The Traps of Black Swan

"Dum Dum, could you please get angry and then scold me for mistreating Tia?... Please." Aarvi heard Dax pleading with her.

Her brows lifted in amusement. She had expected it to drag for a long time and then they would have a discussion. Their friendship wasn't so weak to break so she took a chance. "Oh… You know that?" She purposefully mocked.

Dax pinched her cheeks, "Get angry Dum Dum. This doesn't suit you."

Aarvi slapped his hands and patted her red cheeks. Probably he would only be the one who would ask her to get angry. "Angry? That's after you get well. I want to beat you to death." She couldn't even imagine if he hadn't jumped out of the car, what could have happened to him. She will really beat him this time.

Aarvi continued, ignoring Shawn who worriedly reached them seeing them serious. Dax eagerly waited for her to speak whatever was in her mind so that she wouldn't give him a silent treatment.

"And mistreating Tia." Aarvi was very calm. Shawn stayed mute understanding where Aarvi was going with the topic, "Dax, over the time, I and Shawn always thought you would change your opinion on women but you are still the same. Each girl is different, you can't weigh all girls the same. We never spoke to you during this period because we thought you might let go of Tia."

Shawn nodded in agreement with her words. He had seen Tia hurt far too many times. He didn't know how to speak about it with Dax so he hadn't spoken about their relationship.

"That girl used you in school." She meant Dax's first love, "We can understand the pain. Why do you have to think Tia did the same with ulterior motives? Dax, It was you who asked her out, not the other way around. She always tried to stay away from you in the beginning."

It reminded him of Tia from before their relationship. She always avoided him and was glued to Shawn or Aarvi if he was around. His friends had to free her up to make her speak when he was around. She was so simple.

He also treated her well, if he wasn't true to her, he wouldn't have taken her to hang out with his parents. Then her real identity came out and he started doubting who she truly was. Was she real with him? Those doubts were crumbling his trust.

As though Aarvi could read his mind, "We know you can't tolerate lies in a relationship but Tia was bound to her duties. There is confidentiality which we always follow. She did the same.

You might be helping her indirectly and taking care of her. If you treat her badly, none of your good deeds would help you redeem yourself."

Aarvi glanced at Tia who had no idea about their conversation, "I am the third person in your relationship. I shouldn't comment on your relationship like this but being a girl and your friend, I ask you to let her go or be with her. Don't make her life harder and fill your life with another worse experience."

She breathed after saying everything she had. She thought she should have done this in the banquet hall after noticing their behavior. Better late than never.

Dax knew he wasn't treating Tia well. Hearing Aarvi, he felt Tia might also be reaching her limits. He wouldn't be surprised if Tia brings up the break-up after he recovers. She respected herself, if she was putting herself down, it was only because she was guilty of her lies and hiding from him too.

He saw Shawn and Aarvi eagerly waiting for him to say something. Even though Aarvi said 'let go of Tia', both weren't prepared to hear it. They cared about his happiness. He took a deep breath and responded, "I will apologize to her."

Aarvi and Shawn felt it was a good thing he was going to apologize for his behavior. However, they weren't overexcited, yet. They wanted to hear what was after the apology.

Break up or make up?

For Dax, those two looked like kids who were holding their breath in extreme anticipation for an announcement of school holidays, "I will start afresh with Tia." He felt it was better if he started to consider her like Tiana Wells than a little flower shop girl.

While Shawn gave nods at the good news, Aarvi smiled happily. She was content that amidst all the troubles and difficulties, they were still finding little happiness to celebrate.

She looked at Dax and then turned to Shawn, "Let's go, I will get you, your favorite wine."

Shawn liked aged wine from a particular brand which was too expensive and very rare. Dax asked in bewilderment, "Wait, Dum Dum, shouldn't you give me? He doesn't even know if he loves Shea or not." He blurted out missing wine.

Shawn was rejoicing as he had completed his favorite wine from his cellar. He knew Aarvi had brought rare wines for Aaron and to decorate the wine cellar, he was excited. But as soon as he heard Dax, he wanted to beat the man into pulp.

Aarvi responded to Dax, "You have a girlfriend, he will get… wine…" Her voice trailed before deciphering Shawn was struggling with his thoughts and feelings for Shea. "Oh…" She trailed her word as she turned to Shawn who was gritting his teeth, glaring at Dax.

Dax anyway wanted to let Aarvi know about it. So he didn't regret it. All he cared about at the moment was his Dum Dum was back to normal with him. She shifted close to Dax and whispered gazing at Shawn, "I want full details."

"No problem," Dax responded in a low voice, provokingly smirking at Shawn. His eyes were telling him, 'Now it's your turn.'

Aarvi noticed Shawn was unwilling to speak about it. So she didn't pressure him and announced, "Since Aaron doesn't have a girlfriend, the wine will be for him. I am off." She skipped away, "Good night, Tia." She grabbed her heels.

"Good night..." Tia doubted if her words fell on Aarvi's ear.

Speechless, Dax and Shawn looked at the closing door. They wanted to tell her, Aaron doesn't have a girlfriend because he has a wife, his love. It wasn't like she didn't know so they chuckled in resignation.

Shawn suddenly ran over to the door before Aarvi could enter her penthouse. "Little Heart..." He stood in front of her and asked in puzzlement, "Why aren't you doing anything to Leon? What are you waiting for?"

Aarvi's smile flattened hearing the question. She also hated that she has to be quiet at Leon's attack because this was the time she needs to hold her patience. Or else all the plans would go in vain. She wasn't stupid to waste time. She has her reasons. "If I trap Leon now, he has numerous ways to escape. we need to entrap him without a leeway."

Shawn knew she would do what would be best. He just couldn't hold back the question. He hugged her good night as he heard her, "Friday. Hang on till this Friday."

He nodded and sent her inside. When he returned back to his penthouse, he decided to leave the couple alone so he left upstairs waving at his friend.

-----

Dax watched Tia's smile fade away and focused on her laptop, despite knowing his eyes were on her. "Tia."

She turned to him, slightly surprised being called by Dax. She saw him beckoning her to join him. He looked serious like always but this time she didn't feel the hostility. Closing her laptop, she went to him thinking he might need her help. "Do you need something?"

Looking at her from close, he still couldn't believe she was two years older than them. He never had thought he would date an older woman but he wasn't against it either. It was like, it didn't matter to him.

"Let's break up." He said it off.

Tia's eyes slightly widened, she felt her heart heavy and her lunges refused to breathe. She stared at Dax for a few seconds before she pursed her lips. She was anyway thinking either he will bring it up or she should. She couldn't keep having hope and let him treat her like she was invisible.

Dax continued, "I am sorry I wasn't treating you well in the past days, I was ignoring you and compelling you by just thinking of me." He was sincere with his apology and the reason behind his behavior.

"I don't want to keep comparing you as Tia Spencer and Tia Wells. You shouldn't feel guilty and tolerate me for the same. So I was thinking, could we start fresh?" He asked her.

This time he wanted their relationship to be in mutual agreement. No tricking, no force.. If she didn't want to be his girlfriend, he was ready to accept it and let her go.