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“—and Rithwik’s having a party,” Rhea said flippantly. “That’s so usual now.”
“Actually, he’s not.”
“Wait a minute,” Shauna held a hand out, “So, there’s no party? Wow! Since when does Rithwik not celebrate any event?”
“There is a party,” Raashi said. “But Rithwik is not hosting it. Rohan is.”
“Duh!” Shauna flopped back on the sofa. “That means it’s not a party. It must be a private event between all of them. Why even bring it up?”
Exactly. It made no sense. Jiya was well versed in Rohan’s aversion to Rithwik’s friends.
“Rohan’s hosting a party—a sundowner,” Raashi said. “And we all are invited. The whole gang is; all of you too.”
Jiya’s jaw dropped.
“What the fuck?” Shauna swore.
Rhea giggled. “Rohan and throw a party? Really?”
“Yes,” Raashi answered.
“Again, WHAT THE FUCK?” Shauna stressed.
Her friend’s reaction was valid. Rohan was the last person to socialize by choice. And to hear that he was throwing a party and had invited Rithwik’s whole group was… It was definitely a shocker.
She addressed her sister. “Are you and Keya going?”
Raashi shrugged. “It’s Aisha’s birthday. Of course, we’d go.”
Jiya’s brows puckered. Something was going on. Raashi was acting too cool and casual about the whole thing. On any other day, she would’ve said something sharp about Rohan for sure.
Jiya narrowed her eyes. “What’s going on?”
Her sister lifted her jaw. “Why don’t you tell me what’s going on? Were you ever planning on telling me you had an affair with Rohan?”
“W…what?” Jiya sputtered. She looked at Rhea and Shauna.
“Don’t look at them,” Raashi said, her expression sad. “They didn’t tell me. And how I found out is not important. What is important is thatyoudidn’t tell me.”
Her sister looked upset, and that was not Jiya’s intention at all. When she’d returned to Mumbai, she’d planned on being honest with Raashi and telling her everything. But the opportunity hadn’t arisen. Leaving Rhea, Jiya knelt in front of her sister and held her hands.
“I’m so sorry, Raashi,” Jiya began. “I should’ve told you.”
Raashi’s face cleared. She tilted her head to the side. “I’m here now, and I’m waiting to hear it all.”
So, Jiya told her everything, right from how it had started to how it had ended. She even told her about Aditya and what she’d planned for her future.
Raashi squeezed her hands. “I’m so sad you went through all that heartache.”
“I’m better now, honest,” Jiya said. “And I have a feeling it will all work out fine in the end. Isn’t that what you’ve always taught me?”
“I have.” Raashi knelt on the floor beside her. She cupped Jiya’s cheeks, her eyes shining with tears. “You know, after we lost our parents, I promised myself I’d never let you feel their loss. That I’d compensate for their absence in every way. I tried to be a parent to you. You grew up, and I didn’t realize that I needed to set you free. That I had to let you spread your wings and allow you to fall and rise again. That you needed me more as an elder sister than a parent. And for that, I am sorry. I feel awful that you thought you couldn’t come to me about this situation with Rohan because you believed I’d be against it, and I’d probably get mad at you.”
Jiya eyes watered. “Nothing that happened is your fault. And you have been a role model, a wonderful sibling, and a caring parent to me. I am this strong and confident person because of you. You’ve taught me so much. You taught me to believe in myself. To choose happiness always, and I have…thanks to you.”
Raashi smiled. “I can’t believe you fell in love with Rohan, of all people.”
“That’s just it… Love happens…” Jiya sighed. “It comes and hits you right in the centre of the chest when you least expect it. Then one day it hurts…so much.”
