Hello to all here. Back to IF after about an year, i guess. And it's not because the story is very riveting. Kunal's character is charming for one, and secondly, the story spares a lot to be imagined. And as I was watching 'poor' Vandana, an idea took root and I manifested it.
Well, hope you all will enjoy.
Part 1
She couldn't believe it. She didn't want to believe it. It had to be a lie. All these evidences had to be fabricated, aimed at destroying her happiness, because Kunal sir couldn't stand her happiness. After all he hated her alien voice and her attitude. Though, he had not tried to do her any harm the past few weeks. He had been patient, helpful even, giving her advance and paid leave, all of his own volition.
Ah. Denial was nasty little delusional shi..stuff.
She laughed in realization. Hollow and ugly. Broken and despairing. And the man, standing by her side flinched. For he knew, what this was. She had watched that video over and over, eyes blank. And now he could see them clouding over. He reminisced the betrayal he had suffered and could feel her pain puncture his lungs too.
Her Vaibhav couldn't have done this to her. They had known each other so long. He had known her heart towards him. He had known it all. He couldn't have betrayed her. He couldn't have. He didn't? Or did he?
'But when did he ever reciprocate your enthusiasm?' Vandana flinched at her internal voice.' When did he ever show his heart? You couldn't not have seen him and Mrunal stuck by each other all the time, in effortless ease!'
"Mrunal would never do this to me", She murmured next, trying to fight herself while descending into a trance as her head played the scenes of two of them dancing together, laughing, complimenting each other.
Mrunal couldn't have. Why would she? She was her sister for bappa's sake!
Vandana clasped her head then, Mrunal's challenge to Vaibhav echoing in her ears. The world around her spun, as she recalled the video of the two hugging in hospital room, both planning to elope, leaving her stranded.
Worried, Kunal took a step forward, his hands hovering uncertainly by her sides, in case she stumbled. "Vandana..."
She turned then, her dead yet desperate eyes catching his surprised ones. "Aap..aapko kab pata chala", She croaked, and Kunal didn't have the heart to say the truth. But he had to. They were both kindred souls. If he could, he wouldn't let her suffer in ignorance. The feeling of being in the dark, wasn't nice.
"Two weeks back, I saw them eating ice cream...." He paused, his brows furrowing and then he shook his head, "...no...feeding each other, and after that..." As he continued with his recollections, her eyes widened first, her heart plummeted into the pits of her stomach soon after and then she felt needles burrowing into her chest, as the details progressed. She could have tolerated Vaibhav's infidelity but her sister's backstabbing had made her heart bleed. Worst part was realizing that Hemant and her tai knew. And they didn't bother saving her from the upcoming farce.
Once finished, Kunal looked on and watched, as her hopeless eyes took on a determined hue. Her hands were shaking, and still she stood her ground.
"Ab tum kya karogi?' He asked, as she took a step back, took a few staggering deep breaths before looking up into his eyes and smiling, tightly.
***************
"What happened Vandu? Why did you gather us all here?" Vaibhav asked confused, as Vandana beamed in response. His mother was as irked as ever while the rest of family was as curious.
"Tai yaar!" Mrunal complained, stepping into the hall. "If I had known I would not be allowed to rest, I would have stayed in hospital only!" She trailed irritated, while very naturally coming to stand by Vaibhav's side.
But Vandana didn't bat an eye. And Kunal, feeling out of place, shifted on his feet as he earned strange looks from everyone around. Well, he had promised her his support, whatever her decision be.
"Vandu, kya hua. Bol kuch?" Her father prodded finally, and Kunal saw her smile falter.
Her father would be heartbroken for sure. But she had to do it. Because there was no other way.
"Bas ek second", With that said, she walked over to the TV in hall, plugged in the pen drive, pressed a few buttons on the remote, and as the video started playing, she stepped back, to give everyone uninterrupted screening.
And as the video progressed, Vaibhav paled while Mrunal's eyes popped out. Her father was shocked and so was everyone else.
"Vandu, ye..." Vaibhav stammered, as he rushed to take out the pen drive but she held her palm upfront and nodded in negative, her eyes hard. "Stay put, Vaibhav. And take a bloody stand".
Vaibhav had the decency to look ashamed but Mrunal, Kunal sighed. He had never seen a more disgusting person. She couldn't have been Vandana's sister. Ridiculous.
"Yes, Vaibhav tell them the truth", Mrunal stepped forward haughtily, unabashed. "Tell Vandu tai, that you love me", another step forward as she levelled Vandana with a glare. She simply stared back in disbelief. The sliver of hope she had, of salvaging their bond, was no more.
Another step forward, Mrunal stood an arm's length from Vandana and spat confidently, "Yes, we love each other. And yes, we would have eloped. Yes, I pretended suicide and yes, I sabotaged your mehendi too. You know, I ha--
Her next words didn't make the end for a scathing palm landed on her left cheek and sent her tumbling on the floor from the force of impact.
Vaibhav almost rushed to Mrunal's aid but his mother held him still. And Vandana fisted her right fingers, pained. She had slapped her baby sister. She had loved her so much though. What had went wrong? Where had it gone wrong?
Reeling from the blow, palm caressing her stinging cheek, Mrunal whipped her head and screeched, "How dare you!!"
"You deserve far worse", Vandana stated as a matter of fact, her voice hard and demeanor icy. "I am speechless". And Mrunal still managed to look as indignant.
She turned away to face Vaibhav then, whose nerves were betraying him. "And you, if you would've told me once ki vandu, main tumse nhi Mrunal se pyaar karta hoon, I would've...just backed off. How hard was it to be honest?"
He didn't respond and Vandana scoffed as she pulled out the glimmering ring off her finger and threw it at his face. "Take this, along with the girl you're in love with, and get out of my house".
"And..." she moved towards the sofa, picked up her phone, did a few taps and waited a beat, as Vaibhav's pocket vibrated. He took out the phone, looked at the notification first and then looked at her as she responded with a raise of her brow, "That's the money we spent on the wedding preparations, and you better return it to me. Along with that ring on your finger, if you will".
And she stretched out her palm in demand, while a flushed Vaibhav took the ring off his finger and placed it in her palm.
Fingers closing over the object, Vandana made sure that it dug hard into her skin, hard enough that the physical pain would overpower the agony her heart was in and give her enough strength to see this debacle to the end, without breaking down.
"You'd better return the stated amount, or-- she trailed warningly but was interrupted.
"Or What?" Her sister quipped, coming to stand opposite her, her fair cheek now embroidered with a stunning stinging red.
Vandana didn't deign her with a response but looked at Kunal. "Being involved with this man will destroy your market image, because he will expose your debauchery and your goodwill will be destroyed, not because you cheated, but because this man's fame will put you in the spotlight and exaggerate your case. Because media trial would ruin you far sooner than any court ever will".
Vaibhav looked at Kunal then and as he smiled, Vaibhav shuddered recalling how Vandu had made newspaper headlines just by being in his arms. "I will return it, in three days".
"Two", Vandana stated and as Vaibhav nodded, her face turned to steel and she signaled towards the door, "Out now".
And as Vandana watched Vaibhav, Mrunal and his mother walk off, Kunal looked at her in admiration. She had displayed unparalleled will, strength and intellect. He smiled. She was special.
And as his gaze dropped to the floor, he saw a drop of red trickle onto it. Confused, his eyes followed the source and located it to be Vandana's tightly clenched fist.
Her fist loosened then making the minutely stained ring fall to the floor, along with her facade as Vandana's heart shattered under the retreating feet of the two people she had loved dearly. And will now loathe passionately. Her vision hazed over in reminiscence and a trail of tear traversed her cheek, followed by another. And another. Then another. And then one more.
Silent tears flowed down her face. She had lost it all. And her idea of revenge had actually made it easier for them to be together. She scoffed. So bitter. So jealous. Why not her? Why?Why??Why????? W....hy....?...
And Vandana staggered, her surroundings blurring as the adrenaline and the anger faded along with her consciousness. And the last thing she remembered was a familiar voice calling out to her.
Love Friendship Dating and Relationships
Bindi
