The Compromise I Don't Regret

Chapter 30. WORTH A SHOT?

"Dekho Bhai.. this is too much okay! You guys were okay before you left for US that day bhai.... phir Kya hogaya? Haan? I've been ranting for the past ten minutes and all I got in return was silence. Waise Ek Baath I understood from the past few hours I've been here.... this is not happening because of Sameera di. It's all your doing, isn't it? What's gotten into you Bhai? Are kuch thoh bolo!!" I was just standing there silently watching Anna intriguing her brother. I must say Anna is much more mature than Amaan. I couldn't help but grin at the thought. If I wasn't included in this so called matter I could have even said that aloud followed by Amaan' comments and then we would have had a fight as usual. But things have changed. All this marriage fiasco has made me more mature enough to not start such stupid fights or is it the awkwardness between us ? Have things changed between us because of this marriage? " thoh teekh hai... main Aliya di .. Aisha di aur Ali bhai or baki sabko bol dhungi.... let them handle you!!" I was brought out of my trance as I heard Anna threatening Amaan as she left the balcony where we were standing, hiding from mami and mama. "Are rukh... Anna suno... yaar don't be such a child Anna" Amaan whined, slightly angry and frustrated as he followed her...
" look who's saying... you are the one who's being a child bhai "
"Acha abh kya logi thum?"
"Seriously bhai?"
" chocolate?"
"Bhai!!"
"Naya phone?"
"Ughhh"
"Kya yaar thum "......and so it's continued. I couldn't help but laugh at the two of them though they are in between some serious conversation, their arguments are silly. Just like how me and Samar Bhai used to fight. Oh! I miss everyone so much. I took out my phone and Called Samar bhayya. I was about to cancel the call after a few rings when a voice came from the other side.
"Choti!! aslamu alaikum "
" walaikum asalam bhayya " i replied as a tear dropped down my cheek.
" thume ab jake mera yaadh aya haan??" He asked faking dejection in his voice.
" haan Bhai bohath yaah araha hai " my voice cracked as the lump in my throat got tighter. "Are.. are you crying Choti... Kya hua I was just joking" he tried to calm me down. " no bhai I'm just missing you all. That's it." I replied honestly as I wiped away my tears. " sabh teekh hai choti? You are not the one to cry. Tell me kya hua. " he asked and I could sense so much of worry in his voice. " Arre bhayya I told you na just missing everyone " I replied again. " hmm.... Is Amaan taking care of you or is he still bothering you? Is everything good between you guys? Better? Different? Happy?-" " calm down bhai! Yeah everything is alright" I cut him off before he could ask more questions about us. " acha teekh hai I'll call you back? Thoda busy hai " he said apologetically. " acha Bhai teekh hai. Take care aur babhi ko salam bolna " I said really quickly to which he replied 'haan! Take care!' Before disconnecting the call.
I looked down at my family pictures on my phone. Things were different a few weeks back. I was different. I had an idea about what I wanted to do the next day, the next month, the next year...Now everything is just blank... just so unreal... just... just different.  I wiped my tears which I didn't realise were there until now and tried to brush away all those thoughts so that I can look happy in front of mama and mami. I was about to get inside when I came face to face with Amaan. " are you crying?" He asked and for the first time since we came here, I saw concern in his eyes... concern for me. I just quickly looked down and walked past him until he stopped me by getting hold my wrist. I didn't make any attempt to move and looked everywhere but his face. I didn't want to look weak in front of him. He came close to me and lifted my chin to look at him. " why were you crying ?" He asked totally looking concerned for me. " why do you care?" I asked him calmly, trying my best to hide the pain and disappointment I had been going through for the past one month. I knew I was being rude when he was just  genuinely concerned for me but I was hurt. As far as I wanted disown the truth, I was honestly hurt by the way he was treating me since the time he left for his work before our marriage. And I'm angry that I'm affected by the way he treats me. I shouldn't be bothered, I shouldn't care about whatever he does. But now it is affecting me, the way he ignores me is bothering me and I don't even know why!!
I realised that None of us have spoken since my question and again it hurts that he didn't even bother to answer.
"'Cause he just don't care"
You are right inner voice, he doesn't care. I sighed as turned around to leave when his grip on my hand tightened and I realised that he was holding my hand all this while. This time I didn't turn around cause I don't want to hurt myself with false hope again. " because I do" he said in a stern voice and I turned around to face him. " huh?" I asked not understanding what he what talking about. " do I need a reason to care about you?" He asked surprising me. Oh!
No! Sameera no! You cannot let those butterflies in your stomach mess up with your mind. He might not mean it. Don't fall for this. Don't grow all mushy and cry again!
" um... well you were not showing any signs of it. Heck you didn't even acknowledge my existence until your parents came home today " I tried to look as confident as I can, controlling that stupid feel inside my stomach. " and that bothered you?" He asked me as he plastered a smirk on his lips. " oh! He's back. 'Arrogant-stupid- self centred- enemy number one-cocky-jerk- good for nothing Amaan' is back. Red Alert. Don't let him win no matter what!
"wa.. why should it bother me? Haan? I don't care! I...I just don't care!  Huh!! Kuch bhi?" I rambled. " wa Sameera wa ... wonderful... now don't start crying when he's gonna tease you with this for the rest of your life"
I slowly looked at him after my blabbering expecting a smirk or a victory grin but instead he was intently looking at me, his eyes sparkling and I instantly calmed down since he was not going to tease me now but I wonder what's going on in his mind. " um... I've shifted your bags to my..um.. our room before ammi and abu could see. I hope you can understand... " he trailed off and the slight happiness I had till then suddenly drained off replaced by disappointment... was he still not ready to give us a chance? I thought he was the one who was eager to work things out. He was showing more interest before when all I wanted to do was run away from this marriage. What's the matter with him now? He's sharing the room just to please our family. Is all this a drama for him? 
I saw that he was still waiting for an answer and it made me even more angrier. What does he want me to say?? Well I cannot openly admit that umm... that I'm ready to give this marriage a chance.  I don't want to be teased all my life by him for admitting that I might fall in love with him, my number one enemy!!
" sure! As you wish! I'm not the one who decided to split up in the first place!" I replied in neutral voice and rushed inside the hall. I didn't need to turn back to know that Amaan was a bit taken back by my reply. I don't care in what sense he is going to grasp my reply but I thought it's high time I let him know that I'm ready to give it a shot.

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Okay guys! I'm ready to silently receive those flying chappals..😬🤕
I'm really sorry... you guys have taken your time, read the book and some of you were so kind enough to leave your opinions and comments. And me? I was being a jerk and did not update for more than a month. Then some of you amazing people were generous enough to remember this book and show interest and ask me to update it and what did I do ? I posted a short crappy good for nothing chapter! Maaro mujhe!!
It's not that I've not tried guys.. first of all I didn't have enough time and second and the most important thing is I don't know how to take the story ahead. Honestly guys! So it takes a lot of time and effort  to come up with something... and I'm really trying.
So if you guys could help me with suggestions and ideas on how to take this story ahead, please please share it and I will honestly consider it.

Also we've reached more than 3k reads. Whoooo! Thank you so much guys!
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Thank you once again!!
Stay blessed!!