Chapter 53: LIVES WITHOUT EACH OTHER

                                    

                                          
Third person POV:
Hours passed..
Days passed..
Weeks passed..
And like that months passed...
It's been around 2 months since Virat and Anushka broke up. Things have changed. None of them has seen each other after that day. Not even a single call or message has been exchanged. They have been longing for each other, their heart craves for the love, their eyes lacks that sparkle but still they are moving ahead with their lives. When the families and team came to know about them splitting, it came as a shock to them. They all knew how perfect they're together but still respecting their decision was the only choice they had. They tried to make both of them understand, make them realise certain things but nothing helped. Kiara has been discharged from hospital a week after their splitting. She is still recovering from the accident as her legs were hurt badly. From last 2 months, she is slowly getting back to walk on her own feet. But the progress is slow. Kiara was the one who got extremely affected by the news of Virat and Anushka break up, she has shipped them even before they were a thing, Virat is her idol and Anushka is her sister- she was torn between them, and the fact that it is all linked with her accident send her on a long guilt trip. She knew she'll burst out if she discuss about their breakup even once, she was angry, she was guilty and all these feelings were suffocating her. That's why she didn't try to make Anushka understand anything even once. Unlike Anushka and other family members, she didn't lose her contact with Virat. Virat was more than just her sister's boyfriend to her. She had a bond with him that was precious. Virat also made sure to keep a check on Kiara regularly regarding her health. They exchanged messages almost daily, but both of them refrained from mentioning the breakup and Anushka in the talks. This breakup topic couldn't be kept a secret from media also. Even Virat and Anushka's breakup has become a more important news to media portals and newspaper agencies than the other far more important political incidents happening in the country. There has not been a day when something or the other hasn't been printed about their breakup. The funny thing is that they have new reasons everytime. Their so called ‘inside sources’ bring a different angle to the breakup everytime. Both of them faced backlash. Some called Virat ‘Playboy’ while some called Anushka ‘Gold digger’. Some accused Virat for dumping another girl while some accused Anushka for using Virat as a ladder to gain fame. Not just this, some articles even said that the reason behind their breakup is Virat's affair with Alia. And there are already people who have started shipping Alia and Virat together. But not everything is negative, there are fans who still love VIRUSHKA, who respects their decision and doesn't hate anyone. There are fans who still have hopes of them coming back together. This all summarise how social media has become an absolute chaos after their news of falling apart. 
Coming to the work front, Both Virat and Anushka started to look for solace in their work. Both of them decided to use their work as distraction and thus drown themselves in their work lives. Virat has been on 2 consecutive cricket tours, and even rejected the proposed rest by BCCI to manage his workload. He has been phenomenal with bat and broke many other records. Anushka on the other hand has made her office her home. Working for around 16-17 hours has become her new routine. She has also been nominated for the BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR award because of the grand success of NUSH. For someone who'll see their lives from a distance will find everything perfect but their lives are anything but perfect. They were not at peace, their heart needed the love of each other but acceptance is yet to find its way in their lives. 
Like everyday, this new day brought nothing new in the life of Anushka. As usual, she, Arnav, her mom and Kiara were seated on the table having breakfast. Kiara was busy with her phone and a constant smile was plastered on her face.
“Kiara, Put your phone down and have breakfast first” Ashima aunty ordered.
“Just one more minute, mumma” Kiara said not moving her eyes from the screen. As some minutes passed and Kiara was still busy chatting, Anushka snatched her phone.
“Eat your food first, you've to take medicines on time” Anushka said to Kiara and just when she was about to turn off the screen of Kiara's phone, her eyes stucked on the little display picture. She didn't need a second to recognise the person, it was him.. Vee.. her Vee.. Her eyes got moist in a second. Turning off the phone, she looked down on her plate and started playing with her food.
“You still is in touch with him?” Anushka asked not moving her sight form her plate. The whole family's attention was now on her.
“With whom?” Kiara asked just to confirm because she almost knew her answer. Arnav and their mom were silently listening to these two talking.
Anushka took a minute pause before saying anything...
“With Virat?” As Anushka said those words, Kiara was the centre of attention.
“Yes. I'm still in contact with him. There's nothing changed between us.” Kiara replied straight away. Anushka still had her eyes on her plate and she didn't for once looked up. It's not like she was unhappy with the fact that Kiara and Virat are on talking terms but the revelation was sudden thus it was taking time for her to sink it in. Arnav and their mom was also surprised.
“Kiara, Can we ask why? You know Anushka gets affected even by the slightest mention of Virat and you still talk to him...” Ashima aunty said to Kiara. She knew that Virat was not the only one at fault in this breakup but she knew how much it pains when your loved one goes away and Anushka was going through that pain. She knew that Virat was not the wrong guy but circumstances led them to different paths, and Anushka is her daughter thus looking after her was her responsibility. She knew how Anushka must be feeling thus she confronted Kiara.
“I don't think I did anything wrong by being in touch with Buddy. He has not done anything bad to me, he has been the sweetest person since the first day and i don't have a single reason to not talk to him. I don't get that why are you all making an issue out of it?” Kiara was irritated by now. She always had a lot to say on this break up but she refrained. She wanted to question Anushka about many things but she didn't. She knew if any day something related about Virat and Anushka would come up, she'll burst out and looks like it's the day...
“Calm down Kiara, we ain't blaming you. But just asking you simple thing” Arnav tried to calm the situation.
“Okay. But why are you all even reacting? If I'm talking to Di, then why shouldn't I talk to him? They both are responsible for whatever happened so cutting ties with one is not justice.” Kiara said everything loud and clear. All her hidden emotions were coming out evidently.
“Okay calm down everybody... It's fine.. There's nothing wrong if you want to be connected with him always.. I understand you, Kiara” Anushka took the charge of the situation and said it.
“No, you don't.. you don't understand, Di” Kiara said looking in Anushka's eyes. Anushka was a little surprised with the way situation was turning ugly. Kiara took a little pause before continuing further.
“There has not been a day when Buddy hasn't asked me about my health. Even he left a note for me, wishing a speedy recovery. He still jokes around me and hasn't let your break-up affect our bond. From the past 2 months, I haven't seen you happy for even a second, and I'm sure that's the same case with him but he still promises to be there for me. And you accused him of breaking his promise to be ‘there for you’ just because he couldn't pick up your call. Don't you think you served him a much bigger punishment than he deserved?” Anushka was silently listening to Kiara.
“Kiara stop this, Can't you see you're hurting Anushka?” Her mom warned Kiara.
“But mom, I'm saying the truth only. And talking about hurting di, isn't she doing the exactly same thing with herself and buddy? None of them is happy then what's the whole point? And I am extremely not okay with the fact that you guys broke up just because he couldn't pick up a call. I know I'm noone to question your decisions but Di, you have wronged him. You've wronged your beautiful relationship. And knowing that it all is somehow connected to my accident, even i feel guilty.” Kiara said in one go.
“Kiara, Please stop.” Arnav said calmly.
“No bhai, I need to bring this out of my system. I'm frustrated to see these two longing for each other and being away from each other just because of Di's stupid decision. I don't know anything, but I'm making myself clear that I'm not going to ruin my bond just like Di did. I will be connected with Buddy. And that's my decision” Saying this, Kiara didn't wait for a second, took her phone and stormed into her room. Anushka was blank hearing all what Kiara said.
“Don't take it on your heart. You know how she is...” Arnav said taking Anushka in a side hug. Muttering a quick ‘Hmm’, Anushka took her car keys and bag and moved to where she has been staying for the last 2 months- her office. Every word of Kiara was still playing in her head. She tried to distract herself by work but nothing could divert her mind. She could hardly focus on anything and all she had in her mind was Kiara's words.