Chapter 5

[MEMBERSONLY]

[NOCOPY]

Apologies. When I carved out the outline for this chapter at the onset of the story building, i didnt realise how long this would turn out in order to incorporate all that I visualised and meant to include in chapter 4. Hence, the delay in sharing the subsequent parts. Yes! There will be another part to this chapter🙈

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Chapter 4(B)

That was a long night for Virat and Sai. Virat feared losing Sai and didn't know how he was going to pacify her. Sai on the other hand felt like someone had thrown a bucket full of ice on her. The reality that she had ignored these days had been pushed right into her face. She always knew the truth of their relationship, but this time it hurt way more than ever before. Sleep eluded both of them, reliving the memories of their times together they got through the night.

Virat tried to call Sai the next day, but she didn't respond. He waited for her at her hostel gate, but couldn’t catch a glimpse of her. He knew she was avoiding him, but he had to see her, talk to her and resolve any misunderstanding. He regretted not clearing up his past with Sai earlier. His wait for the right time could cost him his love. He was on the verge of losing Sai, the most precious gift life had given him and he had failed to treasure it, protect it from the world, from him. Only if he could have one last chance.... one chance to save his relationship, his love, his life,.... Himself!

Sai had left early for college to avoid Virat. She stayed back in college late to ensure that Virat would not follow her back to hostel. But she was mistaken. She wasn't able to decipher her own feelings, when she saw Virat appear out of nowhere as she reached the hostel gate. Was she ecstatic to see that face that meant the world to her, or was she upset that he had been outdone her in her attempt of avoiding him. She wasn't sure. She found it difficult to understand her own feelings.

Virat walked up to Sai 

Virat - Why are you avoiding me and my phone calls Sai. I thought we had reached a certain understanding. Why do I feel that we have gone back to where we began? Just talk to me and we can clear up any misunderstandings.  

Sai ignored him and walked past him. But Virat was determined. Desperate times called for desperate moves! This was definitely a now or never situation and he was prepared to go to any lengths to make this marriage work, to make Sai stay beside him forever.

Virat - Sai! I have to speak to you and I will wait till you are ready to listen to me. I'm not leaving till you give me a chance to explain myself.

Virat understood the sensitivity, and didn't try to block her way or hold her hand to stop. Sai walked away without giving him a glance. But Virat stayed rooted, he was not going to budge, not until Sai heard him out. He kept calling her and dropped her several messages, requesting her for a chance, pleading her to talk to him just once. Sai turned off her phone to save her mind from wandering and losing her resolve. It was past mid night when Sai finally switched on her phone. And she was surprised to see numerous missed calls and messages from Virat. The last message timed 2 minutes back which read that he was waiting outside and wouldn't leave without meeting her. Sai was shocked, because it had several hours since she returned from college. The weather outside was turning turbulent with the thunder and lightening. This meant that Virat had been standing outside all this while. Sai rushed down the stairs without a second thought, throwing any caution away it her concern and love for her husband! There was a strong wind blowing, but Virat stood right outside where she had left him. Sai's vision began to blur with the tears that threatened to slip down her face at the sight of him. She ran out to him, but the gates were locked. She pleaded to the guard to let her out to meet her husband. After a little persuasion and knowing that her husband was a police officer, the guard let her out. The moment she was out and came face to face with him she started to shout and scream at him for his recklessness and stubbornness. She barely registered what she was saying as she let the tears fall freely without a care. Virat took her hand and led her to the car and without a word he himself got in and drove to a nearby place. He allowed her sometime to calm down and gather her thoughts. He wanted both of them to be more stable and in sane state for this conversation. The roaring of the thunder outside resonated with tension building up in their hearts, in contrast to the silence inside the car. Perfectly resembling the tranquility outside and turmoil inside them.

Sai was the first to speak

Sai - Why are you doing this Virat Sir? I can't live this dual life. Please set me free. I don't even understand my existence in your life. For others I'm your wife, but we both know the reality of our marriage. This was a deal, and I seemed to have invested my emotions in it, which is not how it is meant to be. I think we should part ways rather than hurting each other more. You have done so much for me, and I cannot fathom how I can repay you.

Sai's words were piercing his heart. He could see her pain and he hated himself for being the reason for it. But he didn't interrupt, he wanted her to pour out her heart to him, share everything before he began with his side of the story. He wanted her to vent out every thing that she had been holding up and then start afresh. 

Sai - All I can do is walk away and give you your freedom, and let you go back to your old life before I came and ruined it. So that you can live your life the way you want, with whoever you want. You deserve happiness Virat Sir, and I'm willing to do anything to ensure that. You deserve to spend your life with the person you love and I will never be a hurdle in your life. It is best for us not to meet again. I know you are worried about me, you feel responsible for my well being. I will keep you updated through Aai. I promise to inform incase there is an emergency, but I am more than capable of handling things on my own. Let's just end this farce here.

While Sai was nervously waiting for Virat's response, he took a while before he spoke.

Virat - And who says that this marriage is a charade? It's always been you Sai.

Sai looked up at him trying to decode Virat's words. She blinked rapidly to stop the tears that were again finding their way back into her eyes.

Virat - When is the last time you heard me not accepting this marriage, not honouring it in any other way but in the real sense? Tell me Sai. I have given you the rights as my wife, but you have stopped yourself from accepting it. You have never really claimed your rights as my wife. Why Sai?

Sai was clueless on what to say. She was scared to believe what Virat's words implied. She didn't want to hope, that was a treacherous path that she dreaded to tread on again!

Sai - Why are you playing these games with me Virat Sir? I don't understand your words. You always want me to be absolutely clear during conversations, then why do you end up confusing me always?

Virat - You always remember what I said at the onset of our relationship, but you failed to realise that I had stopped stating it so long back. On every opportunity you throw the deal on my face, but refuse to acknowledge my actions or emotions towards you, towards this relationship. Everytime I tried to mend things you pulled yourself away. Why is it that you remember my words from long ago, but you don't see my feelings for you? Why do you always hold yourself back from me, choosing to ignore the blatant truth that is evident to everyone around us, while you clutch onto mere words that hold no value today.
The epiphany, that her love was always reciprocated, was tearing her up, clogging her throat with emotions, filling up her lungs that she couldn't breathe. Yes he loves her! Is that not what he means...but she couldn't make herself believe it! This had to be a dream or she was completely out of her mind to read such things in his words. Words...yes that was the assurance she needed. Words that would alt and delete anything and everything that formed the foundation of the deal marriage. Words to erase the memory of those painful words..a promise that pained her, broke her to the core every single day.. every single moment. 

Virat could sense her dilemma, her internal struggle to believe or to hold back.

Virat - Do you not see that I have long forgotten any other promise given eons ago, but the marriage vows I took with you? Do you not see how I have moved on from the deal marriage long back and now envisage this relationship as real, my future, YOU. Do you not see how much I love you!

Sai was so choked up with emotions that she broke down at those words. Words she had always dreamt to hear but never dared to hope. He had finally proclaimed his love for her, but the sheer power of the confession had rendered her speechless. The irony...all she had wanted, was all hers now but she was too numb to express her exhilaration. She hastily got down from the car whilst she died of the emotions threatening to burst open, exposing herself to the rain that had started to pour down heavily.

Virat was taken aback, he feared having read  Sai's feelings for him incorrectly. Had he in his desperation to win her.. lost her forever?

He moved out of the car and went upto Sai. Looking at the tears that were trickling down her face merged with the raindrops, he tried to gauge her thoughts. No she loves him! He was sure, he couldn't have been mistaken. Not knowing what else to do he continued.

Virat - I won't impose my feelings on you Sai. You are free to feel and live your life your way. Nothing hurts me more than seeing you hurt. And I will never be the reason for your misery..not intentionally ever, even if kills me! You can choose your life, with or without me. 

His voice cracked while he spoke the last line.

Sai looked up at him, the pain in his words shook her. Shedding all her apprehensions to face the reality, she finally spoke

Sai - (Her lips quivering from the tears that seemed to give her no respite) I can't believe this. It still feels like a dream that I will soon wake up from.

Virat saw the ray of hope he had been watching out for.

Virat -Don't you the see love in my eyes, in everything I do for you? How else can I prove it to you? You have become my epicentre, my world revolves around you. Like you complete my world..complete me. Your inner beauty, your strength, your willpower to fight for truth and what’s right has drawn me to you, and I didn't even realise when I actually fell in love with your pure beautiful soul. Just having you by my side gives me the strength to face the biggest odds. You make me a better person. I feel I'm growing with you everyday, and falling deeper in love with you everyday. How can I not love you after knowing you? Is it all about what I say, and not what I try to express without saying?

All she could do was stare at him, smiling through her tears. He had observed her keenly all this while, without her knowing that he admired her for who she truly is. And he Loved HER! The thought gave her goosebumps. Without giving another thought she closed the gap, grasping him into a tight embrace. It took a few seconds for Virat to respond, before he hugged her back. They stood there in the rain for a while, holding eachother in their embrace, not wanting to let go. Just savouring the moment that they were finally together, as if the downpour was washing away all their pain, and troubles away, breathing a fresh life into them, to commence a happy and blissful life together. Reluctant to let go off the other, they opened the hug a little to gaze at each other, while still holding onto one another. Like making up for all the time they had spent away. 

Virat - Don't you think there is something that you need to say to me?

Sai (pouting) What?

Virat stared at her. Was she acting ignorant or she really didn't catch it?

Virat - Like there is nothing you need to say to me? Seriously?

Sai - (Innocently) No..(After thinking for a second) Oh yes

Virat - Finally! The fuse bulb did work. Say it already! 

Sai - (making a face) - Thank you so much for the Modak. They were yummy. Say thank you to Aai please. Oh never mind. I will call her.

Virat smacked his forehead with his hand.

Virat - Is that all you had to say?

Sai - Ya..My taste buds still seem to have the remnants of the taste.They were just lip smacking. 

Virat's eyes automatically tuned to her lips at the statement. 

Virat (involuntarily) Yes. Absolutely delectable.

Sai - Right na? 

And that's when she noticed Virat staring. She blushed at the realisation and the coded meaning to his words

Sai - I think I should go now. I might be chucked out of the hostel, because of your Romeoness.

The statement brought Virat out from his daze.

Virat - Romeoness? What is that?

Sai - You know these street side Romeo, they follow you all around, tease you, do these stupid wierd antics, trying to impress girls. So that's Romeoness. 

Virat glared at her, while Sai was biting her cheeks to stop herself from laughing at his flustered expression.

Virat - What do you mean? That I'm just a random roadside guy out to tease girls? I'm an ACP. Don't forget that!

Sai - But your actions are proof enough

Sai pulled Virat's cheeks and freed herself from the hug and got into the car

Sai - Hurry up Virat Sir. It's really late. I'm not even sure if I will allowed into the hostel now

Virat - Why do have to worry? You can always come home.

(To himself) I so wish that they don't allow her and she has no option but to come home with me. Bappa please please please!

Sai - Wishful thinking ACP Virat Chavan, husband of to-be Dr. Sai Joshi

Virat made a pokey face while mentally scheming his next move to make his wife confess her love for him

Virat (to himself) - Wait for it Mrs Sai Virat Chavan. You are going to pay for this!

Virat dropped Sai at the hostel and to his disappointment, Bappa refused to answer his prayers. Just the sight of Virat got the guard readily open the gate for Sai

Virat - I didn't know the police officer tag will backfire like this. Bappa!

They bid good bye, but not before Sai asked him to call her the moment he reached home. Virat smiled and nodded in affirmation, while mentally smirking at the thought of the plan that he had just devised - Mission Sai's confession!

[MEMBERSONLY]