Chapter 18: DANDELIONS Matured

Sorry I was busy today hence I am late in posting it...

WARNING: Triggering content Rape

CHAPTER-18

Dandelions(Ruth B) Language: English

Maybe it's the way you say my name
Maybe it's the way you play your game
But it's so good, I've never known anybody like you
But it's so good, I've never dreamed of nobody like you
And I've heard of a love that comes once in a lifetime

And I'm pretty sure that you are that love of mine
'Cause I'm in a field of dandelions
Wishing on every one that you'll be mine, mine
And I see forever in your eyes
I feel okay when I see you smile, smile
Wishing on dandelions all of the time
Praying to God that one day you'll be mine
Wishing on dandelions all of the time, all of the time
I think that you are the one for me
'Cause it gets so hard to breathe
When you're looking at me, I've never felt so alive and free
When you're looking at me, I've never felt so happy
And I've heard of a love that comes once in a lifetime
And I'm pretty sure that you are that love of mine'
Cause I'm in a field of dandelions
Wishing on every one that you'll be mine, mine
And I see forever in your eyes
I feel okay, when I see you smile, smile
Wishing on dandelions all of the time
Praying to God that one day you'll be mine
Wishing on dandelions all of the time, all of the time
Dandelion, into the wind you go
Won't you let my darling know?
Dandelion, into the wind you go
Won't you let my darling know that?
I'm in a field of dandelions
Wishing on every one that you'll be mine, mine
And I see forever in your eyes
I feel okay when I see you smile, smile
Wishing on dandelions all of the time
Praying to God that one day you'll be mine
Wishing on dandelions all of the time, all of the time
I'm in a field of dandelions
Wishing on every one that you'll be mine, mine

DANDELIONS

Chavi signed on the annulment paper looking at Aditya's face who gave a smile to show her that the thing she was doing was absolutely right. Aditya's Chief Editor from Bhaskar Times was there as a witness and he brought two of his able reporters to cover the news. Tomorrow Bhaskar Times would publish the article which would return all their glories, he had never given up on Aditya. He called Aditya to ask whether he was all right and came to know what happened in Pagdandia, he immediately suggested Aditya to return back but Aditya took a leave for next week instead as he had plans to visit Himachal Pradesh.

"Sir, I am glad that I am being able to help Bhaskar Times a little in such a hard time"
"No Aditya, I always believed that the dark phase will get over but I am extremely happy that you would also be a reason for the return of our glory."
"You flatter me Sir"
"I can't believe I am saying this when a marriage is breaking off but congratulations Aditya, now you will be out of all the controversies"
"I am actually more happy for Chavi, she can start her life afresh"
"Everything is good but something is really making me tensed"
"What Sir?"
"Someone bought 14% of our shares in these last few days"
"14%? That's actually a large number. Who bought it Sir? Any ideas?"
"The management section said the person stayed anonymous behind the name Miss I."
"I never thought I would hear people buying shares when a company was going down."
"That's what making our Managing Director more nervous, if Miss I buys more shares then she will end up with the top six people who holds the largest number of shares"

Suddenly a group of reporters flocked in to question Aditya and Chavi. They glorified Aditya's character and his support to his ex-wife. Aditya and Chavi left the Court saying 'No Comments' as they wanted to not give in much information to other media houses. Aditya wanted to save Bhaskar Times but once again the bad luck popped up and now this news won't be exclusive to 'Bhaskar Times'. They could only make up now with an extra exclusive interview of Aditya and Chavi.

As Imlie walked up to the entrance of her College she saw Aryan sitting inside his car, she was late and Aryan was the punctual guy who arrived the time he was supposed to. She cursed Niti under her breath, if she hadn't indulged her in the fight she wouldn't have been late for half an hour. She knocked on the car's front door glass and Aryan turned around his face and looked at her. He was wearing his Gucci glasses and as he slid down his glasses a strong smell hit her nostrils.

'What is this smell? It's not his regular cologne' thought Imlie as she knew Aryan always liked only one cologne and he used to use it on a daily basis.

She hadn't noticed his smell till now and the day she hugged him as Khatti she could smell his body rather than his everyday cologne. Every time they met his cologne had worn off and today she noticed it for the first time.

"You are late"
"Do you wear this cologne everyday?"

They both spoke at the same time. He looked at her utterly shocked, her face was near his but he couldn't hear any inner voice of hers.

'Isn't she nervous at all? Why couldn't I hear her worries of how she looks or is her dress okay which I normally hear in other girls?' thought Aryan.

'Is something on my face? Maybe I shouldn't have asked the question about cologne. Imlie you idiot! Who asks such creepy questions at the start of a date?' thought Imlie as he was looking at her blankly.

"Aha...Sorry ABP, I am hungry as I still haven't eaten my breakfast. Can we go to a Café?" said Imlie and ran towards the other door.

Imlie sat inside the car and tied her seat belt. He looked at her and asked, "Which Café would you like to go to for breakfast?"
Aryan was absolutely confused as he couldn't hear any thoughts of confusion from her but it was visible on her face.

"The place which has the best scones, cream and jam" replied Imlie.

Aryan started his car and stopped again. He exclaimed, "Wait! That food..."
"Today is our 'Cheat Day' Mr. ABP. Let's gather all the calories available on this planet"
"You are a monster" replied Aryan worried about his diet.
"Haha, you mean I am beautiful. Thank you, I am and the thing you mistakenly uttered right now that's not what a girl wants to hear on her date" said Imlie.

Aryan didn't argue much and started his ignition keys. They hit the road with the roar of his car's engine.
'Mrs. Lambigari I missed you' thought Imlie getting comfortable in her seat.

Imlie suddenly noticed a bike following them, first she was not sure but she made Aryan visit more than three cafés and that bike would follow them everywhere keeping a distance of three to four meters. As Aryan went to ask about scones she stood out of the car and posed for a selfie. She zoomed in and took a picture of the bike's number with her face. Aryan came out and saw Imlie taking selfies.

"Are you going to boast that you are out on a date with a soon to be Billionaire?" asked Aryan.
"Shouldn't I?" replied Imlie and pulled Aryan. She took a selfie of both of them. Aryan was confused with the sudden closeness as his arm hit her left arm but his face didn't lose its composure.

When she took two selfies he said, "You will be left hungry, scones are so British that none of the café we visited have it in their menu"
"I know a good place though"
"Then can you share with me fast?"
"Only if you say how I am looking today...By the way you look handsome"

Aryan noticed her for the first time, she was looking like a barbie in the white dress and in the pair of heels.
"You are looking good," he exclaimed.
"Only this much for a compliment?"
"I guess it's enough when your stomach is growling like a thunder" said Aryan and then Imlie noticed her stomach's growling.
"Okay, let's go to the place I know. My Lord" said Imlie with a British accent.
Aryan raised one of his eyebrows and went to the car.
As Imlie was sitting inside she noticed the bike rider was approaching towards them but as they sat back in the car, he ran back to his bike. She strolled the last few minutes to check his very intention and she understood his aim was to come near them.

Imlie send the picture to Harshit and said to find the owner of the bike.

As Aryan picked up the speed to the destination she described, he asked, "Imlie could you put on some news? I didn't get the time to be updated with news today"

This actually gave Imlie the opportunity she never expected. She put on the Delhi News Youtube channel and checked on the bike which was still following them.

Delhi News had all kind of news which Imlie wanted, not just Pagdandia murders but also Aditya and Chavi's marriage annulment.

"Wasn't your village Pagdandia?" asked Aryan when he heard the news.
"Yes"
"So much happened in your village and also with that girl Chavi"
"Yeah, Amma informed me last night"
"Do you know Chavi personally?"
"Yes, she is my childhood friend"
"She is now in Delhi?"
"Yes"
"Would you like to introduce me to her?" asked Aryan.

As Imlie looked at Aryan she understood that his urge to get his hands on Aditya was working upon and that's why he wanted to meet Chavi. But Aditya wasn't the reason for his brother-in-law's demise and he had already made friendship with Imlie hence she didn't feel like giving any advantages to Aryan from her side to him to harm someone whom she considers as a friend.

"After her marriage with the city journalist we are no more in contact" replied Imlie.
"Do you know the city journalist personally?"
"No, I was here in Delhi when he visited Pagdandia"
"Oh, then I won't be able to know Chavi through you."

It was clear for Imlie that the 'Yes' for the date was also with his intention to meet Chavi through her like he met her in the past life. She was interesting to him because she was Aditya's wife. Imlie didn't want this to happen in this life at least, she wanted their interactions had no influence of Aditya. Imlie bought more 2% shares of 'Bhaskar Times' with the money she earned yesterday from Delhi news. Her business account was showing a balance of 1.5 lakhs after all she spent on buying shares. She was now a 16% shareholder of Bhaskar Times; she felt like she needed to celebrate this at any cost.

"Why are you so quiet suddenly? That's not how one behaves on a date" asked Aryan as Imlie was busy with her cell phone.
"You can talk about some other girl on a date and if I stay silent, it doesn't feel like a date anymore to you?" retorted Imlie.

Aryan was surprised with her sudden remark as he thought her to be a mature person. He came to the conclusion that though she had a good amount of insights, she was still an eighteen year old who could get easily jealous and throw tantrums. Not like Khatti who didn't speak a word but left a huge impression on him, Imlie's impression on him was getting scarce. Now she started to sound like a regular teenager to him but the only thing that kept him going was that he wasn't able to hear her inner voice.

For Imlie it was just an excuse as she was busy buying the shares.

"We reached the Café. Let's go inside" said Aryan, parking his car.
"Ah, yes" replied Imlie.

Both went inside the Café, Aryan went to order at the counter and Imlie sat on a corner seat facing the glass wall. She saw the bike stopping, it was the same bike. She was sure that he was following them when Harshit messaged Imlie asking where she spotted the bike as it was a stolen vehicle. Imlie held her mobile as if she was playing with it, keeping it on the table, she looked towards Aryan who was in the opposite direction and clicked a few pictures of the man as he made his way towards the Café. Imlie immediately ran to Aryan at the counter  after taking the pictures.

"Sir, packing or you will have them right now?" asked the girl who was at the counter.
"Packing please" Imlie said loudly, coming to him almost running.
Aryan looked at Imlie when she grabbed his waistcoat to slow down.
"Okay ma'am" said the girl and packed the scones for them along with cream and jam.
Aryan slowly freed his waistcoat from Imlie's grip. He was a little uncomfortable as everyone was looking at them and he could hear the thoughts f the counter girl who had kind of color shaming thoughts.

He heard her thoughts, 'How did this dark skin burnt coal managed to get a hold of this hottie?'

 Imlie saw the man entering the door, as Aryan grabbed the packet with food she walked ahead and bumped against the man. A knife fell down from his packet and Imlie started to apologize to him loudly. Everyone in the Café looked at them and the guy immediately put the knife back in his pocket. Aryan moved out of the Café without even looking at them once, the date had just started and he was not at all in the mood to embarrass himself anymore. Imlie said sorry and left after Aryan was out of the shop. Since the issue had been witnessed by many people the guy was forced to buy some snacks from the Café.

As Imlie took a bite of the scone layering with cream and jam, Aryan asked about the next destination.

"ASP Mall, please"
"Date atmosphere in a Mall?"
"That's the best place for us teenagers to date"
"But I am not a teen"
"But I am eighteen years old. We can go there and chat for hours in the food court" replied Imlie.
"Okay, as you wish" Aryan started his car's engine and hit the road.
Meanwhile Imlie sent the picture of the man she took while sitting in the Café to Harshit.

Aditya and Chavi bought a laptop and a smartphone. After that they decided to go to Tripathi Niwas. As Chavi entered the house Aparna came and welcomed her.

"I don't know from which mouth I should ask for your forgiveness but I am sorry for what I did till now" said Aparna.
"No, aunty. I understand that we started on a bad note but it was the situation that forced us."
"Still, on my and my family's behalf I am extremely sorry to you." said Aparna, folding her hands.
"If you feel like my assurance helps you a little to ease your guilt, I humbly accept your sorry"
"Thank you beta, thank you so much" said Aparna and hugged Chavi.
As Chavi smiled Aparna said, "You can always treat Tripathi Niwas as your home and we as your family even though we are no more related on papers, we will always be your home from today and you are our daughter"
"Maa, thank you for accepting her," said Aditya.
"Okay, now you guys get fresh. I will put the lunch on the table" said Aparna.

One person who didn't like this at all was Rukmini, she was really angry at Aparna's sudden change of behavior towards Chavi and everyone supporting it, even her own husband. She was herself from a small town and her parents always said that villages are poor and has shabby people. That ideology still stayed behind and now with the annulment of the marriage with Chavi she wanted to bring Malini back so that she could erase Chavi's existence from Tripathi's house forever.

She dialed Malini's number from her mobile and the call was picked within a few times of ringing.
"Hello Malini beta, your future Bari saas(big mother-in-law) here. Chavi and Aditya have signed marriage annulment papers today. Now Aditya will marry only you, come and take what belongs to you"

Imlie and Aryan entered the ASP Mall, it was Aryan's first time here. He left Delhi during its construction time, he looked at the architecture and exclaimed, "Wow"
"Beautiful...Isn't it?"
"Yes..."
Suddenly Imlie's cell phone beeped. She looked at the message and got terrified.

'Imlie what did you do now? That guy following you and your partner is a wanted assassin. He killed three influential people in past five years and more than seven normal citizens'

Imlie messaged back, 'What's his attack type? He must be aiming Aryan Singh Rathore, he is with me right now'

As Imlie and Aryan stepped on the escalator Harshit messaged back, 'Normally close range attack with knives that are dipped with undetectable poison. Also it's high possible that Aryan is the target, he is signing a big deal next week and if he does that he would be in the Billionaire list within next two weeks.'

'Okay, thanks for informing. We are in ASP Mall, be here with your forces in one hour'
'Okay'

Imlie immediately messaged Mrs. Ahuja who exchanged numbers with her last night, she informed her that there will be a police investigation in ASP Mall after one and half an hour.

"We reached the food court" exclaimed Aryan.
"Let's have some mocktail" replied Imlie.

As they made themselves comfortable Aryan said, "You are on constant mobile mode, you brought me as your date and chatting with some other guy"
"Other guy?"
"The one saved as Harsh, I saw you texting him"
"Aha... Harsh he is someone I know well but we were texting about you"
"Me?"
"Yes, I said him I got the hot guy to date and he said me to enjoy with you"
"Are you lying?"
"I am I guess, by the way, who is in your home I mean your family and why are you leaving for Mumbai?"
"I have my mother and sister at home and though we were from Delhi but my business is in Mumbai"
"What business?"
Aryan got a little cautious of her questions but as he was unable to hear her inner thoughts he felt like his power wasn't working but as a girl passed by their table he could hear that girl's thought of lying to her friends about staying at home and came to the mall with her boyfriend.

"Tens of different business combined under Rathore Group of companies"
"Oh, complex shit. Won't ask more, I don't understand anything much about business, that's a man's stuff for me."
"Why can't girls do business?" Aryan asked back. He was a feminist in and out living with his sister and mother.
"We girls are not so good with mathematics and business is boring. See the number of females being makeup influencers and compare them to women in the business fields. Even women establishing businesses are like jewelry or fashion. Have you seen females as business women who are leading Construction business or goods business?"
When this question hit on face Aryan was left speechless. He didn't have much to say but he couldn't let women get degraded by a girl's mouth who had a future ahead hence he defended, "That doesn't mean girls won't leave their footprints in different kinds of businesses. There would be someone who would lead these industries too and we have to wait for them. They will appear soon as more women joins the working field"

Now Imlie was enjoying, Aryan was always a feminist. He made things easier for her before, he married her to protect her and let her grow beside him. But the real question had now started to evolve in her mind, was it really his feminist ideology? He was always above her, she ran and ran to achieve everything but she was always behind him. He was that sky who had everything, a big name, a big bank balance, a big hearted person and also extremely hardworking. Before the time travel he was about to give her his media outlets and yes, none of the things she completely earned by herself. Most of them were given to her, be it her car or her journalist identity. Now since everything is starting afresh, this time she doesn't want to give Aryan the chance to hold everything for her. It might have seemed romantic in her last life but it gave the biggest opportunity to Narmada to tell her that everything she had in her life was because of her son, it was not her hard earned achievement. She was secured by Aryan from top to bottom, from financial stability to her working status, which was also something related to him. She was connected to him in everything and as time went by it became normal for her which now makes her feel it was absolutely wrong, to depend on Aryan and take those achievements riding his shoulder for emotional support to financial support. She was nothing without him and this was indeed her dependence on him.

In this life Imlie neither wants to be called a gold digger by Narmada nor a whore who used Aryan as a stepping stone to success.

"Are you a feminist?" she asked him.
"Yes, I am. I have seen my strong mother and sister"
"Wow, does your sister also own businesses? I will be happy to meet her. She may change my thinking and I will be considerate enough before talking about females in different fields. Oh, now I understood why you were so pressed about women in business fields "
"She doesn't own any businesses actually"
"Oh, then where does your brother-in-law work?"
"He actually passed away three back. I was twenty three that time" Aryan was quite upset at the mention of brother-in-law.
"It might be hard for you and your family. I am sorry"
"No, please don't be sorry. I held my family after his demise, he was the one keeping our family together when my father passed away."
"Oh, you must have held your family business after he passed away"
"Yes, I even dropped out from my masters course as I had to take care of my family"
"That's really great, I am really inspired by you. But what about your sister? She could lead your family instead of you till you completed your studies"
"How could I ask Didi to work? She was brought up in luxury. She wouldn't have been able to work and she is a homely girl. Even father passed our family business to my brother-in-law and that business was completely bankrupt she won't have been able to take such burdens"
"Aha I see... by the way ABP"
"Yes"
"So your sister isn't independent when you are stressed to manage ten different kinds of businesses?"
"Independent? She doesn't need to earn any money now. She has the privilege to donate lakhs in charity if she wants. She has financial stability and she likes to be at home. Also I can take care of my family. Why would I burden my sister?" replied Aryan.
Imlie smiled and said, "Oh I see, then she has it all I guess. My bad, I judged wrongly. By the way, it was nice knowing about your sister. Let's go to the store on the third floor. I want to give you a gift as the date's memories. And this is the money of my mocktail and breakfast"
"Imlie, there's no need for you to give me the money. I can afford this much as I brought you today at the date" said Aryan.
"I know, but I actually asked for the date yesterday. And I like to go the way of splitting the bills. Please for me take the money"
Aryan took the money but he was uncomfortable as people saw him.

The lady at the nearest table thought, 'The guy came in a suit and took money from the young girl. Is he even a man?'
Her husband thought, 'Namard(impotent)! Does a man take money from girls? A real man should shower money and luxuries on ladies rather than sucking from them. If women start paying for bills then what will men do? These kind of men should wash utensils at home'
Aryan could hear their thoughts so he stood up and gave them a sharp look to intimidate them.

'I make money in crores. These men and their fragile egos' thought Aryan.

Imlie walked ahead but suddenly she spotted the assassin on the escalator coming towards their floor, she suddenly turned around and her hand landed on Aryan's chest by mistake. Aryan was already angry at the thoughts of people and his anger directed towards her unfortunately.

He said loudly, "Can't you control your hands?" and then jerked her hands off from his chest. He immediately realized his mistakes as everyone was looking at them, so he left for the washroom. He was offended enough with Imlie's talk about his sister's independence to some extent because he had heard his sister's thoughts after the death of his brother-in-law. She was traumatized with the thought that she had to handle the family's finances after the death of her husband. She had never worked before, she was scared of the outer world hence Aryan had decided to drop out of his masters degree in his last semester. But as Imlie touched his chest area he couldn't control his anger anymore.

"Why was he so angry?" exclaimed Imlie quite surprised.

As Anu Chaturvedi heard Rukmini's words she got angry. She picked up Malini's call as she came to her room to talk to her about getting a checkup from a psychiatrist. Her daughter was talking strange these days and she was really worried.
She said, "You cheap middle-class family, why are you still calling my daughter? You think the son of your house is a diamond. Nope! He was lucky that he got to date my daughter. For you people she is suffering so much. Don't you dare to call next time...else I will not spare you and your family"

Anu cut the call and blocked every number of Tripathis in her daughter's phone. Suddenly she heard a scream from the bathroom and she ran there as Malini was gone to freshen herself up after returning from outside. She panicked when she found her senseless on the bathroom floor and called for help.

As Aryan was gone to the men's washroom she saw the assassin walking towards that direction. She ran towards him, stopped him and said, "Sir you lost your keys right? I just submitted them to the counter below. If you come with me you can get them"

He was confused a little but he recognized her immediately and was really calm with his attitude.

'No palpitations...He is really a cold blooded murderer. But assassins don't kill people for whom they won't get money. There is a high possibility that he might try to avoid me and go inside the washroom' thought Imlie.

"Oh my god! Aren't you the sir with whom I bumped in the morning? It must be fate, I am sure. Please come with me. I will buy a cup of coffee too as a token of sorry" said Imlie.
"Sure, but Miss I actually don't like the escalator much. Will it be okay if we take the emergency steps? Also you took my pictures in the café. Can I get them? It's not good to take others pictures when you are here on a date, also without permission."
Imlie acted of blushing a little and said, "Sir, I am not in a date I am with my brother in fact. And you are so handsome that I couldn't stop myself from taking your pictures. How did you know I took your pictures?"
"Your mobile flash was on"
"Oh, my bad!"

Imlie understood that she got his full attention for her mistake, as they walked towards the emergency stairs; Imlie put an emergency call to Harshit. He picked up while driving towards 'ASP Mall' and was about to say hello when he heard Imlie speaking to someone.

"Sir, I actually prefer the escalator. Stairs are a hardworking space for me especially emergency steps, it gives me horror movie feelings"

As the phone got cut immediately Harshit said to the officers sitting with him in the car, "We are going to catch the wanted murderer in the 'Emergency Steps' today. Let's enter the mall from the staircase which starts from the parking lot area"
"Okay Sir"

As Imlie and that man stepped inside the Emergency door that connects to the stairs he took out his knife from the pocket. Imlie turned and asked, "Sir, why did you stop?"

He attacked her.

He looked at Imlie who was holding his wrist making him unable to stab her in her stomach.

"Sir, I heard this knife has poison on it. You shouldn't use it carelessly"
"You...Who are you? A normal person wouldn't have known about it"
"I am just a teenager and absolutely a normal person"

He tried to punch her, she stopped his attack and hit off his head with her by pulling him near. Without losing seconds she stepped on his right foot with her left heel. He tried to push her away, at that moment she left his wrist and hit it, his knife fell down from his hands. As he tried to pick it up by pushing her, she lost her balance but within seconds gained it too. She choked him from behind, as he tried to free himself. At last he left his hope to hit her with a knife on the ground, he tried to get the last knife he had in his pocket. When Imlie noticed his antics, she hit his head on the railing more than seven times, making him dizzy. At the end when he got confused as he wasn't able to breathe she hit him on the head that made him lose his consciousness.

She felt lucky for two things, he was a swift assassin but not a good fighter and she had biker shorts on under her dress. She looked on the walls if there were any CCTV cameras but fortunately none were present. She pulled him to the corner and tied him with the fire hose pipe that was attached to the emergency fire control system. She made sure no one came that way by jamming the emergency doors on all the floor, that's when she saw Harshit running up by the stairs. She took a breath of relief.

"Imlie you okay?" he asked as Imlie showed him the man who was unconscious and tangles with the hose pipe.
He saw him and said, "My bad! I should have asked is the man okay in place of yours"
"Okay now I am leaving, Aryan might be waiting for me. It has been more than fifteen minutes that I have been stuck here" said Imlie.
"Okay" replied Harshit. The other officers were untangling the assassin to arrest him.
As Imlie was leaving Harshit stopped her again and tidied up her hair. He also gave her his handkerchief to clean her sweat.

"Oh my! That's so sweet of you"
"If one finds a monkey sister, that guy has no other option than this"
"That hurts brother..." complained Imlie.
"Now go"
"Thank you, and see you later bro."

Imlie left the space in a hurry, suddenly the manager of the mall came there as someone complained to the staff about the emergency doors being jammed only to find that police were in that place.

Aryan had searched Imlie in the whole mall, he went up and then down in the escalator but didn't find her anywhere. Suddenly he heard her voice, "ABP"

He looked to his right and saw her coming.
"Where were you for the last twenty minutes?"
"I found a good place to buy something for you"
"Please don't disappear next time"
"I didn't disappear, I was just finding a gift for you"
"Whatever"

Aryan was actually really worried for Imlie as he had too many enemies for the success he was achieving these days.

Imlie took Aryan to a shop which had different kinds of gift items. She gave him a cute keychain. Aryan on the other hand didn't give her anything as he didn't want to give her false hope. After he got the key chain from her they came out of the store.

Suddenly Aryan said, "I am sorry"
Imlie was taken aback for a while but asked why he said sorry.
"I shouldn't have misbehaved with you that time"
"Misbehave?"
"I mean shout at you"
"Oh"
"I promise you I will keep one more wish of yours as a compensation of the mistake I did"
"Are you a wish granting fairy?"
"What?"
Suddenly Imlie act as if she remembered something and searched her sling bag. After trying to find it twice she said, "ABP, I can't find my phone...Had I left it in the food court by mistake?"
"My goodness, how could you do such a blunder? Give me your number I will try to ring it once"

Imlie narrates her number as he typed it down and called her. The phone rang inside her bag.
"Oh, it was with me only"
"Are you crazy?" Aryan was completely baffled by this strange girl.

"Nope, save that number in my name. I am saving yours"
He understood it was a plan to exchange numbers and the whole thing was an act.

"What if I block you?" he retorted.
"You promised me a wish for misbehaving right? My wish is that you should never block me"
"You..."
"Let's go and have lunch in that restaurant. I am hungry"

Imlie and Aryan decided to have lunch outside as they saw media outlets accumulating there as an assassin was got caught in the mall, Aryan didn't want any kind of controversies on him and the girl he was with, at any cost. He left with Imlie.

After they had lunch he decided to cheer her up. The whole day with her was kind of awkward, hence they got pizza and coke as he decided to take her on a long drive far from the city hustle bustle to see the sunset. They reached a solitary spot of a cliff, Imlie looked at the view and exclaimed, "Wow, it's beautiful"
"Our whole day went in an odd way so thought of bringing you here"
"I must agree that you have a better choice of spots for a date than me."
"Your ones were the worst," replied Aryan.
She looked at him surprised but couldn't say it out loud as indeed her choices were bad but it was because the assassin was following them, that's why she wanted a crowded place. Else he would have understood that there is more of her that meets the eye.

Saathiya(S P Balsubramaniam & K S Chitra) Language: Hindi

As they looked at the sunset Aryan played songs from his playlist. Suddenly the song 'Saathiya' popped up and both of them went back to their memories. This song was used in a famous television serial a lot in the past.

"I was a teen when I used to hear this song in a TV show which my Maa used to see. The lead pair had normal Mumbai chawl life and they never used to dress gaudily like the shows that are shown these days." exclaimed Aryan.
"So true, the rich young married ladies of our village started wearing nighties at night after watching the female lead. By the way you were a teen, I was six or seven years old at that time. But I remember we all used to assemble at Hemant kaka's house to watch the show"
"You used to go to other people's houses?"
"Only a few families had a television in their houses at that time, so we used to visit the nearest house. Not just us, most of the villagers used to do"
"It must be chaotic"
"Chaotic indeed..."
"In our house my mother and sister used to fight"
"Why?"
"One was GEC(General Entertainment Channel) fan and the other was into Channel V and MTV"
"Our village people never saw those channels but they used to keep their television on for serials and radios for songs"
"Those were the golden days, tension free ones"
"Indeed... How was your teenage years?"
"My teenage years were..." Aryan suddenly stopped in the middle, "Well should we have the pizza and coke now? I guess I have to drop you before eight"
"Okay...But you skipped my question right now" said Imlie taking a bite of her pizza.

"Actually... Well if I question you that have you ever faced tough days then would you like to answer?"

Imlie understood that indirectly he was conveying, his teenage years were hard. But she wanted to know about him as in her last life they never really talked about his teenage years.

"My life was always tough, I was born as an illegitimate child. We were almost outcast but thanks to my grandmother, she behaved so badly with my mother as a stepmother that others took pity on her and me. They gave my mother domestic work to do as a helping hand or being blatant as a servant. I grew up a little and my mother said that I have two choices, study as a topper or just grow up as an illiterate. I took the first option and worked harder than I was supposed to and here I am, studying in City College on scholarships. I have more to gain in life and I will, not for myself but for my mother who at least gave me options being cornered by the whole society"

Aryan was speechless. He was looking at her when she said, "Eat your slice, else you won't have the chance for the ultimate battle"

"Ultimate battle?"
"The battle for that last slice of pizza" replied Imlie.
Aryan smiled a little and said, "Since you shared your tough life I will say mine too. I was raped and molested when I was fifteen"

Terror was visible in Imlie's eyes the moment she heard this.
But Aryan continued, "It was not just one or two days, it continued for over a year. She almost convinced me that since we had sex when I wasn't aware, I have to grant her as my girlfriend. And everyday she used to molest me by feeding or injecting medicines and aphrodisiacs."

"You took this on you for one year. Why didn't you say anything?" asked Imlie panicked.
Aryan was on the verge of breaking down, he said after taking two to three breaths, "Whom have I said it? The girl was my sister's friend who was studying with my sister and was staying at our house. She was five years older than me. I was young, her tears made me feel like I was the one molesting her and my young and fragile male ego, which didn't knew that even women could harass men had took everything from me"

Imlie was heartbroken, in her last life she took him as the perfect confident person but he was broken too.

"After one year my brother-in-law came to know this and told my sister. She threw her friend out of the house and everything stopped slowly but the damage was already done."

"I am so sorry, I think we should change our topic. This is hurting you more, making you remember that horrible time. I am sorry, I shouldn't have asked about your teenage years," said Imlie.

"It's okay, it's in the past now. Let's go back, if we don't start our journey now we won't be able to reach before eight."
"Okay let's leave"

Aryan and Imlie made their way back after the whole day spending the most awkward date and revealing their past.

Songs Used:-
Dandelions(Ruth B)
Saathiya(S P Balsubramaniam and K S Chitra) [Movie Name: Love]

Guys the climax is coming in next chapter, we are almost at the end of this part one of the series.
Hope you all have a good time reading the chapter.
Yours Mimi(❁'◡'❁)

MiuniS2022-06-09 19:29:40