Hello everyone!
Another OS!! A short one.
….
Riddhima’s POV
Any second now. I glance at my watch. It’s almost 2:00 p.m. here. My heart races in anticipation.
Five more seconds.
Four.
Three.
Two….
Right on scheduled time, Vansh FaceTimes me.
I pick it up on the first ring. We grin at each other like idiots.
Vansh: Riddhima!
Riddhima: Hey, Vansh! How’s your day going?
Vansh shrugs.
Vansh: Eh, pretty average. But seeing your beautiful face, it has made it so much better.
I blush.
Vansh: Ah, I miss you so much!
Riddhima: I know. Long distance is hard. Maybe you can come to Switzerland sometime.
Vansh grins dazzlingly.
Vansh: I’m working on it. But you know how crazy my job is. Of course, it’s not as bad now that Aahana is here to help me out.
Aahana.
I grit my teeth at the mention of her name but I don’t think Vansh notices. As he continues to talk about his day…
I open up Aahana’s Instagram page. Ugh, she’s perfect. With her ombre hair colour and her height Ugg! Aka my polar opposite.
And why does she have to post so many photos of herself in short dresses?? The latest picture with so much make-up and all has over 2,000 likes! And one of them is Vansh.
My heart sinks.
Vansh: Riddhima? Are you listening to what I’m saying?
My head snaps up.
Riddhima: What? Oh, yeah.
Vansh: So, then Aahana said the funniest thing at the company meeting—
Riddhima: Oh, great, so she’s funny, too.
I try to keep the jealousy tone out of my voice. But Vansh definitely notices this time.
Vansh: What’s wrong, Riddhima?
Riddhima: What do you mean?
Vansh: Every time I talk about Aahana you…(He struggles to find the words) You get weird or something.
Riddhima: I’m not weird. I just remembered that I have to go.
Vansh: What? Now?!
Riddhima: Yeah, it’s a last-minute thing. Urgent business meeting. Completely unavoidable.
I smile, trying to mask the fact that I’m lying through my teeth.
Riddhima: I’m so sorry. I swear I’ll make it up to you.
Vansh: Riddhima, wait…
Riddhima: Talk to you later, okay?
I don’t give him time to respond before I hang up.
I spend the next few minutes stalking Aahana on every social network platform I can find. Well, hours really.
I learn everything about her: Her classic hair and makeup routine.
How she poses in a way to expose maximum cleavage. How she always throws her head back when she laughs.
So, when Vansh FaceTimes me for our evening call, I’m ready. My makeup is bright and bold. My hair is not quite a cascade but it’s still less frizzy than usual. And I’m wearing the one and only, off shoulder drees I could find.
When I answer the phone…Vansh stares at me for such a long time. That I think my screen is frozen!
Riddhima: Hey baby!
I try to raise the pitch of my voice, but it just makes me choke. Awkwardly, I attempt to cover it with a cough. Vansh squints at the screen.
Vansh: Riddhima? Is that you?
Riddhima: Of course, it’s me, silly! Who else would it be?
Vansh: Are you okay? You look…different.
Riddhima: Oh, I just thought I’d dress up a little for tonight. You know, spice things up.
Vansh: Um, okay. So how was your day?
Riddhima: It was great! I went out to eat with some friends. It was great to catch up.
Vansh: Cool, where did you go?
Riddhima: Dean and David.
Vansh: Dean and David?! But you hate salads! Then how come there?
Riddhima: Of course, I don’t! “A healthy outside starts from the inside.” That’s what I always say.
Vansh: You’ve never said that in your life.
Vansh rubs his temples.
Riddhima: What’s wrong?
Vansh: I’m looking for my girlfriend, Riddhima. Have you seen her?
Riddhima: Oh, Vansh. You’re so funny!
I throw my head back and laugh and I almost fall out of my chair.
When I right myself, I see Vansh frowning.
Vansh: What’s going on, Riddhima?
Riddhima: What do you mean?
Vansh: You’ve changed.
Riddhima: I don’t know what you’re talking about. This is who I am. Maybe you just don’t know me that well.
Vansh: You know, I really thought I did. But maybe I don’t. I’ll see you around, Riddhima. See ya later!
Riddhima: Vansh, wait!
I let my voice drop to its normal pitch and sit up straight.
Riddhima: Okay, fine. I guess I was trying to be someone I’m not.
Vansh: Who?
I sigh heavily.
Riddhima: Aahana.
Vansh: Aahana? Like from my job?
Riddhima: Yes.
Vansh furrows his brow adorably.
Riddhima: I’ve just been so worried because you’ve been spending so much time with her. You talk about her all the time and you like all her photos. I mean, she’s so cool and pretty and funny…Whereas I’m…
Vansh: Perfect. By the way looks like someone was very jealous…huh huh!!
Riddhima: Off course, I was jealous. All time Aahana..Aahana, my heart was just saying to come Delhi and kill that that ‘AAHANA’!
Vansh: My jealous Riddhu. Okay, on a serious note Riddhima, you’ve got it all wrong. The only reason I’m spending all this time with Aahana is because I’m training her.
Riddhima: Training her?
Vansh: Yes. She’s going to be taking over my position. I was planning on surprising you with this, but…I put in a transfer to come to Switzerland. And it was approved. After next two weeks, I’ll be in Switzerland.
At this, my lips curl into a smile.
Riddhima: Switzerland, you say? What’s there in Switzerland?
Vansh: Oh, you know. Grossmünster, The Swiss Chocolate. And a certain girl who I happen to be in love with and will meet her after a year!
My eyes go wide. I feel my heart doing cartwheels and somersaults. I let out a shaky breath.
Riddhim: Did you say, “in love with?”
Vansh: Yes, Riddhima. I did. I’m in love with a girl, who never has to pretend to be someone she isn’t.
Riddhima: I love you too Vansh.
Vansh: But you aren’t my Riddhima whom I know, you are some witch who’s having so so much make-up….(acts to puke)
Riddhima: Yoouuu…come here and then see what I’ll do of you! But right now, I’m gonna remove this makeup!
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Always be yourself! Don’t think what others think about you…
The first and foremost thing should be “MY COMFORT”
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The end