Love's Unforseen Turn ~metanoia✨

Chapter -18

The aroma of sizzling vegetables and spices filled the air, a comforting symphony that usually brought a sense of warmth to my stomach. Today, however, the delicious smells did little to quell the churning in my gut. It wasn't the food, it was the proximity. Siddharth, her best friend.

He sat beside Aarushi, their shoulders brushing as they leaned in to speak."Why she didn't sat with me" I thought to myself and scoffed.

Her laughter, light and melodious, filled the room, but it wasn't directed at me. It was for him. I watched as they bantered, their conversation flowing effortlessly, a comfortable intimacy that made my chest tighten.

"How's the food , do you need anything else hukum" Aarushi mother asked me . i shook my head and replied " No , I am fine. It's good "

Her mother picked up a bowl of chole and served Sid saying " Beta or lo ,tumhare pasandeeda chole hai . Arushi ke banaye hue chole se bhi bhadiya hai " she passed a teasing smile to Aarushi.
Sid shook her head and said " Nahi aunty bas bas or waise bhi meri Aru ke hath ke chole ke aage sabke chole fail hai " Aarushi chuckled listening him.

What the fuck, meri Aru ,M-E-R-I A-R-U. How is she his Aru , she is mine. She is my jaan , my love , my baby. Fucker. My jaw clenched listening him . Can't I kill him.

I forced myself to chew, the food tasting like ash in my mouth. I feel the pang of jealousy, digging into my ribs. I tried to ignore it thinking he is her friend, to focus on the conversation at the table, but my eyes kept straying back to them.She didn't even glance at me.

Suddenly sid held my jaan's held when she was going to take gulab jamun from a bowl and said " Take mine Aru , i already eaten one you take this one. I don't feel like eating one more " First of stop calling her Aru and second if he didn't leave her hand in next five second I will kill him, after three second he finally left her hands . She nodded and take his untouched gulab jamun.

I didn't like this , no matter how much I try to convince myself but still I felt jealous from him. The way Aarushi is comfortable with him , the way she is calling him with nickname, stirred something deep with in me . I want to be the one with whom she felt comfortable. Why she didn't gave me any nickname.

Aarushi, oblivious to my internal turmoil, leaned closer to Siddharth, her eyes sparkling with amusement. He responded with a playful grin, his hand briefly touching hers as he gestured with emphasis. The casual touch, the shared laughter, the way their gazes lingered - it was a silent declaration of their easy camaraderie, a comfortable intimacy I yearned for with her.

I felt a surge of resentment, a bitter taste in my mouth. Why was it so easy for her to be herself around him? To laugh, to touch, to share confidences without a second thought? With me, there was always an unspoken barrier, a cautiousness that hung in the air.

I watched as Siddharth leaned back, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. Aarushi, in turn, playfully swatted his arm, her eyes crinkling in amusement. My jaan looked so cute while smiling whereas he is looked like a donkey. The scene played out before me like a cruel taunt, a reminder of the distance between us.