Bengal, Chakravarty House

Saudamini gazed at her mother, her face blanching. A slight shiver went down her spine as the cool air swept past through the cracks in the window panes. Messed up. She bit her lips hard, two years had already passed but the wound deep in her heart was fresh as it just happened yesterday. She wished she had paid heed to her mother for once; for once

But a heart is a heart, and it can be blind in love. 

And what led was a shattered young heart like pieces of glass. 

Her palm turned sweaty and cold, as she kept gazing into the hopeful eyes of her mother. 

"I want to see you happy, before I die dear," Mrs. Choudhury's voice quivered slightly, causing her daughter snap at her in surprise. Emotional drama of parents. But children by default fall for it and Saudamini wasn't an exception. The pace of her heart quickened, as she glanced away in unsurity. 

She thought she had moved on from everything, but those memories came to haunt her like thorns of roses; again. 

"Please, please accept the proposal, Mini." 

Saudamini began to fidget with her fingers nervously. Oh god, only if she knew that her mother approved of Anirban! She would've opened her mouth after thinking ten times in front of him! The way she had turned down her proposal, and now she would be saying yes to him?

Embarassment overloaded. He would taunt her to death, definitely.

"He will deny. I am damn sure, his ego must have been hurt." Saudamini tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Yeah, definitely! He will definitely deny her! Else how will his ego be satisfied? A tiny amount of hope suddenly began to flicker in her heart. Of course, she will be saved now! 

He will definitely now reject her to prove his ego.

"Come on, he won't! Trust me!" Shiuli interrupted, making Saudamini shake her head. Mrs. Choudhury smiled at her, "I agree with her. He loves you after all!"

 Love and him? His ego must be coming in between definitely. Well, it would be worth seeing the faces of them when they receive a disapproval from his end now. 

"Please, Mini. Look, it's for your good only!"

Saudamini inhaled deeply, fidgeting with her fingers. 

This time, she knew she couldn't go against her mother.

For she had lost the right to it. 

.

.

.

Chatterjee Residence 

"Drink, it will help overcome your heartbreak." Subhankar extended a glass of Old Monk, while Anirban side eyed him, looking away. Throughout the day, he had been pacing back and forth, recalling Saudamini's words. 'How the heck could she say something like this to me? She's herself the brand ambassador of arrogance and has the audacity to tag him as a proud-head?'

"For the umpteenth time, I am....am not going through any heart break Subho!" He aggressively pushed the swing back and forth with his feet, the iron locks above were creaking due to the speed, "It's good you know, I got to see her true face! What would've happened if I had married her? God does the best you know-" He kept a hand on his heart in fake assurance. Everything he has to do to make himself believe that he was fine and dandy. 

Subhankar sarcastically shook his head, "Seriously, you must be good at acting skills but you can't fake in front of me." 

"I am not faking," He looked outside the window, jerking the swing harder.

"The poor swing is getting tortured due to your heartbreak!"

"Shut up! Look, I do not allow myself to linger over any woman if she's not interested in me, okay?" He laid himself back on the swing, accepting the glass of wine from the latter. Of course he isn't bothered! Isn't it?

Isn't it? 

"Moreover, I have proposals lined up for me, you know. I will move over to someone else! What's the big deal?" He shrugged with his brows raised, gulping down the drink. His forehead scrunched instinctively at the bitter taste. Subhankar was urging himself not to break into a hearty laughter at his friend's words. He had to admit, Anirban gave the best expressions when he was in denial and tried to appease himself. He faked it that poor. He cleared his throat so as to dissolve the laughter within.

"Don't laugh, idiot." He mumbled, annoyed.

"But you know what, I am feeling a bit happy. Atleast for the first time you have thought about a woman for more than a span of three days! And even sulking about her rejection!" He covered his mouth with the back of his wrist, as the latter was glaringly giving a side eye to him.

"I am NOT sulking over her rejection!" He raised his hands and blinked twice.

"Visible, my friend, visible." 

"Subho, I will break your teeth. You will not be able to find a bride for yourself after that, I swear...." He peered threateningly at him from the edge of the wine glass as he sipped from it slowly, making him grin and then laugh wholeheartedly. 

"What kind of friend you are, dude?" He scoffed. 

"You....you and Saudamini, appear the same to me to be honest!" He mumbled while holding himself together, "One whose arrogance is at the top tier and the other whose ego is overflowing! Seriously dude, you had chosen a lady appropriate for you only if she said a yes!"

Anirban shut his eyes at his taunts. Like really, he never leaves an opportunity to roast him right, left and center; but that is actually how best friends are. Teasing each other to death is their primary task. 

"By, by the way," Subhankar wiped the corner of his mouth, and sat straight, "Have you told Uncle that you've been rejected?"

"No," He folded his arms across his chest, "You want him also to join you and tease me to death?"

Subhankar cleared his throat; he had a point.

"So what are you going to say to him?"

"I will say that I have considered his proposal of marriage," He drummed his fingers upon the backend of his palm, after brushing back his hair. 

"You are really going through a heart break my dear friend...." Subhankar shook his head again, sipping down the rest of the drink from his glass. Anirban grabbed a pillow from beside him and aimed it at his friend hard; who caught it after bursting into laughter. The fact that he had always bragged about his popularity amidst women; and he is having a taste of rejection. 

"Okay fine, just imagine Ani--if suddenly Saudamini changes her mind and accepts your proposal, are you going to reject her?" He grabbed the bottle and began to fill his glass, peering at his friend.

"Of course!" He let out a mocking sigh raising his brows, "Why did you ask such a stupid question?" 

"Really?" Subhankar raised a brow, gulping up the wine slowly. 

"You're crazy Subho," Anirban rolled his eyes, when a knock at the door of his chamber, alerted him. He got up from his swing after groaning softly, and walked over towards the door, opening it. An elderly man in his late forties was standing with a shawl draped over his shoulder, and a letter in his hand, "What is this?"

"I don't know, a messenger from Chakravarty house sent this letter...He said it is for you." He appeared confused, handing out the letter which Anirban instantly grabbed. Tearing the envelope, his eyes began to sweep swiftly over the contents of it, his heart thudding faster against his chest. A soft sigh left his mouth, as he bit his lips; instantly turning into a smile and then into a broad grin.

"What's written in it?" Subhankar stood up, a bit amused.

"I knew it! I freaking knew it!" He dropped the letter on the floor, sauntered over towards his cupboard and hastily dug out his coat; running out of his chamber at full speed. Mr. Chatterjee stood gaping at Subhankar and then at the door, still with a perplexed expression on his face, "This boy is so..." 

Subhankar tried to control his laughter, after picking up the letter and reading it, "Whipped." He added. 

★★★★★★★★★

A/N

Isse kehte hai pyaar me lattu hona 🤣🤣🤣🤣❤❤❤❤

Abhi Mini ko bhi lagega jhatka! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Signing off for today!

Nushkie