Radika got a message from sara, inviting her to party. After seeing message radika truned her face to rudra and said, sir What are you going to say earlier ?
Rudra asked radika in furious tone, Are you going to the dinner?
YES SIR ! My friends just messaged me to come so have to go now. Is there anything else you wanted to talk with me sir ? or is anything happened you look worried about something? Are you okay SIR? she questioned.
Nothing happened. I'm fine. Remember come home fast don't be late. I'm not going to pick up you I have some work. OKAY. BYE.
AT THE DINNER.....
Rohan asked sara,''Why didn't radika come?''
Rohan don't worry, she will come. Maybe she is on the way, sara comforts him.
Hima said, ''You're not going to do something awkward, rohan?''
''What do you mean? Hima's sudden question startled Rohan.
Sara said, ''I know what she meant. Perhaps, are you gonna confess to radika tonight?''
I'm not ready to confess but if she is in good mood then i will try, rohan said.
Hima was shocked by his words. Sara smiled faintly.
Radika came, joined them and asked, ''What are talking about, guys?
Hima is worried while she thinking about radika's situation.
They ordered food & enjoyed the dinner with soft viola music in the background.
But Radika is not in full spirit and she thinking about weird behaviour at the backstage. She could barely blend into their coversation and interacted less with them.
AFTER DINNER...
Sara adviced rohan to drop radika at her home. Rohan asked radika, ''Can I drop you at your home?''
Radika said, ''No, I already booked a cab. It's on the way. You guys can go.''
Rohan tried to talk with radika but her cab came. Rohan watched little radika's cab leave away. Rohan was to dined with radika and spent time with her.
AT THE HOME.....
Radika stepped into the house, brushing hair from her face. The hallway was quiet, but a warm light glowed from the kitchen.
She was about to sneak past when she heard a soft voice.
"Radika? Finally home?"
It was Rudra's mom, standing near the dining table, folding a towel with quiet hands.
Radika smiled, a little awkwardly.
"Yeah… the party went on longer than I expected."
His mom didn't question. She just gave a soft nod and looked toward Rudra's closed door.
"Rudra's been a little quiet since he came home," she said gently, like she was talking about the weather.
Then she looked at Radika with a warm smile.
His mom said," he's not usually this moody unless something's bothering him deeply."She reached out and lightly touched Radika's hand."If it's something small,just talk to him, hmm?
IN THE ROOM.....
Radhika stepped into the room, carefully placing her bag on the table. Rudra was already there—lying on the sofa, staring at his phone, expression unreadable.
She glanced at him.
"I'm back."
No reply.
She waited. Silence.
Finally, she turned toward him.
"If something's wrong, you can say it, sir."
He looked at her, voice sharp.
"Wrong? Why would anything be wrong, Radika? You had a great time… with Rohan."
Her eyebrows knit together.
"What do you mean Sir?
Rudra sat up and said, DANCE!
Radika explained, Sir the dancer got injured at the last moment so me and rohan have performed. We can't cancel it at the last moment sir.
Rudra didn't agree with her and said,"Didn't I warn you once to keep your distance from him?". Why are you not listening to me radika? WHY?
She kept her voice calm, respectful, but firm.
"You did. And I heard you Sir. He is just a friend But I don't think you have the right to control who I talk to—or dance with."
He laughed bitterly.
"Right. Of course. After all, we're just sharing a room until your degree finishes. Then divorce. Isn't that the agreement?"
Radika's voice dropped slightly, but she didn't back down.
"Exactly. We decided not to interfere in each other's lives. So why are you behaving like this?"
He stood up & went out
"Because I care, Radika! Even if I'm not supposed to. Even if I don't have the right. Watching you with him—smiling like that—it drives me insane." He muttered to himself.
That night, they didn't talk with each other.
The next day - NOTHING
They started avoiding each other, no droppings and no pick ups. Total silent.
TO BE CONTINUED........