The Strings Of Heart

16

David POV

"What are you thinking?" Aarav asked wrapping his arm around my shoulder.

"Nothing," I reply.

"What are you doing here?" I ask him.

"Came out to answer a call, they are too loud. By the way, your mom seemed like she is going to announce something. She has been talking seriously with my mum and Aish aunty."

"Really? I don't know about her plans." He nodded his head.

"How was the ride? Did you guys fought?" he asked with curious eyes. I rolled my eyes pushing him away.

"Nah, nothing happened. We kind of had a small interaction while returning." He came back wrapping his arm.

"Ohoh..." I push him to walk ahead with Sitara on my mind. It feels weird that I still feel the touch and light push of her palm against my front.

I would be lying if I said I wasn't shocked seeing how she dealt with those boys. My eyes widen the second she held the boy's wrist twisting it.

"Come one, everyone is waiting for you," Elora said walking over to us.

"Coming babe," Aarav said wrapping his arm around her.

"You know what, your cold sister and our calm David didn't argue or fought."

"Really? She didn't argue with you?" Elora asked.

"No, she was silent and there was no reason to argue."

"Lol, you guys don't need a reason to argue. Just seeing each other's face you two argue," Aarav joked. Elora and he laughed while I shook my head.

"At least I wasn't the one who starts the argument. It's your sister who starts the argument," I say just when Rithika aunty walks beside us.

"It is a sight to watch though, you and Sitara arguing. You don't argue with anyone and when Sitara snaps at you... You face though..."

"Shut up," I tell him. Entering the dining room my eyes go to where Sitara sat blankly beside Rishi. Aarav walked over and sat beside Sitara in his usual seat.

I went over to my seat and sat down, "Hey David!" Pihu waved her hand at me.

"Hello Pihu," I reply with an awkward smile as she gives me those puppy dog eyes.

"Thank you David for the help," Aish aunty said patting my hand.

"You don't have to thank me, aunty," I reply. The housemaids started serving the food.

"But Aish Akka(Sis), I heard David saying Elora and Aarav that Sitara argued with him," Rithika aunty spoke out. My eyes shifted to Sitara who is looking at me blankly.

"No Rithika aunty, she didn't argue with me," I say immediately.

"David, you don't have to cover it," Rithika aunty said.

"Aishu, I don't like to talk about this while eating but this is the third time I'm seeing your daughter disrespect my son," mum said. I looked at mum.

"No mom, nothing happened," I say.

"Sitara..." Aishu aunty hardens her gaze on Sitara. Before I could say something, Sitara stood up from her chair. Everyone looked at her.

"Sitara sit down and apologize David and Tanu," Aishu aunty said. She didn't reply but pushed her chair away before stepping out. She started walking away while Aarav looked at her.

"Where are you going? Aren't you going to eat?" Farheen asked Sitara in confusion walking out of the kitchen.

"Nope, good night," she said turning around.

"Sitara don't give that attitude, sit down and eat your dinner after apologising," Aishu aunty said as I tried to speak. She didn't say anything just looked at her mum blankly before our eyes met. I felt guilty when I gazed into her eyes before she went upstairs.

"I'm sorry David, I'm sorry Tanu," Aishu aunty started apologising.

"Seriously Sitara didn't argue with me. In fact, she helped me, we didn't argue listen to me," I say looking at everyone.

"David, I clearly heard you saying to Elora and Aarav that she started arguing with you. Why are you lying and saving Sitara," Rithika aunty spoke.

I sigh heavily, "I was telling them about the past, not the present. You have misunderstood what I said Rithika aunty. If you are not sure you should've asked me and confirm it before telling in front of everyone," I say disappointedly.

"And is that a right thing to complain about someone when they sat down to have their dinner? If Sitara really argued with me and I didn't speak about it then it means I don't want to talk about it. You don't have to talk about it," I say agitated as all I can see and think is Sitara's face.

They look at me shocked, I never spoke like this before. "David!" Mum called my name out.

"Sorry if I hurt you Rithika aunty but what you did was not the right thing," I apologise standing up.

"Where are you going?" Mum asked looking at me.

"I will bring Sitara, she didn't eat anything," I say. Before they could say anything I walk towards the upstairs leaving the dining room.

I have never felt this guilty before in my life. I don't feel good knowing that Sitara left the room without eating her food. I go upstairs and stand in front of her room. I knock on her door continually as I don't get any response.

"Sitara..." I call out loudly banging on her door. After five minutes of continuous calling out and knocking she opened.

I looked down at her as the music is blasting in her room. I gulped down the lump as she looked at me with a blank look.

"Hmm, listen it's a misunderstanding. I'm sorry for that and Rithika aunty didn't understand and she miscommunicated. Please come down and have your dinner..."

I waited for her to say something, "f**k off." She closed the door with a bang on my face. I took a step back as I heard the footsteps.

"She won't open the door, David, give her space." I heard Elora.

"But it wasn't her mistake and I feel bad. Just call her and tell her to eat," I say looking at Elora.

"She doesn't listen to anyone David, you know her. She needs space when things happen like this. I will send Farheen Aai to feed her." I don't think I know her...

"David, don't overthink. I know Sitara, everyone is waiting downstairs for you."

"Aren't they waiting for her?" I ask Elora. Sitara's words after getting down the car are ringing in my head.

"David... You know how it is. They aren't habituated with Sitara and she isn't habituated with them."

"What about you Elora? Isn't she, your sister? Aren't you going to try talking with her?" Elora looks at me weirdly.

"Sitara doesn't like it when someone begs her. It's better to give space when she needs it. She doesn't want anyone to wait for her and she doesn't wait for anyone."

Slouching down my shoulders I follow Elora. There is this nagging feeling inside me, I'm not feeling good knowing how Sitara would be feeling.

She has indirectly told me how she is treated and watching it directly makes me sad for Sitara.

"Why would your aunt do that? She would've asked me..."

"My aunts and Sitara always have a cold war going on. You already know about this, and Sitara isn't the one who takes these things seriously. They are common, you don't worry. She will forget about this and Farheen will take care of Sitara," Elora assures as we reach the downstairs.

The rest of the dinner goes on with everyone talking and listening. I just stay quiet listening to them. Aarav sits quietly eating his food, for the first time I feel restless sitting with everyone.

I have never felt this, I enjoyed these dinner nights with everyone. They made me happy as my mum attends them and she is close with Aishu aunty and others.

Everyone as already left, mum and I are leaving now. "Where are you going?" Mum asked.

"Just a minute, I want to thank Farheen for the food," I say.

"It's not needed, get in and drive."

"Just a minute mum." I rush to the kitchen while mum and Aishu aunty are talking outside.

"Hmm, did she eat Farheen Amma?" I ask.

"No beta (son), she is angry and she won't eat when she is very angry..." She gives me a tight smile telling me.

"Oh, did you try talking to her?" I ask.

"Yes, but she isn't replying."

"David! It's getting late!" Mum called out.

"Take care Farheen amma," I say.

"Take care and eat on time beta." I smiled at her before turning and walking away.

We bid byes before getting into the car. I waited till mum got inside and put on her seatbelt. After a while, she started talking.

"I really don't like Aishu's second daughter. Her attitude towards everyone makes me angry. You stay away from her, let Aarav help her."

I don't say anything knowing clearly it would only make things worse. I know my mum, she doesn't listen to anyone. Whatever she says it's true and if I don't agree then she starts arguing. In a way, both my mum and Sitara sounds like the same person.

I think about Sitara, I feel uncomfortable and uneasy. I don't like it when people leave the dining table without eating anything. It makes me uneasy that they went to bed with an empty stomach.

*

"I'm telling you, David, we have time. Let's go and pack another bag. I don't think one luggage is enough..." Aarav whines while I roll my eyes.

"Aarav, it's more than enough for me. I don't like to carry so much luggage and repeating clothes isn't a big issue."

"It is! You are going to work with female staff who are single! Good looks and good dressing always tick marks a girl's boyfriend list," he said. I put the newspaper and look at him.

"How do you know that they are single?" I ask him. I didn't even know that I'm going to work with female staff, I haven't checked my planner or emails.

He winked, "I know you wouldn't check your emails so I checked your emails and team for you. Then stalked them on social media, their f*******: bio said they are single just like you."

"Wow, why did you stalk them on social media when it's not needed?" I ask confused.

"Because my brother, you aren't getting any younger. You need to start dating and go on dates! Knowing you, it would be great if you date someone from your field and even better if they are from your team."

I shook my head, "not happening. Personal life and professional life are two different things."

"But man, there are so many doctors who date their co-staff. I think that's great, you get to see them often and they will understand that you are busy. You should ask your co-workers out and start dating when you go there..."

"Haha, haven't you heard from Tanu aunty that she is match-fixing for our David?" I turned my head to see Elora.

"Really?" Aarav asks stunned while I hug Elora. We have been waiting for her to come.

"Nothing serious, chill out," I tell Aarav.

"It is, she already selected a girl for you. And Tanu aunty even asked me to meet the girl on Sunday," Elora said.

"When did this happen?" I ask her. I know that my mum is searching for a suitable girl for me but I didn't know that she already selected a girl and asked Elora to meet her.

"Last night, she spoke with me and mum." Aarav laughed patting my shoulder.

"Man, then you should definitely select a girl of your choice before your mum ties you down with someone," Aarav said.

"Forget about it, why were you late? You said you will be here an hour ago," I ask Elora. She took the seat beside me leaving Aarav on my left.

"I had a tire puncture while coming, the driver is with Lilly aunty. Sitara had to pick me up," she said.

"Sitara is here?" Aarav asked.

"Yeah, she is at the café coffee day."

"Why didn't you call her over here?" Aarav asked. My eyes immediately went towards the café coffee day searching for her.

"She isn't in a good mood, she just walked over there and it's better like that."

"Hmm, is she angry about last night?" Aarav asked.

"Yeah, she isn't talking with mum. The silent treatment is going on," Elora said with a sad smile.

"Even you give us the silent treatment, I don't think it is too serious. We can go over and talk with her," Aarav said. My eyes stopped as I found her sipping her coffee with a blank face.

"You don't know about Sitara, her silent treatment is way too serious and she isn't like me."

"What ya seeing?" Elora suddenly asked.

"The boarding timings," I say gazing away.

"You still got time." I nod my head, the rest of the time I talk with Elora and Aarav. Laugh and smile listening to their jokes.

"Why are you here? I thought you have movie shooting today," Elora said to Aarav.

"I have but I told them that I'm sick and packed up early."

Sometimes my eyes wander to where Sitara sat. Now she is talking with someone, my brows frown as she smiles at the person.

"Your sister is talking with someone," I said.

"Where?"

"There.

"Why don't we go there, I'm hungry and need something to eat," Aarav said standing up.

"Sure, I need coffee too."

"Okay." Elora stands up too. We three started walking towards the café coffee day. Sitara laughs before hugging the tall guy. He ruffles her hair before starting to walk in the left direction. We didn't see his face because his back was facing us.

"I will go and check on her. You guys go and order food," Elora said.

"Yeah," Aarav said. Aarav and I go to the counter while Elora goes over to Sitara.

"My mum felt bad about last night man, even I felt bad when she left," Aarav started speaking. We didn't have a conversation of what happened last night.

"Hmm... I went to talk but she closed the door."

"Elora told me that she slammed the door on your face man."

"Whatever..." I mutter giving the guy my order. I casually turn around to see both the sisters talking. My eyes met Sitara's. Her gaze became cold making me smile at her awkwardly which she didn't like or respond to. She turned her gaze to her sister.

"But honestly man, she is something and she is hot when she puts up with her relatives," Aarav said.

"Hot?" I take my coffee while Aarav takes his sandwich. I pay the bill waiting for Aarav to speak.

"Yeah, she doesn't let anyone remark on her. She always has a come back putting them in their places when they comment on her. And I think it's really hot seeing her stand up for herself."

"Let's go there," Aarav said. We both walk to where the sisters sat.

Sitara's eyes met mine and Aarav's. "Hey Sitara," I greet with a smile on my face.

She doesn't say anything just stand up, she leaves without uttering a word. Aarav laughed while I tighten my smile.

"Sorry for that David, don't take it to heart. You know her."

"Yeah, man." I hand Elora's coffee.

"Who was that?" Aarav asked Sitara.

"It was her senior."