at Jaanvi. He has enough knowledge to figure out Juhi hates his bride. It is all a formality. At some point, Kiaan felt a sense of relief to see Jay and Rashi are close to Jaanvi but after hearing Rashi's words, it feels this was—is—fake too. A task the twins dealt with for years until they finally got over with it. This cousin relationship was all fake in the public eye too, now more visible and upfront according to Kiaan.

He feels they were all faking it. His heartaches. I wonder how Ariel will feel if she heard this?

"No." Rashi frowns, showing her distaste, "No one is fake. You're wrong. Jaanvi di isn't some goddess who's always supposed to be right. Everyone makes mistakes, just like that she did as well. She said things she shouldn't have. If you live in a joint family you have to compromise. You can't always voice out your opinions." She says with full confidence and this utterly stupid—in his opinion—pride in her eyes, remembering her mother's words. She sounds like such a typical shallow-minded girl. No trace of education symbolizes around her body. (Sister)

Are they seriously related? One was stubborn and bold and educated—her aura shows it. The way she carries herself—the other makes no sense at all. From the place Kiaan has come from—New York—he's confused whether to laugh at her knowledge and opinions or educated her about the era they're living in.

Furious

That's how he feels processing exactly what she's said. A little girl just answered him back.

Practically lectured him and his judgement. She spoke as if he's wrong.

His knuckles turn bright white—like the colour of a blank piece of paper—having difficulties to control his empurple face from fur. He responds as kindly and nicely as possible considering their relation bounded because of Jaanvi, "That's where you're wrong. Only those people compromise who need to. She doesn't." His one tight seizing and brutal little sentence has Rashi gulp.

Because she understands what he's implying on. She knows he's right.

It was her family that needs this house to live in not Jaanvi.

Jaanvi can walk out of this house yet have another place to live in from her father's help and her own money earned from her hard work in café.

But they didn't.

Unaware of how to reply to this jaw snapping taunt she says, "I-i-I should h-help mum in the k-kitchen." Her eyes lower—as they should, as Kiaan believes—and legs trembling walking away.

Married My Enemy
Edited On – 05/05/2020 (5:32 p.m.)

How's the story so far? Good or bad? Ps, let's just imagine bobby-pins are sharp enough to puncture a tire, lol.

Only one update today. Sorry.