Cupid's Arrow

Chapter fourty

Arun's POV

It had been a week since our arrival, and each passing day seemed to deepen the void left by Adithi's absence. Despite my attempts to bridge the gap between us, she remained distant, preoccupied with tasks that kept her at arm's length. Her avoidance weighed heavily on my heart, a constant reminder of the rift that had grown between us.

The evenings were the hardest. As I returned to our room, the emptiness echoed around me, a silent testament to the space that now lay between us. Adithi, once my confidante and companion, now retreated into sleep before my arrival, leaving me to grapple with the questions that haunted my thoughts.

But it wasn't just her absence that tormented me. It was the presence of another, an interloper who seemed to have wormed his way into her world. Arjun, with his easy charm and effortless rapport, had become a constant presence by her side, a thorn in my side that I couldn't shake.

As if sensing my turmoil, Arjun appeared at the door, his casual demeanor grating on my nerves. "Bro, uncle's calling for you," he announced, oblivious to the storm brewing within me.

I begrudgingly followed his summons, joining my father in the hall. His concerned gaze weighed heavily on me, a silent acknowledgment of the change that had taken hold of me in recent days.

"Today, there is much work to be done," my father began, his voice tinged with a mixture of authority and concern. "I trust you'll lend a hand where needed."

I nodded, masking my inner turmoil beneath a façade of composure. But my father saw through the charade, his gentle probing revealing the depths of my struggle.

"Have you reached out to Siva?" he asked, his words carrying a weight that belied their simplicity.

I hesitated, my pride warring with the knowledge that my father's concern was born out of love. "No, Dad," I admitted, my voice betraying the vulnerability I sought to conceal. " He can manage. There's no need to worry."

But my father's gaze held steady, his concern a silent plea for me to acknowledge the truth. "It's not just about the business, Arun,"

he said softly. "Your well-being matters to me. And if reaching out to Siva will bring you some measure of solace, then I urge you to do so."

I swallowed hard, the weight of his words sinking in. "Thank you, Dad," I murmured, a sense of gratitude washing over me. "I'll consider it."

With that, my father left, leaving me to grapple with the tumult of emotions that swirled within me. I assisted them with the tasks at hand, the bustle of activity outside my aunt's home a stark contrast to the turmoil within me. My aunt's family held a position of great respect in the village, and as they requested my assistance in serving food to the guests, I obliged, my father by my side.

The evening wore on, and fatigue began to weigh heavily upon me. Finding a moment of respite, I sank into the sofa, seeking solace in the quiet of my thoughts. It was then that Arjun approached, his presence a disruption to the silence that enveloped me.

"So, bro, what's been on your mind lately?" Arjun asked.

I shrugged, feigning indifference to the turmoil that churned within me. "Nothing much," I replied, though the weight of my unspoken thoughts hung heavy in the air.

"You seem distant. Is there someone you're missing?" He asked again.

I bristled at his probing, his words hitting too close to home. "Missing someone? Nonsense," I scoffed, though the truth of his words gnawed at me from within.

We lapsed into a tense silence, the unspoken tension between us palpable. But Arjun, ever persistent, sought to breach the barrier that lay between us.

"So, was yours and Adithi's marriage a love match or arranged?"

His question caught me off guard, the suddenness of it leaving me momentarily speechless. I struggled to find the words to respond, the weight of the truth too heavy to bear.

Arjun: "Come on, bro, spill the beans."

I hesitated, the truth hovering on the tip of my tongue. But before I could muster a response, the shrill ring of my phone pierced the air, breaking the tension that had settled between us. With a grateful nod, I excused myself, retreating to the relative sanctuary of the outdoors to take the call.

It was Siva, a trusted friend whose voice offered a welcome reprieve from the tumult of my thoughts.

"Hello? Any office emergencies? Do I need to rush over?" I inquired, my tone laced with concern.

"Dude Relax, Arun! What's got you so wound up?" Siva's voice crackled with amusement.

"Nothing urgent, Siva. Just missing your relentless banter," I replied, trying to lighten the mood.

"Ah, the guilt trip! No worries, buddy. So, have you seen her? How's it going?" Siva's curiosity was palpable.

I sighed inwardly. "Who are we talking about now?"

"You know exactly who I mean, Aru! That girl!" Siva persisted, teasingly.

I groaned inwardly. "Siva, not this again! Spare me your relentless interrogation."

"Why? Did she sprout horns in your absence?" Siva joked, earning himself a scowl from me.

"Enough, Siva! I'll fill you in later," I warned, feeling exasperated.

Changing tack, I invited, "Siva, care to join me? It's dreadfully dull here."

"To your place? Why?" Siva questioned, puzzled.

"It's dreadfully dull here!" I explained, hoping to entice him over.

"Why complain when you have your beautiful wife for company?" Siva quipped.

"Let's not talk about her," I interjected, feeling a pang of discomfort.

"Why the sudden aversion, Arun? Everything okay?" Siva inquired, sensing my unease.

I relented, pouring out the details of my predicament to him.

"What a mystery! Why the avoidance?" Siva mused sympathetically.

"I wish I knew, Siva," I replied, my voice heavy with sadness.

"Cheer up, buddy! Admit it, you miss her," Siva teased gently.

After a moment's hesitation, I confessed, "Perhaps, just a bit. Okay, fine, I miss her."

"Stay strong, my friend. I have a plan," Siva declared confidently.

"Very well, Siva. Let's hear it later," I agreed, feeling a glimmer of hope.

"Got some work to attend to, Arun. Need to pick up Regina! Catch you later," Siva said, preparing to bid farewell.

"Regina? Who's she?" I queried, before he could end the call.

"My new girlfriend!" Siva exclaimed proudly.

"Go jump off a cliff," I retorted. Siva's response was met with my playful retort, and before he could finish, I ended the call abruptly.

Heading back to my room, I couldn't shake the gnawing sense of unease that lingered within me. The mystery of Adithi's behavior weighed heavily on my mind.

Adithi's POV

As Arun took the call, I found refuge behind a nearby wall, eavesdropping on his conversation. My heart raced with anticipation, hoping to hear the words I longed for. And finally, amidst the dialogue, he admitted to missing me. A wave of relief washed over me, mingled with a tinge of hope. Perhaps, soon, he would express those sentiments directly to me. Oh, how I missed him, too! My actions weren't meant to be punitive, but rather a means to awaken his realization of our love.

Lost in my reverie, I felt a gentle shake on my shoulder, pulling me back to the present.

"Are you okay, Akka?" Arjun's voice broke through my thoughts.

"Huh? Oh, yes, I'm fine!" I replied, trying to mask my emotions.

"So, are you dreaming of rekindling the romance with your husband?" Arjun teased, a mischievous glint in his eye.

I playfully swatted his arm, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. But as quickly as the blush appeared, it faded, replaced by a somber expression.

"What's wrong, Akka? You look troubled," Arjun observed, concern etched in his features.

"He's suffering, Arjun. I can sense his loneliness without me. I don't want to inflict this pain upon him," I confessed, my voice tinged with worry.

"Trust me, Akka, everything will fall back into place. You and your husband will find happiness again," Arjun reassured me, his words offering solace.

"But I haven't given him a chance to express himself. How will he convey his feelings if I'm always one step ahead?" I lamented, grappling with my doubts.

"Just wait a little longer, Akka. Two more days, and everything will unfold as it should," Arjun insisted, exuding confidence.

"But in the process, you've tarnished your image in his eyes," I countered, my concern for Arjun's reputation surfacing.

"That's inconsequential. All I want is for you to be happy with him," Arjun declared, pulling me into a comforting embrace.

His unwavering support filled me with strength and resolve. Yes, I would reclaim my Arun. Despite the trials we faced, I knew deep down that we were meant to be together. And with fate guiding our path, love would triumph in the end. Oh, how I loved him, with every fiber of my being. And I eagerly awaited the day when he would profess his love for me once more.

To be continued...