I woke up and went straight to the bathroom, but the first thought that hit me was like a knife—Sarthak was getting married soon. The idea that he could never be mine, that he would belong to someone else, tore me apart.
After getting ready, I headed downstairs for breakfast. That's when I saw them—Sarthak and Aarne—coming out of the same room, laughing together, their eyes locked as if they shared some secret.
Aarne: "Hey, good morning! Still sleepy?"
(Me): "No… I'm just sad that my weekend is already over."
Sarthak: "Or maybe you're sad that I'm getting married?"
(Me): "No, brother. How can I be unhappy about your marriage?" I forced a creepy smile.
Sarthak: "Right. How could you be?" His eyes darkened, filled with the same anger I'd only seen once before—when he caught me at that club.
(Me): "Ah… brother, I'm going to college now. Bye."
Before I could leave, I found out that Sarthak's younger uncle, Anirudh, had come to visit. He was only four years older than Sarthak and, unlike the rest of us, wasn't afraid of him. My best friend Anvi had been secretly in love with him for more than four years. I never understood why she loved an older man, but love makes people strange.
Anirudh had just returned from abroad after four years because Grandpa had arranged his marriage with someone he didn't like. He had once admitted he liked someone, so everyone thought he was gay. But I knew the truth—that the person he loved was a girl I also knew.
(Me): "Hi uncle, how are you? Sorry, I'm late for college. Bye! Bye, Maa!"
Mom: "Bye-bye, sweetie."
At college, while waiting for Anvi, I saw her holding hands with a handsome guy. Shock washed over me. This was the same girl who once cried endlessly when Anirudh left. She noticed me staring and quickly came over.
Anvi: "Hey, are you okay? I heard Sarthak is getting married. If you want to talk about it, I'm here." She smiled warmly.
(Me): "No thanks, I'm fine. It had to happen someday. He only sees me as a sister, not as love. But how are you? Uncle Anirudh is back—you wanna talk about him?"
Anvi: "No. Don't talk about that old man. He's married now, and I don't care. It's better for me." Her smile was forced, fake.
(Me): "No, that was just a rumor. He's not married. He doesn't even have a girlfriend."
Anvi: "What? That can't be true. I saw a picture of him with a woman."
(Me): "I don't know what you're saying, but we're late for Mr. Thomas's lecture. Let's go."
In class, my friend Tia whispered, "Mr. Thomas isn't here yet."
Krati added, "I heard there's a new lecturer taking his place."
Anvi scowled. "I don't think so."
Suddenly, loud screams from the corridor—girls swooning over someone. Curious, I peeked out. My heart stopped. It was Uncle Anirudh, walking in wearing a black suit, specs, and holding a book, looking like he'd stepped out of a dream.
He entered our classroom with a cheerful smile.
Anirudh: "Hi, I'll be your lecturer until Mr. Thomas returns in two months. My name is Anirudh Shukla, I'm 35, unmarried… just to clear any rumors." He looked at the girl in the back making faces and smirked. "Now, let's begin."
Anvi leaned toward me.
Anvi: "Didn't the rumors say he was married? Then why did he just say he's not?"
(Me): "Didn't I tell you? We weren't invited to any wedding, not even Sarthak. Think, Anvi. He isn't married."
We didn't realize Anirudh had overheard us.
Anirudh: "Ahem. If you're done gossiping about me, shall we start class?"
(Me): "Ah! Sorry, uncle—oh no, sir! Yes, let's start."
After two long hours, he dismissed the class.
Anirudh: "Samira (me) and Anvi, please come to my cabin."
Inside, he looked serious.
Anirudh: "Should I call your parents about the rumors you're spreading?"
(Me): "Uncle, please! We didn't know the truth. Don't call them, I'm begging you. Aarav will kill me!"
He sighed. "Fine. You can go… Anvi, stay. I need to talk to you."
Anvi froze, looking like a child about to be scolded. I waited outside, anxious. After a while, I asked him what happened. Because I saw leaving in anger.
(Me): "Uncle, did you say something to her? She looked angry."
Anirudh: "No, I just asked why she doesn't come to meet you anymore."
(Me): "She didn't come for me, uncle. She came to see you. She loves you. I told you this four years ago."
Anirudh: "I know… but she said she has a boyfriend."
(Me): "What? She doesn't! I saw her once with a boy, but she said he was her cousin."
Anirudh: "Then why would she lie to me?"
(Me): "Because she thinks you love someone else. She misunderstood you."
Anirudh: "But I love her. How could she think otherwise?"
(Me): "Then tell her before it's too late. Don't wait—you'll regret it."
Anirudh: "I'll tell her… when the right time comes."
(Me): "Don't make it too late, uncle. Anyway, I should go now."
Anirudh: "Okay. But don't go anywhere else, straight home."
(Me): "Okay, bye uncle."
But as soon as I stepped out, I got a call from Anvi.
Anvi: "Hey, let's go to Blue Haven Bar. Manya's coming too. We'll even order some male models. Come quickly!"
(Me): "But uncle told me to go home…"
Anvi: "Samira, who's more important—him or me?"
(Me): "But—"
Anvi: "No buts. I'm waiting in Blue Haven, Room 34. Hurry!"
(Me): "Okay… fine. I'll be there."
At the bar, my worst fear came true. I saw Sarthak arriving with his fiancée and friends. Panic gripped me. I quickly called Manya.
(Me): "We have to leave. Sarthak is here! If he sees us, we're dead!"
Manya: "Relax. Just come to Room 34. No one will know."
But Sarthak's friends spotted me.
Friend: "Hey bro, isn't that your sister Samira (me)?"
Sarthak: "What the hell is she doing here? Since when does she have the guts to come to a bar?" His voice was dark, cruel—the devil everyone feared.
I rushed into Room 34, only to be shocked again. Nine male models were inside, some sitting, some standing. My chest tightened. Why was Sarthak here? He never comes to this bar… unless…
Trying to escape my thoughts, I grabbed a bottle of beer, gulped it down, and started crying.
(Me): "Why doesn't he love me? Why does he have a fiancée? Am I not good enough?"
Anvi rushed to me.
Anvi: "Hey, stop! You can't tolerate alcohol, you know that. Don't cry. You're beautiful, every boy in college wants you. He's just… blind."
At that moment, Sarthak stormed into the room with Anvi's brother, Abhinav.
Sarthak: "Why are you both drunk and crying?!" His voice was sharp with anger.
He ordered his assistant to take Manya home, then grabbed me and dragged me to his car. On the way out, he threatened the bar manager.
Sarthak: "If she comes here again and you don't tell me, I'll shut this bar down."
When we reached home, he carried me in his arms.
Mom: "Sarthak, what happened? Why is Samira (me) drunk?"
Sarthak: "She went to the bar with Anvi and Manya. They even ordered nine male models."
Mom: "What?! She's becoming so mischievous these days."
Sarthak: "Aunty, I'll take her to her room. Can you ask the maid to set dinner for me?"
Mom: "Okay. But Sarthak, where's Aarne?"
Sarthak: "Aunty, she has a boyfriend. And I love someone else. Please don't push us into a marriage neither of us wants. We won't be happy."
Mom: "Alright. I know. Her grandfather only asked me to take care of her. And yes, I know the girl you love—I won't tell until your plan works out."
Sarthak: "Thank you. Now I understand why Maa trusts you with everything."
He carried me upstairs, laid me on my bed, and tucked me in with a blanket. His eyes softened for a moment, then hardened again.
Sarthak: "Why do you go to bars again and again, ordering male models? Am I not enough for you?"
And with that, he closed the door behind him, leaving me to sleep in tears.