OS - To notice or not... (update on page 4)

I am usually a silent member of the forum and dont usually venture out to rant or vent (unless I really cant hold it in hehe 😆). But rarely have I felt such empathy for a character like I have for Lavanya. She has been my favourite for a long time now, even when she used to be mean to Khushi because there was something real about her. I couldn't have been more happy that the writers decided to broaden her (character's) mind and get rid of the silly notions about image and superiority that was her initial backbone.

This is the first time I wanted to write something for a character and before I lose courage, I decided I should post it. I have just tried to give some spunk and dignity back to a character that I fear is being grossly misused. Since her leaving is inevitable, I can only hope that the writers respect the changes that the character has undergone and make her exit a graceful one.

I may have taken some creative liberties here and there, but most of the events are true to the show so far. Note that this story is set in the aftermath of the Diwali episode (Nov 3 not counting).

Aside note, to all the FF writers out there: Before this, I only appreciated your brilliance in stories, the time and the effort it must have taken to pen down your thoughts. I only now understand the strength it takes to open your work to the critical eyes of the public. Kudos to those who have done it and continued! 👏

Constructive criticism will always be welcomed 😊 Rude and inappropriate comments will not.

Hope you like it!

He didn't think she noticed. She did.

He didn't think she noticed how their relationship was not normal. That she didn't notice how aloof he was with her.

So she pretended not to notice either. Pretended that it didn't hurt when his grandmother constantly insulted her regardless of how hard she tried to fit in. That he didn't always speak to her as an equal. And she definitely pretended to not notice that her heart broke a little every time he refused to make their relationship official. And if there was one thing that Lavanya Kashyap was good at, it was pretending that things were fine.

"Fine," she thought ruefully, carefully folding her scarf into the full suitcase. Of course they weren't fine. "They never had been," she sighed, placing the note on the bed.

When she had met him, gotten into what seems now, a sham of a relationship, she had been thrilled. Her prejudiced company and feelings told her it was meant-to-be. "Birds of the same feather and all that crap," she cursed grimly, pulling at the zip of her handbag as she made her way down the stairs. She was beautiful, as was he. Both were from wealthy families, moved in high society, with the status to afford the kind of lifestyle Lavanya had always grown up in. She would have to change nothing, give up nothing. As practical minded as she was, it never bothered her that his emotions towards her never seemed to venture beyond mild care. She'd felt no differently at one point, so how could she find fault with him?

"It's too bad," she thought, waiting for her luggage to be loaded into the trunk of the cab, "that just as I started caring, he decided to as well. For someone else." She paused to look back up at the house that had given her a sense of family, looking every bit as tired as a dressed up bride after the wedding. The diwali lights dim at dawn, everyone still abed as multiple days of festivities took a toll on their energy. She'd miss them a lot. Especially Di, who had become a confidante and a big sister, fussing over her, protecting her from Nani and championing her cause against him. Him. She could not bring herself to say his name.

He probably thinks I didn't notice that he's changing. Because of her. "Chamkili," she murmured fondly, thinking about the bright, vibrant girl with a tendency to dress just as brightly as her personality. She was one of a kind, that girl. And Lavanya was glad that she had become better person for allowing the girl to teach her things that no one else had bothered to before. Amidst getting into trouble for asinine plans, trying to get him to accept the responsibility of a relationship and attempting to gain knowledge of a culture that she was sorely lacking, they had formed a bond, which had developed into a deep friendship. She would miss Khushi too, she realized. She was losing a family, and a friend.

"I wonder if he noticed...," she pondered, thanking the man behind the counter for getting her a window seat. "Probably wouldn't admit it even if he did. Stubborn fool."

But she'd seen him look at Khushi too many times before to be ignored. When she was trying to demonstrate how to wear a saree. When she'd jumped out of happiness at getting more silver coins than she'd expected. When she wore his favourite colour and looked especially pretty. She'd seen him look at her with more emotion than he'd ever shown anyone apart from Di.

Then, last night, she'd seen the concern on his face when Khushi twisted her ankle. She'd felt Khushi's confusion, echoing her own, when he returned her mothers' anklet. It was tantamount to the prince returning Cinderella's lost shoe, she thought, recalling her favourite fairytale. Unable to stop watching, much like a spectator to a horrific accident, she'd seen them almost kiss before forcing herself to turn back around and returning to the safety of a crowded party. She hadn't been completely shocked. She had been almost expecting it for a while. But expecting something and seeing it come true were two different things altogether. After what she saw, it would be foolish of her to continue pretending. And Lavanya Kashyap refused to be anyone's fool.

She had already made her decision about what to do next so when he announced their marriage, she did not allow her surprise to show. She'd known his reasons even if no one else had. It wasn't just to stop the gossips. He was running from her. And she was being used as a shield. But even in that one moment, she relished the comfort of his hand in hers. She'd make this evening count, she'd sworn. Pretend that it was real and hers to enjoy. Just for a few hours, she'd decided. And so she went through the evening, staunchly by his side, playing the part of a happy, newly engaged woman, graciously accepting every 'congratulations' thrown her way and excitedly participating in any discussions about the wedding dress, the jewellery, the honeymoon. Even Nani had finally accepted her.

"Would wonders never cease? I never thought she would actually smile. At me." Lavanya shook her head slightly with a small smile, sipping on her coffee as she got up at the boarding call for first class passengers on their way to London.

She'd said her goodbyes, even if they did not yet realize it. When she wished Khushi a good life before letting her leave last night, she had meant it. Maybe Khushi had sensed something different in her because when they hugged, she said repeatedly that they would meet again tomorrow, as though assuring a child. Spending a good hour alone with Di, Nani and Mami after the guests had left, she had presented them with Diwali gifts, thanking them for their love and support. Di had just smiled while Nani looked like she was still adjusting to the feeling of actually liking her. Mami simply expressed her thanks in her unique 'ishtyle' for clearing the way for her son's wedding as well.

When she had finally seen him return home, she had asked for a few minutes to sit down and have some tea. She'd insisted, getting everything prepared before he could refuse. Sitting by the pool and sipping warm tea in companionable silence was something she had always missed in their relationship. Simple pleasures, she realized. He'd gotten restless after a few minutes, expecting her to have something important to say. She excused herself saying that she'd forgotten what it was due to the excitement of the recent wedding announcement. Before he could scold her, she'd gotten up and given him a tight hug. She'd taken his face in her hands and kissed both his cheeks, lingering for a moment, resting her cheeks against his to savour the last intimate gesture they would share. She had left without a backward glance, knowing that this sudden display of affection on her part would keep him confused for a few moments, enough to make her escape. In the safety of her room, she had allowed herself that one moment to grieve, just one tear before she had to pick up the pieces and put herself together again. She had work to do, tickets to book, suitcases to pack, letters to write, the pain in her heart constantly urging her to go faster and keep busy before the hurt took over.

"He will thank me someday," she thought a little contentedly, leaning back to see the horizon tilt as the plane took off. She wouldn't be his shield any more. She deserved better. So did he. _____________________________________________________________________________

"She's gone," Arnav confirmed, handing his sister the note Lavanya had left for the family. "There will be no wedding." His sister looked confused, worried and overall unsure of what was happening. Nani shook her head, her mouth set in a firm line and walked away. Mami was inconsolable, wailing that at this rate her son, Akash, was destined to remain a bachelor.

He looked up as Khushi came in hurriedly, asking for Lavanya, her tirade drying out as their gazes met. He looked away, gruffly moving past her towards his own room, while Di filled her in on Lavanya's quiet departure.

Later that day, he sat alone in the quietness of his garden, contemplating the note Lavanya had left addressed only to him. No one else had known it was there. He hadn't shown it to anyone. He couldn't. He pulled the crushed paper out of his pocket to read it again.

ASR-

There is a reason why you gave her back her mothers' anklet.

And there is a reason why you had it in the first place

Tell her you love her. Don't wait.

-Lavanya

He didn't think she noticed.

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i heart u lavanya