7 Years & Waiting

Chapter - 39

Sarthak............

I soon as I pressed Amara against my side, his eyes zoomed to the place where my hand held her. Hmm...Just as I anticipated! Even my firebolt seemed hassled by the building tension in the air, and hence she subtly shrugged my hand from her shoulders, careful not to hurt my feelings as well. I smiled...Typical Firebolt!

I don't know what was I thinking....or if I was thinking at all before I decided to grace my best friend with my presence. One minute I was lying on my bed, dreaming about brown eyes, the next moment I tied my shoelaces, grabbed three bottles of beer from the freezer and left the house. 

I looked up once again to stare speculatively at this unknown man standing in front of me. His eyes seemed to be studying me as well. There had been a few things I expected out of the delectable Vivaan Arora by all the stories I had heard till date. My first theory of him having certain caveman instincts proved as spot on when I tested the theory by getting cozy with my friend. However, my stupid heart had betrayed me and also secretly hoped that Vivaan would turn out to be a bulky and ugly-looking guy with lots of pimples and bad-breath problems....Well! Wishful thinking, buddy! 

The building tension in the air was palpable when I heard Amara clear her throat, preparing herself to speak. I turned to the sound and found her eyes transfixed at me, a slightly pleading expression on her face. She turned towards Vivaan with a smile on her face....however it seemed like a fake, plastered smile. Why was she pretending in front of him? 

"Vee...Remember, I told you in court about a special person I wanted you to meet" she smiled cheerfully and moved towards him until she was standing beside him, her hands in the crook of his arm. It was only a moment later I realized, that I had no right to judge him since my eyes zeroed at their conjoined arms as well. " I was talking about Sarthak! And Sarthak...." she turned to look at me with such a huge smile, I felt that my day was finally complete. "Meet...my Vivaan!"

My! A tinge of sadness engulfed me as she pressed her palms against his chest with affection.

"Just in time for dinner, I see.." I recollected myself and swiftly moved towards the kitchen and introduced the bottles of beer out of the brown bag. "Since I thought that celebrations are in order, I bought these" I grinned at the duo to which Amara grinned back but the guy still had the perpetual frown. Hmm...He doesn't trust me! Well....he's smart! I wouldn't trust myself either, especially if I had a girl like his.

I turned to prepare myself a grilled sandwich and I felt both of them moving towards the counter and taking seats.

"Vee...I made you grilled cheese sandwich, they are your favorite, right?" Amara asked him expectantly as she used the bottle opener to open the cap of beer bottles. I turned to take a seat beside them myself and noticed Vivaan staring at the plate in front of him for a long time.What is he thinking?

"I....I don't remember their taste anymore" he whispered as if embarrassed and I heard a small intake of breath from Amara's side. Her lips trembled and for once I thought that she might start crying. However, to my surprise, she contained her emotions and smiled at Vivaan, covering his hand with hers.

"It's alright...Now we can make your new favorites....together!" he smiled back at her words and I felt like some outsider witnessing an intimate moment. After a minute, I was unable to take the silence and spoke up.

"So....You didn't tell me what happened at court, Am! Did all go well?" I asked nonchalantly as I took a sip of my beer. Amara did the same with her bottle, however, Vivaan didn't touch his.

"It was fine....After lots of verification procedures and signatures, the judge seemed to be okay with me having the custody. Rakesh uncle made a good case, I must say"  she nodded as she bit into her sandwich, leaving behind a small crumb at the side of her lip. It took all the self-control in me not to move forward and clear the crumb with my fingers. If only...