PART 7
Virat sat on his bed just staring into the ceiling. He had been in this state for the past few days just thinking and going over what did he did to make Manvi behave the way she did. There was a small knock on the door.
"I'm not hungry ma, I'll come down and eat later," Virat said thinking that it was his mother, he hadn't told anyone about what had happened, he didn't have the strength because if he told someone it would become real and he was still thinking that he was just having a bad dream.
"Virat," Ria said as she slowly opened the door.
"Oh it's you, I thought it was mom," Virat said getting up from his bed as Ria and Karan came into the room.
"Look what love has done to you man, sulking around like a lost puppy," Karan said looking at Virat's lost look on his face," she'll be back in Delhi after her break."
"No she won't," Virat said sadly.
"What do you mean she won't, she has two more years at Uni," Ria said.
"She doesn't want me anymore,"Virat said, and he said it alone tear fell down his cheek, it finally sunk into him. He will never see her again. She had been his life, although they were together only for a few months it had been the best months of his life.
"Virat," Ria said softly coming closer to him, even Karan had stopped laughing at Virat's look, "What are you talking about, I can't understand a word you're saying."
"She's not coming back Ria," Virat said as he put his face in his hands, Karan put his hand on Virat's shoulder and sat next to him on the bed.
"It's over," Virat cried as he looked at Karan, "she doesn't want to be with me anymore."
"Manvi said that," Ria asked shocked at what she was hearing, "I'm sure there's got to be some mistake, the girl was madly in love with you for years how can she just stop loving you all of a sudden."
"No mistake Ria, she was just a lying two faced bitch, it was just a game to her, she never loved me, if she did she would never have done this to me." Virat said angrily shaking his fists and punching the bed.
"But Virat, have you talked to her, maybe there's something else going on," Ria said.
"Ria, stop it, just because you were her friend doesn't mean you have to doubt Virat," Karan said.
"I'm not doubting Virat, I'm just saying there's two sides to every story," Ria said, trying to find a reasonable explanation for the situation, "and for your information, she was not only my friend."
"Ria, she called me and told me herself." Virat said, "You should have heard her, there was not a hint of sadness in her voice."
"But Virat," Ria started again but Karan put his hand on Ria, and motioned to stop.
"I don't want to hear about Manvi ever again, she was the best and the worst thing that ever happened to me and I just want to forget about her," Virat said.
From that moment talking any topic concerning Manvi was considered taboo, Virat tried his best to stop thinking about Manvi but no matter what he said, he couldn't stop loving her, but he also hated her for breaking his trust to such an extent that he knew he'll never be able to let anyone into his life again, he was not going to let any woman hurt him like Manvi hurt him.
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It was a chilly Autumn morning in Melbourne, he looked outside his balcony from his apartment building in the city, he still had a headache from last night's hangover, he could see people below walking on the streets, couples hand in hand, and he thought of Manvi of how he had never wanted to let her hand go.
"Urghhh, get a hold of yourself man, two years and you still can't get over her." Virat thought to himself. It had been two years since that fateful day that Manvi had broken all ties with him.
"What are you doing outside, it's freezing," Maya said coming up from and hugged Virat from behind.
"I'm sorry babe, did I wake you," Virat asked.
"No I have to get to work anyway, we're still on for tonight right," Maya asked, Virat nodded, "I'm going to take a shower, I'll have to go back to my apartment and change, see this is why I need my own shelf in your apartment."
Virat looked at Maya with an "are you crazy look."
"Sorry, sorry, I was just saying," Maya said, "anyway I'm getting late, do you want to join me," she said with a mischievous smile.
"I'm going to make some coffee I'm having a thunderous headache," Virat said walking to the kitchen.
"Virat Vadhera, you're such a sour puss sometimes," Maya said and headed to the bathroom for a shower.
Virat went to the kitchen, made himself coffee and sorted through his week's mail, just then he's phone started ringing, it was Karan, Virat was now a major shareholder in Shekawat industries, and now business partners with Karan.
"Hey, how's the hangover," Karan said as soon as Virat answered the phone.
"Don't even ask," Virat said.
"Virat, I'm leaving, I'll see you tonight, remember we're meeting an old friend of mine from India, he's come for a holiday with his family, don't forget ok, got to run babes," Maya suddenly came into the kitchen her hair wet from the shower, it reminded him of how Manvi had always left her hair loose after a bath.
"Urghhh, back to Manvi, "he thought to himself clenching his fist in frustration.
But Manvi had always smelt of lavender but Maya was different, he never got the same feeling with Maya that he had with Manvi but he needed someone to keep him from thinking about her, after all she had done to him, he still couldn't stop thinking about her.
"Was that Maya," Karan asked, "she stayed the night," sounding surprised.
"It was too late for her to go back so she stayed after the party," Virat said.
"She's a nice girl." Karan said.
"Karan, you know I'm not going to there, I'm not someone to repeat my mistakes twice." VIrat asked.
"I won't be coming to the office today, can you manage the housing project deal," Karan said changing the subject sensing that Virat was getting frustrated being reminded of Manvi.
"Sure no problem, I've got to go for a stupid dinner with Maya, I think it's time this ended, she's getting too attached with me." Virat said without any thought at all.
"Virat, when did you become so hard, you always used to care about other people," Karan said.
"Apart from ma, you and Ria, I don't trust anyone else, I'm going to go for this stupid thing tonight and then tell Maya," Virat said.
"Virat, you've been with the girl for almost a year, of course she'll be looking for something more now." Karan said.
"I'm not looking for long term relationships anymore," Virat said, "Been there done that, never going to happen again."
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"Shit, I'm late,"Virat thought as he entered the restaurant that he was meeting Maya and her friends. "See this is why I need to end this, I'm meeting her friends, that's too boyfriendish."
He looked around the restaurant for Maya, he saw her sitting at a corner table, with two other, as soon as she saw Virat she waved at him to come over.
"Ok then, let's have this last supper together," he thought gearing up to break up with her later in the night.
As soon as he got close to the table Maya got up and flung her arms around him, and said,"Virat, finally you came, this is Rahul an old friend and his fianc Manvi,"
"Manvi,"Virat thought if he had heard wrong he looked at the table to find "Rahul" as Maya had introduced him getting up to shake Virat's hand and seated next to him was Manvi, looking down feeling like she wanted to be invisible.
"Hi," Virat said after he had got over the initial shock and shaking Rahul's hand and then looked at Manvi and said, "I'm Virat," extending his hand to shake it, he could see her hesitate at first but she gave her hand anyway.
"Hi," she said while shaking Virat's hand, Virat squeezed it tightly making her flinch with pain.
"Come now let's have dinner," Maya said not noticing the animosity between Virat and Manvi.
"So how did you guys meet," Maya asked Rahul, making Virat listen with intent.
"I've known Manvi for almost two years now, but we got engaged only last month," Rahul said looking at Manvi and taking her hand, Virat noticed that she got uncomfortable at his touch.
"What do you do Rahul," Virat asked.
"I'm a cardiologist," Rahul said.
Virat looked at him, and then looked at Manvi who didn't dare look up and catch Virat's eye, "So Miss Manvi, you found someone better after all, Women," he thought, "never satisfied with what they have."
After dinner Rahul and Maya were talking about their old days, while Manvi silently listened for a while and then said, "I'll just be back," and she got up to go to the ladies room.
"Now's my chance," Virat thought, "I have to call Karan," he said and walked pretending to take a call.
He snuck in to the ladies room, he made sure no one else was inside and locked the door from inside, just then Manvi came out from the cubicle and looked like she had seen a ghost seeing Virat in there.
"Virat, what are you doing here?" Manvi asked sounding scared.
He came closer to her as she went backwards but she had nowhere to go, she was against the wall, Virat put his arms on either side of her and trapped her and not letting her move.
"I'd ask you the same thing Manvi," Virat asked in an angry voice, "how can you be happy after all you put me through."
"Virat, you don't know what you're talking about," Manvi said trying to explain, which made Virat even angrier and grabbed her arms.
"I don't know what I'm talking about," he said getting furious, all the emotions he had felt in the past two years flooding out, the pain, the hate, "I can't believe I actually loved you."
"Virat, you're hurting me," Manvi said as Virat was holding her so tightly.
"I'm hurting you, YOU HURT ME," he shouted. "I trusted you; I loved you more than anything in the world and it was all a game to you."
"Virat, please listen to me," Manvi said.
"No you listen to me, I'm going to make you pay for what you did, you made my life a living hell, you don't deserve to be happy," Virat said shaking angrily.
There was a sudden knock on the door and Virat broke free, Manvi quickly opened the door and left as a woman came in she smiled at seeing Virat obviously misinterpreting the situation.
As Virat was coming to the table he heard Manvi tell Rahul that she wasn't feeling well and wanted to go, "leaving so soon," Virat asked sarcastically.
"Yeah, will meet again soon, we're staying at the crown Maya, I'll call you to get together again. It was nice meeting you Virat," Rahul said.
"Thanks for dinner Maya," Manvi said and looked at Virat, she was still holding her arm, Virat felt a tinge of guilt for hurting her but passed as soon as Rahul put his arm over Manvi's shoulder and walked out of the restaurant, making Virat tighten his fists in anger.
"Virat, you said you wanted to talk about something," Maya said.
"Huh," Virat said, "not now Maya, I got to go, I'll call you later," and he followed Rahul and Manvi leaving Maya baffled at Virat's behaviour.
As Virat went out he saw Manvi and Rahul walking down the street to where they were staying as it was a few blocks away. Virat stayed far enough so as not to be noticed but close enough to see them. When the couple came to the Crown, (where they were staying) they stopped outside.
"Is it ok if I walk around and come up," Virat heard Manvi say,
"Do you want me to stay with you," Rahul asked,
"No you go up to your room, I want to be alone for some time," Manvi said.
"Ok, let me know when you come back," Rahul said and went inside.
Manvi wrapped her arms around herself and walked down the street and to a small path which led to a bridge and was lost in her thoughts when Virat came up from behind.
"How could you Manvi," Virat said, making Manvi startle and look back, she looked around and saw no one around she tried to get away from there but Virat was too fast he grabbed her by the hand.
"For the past two years, I always wanted to know what I did wrong, was my love not enough Manvi, I know I didn't have much money then, but I would have earned it, what was missing in me that you had to go looking for something better," Virat asked.
"You wouldn't understand, not then and not now, you've changed, if you loved me at all you should be happy to see that I'm happy, but no you want to make my life miserable, if you even understood my love you would have known that everything is not as they seem." Manvi said.
"What's that supposed to mean," Virat asked.
"I don't have to explain anything to you," she said and shook her hand to get away from him, she tried crossing the road but in her rush didn't notice a vehicle coming from the other side.
"MANVI!," Virat shouted and ran over to her pulling her from the road, he looked at her but she was unconscious, "Manvi" he said again looking at her. He placed her on the ground and started rubbing her hands but there was no response.
Not knowing what to do he called Karan, "I need your help," Virat said, "I'm near the bridge near the crown come and pick me."
"Sure I'm just around the corner be there in 5," Karan said from the other end.
When Virat saw Karan's car pull up he lifted Manvi in his arms and got her into the back seat.
"Manvi," Karan said looking surprised,
"Not now Karan, just take us to my apartment, she was in an accident," Virat said looking at Manvi with a worried expression.
"Don't you think we should get to the hospital," Karan asked,
"No she's just in shock, don't ask questions just drive." Virat said.
When they got to Virat's apartment he lifted Manvi in his arms, Karan was getting out as well.
"I've got it from here," Virat said.
"But," Karan said.
"Thanks man, just don't tell anyone." Virat said and walked inside the building leaving Karan confused as to how Manvi is in Melbourne in the first place.
Did you know Manvi is in Melbourne-Karan
WHAAAT-Ria
Our boy's gone crazy and won't tell me anything; I'll let you know when have more info-Karan
OK keep me posted-Ria
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Virat opened the door trying to balance Manvi in his arms, and then went over to his room and placed her carefully on the bed, as he was turning around to get some water, he saw something shine on her neck, he looked closer to see that it was the same white gold chain and pendant he'd given to her for her birthday.
"What is going on Manvi, you say you don't love me but you're still wearing the gift I gave you." Virat said to himself.
"Manvi," Virat said softly wiping her face with a wet cloth, she started to stir,
"Virat, where am I," she said opening her eyes and adjusting to the light in the room.
"Don't try to get up, just rest," he said as Manvi closed her eyes again, she looked so peaceful and innocent, "how could anyone as innocent as you break my heart like that Manvi," he thought.
He kept a chair by the bed side and sat by her side in case she got up and needed anything. No matter how much he had hated her after seeing her still wearing her gift he thought that maybe there was something else going on.
Virat awoke suddenly in the morning to the banging on the door.
"What the hell," he thought looking at his phone to check the time when he saw 15 missed calls from Maya.
He grumpily went to open the door to find Maya and Rahul standing at the door.
"What's going on," he asked.
"Manvi didn't come back to her room last night," Rahul said, "I went by in the morning and she wasn't there, she didn't have her mobile on her and I have no idea where to find her."
"Oh shit," Virat thought, "they are going to think the worst if they see me with Manvi."
"Manvi," Maya said.
Virat looked back and saw Manvi coming out of his room, looking confused.
"What are you doing here," Rahul asked Manvi and then looked at Virat , "Oh my God are you Virat Vadhera."
Virat just looked at him with a confused look on his face.
"Manvi this is the VIrat you were talking about," Rahul asked sounding angry.
"wait you know her," Maya said jumping in, "Oh my God you s**t, you're engaged to one person and you go sleeping around with my boyfriend,"
"Hold it right there Maya," Virat said getting angry, "you have no business shouting at her,let me explain,"
Manvi was just watching the whole scene not knowing how she got here and confused at the whole situation.
"Manvi, I always knew you never loved me but I never expected this from you," Rahul said sounding hurt.
"Rahul, believe me I have no idea what's going on," Manvi said finally speaking out.
"Nothing happened man, Manvi was out having a walk last night and we just talked." Virat said.
"Talked, she was walking outside our hotel, how did you manage to get to your apartment," Rahul said, "I don't want to listen to any excuses, I thought you'll get used to the idea of us but clearly you're still hung up over him."
"Rahul please," Manvi pleaded,
"If you're worried about your family I won't tell them anything about this, you go back and explain that you don't want to get married right now, you can stay as long as you like at the hotel it's paid for," Rahul said, "or maybe you want need to stay there at all." He added sarcastically.
"Rahul, please listen, Virat say something," Manvi begged, but Rahul didn't want to listen and he walked out of the room, Maya gave a disgusted look to Manvi and Virat and left behind him.
"Virat, what have you done," Manvi cried falling to her knees.
"Manvi, you're marrying a guy you clearly don't love, you tell me you don't love me anymore but you're still wearing the chain I gave you, why aren't you telling me what is going on." Virat asked kneeling beside her and trying to take Manvi's hand and console her.
"You don't love me Virat," She said taking her hand away from his, "if you did you would have tried to find out why I did what I did two years ago, you didn't care to think what happened."
"That's not fair Manvi, don't put the blame on me, you clearly told me that you don't want me in your life again." Virat said.
"And you believed it, didn't you even wonder for a bit." Manvi asked, "You didn't try to call me back fight with me to find out why,"
"Manvi," he said softly trying to get close, he slowly put his arms around her and this time she didn't take it away.
"Oh Virat," she said and put her head on his shoulder, "do you know how hard it was for me."
"Manvi I'm here now, tell me what happened." Virat asked stroking her hair softly.
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I know I know you're probably thinking what crap is she writing, believe I feel the same, but what to do have to finish what I started.
So let me know what you think if you managed to read through this part.
Love Nush.
PART 8
Anupamaa
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