I was on my way down the stairs, discussing the problem that have popped up in the latest contract that AR designs is signing with KK designs for the upcoming fashion show, when I heard her voice. As musical as ever, even more beautiful from what I last heard and immediately I stiffened. I don't want to go there. Ever.
Sure enough there she was, as I turned around the corner striding toward the dining table where my whole family sat including her. My eyes devoured her. It felt as if I haven't seen her since...eternity. But in reality it's been only few days. Her face has been permanently etched in my mind. I very well remember her looking like an angle in red walking down the stairs as I stood at the bottom...
"Bhai!" Dhruv called me as soon as he saw me standing. I hope he didn't notice the way my eyes were looking at her.
Involuntary, my eyes were drawn towards her and the smile that she flashed towards me nearly blinded me, robbed me of my breath and again for the umpteenth I thought like I have been since long time, that why wasn't I the one for whom she was walking down the stairs, with a shy smile on her face. But as I have already known, she passed by me to my brother, who was waiting for her to claim her as his in front of the world by sliding that gold ring on slim fair finger and I've done what I've been doing. I stared at her with all the love and passion I have for one and only person who can never be mine, who I can never have. My brother's fiance.
Smiling toward my younger brother, trying very hard to ignore the way he held her hand, I made my way toward the table and sat exactly opposite of her.
Discreetly I glanced up at her. I cannot have my family thinking anything suspicious about the way I am with her or look at her. I saw her as she threw a longing glance towards the dish that was placed almost at the corner of the table. I know she wanted to taste it, but was still shy asking anyone from the table to pass it. It was one of the things that made me fall for her. Her childlike innocence.
Not wasting another second I stretched my hand, grabbing the dish in my hand and wordlessly forwarded it to her. Her shocked wide brown eyes met mine. I can literally hear her scream in her mind 'How the hell he know that I wanted it!?!?' and in response, I just threw my famous smirk at her.
I quickly composed my face as dhruv looked at us in confusion. I resumed eating ignoring his confused look. I will always grant her every wish. Said or Unsaid. No matter what.
***
Only two months more are left for their marriage. My heart started to ache more and more with each passing day. Soon she will be someone else's for forever. Its difficult to work from past few days with my mind constantly filled with thoughts of her and her marriage to my brother and today aman pointed out, for the first time, that I am somewhat distracted. My inner feelings are now slowly coming out. I've always been able to control my feelings, not letting any of them reflect on my face, but its not the case when it comes to her. Its becoming hard to act normally in front of her.
A tired sigh escaped my lips, staring at the file in front of me, sitting at the top of my desk from two hours. Even when I had not done anything in the office today, I felt myself tired to bone.
Now frustrated with the sudden helplessness that crept inside me, I slammed the file shut. I slumped back on my comfortable chair and closed my eyes to clear my messed up mind. But even that was interrupted.
I reached out to pick my mobile; curses flew out of my mouth for not having even a single moment of peace for myself, when my earlier frustration disappeared in an instance as soon as my eyes caught her name flashing on my mobile screen.
It was just a matter of seconds after I heard her voice, her scared, trembling voice as she asks me to come to her, that I fled out of my office and in a second was inside my car, changing gears as drove to reach to her.
I drove at an insane speed with my heart racing miles per minute. I could only think of getting to her as soon as possible. My hands were sweaty as I gripped the steering wheel tightly. Need.To.Get.To.Her.
I heard the screeching sound that my car tires made as I applied braked harshly. I was out of the car, before it was even stopped and soon I found myself inside the club, searching through the throngs of the people for the only one person for whom his heart beats.
My eyes stopped their frantic search as soon as they landed on the petite figure standing in the corner. Even from this far I could feel how uncomfortable she is feeling and soon my body filled with red hot rage towards my younger brother because of whom she was in this condition. It was his duty to protect her but he just left, he bloody just left her here alone, when he was the only one who dragged her here against her will.
I will deal with my dearest younger brother later. Now I need to be with her. In few long strides I was behind her. "Khushi..." I whispered softly.
Next thing I knew, she was in my arms, hugging me tight. I could feel her heart beating fast against my chest. "I am glad you came..." I heard her say softly against my coat and she tightened her hold on me more and i just prayed for her to hear my heart beating as fast as hers.
At last my arms wound around her.
Anupamaa
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